WE’RE GOING TO CANADA!

After almost nine months of planning, researching and looking forward to this trip, Canada is finally just around the corner… but it got us thinking:

Is looking forward to something sometimes better than actually doing it?

In this episode of The Offstage Life, Lauren & Kate talk about the strange excitement of anticipation — whether it’s planning a huge holiday, preparing for a gig, learning a difficult song, taking on a new challenge at work or chasing a goal you’ve wanted for years.

We’re road-tripping from Vancouver through the Canadian Rockies to Calgary and back, and Lauren has spent MONTHS planning it. So what happens when the thing you’ve been looking forward to for so long is suddenly… over?

We get into expectations vs reality, why we’re always looking for the “next thing”, anxiety and control, learning to actually enjoy the process, and whether being stretched outside your comfort zone is part of what makes life exciting.

Kate also shares what anticipation feels like from a musician’s perspective — from learning songs and rehearsing to the nerves before a live gig — and why sometimes the most satisfying part isn’t the performance at all.

Plus: ✈️ Lauren’s fear of flying, 🐻 our hopes of seeing Canadian wildlife, 🏔️ why we’ll choose mountains over cities every time, 🌴 the holiday that completely exceeded our expectations, and 🇺🇸 the Hawaii trip that… definitely didn’t go quite how we imagined.

And yes, we revisit THAT slightly terrifying Hawaii music-store story. 😂

So we want to know:

Would you rather have something incredible happen TOMORROW with no warning — or know it’s happening in six months and get six months of anticipation?

Tell us in the comments 👇

If you enjoyed the episode, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and join us for more of The Offstage Life — conversations about music, relationships, travel and everything that happens when you’re not on stage. 🎙️

#TheOffstageLife #CanadaTravel #CanadianRockies #TravelPodcast #MusicPodcast #Anticipation #ExpectationsVsReality #Vancouver #Banff #Calgary #RoadTrip #Podcast #CouplesPodcast

00:00 — Welcome back and announcing the Canada trip

00:43 — Is anticipation better than the actual event?

01:37 — What happens after the thing you’ve been looking forward to?

02:06 — Are we always chasing the next experience?

03:07 — Stimulation, dopamine and the search for excitement

04:01 — What we’re expecting from Canada

04:30 — Lauren’s long-standing connection to Canada

05:56 — Moving to Australia and changing expectations

06:44 — Rocky Mountains, nature and seeing a bear

09:35 — Would you rather have an amazing surprise tomorrow or wait six months?

10:32 — Why preparation can make big experiences easier

11:31 — Is the build-up to a gig better than the gig itself?

14:21 — Anxiety and learning to enjoy the process

17:36 — Applying the same idea to challenging construction work

18:57 — Why new challenges feel more exciting

22:41 — When expectations let you down: Hawaii

31:51 — Quick-fire questions about holidays, music and Canada

33:09 — The frightening search for a music store in Hawaii

35:00 — Culture shock, safety and travel privilege

36:52 — Closing thoughts and goodbye

After a nine-week break, we’re finally back!

In this episode we share what it was like meeting Amy Shark at her exclusive Soft Pop album listening event in Sydney, what surprised us most about the experience, and why it reignited our own creativity.

As musicians (and music lovers), we dive into Amy’s songwriting process, why she chose to leave drums off the entire album, the clever musical decisions that give Soft Pop such a unique identity, and the imposter syndrome that even artists experience.

We also chat about:

* Why we’ve been away from the podcast

* Creative burnout and getting inspired again

* Why Australian artists deserve more recognition

* Kate’s perspective as a drummer and songwriter

* Lauren’s thoughts as the partner of a musician

* What it was really like meeting Amy Shark

* The importance of finding your own creative voice

Whether you’re a musician, creative, or simply love hearing the stories behind the music, we hope this episode inspires you to create something you’ve been putting off.

Have you listened to Soft Pop yet? We’d love to know your favourite track.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music and all major podcast platforms.

Follow us:

📸 Instagram: @the_offstagelife_podcast

🎥 YouTube: @theoffstagelifepodcast

🎵 TikTok: @theoffstagelifepodcast

#AmyShark #SoftPop #Podcast #AustralianMusic #Songwriting #Creativity #Musicians #TheOffstageLife #BehindTheMusic

This week on The Offstage Life, we’re celebrating Episode 10 by going behind the desk with Sydney sound engineer, lighting operator, award-winner, musician-at-heart and professional chaos wrangler — Steve.

From growing up in a musical family and being classically trained on violin, to falling in love with Aussie rock, working backstage, mixing live bands, managing egos, fixing gear minutes before showtime, and somehow surviving a gig on a boat that started sinking in the middle of Sydney Harbour… Steve has seen the side of live music most people never think about.

We talk soundcheck disasters, loud guitarists, soft singers, lighting as part of the live experience, the magic and burnout of turning music into your job, wild backstage stories, The Frocks, the infamous two Chrises, and why the people behind the stage are often carrying the whole show.

It’s funny, chaotic, honest, and very Offstage Life.

In this episode:

Soundcheck etiquette, sinking boats, Elvis impersonators, backstage madness, live music disasters, The Frocks, sound engineering, lighting, egos, and the real work that happens before the crowd ever hears a note.

0:00 - The boat started to sink in Sydney Harbor.

1:03 - Introduction to episode 10 of the Offstage Life podcast.

2:09 - Discussion about Steve's musical family background.

3:20 - The importance of playing the violin and its impact.

4:45 - Transition to becoming a sound engineer.

6:09 - High school experiences and musical journey.

8:26 - Falling in love with rock and roll music.

11:17 - Desire to be on stage and pursue music.

13:16 - First opportunity to learn sound engineering.

16:34 - The importance of lighting in music performances.

Follow The Offstage Life:

Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

@the_offstagelife_podcast

#TheOffstageLife #LiveMusicPodcast #AustralianPodcast #BehindTheScenes #MusicPodcast #Podcast

#MusicPodcast

#LiveMusic

#SoundEngineer

#AudioEngineer

#BehindTheScenes

#MusicIndustry

#SydneyPodcast

#BandLife

#EntertainmentIndustry

From teaching kids in schools by day to touring stages by night, Kate’s journey is the side of music most people never get to see.

In this episode of The Offstage Life Podcast, Kate shares her untold story of building a career as a drummer while balancing private drum teaching, touring life, bands, financial survival, and the constant hustle behind being a working musician.

From chaotic student stories and wild first jobs to navigating burnout, passion, and identity, this episode dives deep into the hidden reality of what it truly takes to build a life in music.

In this episode:

• Kate’s first professional job in music
• Building a private drum teaching business
• Teaching while touring in punk bands
• The realities of balancing creativity and income
• Wild student and parent stories
• The hidden emotional side of being a musician
• How teaching shaped Kate’s career both on and off stage
• This episode is for musicians, creatives, music teachers, touring artists, and anyone chasing passion while balancing real life.

Because the most important part of creative careers often happens offstage.

🎙️ Episode 09 — Out now on all platforms

Timestamps:

Introduction and Testing - 0:03

Break and Return - 0:30

TikTok Success - 1:30

Interview with Jess - 2:26

Drum Teaching Era - 5:18

Challenges of Teaching - 9:10

Memorable Teaching Moments - 11:59

Balancing Music and Teaching - 19:04

Student Stories - 23:27

Teaching Philosophy - 37:17

Performing vs. Teaching - 40:29

Future of Teaching - 55:21

Upcoming Guests - 61:59

#Podcast #MusicPodcast #Drummer #DrummerLife #WomenInMusic #MusicIndustry #MusicianLife #TourLife #PunkRock #RockMusic #DrumTeacher #CreativeCareer #BehindTheScenes #BehindTheMusic #SpotifyPodcast #YouTubePodcast #AustralianPodcast #IndependentPodcast #FemaleDrummer #OffstageLife

She looks normal… but she’s not.

And that’s exactly the point.

In Episode 8 of The Offstage Life, we sit down with Jess — someone who might seem like your everyday person… until you start peeling back the layers.

From Disney classics and punk music to tarot cards, spirituality, taxidermy art, and some of the most unexpected hobbies you’ll ever hear — this episode dives into what everyday people are really like.

This is what our podcast is all about:

🎙️ The lives people don’t show

🎙️ The identities beneath the surface

🎙️ And why the most interesting people aren’t always the ones on stage

If you’ve ever felt like there’s more to you than what people see — this episode is for you.

—

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @theoffstagelife

—

⸻

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – She looks normal…

00:15 – Meet Jess

02:10 – Music that shaped her (Disney to punk)

06:30 – Feeling like the “overlooked” girl

10:20 – How music connects people

14:00 – Identity vs how people see you

18:30 – Dopamine dressing & self-expression

23:10 – Creative hobbies & bug art

28:40 – The bug wall reveal 😳

32:30 – Spirituality, tarot & intuition

40:15 – Live tarot reading on the podcast

52:10 – The truth about repeating patterns

58:00 – A message for listeners

01:02:30 – Taxidermy, oddities & creative expression

01:10:45 – The tooth fairy story (yes… really)

01:18:00 – Crystals & energy explained

01:25:20 – Ending cycles & new beginnings

01:30:00 – Music that still hits today

01:35:00 – Final thoughts

#theoffstagelife #podcastaustralia #australianpodcast #storytellingpodcast #selfidentity #spirituality #tarot #creativelife #reallifestories #podcastclip #hiddenlives #offstagelife #womeninpodcasting #sydneypodcast #music #taxidermy

What happens when you finally get a weekend off… and realise you don’t know how to relax?

In this episode of The Offstage Life Podcast, we dive into what it’s actually like to slow down when you’re used to living a busy, chaotic life.

With Kate having a rare break from gigging, we found ourselves navigating a “normal” weekend — and quickly realised that switching off isn’t as easy as it sounds.

From falling asleep on the lounge after one whisky, to exploring the Camden Show, to wandering through Newtown soaking up the creativity, this episode is a mix of funny, honest, and unexpectedly deep reflections on rest, routine, and identity.

We talk about the guilt that can come with doing nothing, why relaxing feels like a skill you have to learn, and how easy it is to forget to actually enjoy life outside of work, gigs, and constant productivity.

We also cover:

• What a “normal weekend” looks like for us

• Why musicians (and busy people) struggle to switch off

• The mental shift of not gigging

• Camden Show chaos and country Australia

• Dance performance trauma (yes… really)

• Newtown adventures, street art, and inspiration

• Why changing your routine can reset your mindset

• Reducing plastic and small lifestyle changes

• And… meet Pablo 🦜 our new podcast mascot

We’re also introducing a new segment: Pablo’s Questions — where YOU send in questions for us to answer in upcoming episodes.

⸻

📲 Get involved

Follow us on Instagram: @the_offstagelife_podcast

Keep an eye on our stories to submit your questions for Pablo’s segment 👀

⸻

🔔 Listen & Watch

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow so you never miss an episode.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Hectic Life
• 05:23 The Art of Relaxation
• 10:02 The Camden Show Experience
• 29:50 Pablo's Segment

#podcast #lifestylepodcast #musicianlife #worklifebalance #relaxing #burnout #slowliving #australianpodcast #sydneylife #creativelife #offstagelife #mentalhealth #routine #productivity #rest

Most couples turn off their show for a week, but we’re shaking things up with a hilarious, unfiltered get-to-know-your-hosts episode—no prep, just fun, facts, and surprises.

If you love candid chats, spontaneous stories, and discovering the real personality behind the podcast, this is a must-listen.

Discover Our Favorites: Comfort foods, childhood dreams, and quirky talents.

Embarrassing Moments: Work stories and the weirdest jobs we almost took.

Music Memories: From first concerts (hello, Foo Fighters!) to songs that teleport us back to teenage nostalgia.

Dream Interviews: Artists like Tones and I, G Flip, and global icons like Oprah or Barack Obama.

True Passions: Habits, pet peeves, and who’s more organized or emotional.

Why does this matter? Because understanding the hosts behind the mic makes the stories even more meaningful—and reminds us all that we're just ordinary people with extraordinary stories. If you're craving an episode full of humor, surprising revelations, and genuine connection, hit play—you won’t want to miss it.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Break Announcement
• 06:25 Dream Artists, Music Genres, and Best Gig Ever
• 13:20 Useless Talent, Surprising Facts, and Pet Peeves
• 20:53 Childhood Aspirations, Proud Achievements, and Personal Preferences

#PodcastLife #RealTalk #BehindTheScenes #FunnyStories #Inspiration #MusicLovers #Authenticity #LifeStories #TonesAndI #GFlip #USA #Australia #UK

In this episode, Lucy Mae shares her inspiring journey through music, her experiences within the deaf community, and navigating life with hearing loss while pursuing her passions. Join us for candid stories, insights into the deaf community, and practical advice for young musicians facing challenges.

Main Topics:

• Lucy's musical evolution: from guitar to bass, performing live, and her aspirations
• Navigating life as a hard-of-hearing musician: community, advocacy, and personal growth
• Memorable gig stories and the importance of friendship and support in music
• Misconceptions about deafness and hearing aids, and the spectrum of deaf experiences
• Balancing mental health, personal life, and the music industry

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Lucy’s musical beginnings

02:46 - From guitar to bass: mastering multiple instruments 07:25 - Early influences and childhood stories

11:01 - Music education and university experience

16:48 - Memorable gigs and stage mishaps

20:27 - How Lucy joined the Frogs and her musical opportunities

23:55 - Transitioning into bass and emotional connection to rhythm

27:29 - What makes a great bassist and influences

31:11 - Funny stories & covering for each other on stage 35:35 - Living with hearing loss and advocacy within the deaf community

44:44 - Misconceptions about deafness and communication challenges

50:27 - Advocating in healthcare and everyday life

55:45 - Spectrum of deafness and personal identity

60:46 - Gig stories including technical failures

65:52 - Humorous stage moments and the horse mask saga 75:19 - Personal boundaries and respectful interactions at gigs

77:10 - Coping with mental health and music's grounding effect

78:46 - Honoring community and family through music

79:15 - Closing thoughts and future aspirations