In this episode of Sex, Drugs, and Disappointment, Melody, Dustin, and David of HeyDreamer talk through the very different ways they prepare for life as working musicians—from gigs and rehearsals to session work and everything in between. They get into routines, mental prep, gear checklists, last-minute chaos, and the little rituals that help them walk in ready to play. It’s an honest look at what preparation really looks like behind the scenes and how every kind of musical situation demands something different.

In this episode of Sex, Drugs, & Disappointment, the members of HeyDreamer sit down to share their bold musical predictions for 2026. From AI tools reshaping songwriting and production to what’s next for touring, venues, and the future of live music, nothing is off the table. If you’re curious where music might be headed next, this one’s for you.

In this episode, HeyDreamer relaunches as this season's hosts and pulls back the curtain on what’s been happening behind the scenes. The band dive into the wild momentum of their Kickstarter success (over $30,000 raised and a coveted “Project We Love” badge) and what it really took to get there. Then they tease what’s next: the recording process, the upcoming release, and why this new album is the beginning of their boldest chapter yet.

In this episode of SDD, Melody and Dustin have a conversation with their good friend Bobby Titolo, the vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of Atlanta-based Jam/Fusion band Groove Moose. They discuss a variety of topics including musical inspirations, vulnerability, record producing, and the pros and cons of the inevitable use of AI in music and art.

Welcome to Season 3! Dustin and Melody are kicking off the year with a deep dive into their personal feelings, thoughts, and predictions about the music industry in 2025. From the game-changing role of AI in music creation to the financialization of intellectual property, they break down the trends shaping the industry’s future and what they mean for artists and fans. This episode also takes a personal turn as the hosts reflect on the lessons they’ve learned over the past year and share their creative goals for the future. Perfect for anyone curious about the music industry in 2025, this premiere episode promises to challenge perspectives and inspire new ideas.

For many independent musicians, getting music broadcasted onto the radio or television seems like an impossible feat! With a journey that started from turning dials on AM/FM radio to now running the entire podcast department at Georgia Public Broadcasting, Jeremy Powell has extensive experience in understanding the topsy-turvy world of broadcasting and podcasting. In this episode, Dustin and Melody ask Jeremy some of the most pressing questions that independent musicians have about how to get their music broadcasted, how radio has changed in the age of the Internet, and what to expect in years to come.

As society and technology change, governments must create new guidelines and laws for the safety and security of their nations and citizens. With the proliferation of the internet in the 90s and early 2000s, almost everyone gained the ability to share files across the globe instantaneously. Entire catalogues of music, film, and visual art suddenly became free to anyone who wanted them. Governments had to scramble to put systems in place to ensure that artists could maintain ownership of their intellectual property and continue to make a living. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is one of the few things artists can depend on to provide these protections and it has been very valuable. But no one quite predicted just how fast things would continue to change. Now with the introduction of advanced AI and various streaming platforms, intellectual property is more at risk than ever. In this episode, Melody and Dustin discuss the past, present, and future of copyright protections in the music industry.

Whether you play a musical instrument or not, most average people can name at least a few famous guitarists, drummers, or singers. But there's one part of the band that is often forgotten...until they aren't there! While not always the flashiest or most out-going, bass players fill a role that no other musician can. They are the bridge between the rhythm and the melody. The very nature of the instrument is to serve the song and provide support for everything else. When the low-end disappears, the booties stop shaking, the groove falls apart, and no one is having a good time anymore. In this episode, Melody and Dustin discuss their top 10 picks for the most influential bass players of all time, and how they each brought innovation and inspiration to the many future generations of musicians that followed.

It's a widely-known fact that a career in the music industry is not an easy path... Long hours, creative frustrations, mental and physical exhaustion, and little pay are everyday realities for many musicians. However, when stressful periods extend beyond normal feelings of simply feeling "stressed out," coping with the ever-so-real phenomenon of burnout can seem insurmountable. In this episode, Dustin and Melody share their recent experiences with burnout and share some methods that they've found helpful in dealing with the stresses of the modern music industry.

Going on tour can be exhausting and difficult no matter what level of success an artist is at. Wether you're riding in a million dollar tour bus for months at a time or an 80s Chevy Astro as a weekend warrior, Murphy's Law reigns supreme. It's impossible to plan for every single scenario, but there are some steps you can take to be more prepared, and to lighten the mental and physical load. In this episode, Melody and Dustin share some of their tips for ensuring that your tour goes smoothly the next time you hit the road.