Almost Famous Enough

Joel Plaskett on music, identity, and the tension between analog life and AI
Joel Plaskett joins Glen Erickson for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from privacy and digital fatigue to the realities of sustaining a long music career. They unpack what it means to make art in an increasingly algorithmic world, reflecting on place, age, and the changing shape of creative work. Joel shares how his life has been split between Nova Scotia and Vancouver Island, why that tension remains creatively productive, and how honors like the Order of Nova Scotia and the Portia White Award fit alongside his local identity. The conversation also explores Thrush Hermit, the Halifax music scene of the 1990s, building a studio, and why he still feels compelled to make new work rather than settle into legacy mode.
Key topics
Joel’s move to Vancouver Island while maintaining ties to Nova Scotia, family, and his studio and business.
Digital privacy, data collection, AI, and the risks of algorithmic culture.
Why humanities, philosophy, and art matter beyond material efficiency.
Aging, touring, and the realities of sustaining a music career into your fifties.
Thrush Hermit, the Halifax scene, and regional music identity.
Artists like Nick Lowe and Gillian Welch as examples of staying creatively vital over time.
ep51 Joel Plaskett thinking out loud
released October 15, 2026
1:47:18
https://joelplaskett.com/
https://www.instagram.com/joelplaskett
https://www.youtube.com/@joelplaskett
hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480
Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:24 Moving to Vancouver Island and living between coasts
00:07:37 Nova Scotia, recognition, and identity
00:12:20 Turning 50 and finding a sustainable pace
00:18:45 Defining success beyond recognition
00:25:37 Building a studio, shop, and creative community
00:31:23 Restlessness, risk-taking, and creative focus
00:35:47 Burnout, aging, and digital saturation
00:38:31 Maps, algorithms, and the value of getting lost
00:41:12 Speed, communication, and Marshall McLuhan
00:44:26 AI, meaning, and the limits of efficiency
00:47:07 Imperfection, analogue sound, and making art human
00:50:14 The efficiency paradox and the cost of “more”
00:55:07 Making space to think instead of react
01:01:15 Thrush Hermit and the Halifax indie-rock scene
01:07:21 Touring lore, regional scenes, and early career lessons
01:15:42 Staying creatively alive across a long music career
01:19:12 Playing the hits while still making new work
01:23:10 Why long-form conversations still matter
01:26:35 Post-Fame with Alexi

Chevy Beaulieu talks through the long road from playing family gigs in the Northwest Territories to signing with 604 Records and releasing his self-titled album. He also shares how his roots, his mixed background, and a wide range of influences shaped a sound that sits between traditional country, outlaw country, rock, and a little bit of everything else.This is a story about learning the craft first, then learning the business later. Chevy also gets honest about the frustration of being ignored by labels, the value of staying authentic, and why he believes “overnight success” is a myth.
Key topics
Chevy Beaulieu explains the pronunciation of his last name and the family history behind it, including his father, a three-time Canadian fiddle champion.
Music was always around him at home through fiddle tunes, family band performances, and influences like Merle Haggard, Texas Tornadoes, Doug Kershaw, and Cajun music.
Family gigs meant being “always ready,” with little rehearsal and a set list built around weddings, bars, First Nations gatherings, funerals, and old standards.
His first self-released album, Firecracker, came out in 2019 while he was still working full time at a diamond mine and had no real understanding of royalties, registrations, or the business side of music.
Chevy describes the frustration of submitting demos and often getting no response, including blunt rejections from labels that did not even listen to the songs.
He eventually signed with 604 Records after being invited down for what he thought was just an acoustic office performance, not a real audition.
He also talks about the realities of touring, casino gigs, and why live music pay has become harder for working musicians.
https://chevybeaulieumusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/chevy_beaulieu_music
https://www.youtube.com/@chevybeaulieu2294
ep50 Chevy Beaulieu is a bush baby
released October 8, 2026
1:34:44

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480
Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:42 - Meeting Chevy Beaulieu
00:07:01 - Roots, Heritage, and Identity
00:09:12 - A Family Legacy of Music
00:14:32 - The Family Band and Learning the Craft
00:18:33 - Early Songwriting and Finding Direction
00:23:37 - Developing a Voice as an Artist
00:25:16 - Funding the First Record
00:32:13 - The Story Behind the Name Chevy
00:33:26 - Rejection, Demos, and Breaking Into the Industry
00:36:54 - Finding a Home at 604 Records
00:42:02 - Country Music Influences and Musical Identity
00:49:25 - Songs, Covers, and Country Music Legacy
00:53:24 - Signing a Deal, Waiting, and Building a Team
01:00:59 - New Music, Awards, and Life on the Road
01:15:08 - Post-Fame with Alexi

Glen Erickson talks with Jon Bryant about the winding path from art school album covers to a career in indie folk, acting, and voice work. The conversation traces the moments that shaped Jon’s creative identity, including early luck, personal loss, the Nexium experience, pandemic disruption, and how fatherhood and returning home to Nova Scotia informed his upcoming record Harbor. They also dig into what it means to market art honestly in the age of social media, how vulnerability can deepen connection without becoming a gimmick, and why Jon sees his voice as the center of everything he makes.
Key topics
Jon’s art-school assignment that sparked his first album, and the unexpected Apple Canada breakthrough.
Building an audience through DIY touring, visual design, and changing approaches to marketing.
His reflections on church culture, Nexium, and the complex mix of harm and belonging.
The pandemic’s impact on his career, his creative identity, and connecting with fans.
Acting, voice work, fatherhood, and the return to Nova Scotia that shaped Harbor.
https://www.jonbryantmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jonrbryant
https://www.youtube.com/@JonBryant
ep49 Jon Bryant is more at home
released October 1, 2026
1:55:17

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480
Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.
Chapters
00:00:00 — Introduction
00:02:37 — Glen and Jon’s First Connection
00:07:39 — From First Record to a Music Career
00:10:22 — Art, Design, and Finding a Creative Voice
00:13:04 — Growing Up and Leaving Home
00:15:57 — Learning the Independent Artist’s Grind
00:21:35 — Early Breakthroughs and Building Momentum
00:24:27 — Marketing Music Without Losing the Story
00:31:52 — Vulnerability, Social Media, and Self-Doubt
00:39:06 — Life Changes, Cult Classic, and Creative Growth
00:46:36 — The Pandemic and Finding a New Path
00:51:28 — Therapy Notes, Mental Health, and Songwriting
00:56:58 — When Songs Become Part of Someone Else’s Story
00:58:20 — Acting, Voice Work, and New Creative Outlets
01:02:31 — Identity, Adaptation, and Being Yourself
01:09:49 — The Connection of Live Performance
01:12:01 — Harbor, Parenthood, and Returning Home
01:24:16 — Post-fame with Alexi

Freelance musician and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Jacobs joins me to discuss her diverse career as an award-winning bass player and a dedicated music therapist. We dive into the grit of touring, studio recording sessions, and how she balances the energy of massive festival stages with the quiet intimacy of clinical music therapy. Lisa shares her unique mindset on finding longevity in the music industry, overcoming performance anxiety, and the real definition of confidence.
ep48 Lisa Jacobs finds little joys
released June 18, 2026
1:53:26
https://www.instagram.com/lisajuliejacobs/
Key Takeaways
Dual Dualities & Symbiotic Career Paths: Lisa successfully balances a high-energy performance career with the quiet intimacy of music therapy, allowing both worlds to uniquely inform and feed into each other .
The Clinical Power of Music Memory: Because music is stored across multiple areas of the brain, it acts as a powerful non-verbal tool to unlock memories and restore personal identity for dementia and palliative care patients .
The Reality of Passion Projects: Disproving the cliché myth that loving your job means never working, Lisa emphasizes that even dream careers require immense sacrifice, unglamorous behind-the-scenes toil, and dealing with burnout .
True Confidence is Earned Through Failure: Genuine confidence is not unearned bravado; rather, it is built incrementally by leaning into discomfort, making mistakes, and actively working to get better at a skill over time .
Strategic Cultivation of Small Joys: To survive the grueling demands of the music industry and prevent professional misery, Lisa intentionally hunts for tiny moments of connection and beauty on and off the stage .
hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480
Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:15 Catching up with Lisa Jacobs
00:06:44 Life as a Freelance Musician
00:09:42 The Dual Role: Musician and Music Therapist
00:12:43 The Power of Music Therapy
00:15:45 Connecting Through Music: A Personal Story
00:18:43 Finding Balance: The Performer and the Healer
00:24:34 Rediscovering Self: The Journey of Balance
00:31:40 Understanding Emotional Patterns
00:34:07 The Journey of a Musician
00:37:58 Early Musical Influences and Opportunities
00:41:06 The Freelance Musician's Path
00:46:45 Finding Joy in the Journey
00:53:55 Authenticity on Stage and Off
01:00:01 The Value of Vulnerability in Music
01:03:22 Fashion Influences and Sisterhood
01:06:02 The Power of Personal Style
01:09:17 The Balance of Light and Dark in Music and Fashion
01:14:24 Confidence Through Experience
01:19:23 The Journey of a Musician
01:24:26 Embracing Opportunities and Personal Growth
01:33:04 Post-Fame with Alexi

What does it take to sustain a 12-year independent music career? Canadian rock-and-folk artist Skye Wallace joins the conversation to dissect the realities of the modern touring landscape, independent album funding, and shifting toward DIY touring sustainability. From her classical vocal roots to heavy guitar distortion , Skye shares how raw adaptability has defined her trajectory. Plus, she opens up about challenging music industry ageism and sexism while proudly navigating new parenthood on the road.
ep47 Skye Wallace is adaptable 
released June 11, 2026 
1:49:55
Key Takeaways
Navigating Parasocial Dynamics: Independent artists must balance a unique social dynamic where fans online and in public feel a deep, one-sided personal connection with them.
Early DIY Grit: Building a long-term music career often requires a foundation of intense solo hustle, booking grassroots gigs, and navigating early touring challenges independently.
The Power of Creative Adaptability: Longevity in a volatile industry relies heavily on an artist’s willingness to constantly adapt, whether by upgrading live performance technology or shifting musical directions.
Pivoting for Touring Sustainability: Rising industry costs and widespread artist burnout are forcing creators to return to grassroots, DIY touring models like intimate house shows for better financial feasibility.
Reclaiming Agency in Motherhood: Choosing to openly balance a rock-and-roll career with new parenthood allows female artists to directly challenge systemic industry ageism and sexism.
https://www.skyewallace.com/
https://www.instagram.com/skyewallacemusic/
https://www.youtube.com/c/Skyewallace
hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480
Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:09 Navigating Social Dynamics in Music
00:06:14 Returning to the Stage: A Musician's Journey
00:09:10 The Evolution of Live Performance Technology
00:12:09 From Classical Training to Creative Expression
00:14:59 The Path of a Solo Artist: Challenges and Triumphs
00:18:12 Support Systems: The Role of Family in Music
00:21:12 Speaking Out: The Artist's Voice in Society
00:29:50 Embracing Authenticity in Music
00:31:25 Navigating a Decade of Music Production
00:34:02 Building Connections in the Music Industry
00:36:49 Evolving as an Artist Through Collaboration
00:40:00 The Impact of Production on Artistic Growth
00:42:31 The Importance of Learning from Experience
00:45:40 Adapting to Change in the Music Landscape
00:49:18 The Role of Public Funding in Music Careers
00:52:43 Sustainability and DIY Approaches in Music
00:56:51 Facing Challenges as a Female Artist
00:58:33 Parenthood and Its Impact on Artistic Expression
00:59:05 The Iced Tea Incident
01:01:16 Flag in the Ground Moments
01:02:58 Living Your Truth
01:06:11 The Journey of Parenthood and Career
01:11:04 The New Record and Creative Process
01:15:11 Performance Dynamics: Solo vs. Band
01:24:19 Post-Fame with Alexi