Send us Fan Mail

Every song you stream makes money. Just not necessarily for the person who wrote it.

We’re joined by Emmy-winning songwriter and composer Michelle Lewis, whose credits span major pop cuts and television favorites, and who now leads one of the strongest songwriter advocacy efforts in the business as co-founder and CEO of Songwriters of North America (SONA).

Streaming didn't just change how fans listen—it fundamentally changed how songwriters get paid.  Michelle Lewis discusses the economics of modern music, the policies shaping songwriter income, and what needs to change if songwriting is going to remain a sustainable career.  

Michelle walks us through her path from growing up in New York with working-musician parents to making a living in music as a kid, then building a career that pivots from artist life to writing songs for other performers and eventually creating music for characters and story. We talk about what “contextual music” really means in TV and animation, why she refuses to dumb anything down for kids, and how finding the right creative lane can be the difference between burnout and momentum.

Then we get into the money and the policy: why the “songwriters are rich on royalties” myth won’t die, how YouTube and streaming reshaped the value of a song, and why the split between sound recording and composition revenue leaves songwriters behind. Michelle explains the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), what it was designed to solve, and why new threats like AI can dilute value all over again. We also dig into survival strategies for modern creators, the need to diversify skills, and why women investing in women can change who gets to build lasting careers.

If you care about songwriter rights, fair pay, streaming royalties, and the future of women in music, listen now, then subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more creators can find these conversations.

https://www.wearesona.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mlewey/

https://www.instagram.com/wearesona_/

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Millions of streams don't guarantee a living wage. Tiffany Red explains why—and what songwriters can do about it.

Platinum selling, Grammy nominated songwriter Tiffany Red, is major spokesperson for songwriters rights. From writing poems at age 12 in her New Jersey home to landing major credits with artists like Zendaya and Jason Derulo, contributing to a Grammy-winning Jennifer Hudson project, and earning another Grammy nomination with Fantasia, Tiffany’s story makes one thing clear: talent is real, but the system determines whether talent gets paid properly and it often doesn’t. She wants to change that.
 
 We talk about the exact moment the music business math changed, from CDs and iTunes downloads to the streaming era where massive numbers can still mean shockingly small checks. Tiffany breaks down how standard publishing contracts miss modern reality, why format shifts like EPs can quietly reduce what “counts,” and how fear keeps creators silent when they should be advocating for themselves. She also connects the dots between power, education, and enforcement, including what she has learned through her advocacy work with the 100%-ers. 
 
 Then we get practical. Tiffany shares negotiation tactics from her book “How to Negotiate with A$$holes in the Music Business", including how to spot manipulation early, what stonewalling looks like once you’re in a deal, and why building a paper trail can protect your rights. We also zoom out to women in music: sisterhood, women-led community, safer studio spaces, and advice for younger artists who want longevity without losing themselves. 
 
 Subscribe to She Creates Noise, share this conversation with a creator who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

https://www.the100percenters.com/

 https://www.instagram.com/iamtiffanyred/

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

300 Million Streams Without a Major Label !

In this episode of She Creates Noise, indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer Ella Vos shares the remarkable journey behind her breakout hit "White Noise" and the career she built independently—amassing more than 300 million streams while staying true to her creative vision.

Ella takes us from her childhood as a classically trained pianist to life on the road, the lessons she learned navigating the music business, and the unexpected success of "White Noise" during the early days of streaming. We explore how motherhood shaped her artistry, why she resisted oversharing before it became an industry expectation, and what artists lose when authenticity becomes a marketing strategy.

We also dive into the realities of sustaining a creative career: balancing motherhood and ambition, navigating burnout, protecting mental health, and building a support system that allows great work to flourish. Ella shares her unique approach to songwriting, artist development, and the creative freedom she found in fully self-producing her latest album, Rosebuds.

Whether you're an artist, songwriter, music fan, or simply someone trying to build a meaningful creative life, this conversation is an honest and inspiring look at what it takes to succeed on your own terms.

https://www.ellavos.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ellavos

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

From recording the sounds of the Colombian forest as a child to producing music inside New York’s legendary Flux Studios, Caro built her career by trusting her instincts, ignoring gatekeepers, and never waiting for permission.

Sitting with us at Flux in New York City, Caro shares how a childhood filled with music, curiosity, and experimentation evolved into a career in production, education, and community building. We talk about the realities of stepping into a male-dominated industry, learning to trust your own creative voice, and why waiting until you feel “ready” can quietly keep artists stuck for years. Caro also opens up about setting emotional boundaries in the studio, balancing collaboration without losing yourself, and how mindfulness helps her stay creatively grounded in a city constantly pulling artists in different directions.

We also explore:
• Building a sonic identity as a producer
• Knowing when a song is finished — and when to let it go
• Working with Ableton Live and live looping early in her career
• Teaching and mentoring the next generation through 343 Labs and On the Wave
• Creating more accessible pathways into music technology through scholarships and bilingual education

It’s a conversation full of honesty, creative energy, and practical insight — and Caro’s warmth, focus, and positive outlook are completely infectious.

for more info on Caro:

https://www.instagram.com/caroduranh/

 https://open.spotify.com/artist/2quGRhVrtjN0w3HRpcA8Zf?si=jqTxx_dDTp68xv0eAKsxfg

Caro on Tiktok

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for this special episode of She Creates Noise, we bring together two powerful advocates for a conversation the music industry can’t afford to sideline. The same business that creates magic can also grind people down until “not okay” starts to feel normal. 

Here, we explore that tension through two distinct perspectives: Cathy Applefeld Olson, founder of Hollywood & Mind and longtime entertainment journalist, and Erica Ramon, a veteran executive and manager who has worked closely with artists under intense pressure. Erica has represented Fergie, The Pretty Reckless and Passion pit among others. Together, they discuss what happens when creativity and vulnerability coexist—and why mental health can no longer be treated as a side conversation, but as central to the future of the industry.   

We dig into the patterns that show up on the road and behind the scenes: insomnia, imposter syndrome, addiction recovery, burnout, and the loneliness of touring. We challenge the myth that great art requires suffering, and we explore how artists can stay authentic without romanticizing instability as the price of genius. We also get specific about what structural change looks like in the music business, from smarter tour routing and building in recovery time to new resources like on-tour mental health support and industry-specific crisis help. 
 
 Then we widen the lens to music and wellness: how functional music and sound can help regulate the nervous system, support focus, and ground people through daily life. We talk data, research, and why listening behavior already proves that many of us use music as a mental health tool, whether we call it that or not. We also address women in music, including the ongoing gaps in support around pregnancy, motherhood, and career continuity. 

For more about Cathy Olson's work go to 

 https://www.hollywood-mind.com 

For more info on Erica Ramon

www.cacmg.com

www.chillpalm.com

 www.ericaramon.com

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

You’ve sung these songs in your car, at weddings, and at the top of your lungs—now you can hear from the songwriter who wrote them.

In this episode of She Creates Noise, Sarah sits down with Grammy-nominated songwriter and pop artist Bonnie McKee, the songwriter behind many of Katy Perry’s biggest hits, as well as Taio Cruz, for a candid conversation about what pop success really looks like behind the scenes.

Bonnie takes us from a teenage major-label deal and an early crash course in the business to being dropped, rebuilding through demo work, and eventually writing era-defining songs that reached number one around the world. She shares what it actually feels like when a song explodes, why she still writes lyrics by hand in notebooks, and the craft lessons she learned the hard way about simplicity, collaboration, and not getting too precious about what a pop song “should” be.

We also go deeper than chart stories. Bonnie speaks openly about safety in studio spaces, the shift after Me Too, and why women still have to guard their boundaries in intimate writing rooms. She makes a powerful case for creator economics too: production credit, master points, and why every songwriter should learn engineering and production tools like Pro Tools, Logic, or Ableton to become more self-sufficient.

The conversation closes with her expansion into filmmaking, the victory of re-recording shelved music to independently release Hot City, and a mindset shift earned through experience: don’t make success your higher power.

If you want to know more about:

•  writing 10 #1 major pop hits 
•  working with Katy Perry 
•  how hit songs are really made 
•  songwriting craft and collaboration 
•  women’s safety in studio rooms 
•  producer credit and songwriter income
•  the value of learning Pro Tools, Logic, and Ableton 
•  reinventing your career independently 

A smart, funny, and revealing conversation with one of pop music’s most important modern hitmakers.

https://www.instagram.com/bonniemckee/

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when success comes fast—and you have to figure out who you are in real time?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, singer-songwriter Toby Lightman reflects on the early breakthrough that launched her career—from a record deal just one year out of college to touring with Rob Thomas—and the long, deliberate path to creative reinvention.

One year out of college, Toby Lightman had a record deal, a breakout moment, and an impressive touring schedule with multiple TV appearance. That kind of fast success sounds glamorous, but it can also be disorienting, especially when you’re still learning who you are as a songwriter, vocalist, and performer. We talk through what it felt like to be launched so young and how Toby learned to turn that pressure into skill, confidence, and a sustainable creative life.
 
From major-label releases and intimidating studio rooms to the slow, determined work of teaching herself music production, Toby shares the real mechanics of reinvention. We get into building a home studio, why she sticks with Pro Tools, and what changes when an artist can shape their own sound without waiting on anyone else. She also reflects on advice she once got from Prince that stayed with her for years: you can do more than you think, and you don’t have to outsource your power.
 
 The conversation goes deeper into songwriting as a survival tool. Toby opens up about fertility struggles, miscarriage, and the loneliness that can come with those experiences, then connects that honesty to making empowering music about resilience and motherhood. We also dig into advocacy and leadership, including her work with the Recording Academy, SONA, and She Is The Music, plus practical realities like sync licensing, composing for kids programming, and diversifying income in today’s music business.
 
 If you care about women in music, independent artists, music production, and building a sustainable creative career, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review on your favorite so more listeners can find the show. 

Instagram 

Toby Lightman on spotify

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

How do you write a song the whole world ends up singing?

  We’re joined by Pam Sheyne, the multi-platinum songwriter behind Christina Aguilera’s breakout hit “Genie in a Bottle,” to talk about what actually happens in the room when a career-defining track comes together, why you can feel you wrote “a good song” and still never predict a smash, and how preparation separates pros from wishful thinking.
 
 We also zoom out to the modern music industry: writing as a chameleon for different artists, doing the homework on vocal range and style, and navigating the subtle politics of helping an artist feel true ownership. Pam shares what she’s seeing through her songwriting camps, including sync licensing sessions built around real briefs and the practical business details that matter, like one-stop clearance and keeping song ownership intact.
 
 Then we get into songwriter rights and advocacy. Pam reflects on her work with SONA and the fight that led to the Music Modernization Act, what streaming royalties exposed, and why conversations about master rights, fair pay, and even healthcare aren’t optional if we want sustainable songwriting careers. We close with a return to artistry through her duo Eva and the healing power of singing, plus grounded advice for anyone trying to build a life in music.
 
 Subscribe, share this with a songwriter friend, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. 

https://www.instagram.com/pamsheyne/

https://www.songwritercamps.com/

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode I sit down with Andrea Dresdale—a two-time Gracie Award winner and longtime ABC radio host who has interviewed everyone from Elton John to Madonna, Taylor Swift to Adele and Teddy Swims among many others. A voting member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame  —Andrea and I chat about the real levers of access, trust, and influence in today’s music media.
 
Andrea traces her path from a teenage radio obsessive to syndicated programming, where small stations gain national access. From there, we explore how the interview landscape shifted as podcasts, YouTube, and social platforms splintered attention. With more outlets chasing the same 20 minutes and listeners, she shows why relationship capital with publicists and managers beats clout chasing—and tells the story of how a smart early bet led to three Madonna interviews. We also revisit the VMAs and hear how a kept promise turned into a rare, respectful conversation with Taylor Swift right after the Kanye call.
 
The red carpet gets its own spotlight: tactics for breaking through the noise and the value of a long boom mic, and how split-second prep differs from a studio sit-down. Then we zoom into newsroom reality at ABC: independent verification, high standards around celebrity news, and why being second but right still matters in a social-first cycle. Andrea opens up about navigating rock spaces as a woman, the quiet ways women's expertise gets questioned, and tangible signs of progress as voting bodies broaden and gatekeeping weakens.
 
When the conversation turns to legacy, Andrea votes with influence over pure sales—naming artists whose impact echoes through other artists, like Amy Winehouse. We challenge old industry myths with a look at Bad Bunny’s rise: a Spanish-first catalog, minimal traditional media, massive global demand, and deals that flip the script on power. The takeaway is clear: authenticity travels fast, research earns trust, and relationships endure longer than trends. We close on a love letter to radio as a living discovery engine that still surprises, one local station at a time.
 
If this conversation shifted how you see music journalism and artist access, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more curious listeners can find us. 

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you write your first song in your sixties — and someone hears it instantly?

In this episode of She Creates Noise, artist AC Scott and legendary A&R executive Kate Hyman explore an extraordinary second act in the music industry — from late-blooming creativity to the power of instinct, mentorship, and emotional truth in songwriting.

A voice that waited decades to be heard meets an A&R ear that knows in seconds. AC Scott began writing songs in her sixties, turning a life-altering diagnosis into creative fuel. What followed was a partnership grounded in trust, instinct, and a shared belief that emotion—not perfection—drives great music.

From the intimate ache of “Sometimes” to the sweep of “Highlands” and the clarity of “Never Too Late,” AC’s songwriting blends hard-won honesty with melodies that land on first listen.

Kate Hyman takes us inside her decision-making process: why authenticity must cut through, how an unvarnished take can outshine perfection, and what it means to say yes—or no—when 40 to 50 strong songs land at once.

AC shares the transatlantic journey—crossing by ship to collaborate in person—and the moments of creative breakthrough that followed. The conversation opens up to the realities of today’s music industry: ageism, niche audiences, and how story and substance are finding their place again.

We also talk about women mentoring women, the courage to share imperfect work, and the trust required to let something real take shape.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start, this conversation offers a clear answer: keep living, keep writing, and let belief meet craft at the right time.

 If this story moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review so more listeners can find these conversations.

Support the show

 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate and share. 

Many thanks to Anne Tello for her vocals on the theme song and to our sponsor 'Heard City'. 

Check out https://www.shecreatesnoisepodcast.com for more episodes featuring women who power the music industry.

https://www.shecreatesnoise.com/

https://www.sarahnagourney.com

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesnoise/

https://www.instagram.com/glassbeatmusic/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/SheCreatesNoise

Email: 

[email protected]