Nashville artist Amber Marie joins the Indie Fusion Podcast for a real conversation about chasing music dreams, surviving Nashville’s ice storm, and building a career from Belmont University to Spotify playlists.

Amber shares the story behind her EP Til It Burns, her upcoming single “New Girl (J on My Neck)” dropping March 6, and what it really takes to break through as an independent artist in today’s music industry.

We also dive into:
🎤 Moving from Pennsylvania to Nashville
🎼 Belmont University songwriting program
🔥 Recording music in home studios
📱 Social media strategy for musicians
🎧 Artists inspiring her right now
🎶 Writers rounds, live shows, and the indie grind

If you love country, indie artists, Nashville stories, and behind-the-scenes music talk — this one’s for you.

👉 Follow Amber Marie:
Spotify: Amber Marie
Socials: @ambermariemusic

👉 Subscribe for more indie artist interviews, live sessions, and music industry conversations.

#AmberMarie #NashvilleArtist #IndieFusionPodcast #CountryMusic #Songwriter #BelmontUniversity

Samantha isn’t chasing trends — she’s chasing truth.

In this episode of our Original Series, Texas songwriter Samantha takes us inside the songs, stories, and philosophy that shaped her as an independent artist. From growing up listening to music on long Texas roads, to carving out a fully self-owned career, Samantha performs and reflects on songs like “Dirty Little Secret,” “People Today,” and more — blending raw folk, roots rock, and hard-earned honesty.

This session isn’t just a live performance — it’s a conversation about:
• Texas songwriting traditions
• Owning your art in a DIY music world
• Why “making it” means something different to everyone
• The power of women-led songwriting
• Staying genuine in an industry obsessed with trends

If you love authentic folk music, independent artists, Texas songwriting, and real stories behind the songs, this one’s for you.

🎶 Stream Samantha’s music everywhere
🌐 Website: songwriterSamantha.com
📲 Instagram: @SamanthaFolkinLynn

👉 Like, subscribe, and share to support independent music that still means something.

In this episode of Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast, host Tom Kwiat sits down with Canadian singer-songwriter Ally Cribb to talk about the real journey of being an independent artist.

From growing up in a musical household, studying music in Halifax, navigating radio and social media, to preparing for her upcoming single “Back Home Boys”, Ally opens up about songwriting, consistency, burnout, and doing it all without a team.

This is an honest conversation about the behind-the-scenes reality of building a music career today.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0TqxCTAKDdzulaHvq7mp4w?

🎙 Follow Live and Amplified for more unfiltered conversations with independent artists.

Singer-songwriter Byrdie Wilson joins Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast for a raw, honest conversation about moving to Nashville with no backup plan, grinding Broadway, finding her authentic voice, and staying independent in an industry that loves labels.

We dive into:

• Moving to Nashville knowing no one

• Building community in East Nashville & Madison

• The truth behind “overnight success”

• Handling hate, rejection, and staying authentic

• Writing “Why Waste Another Bullet” with her mom

• Touring, releasing music independently, and what’s next

If you’re an artist trying to figure out your path—or just love hearing real stories behind the music—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to the podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0TqxCTAKDdzulaHvq7mp4w?

🎶 Stream Byrdie Wilson’s new single “Why Waste Another Bullet” on all platforms.

📍 Filmed live as part of the Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast
🎙 Hosted by Tom Kwiat

#IndieArtist #NashvilleMusic #IndependentMusic #SongwriterPodcast #LiveAndAmplified #NotNashvilleApproved

Singer-songwriter Marlena Molly joins the Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast to share her powerful journey—from classical and jazz studies, to ministry, to fully stepping back into music in Nashville.

In this episode, Marlena opens up about:
• Walking away from the music industry and finding faith
• Overcoming fear, burnout, and self-doubt
• Writing songs rooted in courage, calling, and small-town beginnings
• Balancing a day job with an independent music career
• Releasing new music and building a platform to uplift indie artists

This is an honest, inspiring conversation about trusting the process, taking the leap when it’s scary, and finding your people along the way.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0TqxCTAKDdzulaHvq7mp4w?

📲 Follow Marlena Molly:
Instagram: @marlena.molly.music

🎙️ Hosted by Tom Kwiat
Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast

#NotNashvilleApproved

We’re back with an incredible episode of the Indie Fusion Podcast, featuring Kylie Hernandez! Born and raised near Austin, Texas, Kylie shares her journey from growing up on Texas red dirt and outlaw country to pursuing her music career in Nashville and back home. 🎸

In this episode, Kylie talks about:

• Her upcoming Valentine’s Day single, "Good Old Fashioned Country Love Song" 💌

• A collab with Grayson Turner dropping in March

• Life as a 21-year-old artist in Austin and navigating the live music scene

• Balancing school, work at Universal Music Group, and her passion for songwriting

• Why Texas is a hub for authentic country music and fostering new talent

• Tips for young musicians chasing their dreams 🎤

Connect with Kylie:

• Instagram & TikTok: @KylieHernandezzzz

• Music & shows: Kylie Hernandez (all streaming platforms)

• Website: Check Kylie’s latest releases and show dates

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to catch all of our Indie Fusion Podcast episodes!

Oklahoma country artist Krislyn Arthurs joins Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast to talk about the grind of independent music, playing 85 shows in one year, and finding confidence by fully embracing who she is as an artist.

We dive into:

• Her upcoming album releasing April 24

• New single “Double Wide” dropping January 29

• The stories behind songs like “Psycho” and “Shinin’”

• Touring through snowstorms, burnout, and breakthrough moments

• Growing beyond Oklahoma and expanding into new markets

• Staying authentic in a crowded country music scene

This is a raw, honest conversation about resilience, creativity, and what it really takes to keep going when quitting feels easier.

🎧 Listen to Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0TqxCTAKDdzulaHvq7mp4w?

📲 Follow Krislyn Arthurs:
Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @KrislynArthursMusic
Website: krislynarthursmusic.com

🎙 Hosted by Tom Kwiat
📍 Recorded live in Texas

Country artist Olivia Lynn returns to the Indie Fusion Podcast for an honest, inspiring conversation about growth, independence, and finding momentum in both music and motherhood.

Since her last appearance, Olivia’s career has flourished—from performing internationally to becoming a mom, going fully independent, and gearing up to release her most anticipated album yet. We talk about her recent single, upcoming festival dates, playing Sweden, navigating the DIY artist life, and how becoming a mother reshaped her creativity and drive.

This episode dives deep into:

• Balancing motherhood and a rising music career

• Going independent and releasing music solo

• Writing and recording a full-length album

• UK & European country festivals

• Why 2026 is shaping up to be her biggest year yet

🎧 Listen to the full Indie Fusion Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0TqxCTAKDdzulaHvq7mp4w?

📲 Follow Olivia Lynn:
Instagram / TikTok / Facebook / X: @OliviaLynnOfficial

🎙️ Hosted by Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast
Subscribe for more in-depth conversations with independent artists pushing music forward.

UK singer-songwriter Neeve Zahra returns to the Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast to talk about her brand new EP “Breakup Breakdown,” the long road from writing to release, and what it really means to be a fully independent artist.

Host Tom Kwiat dives deep with Neeve on:

• Writing a breakup EP that tells a full emotional story

• Why EPs feel right in today’s music industry

• Touring the UK with intimate shows (and a pedal steel 👀)

• The realities of DIY music, merch, CDs, and promotion

• Navigating the UK country & indie scene

• Why she believes in Plan A only—no Plan B

If you’re an independent musician, songwriter, or fan of emotionally honest country-leaning indie music, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to Live and Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0TqxCTAKDdzulaHvq7mp4w?

📀 Neeve Zahra – “Breakup Breakdown” is out now on all streaming platforms

📲 Follow Neeve Zahra:
Instagram / TikTok / Facebook: @nevezahramusic

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more indie artist conversations, deep dives, and real talk from the music world.

Singer-songwriter Morgan Hawkins joins the Live & Amplified: Indie Fusion Podcast to talk about her journey from Arkansas to the Dallas music scene, stepping away from cover bands, and finally releasing her own original music.

Morgan opens up about:

• Finding her voice as an independent artist

• The importance of open mics and community in Texas

• Her brand new single “Pretty Bird” and the story behind it

• Pivoting from frequent single releases to building a full album

• Balancing solo gigs, band dynamics, and the realities of live music

• Why writing songs isn’t about perfection — it’s about truth

We also dive into TikTok live streaming, gigging strategies, creative pressure, and advice for younger musicians who are just getting started.

🎶 “Pretty Bird” is out now on all streaming platforms
🎸 Follow Morgan’s journey and upcoming shows at MorganHawkinsMusic.com

If you’re an indie artist, songwriter, or music fan navigating the modern music world, this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe for more artist interviews and real conversations about independent music.