The Music Lens Podcast
Two friends with mics, talking all things life in the music scene through the lens of independent artists.
The Music Lens Podcast is a vital weekly resource and commentary show for current and aspiring independent artists. Join hosts Alex and Katie—both successful indie musicians themselves—as they offer candid, boots-on-the-ground insights into the culture, history, and most importantly, the business that shapes the modern music landscape.
Tune in to learn how to navigate the industry:
- Music Business 101: Decoding topics like record label contracts, publishing rights, and licensing deals.
- Creator Economy: Examining the impact of AI artists, streaming royalties, and parasocial fan culture.
- Industry Commentary: Breaking down the latest Grammy buzz, news roundups, and music history deep dives.
If you're an indie artist looking for honest talk and practical tools to build your career, this is the community and conversation you need.
Episodes
71 episodes
2026 Kickoff
Happy New Year, everyone! We're kicking off our first episode of 2026 with a chat about new music and music news, including the Songwriters' Hall of Fame Induction nominees and more!Resources:
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Episode 71
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37:13
Year in Review: The Music That Moved Us
For our final episode of the year, we’re hitting pause and looking back on the music that defined it for us. We talk favorite albums and songs, artists we loved seeing live, shows we played ourselves, and the moments that made this year unforge...
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Episode 70
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34:13
From MTV to TikTok: The New Purpose of Music Videos
In this episode, we kick things off with a run-through of the history of music videos from technical invention to MTV to YouTube before getting into why they still matter today, just for totally different reasons. We talk branding, storytelling...
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Episode 69
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43:25
AI Artists
AI “artists” showing up on charts? Yeah… we have thoughts. We run through a few of the names popping up, why it’s frustrating to see them take up space, and why the chart they landed on isn’t even that important. Plus, we get into why AI can’t ...
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Episode 68
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34:33
Roll Call: 2026 Grammy Nominations
ICYMI, the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards were announced last week! Join us for a discussion on who's nominated, who should've been nominated, and more!
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Episode 67
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46:30
The Parasocial Paradox
We're diving into the world of parasocial relationships — those one-sided bonds fans form with artists, celebrities, or even fictional characters. From the rise of Stan culture to the pressures it puts on independent musicians, we expl...
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Episode 66
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31:33
The Deluxe Dilemma: Worth It or Worn Out?
Deluxe albums: marketing genius or creative overload? We break down the history of the deluxe release, the songs we love that wouldn’t exist without it, and whether they still serve a purpose in today’s music industry.
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Episode 65
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37:37
Latest Music & News Roundup: Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson, Old Dominion, and more
We’re back with a new roundup of the latest music and news! From fresh tracks by Jordan Davis, Lainey Wilson, Old Dominion, and more, we’re sharing what we’ve been loving—and what’s left us on the fence. Plus, we dive into deluxe albums: are th...
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Episode 64
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47:06
We're Back! Summer Recap
Guess who’s back?! After a little summer hiatus, we’re kicking off the pod again. In this episode, we’re catching up like old friends—swapping stories from our summer, sharing some behind-the-scenes updates, and talking about what’s next for th...
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Episode 63
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41:41
Pride Month 2025 - Ma Rainey and Jobriath
Happy Pride Month!We're spotlighting two groundbreaking LGBTQ+ artists who helped pave the way for generations to come. First, we dive into the legacy of Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues,” whose bold lyrics and unapologetic...
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Episode 62
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36:48
CMA Fest 2025: Weather Woes, Puppy Cuddles, & Country Gold
We’re recapping our CMA Fest experience—from stormy setbacks to sweet puppy snuggles and, of course, nonstop country music. Tune in as we share the highs, the lows, and everything in between from one of the biggest weekends in country music!
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Episode 61
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45:07
Record Label Contracts 101
After a recap of Eric Church's one-of-a-kind show at The Pinnacle, we're diving into the basics of a record label contract. Join us as we break down the basics, from key beginner terms to a few advanced ones that every artist should understand ...
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Episode 60
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36:44
Laurel Canyon: The Hills That Sang a Generation
Step into the hazy hills of Los Angeles and uncover the story of Laurel Canyon — the unlikely neighborhood that became the epicenter of a musical revolution. In this episode, we dive into how this tucked-away enclave in the Hollywood Hills tran...
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Episode 59
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32:48
60th ACM Awards Recap
The 60th American Country Music Awards was more than just a celebration of 2024’s biggest stars — it was a tribute to six decades of country music history. This week on the podcast, we’re breaking down the night: the standout performances, the ...
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Episode 58
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1:00:39
New Music and New Tours: Current Events Catchup May 2025
This week, we’re unpacking some of the freshest drops in music and major tour announcements. Tune in as we explore Eric Church’s bold new album Evangeline vs. The Machine, Maddie & Tae’s heartfelt release Love & Light,...
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Episode 57
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46:56
Festival Season Kickoff: Dream Lineups & Music Game Night!
Festival season is officially underway — Coachella and Stagecoach have already set the stage, and now it’s our turn to join the celebration in our own way. In this fun-filled episode, we kick things off by designing our ultimate dream festi...
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Episode 56
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51:35
Broadway Adventures and Ian Munsick
This week on The Music Lens Podcast, we’re trading music business talk for neon lights and rooftop bars. Join us as we recap an unforgettable night on Broadway in Nashville—made even more wild by storms, downpours, and a full-on tornad...
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Episode 55
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57:00
Music Production DIY Part 2
In part two of music production DIY, we're discussing the last two steps to producing a song: mixing and mastering. Join us to hear about the difference between the two, setting levels, EQ, compression, and more!Resources
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Episode 54
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44:31
The History of Writers' Rounds
Following a discussion into the nominees for the 60th ACM Awards, we're turning our attention to a cornerstone of Nashville's songwriting scene: the writers' round.If you've ever played—or watched—one, you know it's a special kind of magic....
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Episode 53
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43:05
Music Production DIY Part 1
With today's technology, anyone can learn how to produce music on a relatively low budget. From which equipment you need to setting up and actually recording, we're discussing what you need to do to get started producing music by at home!
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Episode 52
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43:18
Current Events Catch Up March 2025
There's always something (or many, many things) going on in the music industry, so we're taking this episode to catch up on some of its current events. Join us for some new music, some award shows, Broadway happenings, and more!Resour...
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Episode 51
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41:13
Ghostwriters
When you hear the term "ghostwriter", you probably think of books, but did you know that ghostwriting happens in music industry too? Join us for a discussion about what a ghostwriter is and how it differs from a work-for-hire in this week's epi...
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Episode 50
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45:43
Yay Women! - Women's History Month 2025
Happy Women's History Month! It's our second year celebrating and we're discussing updated statistics on women in music as well as highlighting women who achieved great success in the past year.Resources:
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Episode 49
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44:30
Black History Month - George W. Johnson and Mamie Smith
Happy Black History Month! Join us as we discuss the lives and achievements of two important Black artists in the history of recorded music, the first commercially recorded African American, George W. Johnson, and the Queen of the Blues, Mamie ...
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Episode 48
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32:26