Indie, Over 50 Interview Series - Artists, Producers and Music Industry Players - inspire and inform

Indie, Over 50
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Indie, Over 50 is dedicated to those of us, over the age of 50, releasing original music on Spotify and YouTube. The Interview series shines a spotlight on writers, musicians, producers, publicists and industry players whose stories and advice can inspire and inform our journey as an independent artist over the age of 50. The Host is John Huggart who runs a YouTube channel on this topic called Indie, Over 50, and who is the songwriter, and musician for his project called Project Reverb - available on Spotifty et al. He collaborates with producers, singers and musicians across the world.

  1. Jul 1

    From the Billboard Charts to the Peak of Meek: Producer Michael Fogarty

    Season 2: Episode 8 What does it take to move from writing Billboard-charting hits to embracing what Michael Fogarty describes as the power of remaining meek? In this episode of the Indie Over 50 series, we explore a lifetime of lessons in professional music production and the essential philosophy of "serving the song."Broadcasting from his studio in Japan, Michael joins John Huggart to share stories from his professional debut at 13, his time touring with Fleetwood Mac’ co-founder Jeremy Spencer and explains why the best producers focus on lifting the artist up rather than feeding their own ego. We dive into the technical and emotional challenges of recording, including the difficult moment when a producer realizes a song is actually better than the performance.In this video, we explore:Lifes Musical Journey: From Tennessee to Alabama during the social upheavals of civl rights and Vietnam warThe Billboard Standard: The story of writing and recording a chart topping hit.Serving the Song: How to tell when a track needs a different voice or player to reach its full potential.Remaining Meek: Why humility is a producer’s greatest asset in the studio.Fleetwood Mac Legacy: Lessons learned on the road with co-founders Jeremy Spencer, and in the studio with Mick Fleetwood.Finding "new soul" and staying creative across decades and continents.Contact Michael via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.fogarty.75491 Olivia Dean https://www.oliviadeano.com/ Richie Havens http://www.richiehavens.com/Cool Breeze https://open.spotify.com/track/3YVTmWQvPWVSktD0DhtSYQ?si=df77c461f4fd4365 I Dont Belong Here - produced by Michael for me :) https://youtu.be/t8Ow8SVqb8Y www.indieover50.com

  2. Jun 26

    "Don't Give Up" A story of a new Indie life, new label and a million streams

    Season 2: Episode 7 Indie, Over 50 Interview SeriesReinventing yourself as a musician is possible at any age, and Darryl Scotti is living proof. In this episode of the Indie Over 50 series, John Huggart sits down with the founder of Big Yard Nation to discuss his transition from the California business world to a thriving musical community in Cave Creek, Arizona.Darryl shares the philosophy behind his label, his commitment to high-end production, and how collaborating with younger talent has revitalized his own creative process. We also get a deep dive into his track "State of Mind" and the upcoming a cappella reimagining of the song.In this video, you’ll learn:The Big Yard Nation Vision: How Darryl built a label that focuses on community and collaboration.Production Excellence: Why Darryl believes in investing in quality, regardless of the "ROI."Finding Your Scene: How a change of location can spark new musical opportunities.The Power of Resilience: Darryl’s "no-quit" attitude and his advice for artists facing their own challenges.YouTube:  @BigYardNation  Website: https://bigyardnation.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FKPTZotGinVRRRehiYQhe?si=RlXPrE_NSoaqx7SOj_I2Rg

  3. Jun 24

    Why Meta Matters for Indie Artists Over 50 with Jon Anderson

    Season 2: Episode 6 Indie, Over 50 Interview SeriesMarketing original music can feel like a full-time job on top of the songwriting itself. In this episode of the Indie Over 50 series, John Huggart sits down with Jon Anderson, the founder of Two Story Media,  @twostorymediamusic  to demystify the world of Meta advertising on Facebook and Instagram, and playlisting.Jon shares his insights on how independent artists can use targeted ads to find their "tribe" and why data-driven marketing is essential for any artist releasing music in 2026. We also discuss the mental side of the industry, including why the only way to truly "lose" the game is to stop playing.In this video, you’ll learn:Meta Ads 101: Why Facebook and Instagram ads are often more effective than traditional playlisting.The "Two Story" Philosophy: How Jon balances being an artist with running a successful marketing agency.Consistency over Virality: Why steady, long-term growth is the secret to a lasting music career.Practical Advice: Simple steps you can take today to improve your music's reach.About Jon Anderson & Two Story Media:Jon Anderson is a singer-songwriter and the owner of Two Story Media, an agency dedicated to helping musicians promote and share their music through modern digital strategies.Jon has an artist profile - Jon Henry Artist Profile: https://jonhenry.us/ www.indieover50.com

  4. Jun 19

    From Redgum to StoneHutt: Verity Sanders on Music and Activism - Indie Over 50 Interview

    Season 2: Episode 5 Indie, Over 50 Interview Series In this episode of the Indie Over 50 interview series, host John Huggart sits down with the legendary Verity Sanders (originally Verity Truman). As a founding member of the iconic Australian folk-rock band Redgum, Verity played a pivotal role in shaping the political and musical landscape of the 1980s, including the release of the era-defining anthem "I Was Only 19." Verity shares her journey from absorbing influences from the early days of the British blues movement to her current work with her band, StoneHutt. We dive deep into the evolution of protest music, the importance of live performance, community radio, and how she balanced a 30-year career in environmental science with her passion for performance. Key Highlights:The Redgum Legacy: Behind the scenes of "I Was Only 19" and its impact on the Royal Commission and veteran support. Modern Inspiration: Why Verity believes some of the most interesting music today is coming from young Indigenous artists and the "Tiny Desk" movement. Career & Vocation: How Verity transitioned from the stage to a career in climate change policy and back to the studio. Advice for Musicians Over 50: Why finding your "tribe" and managing expectations is the secret to enjoying music later in life.Connect with the music of Verity Sanders, Redgum & StoneHutt:https://stonehutt.au/  @StoneHutt  https://open.spotify.com/artist/5jJ5T7fhutIQvfHWJf5W3H?si=C42zu8LXSQ2cIuQOihhdqA  @Redgum  https://open.spotify.com/artist/2FBQIV8BJF5SrvXpziFE2M?si=4_lHGJaET9uabVESHjKuWg www.indieover50.com

  5. Jun 16

    Talent is Timeless: Inside the Global Movement for Songwriters Over 50 with Saskia Griffiths-Moore

    Season 2: Episode 4 Indie, Over 50 Interview Series"If Not Now. When?" In this episode of Indie Over 50, John Huggart sits down with the remarkable Saskia Griffiths-Moore, founder and CEO of Talent is Timeless. Talent is Timeless offers a songwriting competition and community for songwriters over 50 years old. Saskia shares her cinematic journey—from quitting her job and living in a camper van to busk for a living, to landing a major US record deal via a chance interaction on Facebook Live. Saskia pulls back the curtain on the "uncreative" side of music—the spreadsheets and persistence required to build a career—and explains why she walked away from a "princess in a tower" record deal to create a community for 30,000+ songwriters worldwide.In this episode, we discuss:The High Stakes of Busking: Learning to perform when you "busk or go hungry."Creative "Flying": A Hitchhiker’s Guide approach to melody and songwriting.Surface Area for Luck: How exposing your work publicly creates opportunities.The "Talent is Timeless" Story: How a pandemic project became a global force.The Reality of Songwriting Contests: Integrity, judging, and the value of professional feedback.The Ultimate Goal: Why "having fun" is the most important metric for any artist.Connect with Saskia and the Community:Talent is Timeless: https://www.talentistimeless.com @talentistimeless  Saskia’s Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rOaCc70hBpUHWNlxe5Q43?si=CM8OE4dgSzKoQP5hehEC4g  @SaskiaGriffithsMoore  www.indieover50.com

  6. Jun 9

    Create, Record, Release; Repeat: The Pete Johns Blueprint for Indie Artists over 50

    Season 2: Episode 3 Indie, Over 50 Interview Series In this episode of the Indie, Over 50 Interview Series, John Huggart sits down with YouTube powerhouse Pete Johns (Studio Live Today). Pete has built a massive community by proving that you don't need a $10,000 studio or a major label to get your songs heard—you just need a process. We dive into the "Pete Johns Blueprint": Create, Record, Release; Repeat. Whether you are a "weekend warrior" returning to your craft or a late-bloomer picking up an instrument for the first time, this conversation is a roadmap for navigating the modern music industry as an artist over 50. In this interview, we cover: The "Holy Trinity" of Gear: Why you only need 3 items to start a pro-quality home studio for under $400. The Gear Trap: Why upgrading your equipment too early can actually hold your music back. Algorithm Truths: Why "Vanity Metrics" (like buying views) can massacre your channel’s health. Human-to-Human Connection: How to build a loyal audience by simply being yourself. Your Music Live: How you can get your original songs featured on Pete’s global platform. Connect with Pete Johns:  @PeteJohnsStudioLiveToday  🔗 Submit Your Music: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3ohvHnvF3KGMFk_T3OlM50lMcj5LcFdzF4I5SWQGhfhWTzA/viewform 🛠️ Pete’s Gear Guide: https://studiolivetoday.wordpress.com/gear/ Pete Johns Music: https://songwhip.com/pete-johns

  7. Jun 4

    Reduction in Force: Trading Corporate Control for Creative Risk - What's Next for Mike Mills?

    Season 2: Episode 2 Indie, Over 50 Interview Series What happens when you walk away from a successful corporate career and finally give music your full attention? In this episode John Huggart speaks with Mike Mills, the artist behind Reduction in Force — a former tech General Counsel who traded boardrooms for guitars, deadlines for creativity, and certainty for meaning. Mike shares: His journey from lifelong “bedroom musician” to releasing music in his 50s Why “second act” is the wrong way to think about creative reinventionHow producers, collaborators, and video storytelling elevated his work A brutally honest take on Spotify, algorithms, labels, and paid promotion Why over-50 artists have a hidden superpower most younger artists don’t This is a candid, thoughtful conversation about why we make music, what it costs emotionally and financially to share it, and how to stay grounded in a system that often feels broken. If you’re releasing music later in life — or thinking about it — this episode will resonate.https://www.reduction-in-force.com/  @ReductioninForce-e9i  New Release: "Images of Heaven" Cover - https://open.spotify.com/track/7wWi0KIPFie9Y1hsKfLXal?si=918e6a1c427044a0 www.indieover50.com

  8. May 31

    What does a Publicist do? PR Advice and music gems from Stuart Coupe, Aus Music icon

    Season 2: Episode 1 Indie, Over 50 Interview Series What does a publicist actually do? And do Indie artists over 50 really need one? In this episode of Indie, Over 50, John Huggart sits down with Stuart Coupe — one of Australia’s most respected music journalists, band managers, promoters, label founders, broadcasters, authors, and now one of the country’s most in-demand music publicists. Stuart has lived through the modern era of the music industry — interviewing and rubbing shoulders with Dylan, Jagger, Bono, Springstein, managing Australian Icons Paul Kelly and the Hoodoo Gurus, and brings a refreshingly honest perspective on what really matters for independent artists today. We talk about: 🎵 Why there has never been a better time to be a music fa 📻 How publicity actually works (and what it can’t promise) ⚠️ The red flags to watch for when hiring a publicist 📈 Why Spotify playlists aren’t the holy grail many think they are 🧠 Managing expectations, confidence, and creativity as an artist over 50 🌍 The power of word-of-mouth over algorithms 🎸 Incredible stories from Stuart’s career with artists like Paul Kelly, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bob Dylan, and more If you’re an independent artist releasing music later in life — or thinking about PR, promotion, or just trying to make sense of today’s music landscape — this conversation will give you clarity, reassurance, and perspective. Stuart Coupe: https://www.facebook.com/stuart.coupe/ And a Wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Coupe www.indieover50.com

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Indie, Over 50 is dedicated to those of us, over the age of 50, releasing original music on Spotify and YouTube. The Interview series shines a spotlight on writers, musicians, producers, publicists and industry players whose stories and advice can inspire and inform our journey as an independent artist over the age of 50. The Host is John Huggart who runs a YouTube channel on this topic called Indie, Over 50, and who is the songwriter, and musician for his project called Project Reverb - available on Spotifty et al. He collaborates with producers, singers and musicians across the world.

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