
Hosted by Laura Clapp Davidson · EN

Andee Connors on Aquarius Records, Pandora, and P.E.E.'s Viral Reunion Laura interviews musician and Pandora music curator Andee Connors about his career spanning bands, a long-running San Francisco record store, and music industry work. Connors recounts moving from San Diego to Boston and then San Francisco, working at Tower Records, and eventually joining and later taking over Aquarius Records with Alan after the owner left for Apple; the store's history and closure are covered in an Amazon documentary, including licensing challenges that required soundalike replacements. He describes Aquarius as an eclectic, mail-order community hub known for obscure international music and extensive in-store reviews. Connors explains joining Pandora during Aquarius's decline, initially evaluating thousands of submissions, then shifting into creator-focused work supporting artists. He also details his band P.E.E.'s unexpected TikTok-driven resurgence, sold-out shows with younger fans, upcoming tours, and his other projects My Heart An Inverted Flame and Common Eider, King Eider, alongside a forthcoming surgery. 00:00 Meet Andee Connors 05:06 Record Store Documentary 05:41 Sync Music Stories 07:58 From Tower to Aquarius 10:03 Aquarius Legacy 12:39 Band Goes Viral 13:22 What Is Grind Pop 16:56 P.E.E. TikTok Explosion 19:24 New Records Incoming 20:51 Creepy Ambient Projects 24:00 Tour Plans And Surgery 24:23 Surgery Versus Touring 25:00 Work Travel And Recovery 26:16 Woods Life Knee Injury 26:51 Glasses And Skull Palace 28:31 Landing A Job At Pandora 31:47 Record Store To Streaming Shift 36:01 Day Jobs And Creative Freedom 40:58 Reunions Aging And Live Shows 44:11 Wrap Up And Thanks

This episode is near and dear to my heart. I was able to have Canadian singer/songwriter Luca Fogale join me for one of the coolest hours of my life. If you haven't discovered Luca's music yet, he is one of those artists who can pull you into their song with one note, and I hope you will fall deeply into his catalog and spend some time there. My new album features a cover of one of his songs, Half Saved. We talked about this and more of his latest songs from his album, Challenger and the intricate balance between your artist self and your true self. Please go see him live if you are lucky enough to live in a city he's coming to. There's a short preview of my version of Half Saved at the end of the episode. I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome to another episode of TMI with Laura, where she is joined by the wonderfully candid and talented Bernie Barlow. In this heartfelt conversation, Laura and Bernie dive into the real behind-the-scenes life of a working musician—covering everything from the evolution of the independent music scene, navigating record deals, and the nitty-gritty of album promotion, to the ups and downs of balancing family life and creative ambition. You'll hear Bernie share stories about creating her latest album "Walking Around This Town," the collaborative songwriting process with longtime friends, and the ever-changing landscape of music promotion in the age of social media. The two also reminisce about their first meeting at She Rocks, swap tales from the studio, and discuss the importance of creative community, support networks, and continually adapting to new realities in the industry. Whether you're an artist, a music lover, or just someone curious about what it takes to keep making art through life's twists and turns, this episode is filled with wisdom, laughter, and plenty of inspiration. So kick back and get ready for an honest, TMI-filled chat—you're not going to want to miss this one!

Hey everyone, it's Laura Davidson, host of Song 43 and TMI with Laura. In this episode, I'm keeping things casual and honest—no guests, just me sharing what's been on my mind lately. I talk about why I switched TMI to an every-other-week format (more editing, less stress!), but how much I truly miss connecting with you on a weekly basis. I give shoutouts to the amazing friends I've had on recently—Dan O'Neill, Chrissi Polland, and Janet Robin—and tease a few exciting upcoming episodes.

In a world driven by algorithms and streaming services, it's sometimes easy to forget the raw, authentic journeys of musicians who've carved their paths with talent, tenacity, and a bit of luck. Janet Robin, a celebrated guitarist and Grammy-winning artist, shared her incredible story on TMI, offering insights into her career, passion for music, and the lessons she's learned along the way. From fateful encounters with rock legends to her philosophy on creativity, Janet's journey is a testament to resilience and dedication in the ever-evolving music industry. Learn more about Janet at www.janetrobin.com.

In this episode of TMI with Laura, I catch up with my college friend, Chrissi Poland—a powerhouse vocalist who has made her mark both as a solo artist and a backing singer for some legendary acts. We reminisce about our days at Berklee, navigating the industry, and the wildly different paths our careers took after college. Chrissi shares her journey from hustling in New York, chasing her dream of working with musicians she admired, to touring the world with Scissor Sisters and singing duets with Michael Bolton (yes, really!). We also dive into what it's like balancing motherhood with a career in music, the emotional rollercoaster of ending a major tour, and how having clear goals and a manifestation mindset kept her moving forward. Chrissi gets real about the challenges of being a woman in the industry and the importance of building a supportive network. She gives us a peek into her newest project, "Forever Muscle Shoals," inspired by the legendary recording studios of Alabama and fueled by her soul music roots. If you're curious about what's next for Chrissi, from European tours to collaborations with Chris Botti, we cover all of it. This episode is packed with honest stories, practical advice for musicians, and lots of laughs as we reconnect. Whether you're new to the music industry or a longtime fan, you'll find something to relate to in our conversation. Follow TMI with Laura @tmiwithlaura Visit www.tmiwithlaura.com for show notes, insights and more! Learn more about Chrissi Poland at www.chrissipoland.com

Welcome to the first episode of TMI with Laura! For the first show, I sat down with my longtime friend and industry pro, Dan O'Neill (or as some call him, Borga or Danny). We went way back—think 2009—reminiscing about when we first crossed paths and how the music industry has changed over the years. Dan has done it all: he's been a guitar tech and production manager for some of the biggest names out there, from Orianthi to Janet Jackson, and most recently, Bon Jovi. We got into what it really means to be a guitar tech versus a "roadie," and Dan broke down what goes on behind the scenes—from making sure guitars are stage-ready and squeaky clean (plus the all-important towel and water service!) to the gnarly logistics and relentless schedules that come with being a production manager. You'll hear hilarious road stories, get a peek at what it's like to manage a sprawling tour crew, and find out what makes touring with legacy artists both challenging and rewarding. We also talked about how COVID shook up the touring world, the organizations stepping up to help crew members, and the huge shift in attitudes among the road crew—the balance between paying your dues and creating a healthy work environment. Dan didn't hold back with his advice for newcomers: keep your eyes and ears open, be humble, and respect those who've come before you. If you've ever wondered who keeps your favorite shows running smoothly, or what really happens on the other side of the stage, this one's for you—and it's only part one! Stay tuned for part two where we'll dig even deeper into life on the road. Listen to Dan's Rockstar Roadie Podcast at https://rockstarroadiepodcast.com/! Check out my Rockstar Roadie episode here.

It's been almost four years since I launched Song 43 from my flight to the NAMM show. Now, we've come full circle and its time to wind down this show and launch TMI with Laura! Join me as I talk about my latest trip to Anaheim and updates about Chameleon, and be sure to follow @tmiwithlaura so you get the news of when I get this new beast up and out!

In this episode, I talk about some of my favorite Christmas traditions, including hanging up holiday cards from friends and family. You'll also hear about a Stranger Things watch party, complete with themed food and reflections about the busy holiday and work season ahead. Additionally, you'll get to hear the joys of living with severe hip pain and the potential need for a hip replacement. But it's not all doom and gloom. I talk about self-care and joy, decorating with new garland and indulging in Christmas treats. 00:00 Holiday Cards and Family Traditions 00:27 Stranger Things Watch Party 00:56 Craft Market Visit 01:09 Dealing with Chronic Pain 01:55 Christmas Decorations and Self-Care 02:21 Antique House Adventure 02:35 Musical Journey and Personal Reflections 02:52 A new podcast in the works

In this episode of Song 43, Laura returns after a long hiatus since April. She shares exciting news about her upcoming podcast 'TMI with Laura,' dedicated to the music industry, which will launch in January. She reflects on her journey with over a hundred episodes of Song 43 and reveals details about her new album 'Chameleon,' plans to release singles, and the involvement of collaborators Robbie Bronnimann and Mark Rahilly. The host discusses crowdfunding challenges, provides insights into the album mastering process, and talks about various upcoming shows and events, including a toy drive for Bigger Beast Records. She also shares her holiday preparations and expresses gratitude towards her listeners. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:57 Reflecting on the Hiatus 02:21 Album Progress and Challenges 03:34 Crowdfunding and New Podcast Plans 05:12 Excitement for TMI Podcast 07:29 Upcoming Shows and Holiday Preparations 09:01 Community Engagement and Final Thoughts