In this episode, we sit down with Vic Vace—producer, artist, and co-owner of 512 Studios—to break down what it really takes to make it in music.

We get into studio culture, why most artists fail, the role of ego in the creative process, and how collaboration separates amateurs from professionals. Vic shares his journey from doing free work to building one of Austin’s most respected studios, along with hard truths about talent, sacrifice, and staying relevant in a world where AI is changing everything.

If you’re serious about creating, this one cuts through the noise.

Full episodes weekly featuring musicians, comedians, and creatives from Austin and beyond.

Most people think being a great musician is about talent.

It’s not.

In this episode, bassist Evan Durr and drummer Joel Turcotte of Mild Science break down what actually matters—improv vs structure, why reliability can beat raw skill, and how the best players build something that lasts.

This turns into a real conversation about the Austin music scene, creative growth, and why “overnight success” is usually 10+ years in the making.

If you’re trying to get better at anything—music or otherwise—this one hits.

🎙️ Cody Kai Cast — Austin, TX
🎸 Featuring Mild Science

Comedian Bella Carrozza joins the Cody Kai Cast for one of the most layered conversations yet—covering everything from comedy craft and performance psychology to modern dating, attention, and self-worth.

From breaking down how rhythm and timing shape stand-up, to unpacking the realities of dating culture, validation, and the attention economy, this episode moves between insight, humor, and unfiltered perspective.

Bella shares:

• Why comedy is built on rhythm and structure
• The difference between authentic confidence vs seeking validation
• How attention functions as a form of currency in dating
• The truth about modern relationships, expectations, and attraction
• Lessons from performance, nightlife, and real-world experience

This isn’t just a comedy episode—
it’s a conversation about identity, growth, and navigating modern life without losing yourself.

🎙️ Cody Kai Cast — Austin, TX
🎭 Featuring comedian Bella Carrozza

Nashville-based musician Carly Rogers joins the Cody Kai Cast for one of the most unfiltered conversations yet.From getting banned from an Austin comedy club after rejecting an employee, to breaking down the darker realities of nightlife, harassment, and industry politics—this episode pulls no punches.But it’s not just controversy.Carly dives into:The reality of being a female artist in male-dominated spacesWhy trauma is not an excuse for bad behaviorThe truth about alcohol and emotional controlWhat separates artists who grow… from those who stay stuckThis episode moves from wild stories to real insight—fast.If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes in comedy, music, and nightlife… this is it.🎙️ Featuring: Carly Rogers📍 Filmed in Austin, TXTimestamps & clips dropping all week.Follow for more conversations with real artists, real stories, and real perspective.

Marcus Jones (@ayyye_itsjones) joins the Cody Kai Cast to break down what separates good musicians from great ones—and it has nothing to do with playing more notes.

From keeping the pocket to creating real emotional impact, Marcus explains how music becomes something deeper than sound—it becomes energy, connection, and even something spiritual.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why feeling matters more than technique

• The difference between playing and creating a moment

• The power of live music in Austin’s scene

• How great musicians make people move without thinking

• The mindset behind serving the song vs showing off

Whether you’re a musician, creative, or just someone who loves live music, this episode hits on what makes art actually connect.

🎙️ Cody Kai Cast – New episodes weekly
🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major platforms

Great musicians don’t chase perfection — they chase reps.

In this episode of Cody Kai Cast, guitarist Trent Morgan (@trentmorganmd) joins Cody and Kai for a deep conversation about the real process behind artistic growth: failure, discipline, and showing up even when the performance isn’t perfect.

Trent breaks down the mindset shift from chasing the ceiling to raising the floor — making sure your worst performance is still strong enough to carry the show. The conversation dives into perfectionism, creative focus, learning through mistakes, and why the legends built their greatness through thousands of imperfect reps.

From stories about Stevie Ray Vaughan grinding late-night gigs to the importance of staying off your phone and protecting your imagination, this episode is a masterclass in the mindset required to build real artistic longevity.

If you’re a musician, creative, or performer trying to get better every day, this conversation hits home.

In Episode 55 of the Cody Kai Cast, AfroDiziac joins Cody for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation on artistry, authenticity, hustle, influence, and the danger of living someone else’s life.

From early inspirations in comedy and music to performing with members of the Kill Tony band, Afro reflects on mentorship, mistakes, bombing on stage, and why growth comes from ownership—not imitation.

The episode dives into:

• Why you can’t hustle and hate at the same time
• The difference between influence and imitation
• Learning from bombing instead of fearing it
• Mentorship, elders, and earning respect
• The danger of living an “unsung” life
• Why authenticity beats performative culture
• Analog experiences in a digital world

Afro shares hard-earned perspective on staying original, trusting your instincts, and defining success on your own terms.

Featuring @therealafrodiziac

Watch / listen to more episodes of Cody Kai Cast for conversations at the intersection of music, comedy, culture, and mindset.

In Episode 54 of the Cody Kai Cast, lead singer and bassist Jennifer Foster (@jenniferfosterandtheaudacity) joins the show for a candid conversation on artistry, identity, and what it really takes to sustain a creative life.

Jennifer opens up about trusting intuition through moments of doubt, building confidence while navigating criticism, and the deeply personal impact of her “Love Notes” folder — a collection of handwritten reminders from fans that keep her grounded in purpose. The conversation also explores modern artist marketing, emotional bandwidth, self-trust, and the philosophy that other people’s opinions aren’t yours to manage.

From vulnerability to strategy, this episode captures the intersection of creativity, resilience, and self-definition in today’s independent music landscape.

Follow Jennifer Foster: @jenniferfosterandtheaudacity
Watch & listen to more Cody Kai Cast episodes across all platforms.

Drummer Justin Hights and vocalist/emcee Keezy join the Cody Kai Cast for a conversation that blends musicianship, mindset, and real-life perspective inside Austin’s thriving live music scene.

The episode explores the philosophy behind groove and pocket playing, the critical relationship between drums and bass, and why the drummer is often viewed as the “bus driver” responsible for guiding the band’s direction. Justin shares his perspective on constant growth behind the kit, embracing mistakes in real time, and why mastery in music is less about arrival and more about ongoing participation in the process.

Beyond technical craft, Keezy and Justin reflect on their musical roots, church performance backgrounds, and the community-driven jam culture that continues to shape Austin’s creative ecosystem. The discussion highlights the importance of practice, humility, collaboration, and showing up consistently in pursuit of artistic development.

The conversation also moves into broader territory — touching on friendship, loyalty, conflict navigation, and the realities of maintaining authentic relationships while navigating creative spaces and adulthood.

CKC53 is a candid conversation about groove, growth, discipline, and the human connections that sustain artists both on and off the stage.

Tap in and subscribe for more conversations with Austin’s creative voices.

Austin rapper and live performer David Shabani pulls up to the Cody Kai Cast for a wide-ranging conversation on hip-hop culture, musical longevity, and what it really takes to carve out a lane as an independent artist.

From debating who’s truly “hottest” in hip-hop today to breaking down the difference between bars, impact, and cultural staying power, David shares his perspective as both a fan and a creator in the space. The episode dives into the evolution of rap eras, the influence of artists like J. Cole and Run The Jewels, and why certain names continue to dominate conversations more than a decade into their careers.

Beyond the music discourse, David opens up about building a live show identity, assembling a full band experience, and adapting performances to any stage size — from intimate quartet setups to full ensemble productions. The discussion also explores Austin’s creative ecosystem, collaboration, opportunity creation, and the mindset required to sustain momentum in a crowded scene.

This episode is a conversation about artistry, preparation, perspective, and the ongoing pursuit of growth — on stage, in the studio, and within the culture itself.

Tap in, subscribe, and stay locked with the Cody Kai Cast.