What It Takes To Be A Rockstar

Melissa Lucciola
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  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
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Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician. 

  1. MAR 11 · BONUS

    Episode 20 (BONUS) - On artists losing $50,000 on sold out US tours and why signed bands are going DIY

    This week I am ranting in my van parked on a side street in NYC about the state of the music industry. I bring in recent news about Kate Nash starting an OF to finance her tours, and Caroline Rose leaking their own album on Bandcamp. I talk about the realities of the music industry currently and why many bands are choosing to go back to DIY, even if it looks like they got it all. This is the final episode of Season 2, see you in Season 3!  You can watch this episode and others on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW8b_tWH7MI Check out a clip of a  Kate Nash interview here. Check out Caroline Rose here: https://www.carolinerosemusic.com/tour-1 Contact: whatittakestobearockstar@gmail.com Listen to the bands that have been on this podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5L9Odi1kuJiPEqIhBXmqMw?si=dabd928c5b13405d Join the Discord community and chat with others about the episodes here: https://tr.ee/NVMhCaRELa Check out UMAW here: https://weareumaw.org/ If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe or follow - it's free and goes a long way! If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whatittakestobearockstar Or become a monthly subscriber here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2397323/support About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    13 min

  2. MAR 4

    Episode 19 - Randy Ojeda (Music Attorney & Manager) - On collecting royalties, the future of music with AI, and how to prevent an ugly band breakup

    This week I'm chatting with Randy Ojeda, a music attorney and a long time music manager. Randy has also done A&R for Symphonic Distribution and has hosted his own podcast, Cigar City Radio, among a ton of other things within the music industry. We chat about how he ended up becoming a music attorney and manager. He also gives some valuable insights and nuggets of wisdom including how bands can collect performance royalties for playing their own songs at shows, what the first thing a band should do is, and when a band should start thinking about getting a manager. We also chat about AI and music and what the future might look like with that, all the types of jobs needed in the music industry aside from being an artist and if money is really all it takes to make a band pop off. Enjoy! You can watch this full episode and others on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItTakesToBeARockstar Check out Randy's website here: https://www.randyojedalaw.com/ Check out Randy's music podcast here "Cigar City Radio": https://open.spotify.com/show/3QncUpLFNck8Y81p2aBlcT?si=134e410f86344e4c Check out Cigar City Management (Boutique Artist Management Company and Record Label co-founded by Randy): http://www.cigarcitymanagement.com/ Check out this article on the differences between ASCAP, BMI and SESAC: https://www.diymusicbiz.com/ascap-or-bmi-which-one-is-best/ Listen to the bands that have been on this podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5L9Odi1kuJiPEqIhBXmqMw?si=dabd928c5b13405d Join the Discord community and chat with others about the episodes here: https://tr.ee/NVMhCaRELa Check out UMAW here: https://weareumaw.org/ If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe or follow - it's free and goes a long way! If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whatittakestobearockstar Or become a monthly subscriber here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2397323/support About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    57 min

  3. FEB 25

    Episode 18 - Donzii - On burning emotional energy for the aliens + doing sketchy things to get to shows on time

    This week I'm chatting with Jenna Balfe and Dennis Fuller of Donzii, a "time-bending, post-punk vision: a unity of go-hard industrial bangers, darkly ambient balladry, [with] new takes on the funk traditions of No Wave" band. This band is super fun and they keep it weird in such a good way!  We chat about how they met on an island and started the band, how they feel about social media within the music world, their move to LA from Miami, the sketchy things they have done to get to shows and how they once had to leave their lost cat behind in another city to get to a gig on time (she's ok!).  Walter, the mentioned cat, made a lot of appearances so if you'd like to see her you can watch this full episode and others on our Youtube.  Check out Donzii here: https://donzii.bandcamp.com/music Check out Dennis' recorder album here: https://dorofsky.bandcamp.com/album/door-of-sky Check out Dennis' book rec here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Society_of_the_Spectacle Listen to Donzii and the other guests from this podcast on this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5L9Odi1kuJiPEqIhBXmqMw?si=dabd928c5b13405d Join the Discord community and chat with others about the episodes here: https://tr.ee/NVMhCaRELa Check out UMAW here: https://weareumaw.org/ If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe or follow - it's free and goes a long way! If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whatittakestobearockstar Or become a monthly subscriber here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2397323/support About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    1h 16m

  4. FEB 18

    Episode 17 - Tea Eater - On how much it costs to tour Europe, growing a cult following and raffling off good vibes

    This week I'm chatting with my bandmates Tarra Theissen and Vram Kherlopian of Tea Eater, Gustaf, MamajoeVramajoe, Francie Moon and more!! We chat about how much it costs to tour Europe/the UK, how they have been building a cult following and how much they love the color purple. These two have traveled the world playing music in "projects of varying degrees of investments and returns" and have a lot of insight into the music industry, DIY or not. Enjoy!! Check out Tarra and Vrams' projects here: Tea Eater: https://www.teaeater.com/ MamajoeVramajoe: https://www.twitch.tv/mamajoevramajoe Gustaf: https://www.gustaftheband.com/ Vramshabouh: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5gsCf0mesZgDN3Y9BhReY8?si=b7HnatgKShOD__gR9j188A Francie Moon: https://franciemoon.com/ Check out their Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mamajoevramajoe Check out the Tea Eater fan club here: https://teaeater.bandcamp.com/fan-club If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe - it's free and goes a long way! If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whatittakestobearockstar Or become a monthly subscriber here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2397323/support Join the Discord community and chat with others about the episodes: https://discord.gg/fQRCka4SQ8 Listen to the Playlist of all the guests' music here. About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    56 min

  5. FEB 11

    Episode 16 - Crusasis - On never being able to quit music even if you want to

    This week I am chatting with Ryan Smith of the band Crusasis. This episode hits super close to home cause Ry is my boyfriend and bandmate, but he has a really interesting perspective with music because he has played many different instruments in many different genres in many different ways. He's done:  Jazz/Wedding/R&B gigs on saxBusking in NYCHired gun gigs on drumsSinging/screaming/drumming in a DIY metal bandTouring in the US and EuropeSinging and playing guitar in CrusasisMonths in the open mic scene in HungaryMusic in the mountains of CaliforniaDIY recordingA ton of drumming for my band Francie MoonWe also chat about a time in life where he stepped away from his life in music as he knew it and found himself making music anyway wherever he was. We chat about how if you are a musician, it is always a part of who you are, but you also need to care for the other aspects of your identity as well.  Check out Crusasis here.  You can watch this full episode (we recorded in our house) on Youtube.  If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe - it's free and goes a long way! If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whatittakestobearockstar Or become a monthly subscriber here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2397323/support Join the Discord community and chat with others about the episodes: https://discord.gg/fQRCka4SQ8 Listen to the Playlist of all the guests' music here. About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Third intro song is "Wind Strings" by Francie Moon https://franciemoon.com/ Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    1h 30m

  6. FEB 4

    Episode 15 - Charles Ellsworth - On touring in a $600 van with zero dollars, building DIY skills and being a good hang

    This week I am chatting with Charles Ellsworth, an incredible songwriter, podcaster and filmmaker originally from Arizona who has toured most of his adult life. Chuck tells me stories about living in his van while being flat broke to years later getting a full time job working with LCD Soundsystem. We chat about how he learned guitar in the back of a furniture store, his movie-worthy travel stories and the realities of choosing a life in the arts. You can also catch a glimpse of his dog Banjo if you watch on Youtube.  Check out Chuck's website here: https://charlesellsworthmusic.com/ Check out his podcast "A Dirtbag's Guide To Life On The Road" here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-dirtbags-guide-to-life-on-the-road/id1524043897 You can watch this full episode on Youtube (and see Banjo) here: https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItTakesToBeARockstar If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe! It's free and goes a long way.  If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" here: https://buymeacoffee.com/whatittakestobearockstar Or become a monthly subscriber here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2397323/support About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    1h 44m

  7. JAN 28

    Episode 14 - Spoon Benders - Stolen vans, Europe plans and dirty laundry

    This week I am chatting with Katy Black (guitar/vox) and Casey Hanson (bass) of Spoon Benders, a heavy fuzzy psychy garage psych band from Portland, Oregon. We chat about how they got into music, how they got their van stolen multiple times, their upcoming plans to tour Europe and how they feel about big vs. small venues. We also chat about if they have other jobs, their life on the road and how they got their EURO booking agent. Enjoy! Check out Spoon Benders here. Check out my playlist of all the guests here. You can watch this episode and others on Youtube.  If you enjoy this podcast, please make sure to hit subscribe! It's free and goes a long way.  About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.  Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    1h 20m

  8. JAN 21

    Episode 13 - Tongues of Fire - On choosing flexibility to tour over stability, getting creative with marketing and being persistent

    This week I talk with Lowell Hobbs of Tongues of Fire about DIY touring, recording in a garage-turned-studio, opening for Modest Mouse and turning down a well paying wedding gig to be able to tour. We also talk about how he tries to get creative and have fun with marketing, how he once sent 100+ emails and didn't hear back from anyone, and how he keeps staying persistent. He also gives some tips and tricks for how to not piss off a soundperson. Enjoy! About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician. Check out Tongues of Fire here: https://tonguesofire.com/home Check out my playlist of all the guests here. You can watch this full episode on Youtube along with others. Check out my bands here: Francie Moon Gustaf Crusasis Support the show Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola. This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA. Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater Other music is by Pretty World

    1h 9m
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About

Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician. 

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Lucciola
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
  • Show Website
    What It Takes To Be A Rockstar