Second Verse

Michael Isaak on Arabesque Folk, Diaspora Identity, and The Carpet Maker Host Becky Boyland interviews Los Angeles–born Egyptian American musician Michael Isaak about his journey from church hymns, Arabic classics, and early FL Studio production to creating a new sound he calls “arabesque folk.” After making indie folk influenced by Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens, a first trip to Egypt at 19 s...

Prin’s Second Verse: From 9/11 Hospitalization to Wellness-Centered Music Production Host Becky Boyland interviews New Jersey-based music producer, author, and educator Prin, who began playing piano by ear at age three, worked as a paid musician by 15, and built a thriving NYC gigging and composing life while at Fordham. After graduating in 2001, untreated bipolar disorder and substance abuse led...

Embracing Multiple Selves: A Journey into Music with Sophie Bickerdike In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland welcomes Sophie Bickerdike, an indie artist who shares her journey of exploring multiple musical identities under different names. Sophie talks about how she started creating music out of necessity during COVID for her yoga studio and evolved into producing meditative tracks,...

Embracing Creative Renewal: Adriana Douglas' Journey from Corporate to Artistry In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland welcomes music artist and creative guide Adriana Douglas, who shares her inspiring journey from a decade-long corporate career to rediscovering her childhood dream of becoming a singer. Adriana discusses the pivotal moment when she embraced her artistic identity, the...

Rediscovering Purpose Through Music with Kathi Fran In this episode of Second Verse hosted by Becky Boyland, we meet Kathi Copans, who creates under the artist name Kathi Fran. Kathi shares her inspiring journey of growing up in a musical home, navigating the ups and downs of life, and finding her way back to music and songwriting after illness and loss. This conversation covers a range of topics...

Joshua David Thayer: From Sideman to Solo Artist In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland chats with Joshua David Thayer, a seasoned bassist from Northampton, Massachusetts. After spending decades in supporting roles for various bands, the sudden loss of his father in 2023 inspired Josh to step into the spotlight as a solo artist at age 50. They discuss the creative process, using grie...

Building Confidence Through Small Steps: Insights from Second Verse Podcast In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland emphasizes the importance of building confidence through small steps. She shares personal experiences, including a transformative songwriting retreat in Scotland. Becky highlights how taking minor actions can snowball into greater self-assurance. Featuring stories from p...

The Power of Collaboration for Indie Artists In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland explores the transformative power of collaboration for indie musicians. She breaks down why working together is crucial, not just in co-writing or production, but also in building community and maintaining accountability. Becky shares her own experiences and provides a step-by-step guide on how to fin...

Building Your Creative Ecosystem: Nurturing Sustainable Artistry for Indie Musicians In this episode of Second Verse , hosted by Becky Boyland, indie music artists are guided on how to create and nurture a creative ecosystem that supports sustainable artistry. Sponsored by Attitude Creativity, the episode covers the importance of establishing an effective website and brand messaging. Becky emphasi...

Clarify Your Message as an Indie Artist: Practical Steps for Success This episode of Second Verse , sponsored by Attitude Creativity, delves into the importance of clarity for indie music artists. The host discusses how having a clear message can help artists stand out and connect with their audience, emphasizing the need for consistent brand messaging across their website and social platforms. Sh...

https://youtu.be/snCA8bN_M5A Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Embracing Your Creative Journey In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland explores the impacts of imposter syndrome on indie music artists and the ways it hinders their creative journeys. Becky shares her personal stories and insights from interviews with fellow artists to shed light on the pervasive nature of doubt as they navi...

https://youtu.be/o1OxfMM-rIc Crafting a Musical Journey: Steven McDonald's Return to Songwriting In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky welcomes songwriter and lawyer Steven McDonald from Edinburgh, Scotland. They explore his musical journey, starting from his early influences in a musically rich family to his pandemic-driven return to songwriting. Steven shares insights on balancing his leg...

https://youtu.be/vMHK04GMNpk Rediscovering Dreams: Bree Noble's Journey from Finance to Music Entrepreneurship In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland interviews Bree Noble, a singer-songwriter who transitioned from being a finance director at an opera company to founding Women of Substance Radio. Bree shares her experience of pivoting from a corporate career to pursuing her passion f...

https://youtu.be/tJKaNe4EFDc Finding Harmony in Hospice: Benjamin Kintisch's Journey with Life Review: The Hospice Musical In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland speaks with Benjamin Kintisch, a chaplain, music teacher, and cantor, about his transformation from a cantor to the creator of Life Review: The Hospice Musical . Kintisch shares how chaplaincy experiences shaped his musical,...

https://youtu.be/8f2Z06_8-9Q Trusting the Long Winding Road with Bryan Boliver: Embracing Creativity and Faith in Music In this episode of Second Verse, host Becky Boyland speaks with Bryan Boliver, a singer-songwriter, worship leader, producer, and content creator. Bryan shares his inspiring journey from rock band dreams to worship ministry and full-time music production, emphasizing the importan...

Becky Boyland, singer-songwriter and marketing strategist, introduces Season 2 of her podcast Second Verse , which explores the stories of indie artists rediscovering their passion for music. The podcast features resilient musicians transitioning to new chapters, including those who balanced artistry with motherhood, teaching, business, and more. Season 2 delves deeper into personal experiences su...

https://youtu.be/OQVWCmM24K4 Finding Your Second Verse: Stories of Returning to Music Against All Odds In this special episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland celebrates the completion of season one by revisiting powerful moments from the podcast. With inspiring stories from artists like Adassa, Kelly Hastings, Rick Molloy, and many more, Becky explores the journeys of musicians who returned...

Rediscovering Musical Joy with Ryan Pryor of Inglewood Instruments In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland sits down with Ryan Pryor, Founder of Inglewood Instruments and creator of the Cumberland dulcimer guitar. Ryan shares his unique journey from studying music in college to pivoting through various careers before discovering a new passion for designing instruments. Listen in as th...

Kelly Hastings: Reclaiming Dreams, Embracing Music, and Raising Mental Health Awareness In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland converses with Kelly Hastings, a resilient singer-songwriter and mother of six, who reached the semi-finals on The Voice UK in 2023 and competed in Y Llais (the Welsh version of The Voice). Kelly shares her inspiring journey of returning to music after raisin...

Unmasking the Hidden Superpower: Neurodivergence and Creativity in Music In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland dives deep into how neurodivergence, particularly ADHD, manifests in the lives of artists and why it is often a hidden superpower. Becky shares her personal journey of navigating ADHD, from the initial chaotic symptoms to the profound sense of relief and empowerment upon ge...

From Vinyl to Film Scores: How David Rosen Found His Musical Calling In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland chats with David Rosen, a versatile indie artist whose journey spans from growing up in a family-owned record store to producing rap music, composing film scores, and creating comedy rock about his pets. David shares the importance of letting one creative endeavor fuel another,...

Phil Lovell: From Classroom to Songwriting - A Journey of Creativity and Persistence In this episode of Second Verse , host Becky Boyland chats with Phil Lovell, a retired teacher turned songwriter who crafts thoughtful songs in English and Welsh. Phil shares his journey from nurturing his musical passion quietly while working in education for over 30 years to diving fully into songwriting and per...

Finding Success by Saying Yes: Greig Watts' Journey from Banking to Hit Songwriting In this episode of the Second Verse podcast, host Becky Boyland interviews Greig Watts, a music publisher and songwriting mentor who transitioned from a career in banking to co-founding DWB Music. Watts shares his inspiring journey of pursuing his passion for music, the importance of mentorship, and the power of sa...

Hooky Anthems and Disenchanted Optimists: Chris Evans Finds Joy in Music's Second Act Join host Becky Boyland on the Second Verse podcast as she chats with Chris Evans, an alt/indie rock artist, songwriter, and producer known as AudioGust. Dive into Chris's fascinating journey from '80s rock bands to a successful software career and back to music. Learn how he built his own soundproof studio, rele...

Healing Through Music: Overcoming Vocal Trauma with Guest Whitney Nichole In this deeply personal episode, host Becky Boyland shares her compelling journey of overcoming vocal trauma following major spine surgery. Initially facing the terrifying possibility of never singing again due to a paralyzed vocal cord, Becky describes the emotional and physical challenges she faced. She highlights the pivo...