The Music Lens Podcast

The Music Lens Podcast

Two girls with mics talking all things life in the music scene through the lens of independent artists

Episodes

November 28, 2025 34 mins

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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 replace real human creators—no matter how good the tech gets.

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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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!

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube at: @themusiclenspodcast

You can also follow Alex and Katie on all socials at: @alexallegr...

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October 22, 2025 31 mins

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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 explore how these connections can both help and harm. We talk about healthy fandom, setting boundaries, and what happens when the line between admiration and obsession starts to blur.

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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.

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube at: @themusiclenspodcast

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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 they really necessary, or should artists just move on to their next chapter?

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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September 2, 2025 41 mins

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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 the podcast. It feels good to be back, and we can’t wait to bring you along for the ride!

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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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 identity made her a trailblazer in early American music. Then, we explore the story of Jobriath, the glam rock pioneer whose short but impactful career in the 1970s challenged norms an...

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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!

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube at: @themusiclenspodcast

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June 5, 2025 36 mins

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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 before signing a deal.

Resources:

What a Record Label Deal Looks Like

Recording Contracts Terminology

Recording Contracts Explained

All You Need To Know About The Music Bus...

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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 transformed into a creative sanctuary during the 1960s and '70s, attracting legends like Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, Frank Zappa, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Mamas & the P...

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May 21, 2025 60 mins

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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 surprising wins (and snubs), and the fashion moments that had us talking.

From heartfelt tributes to the future of the genre, we’re recapping all the highlights and sharing our u...

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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, plus the buzz around Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour and Beyoncé’s epic Cowboy Carter Tour.

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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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 festivals— complete with fantasy lineups, fun names, and all the vibes we wish we could experience in real life.

But the party doesn’t stop there! After curating our personal mega-festiva...

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April 23, 2025 57 mins

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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 tornado warning.

But that’s not all! We also break down our night at an Ian Munsick concert at Nashville's newest music venue, The Pinnacle, where modern country met mountain soul in the b...

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April 17, 2025 44 mins

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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

Avid How To Mix Music

LANDR How To Mix Music


Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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April 10, 2025 43 mins

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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. But do you know where the format came from or how it started? In this episode, we explore the roots of the writers' round and how it became a bel...

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April 3, 2025 43 mins

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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!

Resources:

LANDR Music Production

LANDR Home Studio

LANDR 50 Best MIDI Controllers

How To Set Recording Levels

AVID: How To Produce Music

AVID: How To Edit Audio

Have a question, s...

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March 27, 2025 41 mins

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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!

Resources

Billboard Women in Music

Sabrina Carpenter

Anna Vaus

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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March 19, 2025 45 mins

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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 episode.


Resources

Famous Artists Who Moonlight As Ghostwriters

The Power of Ghostwriting in Music

Invisible Musicians

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March 13, 2025 44 mins

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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:

Barbie Career of the Year

Inclusion in the Recording Studio

2024's Top Women in Music

Have a question, story, or feedback to share? Email us at: themusiclenspodcast@gmail.com

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