Ten episodes in, and I’m starting to realize this whole “just make great music and everything will work out” idea… isn’t exactly how it goes anymore.

In this solo episode, I’m riffing on what it actually feels like to be an independent musician right now — writing songs, playing gigs, trying to grow an audience, and learning the social media/content game whether you like it or not. I talk about the stuff artists don’t always say out loud: the pressure to post, the weird relationship between art and algorithm, and figuring out how to stay creative without losing your mind.

I also get into vocal health myths, songwriting rules (and when to break them), unpopular gig opinions, and some of the realities of being a working musician in 2026.

This one’s more off-the-cuff. Just me talking honestly about where I’m at, what I’m learning, and what I’m still trying to figure out.

If you’re a musician, songwriter, or creative person trying to make this whole thing work... this episode’s for you.

New episodes every week.

— Travis

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

This week on the podcast, Travis talks with Kay Goutos, a stand-up comic from Glens Falls, about getting started in comedy, what it really feels like to bomb on stage, and the mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t land. They dig into confidence, self-doubt, and the uncomfortable moments that come with trying something new in front of people.

A candid conversation about creative risk, learning in public, and figuring it out as you go.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

In this episode, I sit down with Rich Derbyshire, bass player for Wild Adriatic/ Andy Frasco and the UN, for a grounded, honest conversation about musicianship, taste, and what it actually means to jam.

We talk about why real jamming isn’t about showing off chops, but about listening, understanding the room, and knowing when less is more. Rich breaks down how knowing your instrument — and knowing your role — shapes better musicians and better bands.

We also get into:

• The difference between playing at music and playing with people
• Why taste and restraint matter more than speed
• Learning to hear genres, keys, and feel in real time
• Growing as a bass player and a bandmate
• Choosing a life in music when stability was an option

Rough Pumpkins- real stories from people who should have gotten real jobs.

🎧 New episodes every Thursday

📍 Recorded in Upstate New York

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

This episode is a little different.

Travis sits down with his wife for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to build a creative life together. They talk about anxiety, uncertainty, and the quieter forms of support that don’t always get recognized — the emotional labor, the patience, and the work that happens offstage.

It’s a real discussion about partnership, communication, and navigating a life that doesn’t follow a traditional path. No advice, no platitudes — just two people trying to understand what support actually looks like when creativity and real life collide.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

In this episode of Rough Pumpkins, Travis sits down with Hannah Williams, a mural artist based in Glens Falls, to talk about the deeper realities of living a creative life.

Hannah shares what it’s like to paint murals in public spaces, where the work doesn’t happen in isolation and the community becomes part of the process. The conversation explores creative identity, purpose, and what happens when art isn’t just something you do — it’s part of how you survive, connect, and make sense of the world.

They talk about staying rooted, showing up in real life, and why putting yourself out there still matters long after the paint dries.

This episode is for artists, musicians, and creatives who think about who they are without their work — and whether that’s even possible.

🎨 Topics include:

• Painting murals in public spaces
• Art as identity, not just a career
• Community connection and word-of-mouth
• Creative purpose and longevity
• What it means to truly “show up” as an artist

www.hwilliamsart.com for Hannah's Full collection

🎧 New episodes every week of Rough Pumpkins.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

Travis sits down with Photographer/Videographer Frankie Cavone of Mirth Films. They talk about the passion and motivation it takes to keep going in your chosen creative field, and share some old stories. You might even get to hear about when Frankie had to go to court on 'Judge Judy'.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

Travis sits down with Joe Mansman of Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band for a laid-back conversation full of old memories, chaotic band stories, and the funny moments you only appreciate in hindsight.

They talk about the unglamorous side of band life — roommates, road mishaps, and the kind of situations that sound insane once you say them out loud. It’s a hangout episode that focuses less on achievements and more on what it’s actually like trying to make something creative work.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

This week on Rough Pumpkins, Travis hangs with Mikey Baish from The Sugar Hold — one of the wildest, most entertaining bands in the Capital Region. We get into everything: how the band came together, Mikey’s role at The Jive Hive, and why Upstate NY might secretly have more raw talent per square mile than anywhere else. Lots of laughs, lots of local music love, and plenty of stories that prove Schenectady/Albany musicians are built different.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI