Almost Famous Enough

Danielle McTaggart has navigated a fascinating evolution from the early days of Dear Rouge and winning the Peak Performance Project to her evocative new solo venture, Larkk. We explore her roots in Red Deer , the transition from Christian music culture to the indie-rock scene , and the vulnerability of processing infertility and grief through songwriting. Danielle shares veteran insights on maintaining a full-time music career , the importance of creative control , and collaborating with poets to find a raw, mature voice.
ep41 Danielle McTaggart is Larkk
released April 23, 2026
1:16:24
Key Topics
The importance and power of vulnerability in music and artistry
Transitioning from band success to solo experimentation
The influence of Christian roots and artistic grief on songwriting
The evolving voice and style from Dear Rouge to Larkk
The role of collaboration with poets and mental health in music creation
The significance of intentional, curated live performances
The challenge of navigating social media and attention in modern music
The importance of mentorship and education opportunities in Canada
https://www.larkkmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/larkkmusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqGUgS1XUiEvWUqTVBAdcmA
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
00:04:22 Career Beginnings
00:07:04 Influences and Early Music
00:09:59 Transition to Indie Rock
00:19:04 Challenges in the Music Industry
00:21:29 Finding Joy in Music
00:37:39 Larkk's Creative Process
00:54:36 Writing with a Poet
00:57:51 The Meaning of Larkk
01:00:28 Post-Fame with Alexi

Jody Glenham shares her 20-year evolution in the Canadian music industry, from the legendary Sidetrack Cafe door in Edmonton, to the forefront of the Vancouver indie scene. We dive into the making of her new EP, Still Here, her experience producing the "perfect song" in "Overtime," and the unique "artist grants" she utilized while working at John Fluevog. It’s a deep dive into DIY production, building community across the Prairies, and the gritty reality of being a "lifer" musician.
ep40 Jody Glenham is a lifer
released April 16, 2026
1:28:51
Key Highlights:
Glen Erickson and Jody discuss their history in the Edmonton music scene and Jody's move to Vancouver.
Jody's experiences working at the Side Track Cafe and her first show opening for Veda Hille.
The impact of the pandemic on artists and the music industry.
Jody's new EP "Still Here" and the themes of acceptance, presence, and community.
The influence of Jenny Lewis on Jody's music style.
Jody's journey as a musician, including her work with Louise Burns and her experiences touring internationally.
Keywords:
Side Track Cafe, Mood Rock, Community, Acceptance, Presence, Touring, Collaboration
Key Mentions:
Veda Hille
Chris Winters
James Murdoch
Jack White
Alice Cooper
Geddy Lee
Louise Burns
Jenny Lewis
The Wheat Pool
John Fluvog
Grant Lawrence
https://www.jodyglenham.com/
https://www.instagram.com/summerwitch/
https://www.youtube.com/c/jodyglenham
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
00:03:48 - The Canadian music scene as a birthplace of grit and perseverance
00:09:44 - Returning to music during the pandemic: resilience and hope
00:12:47 - The journey from Edmonton to Vancouver: community and opportunity
00:15:52 - The decision to move cities for growth and new opportunities
00:22:02 - Navigating career gaps: side jobs, collaborations, and maintaining inspiration
00:26:42 - Producing her own record: confidence in the creative process
00:36:50 - Pandemic challenges influencing band dynamics and output
00:41:43 - Analyzing the themes of hope and connection in recent work
00:44:23 - Inspirations and references: Jenny Lewis and harmonic choices
00:45:19 - Themes of acceptance, presence, and shared struggles in her music
00:51:33 - Upcoming release details and future plans
00:57:56 - A or B Game with Vancouver’s indie music community
01:04:14 - Post-Fame with Alexi

We catch up with Juno Award winner Mariel Buckley following her big win for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. We dive into the grit behind the glamour - from the "grateful tired" of life on tour to the evolution of her indie-alt-country sound. Mariel opens up about the pivotal choice to skip Nashville session players for her own band, navigating industry gatekeeping, and the raw vulnerability of songwriting through major life pivots. It’s a masterclass in artistic integrity.
ep39 Mariel Buckley keeps winning
released April 9, 2026
1:31:57
Episode TL;DR:
The Juno win: What it actually feels like to win Canada's biggest music prize, and why hearing from peers meant more than the award itself
Career evolution: From playing country covers at Calgary happy-hour gigs to earn rent, to finding her authentic voice and letting go of what didn't serve her
Record by record: The pivots between Driving in the Dark, Everywhere I Used to Be, and Strange Trip Ahead, including writing through breakups, the pandemic, sobriety, and turning 30 (and 35)
Sibling harmonies: A fun detour ranking great sibling harmony acts (Louvin Brothers, Everly Brothers, Beach Boys, Haim, and more), and the planned Mariel + Tim Buckley studio project
The song Anvil: How a co-write with Robbie Heck became a raw meditation on the choice not to have children
Outspokenness, evolution, and letting go of the fight: How Mariel has shifted from competitive scarcity thinking to genuinely championing her peers
Defining success: Selling 400 tickets, paying her bills from music, mentoring others, and being known for integrity over metrics
Featured artists mentioned:
Matt Anderson, Kathleen Edwards, Rose Cousins, Donovan Woods, Jason Molina, The War on Drugs, Ruston Kelly, Leeroy Stagger, William Prince, k.d. lang, Lucius, The Staves, Haim
https://www.marielbuckley.com/
http://www.instagram.com/marielbuckley
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTBPYHl4E-O_Cjqn_uQcTXw
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 Introduction
04:57 Meet Mariel Buckley
10:14 Juno Win Aftermath
15:55 Touring and Genre Roots
23:09 Finding Her Sound
30:08 Sibling Harmonies and Collabs
37:19 First Co Write Breakthrough
38:07 Studio Debut With Leroy
38:59 Touring To Level Up
39:56 Pandemic Reset And Therapy
41:35 Synth Country And Fallout
43:32 Vending Machines Recommitment
50:59 Writing Anvil In Nashville
01:07:04 Defining Success And Closing
01:15:51 Post-Fame with Alexi

Canadian indie folk artist Mia Kelly joins the podcast during a rare break at her home base in Gatineau. We dive into her life on the road, her recent Australian tour, and her collaboration with Kim Churchill on the new single "Time’s Easy to Blame." From winning Canadian Folk Music Awards to the meditative thrill of river surfing on the Ottawa River, Mia shares how she’s navigating the industry, building her team, and infusing her singer-songwriter journey with pure joy.
Hot Topics:
Home base & family: Mia lives in a converted "granny flat" behind her childhood home, steps from the Ottawa River, a perfect setup for a musician who tours 8–9 months of the year
Advice for emerging artists: Show up in the right spaces, ask questions, reach out - the team will find you when you're ready
Kim Churchill: How a chance meeting at a Canadian tour stop - answering Kim's callout for local artists — turned into a close friendship, a river surfing session, and ultimately a collaboration on the new album
River surfing: Mia's meditation, creative incubator, and source of songwriting ideas - she surfs a standing wave on the Ottawa River, sometimes for an entire sunset
The new album (out in May): Recorded at The Tree House studio north of Montreal with producer Connor Satiell; a conscious shift toward joy, love, and gratitude after two more introspective records; includes the single Time's Easy to Blame featuring Kim Churchill
Life on the road: Van life (a sprinter van co-funded by her grandparents), running, painting, and intentional relationship-tending as tools for staying grounded
Hot sauce merch: A genuine passion turned into a fan-favorite merch item in collaboration with Ottawa's Meow That's Hot
ep38 Mia Kelly practices joy 
released April 2, 2026 
1:31:30 
https://miakellymusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/miakkelly/
https://www.youtube.com/MiaKelly/

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 Introduction
03:35 Meeting Mia Kelly
04:44 Touring Home Base
07:51 Living Near Family
11:34 Career Turning Point
15:52 Building Your Team
26:27 Songwriting Over Genre
36:40 Waves Vans And Kim
51:10 Led Zeppelin Fact Check
51:56 Tour Break And Awards Timing
53:25 Contemporary Folk Category Talk
54:30 Bilingual Identity And Songwriting
56:39 Peers And Validation Moments
58:52 New Record Inspiration And Joy
01:03:58 Cultivating Joy On Tour
01:07:38 Hot Sauce Merch And Hot Ones
01:14:50 Post-Fame with Alexi

Season 3 special brought to you by Post-Fame Plus with Alexi and Glen. Featuring a new segment, HOT TAKES with JOSH.