Almost Famous Enough

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

What does music genre even mean anymore? Former guest Matthew Willox returns to challenge traditional Billboard classifications like rock, country, and classical. This Hot Take sends us on a deep dive into how digital streaming platforms and Spotify algorithms have completely shifted the landscape, swapping rigid labels for curated aesthetic vibe playlists, workout tracks, and hyper-niche sub-genres. Discover how, we think, music listeners are taking back control from corporate power structures, ultimately democratizing how we define, discover, and consume new music in the modern streaming era.
s3 Post-Fame Plus presents Hot Takes with Matthew
released June 4, 2026 
49:20
Key Moments
[05:56] The Rise of the "Vibe" Genre: Matthew drops his primary hot take, arguing that traditional Billboard categories like rock and country are dead, replaced by context-driven vibe genres like lo-fi, hype, and workout tracks.
[08:37] The 90s Rock Club Abomination: The guys share a laugh over a modern algorithmic playlist that mashed Tool and Blink-182 together - a chaotic musical pairing that never would have survived the strict sub-culture divides of the 1990s.
[11:40] Context-Driven Listening: Glen explores how modern music taxonomy has fundamentally flipped. Instead of labels telling us what we're listening to, genres are now built entirely around the user’s immediate context: where they are, how they feel, and what they want to feel.
[24:00] Triangulating Music Tastes: The guys unpack how the younger generation completely struggles to define their music taste. Instead of naming genres, listeners now list a trio of hyper-specific artists to help others "triangulate" their exact sonic aesthetic.
https://matthewwillox.art/

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
00:00:08 Introduction to Hot Takes
00:02:15 Self-Policing and Personal Freedom
00:06:10 The Evolution of Music Genres
00:07:07 Vibe Over Genre: A New Perspective
00:11:12 The Contextual Nature of Music Genres
00:20:01 The Influence of Technology on Music Creation
00:23:28 The Evolution of Music Taste
00:26:19 Defining Genres in a Blended Era
00:30:32 The Impact of Historical Context on Music
00:33:25 Listener Influence on Genre Creation
00:37:38 The Democratization of Music Consumption
00:41:39 The Knowledgeable Listener and Genre Fluidity

Jacob Brodovsky uncovers his journey as a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg’s rich music community while discussing his highly anticipated new album, Tell the Kids We Tried. We dive into the grit of indie songwriting, the creative liberation of tracking live to tape, and the power of local music networks. From navigating imposter syndrome to balancing family life and finding his authentic voice, this conversation is an honest look at building a sustainable creative life in today's music industry.
ep46 Jacob Brodovsky is serious
released May 28, 2026
1:31:47
Key Highlights:
The Power of Creative Accountability (The "Song Every Week Club"): Jacob highlights how a strict, high-accountability weekly writing circle in Winnipeg forces creators to bypass the ego and tap into a raw stream of consciousness.
Navigating Toxic Industry Pressures vs. Authentic Balance: The discussion tackles the "toxic bullshit" narrative that artists must sacrifice everything or quit their day jobs to be taken seriously. Jacob and Glen advocate for a healthier, realistic approach to balancing real life while still making award-winning art.
The Vulnerability of "Brutal" Editing: Jacob opens up about his relationship with mentor John K. Samson (The Weakerthans), who agreed to edit his first record on the condition that he could be "brutal" with a red pen. It’s a great lesson for all creatives on checking your ego at the door and treating songwriting as a long-term process of refinement.
Spontaneity Over Perfection (Recording Live to Tape): Moving away from an album that was labored over for years, Jacob’s new record was arranged in a room in three hours and tracked live to tape. This highlight celebrates the magic of capturing spontaneous, flawed, and honest musical moments that can't be easily fixed in post-production.
Community as the Ultimate Antidote: When unexpected professional and personal transitions hit Jacob, the local creative scene "scooped up" his family with gigs and immense support. This highlights the beautiful, reciprocal nature of a healthy music ecosystem—taking space when it's your turn to promote, and pumping everyone else's tires when it's not.
http://www.jacobbrodovsky.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jacobbrodovsky
https://www.youtube.com/@jacobbrodovsky
hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE website: 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
00:03:07 Introduction and First Impressions
00:05:00 The Importance of Reaching Out
00:08:09 Musical Roots and Identity
00:11:04 The Role of Community in Music
00:14:00 Exploring Jewish Camp Experiences
00:17:04 The Value of Summer Camp
00:20:02 The Journey to Becoming a Musician
00:22:27 Recognition and Bittersweet Success
00:23:40 Navigating the Pandemic and Personal Struggles
00:25:37 Imposter Syndrome and the Artist's Journey
00:30:12 The Changing Landscape of the Music Industry
00:34:09 Creating a New Album: Inspiration and Process
00:38:08 The Joy of Being a Solo Artist
00:40:17 Writing from Experience: The Birth of New Songs
00:47:40 Collaborative Creation: The Making of the Record
00:50:12 Influences and Inspirations in Songwriting
00:53:58 The Importance of Editing in Music
00:56:22 Community and Support in the Music Scene
01:05:30 Navigating the Future of Music and Personal Growth
01:10:52 Post-Fame with Alexi

Canadian singer-songwriter Ken Yates returns to discuss fatherhood, touring logistics, and his signature sonic evolution. We dive into how he scaled back to a live trio format , his collaborative work with producers Jim Bryson and Daniel Ledwell, and how a late bloomer to indie-folk songwriting defined his unique guitar tunings and raw vocal identity. From DIY house concerts to upcoming Massey Hall performances with Kathleen Edwards , this conversation explores what it really means to cultivate a dedicated, word-of-mouth audience in the modern music industry.
ep45 Ken Yates has range 
released May 21, 2026 
1:31:46
Key Moments
The Unexpected Trio Transformation: 
Ken explains how a "logistical nightmare" of using six different regional backing bands across the country forced him to strip his live sound down to a trio format, helping him discover a live sound that he now prefers over solo performances.
The Nashville Vocal Accident: 
As a self-proclaimed "late bloomer" who went to Berklee for guitar rather than songwriting, Ken reveals he originally planned to stay behind the scenes writing for other artists in the Nashville style. He only sang his own song for the first time because his lead vocalist fell sick before a performance, sparking his career as a frontman.
Embracing Creative Limitations: 
In a highly candid moment, Ken admits he still doesn't consider himself a traditional singer and doesn't even sing around the house or in the car. He explains how having a limited vocal range actually acts as a creative superpower, forcing him to be much more inventive with his melodies.
The "Traveling Salesman" Burnout: 
Ken reflects on the exhausting pre-COVID era of driving his Honda Civic to DIY house concerts and carrying a vintage briefcase of merchandise. While financially positive, he realized playing living rooms wasn't building a sustainable, dedicated audience, prompting a massive shift in his career direction.
Redefining Success Outside of Fame: 
Ken shares how "failing" to reach the mainstream metrics of fame and fortune for over a decade ultimately set him free. He reached a peaceful realization that even if his career never grew past its current size, he would still happily choose to make records because it fulfills him creatively and financially.
Dismantling the Tortured Artist Trope: 
The conversation shifts to how fatherhood and aging have softened Ken's perspective. He notes that he has actively stepped away from trying to be a "tortured artist" all the time, allowing himself to recognize when he is genuinely feeling good and simply enjoying being a dad.
https://www.kenyates.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kenyatesmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqkNO32U_cF0bQDmb79-PoQ

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE website: 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
00:04:13 Getting Re-acquainted with Ken Yates
00:06:08 Parenthood and Its Impact on Music
00:09:04 Logistical Challenges of Touring with a Baby
00:11:56 Finding a New Band and Live Performance Dynamics
00:14:29 Transitioning from Solo to Full Band Performances
00:17:21 Songwriting Journey and Overcoming Limitations
00:20:01 The Evolution of Sound and Collaborations
00:22:45 Berklee Experience and Early Musical Development
00:25:28 Defining a Unique Sound and Voice in Music
00:28:19 Future Directions and New Music Releases
00:36:32 The Struggles of DIY Music
00:38:25 Finding Clarity in Sound
00:42:14 Personal Growth Through Parenthood
00:52:07 Building an Authentic Audience
01:09:48 Post-Fame with Alexi