Bruce Springsteen's Music Has Always Been About the "Land of Hope and Dreams"

Bruce Springsteen's Music Has Always Been About the "Land of Hope and Dreams"

We've got a timely podcast episode this week, with Russ Rieger on the power of music as a clarion call during these urgent times exemplified by Bruce Springsteen in concert. Unlike anything we've seen in decades, this was not an ordinary concert but a bare bones, singular punch sounding the alarm as Bruce engages as the only way he can, to stand in the breach and shout that this will not stand, as long as he has a voice and an audience to speak to. Playing his songs and covers became something new and more poignant - from "War", Born in the USA", "No Surrender", and "Clampdown" to "Darkness on the Edge of Town", "Land of Hope and Dreams" and Long Walk Home", and then sitting down to give personal and passionate talks that drove him to perform now. It was part concert, part rally and part church service. Bruce has never been more relevant or more honest. Give it a listen and share your thoughts on Bruce. Tickets for The Indie Music Network Live (June 24 6:30-10 PM, Ki Smith Gallery): www.notdeadyetmedia.com [http://www.notdeadyetmedia.com/] The Indie Music Network Podcast is hosted by Russ Rieger, Rebecca Carroll, and Heather de Armas. Breaking into music is harder than ever. In every episode of the podcast, we dive into the real strategies, struggles, and spotlight independent artist success stories that are rewriting the rules. From surviving tours to building superfans, we show you how indie artists can thrive without the machine. Because the future of music won't be handed down from the top — it's being built from the underground. Looking for your next DIY music community? NDYM empowers artists to realize their full potential, rise above the noise, and shape culture through music. Have an idea for an episode, have a question or want to send use music? Reach out! Contact us at www.notdeadyetmedia.com/contact

It's the Song, Stupid (Part 2)

What "hits you in the heart, the head and the hips"? A GREAT SONG. When you hear a great song, nothing else matters--and to champion that music, you look at others, and say to them: "You NEED to hear this. This is LIFE CHANGING." Blinded by passion? Perhaps. But in the beginning, middle and in the end, a great song can change the life of a listener and give an artist a career. Fun Fact: During COVID, there were more women than men buying guitars, and now we're seeing the fruits of that labor in many female artists releasing remarkable music. Our company focuses on three pillars to help artists build careers—songs, live performance and die-hard fans. But the first one is always the song. Keep on writing - and you'll find the magic based on the reactions of fans and listeners. From Alvvays, Elliott Murphy, and Lucy Daucus to Frank Turner, R.E.M., Social Distortion and The Beatles, as James Carville would say: "It's the song, stupid". The Indie Music Network Podcast is hosted by Russ Rieger, Rebecca Carroll, and Heather de Armas. Breaking into music is harder than ever. In every episode of the podcast, we dive into the real strategies, struggles, and spotlight independent artist success stories that are rewriting the rules. From surviving tours to building superfans, we show you how indie artists can thrive without the machine. Because the future of music won't be handed down from the top — it's being built from the underground. Looking for your next DIY music community? NDYM empowers artists to realize their full potential, rise above the noise, and shape culture through music. Have an idea for an episode, have a question or want to send use music? Reach out! Contact us at www.notdeadyetmedia.com/contact

It's the Song, Stupid (Part 1)

What makes a song stay with you? Stop your scroll? Even make you pull over to the side of the road so you can give it your full attention? Our company focuses on three pillars to build careers—songs, live performance and die-hard fans. But the first one is always the song. The Indie Music Network Podcast is hosted by Russ Rieger, Rebecca Carroll, and Heather de Armas. Breaking into music is harder than ever. In every episode of the podcast, we dive into the real strategies, struggles, and spotlight independent artist success stories that are rewriting the rules. From surviving tours to building superfans, we show you how indie artists can thrive without the machine. Because the future of music won't be handed down from the top — it's being built from the underground. Looking for your next DIY music community? NDYM empowers artists to realize their full potential, rise above the noise, and shape culture through music. Have an idea for an episode, have a question or want to send use music? Reach out! Contact us at www.notdeadyetmedia.com/contact

Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves Part 2 (feat. Kim Biggs & Alli Truch)

Part 2 What can hip-hop culture and rap artists' approach to their craft and career teach indie artists of other genres? In this conversation with award-winning art directors Kim Biggs and Alli Truch, we touch on everything from why graphic design is still important, the differences between working with beauty brands and artists, and some of Alli and Kim's favorite cover art. From the beauty aisles to the Billboard charts, art directors Kim Biggs and Alli Truch have shaped some of pop culture's most recognizable visuals. From brands like Bliss, eos, and Philosophy, creative partnerships with Millie Bobby Brown and Emma Chamberlain, to legendary album covers for Alicia Keys, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Aerosmith the truth is that in any era, great design endures. For more than 20 years, these sisters have been capturing that hard-to-define magic that makes a brand actually mean something — and turning it into award-winning creative, sharing a love of art and design — and the powerful role both play in shaping pop culture. But if you trace it all back, the story starts with music. Kim Biggs was Senior Art Director at Warner Bros., Associate Creative Director at RCA Records, and Head of Creative at Maverick. She's also co-founded three design firms of her own. Alli Truch was Creative Director at Elektra Entertainment, J Records, and Island/Def Jam. Today, she serves as Design Faculty at The School of Visual Arts. They are now using their visual talents at their own firm: Biggs & Co. Check out Kim and Alli's amazing work: https://www.biggsandco.net/ [https://www.biggsandco.net/] The Indie Music Network Podcast is hosted by Russ Rieger, Rebecca Carroll, and Heather de Armas. Breaking into music is harder than ever. In every episode of the podcast, we dive into the real strategies, struggles, and spotlight independent artist success stories that are rewriting the rules. From surviving tours to building superfans, we show you how indie artists can thrive without the machine. Because the future of music won't be handed down from the top — it's being built from the underground. Looking for your next DIY music community? NDYM empowers artists to realize their full potential, rise above the noise, and shape culture through music. Have an idea for an episode, have a question or want to send use music? Reach out! Contact us at www.notdeadyetmedia.com/contact

Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves Part 1 (feat. Kim Biggs and Alli Truch)

Music--and art--shape culture and brands beyond the music industry itself--and these award-winning Creative Directors have stories to tell! From the beauty aisles to the Billboard charts, art directors Kim Biggs and Alli Truch have shaped some of pop culture's most recognizable visuals. Their work with brands like Bliss, eos, and Philosophy, creative partnerships with Millie Bobby Brown and Emma Chamberlain, and legendary album covers for Alicia Keys, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Aerosmith and more is proof that in any era, great design endures. From the beauty aisles to the Billboard charts, art directors Kim Biggs and Alli Truch have shaped some of pop culture's most recognizable visuals. Their work with brands like Bliss, eos, and Philosophy, creative partnerships with Millie Bobby Brown and Emma Chamberlain, and legendary album covers for Alicia Keys, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Aerosmith and more is proof that in any era, great design endures. For more than 20 years, these sisters have had a talent for capturing that hard-to-define magic that makes a brand actually mean something — and turning it into swoon-worthy, award-winning creative. They're driven by a shared love of art and design — and the powerful role both play in shaping pop culture. But if you trace it all back, the story starts with music. Kim Biggs' journey begins in Los Angeles, where she carved out a standout career in the music industry — from Senior Art Director at Warner Bros. to Associate Creative Director at RCA Records, and eventually Head of Creative at Maverick. She's also co-founded three design firms of her own, building brands and creative teams with her sharp eye and instinct for what resonates. Alli Truch made her way to New York to attend The School of Visual Arts — and stayed. Today, she serves as Design Faculty there, guiding and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Her music industry experience includes Creative Director roles at Elektra Entertainment, J Records, and Island/Def Jam, where she helped define the visual language for artists and releases at a global scale. Raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Kim and Alli grew up in a family of creatives — so in many ways, this path wasn't just a career choice. It was in their DNA. Check out Kim and Alli's amazing work: https://www.biggsandco.net/ [https://www.biggsandco.net/] The Indie Music Network Podcast hosted by Russ Rieger, Rebecca Carroll, and Heather de Armas Breaking into music is harder than ever. In every episode of the podcast, we dive into the real strategies, struggles, and spotlight independent artist success stories that are rewriting the rules. From surviving tours to building superfans, we show you how indie artists can thrive without the machine. Because the future of music won't be handed down from the top — it's being built from the underground. Looking for your next DIY music community? NDYM empowers artists to realize their full potential, rise above the noise, and shape culture through music. Contact us at www.notdeadyetmedia.com/contact