What's the Key? with Broadway B
Host Broadway B talks to independent musicians who have been able to unlock doors in the music industry. Expect candid conversations packed with practical tips, creative tricks, and best practices that you can apply to your own musical career. Join Broadway B and get inspired by those who are in your shoes but have cracked a part of the code. Subscribe now and start your journey to thriving! 🎧✨
Why There Are No Small Gigs for Musicians: The Power of Referrals with Just Liv
In this episode of What’s The Key?, we sit down with Just Liv, an incredible vocalist who has performed with huge names including The Jonas Brothers, Kanye West, Willow Smith, Duckwrth, Jessie Reyez, Inglewood SIR, and many more.
Just Liv shares the "faith-based" reality of her career, discussing the pivotal moments that took her from the intimate stages of Leimert Park to performing at Dodger Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and The Hollywood Bowl.
We discuss:
- The "Juice Joint" Incubator: How an LA open mic session became the foundation for her community and ca...
TV Appearances, Big Festivals and a Billion Views: Joel Van Dijk's Musical Journey
How do you go from playing for free to performing on Jimmy Kimmel 5 times and amassing 1 billion views? In this episode of "What's The Key?", veteran guitarist and producer Joel Van Dijk (Aloe Blacc, Mystical Joyride) breaks down the reality of the music industry. We discuss his early days in LA, the "Three Things" rule for taking gigs, the chaos vs. execution of D’Angelo and Maxwell, and how his project Mystical Joyride went viral in a way no one expected. If you want to build a sustainable career in music, this is your roadmap.
What's The Ke...
How This Artist Ended Up Playing Shows With The Nickelodeon Star - Chloe Bee
Singer Chloe Bee breaks down how she has been able to land some big opportunities… from performing with former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell to building a residency in LA, to landing paid gigs in Vegas and Hawaii. We get into how to use your views and streams without becoming obsessed and spiraling, and why you shouldn’t be afraid of being “cringe.”
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What These Artists Learned From Industry Icons
One of the best ways to sharpen your skills in any arena is to get around the people who are already at the top of their game and learn their methods. Our guests have been in the rooms with huge names like Sza, Akon, Chaka Khan, Angela Basset and many more. They share the lessons they learned from these titans in entertainment.
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Subscribe t...
How This Singer Got A Grammy Nomination And Sang On A Major Film - Tia Simone
Tia Simone shares the real story behind building a lasting music career — from singing on Lady Gaga’s Chromatica and the film Sinners to performing on Jimmy Kimmel and touring globally with Postmodern Jukebox. She describes how she's been able to get big opportunities, the lessons she's learned from her experiences, and the mindset that helped propel her forward. A powerful conversation on purpose, resilience, and staying in the game.
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Getting Traction as An Independent Artist and Landing A Big Sync Placement - Juliette Irons
Juliette Irons shares how she built momentum as an independent artist – using Meta ads to trigger Spotify’s algorithm, how she managed to get 7000 streams in a day, and the mindset required to keep pushing when nobody’s listening. She also shares how a sync placement turned into a check big enough to pay her rent for a year, plus wild creative production stories (how she went all the way to Iceland to shoot a music video with only a $5k budget). Finally, we talk about relentless pitching, and how tagging Machine Gun Kelly for months led to a public...
How This Musician Turns Her 380K+ YouTube Subscribers Into Profits - Anne Reburn
Anne Reburn has over 380,000 YouTube subscribers and 10 million views on a single cover. In this episode, she breaks down the real economics of cover videos and talks about how Patreon became a financial game changer. We get into converting viewers into paying supporters, using Discord for real community, and even how she gets people to pay her $100/month.
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
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Connect with host Broadway B: https://linktr.ee/thebroadwayb
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Get Your Music on Netflix, Hulu, BET and More! - BodaciousThang
BodaciousThang breaks down how she earned 800+ sync placements across major platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, BET, and national commercials. We talk relationships, briefs vs pitching, being “one-stop ready,” joining a PRO, avoiding perfectionism, and the real systems behind getting your music licensed consistently.
What's The Key? is a podcast for musicians, powered by your peers who've unlocked some of the doors.
Connect with BodaciousThang: https://www.instagram.com/bodaciousthang/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_the_key/
Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whats_the_key
Connect with host Broa...
Inside a Grammy-Winning Career: Sync, Streaming & Smart Systems - Kofi Agyei
Kofi Agyei joins What’s The Key? to break down what it really takes to build a sustainable career in music. From winning a Grammy early in his career to landing major sync placements with the NBA, NHL, and top TV shows, Kofi shares lessons on collaboration, urgency, automation, and using AI to scale your music business. Kofi has worked with Chaka Khan, Ciara, Brandy, Nicole Scherzinger, Shinee, and countless more legends across all genres of music. He’s recently launched a service called Artist Choice - letting YOU pick your budget when you want to work with him. This...
Recording Academy Member Gives Inside Look - Brenda Carsey
In this episode of What’s The Key?, host Broadway B sits down with Brenda Carsey — independent artist, curator, and talent buyer — to demystify some of the most misunderstood parts of the music industry.
Brenda shares her firsthand experience submitting her own music for Grammy consideration, becoming a Recording Academy voting member, and what artists actually need to qualify. She breaks down why the Grammys are far more accessible than most musicians think — and where the politics and rules really come into play.
We also dive deep into NextFest, one of the largest indie music festival...
Acting on The Walking Dead, Scenes with Angela Bassett & Finding His Musical Voice – Glenn Stanton
Actor and musician Glenn Stanton (aka Six String Guillotine), has acted alongside Angela Bassett, Morris Chestnut, and appeared on The Walking Dead. But after the Hollywood strikes and a self-discovery journey, he found himself staring down the darkest moment of his life… and choosing between a 9mm and a six-string guitar.
In this episode of What’s The Key?, we talk about:
What it’s really like acting with Angela Bassett on 9-1-1Shooting on a mega-yacht with Morris Chestnut and finally feelin...She Sang with Dave Chappelle, Appeared on The Voice, and Toured with Tom Sandoval — Maddi Fraser
Maddi Fraser has lived multiple artistic lives — The Voice, America’s Got Talent, touring the country with Tom Sandoval, singing on stage with Dave Chappelle, writing comedy musicals, going viral on TikTok, and building a real career in Los Angeles.
In this episode of What’s The Key, Broadway B sits down with Maddi for a brutally honest conversation about the realities of reality TV, surviving hostile crowds, finding your voice, protecting your mental health, and leveling up your artistry in a competitive city like LA.
Whether you're a singer, songwriter, working musician, or just love a good...
From Mae Axton’s Elvis Era to Matt Axton’s Tour Era — Legacy, Community & The Business of Music
Matt Axton carries a family legacy that helped shape American music — and he’s forging his own path on the road today. In this episode, we dig into how his grandmother co-wrote Elvis Presley’s first million-selling hit (“Heartbreak Hotel”), how his father penned “Joy to the World (Jeremiah was a bullfrog)”, and why Blake Shelton’s first big break started… in a guest room over a garage.
Then we get tactical: building community through Americana Joy in LA, landing sponsors that actually pay artists, routing smart tours, and treating your art like a business (production quality + promotion budgets...
Working With Punch & TDE, Being In The Room When “Umbrella” Was Made, Diddy Writing Camps & More
Roberto Horns joins us to tell wild stories and hard-earned lessons from being inside the rooms with TDE/Punch & SZA, Tricky Stewart & The-Dream during the making of “Umbrella,” an Akon surprise house visit, a Diddy writing camp, and assistant-engineering on Usher x R. Kelly “Same Girl.”
But the real value is the blueprint: how to turn momentum into streams, build a community that actually shows up, and why the best teams stay loyal like family (he even shares behind the scenes stories...
Losing 100k Followers, Gaining Millions of Streams: Goner’s Story
What would you do if your Instagram with 100,000+ followers got stolen? For Goner, it meant starting over — but he didn’t just bounce back, he leveled up. In this episode, we talk about how Goner grew a dedicated fanbase from scratch using live shows, anime music videos, and ultra-personal content.
He opens up about hitting a million streams on Spotify, getting discovered on SoundCloud, building immersive live show experiences, and using social media strategically — even when you’re not in the mood to do it.
We also get deep into mental health, the sacrifices artists make, an...
How Willow Stephens Used a Small Business Loan to Fund Her Music Career
Willow Stephens is an indie artist who’s making bold moves — from self-funding her music like a record label, to building a loyal audience on Twitch and going viral on Instagram. In this episode of They’re Good at That Sh*t, she shares how she took out a small business loan to fuel her music career while keeping her masters, opened for KT Tunstall in her hometown, and grew a true fan community online.
🎙️ We talk about:
How to apply for artist-friendly business loansWhat it’s really like to go viral (and why reposting works)Using Twitch...What It’s Really Like Engineering For John Mayer, Freddie Gibbs, BJ The Chicago Kid & More - Sian McMullen
How do you go from janitor shifts and three-hour commutes… to engineering sessions for John Mayer, Freddie Gibbs, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Isaiah Rashad?
In this raw, reflective, and inspiring conversation, Sian McMullen opens up about what it’s really like to break into the music industry — without connections, while being underestimated, and while making every mistake you can make in your early sessions.
We talk about:
How she landed a job at Atlantic Records (without even interning)Her first sessions with high-pressure artists — and what went wrong
Work...
How This Artist Mastered Her Singing Voice and Got Millions of Streams - Kate Grahn
Kate Grahn has two songs with over a million streams — and no, it wasn’t because she hacked the algorithm. In this episode of They’re Good at That Sh*t, we talk about what actually helped her songs break through, why she’s comfortable stepping back from social media, and how building the right team made all the difference. From going viral on TikTok (sometimes unintentionally), to getting hate-bombed by incels, to learning stage presence through acting classes and live reps — Kate gets real about the highs and lows of building a music career as an independent artist.
🎧 We...
Publishing a Book, Starting a Successful Music Showcase, and Landing TV Placements - Anni
In this episode of They’re Good at That Sh*t, we dive into Anni's journey of writing and publishing a poetry book dedicated to her late mother, starting the beloved LA music showcase Saturdays at 7, and landing major sync placements on The Kardashians, Teen Mom, and Love Is Blind.
We break down how to:
- Self-publish a book on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and TikTok Shop
- Build an email list and pitch sponsors for music events
- Get started in sync licensing and sign with a sync agency
- Grow a music co...
Simple Opportunities That Most Indie Artists Miss - Dave Marx
In this episode of They're Good at That Sh*t, we’re doing something a little different! I’m joined by producer, engineer, and podcast editor Dave Marx, who’s not just behind the scenes helping me put THIS podcast together but also carving out his own path in the music industry.
We talk about the missed opportunities that many artists don’t even realize they’re leaving on the table. Dave tells a story of how a tip from the podcast landed an artist he works with a performance at Rolling Loud, and shares invaluable insights about how...
She Toured with Luis Miguel — Her Takeaways That Any Artist Can Learn From - Lara Mrgic
In this episode of They’re Good At That Sh*t, Broadway B sits down with Lara Mrgic — singer, songwriter, and touring background vocalist — to dive deep into life on the road, staying grounded, and building a thriving creative career.
Lara shares her experiences touring with the legendary Luis Miguel, including what it’s really like behind the scenes of a massive world tour. From balancing travel and family life, to navigating different personalities on the road, to protecting your mental and physical health while touring — Lara gives an honest, inspiring look at what it ta...
How This Artist Went From Singing on Street Corners to Going Viral on TikTok - Jayla Elise
In this episode of They're Good at That Sh*t, we sat down with Jayla Elise, a 22-year-old R&B and soul artist who went from performing on street corners to amassing over 200,000 TikTok followers. Jayla's soulful voice and authentic storytelling have captivated audiences, leading to viral hits and a growing fanbase.
Episode Highlights:
Innovative Marketing: We delve into Jayla's creative strategies for monetizing her music, including collaborations with tourism centers and securing grant funding to advance her career.Working With A Team And Artistic Growth: Jayla discusses the...How This Duo Built A Music Career Live On Twitch! - CA in LA
In this episode of They're Good at That Sh*t, we sit down with CA in LA, a multifaceted music and filmmaking duo that streams live on Twitch every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 PM PST.
Episode Highlights:
How to Make a Full Time Living on Twitch: CA in LA talks about the gear you need to get started, different ways to monetize during your Twitch streams, monetizing your behind the scenes content with PatreonSecuring Industry Partnerships: We dive into th...How This Artist Got Her Song On Netflix’s Most Popular Show - Caroline Dezelle
In this episode of They're Good at That Sh*t, we sit down with Caroline Dezelle, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, poet, and Director of Music Partnerships at Stand Together. Caroline's multifaceted career spans performing on international stages, having her music featured in popular TV shows, and holding influential roles in the music industry.
Episode Highlights:
Music in Media: Her songs have been featured in hit TV shows like Love is Blind and Vanderpump Rules, showcasing her ability to connect with diverse audiences.Industry Roles: <...
How This Artist Makes Content That Stands Out - Juliette Irons
In this episode of They're Good at That Sht*, we sit down with Juliette Irons, a dynamic Canadian-born artist, singer-songwriter, producer, and choreographer based in Los Angeles. Juliette shares her remarkable journey from Toronto to LA, delving into her evolution as a multifaceted creative force in the entertainment industry.
Episode Highlights:
Behind the Scenes: Gain exclusive insights into the production of Juliette's visually stunning music videos:"Lighthouse": Filmed in Iceland, this video complements her debut single, which has garnered over 300,000 streams on...From Getting Dropped By Lady Gaga’s Producer to Getting Millions Spotify Streams - Ryan Cassata
In this episode of They're Good at That Sh*t, we sit down with Ryan Cassata, a powerhouse artist with millions of streams and features in Billboard, The New York Times, HuffPost, NPR, and more. Ryan shares his journey—building a 100k+ social media following, staying authentic online, collaborating with artists, booking over 500 shows, and overcoming industry setbacks. If you're an independent musician looking to grow your career, this episode is packed with valuable advice you won’t want to miss!
🎶 Ryan’s Latest EP: This Machine Kills Transphob...
How To Get Signed to Roc Nation and Get Placements with the NFL and NHL - Moreland
Josh Moreland is an artist with absolutely infectious energy. After 10 years finding his sound and pioneering his own genre of Battle Cry music, Moreland recently signed to Roc Nation and has had his songs used by the NFL and NHL.
Moreland tells incredible stories that can help any artist on their journey - from how he learned Mandarin to get gigs all across Asia, to how he brings headphones to artist networking events in LA to play his music for people immediately. We also discuss his artist fitness and vocal training...
Playing Joni Mitchell, Acting on “Nashville”, and Founding A Popular Music Showcase - Rainee Blake
We talk with Rainee Blake about her experiences playing Alannah Curtis on the hit TV Show “Nashville,” writing and starring in her own Joni Mitchell tribute show, founding a female focused showcase in LA, and so much more.
Her Joni Mitchell show, “Take Me As I Am: An Evening with Joni Mitchell” has won awards at the Edinburgh and Hollywood Fringe Festivals, and played across 3 different continents. She gives amazing tips that any artist can learn from about how building repertoire and studying the greats can really help you find your own artistic voice.
...
Mixing Live Sound for Music Legends and Founding a Popular Showcase - Joel Eckels
We talk with Joel Eckels about mixing live sound for legendary artists like Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Lukas Nelson and more. Joel talks about how he got started working on tour with artists from tour managing, to production managing, to live sound engineering. Joel also talks about starting the popular showcase “Monday Monday” at the Hotel Cafe, and he gives great tips for artists looking to get booked at Monday Monday or other showcases. He tells stories about mixing live sound for Willie Nelson in Maui, setting up for stadium shows all by himself, and more crazy stories from...
Working with Big Artists, Mastering Your Craft, and Landing Sync Placements - Clip Show
In this Best of Episode, Broadway highlights some of his favorite clips from this season's interviews so far. We talk about working with big name artists from SZA to Dave Matthews Band, landing huge sync placements, and behind the scenes stories from the industry. If you are an artist looking for music industry insights and indie music stories, this episode is for you. Engaging conversations, hilarious moments, and inspiring takeaways from our conversations with Roberto Horns, Kofi Agyei, Tom Rasulo, Maddi Fraser, Brenda Carsey, Chelsey Coy, BodaciousThang, and Lisa Crawley
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe...
How To Turn Your Music Into a Full-Time Living - Lisa Crawley
We talk with Lisa Crawley about how her music career brought her from New Zealand to Los Angeles, getting her songs placed on TV shows, playing piano for ‘This is Us’, Craig Robinson, Emmys After Parties, and so much more. She tells stories of her songs getting discovered on college radio stations, going viral in China, and gives invaluable advice for any musician looking to make a career out of their music.
Watch Broadway and Lisa on their Songwriting Gameshow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RZvEhCNfZw<...
Top Tips For Growing A Fanbase For Your Music, Selling Out Shows, And Booking Tours - Clip Show
In this special edition 10th episode, Broadway highlights his 10 favorite clips from this season's interviews so far. Our guests share invaluable tips on growing your audience, getting fans out to shows, and going on tour as an independent musician. If you are an artist looking for music industry insights, indie music stories, and music business trends, you can’t miss this episode. Engaging conversations, hilarious moments, and inspiring takeaways from our conversations with Greg in Good Company, Kofi Agyei, Roberto Horns, Anne Reburn, Brenda Carsey, Tom Rasulo, and Maddi Fraser.
Don't fo...
How To Book Your Own Tours and Monetize Your Music - Greg in Good Company
We talk with Greg in Good Company - singer-songwriter and founder of Writers Round about how he grew his fanbase playing live shows, how he’s now using TikTok live to grow his online fanbase, and how other independent artists can get started booking their own tours and getting paid to play their music.
Greg is a modern-day troubadour and the leader of the rock ‘n’ roll full of heart and soul band, Greg in Good Company. Additionally, Greg has been performing alongside Grammy winners for years as part of acclaimed artist...
Producing for Todrick Hall, Placements with NFL & NHL, and Growing a Spotify Audience - Kofi Agyei
We talk with Grammy winning producer Kofi Agyei about his experiences working with big artists like Todrick Hall, Brandy, and Ciara, growing his own fan base as an independent artist, mastering your craft, and more. He tells stories about working on viral hits, putting in over a decade of hard work, and gives invaluable advice for any artist or producer looking to make a career in the music industry. Kofi has gotten sync placements with the NFL and NHL and has been working with Offstream Music Group, Josh Moreland, and more of today's hottest emerging artists.
Support...
What do Dave Matthews, Goo Goo Dolls, Gary Clark Jr., and Bebe Rexha Have in Common? - Tom Rasulo
In this episode, we talk to Tom Rasulo - Engineer, Producer, Drummer, and more - about his time working with Dave Matthews, Goo Goo Dolls, Gary Clark Jr., Bebe Rexha, My Chemical Romance, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Echosmith, and other amazing artists throughout his career. We discuss his international tours playing drums for Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, high pressure sessions he’s been a part of, working at Warner Music with Rob Cavallo and Doug Mckean, and building out his own home studio. Tons of helpful advice for any musician, engineer, or producer looking to break into the industry an...
Touring with Tom Sandoval and Mastering Your Singing Voice - Maddi Fraser
In this episode, we chat with Maddi Fraser - Singer, Artist, Vocal Coach, and member of the band Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras - about her life on tour, dealing with angry crowds, practical tips for improving your vocal abilities, and more. We hear behind the scenes stories from touring with Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras amidst the Vanderpump Rules “Scandoval” drama. Maddi shares practical vocal tips for singers of any level - how to increase your vocal agility, strengthen your voice and more.
Follow Maddi Fraser: @TheMaddiFraser
Are you in Los Ange...
How to Make Big $$$ in Music with Sync - Chelsey Coy
In this episode, we chat with Chelsey Coy - Independent Musician and Co-Founder of TwoOhSix Music - about strategies she used to get her music placed in ad campaigns, tv shows, movies, and more. We talk step by step about how an independent musician can make big money with sync. Chelsey and TwoOhThree Music have placed songs in Adidas campaigns, CW shows like Batwoman, 4400, and All-American, and she gives details of how you can get your music to the same supervisors she does. If you've been wondering how to break into sync and make money with your music...
The Art of Drawing Crowds and Navigating Life as a Full-Time Musician with Brenda Carsey
In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Brenda Carsey, a dynamic force in the Los Angeles music scene. Brenda isn’t just a musician—she's a curator, leader, and a master at bringing people together for unforgettable performances. We dive into how she fills venues with eager fans, stays motivated in the ever-demanding world of music, and how she’s managed to work as a full-time musician. Brenda also shares her experience co-curating NextFest, a massive event at the LA County Fair that showcased a diverse lineup of artists across multiple stages for several weeks. Whether you’re...
Sync Success: Behind the Scenes with BodaciousThang
Join us as we chat with the incredibly talented BodaciousThang, whose songs have made waves on TV shows and commercials, including a standout performance in a Super Bowl commercial and features in popular Netflix series like Love Is Blind. She shares her journey to sync success, offering a peek into the world of music placements and the impact they've had on her career. She also opens up about her internal struggles and the hurdles she overcame to become the phenomenal performer she is today. BodaciousThang also generously shares her top tips for delivering unforgettable performances. Tune in for an...
Breaking 500K Streams: Roberto Horns Talks Streaming Success and Collaborations with TDE
In this episode, we sit down with independent musician Roberto Horns, who shares how he cracked 500,000 Spotify streams on one song. Horns delves into his collaborations with TDE's Punch and popular singer SZA and how he started working with them. We also explore how Horns leverages AI to increase his efficiency while working on music. Additionally, we talk about how he became a master video editor.
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