She Creates Noise

Sarah Nagourney
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  • Music Interviews
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She Creates Noise, the podcast that shines a light on the groundbreaking work that women in the music industry do. Hosted by platinum-selling songwriter/producer and artist development strategist, Sarah Nagourney. 

  1. Sep 23

    No Permission, No Compromise—Kam Franklin on Owning Her Work

    Send us Fan Mail Kam Franklin didn’t “wait for the right moment” to make a solo album, she built it from the ground up. After years as the dynamic frontwoman of Houston soul band The Suffers, Kam steps forward with Land of the Neon Sun, a fiercely personal record shaped by touring, survival, and a deep need to own her work. We talk candidly about what it takes to fund an album independently, why ownership matters more than hype, and how learning the business can save you years of heartbreak.    Our conversation goes straight into the realities of the music industry for Black women in roots, Americana, and country-leaning spaces: the gatekeeping, the stereotypes, the theft of labor, and the moments that test whether you’ll keep going. Kam also shares what mentorship really looks like, from “a mentor for a day” to long-term allies who put real time, skill, and support behind their words. If you care about women in music, producer representation, and sustainable music careers, you’ll hear both the hard truths and the practical strategies.    We also get into activism and songwriting craft: how Nina Simone’s legacy shows up in her work, why she chooses to put the message in the lyrics, how COVID unexpectedly pushed her to learn guitar through a Broadway audition, and what she’s hopeful about when everything feels complicated. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review wherever you listen so more people can find these stories.   https://www.instagram.com/bamitskam/  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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    No Permission, No Compromise—Kam Franklin on Owning Her Work

  2. Sep 9

    How Sammy Rae Built A Band—and A Movement

    Send us Fan Mail A band can be a lineup, or it can be a place people belong. Songwriter, singer, and bandleader Sammy Rae joins us to explain how Sammy Ray and The Friends grew from New York City hustle into a live show that feels like a movement, with fans who come back, bring friends, and treat the room like a community. We talk about what she learned by getting as close as possible to the scene, pulling musicians together, and choosing the long game over quick wins.  We also go deep on the craft side: what Sammy absorbed while hanging around Flux Studios, how she rebuilt after a rough early producer situation, and how her studio confidence evolved from observer to leader. With Grammy-winning producer Fab DuPont now helping shape the next chapter, we dig into the real balancing act of music production: staying true to the artist, capturing the band’s “live” energy, and still making records that connect beyond the core crowd. If you care about building a sustainable music career, producing your own work, or growing a loyal fanbase without chasing trends, this conversation delivers.  Then we get honest about the industry. Sammy shares the pressure to simplify a genre-blending sound, the reality of being underestimated as a female bandleader, and why allies matters when the room defaults to listening to men first. We also talk about the encouraging uptick of women in touring and tech roles, and why labels, venues, and executives still need more women in decision-making jobs.  Press play, then subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. If you got something from this, share it with a friend and leave a review wherever you listen. https://www.instagram.com/sammyraemusic/?hl=en 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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    How Sammy Rae Built A Band—and A Movement

  3. Jul 1

    How Streaming Reshaped Songwriters' Lives | Michelle Lewis, CEO of SONA.

    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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    How Streaming Reshaped Songwriters' Lives | Michelle Lewis, CEO of SONA.

  4. Jun 17

    How Hitmaker Tiffany Red Makes Sure Songwriters Get Paid

    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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    How Hitmaker Tiffany Red Makes Sure Songwriters Get Paid

  5. Jun 3

    The Song She Wrote Five Weeks After Giving Birth Led to 300 Million Streams | Ella Vos

    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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    The Song She Wrote Five Weeks After Giving Birth Led to 300 Million Streams | Ella Vos

  6. May 20

    Caro Durán’s Unstoppable Rise - From Rural Colombia to NYC’s Top Recording Studio

    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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    Caro Durán’s Unstoppable Rise - From Rural Colombia to NYC’s Top Recording Studio

  7. May 6

    Mental Health in the Music Industry — When “Not Okay” Becomes Normal | Cathy Olson & Erica Ramon

    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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    Mental Health in the Music Industry — When “Not Okay” Becomes Normal | Cathy Olson & Erica Ramon

  8. Apr 22

    "10 Global #1 Hits — Including Katy Perry's Biggest — songwriter Bonnie McKee".

    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:  shecreatesnoise@gmail.com

    "10 Global #1 Hits — Including Katy Perry's Biggest — songwriter Bonnie McKee".
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About

She Creates Noise, the podcast that shines a light on the groundbreaking work that women in the music industry do. Hosted by platinum-selling songwriter/producer and artist development strategist, Sarah Nagourney. 

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Nagourney
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 She Creates Noise
  • Show Website
    She Creates Noise