Artist Yxng Ched sits down with Dirty Dave for an unfiltered, long-form conversation recorded live at Cosmos Court in downtown Topeka[1]. Yxng Ched breaks down the release of his new album What If It All Works Out[2], sharing how he shipped more physical CDs in a single month than ever before in his career[2]. The guys look back at their early DIY recording setups using Xbox Turtle Beach gaming headsets—noting how Skrillex famously produced Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on a broken headset[3][4]—and debate the discipline of posting daily social media content versus avoiding burnout[5].

Yxng Ched breaks down his top three career-defining tracks ("Why Are You", "Why Not Me" feat. Katy Rae, and "Eden")[8][9] and discusses the reality of independent artist work ethic, emphasizing that "nobody owes you shit" in the music industry[10]. He also shares wild real-life stories from the road, including getting turned down by a gas station hater[11], receiving a random $100 tip while doing yard work[12][13], performing inside Lansing Prison[14], and uploading his album to Pornhub[15]. Plus, the crew trades local food recommendations across Kansas—from Bobo's Drive-In in Topeka to Buzzards Pizza and the legendary Sap Bros truck stop[16].

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Introduction & Just JP's Episode Pressure[19] 1:12 - DIY Recording: Turtle Beach Headsets & Skrillex Production[3][4] 2:00 - "What If It All Works Out" Album Release & Shipping Physical CDs[2] 3:25 - Yxng Ched's Top 3 Songs: "Why Are You", "Why Not Me", & "Eden"[8][9] 6:15 - Social Media Strategy: TikTok Consistency vs. Lazy Posting[6][20] 10:14 - Independent Reality: "Nobody Owes You Shit"[10] 12:26 - Building Out-of-Town Markets & Regional Crowd Psychology[21][22] 15:00 - Favorite Road Spots: Sap Bros, Bobo's Drive-In, & Buzzards Pizza[16] 16:45 - Live from Cosmos Court in Downtown Topeka[1] 17:48 - Wild Fan Stories: Gas Station Haters vs. $100 Yardwork Tip[11][12] 21:56 - Performing Inside Lansing Prison[14] 25:06 - Headlining Emporia Granada Theater with Grizz Lee, Devin Zorn, & Just JP[23][24] 26:14 - Album Streaming on Pornhub & Wrapping Up[15]

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In Episode 27 of The Observation Deck, Dirty Dave sits down with Topeka creator Yxng Ched at Cosmos Court[1]. Moving past standard promotional chatter, the two dive into the mindset required to stay authentic as an independent creator in Kansas, balancing DIY music production with real-world hustle[2].

Connect with Yxng Ched: ▶ Stream What If It All Works Out on all platforms[2] ▶ TikTok & Socials: @YXNGCHED

Grizz Lee returns to the studio alongside Dirty Dave and DJ GK Smoke for an unfiltered deep-dive into the true grind of independent music. The crew discusses what it really takes to write, record, mix, master, and promote your own tracks, highlighting Grizz Lee's relentless pledge to drop a new single on the 13th of every month.

The conversation gets real as Dave and GK Smoke have an honest, back-and-forth debate on DJ compensation, show logistics, PA gear, and the hustle required to build real value in the scene. Plus, Dirty Dave belts out a classic country cover, the guys break down major record label traps vs. making genuine art, shout out Yxng Ched's vinyl release, and announce an exclusive signed ukulele giveaway.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Introduction & 90s CatDog Nostalgia 2:42 - Consistency vs. Quality: The Independent Artist Sacrifice 5:28 - Dropping a Song on the 13th of Every Month 8:44 - Skipping TikTok Trends & Investing in Gear 10:23 - Dirty Dave Sings Brooks & Dunn's Red Dirt Road 12:17 - Compromise, Hustling, and Real Industry Value 15:15 - Record Label Traps vs. Making True Art 18:37 - Yxng Ched's Vinyl Release & Setting the Local Standard 22:02 - Learning from Losses & Staying Authentic 25:00 - Real Talk: DJ Value, PA Gear, & Show Hustles 32:34 - Respecting the Grind & Homie Loyalty 36:21 - Reading the Room & Playing the Crowd 37:46 - Signed Ukulele Giveaway & September 13th Drop

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In Episode 26 of The Observation Deck, Grizz Lee sits down with Dirty Dave and GK Smoke. From discussing the financial realities of touring and local venue management to navigating artist disagreements and staying loyal to the craft, this episode captures the raw work ethic behind independent Kansas music.

Topeka artist Just JP joins Dirty Dave in the studio for an incredibly raw, authentic, and powerful episode. JP kicks things off with an exclusive in-studio live performance of his unreleased track "Ridin' through the Desert" (produced by and featuring Grizz Lee).

The guys go deep into their mutual obsession with professional wrestling, debating the Monday Night Wars, WWE vs. AEW, and the greatest finishers of all time. JP also shares his moving personal journey—from his adoption and a graveside promise to his late brother that launched his music career, to his battle with meth addiction and celebrating three years of hard-earned sobriety. He also opens up about balancing his career in pest control (despite a fear of spiders) with raising and homeschooling three boys alongside his supportive realtor wife.

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