This week, Franki gets into it with with Sophie Steele, aka Big Soph. In this episode of Music.gay, discover Big Soph's transition from a musician to a powerhouse in the music business. Learn about her innovative marketing strategies for musicians, her entrepreneurial journey with Kopius Media, her passion for creative growth, enabling other creatives to achieve success, advocating women's rights, IP protection, and more. Get insights into creating successful marketing campaigns, managing artist growth, and staying connected with fans. This episode is packed with advice on mastering the business side of music and inspiring artists to achieve sustainable success. Don't miss out on Big Soph's unique perspective and valuable tips!

0:00 Intro
02:06 Diving into Music Business
02:47 The Struggles of Musicians
03:47 Tailored Strategies for Artists
06:10 Building a Community
07:33 Transition from Music to Business
10:32 The Importance of Purpose
15:03 Mindset and Perseverance
32:26 Grow with Soph: A New Initiative
35:20 The Power of Shared Struggles
36:54 Navigating Identity and Community
38:12 Concerns About Food and Health
43:26 Personal Experiences with Sexuality
53:13 Future Aspirations and Industry Insights
57:36 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

Remember to like, comment, and share the episode to support our voices. Subscribe for more stories of creativity, identity, and the transformative power of music. Visit https://www.iambigsoph.com/ and follow Soph on IG @iambigsoph.

And as always... 🎵 Find more episodes wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to @musicdotgay on YouTube to never miss an episode filled with stories of creativity, identity, and the power of music. Like and Comment to join our conversation, and share this episode with friends who cherish the richness of queer music stories. Follow us on Instagram at @musicdotgay for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and updates. For more insights and to be part of our queer think tank, email us at musicdotgay@gmail.com. Let’s create a space where every story is heard, and every voice matters. 🌈

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Exploring Identity, Artistry and Music with Josh Shaw (Blvck Hippie) - with just a touch of cultish upbringings (in keeping with tradition).

In this episode of Music.gay, join me (Franki, he/him/any) and Josh Shaw (they/them), AKA BLVCK HIPPIE, an indie rocker from Memphis. Discover their musical journey, influences, and the significance of creating art that resonates with outsider black kids and the broader community. Dive into their upbringing in a religious household, the path to self-discovery, candid stories about their first recording experiences, and thoughts on identity and the power of music. Learn about their latest album 'Basketball Camp' and their vision for creating a more inclusive artistic space.

Subscribe for more stories of creativity, identity, and the transformative power of music. Follow Josh on Instagram @blvckhippie901 and visit www.blvckhippie.com to support dope indie music. Like and comment to join our conversation!

00:00 Introduction to Josh Shaw AKA Black Hippie
02:37 Josh's Musical Journey and Influences
05:37 College Life and Musical Evolution
13:16 First Performances and Finding Confidence
17:29 Challenges and Triumphs in the Music Industry
21:53 Creating the Song 'Chairman Drive'
29:40 Home Core and Personal Hobbies
34:00 Living with Girlfriend and Friends
34:28 Navigating Identity and Marginalization
36:45 Personal Growth and Acceptance
39:00 Balancing Identities and Code Switching
40:29 Being Vocal About Queerness
45:34 Dreams and Aspirations
47:57 Touring and Achievements
49:02 Advice to Younger Self
52:18 Lightning Round Questions
01:00:05 Conclusion and Farewell


Remember to like, comment, and share the episode to support queer voices. Subscribe for more stories of creativity, identity, and the transformative power of music. 🎵 Find more episodes wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to @musicdotgay on YouTube to never miss an episode filled with stories of creativity, identity, and the power of music. Like and Comment to join our conversation, and share this episode with friends who cherish the richness of queer music stories. Follow us on Instagram, @musicdotgay for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and updates and shit that's too scandalous to make the episode. For more insights and to be part of our queer think tank, email us at musicdotgay@gmail.com. Let’s create a space where queer stories really matter. 🌈

Also, Pride month is over, but you can still fly your flag... Get your .gay domain by visiting https://www.PORKBUN.com and finding a .gay domain then checking out with the promo code MUSICMONDAY.

Join us on Music.gay as we chat with Sarah Potenza, a powerhouse musician praised by the likes of Pharrell, Simon Cowell, and Christina Aguilera. Sarah shares her journey from blues and Americana to her new Disco Diva era, discusses her inspiring self-love and acceptance messages, and reveals her unique approach to music creation. Learn about her personal experiences, musical influences, and aspirations for creating memorable, large-scale shows. Tune in for an insightful and entertaining look into Sarah’s life and career!

Remember to like, comment, and share the episode to support our voices. Subscribe for more stories of creativity, identity, and the transformative power of music. Visit www.sarahpotenza.net/ and follow Sarah on IG @iamsarahpotenza.

And as always... 🎵 Find more episodes wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to @musicdotgay on YouTube to never miss an episode filled with stories of creativity, identity, and the power of music. Like and Comment to join our conversation, and share this episode with friends who cherish the richness of queer music stories. Follow us on Instagram at @musicdotgay for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and updates. For more insights and to be part of our queer think tank, email us at musicdotgay@gmail.com. Let’s create a space where every story is heard, and every voice matters. 🌈

For a bit of time still, get your .gay domain by visiting https://www.PORKBUN.com and finding a .gay domain then checking out with the promo code MUSICMONDAY.

00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:44 Introducing Sarah Potenza
02:45 Sarah's Musical Journey
06:05 The Reality of the Music Industry
17:05 Collaborations and Covers
33:13 Personal Life and Interests
36:13 Pickleball with 500 Lesbians
37:40 Exploring Sexuality and Identity
40:06 Navigating Relationships and Emotions
52:38 Dreams and Aspirations in Music
57:45 Lightning Round and Fun Questions
01:03:38 Conclusion and Farewell