Ten episodes in, and I’m starting to realize this whole “just make great music and everything will work out” idea… isn’t exactly how it goes anymore.

In this solo episode, I’m riffing on what it actually feels like to be an independent musician right now — writing songs, playing gigs, trying to grow an audience, and learning the social media/content game whether you like it or not. I talk about the stuff artists don’t always say out loud: the pressure to post, the weird relationship between art and algorithm, and figuring out how to stay creative without losing your mind.

I also get into vocal health myths, songwriting rules (and when to break them), unpopular gig opinions, and some of the realities of being a working musician in 2026.

This one’s more off-the-cuff. Just me talking honestly about where I’m at, what I’m learning, and what I’m still trying to figure out.

If you’re a musician, songwriter, or creative person trying to make this whole thing work... this episode’s for you.

New episodes every week.

— Travis

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

This week on the podcast, Travis talks with Kay Goutos, a stand-up comic from Glens Falls, about getting started in comedy, what it really feels like to bomb on stage, and the mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t land. They dig into confidence, self-doubt, and the uncomfortable moments that come with trying something new in front of people.

A candid conversation about creative risk, learning in public, and figuring it out as you go.

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI

In this episode, I sit down with Rich Derbyshire, bass player for Wild Adriatic/ Andy Frasco and the UN, for a grounded, honest conversation about musicianship, taste, and what it actually means to jam.

We talk about why real jamming isn’t about showing off chops, but about listening, understanding the room, and knowing when less is more. Rich breaks down how knowing your instrument — and knowing your role — shapes better musicians and better bands.

We also get into:

• The difference between playing at music and playing with people
• Why taste and restraint matter more than speed
• Learning to hear genres, keys, and feel in real time
• Growing as a bass player and a bandmate
• Choosing a life in music when stability was an option

Rough Pumpkins- real stories from people who should have gotten real jobs.

🎧 New episodes every Thursday

📍 Recorded in Upstate New York

https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI