📄 Episode Description:

Welcome back to the So Rude Podcast! This week, host Paige Ruderman is thrilled to welcome Nashville-based folk singer-songwriter and audio engineer, Laura Nickel!

Originally from Albany, NY, Laura is known for her descriptive lyrics and memorable melodies that fearlessly explore the complexities of the human experience. Her music is a raw, heart-felt reflection, encouraging listeners to confront their own emotions with care.

Paige and Laura first met at NSAI, and this episode dives deep into Laura's inspiring journey.

🎧 What You'll Hear:

• • The Road to Nashville: What drew Laura from New York to the heart of music city.
  • The Solo Producer: How she taught herself audio production and completed a program at Blackbird Academy to fully record and produce all of her own music.
  • The Albums: A look back at her debut, Dusty Houses, which explored themes of lost loved ones and childhood memories.
  • The New LP, Honestly: Laura opens up about her ambitious 12-track sophomore album—completely written, recorded, and produced by her—and the stories behind tracks like "Garden Snakes," "St. Louis," and "Crystal Ball."
  • Creative Process: Learning about the art that inspires her, the challenge of recording a huge project while studying, and painting her own striking album cover.
  • Mic Check: We wrap up with a quick-fire segment on her dream collab, her go-to guilty pleasure song, and the best hidden gem spot in Nashville.

• Get ready to hear from an incredibly talented and self-driven artist who is truly doing it all!

  🎧 About the So Rude Podcast:

  So Rude is hosted by Paige Ruderman and dives into real conversations with artists, songwriters, and creatives in Nashville and beyond. From the highs and lows of the industry to the behind-the-scenes of building a career in music, this show keeps it honest, curious, and always relevant. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

  📲 Connect with Laura Nickel:

  • Instagram: @lauranickelmusic https://www.instagram.com/lauranickelmusic/?hl=en

  • TikTok: @lauranickelmusic https://www.tiktok.com/@lauranickelmusic

  • Website: https://lauranickelmusic.wordpress.com/

  📲 Follow the Show:

  - Follow Paige: @paigeruderman_ (https://www.instagram.com/paigeruderman_)

  - Follow the podcast: @sorude.podcast (https://www.tiktok.com/sorude.podcast)

  - Subscribe:

  • Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhcW6IduxjTnvJQUTVhAa
  • Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-rude-podcast/id1522530338
  • YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SoRudePodcast-

  Want to be a guest or suggest one? - So Rude Podcast Episode Suggestion Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesoXNsoJ15L0NxBuzbA3VfoZ8DW36UfHoEMt5aYRK4CqIDWg/viewform

  🔖 SEO Keywords & Tags:

  #LauraNickel #SoRudePodcast #FolkSingerSongwriter #NashvilleMusic #NashvilleArtist #DIYMusic #SelfProduced #FemaleProducer #AudioEngineer #BlackbirdAcademy #HonestlyAlbum #DustyHouses #NewMusic #PodcastEpisode #MusicPodcast #FolkMusic #AcousticMusic #SingerSongwriter #MusicForOverthinkers #IndieFolk #IndependentArtist #CreativeJourney #PaigeRuderman #MusicInterview #SupportLocalMusic #NashvilleNights #NewYorkToNashville #CreativeProcess

📄 Episode Description:

Get ready for a double dose of fun, friendship, and fiery country music! Host Paige Ruderman welcomes her close friend and dynamic singer-songwriter, Mikki Zip, to the So Rude Podcast.

Mikki, a genre-bending artist known for her electrifying stage presence and captivating mix of old-school country, rock-n-roll, and modern flair, sits down to share her unique journey. From her roots in Syracuse, NY, to honing her craft in LA and NYC, and finally landing back in Music City, Mikki is shaking up the Nashville scene.

In this episode, Paige and Mikki dive into:

• The Journey: Mikki shares her backstory, including the move to Nashville right before her 14th birthday and what it was like living in LA versus settling back into the Nashville music community.

• The Vibe: Discover the artists who inspired Mikki’s signature sassy, high-energy sound.

• "Somethin' To Write About": Mikki breaks down the inspiration and writing process behind her October 2024 debut EP, featuring tracks like "Boys Momma Hates" and "The Devil."

• The Latest Single: Go behind the scenes of her new release, "Sweethearts of the Dive Bar," including the hilarious story of how she wrote it with Paige and Chris Justice, and what made her know this song had to be hers.

• Life on Stage: From the New York State Fair to Nashville's iconic 3rd and Lindsley, Mikki reveals her favorite part of performing live, memorable moments, and the venues still on her bucket list.

• Beyond Music: Hear about Mikki's recent return to the stage in a very different way—starring as "Lucy" in the stage production of Peanuts! Plus, the scoop on her job as a tour guide at the Opry.

This episode is packed with great stories, creative insights, and the infectious energy of a true southern country powerhouse! You don't want to miss this one.

🎧 About the So Rude Podcast:

So Rude is hosted by Paige Ruderman and dives into real conversations with artists, songwriters, and creatives in Nashville and beyond. From the highs and lows of the industry to the behind-the-scenes of building a career in music, this show keeps it honest, curious, and always relevant. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

📲 Connect with Mikki Zip:

- Instagram: @mikkizip_official (https://www.instagram.com/mikkizip_official/?hl=en)

- TikTok: @mikkizip (https://www.tiktok.com/@mikkizip)

- Website: https://mikkizip.com/

📲 Follow the Show:

- Follow Paige: @paigeruderman_ (https://www.instagram.com/paigeruderman_)

- Follow the podcast: @sorude.podcast (https://www.tiktok.com/sorude.podcast)

- Subscribe:

• Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhcW6IduxjTnvJQUTVhAa
• Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-rude-podcast/id1522530338
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SoRudePodcast-

Want to be a guest or suggest one? - So Rude Podcast Episode Suggestion Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesoXNsoJ15L0NxBuzbA3VfoZ8DW36UfHoEMt5aYRK4CqIDWg/viewform

🔖 SEO Keywords & Tags:

#MikkiZip #SoRudePodcast #PaigeRuderman #SweetheartsOfTheDiveBar #SomethinToWriteAbout #NewMusicAlert #CountryMusic #NashvilleMusic #CountryRock #SingerSongwriter #NewCountry #MusicCity #LiveMusic #IndependentArtist #Podcast #NewEpisode #PodcastLife #Entertainment #Interview #PodcastCommunity #JanisJoplin #Nashville #NYC #LA #SyracuseNY #DiveBar #SassyVibes #TheBluePlateSpecial

📄 Episode Description:

🎤 Rock, Americana, Pop, and Sync Success with Jon Worthy

Join host Paige Ruderman as she welcomes Nashville independent musician Jon Worthy! With a signature sound blending Rock, Americana, and Pop (a "Nirvana meets The Lumineers" style), Jon has built an incredible career as a full-time artist and prolific songwriter.

In this must-listen interview for aspiring musicians, Jon shares the journey behind his 150+ song placements on shows like The Kardashians, Love Island, and American Ninja Warrior. Learn his secrets to success in the competitive world of music sync licensing, what it’s like to self-produce his music (including his new album Barely Here), and how he successfully self-booked international tours in Tel Aviv, Paris, and more!

🎧 What You'll Hear:

• The Nashville Grind: Jon shares the story of moving to Music City and what it takes to be a full-time working musician.

• Sync King: Get the inside scoop on his astonishing success in the world of music licensing, with over 150 song placements on shows like The Kardashians, Love Island, and American Ninja Warrior. Jon gives valuable advice for other artists interested in breaking into sync.

• The Creative Process: Learn about his self-produced work and the inspiration behind his recent singles like "Terminal A," "Chaos Dreams," and "I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down."

• Touring the World: Jon details what it was like to self-book over 120 shows in one year, including international dates in Tel Aviv, Paris, Munich, and more.

• Mic Check & Personal Q's: A fun rapid-fire round covering his dream collab, favorite venues, and his passion for cooking!

Join Paige and Jon as they discuss turning creative freedom into a sustainable career, the logistics of self-production and booking, and the big lessons learned across ten years of consistently releasing music.

🎧 About the So Rude Podcast:So Rude is hosted by Paige Ruderman and dives into real conversations with artists, songwriters, and creatives in Nashville and beyond. From the highs and lows of the industry to the behind-the-scenes of building a career in music, this show keeps it honest, curious, and always relevant. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

📲 Connect with Jon Worthy:- Instagram: @jonworthymusic (https://www.instagram.com/jonworthymusic/?hl=en)- TikTok: @jonworthymusic (https://www.tiktok.com/@jonworthymusic)- Website: https://jonworthythebends.com/epk📲 Follow the Show:- Follow Paige: @paigeruderman_ (https://www.instagram.com/paigeruderman_)- Follow the podcast: @sorude.podcast (https://www.tiktok.com/sorude.podcast)- Subscribe: [Insert podcast platform links—Spotify, Apple, etc.]Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhcW6IduxjTnvJQUTVhAaApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-rude-podcast/id1522530338YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SoRudePodcast- Want to be a guest or suggest one? - So Rude Podcast Episode Suggestion Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesoXNsoJ15L0NxBuzbA3VfoZ8DW36UfHoEMt5aYRK4CqIDWg/viewform

🔖 SEO Keywords & Tags:

• Jon Worthy, Music Sync Licensing Tips, Nashville Musician Interview, Independent Artist Advice, DIY Touring Booking, Rock Americana Pop Music, Full-Time Musician, Music Production Process, So Rude Podcast, General & Audience, Music & Industry, Guest & Genre Specific, #podcast#indieartist#JonWorthy#newepisode#musicsync#NashvilleMusic#podcasthost#synclicensing#RockAmericana#musicpodcast#independentmusic#TheLumineers#supportindie#fulltimemusician#NirvanaFusion#DIYMusician#touringmusician#BarelyHereAlbum#musicbiz#musicproduction#SoRudePodcast

•