I spoke with Nashville based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Lydia Luce. Lydia is an accomplished violist, songwriter, session player, and concert performer who has traveled the US playing and studying music ( formerly as an ethnomusicologist). Luce has shared the stage with the likes of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Eminem and curates her own DIY house shows in the Nashville community. In our conversation, we talk about the versatility of her career, Taylor Swift, contemporary songwriting, and playing multiple roles in music as a string player (viola), and co-writing in Nashville. Learn more about Lydia's journey, on this episode support her upcoming single/record at the links below. 

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Luce

Website: https://www.lydialuce.com/

I spoke to my old friend, Jake Detwiler.  Jake Detwiler was my first studio producer, bandmate and collaborator with A Day Without Love.  In our discussion, we talk about Detwiler's journey as a multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, teacher, and creator.  Detwiler has a number of credits with local and national acts and shares his experiences with working in the studio in various capacities. You can also listen to Detwiler's work under his solo project eighthrs and his collaborative work with Philadelphia based collective Besphrenz. Tune in and find out more on Dreams Not Memes. 

To follow Jake and his projects head to 

Instagram: @eighthrs 

Website: https://www.jakedetwiler.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3UjRf3E1kA6M3Nmqh7Zvr3 (Eighthrs) | https://open.spotify.com/artist/0VVJ5bIx1zXlBLi1GiP4yX?si=-mzfiTn_Q0CivhIbneyRUg (Besphrenz)

I spoke to Charley Clayton, a West Virginia native who recently moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue her professional and entrepreneurial ambitions. Charley has worked in the event promotions and music industry working with venues and supporting brands for a number of years and is currently working as a marketing professional in LA. Clayton has had quite a bit of experience with competing in pageants and is currently a candidate for Miss California. In our conversation, Clayton and I speak about social media accountability, the ins and outs of competing in a pageant, social responsibility as a content creator, and self-care. Find out more on Dreams Not Memes. 

To follow more on Charley's journey click the links below 

Instagram: @charbabyclayton

Twitter: @charbabyclayton

FB: www.facebook.com/charley.clayton.5

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHWAFMXZ3-OqgChYF2-2tOw/featured

I spoke with my friend Katie about the value in taking the road less traveled. Katie shares her story about how she transitioned from working a 9 to 5 in the UK to living a life of discovery, culture and traveling the world. In this discussion we talk about global politics, music, the BLM movement on an international level, being independent and why taking on your own journey is much more important than following what is expected of you. Tune in more on Dreams Not Memes. 

I spoke to North Carolina native, Tre Gathers about his art and spiritual journey as musician. Tre is a musician, graphic designer, events curator and works in the Reiki and healing space. In our conversation we talk about the North Carolina music scene, his work with Dreamville, being in past hip hop collectives and making the transition to his own project and collective Inside the Vibes. Tre is multi faceted, speaks about spirituality, working in quarantine and staying centered with creativity. Learn more about Tre and his relationship with art, music and the human experience on Dreams Not Memes. 

To learn more about Tre's journey review the links below. 

https://www.thekidsdowntown.com/tremars 

InsideTheVibes @insidethevibes on IG

Listen to Tre's newest record NOWorNEVER @ https://song.link/album/i/1474187310

https://www.thekidsdowntown.com/

I spoke with Zoe Darc, a musician from the upstate New York area.  In our conversation, we talk about self-discovery, body positivity/ insecurity, mental health, and owning your boundaries in your creative journey. Darc shares her experiences with transitioning from being a med student to learning music in a conservatory and talks about what it means to be unapologetic and confident. Tune in more on Dreams Not Memes to hear Zoe's journey and how living in Upstate New York has changed her narrative and helped her navigate her creative ambitions. 

I spent some time speaking with a Portland, Maine native who is a freelance model, radio host, and community organizer/activist. Kara works with the only hip hop radio station in Portland, Maine, and shares her insights on how she uses radio as a platform to uplift her community and local musicians in the Portland area. In this conversation, Kara shares her insights about the power of social media,  collaboration, and how modeling has been useful in not only sustaining her goals but also collaborating with local brands. We dive deep into the Black Lives Matter movement, diversity, and growing up as a racially marginalized person in Maine. Find out more about Kara's modeling journey and how she has diversified her ambitions and platform in today's episode. 

I spoke with Jordan and Madison, they are two fashion designers who operate a Portland, Maine fashion store called Loquat Shop.  Loquat is a store designed to uplift and empower marginalized voices. The duo has made strides to share their values in being culturally aware and campaign driven by marrying activism and fashion together. As of recent, Loquat has created masks in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, created fashion campaigns for accessible menstrual products, and collaborated with local artists to create tote bags. You can learn more about the day to day of Madison and Jordan's journey and their views on challenging the status quo of fashion and uplifting marginalized voices in today's episode of Dreams Not Memes. 

To support head to Loquat Shop 

https://loquatshop.com/

Instagram: @loquatshop

I spoke with a friend from the folk-punk community, Jake from the band Fencesitter.  Jake talks about their journey in music, DIY, and community building.  Jake is the last person to have booked me out of state before COVID- 19 pandemics hit, so to say this episode is reflective is an understatement. Tune in to this conversation to hear about Jake's perspectives on identity and inclusion in the music world, their ideas for creating a Youtube platform for content sharing and tutorials, and their diverse approach to songwriting. Listen to more on Dreams Not Memes.