In this episode we share what it was like meeting Amy Shark at her exclusive Soft Pop album listening event in Sydney, what surprised us most about the experience, and why it reignited our own creativity.

As musicians (and music lovers), we dive into Amy’s songwriting process, why she chose to leave drums off the entire album, the clever musical decisions that give Soft Pop such a unique identity, and the imposter syndrome that even artists experience.

We also chat about:

* Why we’ve been away from the podcast

* Creative burnout and getting inspired again

* Why Australian artists deserve more recognition

* Kate’s perspective as a drummer and songwriter

* Lauren’s thoughts as the partner of a musician

* What it was really like meeting Amy Shark

* The importance of finding your own creative voice

Whether you’re a musician, creative, or simply love hearing the stories behind the music, we hope this episode inspires you to create something you’ve been putting off.

Have you listened to Soft Pop yet? We’d love to know your favourite track.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music and all major podcast platforms.

Follow us:

📸 Instagram: @the_offstagelife_podcast

🎥 YouTube: @theoffstagelifepodcast

🎵 TikTok: @theoffstagelifepodcast

#AmyShark #SoftPop #Podcast #AustralianMusic #Songwriting #Creativity #Musicians #TheOffstageLife #BehindTheMusic

From growing up in a musical family and being classically trained on violin, to falling in love with Aussie rock, working backstage, mixing live bands, managing egos, fixing gear minutes before showtime, and somehow surviving a gig on a boat that started sinking in the middle of Sydney Harbour… Steve has seen the side of live music most people never think about.

We talk soundcheck disasters, loud guitarists, soft singers, lighting as part of the live experience, the magic and burnout of turning music into your job, wild backstage stories, The Frocks, the infamous two Chrises, and why the people behind the stage are often carrying the whole show.

It’s funny, chaotic, honest, and very Offstage Life.

In this episode:

Soundcheck etiquette, sinking boats, Elvis impersonators, backstage madness, live music disasters, The Frocks, sound engineering, lighting, egos, and the real work that happens before the crowd ever hears a note.

0:00 - The boat started to sink in Sydney Harbor.

1:03 - Introduction to episode 10 of the Offstage Life podcast.

2:09 - Discussion about Steve's musical family background.

3:20 - The importance of playing the violin and its impact.

4:45 - Transition to becoming a sound engineer.

6:09 - High school experiences and musical journey.

8:26 - Falling in love with rock and roll music.

11:17 - Desire to be on stage and pursue music.

13:16 - First opportunity to learn sound engineering.

16:34 - The importance of lighting in music performances.

Follow The Offstage Life:

Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

@the_offstagelife_podcast

#TheOffstageLife #LiveMusicPodcast #AustralianPodcast #BehindTheScenes #MusicPodcast #Podcast

#MusicPodcast

#LiveMusic

#SoundEngineer

#AudioEngineer

#BehindTheScenes

#MusicIndustry

#SydneyPodcast

#BandLife

#EntertainmentIndustry

In this episode of The Offstage Life Podcast, Kate shares her untold story of building a career as a drummer while balancing private drum teaching, touring life, bands, financial survival, and the constant hustle behind being a working musician.

From chaotic student stories and wild first jobs to navigating burnout, passion, and identity, this episode dives deep into the hidden reality of what it truly takes to build a life in music.

In this episode:

• Kate’s first professional job in music
• Building a private drum teaching business
• Teaching while touring in punk bands
• The realities of balancing creativity and income
• Wild student and parent stories
• The hidden emotional side of being a musician
• How teaching shaped Kate’s career both on and off stage
• This episode is for musicians, creatives, music teachers, touring artists, and anyone chasing passion while balancing real life.

Because the most important part of creative careers often happens offstage.

🎙️ Episode 09 — Out now on all platforms

Timestamps:

Introduction and Testing - 0:03

Break and Return - 0:30

TikTok Success - 1:30

Interview with Jess - 2:26

Drum Teaching Era - 5:18

Challenges of Teaching - 9:10

Memorable Teaching Moments - 11:59

Balancing Music and Teaching - 19:04

Student Stories - 23:27

Teaching Philosophy - 37:17

Performing vs. Teaching - 40:29

Future of Teaching - 55:21

Upcoming Guests - 61:59

#Podcast #MusicPodcast #Drummer #DrummerLife #WomenInMusic #MusicIndustry #MusicianLife #TourLife #PunkRock #RockMusic #DrumTeacher #CreativeCareer #BehindTheScenes #BehindTheMusic #SpotifyPodcast #YouTubePodcast #AustralianPodcast #IndependentPodcast #FemaleDrummer #OffstageLife

And that’s exactly the point.

In Episode 8 of The Offstage Life, we sit down with Jess — someone who might seem like your everyday person… until you start peeling back the layers.

From Disney classics and punk music to tarot cards, spirituality, taxidermy art, and some of the most unexpected hobbies you’ll ever hear — this episode dives into what everyday people are really like.

This is what our podcast is all about:

🎙️ The lives people don’t show

🎙️ The identities beneath the surface

🎙️ And why the most interesting people aren’t always the ones on stage

If you’ve ever felt like there’s more to you than what people see — this episode is for you.

—

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @theoffstagelife

—

⸻

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – She looks normal…

00:15 – Meet Jess

02:10 – Music that shaped her (Disney to punk)

06:30 – Feeling like the “overlooked” girl

10:20 – How music connects people

14:00 – Identity vs how people see you

18:30 – Dopamine dressing & self-expression

23:10 – Creative hobbies & bug art

28:40 – The bug wall reveal 😳

32:30 – Spirituality, tarot & intuition

40:15 – Live tarot reading on the podcast

52:10 – The truth about repeating patterns

58:00 – A message for listeners

01:02:30 – Taxidermy, oddities & creative expression

01:10:45 – The tooth fairy story (yes… really)

01:18:00 – Crystals & energy explained

01:25:20 – Ending cycles & new beginnings

01:30:00 – Music that still hits today

01:35:00 – Final thoughts

#theoffstagelife #podcastaustralia #australianpodcast #storytellingpodcast #selfidentity #spirituality #tarot #creativelife #reallifestories #podcastclip #hiddenlives #offstagelife #womeninpodcasting #sydneypodcast #music #taxidermy

In this episode of The Offstage Life Podcast, we dive into what it’s actually like to slow down when you’re used to living a busy, chaotic life.

With Kate having a rare break from gigging, we found ourselves navigating a “normal” weekend — and quickly realised that switching off isn’t as easy as it sounds.

From falling asleep on the lounge after one whisky, to exploring the Camden Show, to wandering through Newtown soaking up the creativity, this episode is a mix of funny, honest, and unexpectedly deep reflections on rest, routine, and identity.

We talk about the guilt that can come with doing nothing, why relaxing feels like a skill you have to learn, and how easy it is to forget to actually enjoy life outside of work, gigs, and constant productivity.

We also cover:

• What a “normal weekend” looks like for us

• Why musicians (and busy people) struggle to switch off

• The mental shift of not gigging

• Camden Show chaos and country Australia

• Dance performance trauma (yes… really)

• Newtown adventures, street art, and inspiration

• Why changing your routine can reset your mindset

• Reducing plastic and small lifestyle changes

• And… meet Pablo 🦜 our new podcast mascot

We’re also introducing a new segment: Pablo’s Questions — where YOU send in questions for us to answer in upcoming episodes.

⸻

📲 Get involved

Follow us on Instagram: @the_offstagelife_podcast

Keep an eye on our stories to submit your questions for Pablo’s segment 👀

⸻

🔔 Listen & Watch

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow so you never miss an episode.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Hectic Life
• 05:23 The Art of Relaxation
• 10:02 The Camden Show Experience
• 29:50 Pablo's Segment

#podcast #lifestylepodcast #musicianlife #worklifebalance #relaxing #burnout #slowliving #australianpodcast #sydneylife #creativelife #offstagelife #mentalhealth #routine #productivity #rest

If you love candid chats, spontaneous stories, and discovering the real personality behind the podcast, this is a must-listen.

Discover Our Favorites: Comfort foods, childhood dreams, and quirky talents.

Embarrassing Moments: Work stories and the weirdest jobs we almost took.

Music Memories: From first concerts (hello, Foo Fighters!) to songs that teleport us back to teenage nostalgia.

Dream Interviews: Artists like Tones and I, G Flip, and global icons like Oprah or Barack Obama.

True Passions: Habits, pet peeves, and who’s more organized or emotional.

Why does this matter? Because understanding the hosts behind the mic makes the stories even more meaningful—and reminds us all that we're just ordinary people with extraordinary stories. If you're craving an episode full of humor, surprising revelations, and genuine connection, hit play—you won’t want to miss it.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Break Announcement
• 06:25 Dream Artists, Music Genres, and Best Gig Ever
• 13:20 Useless Talent, Surprising Facts, and Pet Peeves
• 20:53 Childhood Aspirations, Proud Achievements, and Personal Preferences

#PodcastLife #RealTalk #BehindTheScenes #FunnyStories #Inspiration #MusicLovers #Authenticity #LifeStories #TonesAndI #GFlip #USA #Australia #UK

Main Topics:

• Lucy's musical evolution: from guitar to bass, performing live, and her aspirations
• Navigating life as a hard-of-hearing musician: community, advocacy, and personal growth
• Memorable gig stories and the importance of friendship and support in music
• Misconceptions about deafness and hearing aids, and the spectrum of deaf experiences
• Balancing mental health, personal life, and the music industry

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Lucy’s musical beginnings

02:46 - From guitar to bass: mastering multiple instruments 07:25 - Early influences and childhood stories

11:01 - Music education and university experience

16:48 - Memorable gigs and stage mishaps

20:27 - How Lucy joined the Frogs and her musical opportunities

23:55 - Transitioning into bass and emotional connection to rhythm

27:29 - What makes a great bassist and influences

31:11 - Funny stories & covering for each other on stage 35:35 - Living with hearing loss and advocacy within the deaf community

44:44 - Misconceptions about deafness and communication challenges

50:27 - Advocating in healthcare and everyday life

55:45 - Spectrum of deafness and personal identity

60:46 - Gig stories including technical failures

65:52 - Humorous stage moments and the horse mask saga 75:19 - Personal boundaries and respectful interactions at gigs

77:10 - Coping with mental health and music's grounding effect

78:46 - Honoring community and family through music

79:15 - Closing thoughts and future aspirations

In this episode:

• The significance of musical influences like Alanis Morissette, Taylor Hawkins, and more
• How childhood music and lyrics impact identity and emotional expression
• Insight into how music shapes popular culture and personal life
• Surprising revelations about the lyrics of childhood favs
• Reflections on female artist empowerment in the 90s and today
• Fun discussion on musical genres, nostalgia, and advice to our younger selves

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview
• 02:00 - Exploring childhood influences and lyrics
• 04:30 - The nostalgic power of music in shaping brains
• 07:00 - The journey into guitar and drumming
• 09:00 - First musical favorites and private lessons
• 16:30 - Music and dance: intersecting worlds
• 20:00 - Influence of friends and eclectic tastes
• 23:00 - Lessons from Alanis and Taylor Hawkins
• 29:00 - The evolution of female singer-songwriters of the 90s
• 32:00 - Analyzing problematic lyrics from childhood hits
• 43:00 - Imagining life without music or performance
• 48:00 - The importance of creativity in adulthood
• 50:00 - The resurgence and influence of female artists today
• 53:00 - Messages for our 14-year-old selves & upcoming guests

  Resources & Links:

  • Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill
  • Taylor Hawkins - Drumming & Performances
  • Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic
  • G Flip - Artist Profile
  • Placebo - Band
  • Savage Garden - Music
  • Pink - Official

#MusicInfluence #Nostalgia #90sMusic #FemaleArtists #PodcastLife #CreativeExpression #IdentityThroughMusic #OffstageLife

This conversation delves into the experiences of reverse culture shock and post-tour blues, exploring the emotional and psychological impact of returning home after extended periods of travel and performance. The hosts share personal experiences and discuss the science behind these phenomena, offering strategies for coping and seeking support.

#cultureshock #tourblues #emotional #neuroscience #expatexperiences #copingstrategies #neuroplasticity #identityloss #transitionalgrief

Key Topics

• Reverse culture shock and its impact on identity
• Neuroscience behind emotional responses to life transitions
• Hosts strategies for coping with post-tour blues and reverse culture shock

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Post Tour Blues and Reverse Culture Shock

02:11 The Surprising Impact of Reverse Culture Shock

09:29 Navigating Identity Loss and Emotional Disconnect

15:42 The Journey of Post Tour Blues

21:57 Understanding the Science Behind Emotional Responses

36:53 Strategies for Coping with Transitional Grief

It explores the challenges and adjustments involved in transitioning back to Australia, finding a new band, and the different aspects of personality that come into play. The discussion also highlights the importance of mutual support in family life and the unsung role of partners in supporting musicians.

#gigging #music #relationships #identity #grief #community #support #personal growth #liveperformance #musician life

Takeaways

• Gigging can be both rewarding and challenging for relationships.
• The sense of community in music is invaluable.
• Grief over lost identities can be profound for musicians.
• Support from partners is crucial in navigating the music industry.
• Finding new beginnings in music can lead to personal growth.
• The experience of returning to familiar places can be disorienting after travel.
• Every musician has a unique story of their journey back to music.
• The balance of life and music requires mutual understanding and support.
• Unexpected fame can lead to humorous and relatable experiences.
• Life as a musician involves constant adjustments and sacrifices.

Chapters

• 00:00 Life as a Partner of a Musician
• 09:24 Transitioning Back to Australia
• 18:28 Funny Story from the Weekend
• 24:38 Supporting Each Other in Family Life

We share personal stories, discuss the evolution of our creative journey, and reflect on the importance of authenticity in both onstage and offstage personas.

This conversation highlights memorable encounters with celebrities and the challenges of navigating the live music scene, all while maintaining a sense of humor and camaraderie.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Offstage Life Podcast

02:50 Surreal Backstage Moments

06:13 The Journey to Starting a Podcast

09:01 Backstage Life: A Different World

12:01 The Evolution of Backstage Experiences

14:51 Chaotic Backstage Stories

18:05 Famous Encounters and Networking

24:11 Memorable Moments with Celebrities

29:47 Quickfire Questions and Insights