58. What 25 Years of Writing Songs Taught Him About Success, with Kyle Blankenship of Flip The Mule

Kyle Blankenship drove past his childhood home one night and watched it burn to the ground. Ten minutes later, he'd written a song about it.The Nashville-area indie folk rock songwriter has been writing and playing music for over 25 years, but Flip the Mule is the project that finally feels like home. Alongside lifelong musical partner Tyler Bandy, Kyle is building a catalog rooted in rich storytelling, stacked harmonies, and a philosophy that success means finishing the art and putting it into the world. Kyle talks about why being a solo artist is easier but less fulfilling, what it takes to chase music without burning down everything else, and the phrase that changed his whole creative outlook.IN THIS CONVERSATION, WE GET INTO:The night he watched his childhood home burn and wrote a song in 10 minutesWhy being a solo artist is easier but being in a band is worth itBalancing music, family, and a full-time life without the "at all costs" mentalityThe songwriting philosophy that changed everything: "If it matters at all, it matters"How a 25-year creative partnership became Flip the MuleABOUT KYLE BLANKENSHIP:Kyle Blankenship is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer based just south of the Kentucky state line near Nashville, Tennessee. He's released two solo albums under Kyle Blankenship & The Last 84 and previously played in The Good Side and Lines for Real. Flip the Mule is his current project with lifelong collaborator Tyler Bandy.CONNECT WITH FLIP THE MULE:Linktree: linktr.ee/flipthemuleInstagram: instagram.com/flipthemuleYouTube: youtube.com/@FlipTheMuleSpotify: open.spotify.com/artist/4hEGUA5fqZloOzkTg0XBJrBandcamp: flipthemule.bandcamp.comMORE RESOURCES:Follow the OFFICIAL "loves music" playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX"loves music" playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the "loves music" podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://a.co/d/0hzWNkiDThis podcast is managed by Wildwave Podcasting: https://www.wildwavepodcasting.comMUSIC MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Songs:"Cool" — Flip the Mule"Our Old House" — Flip the Mule"Mama's on a Moon Kick" — Kyle Blankenship & The Last 84"Lucy Baby" — Kyle Blankenship"100 Years From Now" — Theo KatzmanAlbums & Projects:Nowhere to Be Found — Kyle Blankenship (2019)Make It Through The Day — Kyle Blankenship & The Last 84 (2022)Modern Johnny Sings: Songs in the Age of Vibe — Theo Katzman (2019)Artists & Bands:Kyle Blankenship / Kyle Blankenship & The Last 84Flip the MuleTyler BandyThe Good SideLines for RealTheo KatzmanVulfpeckDawesFleet FoxesMy Morning JacketBand of HorsesDan and ShayChris StapletonElton JohnBilly JoelThe TemptationsRob Tait