Spiritual growth takes many forms for independent musicians. Folk artist Eli Lev has woven together influences from Jewish upbringing, Buddhism, and Navajo teachings into a unique artistic journey that took him through 250 shows last year alone.

In this third appearance on the podcast, Eli opens up about the realities of intensive touring, the "entry and exit friction" that comes with constant travel, and how he maintains spiritual and personal well-being while building his Levatators community. We discuss this and his upcoming "Past Lives" EP, as well as his live video for "Where We Come From," shot in a restored 1765 log home on Maryland's Trial Run Farm.

Rather than saving the tough questions for the end, we flip the script and start with what's really slowing him down and the pain he's willing to embrace for his art. Eli shares insights on working with multiple producers, the evolution from his completed Four Directions project to this new spiritual exploration, and how his exposure to diverse faiths influences both his songwriting and his approach to building authentic community with fans.

Whether you're interested in tour sustainability, expressing personal themes in your music, or looking to build deeper connections with your audience, Eli's journey from teaching on the Navajo Nation to becoming a full-time touring artist offers practical wisdom and philosophical depth.

Key Topics:

• Managing the physical and emotional toll of 250+ shows annually
• Weaving diverse spiritual influences into cohesive songwriting
• Building the Levatators fan community through authentic connection
• Working with multiple producers across different projects
• The "entry and exit friction" of intensive touring
• Creating meaningful music videos in historic locations

The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers.

Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor. check out one of our affiliates below.

This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes.

Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes.

Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives.

Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs, by Robonzo

Libsyn Podcast Hosting

Kit – Email Marketing for Musicians

Music Marketing Method – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income

Bandzoogle – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music

Dreamhost – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process.

More Resources for musicians

Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure) Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support!

Stay in touch!

@RobonzoDrummer on Instagram

@UnstarvingMusician on Facebook and YouTube

Musical listening is the secret that separates professional-sounding bands from technically correct but disconnected performances. This episode explores blues guitarist Kid Andersen's "50% rule" and why listening should consume at least half of your mental bandwidth while playing.

You'll discover the technical mastery paradox that traps countless musicians, practical strategies for developing dual awareness between your performance and your bandmates, and advanced applications, including how rhythm sections use listening skills to lead without taking over. We'll also delve into genre-specific listening approaches for jazz, rock, and acoustic settings, as well as how to read the room and respond to audience energy in real-time.

The episode concludes by addressing a challenge many independent musicians face: staying current with industry trends without burning out or sacrificing actual practice time. Learn curation strategies and practical boundaries that protect your creative focus while keeping you informed and current.

Whether you're struggling to lock in with your rhythm section, missing dynamic cues during performances, or feeling overwhelmed by information overload, this episode provides actionable insights for developing the listening skills that transform good musicians into truly musical collaborators.

Key topics covered:

• Kid Andersen's 50% mental bandwidth rule for musical listening
• The technical mastery paradox and cognitive load management
• Practical exercises for developing dual awareness while playing
• Advanced rhythm section leadership through listening
• Genre-specific listening strategies for different musical styles
• Reading room energy and supporting struggling bandmates
• Managing information overload without sacrificing musical growth

Enjoy this episode wherever fine podcasts are found. 🎧

The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers.

Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor

This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes.

Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes.

Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives.

Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs, by Robonzo

Music Marketing Method – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income

Bandzoogle – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music

Dreamhost – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process.

More Resources for musicians

Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure) Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support!

Stay in touch!

@RobonzoDrummer on Instagram

@UnstarvingMusician on Facebook and YouTube

AI visual production is revolutionizing how independent artists create and present their work, and Steve Pasieka (Skulk the Hulking) is creating visual art at the forefront of this transformation. In this episode, Steve shares how he evolved from live performance art and noise rock to creating a multimedia project that seamlessly blends music, AI-generated visuals, and storytelling.

We explore Steve's unique background in hardcore music and comedy improv, and how these seemingly different worlds inform his creative process. Steve discusses his pivot during the pandemic from live shows to digital content creation, including the development of his fictional video podcast and the birth of his visual art practice using AI tools.

Whether you're intimidated by AI music production or curious about expanding your artistic reach beyond traditional music, Steve offers practical insights on incorporating new technologies while maintaining creative authenticity. He shares the specific AI tools he uses, the communities that helped him learn, and how he harnesses the quirks and obstacles of these technologies to fuel his creativity.

This conversation provides valuable perspective for any independent artist looking to explore the intersection of music, technology, and multimedia storytelling in today's evolving creative landscape.

The Unstarving Musician exists solely through the generosity of its listeners, readers, and viewers.

Learn how you can offer your support at UnstarvingMusician.com/CrowdSponsor

This episode of the was powered by Liner Notes.

Learn from the hundreds of musicians and industry pros I’ve spoken with for the Unstarving Musician on topics such as marketing, songwriting, touring, sync licensing and much more. Sign up for Liner Notes.

Liner Notes is an email newsletter from yours truly, in which I share some of the best knowledge gems garnered from the many conversations featured on the Unstarving Musician. You’ll also be privy to the latest podcast episodes and Liner Notes subscriber exclusives.

Sign up at UnstarvingMusician.com/LinerNotes. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs, by Robonzo

Music Marketing Method – The program that helps musicians find fans, grow an audience and make consistent income

Bandzoogle – The all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a beautiful website for your music

Dreamhost – See the latest deals from Dreamhost, save money and support the UM in the process.

More Resources for musicians

Pardon the Interruption (Disclosure) Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase using those links. Thanks for your support!

Stay in touch!

@RobonzoDrummer on Instagram

@UnstarvingMusician on Facebook and YouTube