What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
Melissa Lucciola
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.
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Top 10 What It Takes To Be A Rockstar Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best What It Takes To Be A Rockstar episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to What It Takes To Be A Rockstar for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite What It Takes To Be A Rockstar episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Episode 13 - Tongues of Fire - On choosing flexibility to tour over stability, getting creative with marketing and being persistent
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
01/21/25 • 68 min
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
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
Episode 17 - Tea Eater - On how much it costs to tour Europe, growing a cult following and raffling off good vibes
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
02/18/25 • 56 min
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.
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
Episode 15 - Charles Ellsworth - On touring in a $600 van with zero dollars, building DIY skills and being a good hang
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
02/04/25 • 103 min
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.
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
Episode 3 - PT. 1 - Thelma and the Sleaze - On running an all female queer southern rock and roll band with over 35 members
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
09/17/24 • 47 min
This week I am chatting with LG from Thelma and the Sleaze about crusty crash spots, having street smarts when it comes to picking out and protecting your van, why she dove into music and if she's going to keep playing forever. We also cover a lot more including finances and setting boundaries and this is only PART 1! Part 2 is coming out next Tuesday. Enjoy!
You can also watch this episode on Youtube on my channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItTakesToBeARockstar
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
Episode 2 - Ghost Funk Orchestra - On bringing an 8+ piece band on the road
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
09/10/24 • 93 min
This week I talk with Seth Applebaum of Ghost Funk Orchestra about how he brings an 8-11 piece band on tour, how he got his booker and label and how he makes it all work logistically and financially.
Find out more about Ghost Funk Orchestra at https://www.ghostfunkorchestra.com/
I recorded this interview via Zoom and you can watch that on Youtube here.
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
Episode 4 - PT. 2 - Thelma and the Sleaze - On finances, being a woman in rock and roll and DRUMS!
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
09/24/24 • 50 min
This week I'm talking again with LG from Thelma and the Sleaze. This time we talk about finances, breaking even on tour, being a woman in the music industry, vibrating drum stools and who she thinks the new Prince is. We also have a pretty hefty drum talk so strap in folks!!
Check out LG's band here - https://thelmaandthesleaze.com/
And LG's podcast here - https://www.queenofshitmountain.com/
You can also watch this episode on Youtube on my channel -
https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItTakesToBeARockstar
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
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
Episode 6 - PT. 2 - Dead Tooth - On chasing the carrot
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
10/08/24 • 50 min
This week is Part 2 with Zach Ellis from Dead Tooth. During this conversation we talk about finances, keeping relationships going through tour, staying healthy and the sacrifices he has made to do music.
You can watch this episode on Youtube on our channel - https://youtu.be/ibPX5Twjpfo
Check out Dead Tooth here: https://deadtoothbk.bandcamp.com/
Check out the European Tea Eater tour dates here (I will be on bass!): https://www.teaeater.com/tourdates
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
Episode 7 - SKORTS - On playing bars and arenas in two different bands simultaneously
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
10/15/24 • 67 min
This week I chat with Emma Welch, the bass player of the Brooklyn based bands SKORTS and Aggie Miller. I wanted to chat with Emma because she spent time playing huge shows in the band Sir Chloe while helping build SKORTS from the ground up. She has a unique perspective to offer from seeing and experiencing these two different sides of the music industry simultaneously.
You can watch this whole episode on youtube here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPPe1l2rUcs
Check out SKORTS here: https://skorts.bandcamp.com/
Check out Aggie Miller here: https://aggiemiller.bandcamp.com/
Check out Sir Chloe here: https://www.instagram.com/sirchloe/
Shoutout to Showbrain & Ozzie (mentioned in episode) - https://www.instagram.com/showbrain_/
**Vram is my bandmate in Gustaf in case you were wondering**
Check out the album I mention that I made in the back of the tour van here - https://prettyworld.bandcamp.com/album/radiobraid
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
Episode 8 - BALACLAVA - On DIY recording, booking and getting comfortable with rejection
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
10/22/24 • 64 min
This week I chat with Dylan Joyce of BALACLAVA, a "NYC trash rock" band. We chat about DIY recording, how he booked his own tours, coming back to music after taking a break and tour finances. They are currently on tour now in the US on the east coast so check them out if you can!
BALACLAVA Tour Dates:
NYC TRASH ROCK
10/20 BALTIMORE
10/22 RICHMOND
10/23 ASHEVILLE
10/24 MURFREESBORO
10/25 CARBONDALE
10/26 LOUISVILLE
10/27 CINCINATTI
10/28 CLEVELAND
Check out their music here: https://balaclavanyc.bandcamp.com/album/have-a-taste
You can watch the whole episode on Youtube here - https://www.youtube.com/@WhatItTakesToBeARockstar
Check out my tour dates playing bass with Tea Eater in Europe here: www.teaeater.com
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
Episode 1 - 95 Bulls - Riding the line between DIY and having an agent
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar
09/03/24 • 52 min
This week I talk with Emily Ashenden from the band 95 Bulls about her story with music, how her band got a booking agent and how they afford to tour.
Find out more about 95 Bulls here:
https://www.95bullsnyc.com/
https://www.instagram.com/95bullsnyc/
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
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FAQ
How many episodes does What It Takes To Be A Rockstar have?
What It Takes To Be A Rockstar currently has 21 episodes available.
What topics does What It Takes To Be A Rockstar cover?
The podcast is about Entrepreneur, Interview, Entrepreneurship, Music, Music Business, Podcasts, Finance, Business, Music Interviews and Musician.
What is the most popular episode on What It Takes To Be A Rockstar?
The episode title 'What It Takes To Be A Rockstar - Teaser for Episode 1' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on What It Takes To Be A Rockstar?
The average episode length on What It Takes To Be A Rockstar is 58 minutes.
How often are episodes of What It Takes To Be A Rockstar released?
Episodes of What It Takes To Be A Rockstar are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of What It Takes To Be A Rockstar?
The first episode of What It Takes To Be A Rockstar was released on Aug 27, 2024.
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