The Music Lens Podcast
Two girls with mics talking all things life in the music scene through the lens of independent artists
Episodes
67 episodes
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
How Do Labels Pay Artists?
After Chappell Roan used her Best New Artist acceptance speech time at the Grammy's to advocate for labels to pay artists a living wage and provide health insurance, we decided to talk about how artists currently get paid by labels with what is...
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Episode 47
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37:36
2025 Grammy Awards - ONE YEAR PODCAST ANNIVERSARY EPISODE!
It's hard to believe we've been podcasting for a whole year already! Join us as we celebrate our one year anniversary by discussing the 2025 Grammy Awards.Resources:
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Episode 46
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54:36
Kelsea Ballerini Live and Love Songs
It's February and that means Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so we took a look at the history of love songs this week. But before that, hear us talk about our experience at Kelsea Ballerini's sold-out Bridgestone Arena show on her f...
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Episode 45
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43:03
The History of The Grammy Awards
The 67th Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2nd in Los Angeles. To prepare for the big event, we're giving you an update on LA wildfire relief before diving into the history of the Grammy Awards as well as the award process and s...
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Episode 44
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40:59
The Artist Inventory: Music Producers
After a discussion about the potential banning of TikTok (this was recorded the day prior to when the ban was supposed to begin), we are back to our Artist Inventory series with a look at music producers. What is a producer and what do they do?...
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Episode 43
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41:14