Nothing to Prove Only to Share

In this episode, I sit down with Haylee Dee and Sunshine Parker for a conversation about creativity, burnout, collaboration, and what it means to keep evolving as artists and people.

We talk about studying music intensely, the pressure of trying to make one path “work,” and how burnout can quietly reshape your relationship to the thing you love most. Haylee and I reflect on coming from the same high school music program and mentor, while Haylee and Sunshine share how they met through McNally Smith and eventually grew from “chummy” classmates into long-term creative collaborators and loversss <3

We get into songwriting, harmonizing, leadership, identity within music, and how songs change once they’re handed to other musicians to help shape. We also talk about curiosity, and the importance of actually following it, whether that looks like starting Muay Thai, streaming video games, organizing with TCUP (Twin Cities United Performers), or giving yourself permission to completely pivot.

This conversation also dives into the realities of being a working artist: student loans, working multiple jobs, the rising cost of living, and the fight to protect art as something essential to community, not just something capitalism gets to decide the value of.

We keep coming back to the age old question: What does success actually meannnn!!?!?

For all three of us, the answer seems to have something to do with connection, honesty, curiosity, and making things that genuinely move us.

Sunshine & the Nightwalkers: https://linktr.ee/sunshineandthenightwalkers 

Haylee Dee: https://linktr.ee/scarlettlovelee 

TCUP: https://linktr.ee/TCUPMN

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

In this episode, I’m joined by Max Reichart: trumpet player for Du Fromage and producer/mix engineer at Minnehaha Records.

We talk about growing up in a musical family, choosing both band and choir, and what it’s like to be new to the local music scene while learning in real time. Max shares how synesthesia shapes the way he experiences music. We also talk about jazz jams, the impact of teachers and community, and Du Fromage playing the Nothing to Prove Summer Show at the Mess this past June!

Du Fromage: www.instagram.com/dufromageband

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Season 4 kicks off imperfectly.. which feels exactly right.

Dani Erin is back! This episode is actually our second time recording for this season (shoutout to tech difficulties), and I cut a good chunk of the beginning because… it was mostly nonsense. 

We talk about bringing in a new drummer, slowly building a group that feels like family, and what it means to keep showing up even when things don’t go as planned. We get into background vocals and our relationship to each other, our ongoing creative work together, and how preparation and grounding show up before and after a show.

This episode is about learning as you go, trusting the process, and letting things be messy without letting them stop you.

Dani Erin: www.instagram.com/danierinmusic

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

In this episode I sit down with the incredibly talented Jackie Rae Daniels— folk singer, songwriter, fiddler, yogaer, traveler, and homebody ;) We share gratitude for the Minneapolis music scene and what makes it so special: the sincerity and support of the artists who truly show up. Jackie also shares about her creative process and the work behind her latest album, Stay Awhile. Jackie played a song for us after our conversation, check it out on our YouTube!

Jackie Rae Daniels: www.jackieraedanielsmusic.com 

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Lars E. Larson, a drummer and piano rebuilder, came by to laugh and joke and share his wisdom on entrepreneurship, being fearless and terrified at the same time, getting tips at the gig (the tip jar boogie) AND he let me read about his big three on the Co-Star app (Aries, Aries, Leo)!! (He’s such an Aries)

Lars plays with a bunch of groups in town, be sure to check him out!!

Lars E. Larson: www.instagram.com/le_larson and www.instagram.com/larson_piano_rebuilding

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Richard: www.instagram.com/richardmedek

Maddi Waldo, our first non-musician guest to grace the pod!! Maddi is a photographer from Northern MN. She is currently a wedding and concert photographer who made her hobby her full time job!! Listen to this episode to hear about her journey.

Maddi Waldo: www.instagram.com/maddiwaldo 

Concert Photography: www.instagram.com/maddiwaldo_media 

Wedding Photography: www.instagram.com/maddiwaldophoto

Film Photography: www.instagram.com/waldosworldinfilm

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Richard: www.instagram.com/richardmedek

A member of 7-piece funk band Bluehound and Dani Erin, Nathaniel Gillen describes himself as persistent and “always ringing the doorbell,” a helpful trait when navigating success and working towards creative goals. From selling 5-gallon water and landscaping to song-writing and producing music, Nathaniel shares his thoughts on life as an artist! This episode includes topics such as balancing work/life/music as it pertains to one’s growth as a human, geeking over DAWs, using music therapeutically, and more about Nathaniel’s musical journey. 

Nathaniel Gillen: https://linktr.ee/natgilmusic 

Dani Erin: https://www.danierinmusic.com 

Lydia Scroggins: https://linktr.ee/lydiascroggins 

Bryn Battani: https://linktr.ee/brynbattani

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Richard: www.instagram.com/richardmedek

Abrianne and Clare Doyle geek about Opera and vocal techniques, taking care of your instrument, and Connection! Joy! Humor! And Community!

Clare had some great takes on success, discusses her new EP (linked below) and shared what she does to get out of a creative funk. It was a ‘true ass hang’ ;) - hope you enjoy this listen!

Clare Doyle: www.claredoyle.com

Music Links: https://linktr.ee/claredoylemusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=f42ce3ad-a3ed-4508-9f3c-7df5fe7c6f9e

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Performing artist, teacher, and composer Jeff Bailey talks with us about his music journey; choosing an instrument, studying, and becoming a hired collaborator. He discusses the ways the industry has changed throughout his career, drops upwards of 40 names (I counted) and shares his thoughts on celebrating the success of others. 

Jeff Bailey: www.instagram.com/jlowebailey

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Richard: www.instagram.com/richardmedek

This week’s guest is local bassist, Nick Salisbury! Nick hung out with us (Abrianne, Aurelio, Richard (mic’d this time!) and dog Max), and we talked about showing up, being politely persistent and doing work without the promise of a reward. 

The records we mentioned in this episode that I promised I’d tag in the episode notes are:

Firefly by Ashleigh Still & Nick Salisbury

Then There Were Two by Then There Were Two

N2P: www.linktr.ee/nothingtoprovepod 

Abrianne: www.instagram.com/abriannemusic

Aurelio: www.instagram.com/aroolio.isaac

Richard: www.instagram.com/richardmedek