The Side Door Sitdown

In this episode, Sara shares what it’s really like to turn a home into a venue. Hosting intimate concerts at The Brockton, the space Sara and Geoff created in their Toronto home. They’ve welcomed artists like Ten Kills The Pack, Jenn Grant, Jim Bryson, and many more into their open-concept living room. Sara talks about the joy and responsibility of inviting audiences into a personal space, the pow...

Ria Mae is a platinum-selling, Juno-nominated pop singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia. In this episode, Ria shares insights on finding balance between creative freedom and industry expectations, the role of collaboration in staying inspired, and the importance of staying grounded through success and change. The conversation dives into growth as an artist in Canada, trusting instincts, and...

In this episode of The Side Door Sitdown , host Laura Simpson sits down with Michael Coll, one of the biggest DIY music fans she knows. For Laura, seeing Michael in the crowd is always a good sign that she’s in the right place. Michael shares what it means to show up for artists as a fan. Paying fair ticket prices, buying merch, and letting musicians know when their set moved you. He talks about t...

In episode 06 of The Side Door Sitdown , Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter and storyteller Sug Daniels joins us to serve up a “hot tip sandwich” full of practical advice for indie musicians. From the importance of always having merch (even if it’s handmade), to treating booking agents with kindness, to why house concerts should be part of every artist’s plan, Sug shares lessons learned from yea...

In Episode 05 of The Side Door Sitdown, we welcome Khari Wendell McClelland. Khari Wendell McClelland is a diversely talented and ever-evolving artist. Originally from Detroit, Khari has become a darling on the Canadian music scene with reviewers lauding his performances as a clever mix of soul and gospel. Khari’s songwriting crosses genres and generations, joyfully invoking the spirit of his ance...

Episode 04 of The Side Door Sitdown dives into what it really means to "make it" in today’s music industry and why your definition of success might need a reset. Ahead of his Side Door show in Halifax, singer-songwriter ‪ Mikhail Laxton sits down with us for a candid conversation about the realities of being a working artist. We dig into what it really means to “make it,” how to find joy...

In this episode of The Side Door Sitdown, Laura Simpson sits down with indie music hero Kelly McMichael to talk about finding your front person energy while managing all the things that come with being an independent artist. From balancing time for your art with answering emails, to learning how to delegate tasks to your band, Kelly shares candid insights from her own journey as a musician navigat...

🎙️ This episode of The Side Door Sitdown features JUNO-winning artist and Side Door co-founder Dan Mangan, and it’s packed with advice for artists who want to tour independently and build a sustainable career without burning out. Side Door co-founders Dan Mangan and Laura Simpson sit down to share real-world advice for independent musicians looking to build sustainable touring careers. Whether you...

🎙️ This episode of The Side Door Sitdown is all about self-booking tours as an independent artist — no agent, no manager, just grit and a game plan. Independent artist Eric Kane shares exactly how he self-booked his Leave It All Behind tour across Western Canada — no booking agent, no manager, just strategy, hustle, and heart. In this candid interview, Eric walks us through the tools he used, how...