OurSpace with Matt Vettese

Is being a talented musician enough to make a living in today's music industry? Kenny Feinstein joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about his new book More Than Talent and what independent musicians actually need to do to build successful, sustainable careers in 2026. After more than 25 years working in music, Kenny has learned a few things about finding fans, marketing your songs, and making money as an artist. And he isn't afraid to challenge the way musicians have traditionally approached their careers. We talk about why he believes musicians need to embrace becoming content creators, how to promote music on TikTok and Instagram without feeling cringe, why the first second of a video matters, and how to turn social media views into genuine fans who actually want to support your music. Kenny also gets into the business side of being an artist, including where to invest your first $1,000, building multiple income streams, when hiring a publicist might be a waste of money, and how independent musicians can use targeted advertising to sell concert tickets. We also dig into some bigger questions: Do artists really need to tour to make a living? Why do TikTok-famous musicians sometimes struggle to earn respect? Is it too late to pursue a music career in your 30s, 40s, or beyond? And why do so many talented musicians eventually give up? Plus, Kenny shares some advice about remembering why you started making music in the first place, his experiences building a career through grassroots promotion, and a few underrated artists you should check out. Whether you're an independent musician, a band trying to grow, or just someone who loves music and wants to understand the business behind it, this conversation is packed with interesting perspectives. More Than Talent by Kenny Feinstein is available now. Learn more: worksmartermusicmarketing.com OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

Tenlung joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about I Follow Birds, “The Shed Song,” blending emo and pop punk with hyperpop, and the years-long personal journey that unexpectedly became part of her art. We get into the incredible story behind “The Shed Song,” which was written years before its release and accompanied by a music video that ended up documenting part of Tenlung's transition, despite that never being the original plan. Tenlung opens up about growing up deeply religious in the American South, being closeted, leaving the evangelical church, and eventually coming to terms with her identity. We talk about how those experiences shaped I Follow Birds, the changing meaning of the bird imagery throughout the record, and how accepting her queerness helped unlock something creatively. I Follow Birds by Tenlung is out NOW! -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

From First to Last are back and Matt Good joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to take us inside the band's new era. With We Were Bleeding Anyway arriving October 2, Matt talks about bringing Lil Lotus into From First to Last, why his perspective as a fan helped shape the band's new music, and how the goal was never to recreate the past but to respect what made records like Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount connect in the first place and bring that into who they are today. Then we talk about the question longtime FFTL fans are inevitably going to ask: could Sonny Moore ever come back? We Were Bleeding Anyway by From First to Last arrives October 2. Remember to follow/subscribe and leave 5 stars if you like interviews with your favourite bands. -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is powered by elderemo.com — Play the new card game 'Are You Even Emo?' shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE.

Rody Walker of Protest the Hero returns to OurSpace with Matt Vettese to talk about the band's new album Within, their first completely independent release, and why he's feeling excited about the future of the band again. We get into the challenges of leaving record labels behind, the financial realities of releasing an album independently, and why Protest the Hero want more control over their music and back catalogue. Rody also opens up about the overwhelmingly positive response to Within and why he almost convinced the band to change “Mouthpiece” just days before its release. If you enjoy this chat remember to leave 5 stars and follow along for more! Interviewer: Matt Vettese Producer: Tala Mukaddam Editor: William Langlais -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE #ProtestTheHero #RodyWalker #ProgressiveMetal

Talker joins OurSpace with Matt Vettese to dive deep into her new album Runaway Jane, why she completely changed her creative process to make it, and what happened when she stopped trying to make everything perfect. After feeling disconnected from her debut album by the time it was finally released, Talker approached Runaway Jane differently. Instead of finishing the entire record and sitting on it for months, she started releasing music while parts of the album were still being finished, giving herself deadlines, embracing imperfections, and trusting the emotion of a performance instead of endlessly trying to perfect it. Subscribe to OurSpace with Matt Vettese for more conversations with the artists shaping emo, pop punk, indie rock and alternative music. -- OurSpace with Matt Vettese is now powered by elderemo.com — shop emo and pop punk apparel for yourself, your kids, and even your pets. Use code OURSPACE for 15% off your next order. https://elderemo.com/OURSPACE. -- Talker, Talker Runaway Jane, Runaway Jane, Talker interview, Talker artist, Runaway Jane album, Talker podcast, indie rock, alternative rock, emo, songwriting, OurSpace with Matt Vettese