In this episode, I catch up with Philly artist and internet swiss-army knife Mike Nappi: someone who’s equal parts musician, comedian, and marketing mind. From writing soul-sample bangers to rapping with Logan Paul and dropping viral Delco dad skits, Mike’s story is a masterclass in doing it your own way, even if it takes 8 years for the world to catch up. We get into the grit of building a full-time career from content and session work, how to ride the wave of a moment without selling out, and why staying fun doesn’t mean losing your footing. There’s so much here for any artist learning to bet on themselves.

We Chat About:

• How an old Eagles anthem became a viral hit years later
• Blending music and comedy without diluting either
• Honoring hip hop by learning it from the inside out
• Philly culture, Delco dads, and letting place shape your art
• Letting your passion lead, and still treating it like a business
• His transition from vlogging and touring to monetizing on every major platform
• What it really means to be guided vs. misguided by fun
• Creative burnout, partnership, and what keeps him grounded through it all

About Mike Nappi:

Mike Nappi is a self-produced artist, songwriter, MC, multi-instrumentalist, engineer and content creator from Delco, and West Chester PA, known for releasing a new song every two weeks and creating viral, Philly-centric videos. He’s performed internationally, opened for major acts like beanie sigel, freeway, yelawolf, 2 chainz, Lupe fiasco, and won Philly Daily’s “Most Authentic Philly Fan” contest. His work blends comedy, culture, and music into a unique voice fans recognize instantly.

Connect with Mike Nappi (of NappiMusic):

Instagram: @nappimusic

YouTube: Nappi Music Videos

Facebook: Mike Nappi

Spotify: Mike Nappi

TikTok: @nappimusic

Other 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=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

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Music Mentioned in this...

Kirsten Izer isn’t trying to find her sound; she’s already living in it. Her debut EP The Perfect Hire is a genre-blurring, emotionally precise collection that pulls just as much from ambient indie pop as it does from confessional folk and sludgy alt-rock. In this conversation, we unpack how Kirsten built this body of work from the ground up: writing, co-producing, self-directing her visuals, and filtering every choice through her exacting taste. She opens up about moving through heartbreak, making space for imperfection, and the long game of building a real career while holding a full-time job. Through it all, Kirsten shows us what it means to take your time and still show up with something undeniable.

We Chat About:

• The emotional and sonic process behind The Perfect Hire
• Letting go of old versions of songs (and self) to stay true to the vision
• Learning to shut out noise and trust your gut as a young artist
• How heartbreak and mental health show up in her lyrics
• Building a cohesive visual aesthetic without losing authenticity
• The balance between promoting and preserving your mental health
• Why she’s staying active post-release instead of disappearing
• Touring dreams, pop girlies, and what she listens to on repeat

About Kirsten Izer:

Kirsten Izer has been writing songs since she was 11-years-old. Born in New Jersey to visual artist parents, Izer has always felt a deep need to tell stories. Her father taught her the chords to Pink Floyd’s “Vera”, the same chords she used to teach herself a Taylor Swift song. Since then, her inspiration has expanded to the likes of Kate Bush, St. Vincent, Caroline Polachek and more; it is still that same juxtaposition that shows up in her work today—an equal amount of affection for an instrumental break, but also a well-told story. After a five year stint in New York as a music publicist and journalist, Izer decided it was time to tell her own story as an artist and packed her bags for Los Angeles. She’s released various singles and self-directed music videos to much acclaim, and is gearing up to release her debut EP, The Perfect Hire, on June 5, 2025.

Connect with Kirsten Izer:

Instagram: @thekirstenizer

YouTube: Kirsten Izer

TikTok: @thekirstenizer

Spotify: Kirsten Izer

Connect with Julian:

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417

Buy my book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RL

Music Mentioned in this Episode:

Songs:

• “The Perfect Hire” – Kirsten Izer
• “The Messenger” – Kirsten Izer
• “Electric Blue” – Kirsten Izer
• “You” – Kirsten...

Some artists write music. Rebecca McCartney channels it. Her voice is warm, her lyrics cut deep, and her songs feel like pages from the journal you’ve been afraid to open. In this episode, we dive into how she turned a childhood surrounded by classical music into a genre-fluid sound all her own. From processing grief and joy through melody to working with top-tier musicians in New York’s indie scene, Rebecca opens up about what it really takes to build a sustainable creative life, and why she writes, even on the days when it’s hard to keep going.

We Chat About:

• Letting go of complexity and writing a song that just feels good
• Growing up in a home where music was everywhere
• Her 7-year-old dream to be half of a new “Lennon & McCartney”
• Writing from voice memos, intuition, and a need to understand herself
• Collaborating with players from Doja Cat, Big Thief, and Lucy Dacus’ bands
• The emotional toll of building a career with no roadmap
• Her advice for young songwriters still figuring it out

About Rebecca McCarthy:

Widely beloved by the mothers of her childhood friends, Rebecca McCartney is an indie soul singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn. She writes music about the everyday feelings that take over your life, her buttery vocals pairing with endearing lyrics that feel as nostalgic as old soul and fresh as today's indie pop darlings. Born and raised in NYC, her music pulses with the energy and color of the city: bright, eclectic, curious, warm, occasionally weird. Her forthcoming 5-song EP featuring her new songs “In Our Own Way” and “Close to Me” takes the listener on a warm journey through all the emotions of a people-loving, often overwhelmed girl in her 20s.

Connect with Rebecca McCartney:

Instagram: @rebeccamccartneymusic

Spotify: Rebecca McCartney

TikTok: @rebeccamccartneymusic

Facebook: Rebecca McCartney Music

Website: www.rebeccamccartneymusic.com

SoundCloud: Rebecca McCartney

YouTube: Rebecca McCartney

Bandcamp: rebeccamccartney.bandcamp.com

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Connect with Julian:

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417

Buy my book: