MAKE // BREAK: A Survival Manual for Creatives

Episode 019 – Mark Winters | MAKE // BREAKMark Winters is a Texas-based singer-songwriter, poet, and former aerospace engineer who traded rocket science for rock with a positive vibe. Since his 2019 debut Slipstream, he's released four albums, built a loyal fanbase of over 36K monthly Spotify listeners, and launched his own label, Bernoulli Records. Now midway through a 107-date Good Vibes Highway Tour across the US and Canada, Mark is doing it all independently: writing, booking, touring, and looking forward to sharing some extra protons while out on the road.In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, he unpacks what it means to start a music career later in life, the unglamorous systems behind sustainable DIY touring, and why positivity is a strategy, not a cliché.Building your own systems like Mark? THE V1LLAG3 is the room where you show the work. ↓ link at the bottom.👀 What you'll hearHear how Mark Winters left aerospace engineering to chase the music business and build Bernoulli Records from scratchLearn the Instagram discipline host Lance Marwood and Mark dissect for organic growth without follow-for-follow gimmicksUnpack the booking timeline, venue myths, and community-first systems behind a 107-date Good Vibes Highway runSteal the two-week sprint method Mark uses to A/B test reels and find his highest converting contentWrestle with AI, AGI, and what it means to be human alongside a former rocket scientist turned songwriterDecide when ambition becomes hobby and how to know whether to push, pivot, or step away🕰️ Chapters00:00 Meet Mark Winters and Bernoulli Records01:24 Booking a 107-date DIY tour02:42 Industry illusions vs the reality of artist development06:43 Why venues don't deliver community08:13 Email capture and converting cover gigs to fans10:24 Picking Instagram as the home base14:45 The brutal discipline of judging your own content16:15 Two-week sprint method for testing reels25:39 The physics of positivity30:00 AI, AGI, and what it means to be human39:23 When to push, pivot, or quit49:05 Good Vibes Highway Tour close🔗 Guest Linkshttps://markwintersmusic.comhttps://www.instagram.com/markwintersmusic/https://www.tiktok.com/@markwintersmusichttps://www.youtube.com/c/markwintersmusic🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🏘️ THE V1LLAG3 // the paid community from your hostThe room I built because I couldn't find it. The first readers your work has been waiting for.Wed Live 90min with Lance & Chris. 7 frameworks V13 uses with $1,500–$3,000/mo retainer clients. Bio, EPK, profile & website teardowns.Founding 50: $49/mo locked for life · [38 spots left] $79 Standard after. Full refund if your 4th Wednesday hasn't earned it.JOIN HERE🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for new MAKE // BREAK episodes and drop a comment about your own home-base platform versus your discovery channels.#MakeBreak #Winters #DIYTouring

Episode 018 – Samantha Willman | MAKE // BREAKSamantha Willman is a Canadian writer, designer, and editor based in Montréal. She co-founded and co-edits Romanticon, a Substack literary magazine dedicated to neo-romanticism and new sincerity, alongside Anthony Galluzzo, Paul Franz, and Matthew Gasda. She also publishes Marbl, a personal newsletter exploring intimacy, symbolism, and the interior life. Her 2016 book Behind The First One was published through the Canadian Academy in Rome. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, Samantha unpacks why irony culture has hollowed out creative life, how she built a thriving 60-person poetry reading series from nothing, and why approaching truth with love (not optimization) is the real survival strategy for artists.Looking for this kind of insight and care for your own work? THE V1LLAG3 is the room where you show the work. ↓ link at the bottom.👀 What you'll hearWhy writing poetry in Rome unlocked a felt sense of truth she couldn't access through logic aloneHow the new sincerity movement pushes back against layers of ironic artifice in online cultureBuilding a 60-person poetry reading community from scratch with zero formal planThe case for keeping a day job so you can approach your art from love instead of desperationHow Rilke wrote two masterworks in weeks and what that says about creative production vs. productivityWhy philosophia means love of truth — and why that changes everything about how artists create🕰️ Chapters00:00 Introduction and how Lance discovered Samantha03:00 Why poetry is hard to recommend and harder to consume05:16 Writing poetry in Rome and the birth of creative instinct08:59 Charles Taylor, intrinsic rightness, and felt truth10:33 Favourite poets: Plath, Octavio Paz, Wallace Stevens14:17 Neo-romanticism and new sincerity explained19:17 Irony culture, meme politics, and the Vice magazine pipeline22:41 Argumentation vs. dialogue — methods of thinking30:00 Building Romanticon's live reading community37:34 Why the Enlightenment was top-down and Romanticism is not42:22 The starving artist myth and creating from a place of health45:16 Rilke, the Sonnets to Orpheus, and creative production in bursts🔗 Guest Linkshttps://romanticon.substack.comhttps://marbl.substack.comhttps://instagram.com/sam.willmanhttps://x.com/samanthawillman🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🏘️ THE V1LLAG3 // the paid community from your hostThe room I built because I couldn’t find it; the first honest take your work has been waiting for. Wed Live 90min with Lance & Chris. 7 frameworks V13 uses with $1,500–$3,000/mo retainer clients. Bio, EPK, profile & website teardowns.Founding 50: $49/mo locked for life · 38 spots left. $79 Standard after. Full refund if your 4th Wednesday hasn't earned it.→ https://www.skool.com/v13-7161🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe and tell us in the comments: do you think sincerity is the real counterculture right now?[Contains occasional explicit language.]#MakeBreak #SamanthaWillman #NewSincerity

Episode 017 – Peter Mahoney | MAKE // BREAKPeter Mahoney is a Toronto-based guitarist, recording engineer, and DJ rooted in the city's punk and hardcore underground. As guitarist for Workers Comp (who deliberately pulled their music from streaming in favour of Bandcamp) and a collaborator in UNWELL alongside Cursed/Burning Love/SECT vocalist Chris Colohan, Peter has spent two decades navigating pay-to-play scams, revolving lineups, and the real cost of making loud, fast music on your own terms. He also runs House of Trash, offering affordable recording and mixing to DIY bands. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, Peter opens up about losing bassist Nick, rebuilding through grief, rejecting social media pressure, and why community built on genuine friendship outlasts every trend.👀 What you'll hearDiscover how Peter identified pay-to-play scams and industry gatekeepers as a teenager in TorontoLearn why Workers Comp pulled their music from streaming and what they use insteadHear the gut-wrenching story of losing bassist Nick and deciding to keep the band aliveExplore what community really looks like when you strip away the buzzwords and trend-chasersFind out why Peter built House of Trash to record bands affordably on his own termsUnderstand the internal resistance artists face when social media becomes a second unpaid job🕰️ Chapters00:00 Cold open: the real cost of playing music00:51 Single Release Playbook promo01:15 Meet Peter Mahoney — guitarist, engineer, cat dad05:31 Early illusions about the music industry09:42 Pay-to-play shows and industry scams in Toronto13:21 Joining the wrong bands and learning to say no19:28 Building community and finding the right people25:27 Defining success on your own terms33:34 The shit sandwich: social media and self-promotion43:37 Leaving Spotify and the case for Bandcamp51:53 Recording at House of Trash and learning to engineer58:04 Losing Nick and pivoting through grief1:06:15 Shameless plugs, upcoming shows, and final wisdom🔗 Guest Linkshttps://youreentitledtoworkerscomp.bandcamp.com/https://www.instagram.com/workerscompband/https://unvvell.bandcamp.com/https://www.instagram.com/house.of_trash/https://www.instagram.com/vernaltrash/🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe and drop a comment: when have you had to pivot instead of quit in your own creative life?[Explicit language throughout.]#MakeBreak #Mahoney #DIYPunk

Episode 016 – Paul Thomas Van Valkenburgh | MAKE // BREAKPaul Van Valkenburgh is the vocalist and frontman of hard rock and groove-metal outfit TubeFreeks. On MAKE // BREAK with host Lance Marwood, he breaks down the music business realities of keeping a long-running band alive: the early “make” spark, the “break” moments of lineup shifts and stalled momentum, and the habits that rebuild trust. Paul shares how writing during recovery from major surgery reshaped his confidence, why vocal coaching levelled up his delivery, and how delegation protects both the work and the people. He also previews the next chapter, including the upcoming single “Flower” and the album Canvas, co-written with Clint Lowery (Sevendust).👀 What you’ll hearTrace the moment TubeFreeks stopped being a project and became a real bandBreak down how a lineup collapse killed momentum, and what rebuilt itLearn why coaches and co-writers raised standards without flattening Paul’s voice completelyHear an in-house vocal recording process that avoids clock pressure and fixes phrasing fastSteal the anti-Franken-song veto rule that keeps great ideas from getting overworkedGet the scoop on Flower and Canvas, and what a big 2026 slot means🕰️ Chapters00:00 TubeFreeks origin and the MAKE // BREAK frame00:33 Make moment and the first riffs that made it feel real05:19 Switching from drums to frontman mindset08:06 Band chemistry, no-drama lineups, and why personnel is everything15:32 Momentum collapse, touring stops, and rebuilding after a lineup split24:34 Health crisis, recovery writing, and confidence after The Dry Tide31:38 Delegation, coaches, and co-writing with Clint Lowery39:15 In-house studio workflow and vocal takes without clock pressure43:50 Vocal writing: cadence, phonics, and chasing cool51:37 Lyric risk, emotion, and the God hear me out chorus decision56:01 Franken-effing a song and the veto rule that protects great ideas1:03:16 New single Flower, album Canvas, and opening for Black Stone Cherry🔗 Guest Linkshttps://tubefreeks.com/https://www.instagram.com/tubefreeksrocks/https://www.youtube.com/user/Tubefreekshttps://open.spotify.com/artist/4gCE3tYHEDORDZLDQdimlp🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe, and comment: would you use the band-veto rule, or does it kill songs?[Mild profanity]#MakeBreak #TubeFreeks #MusicBusiness

Episode 015 – Eric Peterson | MAKE // BREAKEric Peterson is the founding guitarist and primary songwriter of Bay Area thrash legends Testament, a band that’s spent more than four decades pushing heavy music forward while peers have fallen away. With Testament’s fourteenth album Para Bellum, he’s still co-producing, evolving the band’s sound, and keeping the riffs sharper than players half his age. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, Eric sits down with host Lance Marwood to unpack the real cost of that longevity: the grind of touring and airports, staying physically ready for extreme music, protecting creativity in an AI era, and why horror films, cult novels, and personal taste still shape everything he writes.👀 What you’ll hearUnpack how Eric turned flyering, bar gigs and bad jobs into a four decade thrash careerExplore why Para Bellum still feels like a first album and how Testament keep evolvingDig into riff writing, flow states and what separates a cool idea from a career songBreak down the ugliest parts of touring, airport purgatory and staying physically ready for stage intensityDebate AI, taste and keeping music human, plus horror movies, cult fiction and weird reading recs🕰️ Chapters00:00 Intro, Testament overview and setting up Para Bellum01:15 Make or break moments, legacy decisions and early DIY grind03:30 Old school flyering and networking vs today’s digital promotion06:45 Ageing, health and playing extreme thrash into your 50s09:30 Touring realities, airport lines, boredom and burnout on the road14:30 Writing Para Bellum while chasing the feeling of the first records20:20 Taste, identity and how horror and cult films feed Eric’s imagination28:45 Books on the road, Master and Margarita and other strange reading recs32:30 Riff writing, flow state jams, Logic demos and editing with the band37:30 Surviving industry shifts from tape trading to streaming, algorithms and AI44:20 Legacy, repeating yourself without cloning old riffs, and ACDC as a model48:40 Honest advice for bedroom players learning Testament riffs on YouTube🔗 Guest Linkshttps://www.testamentlegions.com/site/https://linktr.ee/TestamentLegionshttps://www.instagram.com/ericpetersonofficial/http://www.enterthedragonlord.com/🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more MAKE // BREAK conversations and drop a comment on how AI should shape metal’s future(explicit language)#MakeBreak #EricPeterson #Testament

Episode 014 – Kelsey Dower | MAKE // BREAKKelsey Maree Dower is a symphonic metal vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose cinematic writing style turns orchestration into front-line storytelling. Best known for her single “Rage” and the concept-driven album project Rebirth, she builds massive arrangements with a DIY, self-composed precision that still hits emotionally. She’s also a featured vocalist and co-writer on Björn Hofer’s In the Shadow symphonic metal trilogy through B-Track Records. In Episode 014 of MAKE // BREAK with host Lance Marwood, Kelsey digs into the real work behind ambitious music: MIDI composition, mixing battles between strings and guitars, creative control, and navigating the music business as an autistic artist.👀 What you’ll hearTrace her path from piano prodigy to symphonic metal songwriter with a clear creative compassLearn why orchestral parts feel easy, and why guitars and drums still challenge the mixHear how collaboration stays open while protecting vision and keeping creative control intactReframe ambition when your genre is niche, expensive, and hard for algorithms to surfaceUnpack the myth of getting signed young and the practical planning that replaced itBreak down Rage, cathartic anger, and how growls became a new tool in her voice🕰️ Chapters00:00 Symphonic metal origin story and why it finally clicked02:49 First metal exposure, emotional catharsis, Within Temptation moment05:44 Moving childhood, Carnegie Hall, opening for Clay Aiken08:09 Piano and vocals foundation, ear training, early performance discipline09:40 MIDI composition workflow, Ableton-style arranging, finding the spark11:58 Production challenge: orchestra width vs guitars, drums, and mixing presence14:51 Collaboration mindset, creative control, and working through disagreements17:35 Ambition in niche genres, costs of scale, algorithm invisibility22:52 Inspiration vs showing up, building ideas over time without forcing it26:50 Music industry myth: getting signed young, budgeting, planning, side jobs30:54 Autism, gatekeepers, reading intent, navigating predatory dynamics38:46 Rage single inspiration, bullying, catharsis, learning growls42:58 Rebirth album arc: build-up, catharsis, post-release aftermath🔗 Guest Linkshttps://promo.v13.net/2025/11/kelsey-dower/https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_music2024/https://www.youtube.com/@kelsey_music2024https://open.spotify.com/artist/23z1Xwhfvf5B0zVQyzlCdu🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more MAKE // BREAK, and comment: when has anger fuelled your best creative work?[Minor audio dropouts in the early minutes]#MakeBreak #KelseyDower #MusicBusiness

Episode 013 – Scot Little Bihlman | MAKE // BREAKScot “Little” Bihlman is an Emmy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and SAG-AFTRA actor, best known as the drummer/vocalist in Grinder Blues alongside dUg Pinnick (King’s X). In Episode 013 of MAKE // BREAK with host Lance Marwood, he unpacks what it takes to last: choosing quality of life over noise, staying present through drumming and motorcycle riding, and protecting your creative identity in a culture obsessed with imitation. Little also gets real about touring pressure, the seductive comfort of sideman work, and why technique only matters if it serves the song, as he builds toward his next chapter under Little Bihlman.👀 What you’ll hearHear how four Emmys happened through timing, fit, and staying ready for the callUnpack why motorcycle riding and drumming force presence, and how that unlocks writingLearn the boundary he draws around tribute bands, authenticity, and scene cultureGet a candid look at tour pressure, sideman perks, and the hidden costs of what’s nextCompare technique to songwriting, and why songs are the only currency that lasts🕰️ Chapters00:00 Intro, Emmys, and the Little Bihlman pivot01:29 Emmy awards and luck in film/TV placements03:22 Finding your voice and honouring influences06:52 Tribute bands, covers, and authenticity09:16 Hollywood sets, Spider-Man, and staying grounded13:42 LA vs Nashville quality of life for artists17:43 Motorcycle meditation and staying in the now24:08 Tour pressure and make-or-break moments38:56 Sideman life vs solo career focus45:24 Drumming book, teaching, and technique in service of songs51:58 Link Wray, Audioslave, and music that moves the room57:24 Heavy Head singles and the upcoming book🔗 Guest Linkshttps://scotbihlman.comhttps://instagram.com/littlebihlmanhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/2NNnYU4KcqqNMf1Qki92APhttps://youtube.com/channel/UCwJRSkgFax5H8XNsGRhQ0mA🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more, and comment: are you chasing chops or songs right now?[Contains explicit language]#MakeBreak #Bihlman #Touring

Episode 012 – Aaron Farrell | MAKE // BREAKWelsh-born writer Aaron Farrell returns to MAKE // BREAK for a candid, high-signal conversation about discipline, identity, and creative survival. Author of The Lost and Found and the poetry collection Artbeat, The Ekphrastic Spastic, Aaron traces the path from lockdown essays and his “Violent Expression” column to an unflinching Barcelona manuscript, while reopening his work with V13. We get into stay-at-home parent realities, pandemic PPE and burnout, martial arts as a writing method, and why killing perfectionism is the only way forward. With Jung in one hand and Eastern philosophy in the other, Aaron makes a case for truthful prose, pragmatic publishing, and showing up when it’s hardest.👀 What you’ll hearTrace the leap from lockdown columns to longform books without waiting for permissionCompare discipline in martial arts to muscle memory in writing and creative practiceUnpack honest fatherhood, neurodivergence, and why progress is jagged not linearReframe perfectionism with pragmatic publishing habits you can start todayMap the “violent expression” era to a new V13 chapter and concrete next steps🕰️ Chapters00:00 Cold open and return-guest banter00:22 Who is Aaron Farrell now and why he’s back on MAKE // BREAK03:05 Stay-at-home dad energy, sick kids, showing up anyway05:22 PPE reality check and pandemic life in hospitals08:31 Barcelona move, curfews, and starting over12:18 Transmetropolitan, Spider Jerusalem, media cynicism16:45 Violent Expression origin, truth-telling, culture shock22:06 Self-publishing in lockdown, first books and columns26:24 Beat of Barcelona draft, decadence and discipline32:48 Style over fitting in, permission to write as yourself40:03 Breaking down, autism context, rebuilding identity55:43 Jung, sense vs nonsense, closing notes and next time🔗 Guest Linkshttps://v13.net/tag/violent-expression🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media https://v13.netSubscribe for more and drop a comment: do film or game scores help your writing focus?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #AaronFarrell #Writing

Episode 011 – Dave Fowler | MAKE // BREAKDave Fowler is a Nashville-based bassist, producer, and songwriter whose career spans work with icons like Dolly Parton, Dr. John, Cinderella, and Billy Ray Cyrus. A sought-after live and studio player, he’s also the co-founder of GET JOE Records, a producer at Fowler–Wells Productions, and the force behind Running With Giants, his mentorship and clinic platform for musicians. In this episode, Dave joins Lance to unpack the realities of a lifelong career in music—from the discipline behind professional performance to the humility that keeps great players in demand—and what it really takes to build both longevity and legacy in an ever-changing industry.👀 What you’ll hearTracing Dave Fowler’s roots from Southern gospel to touring with Dolly Parton and Dr. JohnThe truth about persistence and why “not quitting” is the only real career planInside Nashville’s studio culture and how pros record songs they’ve never heard beforeThe moment Dave nearly quit music — and what pulled him backLessons from decades in the industry: humility, discipline, and creative adaptabilityA look ahead to Dave’s upcoming memoir and his mentorship platform Running With Giants🕰️ Chapters00:00 Welcome + intro to Dave Fowler02:00 Finding bass and early church influences06:30 What separates musicians who last from those who don’t08:00 The myth of “making it” and the persistence mindset11:20 Lessons to his younger self and Nashville’s evolution14:30 Inside the studio: how pros build songs on the spot18:00 The bass player’s role: when to lead vs. blend in24:40 Make-or-break moments and personal resilience28:00 The story behind Dave’s upcoming book33:30 Running With Giants and mentoring new artists37:00 GET JOE Records, new projects, and Texas success stories39:30 Final reflections + closing thoughts🔗 Guest Linkshttps://davefowler.comhttps://www.instagram.com/davefowler1963https://www.youtube.com/@davefowlerbasshttps://www.facebook.com/davefowlerbasshttps://x.com/davefonbass🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netIf this conversation hit home, subscribe and comment: what’s your definition of “making it” in music?#MakeBreak #Fowler #MusicBusiness

Garrett Barbuto is the frontman of Garrett Barbuto & The Hot Pursuit, a Calgary-based rock outfit blending classic energy with modern grit. Known for his soulful voice and grounded songwriting, Barbuto has carved out a space between old-school musicianship and new-era independence. With the band’s 2024 EP One More Glimpse and recent collaborations like “Why Be Lonely?” with Accidental Martyr, he’s proven both versatile and fearless in his evolution. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, Garrett joins host Lance Marwood to talk about building creative momentum, redefining success on your own terms, and how the best work often comes from chasing passion over perfection.👀 What you’ll hear (4–6 bullets, no quotes)Reframing “success” in the music business and why he chose to go slow and methodicalHow bar-band seasons forged his live instincts and what authenticity really looks like onstageA practical songwriting system that favours motion, multiple ideas, and deadlines over waitingCollaboration lessons with a mentor–producer and the moment he pushed back to keep a song’s soulTactics for beating creative blocks with inputs, routines, and small constraints that create momentum🕰️ Chapters00:00:00 Intro, why Garrett Barbuto is on MAKE // BREAK00:00:45 Move to Calgary, bar-band beginnings, deciding to lead a band00:02:42 Writing with a mentor, learning by failing fast, demo-to-studio pipeline00:05:48 Timmins roots, classic rock imprint, the open-mic setlist laboratory00:07:16 What still works in bars and why those songs matter for new writing00:19:20 Performance persona, crowd energy, and letting moments happen instead of forcing them00:22:05 Authenticity through subtraction, delegating banter, playing to strengths00:30:56 Measuring creative progress beyond metrics, phrasing, and micro-choices that level up songs00:36:22 Collaboration friction, earning your voice, and protecting a song’s character00:39:04 Advice to musicians: seek real pros, expand your writing toolkit beyond acoustic guitar00:50:41 Inspiration vs discipline, systems, deadlines, and making ideas move00:59:08 Non-musical inputs, Canada stories, and stealing like an artist01:04:14 Plugs, new solo project timeline, where to follow🔗 Guest Links (site first, then socials)https://www.thehotpursuityyc.comhttps://instagram.com/garrettbarbutomusichttps://instagram.com/thehotpursuityyc🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netIf this helped, subscribe and tell us in the comments: does discipline beat inspiration in your songwriting(explicit language)#MakeBreak #GarrettBarbuto #Songwriting

Episode 009 – Aaron Farrell | MAKE // BREAKAaron Farrell is a Welsh-born writer and editor whose work spans travel-lit grit and sharp cultural criticism. He’s the author of The Lost and Found: A Contemporary Travelling Thriller of Good, Bad and Bohemian All Pursuing Their Passions – However Pure or Perverse and the poetry collection ArtBeat: The Ekphrastic Spastic, alongside essays that thread music, class, and mental health. A former co-founder/editor at Cape Magazine, Aaron is now restarting his work with V13, where his “Violent Expression” columns distill lived experience into clear, hard-hitting prose. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, we talk turning miles into pages, building durable writing habits, and navigating independent publishing with honesty, resilience, and a bias toward action.👀 What you’ll hearTrace the Welsh roots and working-class grit that shaped Aaron’s voice and worldview as a writerFollow the leap from youth work to Camp America and how that unlocked a decade of travelling and agesSteal simple, repeatable writing habits Aaron used to draft and redraft his first novel over four yearsLearn the low-budget systems he used in Australia to write a book from a van and library desksHear why martial arts discipline and film scores became his engines for consistency and atmosphere🕰️ Chapters00:00 Intro, names, why this conversation on MAKE // BREAK01:52 Welsh identity, Swansea upbringing, Dylan Thomas influence05:11 Welsh language history, the Blue Books, finding a voice11:34 Youth work, teaching, and the first sparks of writing15:21 Camp America, New York summers, horizons opening24:31 Returning to craft, reading more, building habits33:45 Blogging in 2013, film reviews, keeping momentum48:41 Deciding to travel long-term, Thailand to South Africa53:32 Australia farm work, the van, Byron Bay library pages56:47 Drafting the novel that became The Lost and Found58:55 Self-publishing in 2020 and what he learned1:08:37 Writing at V13, “Violent Expression,” next book in development🔗 Guest Links (site first, then socials)https://v13.net/author/aaron_farrell/🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netIf this helped, subscribe and tell us in the comments which part of Aaron’s indie publishing journey you want us to dig into next.(explicit language)#MakeBreak #AaronFarrell #IndependentPublishing

Episode 008 – Ger Carriere | MAKE // BREAKGeraldine “Ger” Carriere is a Cree singer-songwriter, bestselling author, speaker, and the founder of Wild Woman Personal & Professional Development. Based in Saskatchewan, Ger’s work spans music, literature, and empowerment, each rooted in her mission to help women, especially Indigenous creatives, reclaim their voice and lead with purpose. Her recent singles Can I Be Her, Are You My Type, and Blessed in My Heels continue a run of soulful pop that balances strength with vulnerability. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, Ger joins host Lance Marwood to talk identity, resilience, and the ongoing act of choosing yourself, again and again, in a world that often asks you to shrink.👀 What you’ll hearHow Ger turned the label “wild” into a movement empowering Indigenous women and creativesThe moment she swore she’d never undersell herself again — and how it shaped her careerWhy her singles “Can I Be Her” and “Are You My Type” explore femininity, freedom, and permissionThe truth about self-validation, fear, and faith that drives her music and coaching workHow therapy, purpose, and self-belief keep her grounded while she builds across music, books, and business🕰️ Chapters00:00 Opening reflections on love, fear, and purpose01:20 Ger introduces herself in Cree and shares her origin story06:00 Rejecting “niche down” advice and embracing creative duality10:36 On identity, underdog energy, and reclaiming representation16:18 Early influences from Tupac, Prince, and Tina Turner23:41 The high-school moment that taught her to never shrink again41:11 Surviving without safety nets and betting on herself42:50 The making of Wild Woman and her newest singles49:53 Vulnerability, personas, and authenticity in performance52:39 Lessons from therapy on validation and self-worth1:00:36 Closing thoughts on faith, fear, and finding your voice🔗 Guest Linkshttps://www.wildwomanwithin.mehttps://instagram.com/gercarrierehttps://tiktok.com/@gercarrierehttps://www.youtube.com/@GCARRIER23https://open.spotify.com/artist/3fbfbBjMDl5zUeJXdmIn8g🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe and drop a comment: how do you balance being multifaceted without losing your core?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #Carriere #WildWoman

Episode 007 – Robert Stahl | MAKE // BREAKRobert E. Stahl is the Dallas-based horror author behind Show Me Where It Hurts (JournalStone, 2025), a debut collection of 30 short stories and poems exploring grief, transformation, and the monstrous within. A former bartender turned writer and filmmaker, Stahl built his voice at the intersection of prose and comics, drawing on influences like Swamp Thing while developing a pragmatic editing and submissions routine. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK with host Lance Marwood, he breaks down the “rejection math” behind landing pro-market placements, the origins of that unforgettable teeth cover, and the mindset that carried him from first readers to a book deal and Texas tour. It’s equal parts craft talk, resilience playbook, and indie-publishing reality check.👀 What you’ll hearDistil the title and teeth cover into a surprising origin story from a poem and a monsterShare the rejection-to-acceptance ratio and how persistence finally cracked pro marketsExplain how Swamp Thing and Monkey’s Paw tropes shaped a devastating reunion sceneMap the indie publishing path through grief, resilience, and landing with JournalStoneDetail a pragmatic editing system — cooling time, trusted first readers, revision boundariesOffer brass-tacks routines for writing, submissions, and surviving the industry’s noes🕰️ Chapters 00:00 Why Show Me Where It Hurts and the iconic teeth cover 01:52 Rejections, first pro-market sales, contest experiences 04:29 Political horror and placing in Story Unlikely 06:20 Swamp Thing influence and Monkey’s Paw mechanics 10:18 Publishing gauntlet, grief, and finding JournalStone 13:28 Resilience mindset — “the action is the juice” 16:39 Blood onstage story and Halloween gig 17:50 Books that reset creatives — King, Pressfield, Gilbert 18:44 Comics craft — Moore, Hickman, Gaiman shaping horror voice 25:37 Contemporary horror influences — Jones, Ketchum, Barker 39:45 Top films — Hereditary, The Descent, Talk To Me 48:06 Editing, first readers, routine, and rejection-proof habits🔗 Guest Linkshttps://www.robertestahl.com/https://www.instagram.com/robert_e_stahl_author/https://www.facebook.com/RobertEStahlAuthorhttps://x.com/RobertStahlTX🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netIf this helped, subscribe and tell us in the comments how you handle rejection in the publishing grind(explicit language) #MakeBreak #Stahl #HorrorWriting

Episode 006 – Brandon O’Neill | MAKE // BREAKBrandon O’Neill is the founder, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist behind Wine & Warpaint, the Richmond-based indie rock project whose debut album Disassociate (2024) earned recognition as one of the year’s standout independent releases. Known for blending raw emotion with meticulous production, O’Neill has built Wine & Warpaint into a self-sustaining project that thrives at the intersection of DIY ethos and professional polish. In this episode of MAKE // BREAK, he joins host Lance Marwood to discuss recording with producer Kyle Black (Paramore, Pierce the Veil), the mental shifts that come with travelling for art, and the constant push-pull between algorithms, AI, and authenticity. O’Neill’s perspective offers a grounded, thoughtful look at what it means to create meaningful work in today’s music business.👀 What you’ll hear• Unpack how Wine & Warpaint built momentum with their debut album Disassociate and a fiercely DIY approach• Share what Brandon learned working with producer Kyle Black (Paramore, Pierce the Veil) and why meticulousness matters• Debate the rise of AI tools, social media burnout, and whether content creation helps or hurts real artistry• Expose the broken incentives of algorithms that reward rage and novelty instead of genuine music discovery• Explore why local community, collaboration, and micro-level choices are how artists can break out of toxic systems• Leave with Brandon’s advice on how artists can stay humble, experiment, and keep making the work they believe in🕰️ Chapters00:00 Intro and welcome with Brandon O’Neill02:00 Flying cross-country to record with Kyle Black05:00 Shifting headspace and finding inspiration in LA09:00 Discovering meticulous creativity in the studio13:00 Lessons from producers vs DIY recording18:00 Fast workflows, Pro Tools shortcuts, and setup hacks20:00 Debating AI tools, artistry, and the algorithm26:00 Social media, content grind, and why he deleted Instagram32:00 How algorithms gatekeep discovery and reward rage40:00 Community, DIY ethos, and breaking the system locally50:00 Responsibility, regulation, and cultural shifts01:06:00 Generosity, art, and finding meaning through action01:11:00 What’s next for Wine & Warpaint and upcoming music🔗 Guest Linkshttps://wineandwarpaint.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wineandwarpainthttps://www.youtube.com/c/winewarpainthttps://www.facebook.com/wineandwarpainthttps://wineandwarpaint.bandcamp.comhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/4IDDdNItHvj6aRkZ2LnCRe🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/makebreakhttps://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more and drop a comment: should musicians fight the algorithm or ignore it and focus only on the art?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #WineandWarpaint #MusicBusiness

Episode 005 – Garrett Anthony Rice | MAKE // BREAKGarrett Anthony Rice is an Irish songwriter whose double album Equinox has already drawn early praise as one of the most ambitious debuts of the decade. Recorded across Ireland and the UK with producer Chris Potter (The Verve, The Rolling Stones), the record spans 18 songs that move from swamp blues slide guitar to Britpop shimmer and politically charged anthems. Singles like “Eden,” “I Found Myself Today,” and “Property” show the range: gospel haze, anti-war urgency, and a re-framing of Syd Barrett’s legacy. On MAKE // BREAK, Garrett speaks candidly about craft, industry saturation, and his belief that music must carry both truth and weight. He pushes back against formula and fleeting trends, pointing instead to Dylan, Bowie, and Ashcroft as reminders of how songs can change lives. It’s a grounded, passionate look at what it means to create art with conviction in a crowded, uncertain era.👀 What you’ll hear • Break down Garrett Anthony Rice’s creative process and how Equinox sets up future albums already in the works • Call out the formulaic “two-chord clones” dominating airwaves and why true artistry comes from somewhere deeper • Debate streaming saturation, shocking Spotify stats, and what it really takes to find an audience today • Explore DIY promotion, relentless posting, and how persistence plus authenticity can cut through the noise • Highlight the holy trinity of artist income streams: touring, merch, and sync opportunities beyond streaming pennies • Share advice on balancing business and creativity without losing the magic that makes songs matter🕰️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the joy of songwriting 01:00 Writing Equinox and future albums 04:00 Breaking clichés in the acoustic scene 07:30 Influences from Bowie to Ashcroft and Hendrix 12:00 Honest critique of modern rap vs the 90s 17:00 Spotify saturation and shocking streaming stats 22:00 First album, Chris Potter, and DIY promotion 27:00 Perseverance lessons from Taylor Swift to Sabrina Carpenter 32:00 Treating music as a business without losing heart 38:00 Chasing money vs chasing meaning in art 41:00 Music as escape, identity, and cultural connection 47:00 Blues roots, influences, and carrying forward tradition 52:00 Passing the gift of music to the next generation 57:00 Final reflections and looking ahead🔗 Guest Links https://linktr.ee/garrettanthonyrice https://instagram.com/garrettanthonyricehttps://open.spotify.com/artist/2Kw1ZbSdRWH7SSSPb6PrnY?si=6op2u1gKQk6Fe_1w0CFGPw🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Links https://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20 https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellish https://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more conversations and drop a comment: should artists chase streams or focus on the holy trinity of touring, merch, and sync?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #Rice #MusicBusiness

Collin Young of One Hundred Moons joins host Lance Marwood on MAKE // BREAK to discuss Black Avalanche, art, and the music business.Episode 004 – Collin Young | MAKE // BREAK👀 What you’ll hear-Break down the sound and vision behind One Hundred Moons’ new album Black Avalanche-Explore why Collin sees music as a “third thing” beyond work and relaxation-Contrast stoicism, hustle culture, and the myth of making art a full-time job-Reflect on performing live as proof of existence and the struggle for audience connection-Consider how meaning, story, and context can shape how we receive music🕰️ Chapters00:00 Intro and welcome with Collin Young01:00 What Collin is trying to make to “break through”02:30 Naming and themes of Black Avalanche06:45 Challenges of creation vs. survival work09:30 Do artists have the right to complain about music business struggles14:00 Promotion, press, and the burden of self-marketing16:00 Playing live shows vs. social media promotion19:00 The need for “receipts” that bands are real23:00 Stories, mythology, and why context matters27:00 Letting the music itself be the story30:00 Abstract meaning and listener interpretation39:00 Transcendent live moments and audience connection45:00 Niches, cults, and today’s fragmented music culture47:00 Career vs. vocation: music as lifelong identity52:00 Why art’s value must stand on its own🔗 Guest Linkshttps://instagram.com/100moonsbandhttps://tiktok.com/@100moonsband🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more and tell us in the comments: Should music’s value stand apart from money and career?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #OneHundredMoons #MusicIndustry

Episode 003 – Kentucky | MAKE // BREAKKentucky is the musical project of Canadian artist Jordan Holman, whose debut album Second Chance Music weaves together near-death experience, hard-won clarity, and a refusal to quit. Influenced by The Tragically Hip, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, and R.E.M., Holman’s work blends acoustic rock and indie folk with a voice that’s both intimate and unshaken. On MAKE // BREAK, he reflects on decades in the business, the myth of the starving artist, and why he simply wants to keep writing until the end. It’s a conversation that swings between Tolstoy, Cormac McCarthy, Ligotti, and the economics of survival—big ideas balanced by the daily grind of an artist carving out space in today’s fractured industry. Kentucky’s songs, from “No More Tomorrows” to “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life,” are reminders that music can still hold weight when it speaks to survival and second chances.👀 What you’ll hearExplore Kentucky’s philosophy on hope, death, and why meaning is self-assigned in a creative lifeContrast nihilism, spite, and the daily practice of living with intention as an artistRevisit the glory days of artist development and why labels rarely take risks todayBreak down how homogenization and streaming culture reshaped music’s role in societyUnpack why Kentucky just wants the right partners to help him keep writing until the end🕰️ Chapters 00:00 Intro and welcome with Kentucky 01:00 The “make or break” question on what truly matters 03:30 Tolstoy’s Three Questions and daily meaning 07:00 Hope, possibility, and building your personal deck of cards 12:00 Thomas Ligotti, nihilism, and living in spite 19:00 Cormac McCarthy, death, and “die trying” 32:00 The starving artist myth and the need for support 37:00 Partnerships, publishing, and why labels fall short 43:00 From artist development to homogenized culture 50:00 Novelty, combinations, and the next musical shift 55:00 Streaming, AI, and the future of entertainment 01:02:00 Kentucky’s honest admission: the struggle for help and resources 🔗 Guest Linkshttps://iamkentucky.com/https://www.instagram.com/i.am.kentucky/https://www.tiktok.com/@i.am.kentucky🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netTell us in the comments: Do you think record labels should still invest in artist development?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #Kentucky #MusicBusiness

Episode 002 – Cousteau Christopher | MAKE // BREAKCousteau Christopher is the Santa Barbara musician behind Djentrified, a project fusing djent, metalcore, and deathcore with cinematic and political storytelling. His breakout single “This Song Shouldn’t Exist” went viral as a fundraiser for Palestinian relief, followed quickly by “Welcome to the Abyss” and “Harbinger.” With chart placements on Metal Contraband and NACC Heavy, Djentrified proved that independent heavy music can still cut through the noise. Yet, just as momentum built, TikTok banned Christopher’s account without explanation, cutting off 16,000 followers overnight. On MAKE // BREAK, he talks about resilience in the face of digital gatekeeping, the realities of DIY promotion, and why his music is designed as both warning and call to action. It is an honest account of what happens when heavy riffs collide with systemic resistance, and why artists must keep creating even when platforms try to silence them👀 What you’ll hearExplain how a viral TikTok campaign built 16,000 followers in just two monthsBreak down why his debut single “This Song Shouldn’t Exist” became a protest anthemExplore the tension between using Spotify and critiquing its CEO’s investmentsShare how burnout from social media is the biggest bottleneck for independent artistsReveal horror inspirations and how layered lyrics deliver political and personal impact🕰️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and name pronunciation 01:00 Building a real fan base with empathy and morality 03:30 TikTok blow-up and “This Song Shouldn’t Exist” fundraiser for Palestine 07:00 Crossing into mainstream listeners outside of metal 10:00 Genre talk: djent, metalcore, and the evolution of heavy music 16:00 Challenges of being a solo project in Santa Barbara 18:30 Choosing values over comfort: the cost of empathy and morality 25:00 Spotify, ethical dilemmas, and no-win situations under capitalism 34:00 Wearing every hat: where burnout really strikes 37:00 The importance of email lists vs fragile social media platforms 43:00 Framing Djentrified as a movement, not just a band 53:00 Childhood medical trauma, hallucinations, and horror influence 59:00 Jordan Peele, false neutrality, and political commentary in art 01:13:00 Layered lyrics, Genius annotations, and musical Easter eggs 01:16:00 Closing thoughts and future directions 🔗 Guest Links https://linktr.ee/djentrified.officialhttps://djentrified.substack.com/https://www.youtube.com/@CousteauOfficialhttps://www.instagram.com/djentrified.official/https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QUUobR8FRqVwnhCvUWrIx?si=D2AHqIMEQJe9LbdXrKACdQ🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netTell us in the comments: would you choose comfort or conscience in today’s music business?(audio glitch in parts, explicit language)#MakeBreak #Djentrified #MusicIndustry

Episode 001 – Elan Mlgenovich | MAKE // BREAKAuthors of Fate make jagged, blackened metalcore out of Los Angeles. Guitarist Elan Mlgenovich joins MAKE // BREAK to discuss the EP “Seat’s Taken” with producer Taylor Young and the band’s earlier studio work with Steve Evetts. He explains how the group formed during COVID, what DIY touring looks like on the ground, and why chasing platform algorithms rarely helps heavy bands grow. We also get into practical social media habits that do work, from tagging peers to posting strong live clips, and the constant pull between posting and writing. If you want a clear look at how underground bands build real momentum today, this episode delivers.👀 What you’ll hear• Break down how Authors of Fate formed during COVID and built momentum in the DIY metal scene• Explain why major labels chase sure things and how that shifts artist development today• Share frustrations with Spotify algorithms and finding underground bands through Instagram• Reveal the brutal realities of DIY touring, from no-shows to promoters who don’t deliver• Debate the pressure on artists to be content creators versus staying true to making art• Offer candid advice for bands: collaborate, stay humble, and keep pushing forward🕰️ Chapters00:00 Introduction and band background02:00 Artist development and the major label model03:30 Why DIY bands must be self-sufficient05:00 Streaming algorithms and discovery struggles07:30 Using Instagram to find and book bands10:00 Word of mouth, tagging, and collaboration13:30 Social media as community building15:00 DIY touring challenges and no-show stories18:00 Professionalism, humility, and separating pros from amateurs20:00 Pay-to-play shows and shady promoters22:00 Pressure to create nonstop content25:00 Best band content and merch strategies29:00 What kind of content actually excites fans32:30 Parting advice for artists: don’t give up🔗 Guest Linkshttps://linktr.ee/authorsoffatehttps://instagram.com/authorsoffatehttps://open.spotify.com/artist/4Ffxt9eZ7pQEiV9uRVaMdX🔗 MAKE // BREAK & Host Linkshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5GDOUd909p7ir2W74M9teg?si=cbc7e01e13ba4a20https://instagram.com/lowkeyhellishhttps://tiktok.com/@lowkeyhellish🔗 V13 Media Linkshttps://v13.netSubscribe for more conversations and drop a comment: should bands prioritise content creation or focus on the art itself?(explicit language)#MakeBreak #AuthorsOfFate #MusicBusiness