Media Industry Guru Forbs West

Here we are with Rachel Rose. Connecticut-born, Austin-launched, and Brooklyn-based indie folk/rock singer/songwriter Rachel Rose, known for her rich, nostalgic sound blending soul, folk, rock, and pop. Her debut EP "100/10/1" dropped in 2020, followed by the second EP "And One More Thing," produced by Charles Myers. Collaborations with industry heavyweights like John Alagia and Tyler Chester underscore her rising prominence. With sold-out shows at Rockwood Music Hall and Babys All Right, Rachel's career soared when she opened the Hootenanny Sessions at Cafe Wha? post a 50-year hiatus. A recent 3-month residency at The Bitter End and a slot as a featured artist at SXSW 2024 cement her status. She's shared stages with Juliet Ivy, Theo Kandel, and more, even gracing The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.



Her original track "Back To The Beginning" made waves, landing in NPR Tiny Desk's Top Shelf Segment. Rachel's brand partnerships, including AEA Microphones and Virgin Hotels, showcase her versatility, while her performance of the national anthem at a Rangers MSG game underscored her impact beyond music.



We will get to hear about one of the biggest risks--quitting her full-time job to pursue a full-time career in music. She will be performing at the Brooklyn Bowl on May 9th.

Here we are with Mama B, the musical enchantress behind the whimsical world of "Imaginology," her debut album set to release on May 10th, just in time for Mother’s Day. Drawing inspiration from the imaginative tales of childhood, Mama B's music blends contemporary production with timeless songwriting, creating a magical experience for listeners of all ages.

With her latest single "Unicorn," Mama B showcases her talent for storytelling, weaving tales of mythical creatures and nocturnal adventures that captivate the imagination. This release follows the success of her collaborative project "Zoology," which garnered over 55 million streams and 14 million YouTube views.

Mama B brings over two decades of music expertise to "Imaginology," having worked in songwriting, pop artistry.

Raised in a musical household in Newport Beach, California, Mama B's childhood was steeped in the sounds of rock n' roll, soul, and Motown, laying the foundation for her passion for creating music that transcends generational boundaries.

Here we are with Natalie Lane, founder and owner of Gloom Management. She will chat with us first and foremost about her experience being a child actress in commercials and then pivoting into management in her career without working at a big management firm. Natalie will share what it is like working with clients and helping them launch their endeavors on a professional and personal level. We will get to hear about her advice to rising music industry professionals and also students who are inquisitive to learn more about the management side on the industry.

Here, we are with Casii Stephan. She will chat with us about her experience living in Tulsa, Oklahoma and what the music scene is like there. We will also get to her about her accolades including songwriting awards and performances at SXSW. We will also get to her about her tips and tricks for being an indie artist expanding across genres including one of her biggest tips: NETWORKING and being kind and respectful! Finally, we will wrap up the episode and discuss Casii’s upcoming goals including her upcoming single release.

Here we are with Sara Hells. She is a rising artist and is going to share about her eclectic experience and what it's been like growing up in a music business household and then going to college at Tulane and experiencing the music industry scene down in Louisiana. She is also going to chat about her big break performance and also her business experience working at a major talent agency.

Here we are with Sabrina Monique, a New York City-based alt-pop singer-songwriter, who has embarked on a courageous journey to artistic autonomy, marked by her upcoming debut album, "It’s Not Me, It’s You."

From a tumultuous upbringing in White Plains, New York, to navigating the pressures of the pop music industry and overcoming living with 12 women in an apartment, Monique's narrative is one of resilience and self-discovery. Rejecting formulaic norms, she channels her experiences into poignant yet catchy songs, characterized by radio-ready hooks and unvarnished lyrics.

With a background in skipping school for auditions and living in a crowded Manhattan apartment, Monique's path to success is filled with adventure and determination. Now, empowered and liberated, she emerges with a collection of songs that serve as battle anthems, giving voice to women's struggles against sexism and outdated industry stereotypes, all while asserting her role as the captain of her artistic journey. We will wrap up our episode hearing from Sabrina's detailing her advice for aspiring singers in NY and hear more about latest single, "It Was Always You."