TMI with Laura

Guests have been tricky to come by (thanks summer touring!) so you're stuck with Laura for this incredibly personal overshare of an episode. Hang on for the update you never knew you wanted.

Laura interviews Lithuanian-born musician and creator Dovydas about moving to the U.S. in 2012 to pursue American blues and rock, the cultural differences he noticed (especially warmth, casual language, and greeting strangers), and how he built a career by looping music on the street and inviting strangers to sing or play. He explains shifting from the traditional idea of "making it" to focusing on "why" over "how," accelerated by the pandemic and the internet, and how his on-camera personality became part of the performance - leading to corporate and festival bookings as a music-driven personality. He shares a new mobile cart setup for street performances, discusses his album Rockstar Problems inspired by an invoice from an ex, and reflects on touring as an opener for Mia Asano and becoming a better performer through back-to-back shows.

00:00 Meet the Guest

00:45 Saying Dovydas Right

02:28 Moving to America

05:23 Lithuania vs US Culture

08:38 Street Music Origins

09:45 Rethinking Performance

12:06 No Such Thing as Made It

13:18 Pandemic and Going Viral

15:21 Performance Starts on Camera

17:49 Going Mobile with the Cart

19:15 Laura Sets the Scene

24:25 Venice Street Setup

25:37 Booked as Yourself

27:11 Authenticity vs AI

28:35 Rockstar Problems CD

32:09 Musical Avengers Tour

36:12 No Setlist Philosophy

39:19 Persona and Performance

41:25 Lithuanian Throne Bit

42:17 Wrap Up and Plugs

44:21 Language Outro

45:34 Final Thanks and Subscribe

This episode is near and dear to my heart. I was able to have Canadian singer/songwriter Luca Fogale join me for one of the coolest hours of my life. If you haven't discovered Luca's music yet, he is one of those artists who can pull you into their song with one note, and I hope you will fall deeply into his catalog and spend some time there.

My new album features a cover of one of his songs, Half Saved. We talked about this and more of his latest songs from his album, Challenger and the intricate balance between your artist self and your true self.

Please go see him live if you are lucky enough to live in a city he's coming to.

There's a short preview of my version of Half Saved at the end of the episode. I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to another episode of TMI with Laura, where she is joined by the wonderfully candid and talented Bernie Barlow. In this heartfelt conversation, Laura and Bernie dive into the real behind-the-scenes life of a working musician—covering everything from the evolution of the independent music scene, navigating record deals, and the nitty-gritty of album promotion, to the ups and downs of balancing family life and creative ambition.

You'll hear Bernie share stories about creating her latest album "Walking Around This Town," the collaborative songwriting process with longtime friends, and the ever-changing landscape of music promotion in the age of social media. The two also reminisce about their first meeting at She Rocks, swap tales from the studio, and discuss the importance of creative community, support networks, and continually adapting to new realities in the industry.

Whether you're an artist, a music lover, or just someone curious about what it takes to keep making art through life's twists and turns, this episode is filled with wisdom, laughter, and plenty of inspiration. So kick back and get ready for an honest, TMI-filled chat—you're not going to want to miss this one!

Hey everyone, it's Laura Davidson, host of Song 43 and TMI with Laura. In this episode, I'm keeping things casual and honest—no guests, just me sharing what's been on my mind lately. I talk about why I switched TMI to an every-other-week format (more editing, less stress!), but how much I truly miss connecting with you on a weekly basis. I give shoutouts to the amazing friends I've had on recently—Dan O'Neill, Chrissi Polland, and Janet Robin—and tease a few exciting upcoming episodes.

In a world driven by algorithms and streaming services, it's sometimes easy to forget the raw, authentic journeys of musicians who've carved their paths with talent, tenacity, and a bit of luck. Janet Robin, a celebrated guitarist and Grammy-winning artist, shared her incredible story on TMI, offering insights into her career, passion for music, and the lessons she's learned along the way. From fateful encounters with rock legends to her philosophy on creativity, Janet's journey is a testament to resilience and dedication in the ever-evolving music industry.

Learn more about Janet at www.janetrobin.com.

In this episode of TMI with Laura, I catch up with my college friend, Chrissi Poland—a powerhouse vocalist who has made her mark both as a solo artist and a backing singer for some legendary acts. We reminisce about our days at Berklee, navigating the industry, and the wildly different paths our careers took after college. Chrissi shares her journey from hustling in New York, chasing her dream of working with musicians she admired, to touring the world with Scissor Sisters and singing duets with Michael Bolton (yes, really!).

We also dive into what it's like balancing motherhood with a career in music, the emotional rollercoaster of ending a major tour, and how having clear goals and a manifestation mindset kept her moving forward. Chrissi gets real about the challenges of being a woman in the industry and the importance of building a supportive network. She gives us a peek into her newest project, "Forever Muscle Shoals," inspired by the legendary recording studios of Alabama and fueled by her soul music roots. If you're curious about what's next for Chrissi, from European tours to collaborations with Chris Botti, we cover all of it.

This episode is packed with honest stories, practical advice for musicians, and lots of laughs as we reconnect. Whether you're new to the music industry or a longtime fan, you'll find something to relate to in our conversation.

Follow TMI with Laura @tmiwithlaura

Visit www.tmiwithlaura.com for show notes, insights and more!

Learn more about Chrissi Poland at www.chrissipoland.com

Welcome to the first episode of TMI with Laura! For the first show, I sat down with my longtime friend and industry pro, Dan O'Neil (or as some call him, Borga or Danny). We went way back—think 2009—reminiscing about when we first crossed paths and how the music industry has changed over the years. Dan has done it all: he's been a guitar tech and production manager for some of the biggest names out there, from Orianthi to Janet Jackson, and most recently, Bon Jovi.

We got into what it really means to be a guitar tech versus a "roadie," and Dan broke down what goes on behind the scenes—from making sure guitars are stage-ready and squeaky clean (plus the all-important towel and water service!) to the gnarly logistics and relentless schedules that come with being a production manager. You'll hear hilarious road stories, get a peek at what it's like to manage a sprawling tour crew, and find out what makes touring with legacy artists both challenging and rewarding.

We also talked about how COVID shook up the touring world, the organizations stepping up to help crew members, and the huge shift in attitudes among the road crew—the balance between paying your dues and creating a healthy work environment. Dan didn't hold back with his advice for newcomers: keep your eyes and ears open, be humble, and respect those who've come before you.

If you've ever wondered who keeps your favorite shows running smoothly, or what really happens on the other side of the stage, this one's for you—and it's only part one! Stay tuned for part two where we'll dig even deeper into life on the road.

Listen to Dan's Rockstar Roadie Podcast at https://rockstarroadiepodcast.com/!

Check out my Rockstar Roadie episode here.

It's been almost four years since I launched Song 43 from my flight to the NAMM show. Now, we've come full circle and its time to wind down this show and launch TMI with Laura!

Join me as I talk about my latest trip to Anaheim and updates about Chameleon, and be sure to follow @tmiwithlaura so you get the news of when I get this new beast up and out!