Second Verse

About Second Verse

🎙 Second Verse – Because it’s never too late to make music. Are you an indie artist or creative dreaming of a second chance at your music career? Second Verse is the podcast that celebrates independent musicians, singer-songwriters, and artists who got started—or started again—after a more traditional career. Join host Becky Boyland, a singer-songwriter and music branding expert, as she interviews indie artists who prove that success isn’t just for the young and major-label backed. Each episode dives into real-life stories of artists navigating their second verse in music—overcoming fears, finding their audience, and making their creative dreams a reality. 💡 What You’ll Get: ✅ Inspiring stories from independent musicians who took the leap ✅ Actionable tips for pursuing your music career at any stage ✅ Branding and marketing insights to grow your audience ✅ Motivation to finally take that next step toward your dream No matter where you are on your musical journey, Second Verse will help you feel seen, supported, and ready to take action. Subscribe now, leave a review, and visit secondversepod.com to submit your story, connect on social media, and start your own Second Verse. 🎶 Your dream is still waiting—let’s make music.

Publisher

Becky Boyland

Category

education · leisure · music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Mar 2025

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

41 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Kris Bradley: 200 Placements, One Burnout, and the Debut Album That Finally Sounds Like Her

   Kris Bradley on Burnout, Autism Discovery, and Reclaiming Her Authentic Sound with ‘Midnight Church Aftermath’ Host Becky Boyland welcomes Maui-based indie artist Kris Bradley, an independent singer-songwriter, producer, and guitarist who spent over 20 years largely behind the scenes writing to briefs, producing for other artists, earning 200+ film/TV placements, and building the music education company Produce Like A Boss. Kris shares her early musical roots, stage fright, touring with an all-girl Led Zeppelin tribute, learning songwriting craft, and producing out of necessity. She explains how entrepreneurship and marketing gradually pulled her away from making music, leading to severe autistic burnout, loss of short-term memory, and three years of creative darkness after selling her company. A spontaneous performance in Maui reignited her desire to perform and write, sparking her debut double-disc concept album, “Midnight Church Aftermath,” recorded with a full band near Nashville and described as “Ameri-Kinda,” emphasizing authenticity over commercial rules. https://youtu.be/wbwyNH2PFN4 Connect with Kris Bradley: Website: https://www.krisbradleymusic.com (https://www.krisbradleymusic.com) Instagram: https://instagram.com/krisbradleymusic (https://instagram.com/krisbradleymusic) TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@krisbradleymusic (https://tiktok.com/@krisbradleymusic) Spotify (Fireproof): https://open.spotify.com/track/79xPM1hfZmruZH7XOnKegQ (https://open.spotify.com/track/79xPM1hfZmruZH7XOnKegQ) Apple Music (Fireproof): https://music.apple.com/us/song/fireproof/6787345596 (https://music.apple.com/us/song/fireproof/6787345596) YouTube (Fireproof video): https://youtube.com/watch?v=YlkH41OSakQ (https://youtube.com/watch?v=YlkH41OSakQ) Sponsors: She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com (https://www.sheproducesmusic.com) Featured Song: ”Shapeshifter” by Kris Bradley, written by Kris Bradley, Blue Foley (used with permission). Timestamps: 00:00 Teaser: Kris Bradley Interview 00:38 Introduction 01:52 Welcome and Musical Roots 05:13 Stage Fright Years 06:22 Cover Bands Bar Life 07:29 Zeppelin Tour Turning Point 09:03 Learning Songwriting Craft 10:17 Asia Pop Boot Camp 11:27 Production Out of Necessity 15:51 Produce Like a Boss Origins 18:03 Entrepreneur Drift 20:45 Autistic Burnout 23:07 Maui Music Revival 26:59 SPONSOR: She Produces Music 27:30 Monotropic Focus Explained 30:23 Writing Without Agenda 31:43 Two Act Album Vision 38:29 Concept-First Songwriting 40:51 Branding And Authenticity 42:49 Advice for New Artists 46:52 Truth Beats Craft in AI Era 49:06 Breaking Rules And Going Genreless 53:56 Where to Follow Kris 54:51 Coda 56:56 Featured Song: "Shapeshifter" by Kris Bradley Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Harley DiNardo: Two Record Deals, Two Drop-Offs, and the Fire That Changed Everything

   Harley DiNardo on Getting Dropped Twice, Returning to Music After 9/11 Loss, and Going All In After the Palisades Fire Host Becky Boyland interviews New York-born singer-songwriter Harley DiNardo about his long path back to music after early success, two major-label deals, and years away. Harley traces his origin story from a formative high school Battle of the Bands to relentless practice, switching from bass to singing, and partnering with songwriter-guitarist Derrek Hawkins. He describes getting signed to Warner Brothers-backed Revolution Records after a Ticketmaster competition and later landing a BMG-backed deal for White Light Motorcade by handing demo CDs to strangers while working as a waiter, only to be dropped both times due to poor marketing. After stepping back to raise a family and run a hair salon, a wildfire that burned down his new salon and threatened his home pushed him to commit fully to music. He discusses negative self-talk, age stigma, tragedy including losing his sister in 9/11, and his new single “LA to NY.” https://youtu.be/9SoclNknUdk Connect with Harley DiNardo: Website: https://www.harleydinardo.com/ (https://www.harleydinardo.com/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harleydinardoartist (https://www.facebook.com/harleydinardoartist) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harleydinardomusic (https://www.instagram.com/harleydinardomusic) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@harleydinardoband (https://www.youtube.com/@harleydinardoband) Sponsors: She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com (https://www.sheproducesmusic.com) Featured Song: ”LA to NY” by Harley DiNardo, written by Harley DiNardo (used with permission). Timestamps: 00:00 Teaser: Harley DiNardo Interview 00:36 Introduction 01:40 Welcoming Harley 02:05 Battle of the Bands Awakening 04:03 Learning Bass in a Hurry 06:41 From Bassist to Singer 09:44 Hair School and Reality Check 12:21 Why Hairdressing Works 15:20 Haunted Mansion Band Days 17:14 Ticketmaster Contest Breakthrough 20:43 Signing and Getting Dropped 23:43 NYC Scene and Demo Hustle 28:12 Dropped Again and Losing Hope 31:33 Making Art Later in Life 35:39 SPONSOR: She Produces Music 36:13 Find Your Bees Audience 38:02 Owning Your Artist Identity 39:56 The Call That Won’t Quit 43:59 Social Proof and Attention Hooks 49:00 Fire Catalyst and Clean Slate 52:45 Never Too Old to Create 55:27 Writing "LA to NY" 58:28 9/11 Loss and Serendipity 01:03:19 Advice: Beat Negative Self Talk 01:07:48 Where to Follow Harley DiNardo 01:08:29 Coda 01:10:13 Featured Song: "LA to NY" by Harley DiNardo Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285) Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d (https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d) Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe) (affiliate link)

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   A Long Hard Road: Tom Sykes on the Career That Kept Selling Him Off—and the Music That Never Left

   Tom Sykes on Cold-Calling John Hammond, Failing Forward in Entertainment, and Making Music in the Age of Algorithms Host Becky Boyland interviews songwriter, writer, filmmaker, and former entertainment executive Tom Sykes, whose music journey began with a cold call to legendary A&R John Hammond, producer of Bob Dylan’s first album and the scout who discovered artists like Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin. Tom describes how low confidence complicated his early momentum, leading him to step back from performing and focus on songwriting—then pivot into entertainment work after taking a video store job in Atlanta that led to marketing roles and decades of “failing forward” through companies including Embassy Pictures, Turner Broadcasting, WEA, and Showtime, where he turned struggling divisions profitable. He discusses keeping music alive amid constant moves, critiques algorithms, streaming economics, and AI-generated music, and emphasizes audience support for indie artists. Tom shares updates on his book A Long Hard Road, documentaries, and ongoing music releases, and points listeners to tomsykesmusic.com. https://youtu.be/_eS1vqbgxcM Connect with Tom Sykes: Website:https://www.tomsykesmusic.com (https://www.tomsykesmusic.com) YouTube:https://youtube.com/@tomsykessongsstories (https://youtube.com/@tomsykessongsstories) Apple Artist:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tom-sykes/1706510558 (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tom-sykes/1706510558) Tom’s book, A Long Hard Road:https://www.tomsykesmusic.com/book/ (https://www.tomsykesmusic.com/book/) Sponsors: She Produces Music:https://www.sheproducesmusic.com (https://www.sheproducesmusic.com) Featured Song: ”I Don’t Know for Sure” by Tom Sykes, written by Tom Sykes (used with permission). Timestamps: 00:00 Teaser: Tom Sykes Interview 00:29 Introduction 01:38 Welcome, Tom 02:45 Records, Liner Notes and a Phone Call 06:47 Confidence and Atlanta Move 08:14 From Video Store to Studio Job 10:25 Entertainment Career Highlights 14:00 Living a Double Life 14:48 Creative Circles and Collaboration 19:23 Story Over Gear 22:09 Streaming and Algorithm Problems 26:31 SPONSOR: She Produces Music 27:05 AI and Authentic Art 32:52 Breaking Through as Indie 41:41 Dreams Success and Perception 49:05 Finding Your Unique Sound 52:06 New Releases and Where to Find Tom 55:54 Coda 57:31 Featured Song: "I Don't Know for Sure" by Tom Sykes Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285) Or to your Tidal now! https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d (https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d) Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)

Who has been a guest on Second Verse

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kathi Fran Copans
• Joshua David Thayer
• Ben Kintisch
• Kelly Hastings
• Greig Watts

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

7,498

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

90

YouTube

68

Engagement

32