Episodes

Jan. 11, 2023

The One Where I Was a Huge Fan ft. Gretchen Peters

If you don't know Gretchen Peters, I will bet you definitely know some of her songs. From Independence Day (Martina McBride), Cloud #9 (Bryan Adams), On A Bus To St. Cloud (Trisha Yearwood), Rock Steady (Bonnie Raitt)... the list goes on and on. So ...

Dec. 21, 2022

The One Where We Bonded Over Our Dads - Esabalu

As we continue the final season of the podcast, Stevie revisits a discussion with artist Esabalu aka Jenn Mundia from Season 2. This episode really resonated with Stevie as they both shared a story about their dads about their respective name change...

Oct. 26, 2022

The One With The Coolest Nerd I Know - Akie Bermiss

In the premier episode of the final season of award nominated podcast This Next Song's About, Stevie throws it back to one of their favourite episodes as we take a trip down memory lane with Akie Bermiss, best known for his work as the keys player for th...

May 4, 2022

Reinventing And Redefining Your Artistic Voice ft Joey Dean aka King Vagabond

Have you ever considered reinventing your artist self as a persona? Are you nervous that your fan base won't get it or won't follow your new journey? Joey Dean has thrown caution to the wind in order to do justice to his vision for his latest project, Ki...

March 30, 2022

Wrestling With Writer’s Block ft Susan Cattaneo

Who doesn't struggle with writer's block? Or changing your writing habits or chord structure? Experience 'second verse hell'?? Susan Cattaneo (she/her) has 20 years as an educator teaching at Berklee College of Music so knows a thing or two about how to ...

March 16, 2022

Mastering Social Media In A Way That Works For You ft Danielle Ate The Sandwich

Danielle Ate The Sandwich (she/her) is something of a social media marvel. Not only is she good at it, but she really enjoys how it can work for her in terms of promoting her music and engaging her fans. Danielle talks to Stevie about some of the le...

March 2, 2022

Considering Career Paths ft.Laura Clapp

Are you worried about paying the bills as you move through your music career? Are you thinking about how to about save for a 401k or college for your kids? We don't have to think of a music career as being starving artists until we one day hit the big t...

Feb. 16, 2022

Do you need a coach?? Ft Heather Vickery

What is all the fuss about coaches? Can they really help you achieve your goals, keep you accountable and move you forward or is it all just a big waste of money? My guest is Heather Vickery an award-winning entrepreneur, business owner, public speaker, ...

Feb. 9, 2022

How to Write A Song A Day ft Jen Edds

Indianapolis based singer-songwriter Jen Edds spent most of her music career in a supporting role as the “guitar/mandolin/bass/ukulele player.” Until now... Jen set herself a challenge to write a song a day and it has changed her life. This chall...

Feb. 2, 2022

How to be a great collaborator ft artist coach Wendy Parr

Do you want to be asked to co-writing sessions or in someone's band and keep being asked back? It's not as simple as being a good songwriter or musician, it's a little more nuanced than that... Wendy Parr is a multi-award-winning songwriter, world-renown...

Jan. 19, 2022

This Next Song’s About Season 3 Trailer

Season 3 is back in February 2nd 2022 with a brand new array of expert guests to help you as a songwriter develop and hone your craft as an artist. Host, NYC based musician and songwriter Stevie Manns asks the hard questions about being an artist to he...

Dec. 8, 2021

BONUS Re-release: Top 5 tips to launch your Patreon ft Rebecca Loebe

Have you been thinking about starting a Patreon but aren't sure how to go about it? Scared no one will sign up? In this episode we revisit a conversation with independent artist Rebecca Loebe who was so successful at launching, Patreon even wrote an arti...

Nov. 24, 2021

BONUS Re-release: Why I left a major label to become independent ft. Gretchen Peters

As the new season of the podcast is being prepped and recorded, here's a little bonus from the archives - recorded in 2019 with Gretchen Peters. To view the photo I mention in the episode - you can check it out on instagram @iamsteviemanns. I also m...

June 23, 2021

"Making Queer Pop Music" ft. Aaron Is Your Friend

Today, as we continue to celebrate Pride month my guest is Aaron Is Your Friend. Aaron is Your Friend is the project of LA-based singer, songwriter and producer Aaron Lindenberg. Aaron and I met on the New York scene a couple of years ago at a Sofar Soun...

June 16, 2021

"From Broadway to Songwriting" ft. J.Breckenridge

Josh Breckenridge, is perhaps better known for his Broadway accolades, most recently starring in Come From Away. During the Broadway closure as a result of the pandemic J. wasted no time in writing and producing his debut album "Monotony" with producer J...

June 9, 2021

"Redefining Expectations as a Queer, Afro-Latina Vocalist" ft. Sharisse Fransisco

Continuing our artist profiles for #Pride, today's guest is Sharisse Fransisco. She is a Queer, Afro-Latina singer-songwriter and Vocalist, she performs as herself but also as the lead vocalist for the all-female punk soul band Top Queens. She deeply be...

June 2, 2021

"Being A Social Justice Songwriter" ft. Crys Matthews

Have you ever wondered how to write social justice songs? How to get over your discomfort? In this episode, I am discussing social justice songwriting with my guest, D.C. based social justice songwriter Crys Matthews. Already hailed as “the next Woody Gu...

May 26, 2021

"How to Boost Your Social Media Presence" ft. Gabe Ekemezie

Have you ever thought about whether you're "doing it right" with social medial? Or why is social media SO important for musicians and anyone with a brand, which social media platform is right for you; and how can you optimize your social media and build ...

May 12, 2021

"Creating Iconic Images" ft. Music Photographer Shervin Lainez

Shervin made his name as a portrait music photographer on the New York music scene over the last decade and has become one of the most sought after photographers in the industry. Having started with no formal photography training, he worked his way up th...

May 5, 2021

"How to deal with Self-Doubt & Rejection" ft. music coach Lisa McEwen

In today’s episode I am chatting with songwriter and mindfulness coach, Lisa McEwen. Lisa is originally from Canada and made her way down to Nashville and had success signing with BMG as a staff writer, penning songs for major labels and artists and is ...

April 21, 2021

Producer's Perspective: Top 5 Tips for heading into the Studio ft. Katie Buchanan

Today's episode is a special "Producer's Perspective" episode, part of our new format to help you develop as an artist. I take a look inside the mind of a studio producer to help you get an idea of what you should expect when you’re heading in to record,...

April 7, 2021

"Finding My Strength and Resilience" ft. Jarreau Williams

Around the DMV, Jarreau (juh-ROW) Williams is known as the "man with the golden pipes.” The Alexandria, VA native and 8x Wammie nominated and 3x Wammie winner is a consummate showman and charismatic front-man. Jarreau’s professional credits include back...

March 17, 2021

Exclusive Music Video Premiere "At Work" ft Kaylyn Marie

In this episode, I chat with Kaylyn Marie, one of my best friends and one of the best musicians I've ever seen. Kaylyn is a singer-songwriter-guitarist, bandleader, and actress with over 16 years of performing experience from national TV to local venues....

March 10, 2021

"Embracing my Kenyan roots in my artist persona" ft. Esbalu

In this episode Stevie sits down with artist Esabalu (Es-a-BA-lu) to take a visual look at her video Wildfire. You should check out the video for Wildfire here and come back to listen to the episode: https://youtu.be/9dnjUCdM21E You can also watch the f...