Blue Couch Collective

Blue Couch Collective

Three guys chatting like they’re back on the old blue couch where it all began. The Blue Couch Collective Podcast pulls back the curtain on life as an independent musician—the highs, the lows, and lessons learned in between. You and Carter get a front-row seat for the creative journeys of hosts Ryan and Will. Tune in for industry insights, special interviews, pop culture buzz, the latest & greatest in music, and more. Delivered with authenticity, transparency, and a little tomfoolery. Branding + Creation + Consumption = BCC, a Community. We saved you a seat, join us on the blue couch :)

  1. Music Therapists Maddie Alexander & Bekah Rawle on the Power of Music from Hospitals to Stages

    1D AGO

    Music Therapists Maddie Alexander & Bekah Rawle on the Power of Music from Hospitals to Stages

    Side B | Track 7 - Maddie & Bekah, two passionate music therapists based in Columbus, Ohio, join us for a couch chat to break down the transformative power of their profession + their creative processes outside of work. Through the act of making and sharing music, discover how these music therapists help children’s hospital patients: ​Normalize long hospital stays​Boost emotional resilience​Process difficult feelings​Spark joys in the most challenging momentsMaddie & Bekah’s zeal for their careers shine through in this episode. They break down the incredible science of music’s grip on the brain, how engaging multiple regions at once makes music an unmatched tool for relief and expression. Plus, as wonderful songwriters themselves (and BCC Open Mic stars!), their advice on organization, perspective-shifting, and trusting your instincts can help you break through creative blocks and craft authentic music. Hear the surprising areas where their jobs boost, hinder, or don't overlap with their own creative endeavors. Whether you’re interested in a career as a music therapist or had no clue it was even a thing, this is a perfect episode to discover paths to that profession and the daily impact it makes. Maddie and Bekah's heartfelt stories and wise perspectives will inspire you to harness your own musical magic for healing, connection, and self-discovery. 📲 Keep up with Maddie (@maddie__alexander1) and Bekah (bekahrawle) on Instagram  🎧 Check out the debut song from Maddie's musical duo, Dirty Shirleys, entitled “New Year’s Eve” - Listen on Spotify Did you learn something new or feel inspired from our chat with Maddie & Bekah? 👉 Follow, rate, and share the show! 💬 Join the convo and get the latest updates @BlueCouchCollective on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok

    54 min
  2. The Art of Transforming Art: How Sampling Has Shaped the Modern Music Landscape

    FEB 26

    The Art of Transforming Art: How Sampling Has Shaped the Modern Music Landscape

    Side A | Track 15 - Carter drops wisdom on the evolution, ethical boundaries, and highlights of sampling in music Unlocking the Fascinating History of Sampling: From early Musique Concrète experiments in France to the revolutionary approach of Kanye West that redefined modern hip hop production, discover how each evolution in sampling created cultural ripples that still resonate today. The Tech Behind the Art: You’ll undoubtedly gain a fun fact or two to share with your friends when hearing the origin stories of iconic hardware like the TR-808 and Akai MPC. Hear how the industry grew to where it stands today, with software making music production more accessible than ever. The Ethical Debate: What constitutes a “lazy” sample as opposed to a creative and thoughtful repurposing? Where is the line between interpolation and sampling? How should hits like Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” be judged? Are there instances where sampling someone else’s work is morally wrong? Is sampling accessible to indie artists? Best believe we dive into it all! Sampling Legends: The Motown era’s soulful melodies and catchy hooks heavily influenced modern hip-hop and R&B. Modern producers take inspiration from film, hot button issues, and everything in between. The crew shares our personal favorite sample examples and influences. Embrace the Power of Transformation: Sampling serves as a bridge between the past and the present. Recognizing the stories behind each sample deepens your appreciation as a consumer and fuels your innovation as a creator. Feeling enriched by Carter’s wealth of sampling knowledge? Be sure to: 👉 Follow, rate, and share the show! 💬 Join the convo and get the latest updates @BlueCouchCollective on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠ P.S. Did you catch our big announcement? Something pretty cool is happening for the Blue Couch Collective on March 9th...

    1h 22m
  3. The 2026 New Year’s Toolkit for Artists

    JAN 22

    The 2026 New Year’s Toolkit for Artists

    Side A | Track 14 - Giving you the five-step playbook to own your creativity in 2026 📝 Goal Setting: Set resolutions that actually matter and stick. We break down a bulletproof five-part approach to getting the most out of goals as an artist + the mindset shift that will help you create habits to actually hit those goals.💸 Finances: Let's get a little taboo, shall we? We let you in on how we approach finances as artists who also have full-time jobs outside of their creative field — budgeting for projects, when to separate art money, what's worth spending on, money lessons learned the hard way, and more. 🧹 Decluttering: Closets and junk drawers are nice, but what does this look like for artists? We walk through the benefits of and strategies for taking an audit on your digital assets and physical gear to start the new year. Yes, that means we're finally getting those thousands of unnamed voice memos organized!💪🏼 Exercise: Don't be the person who takes up all the gym machines for the first two weeks of the year only to then never be seen again. Hear how consistently exercising your creative muscle and prioritizing wellness pays dividends in artists' growth and longevity.☑️ Punch Cards: It never hurts to have a little fun and hop on a trend. Hear what the BCC hosts' punch cards look like for 2026, and why this can be a fun way to gamify and visualize progress. If you’re planning to implement one of these tools in your 2026 artistry workflow: 👉 Follow, rate, and share the show! 💬 Join the convo and get the latest updates @BlueCouchCollective on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok

    1h 36m
  4. Austin, TX-Based Guitarist Landry Geiger on Reaching the Musical Flow State

    12/04/2025

    Austin, TX-Based Guitarist Landry Geiger on Reaching the Musical Flow State

    Side B | Track 4 - Special guest Landry Geiger lets us in on the recipe for reaching the musical flow state. Originally from small-town Nebraska, Landry now resides in Austin, TX, the “live musical capital of the world.” He got his start like all the greats: playing the Guitar Hero video game. Fast-forward to today, and he’s got the guitar chops to give you the stank face, along with a natural gift for just about anything musical you throw at him. He breaks down his progression from the scrappy practices of he and co-host Will’s college band “Loose Change” to now being a versatile guitarist in Austin’s vibrant music scene, playing primarily with traditional country musician Dustin De La Garza. Plus, hear how a stint with the Drew Phillips Band was his gateway into loving country music after previously swearing it off and sticking to shredding the rock genre. Landry drops tangible insights left and right in this episode that any musician can apply to their approach, including: 💡 Tips for being a good bandmate and ensuring a smooth collaborative experience 💡 How he effectively made connections + marketed himself as a guitarist in a brand-new city 💡 The fruits of surrounding yourself with musicians who are more talented than you + being open to constructive criticism 💡 His strategy for pouring into his craft while balancing a demanding full-time job + life outside music 💡 And, of course, the motivation he gets from the desire to reach that “musical flow state” while playing his instrument Landry’s journey is a reminder of the power of passion and adaptability. His story encourages musicians to embrace opportunities and continuously strive for growth. 🎸📲 Follow Landry on Instagram @landry.music to keep up with his creative new videos and upcoming live shows 👉 Enjoying the BCC Podcast? Follow, rate, and share the show! 💬 Join the convo and get the latest updates @BlueCouchCollective on Instagram and TikTok

    58 min
  5. Turning Street Corners into Stages: What's the Hidden Value of Busking

    11/20/2025

    Turning Street Corners into Stages: What's the Hidden Value of Busking

    SIDE A | TRACK 12 - A tale as old as time: The struggling musician playing on the sidewalk — the busker. But what if turning street corners into stages has a plethora of unexpected benefits for aspiring musicians?   AROUND THE COUCH: As always, Ryan & Will start by checking in on each others’ BCCs (Brand, Creation, Consumption) to hold each other accountable in their artist journeys. They first discuss building out the Blue Couch Collective brand kit. Then, Will highlights his “Music Business Minute” video series, which covers a book he picked up to become better versed on the industry. Plus, Blue Couch Collective open mics are soaring in Columbus with the recent addition of live audio recordings + photographers and videographers. Finally, Ryan talks booking out shows for 2026 and, in an ode to the great Jimmy V, what things he’s been consuming have allowed him to laugh, think, and cry each day.   BEHIND THE GRIND: Ryan & Will explore the transformative power of busking, sharing personal stories and insights into this unique form of performance. It’s more than just playing music in public; it’s an opportunity to connect with people in an authentic way, hone your craft, and test new material all in a low-stakes environment. The duo delves into the cultural nuances of busking in different parts of the world, including how U.S. cities present more challenges compared to many major cities in Europe, where street performing is ingrained in culture and seamlessly integrated into city design. Plus, what unexpected value can an evening out busking bring? From an old couple dropping a $20 bill in his case to a young pair asking him to play at their wedding, Ryan has seen several doors open as a result of simply putting himself out there and embracing the unknown. So, what the busk?! Whether you're a musician looking to expand your horizons or are simply curious about the world of busking, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. As Ryan and Will remind us, creativity knows no bounds, and sometimes the best stages are the ones we create ourselves. 
👉 Enjoying the BCC Podcast? Follow, rate, and share the show! 💬 Join the convo and get the latest updates @BlueCouchCollective on Instagram and TikTok

    1h 11m

About

Three guys chatting like they’re back on the old blue couch where it all began. The Blue Couch Collective Podcast pulls back the curtain on life as an independent musician—the highs, the lows, and lessons learned in between. You and Carter get a front-row seat for the creative journeys of hosts Ryan and Will. Tune in for industry insights, special interviews, pop culture buzz, the latest & greatest in music, and more. Delivered with authenticity, transparency, and a little tomfoolery. Branding + Creation + Consumption = BCC, a Community. We saved you a seat, join us on the blue couch :)