Kris Bradley on Burnout, Autism Discovery, and Reclaiming Her Authentic Sound with ‘Midnight Church Aftermath’

Host Becky Boyland welcomes Maui-based indie artist Kris Bradley, an independent singer-songwriter, producer, and guitarist who spent over 20 years largely behind the scenes writing to briefs, producing for other artists, earning 200+ film/TV placements, and building the music education company Produce Like A Boss. Kris shares her early musical roots, stage fright, touring with an all-girl Led Zeppelin tribute, learning songwriting craft, and producing out of necessity. She explains how entrepreneurship and marketing gradually pulled her away from making music, leading to severe autistic burnout, loss of short-term memory, and three years of creative darkness after selling her company. A spontaneous performance in Maui reignited her desire to perform and write, sparking her debut double-disc concept album, “Midnight Church Aftermath,” recorded with a full band near Nashville and described as “Ameri-Kinda,” emphasizing authenticity over commercial rules.

https://youtu.be/wbwyNH2PFN4

Connect with Kris Bradley:

• Website: https://www.krisbradleymusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/krisbradleymusic
• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@krisbradleymusic
• Spotify (Fireproof): https://open.spotify.com/track/79xPM1hfZmruZH7XOnKegQ
• Apple Music (Fireproof): https://music.apple.com/us/song/fireproof/6787345596
• YouTube (Fireproof video): https://youtube.com/watch?v=YlkH41OSakQ

Sponsors:

• She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com

Featured Song:

• ”Shapeshifter” by Kris Bradley, written by Kris Bradley, Blue Foley (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser: Kris Bradley Interview
• 00:38 Introduction
• 01:52 Welcome and Musical Roots
• 05:13 Stage Fright Years
• 06:22 Cover Bands Bar Life
• 07:29 Zeppelin Tour Turning Point
• 09:03 Learning Songwriting Craft
• 10:17 Asia Pop Boot Camp
• 11:27 Production Out of Necessity
• 15:51 Produce Like a Boss Origins
• 18:03 Entrepreneur Drift
• 20:45 Autistic Burnout
• 23:07 Maui Music Revival
• 26:59 SPONSOR: She Produces Music
• 27:30 Monotropic Focus Explained
• 30:23 Writing Without Agenda
• 31:43 Two Act Album Vision
• 38:29 Concept-First Songwriting
• 40:51 Branding And Authenticity
• 42:49 Advice for New Artists
• 46:52 Truth Beats Craft in AI Era
• 49:06 Breaking Rules And Going Genreless
• 53:56 Where to Follow Kris
• 54:51 Coda
• 56:56 Featured Song: "Shapeshifter" by Kris Bradley

Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285

Or to your Tidal now!

https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d

Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)

Harley DiNardo on Getting Dropped Twice, Returning to Music After 9/11 Loss, and Going All In After the Palisades Fire

Host Becky Boyland interviews New York-born singer-songwriter Harley DiNardo about his long path back to music after early success, two major-label deals, and years away. Harley traces his origin story from a formative high school Battle of the Bands to relentless practice, switching from bass to singing, and partnering with songwriter-guitarist Derrek Hawkins. He describes getting signed to Warner Brothers-backed Revolution Records after a Ticketmaster competition and later landing a BMG-backed deal for White Light Motorcade by handing demo CDs to strangers while working as a waiter, only to be dropped both times due to poor marketing. After stepping back to raise a family and run a hair salon, a wildfire that burned down his new salon and threatened his home pushed him to commit fully to music. He discusses negative self-talk, age stigma, tragedy including losing his sister in 9/11, and his new single “LA to NY.”

https://youtu.be/9SoclNknUdk

Connect with Harley DiNardo:

• Website: https://www.harleydinardo.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harleydinardoartist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harleydinardomusic
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@harleydinardoband

Sponsors:

• She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com

Featured Song:

• ”LA to NY” by Harley DiNardo, written by Harley DiNardo (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser: Harley DiNardo Interview
• 00:36 Introduction
• 01:40 Welcoming Harley
• 02:05 Battle of the Bands Awakening
• 04:03 Learning Bass in a Hurry
• 06:41 From Bassist to Singer
• 09:44 Hair School and Reality Check
• 12:21 Why Hairdressing Works
• 15:20 Haunted Mansion Band Days
• 17:14 Ticketmaster Contest Breakthrough
• 20:43 Signing and Getting Dropped
• 23:43 NYC Scene and Demo Hustle
• 28:12 Dropped Again and Losing Hope
• 31:33 Making Art Later in Life
• 35:39 SPONSOR: She Produces Music
• 36:13 Find Your Bees Audience
• 38:02 Owning Your Artist Identity
• 39:56 The Call That Won’t Quit
• 43:59 Social Proof and Attention Hooks
• 49:00 Fire Catalyst and Clean Slate
• 52:45 Never Too Old to Create
• 55:27 Writing "LA to NY"
• 58:28 9/11 Loss and Serendipity
• 01:03:19 Advice: Beat Negative Self Talk
• 01:07:48 Where to Follow Harley DiNardo
• 01:08:29 Coda
• 01:10:13 Featured Song: "LA to NY" by Harley DiNardo

Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285

Or to your Tidal now!

https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d

Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)

Tom Sykes on Cold-Calling John Hammond, Failing Forward in Entertainment, and Making Music in the Age of Algorithms

Host Becky Boyland interviews songwriter, writer, filmmaker, and former entertainment executive Tom Sykes, whose music journey began with a cold call to legendary A&R John Hammond, producer of Bob Dylan’s first album and the scout who discovered artists like Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin. Tom describes how low confidence complicated his early momentum, leading him to step back from performing and focus on songwriting—then pivot into entertainment work after taking a video store job in Atlanta that led to marketing roles and decades of “failing forward” through companies including Embassy Pictures, Turner Broadcasting, WEA, and Showtime, where he turned struggling divisions profitable. He discusses keeping music alive amid constant moves, critiques algorithms, streaming economics, and AI-generated music, and emphasizes audience support for indie artists. Tom shares updates on his book A Long Hard Road, documentaries, and ongoing music releases, and points listeners to tomsykesmusic.com.

https://youtu.be/_eS1vqbgxcM

Connect with Tom Sykes:

• Website:https://www.tomsykesmusic.com
• YouTube:https://youtube.com/@tomsykessongsstories
• Apple Artist:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tom-sykes/1706510558
• Tom’s book, A Long Hard Road:https://www.tomsykesmusic.com/book/

Sponsors:

• She Produces Music:https://www.sheproducesmusic.com

Featured Song:

• ”I Don’t Know for Sure” by Tom Sykes, written by Tom Sykes (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser: Tom Sykes Interview
• 00:29 Introduction
• 01:38 Welcome, Tom
• 02:45 Records, Liner Notes and a Phone Call
• 06:47 Confidence and Atlanta Move
• 08:14 From Video Store to Studio Job
• 10:25 Entertainment Career Highlights
• 14:00 Living a Double Life
• 14:48 Creative Circles and Collaboration
• 19:23 Story Over Gear
• 22:09 Streaming and Algorithm Problems
• 26:31 SPONSOR: She Produces Music
• 27:05 AI and Authentic Art
• 32:52 Breaking Through as Indie
• 41:41 Dreams Success and Perception
• 49:05 Finding Your Unique Sound
• 52:06 New Releases and Where to Find Tom
• 55:54 Coda
• 57:31 Featured Song: "I Don't Know for Sure" by Tom Sykes

Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285

Or to your Tidal now!

https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d

Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)