Ria Mae is a platinum-selling, Juno-nominated pop singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In this episode, Ria shares insights on finding balance between creative freedom and industry expectations, the role of collaboration in staying inspired, and the importance of staying grounded through success and change.
The conversation dives into growth as an artist in Canada, trusting instincts, and learning when to say no to protect creative peace. Whether navigating a first release or a fifth album, this episode offers honest reflections from an artist who continues to evolve with purpose and heart.
In this episode of The Side Door Sitdown, host Laura Simpson sits down with Michael Coll, one of the biggest DIY music fans she knows. For Laura, seeing Michael in the crowd is always a good sign that she’s in the right place.
Michael shares what it means to show up for artists as a fan. Paying fair ticket prices, buying merch, and letting musicians know when their set moved you. He talks about the joy of being part of the scene without organizing festivals or asking for guest lists, just supporting artists because you love what they do.
In episode 06 of The Side Door Sitdown, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter and storyteller Sug Daniels joins us to serve up a “hot tip sandwich” full of practical advice for indie musicians.
From the importance of always having merch (even if it’s handmade), to treating booking agents with kindness, to why house concerts should be part of every artist’s plan, Sug shares lessons learned from years on the road. We also talk about making tours out of festivals, playing all-ages shows, and finding a balance between day jobs and music in today’s economy.
With influences ranging from Janet Jackson to Brittany Howard, Sug’s music and insights are equally vulnerable, empowering, and unforgettable. Sug’s debut album drops September 23, 2025.
In Episode 05 of The Side Door Sitdown, we welcome Khari Wendell McClelland.
Khari Wendell McClelland is a diversely talented and ever-evolving artist. Originally from Detroit, Khari has become a darling on the Canadian music scene with reviewers lauding his performances as a clever mix of soul and gospel. Khari’s songwriting crosses genres and generations, joyfully invoking the spirit of his ancestors who straddled the US-Canadian border in efforts to escape slavery and discrimination. His music draws from this rich history, integrating the rhythms and folklore of early African-Americans with contemporary sounds and stories of struggle. Recently, Khari received critical acclaim for his Freedom Singer project, recreating the music fugitive slaves carried on their journey north into Canada. Khari also performs with the Roots Gospel group The Sojourners. Whether on stage or in the studio, Khari's passion for community, equality and justice is palpable, as is his belief in the redemptive power of music.
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In a world where everything is free, the work of the artist has been devalued to the point where independent musicians are in crisis. Live performance is one of the few places left where artists can truly gain more control, connection, and financial security.
But booking and playing shows takes work.
That’s where The Side Door Sitdown comes in, our new podcast featuring honest conversations with the good folks who make up the independent live music scene. We talk to DIY artists, indie venue owners, and behind-the-scenes pros about how they book shows, build their audience, and try to make a living without losing their minds.
Episode 04 of The Side Door Sitdown dives into what it really means to "make it" in today’s music industry and why your definition of success might need a reset. Ahead of his Side Door show in Halifax, singer-songwriter Mikhail Laxton sits down with us for a candid conversation about the realities of being a working artist.
We dig into what it really means to “make it,” how to find joy and balance between chasing a music career and simply making music, and what happiness looks like in today’s music industry. Mikhail’s music is deeply shaped by love, loss, and personal growth. After moving from Australia to Canada, signing a record deal, and releasing his debut EP just as the world shut down in 2020, Mikhail reconnected with his roots and rebuilt his sound from the ground up. His self-titled album, Mikhail Laxton, is a raw, soul-infused reflection of identity, resilience, and healing.
In this episode of The Side Door Sitdown, Laura Simpson sits down with indie music hero Kelly McMichael to talk about finding your front person energy while managing all the things that come with being an independent artist.
From balancing time for your art with answering emails, to learning how to delegate tasks to your band, Kelly shares candid insights from her own journey as a musician navigating the DIY world.
Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role in your band, figuring out how to get more done without burning out, or just curious how indie artists juggle it all, this episode is for you.
ABOUT KELLY MCMICHAEL
Kelly McMichael is an alternative artist and producer known for her buttery vocals, genre-bending arrangements and commanding stage presence. Kelly’s ‘instant-classic’ songwriting blends retro pop/rock with hints of psychedelia and jazz.
Based in Newfoundland, originally from Peterborough, Ontario, McMichael’s independently-released debut album, 'Waves' (2021), earned a spot on the shortlist for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, and the ECMA for 'Best Rock Recording'. Her sophomore album 'After The Sting Of It' (2024), made the Long List for the Polaris Music Prize.
Kelly’s music career began while studying Art at The University of Guelph, as co-lead of DIY feminist synth band 'Rouge'. Recruited to accompany Gentleman Reg, The Hidden Cameras, Tim Baker, Sarah Harmer, and The Burning Hell, Kelly has performed across North America and Europe. After a decade as a side player, producing bedroom recordings under the moniker RENDERS, her breakthrough debut album allowed her to shift focus to her solo career.
Kelly McMichael’s second album, 'After The Sting Of It' (2024), is an expansion of the classic sounds on her first record, leaning into ‘art-rock’ production with adventurous sonic landscapes and vocal layering. Kelly's resilient and empathetic voice moves through themes of tear down and rebirth, gliding from biting grit to soft bliss on record, and “sounds even better live” according to critics. You can hear her music on national alternative radio, including CBC, The Verge and campus stations, or see her on tour in Eastern Canada, Ontario and Europe in 2025.
CONNECT WITH SIDE DOOR
🎙️ This episode of The Side Door Sitdown features JUNO-winning artist and Side Door co-founder Dan Mangan, and it’s packed with advice for artists who want to tour independently and build a sustainable career without burning out.Side Door co-founders Dan Mangan and Laura Simpson sit down to share real-world advice for independent musicians looking to build sustainable touring careers.Whether you’re planning your first tour or looking to level up your live show strategy, this conversation is full of practical tips for musicians who want to take control of their careers.______Dan Mangan is a 2x JUNO Award-winning and 3x Polaris Music Prize-nominated musician and songwriter. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with his wife and two sons. For decades, Dan has brought signature wit, sonic innovation and lyrical insight to the indie/folk community, garnering him a fiercely dedicated and deeply involved audience. He has played Glastonbury & Jimmy Kimmel Live, sold out Massey Hall and scored acclaimed soundtracks for television and feature film.
In 2017, He co-founded Side Door, a platform that empowers the independent live music community by connecting artists and venues to book shows, offering ticketing that lets show creators keep 100% of the revenue, and streamlining the entire process in one place.
Connect with Dan: https://danmanganmusic.com/
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Connect with Side Door: https://bio.site/sidedoor
🎙️ This episode of The Side Door Sitdown is all about self-booking tours as an independent artist — no agent, no manager, just grit and a game plan.
Independent artist Eric Kane shares exactly how he self-booked his Leave It All Behind tour across Western Canada — no booking agent, no manager, just strategy, hustle, and heart. In this candid interview, Eric walks us through the tools he used, how he reached out to venues (even ones that had never hosted music before), and how he promoted and sold out 97% of his tour.
If you're an artist looking to build your own tour and connect with real fans — this is for you.
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Connect with Eric Kane: www.linktree.com/erickane
Connect with Side Door HERE