Josh Scheer returns to Pivot Points—this time as a solo artist.

Formerly known as the frontman of Pandas & People, Josh shares the story behind stepping away from the traditional band model and embracing a more flexible, independent path. From building a full-time income through solo gigs to launching a new business, this episode dives into the realities of sustaining a music career as life evolves.

We talk about creative identity, the pressure of big shows, the shift from radio gatekeepers to talent buyers, and how playing cover gigs helped shape Josh’s sound. He also opens up about his move toward a more country-influenced direction and his goal of taking his music on the road—on his own terms.

A conversation about freedom, growth, and finding your lane as an artist.

This episode is brought to you by Discovr Radio
A platform helping independent artists get their music onto mainstream radio. Learn more at:
https://www.discovrradio.com/

Patrick Armould joins the podcast to talk about stepping into a new chapter as a solo artist.

After years of playing in bands and developing projects like American Field Day and Hello Darling, Patrick just released his first single under his own name—marking a shift into something more personal, intentional, and honest.

In this episode, we get into the real side of that transition—what it means to start over, how identity plays into an artist project, and the balance between creative freedom and pressure when you’re fully on your own. Patrick also shares how his time in Denver led him to Nashville, the impact of early mentorship, and how his approach to music, content, and growth has evolved over time.

This is a conversation about detachment, growth, and figuring out what you actually want to say as an artist.

Pivot Points is brought to you by Discovr—helping independent artists get their music heard on a broader stage.
Learn more at discovrradio.com.

In this episode of Pivot Points, Seth sits down with Nashville-based independent artist, songwriter, and producer Collin Marx to talk about the pivots that shaped his journey—from growing up in the Chicagoland scene and playing scrappy church-basement shows, to crafting gritty, late-night garage rock on his latest album, Something Wicked.

Collin breaks down why he’s intentionally gone Bandcamp-first (and why the full record lives off streaming), how he tracked a full album in a single day with trusted collaborators, and what inspired the handmade zine + physical release experience. The conversation goes deeper into radio as a community force, the role of tastemakers, and why affordability might be the foundation of every thriving music scene.

• Chicago roots + the move to Nashville

• Church-basement shows and the DIY scene “economy”

• Bands vs. releasing under your own name

• Recording 10–11 songs in a single day

• Mixing your own record + embracing imperfections

• Why Collin chose Bandcamp over streaming (and what changed financially)

• The zine/CD bundle and creating a physical “world” for the album

• Radio as discovery + shared community

• The “music ecology” problem: algorithms, monopolies, and fractured audiences

• Why cheap rent fuels creative scenes (and what cities might be next)

Sponsor

Discovr Radio — helping independent artists get their music onto mainstream radio.
Check it out: discoverradio.com

Sponsor — Discovr Radio
This episode of Pivot Points is sponsored by Discovr Radio, a platform built to help independent artists get their music onto mainstream radio. If you’re serious about growing your audience and getting your songs in front of real listeners, learn more at discovrradio.com.

Aric Damm of The Brevet on Songwriting, Survival, and Reinvention

In this episode of Pivot Points, Seth Beamer sits down with Aric Damm — frontman, songwriter, and creative force behind indie rock band The Brevet — for a candid and deeply honest conversation about the pivots that shaped his career. From starting out as an actor in Orange County to writing music for student films, Aric shares how his accidental entry into sync licensing helped launch The Brevet, including landing a major Ron Howard film trailer before the band even had a fanbase.

Aric opens up about navigating the modern sync industry, the pressure to write “marketable” songs, and why he’s always fought to protect the authenticity of his songwriting. The conversation also explores how his solo project California Goldwas born from a creative reset, how a rough demo unexpectedly led to multiple sync placements, and how that same song caught the attention of Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, leading to a co-write and an ongoing creative relationship.

Now in a new season of life — raising a child, stepping back from touring, and working in marketing — Aric reflects on presence, burnout, and what it means to create without chasing validation. This episode is a powerful look at how success, art, and identity evolve over time, and why sometimes the biggest pivot is choosing to write for yourself again.