Second Verse

What If Your Sound Was Inside You the Whole Time? Michael Isaak Went to Egypt to Find Out

Michael Isaak on Arabesque Folk, Diaspora Identity, and The Carpet Maker Host Becky Boyland interviews Los Angeles–born Egyptian American musician Michael Isaak about his journey from church hymns, Arabic classics, and early FL Studio production to creating a new sound he calls “arabesque folk.” After making indie folk influenced by Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens, a first trip to Egypt at 19 sparked deeper cultural immersion; he brought home an oud, later transferred to Columbia University, studied Arabic language and Arab music history and theory, and joined the Arab Music Ensemble. Michael shares how experimenting and jamming helped Arabic motifs emerge naturally instead of feeling forced, his critique of the “world music” framing, and his goal of building in-person community through intimate shows. They discuss his debut album The Carpet Maker (May 15) and lead single “Hold Your Keys” (March 6), reflecting on diaspora, displacement, and the hope of return. https://youtu.be/YiRyILUz2Jc Connect with Michael Isaak: * https://www.instagram.com/michaelisaakmusic [https://www.instagram.com/michaelisaakmusic] * https://tiktok.com/@michaelisaakmusic [https://tiktok.com/@michaelisaakmusic] * https://youtube.com/@michaelisaakmusic [https://youtube.com/@michaelisaakmusic] * https://open.spotify.com/artist/559rQJZL0GYH9lVU6zi5ey?si=KXUULlsqT16kSTJggFiQ8A [https://open.spotify.com/artist/559rQJZL0GYH9lVU6zi5ey?si=KXUULlsqT16kSTJggFiQ8A] * https://music.apple.com/us/artist/michael-isaak/1644644907 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/michael-isaak/1644644907] * https://michaelisaak.us [https://michaelisaak.us] Sponsors: * Attitude Creativity: https://attitudecreativity.com [https://attitudecreativity.com] * She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com [https://www.sheproducesmusic.com] Featured Song: * ”Hold Your Keys” by Michael Isaak, written by Michael Isaak & Sohail Bagheri (used with permission). All rights reserved. Timestamps: * 0:00 Teaser: Michael Isaak Interview * 00:38 Introduction * 02:12 Meet Michael Isaak * 03:26 Learning to Perform and Produce * 06:05 Taking the Leap From College * 07:38 Finding an Arab Folk Identity * 13:29 Oud Origins and Obsession * 16:40 Blending Arabic and Western Sounds * 26:39 Beyond World Music Labels * 30:51 SPONSOR: Attitude Creativity * 31:24 SPONSOR: She Produces Music * 31:59 The Carpet Maker Album Story * 38:17 Marketing vs Meaning * 40:46 Building Community Through Shows * 43:57 Advice and Influences to Explore * 47:17 Where to Find the Music * 48:08 Release Dates and Farewell * 48:51 Coda * 51:16 Featured Song: "Hold Your Keys" by Michael Isaak, written by Michael Isaak & Sohail Bagheri Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285] Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d [https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d] Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe [https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe] (affiliate link)

She Played Piano on 9/11—From a Psychiatric Hospital in Manhattan: Prin's Many Verses

Prin’s Second Verse: From 9/11 Hospitalization to Wellness-Centered Music Production Host Becky Boyland interviews New Jersey-based music producer, author, and educator Prin, who began playing piano by ear at age three, worked as a paid musician by 15, and built a thriving NYC gigging and composing life while at Fordham. After graduating in 2001, untreated bipolar disorder and substance abuse led her into a free inpatient case-study program at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, where she was hospitalized on 9/11, prompting a renewed commitment to mental health. A back injury halted performing for years, shifting her into counseling, education, and writing. After leaving higher ed, she was hit by a car and suffered lasting left-hand nerve damage, later returning to gigs and releasing her first album in 2016. Subsequent car accidents, disc replacement surgery (2019), the pandemic, and her brother’s death after COVID led her into music production, sound healing, and an ambient grief project, “The Calm Principles.” https://youtu.be/OPJ9_mkKL1g Connect with Prin: * https://www.facebook.com/musicbyprin [https://www.facebook.com/musicbyprin] * https://www.instagram.com/musicbyprin [https://www.instagram.com/musicbyprin] * https://www.tiktok.com/@musicbyprin [https://www.tiktok.com/@musicbyprin] * https://musicbyprin.com [https://musicbyprin.com] Sponsors: * She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com [https://www.sheproducesmusic.com] Featured Song: * ”A Long Time Coming” by Prin, written by Princess Yvonne Duma (used with permission). All rights reserved. Timestamps: * 00:00 Teaser: Prin's Interview * 00:26 Introduction * 01:30 Meet Prin * 01:53 Early Piano Roots * 03:16 Stage Fright Breakthrough * 06:40 Fordham and NYC Hustle * 09:15 NYC Artist Community * 11:55 Fear of Original Music * 13:24 Mental Health Pivot * 16:30 In the Hospital During 9/11 * 19:36 Back Injury Ends Gigging * 20:46 Career In Counseling Education * 22:23 SPONSOR: She Produces Music * 25:22 Quit Job Then Car Accident * 28:57 Return to Music and First Album * 30:45 Finding New Creative Tools * 31:36 Album Release Gets Derailed * 33:34 Surgery Recovery Meets Pandemic * 34:33 Learning Production Independence * 36:22 Grief Becomes Healing Project * 38:54 Mental Health and Balance * 43:19 Letting Songs Be Imperfect * 47:50 Reinventing Old Songs * 52:26 Production Tips and Tech * 01:00:34 Artist Identity and Where to Find Me * 01:03:05 Coda * 01:06:20 Featured Song: "A Long Time Coming" by Prin Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285] Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d [https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d] Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe [https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe] (affiliate link)

Multiple Selves, Meditation Music & Midlife Reinvention: Sophie Bickerdike’s Second Verse

Embracing Multiple Selves: A Journey into Music with Sophie Bickerdike In this episode of Second Verse, host Becky Boyland welcomes Sophie Bickerdike, an indie artist who shares her journey of exploring multiple musical identities under different names. Sophie talks about how she started creating music out of necessity during COVID for her yoga studio and evolved into producing meditative tracks, healing frequencies, and experimental sounds. She discusses the challenges of coming to music later in life, the joy of playful experimentation, and the power of finishing small projects. Sophie's story is an inspiring reminder that it's never too late to start a new creative journey. https://youtu.be/Qze1Cxw-jNY Connect with Sophie Bickerdike: 1. Web: www.lunalightmusiclabel.com [https://www.lunalightmusiclabel.com] 2. Facebook: www.facebook.com/sophiebickerdikemusic [https://www.facebook.com/sophiebickerdikemusic] 3. Instagram: www.instagram.com/sophiebickerdikemusic [https://www.instagram.com/sophiebickerdikemusic] 4. Bandcamp: https://lunalightmusic.bandcamp.com [https://lunalightmusic.bandcamp.com] Mentioned in the Episode: 1. Dr. Masaru Emoto: How Emotion Influences Water: https://bornastheearth.com/dr-masaru-emoto/ [https://bornastheearth.com/dr-masaru-emoto/] 2. Masaru Emoto Water Experiments: https://youtu.be/1qQUFvufXp4 [https://youtu.be/1qQUFvufXp4] 3. Life by XLN Audio: https://www.xlnaudio.com/products/life [https://www.xlnaudio.com/products/life] 4. Talent Is Timeless Community: https://www.talentistimeless.com/ [https://www.talentistimeless.com/] Sponsors: 1. Attitude Creativity: https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint [https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint] 2. Singing / Straw: https://secondverse.com/singingstraw (affiliate link, 10% coupon auto-applied, or use code “secondverse”) Featured Song: 1. ”528Hz Manifest Miracles - Angelic Extended Mix” by LunaLight & Sophia Bickerdike, written by Sophia Bickerdike (used with permission). All rights reserved. Timestamps: 1. 00:00 Episode Teaser: Sophie Bickerdike Interview 2. 00:32 Introduction 3. 01:59 Welcome to Sophie and Early Musical Influences 4. 03:02 Journey into Music Production 5. 04:01 Creating Relaxing and Experimental Music 6. 07:35 Exploring Different Musical Tools and Techniques 7. 13:02 Multiple Musical Personas 8. 19:20 Navigating Neurodivergence in Music 9. 23:36 Navigating Musical Identity and Acceptance 10. 24:40 BROUGHT TO YOU BY Attitude Creativity 11. 26:01 BROUGHT TO YOU BY Singing / Straw 12. 26:59 Balancing Band Life and Rehearsals 13. 27:29 Women in Music Production 14. 29:04 Exploring the Power of Music Frequencies 15. 34:52 Managing Multiple Music Projects 16. 41:46 Advice for Aspiring Musicians 17. 43:44 Where to Find and Support the Artist 18. 45:02 Coda 19. 46:55 Featured Song: "528Hz Manifest Miracles - Angelic Extended Mix" by LunaLight & Sophia Bickerdike Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! 1. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285] Or to your Tidal now! 1. https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d [https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d] Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe [https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe] (affiliate link)

When Creativity Finds You: Adriana Douglas on Reinvention, Nashville, and "The Artist’s Way"

Embracing Creative Renewal: Adriana Douglas' Journey from Corporate to Artistry In this episode of Second Verse, host Becky Boyland welcomes music artist and creative guide Adriana Douglas, who shares her inspiring journey from a decade-long corporate career to rediscovering her childhood dream of becoming a singer. Adriana discusses the pivotal moment when she embraced her artistic identity, the impact of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way in unlocking her creativity, and her recent move to Nashville to immerse herself in a vibrant artistic community. Along with practical advice on navigating the music industry, Adriana emphasizes the importance of aligning career choices with personal values, the necessity of community support, and the resilience required to pursue artistic dreams. Listen in for an honest, energizing conversation about the challenges and triumphs of reclaiming one's creative passion. https://youtu.be/CNM4a7gvBBg Connect with Adriana Douglas: 1. Web: https://www.adrianadouglas.com/ [https://www.adrianadouglas.com/] 2. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianagdouglas [https://www.tiktok.com/@adrianagdouglas] 3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofadrianaa/ [https://www.instagram.com/theartofadrianaa/] 4. YouTube: https://youtube.com/@adrianagdouglas [https://youtube.com/@adrianagdouglas] 5. Streaming: on all major platforms Sponsors: 1. Attitude Creativity: https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint [https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint] 2. Singing / Straw: https://secondverse.com/singingstraw [https://secondverse.com/singingstraw] (affiliate link, 10% coupon auto-applied, or use code “secondverse”) Featured Song: 1. ”Dressed in Labels” by Adriana Douglas, written by Jessica Taylor, Adriana Douglas (used with permission). All rights reserved. Timestamps: 1. 00:00 Episode Teaser Clip 2. 00:28 Episode Introduction 3. 02:01 Welcome to Adriana 4. 02:22 Adriana's Early Love for Music 5. 03:55 Rediscovering Music and Creativity 6. 05:35 The Impact of 'The Artist's Way' 7. 09:09 Embracing Creativity in Daily Life 8. 10:51 Moving to Nashville and New Beginnings 9. 12:02 Navigating the Music Industry 10. 26:09 The Importance of Community and Support 11. 33:37 Challenges and Sacrifices in Pursuing Music 12. 42:04 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Attitude Creativity 13. 43:25 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Singing / Straw 14. 44:22 Advice for Aspiring Artists 15. 49:39 Upcoming Projects and How to Support Adriana 16. 51:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 17. 51:59 Coda 18. 54:09 Featured Song: "Dressed in Labels" by Adriana Douglas, written by Jessica Taylor & Adriana Douglas Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285] Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d [https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d] Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe [https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe] (affiliate link)

Wintering: How Kathi Fran Reclaimed Her Voice After Life’s Hardest Seasons

Rediscovering Purpose Through Music with Kathi Fran In this episode of Second Verse hosted by Becky Boyland, we meet Kathi Copans, who creates under the artist name Kathi Fran. Kathi shares her inspiring journey of growing up in a musical home, navigating the ups and downs of life, and finding her way back to music and songwriting after illness and loss. This conversation covers a range of topics including the evolving definition of success, the healing power of music, and the importance of kindness in the creative community. Becky and Kathi also discuss the challenges and rewards of co-writing, the importance of authenticity in art, and how even small steps in pursuing one's passion can lead to significant personal fulfillment and impact. Tune in for an episode full of wisdom, resilience, and musical inspiration. https://youtu.be/EJrlJslaNro Connect with Kathi Fran: 1. Instagram: @kat_rocks_13 2. linktr.ee/kathifran Sponsors: 1. Attitude Creativity: https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint [https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint] 2. Singing / Straw: https://secondverse.com/singingstraw [https://secondverse.com/singingstraw] (affiliate link, 10% coupon auto-applied, or use code “secondverse”) Featured Song: 1. ”Wintering” by Kathi Fran, written by Kathi Fran Copans & Wilhelmina Fleur Lavinia Walter (used with permission). All rights reserved. Timestamps: 1. 00:00 Kathi Fran Episode Teaser 2. 00:13 Introduction 3. 01:41 Welcome and Early Love for Music 4. 04:32 Transition to School Teaching 5. 07:43 Health Challenges and Rediscovery 6. 10:13 Philosophical Reflections on Music 7. 24:39 Creative Process and Collaborations 8. 26:33 The Self-Promoting Artist 9. 29:34 The Importance of Co-Writing and Community 10. 31:35 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Attitude Creativity 11. 32:56 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Singing / Straw 12. 33:54 Instrumentation and Production Techniques 13. 36:07 The Art of Using MIDI and Live Instruments 14. 42:51 Live Performances and Open Mics 15. 45:19 Future Plans and Dreams 16. 49:08 Advice for Aspiring Musicians 17. 50:42 Coda 18. 52:45 Featured Song: "Wintering" by Kathi Fran, written by Kathi Fran Copans & Wilhelmina Fleur Lavinia Walter Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! 1. Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 2. Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)