Ep.47: Elle Indigo writes songs for people who feel too hard, but she almost never started. The West Coast singer-songwriter spent years battling stage nerves so bad she could barely get through a karaoke song. It took a divorce, a pandemic, and a decision to stop waiting for permission to finally push her music forward. Now she's building a moody, operatic pop sound that turns negative self-talk into something you can sing along to, and she's working toward a debut album that's been a long time coming.

In this conversation, we get into:

1. Why her songs "Sometimes I Hurt Myself" and "Make Myself Sad" are more healing than they sound
2. The moment after her divorce when she decided to stop putting music on the back burner
3. How performing for four people taught her something no big crowd ever could
4. The real tension between wanting to be known and being uncomfortable with celebrity culture
5. What she'd tell her 13-year-old self over coffee

About Elle Indigo:

Elle Indigo is a singer-songwriter from the West Coast who makes moody, operatic pop for the people who feel a little out of place. She's also a speculative fiction and comic writer (L. K. Indigo) and poet (Leanne Kathleen Indigo), with a debut poetry book, Blank Canvas, out now.

Connect with Honey Gold Jasmine:

Website: elleindigo.com

Instagram: instagram.com/elleindigo.singer

TikTok: tiktok.com/@elleindigo.singer

Facebook: facebook.com/elleindigo.singer

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/6h1svILkmdEh41xUFjpu4F

Bandcamp: elleindigo.bandcamp.com

SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/elle-indigo

YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCjlg10sZ1fc9z6buNE6tmGQ

Music Mentioned in this Episode:

Songs:

1. "Sometimes I Hurt Myself" — Elle Indigo
2. "Make Myself Sad" — Elle Indigo
3. "Happy Mistake" — Lady Gaga (covered by Elle Indigo)
4. "Wicked Game" — Chris Isaak (covered by Elle Indigo)
5. "Zombie" — The Cranberries (covered by Elle Indigo)
6. "I Will Always Love You" — Whitney Houston
7. "I Want You to Want Me" — Cheap Trick

Albums & Projects:

Ep.46: Honey Gold Jasmine never lost her inner child, even when people tried to beat it out of her. The Bay Area hip-hop soul artist grew up in a military family where creativity was something to tamp down, not celebrate. But a life-changing teacher in Richmond, a talent show she bombed in sixth grade, and the entrepreneurial energy of Vallejo kept her fire lit. Now she's building something that blends music, fairy festivals, and radical self-expression into a world that feels entirely her own.

In this conversation, we get into:

1. How a second-grade teacher who followed her students for three years changed everything
2. The moment a bombed talent show made her want to get better, not quit
3. Why being unapologetically yourself means owning your shadow, not just your light
4. What actually scares a fearless artist… and it's not the silence
5. Her vision for a traveling festival that's part Renaissance fair, part concert, part carnival

About Honey Gold Jasmine:

Honey Gold Jasmine is an artist who, through every breath & heartbeat, sees a new opportunity for artful action & intentional impact. The multifaceted Hip Hop Soul singer-rapper, actress, & event curator has a vision to help create a more imaginative, inclusive world. HGJ's head can be in the clouds, but she's down to earth & truly gamed up by The Bay Area, a magical product of her hometown Vallejo and Soultown Oakland.

Connect with Honey Gold Jasmine:

Instagram: instagram.com/hi.honeygoldjasmine

Website: honeygoldjasmine.com

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Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417

Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RL

This podcast is managed by Wildwave Podcasting: www.wildwavepodcasting.com

Music Mentioned in this Episode:

Songs:

1. "Frequency Up" — Honey Gold Jasmine
2. "Candy Rain" — Soul for Real

Artists &...

Ep.45: Developing your artistic voice isn’t just about understanding your sound; it’s about permission, confidence, and learning how to trust yourself before the world catches up. In this episode of “loves music,” I sit down with Brandon J Marks to talk about what it actually means to build a creative identity that lasts. We dig into the making of Brandin Land, a bold, genre-bending concept album that blends gospel legacy, R&B, jazz, and pop into something timeless and globally resonant. Brandon opens up about creative freedom, mental clarity, and why learning your voice (mentally and musically) is the foundation of sustainable artistry. This conversation goes far beyond technique, touching on confidence, discipline, spirituality, and the inner work required to show up fully as an artist.

We Chat About:

1. Developing your artistic voice as an independent musician
2. Building Brandon Land as a concept album and creative world
3. Genre-bending music without chasing trends or eras
4. Why mindset is harder (and more important) than technique
5. Vocal mentorship, confidence, and learning your true range
6. Mental Detox: clearing emotional clutter and creative blocks
7. The “seven-second rule” for interrupting negative thoughts
8. Why artists need to learn how to sit with themselves
9. Creative energy, spirituality, and trusting your instincts
10. Choosing fulfillment, joy, and longevity over burnout

About Brandon J Marks:

Producer, Songwriter, Genre-Bending Artist, Brandon J Marks is taking the industry by storm. Born to a family of singers and musicians, Brandon has been singing, recording, and performing professionally since the tender, formative age of fourteen. Brandon has performed with some of music’s greatest talent, from Kim Burrell to pianist and super producer Rodney East. His creative approach to music is vast, rooted in gospel legacy and represents the perfect merging of R&B, jazz, and pop. After years of brand strategy, marketing, and garnering partnerships such as Sony Animation and the Oprah Winfrey Network, Brandon commenced his solo artistry in 2020 with the release of his debut song, Black Man. The release was recognized and endorsed by the Houston mayor for its activism and riveting performance. As a BMI songwriter, Brandon continues to develop a growing catalog of music and is set to pen for some of music’s greatest artists and motion picture soundtracks. A beacon through sound, each song sheds light and shares love.

Connect with Brandon J Marks:

Listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gh/artist/brandon-j-marks/1541380334

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5F4SnF9qpUSZQe1j6f2qiQ

Listen on TIDAL: https://tidal.com/artist/22280794

Follow on Instagram: