Social Media Tools That Keep Us Organized

By: Mikayla Hauger

Social Media Essentials

At Olivia Management, we work with social media every day. To stay organized, strong communication is essential, and so is our large library of platforms that help us compile information in one place, like Asana. When it comes to social media, we utilize a few key platforms out of the many we use daily to keep our content consistent and structured. Read about a few of them listed below!

 

Later

Later is a social media scheduling app. We utilize this app daily to keep every single post we make consistent across all platforms. It allows us to draft and schedule posts and see it all in one place! It also allows us to log into our artists' pages to help keep their pages relevant. Later is the guiding factor in our social media organization, as it helps us strategize when to post.

Click here to learn more about later!

Canva

Canva allows our team to design single covers, album covers, and update our graphics all using our designated brand kit. It simplifies the process by already having a set color scheme and images to pull from instead of having to go find it in our files. The whole team can be logged in under the same account, which allows us to be collaborative in every step of the creative process.

Click here to learn more about Canva

CapCut

CapCut allows our team to easily edit videos that we post to Reels on the Olivia Management pages or on our artist pages. It has become a great factor in team collaboration and learning.

Click here to learn more about capcut

Just a peek behind the curtain is always interesting to see. While we utilize these mostly for the benefit of our artists, this could be applied to any Social Media pages that need to see growth!

Covers of Our Artists We Love

By Kayla Pinckney

Our Artists’ Songs, Your Covers

There's nothing better than hearing fans make our artists' songs their own. Here are a few covers we've been loving!

Elles Bailey's rendition of Mary Gauthier's "Mercy Now" is absolutely beautiful.

It's always fun to hear a fresh take on a great song. Here’s this amazing cover by Kaitlin Rose Band's of Aaron Lee Tasjan's "On Your Side."

This beautiful cover of Derek Webb's "Wedding Dress" by Bill Robinson accompanied by piano it especially touching.

Lastly, we're bringing a little Christmas spirit to June with this cozy cover of Jeremy Lister's "Little Things" by Brigham & Brielle.

Hope you enjoyed these covers as much as we did! We love seeing fans connect with our artists' music.

Currently Spinning: Olivia Management Staff Picks

By: Mikayla Hauger

Songs Our Staff Can’t Get Enough Of

NOTE: This playlist does not include our wonderful artists! These are the songs we listen to in our free time, in all sorts of genres outside of Americana.

In the Olivia Management office, we have a range of music playing daily. We decided to put together a playlist of songs outside of our current artists that we cannot stop listening to. Listed below is one song that each staff member wanted to highlight!

Erin:

Orbiter by Noah Kahan. Favorite Lyric -

“I’m an astronaut, you’re the moon”
— Noah Kahan

Grace:

Coming Up Roses by Harry Styles. NONSTOP. Favorite Lyric -

“Now I see your tears on account of my wants, and now it appears // That i’m feeling guilty and worried, dear, // That you think that I might not want you here”
— Harry Styles

Maddy:

Love Me Different by Hayley Williams. Favorite Lyric -

“And I know that you’re probably telling yourself that no one’s gonna love me like you did // And I know that you’re probably right about that, but someone’s gonna love me different”
— Hailey Williams

Mikayla

To Love Somebody by Holly Humberstone. Favorite Lyric -

“They tell you that you feel too much // Euphoria right down to the crush”
— Holly Humberstone

Marissa

Call Me By Your Name by Bebe Stockwell. Favorite Lyric -

“I know it hurts when you want to hold me ”
— Bebe Stockwell

Kayla

If I Tell You I Love You by Melody Gardot. Favorite Lyric -

“So if you like your women sweet // Consider me your wine.”
— Melody Gardot
Listen Here!

A Tour of Celebration: 20 years of Impact with Mary Gauthier

By Kayla Pinckney

We Could All Use a Little Mercy Now

Americana icon Mary Gauthier has been on the road performing and reflecting on what she calls “the album that changed her life.” Gauthier has more upcoming tour dates as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Mercy Now. These shows are meant to reopen past conversations between kindred souls and inspire hope, just as the album did 20 years ago.

The performances feature Gauthier, songs from her monumental album, and stories and music spanning her career. Mary is joined by special guest Jaimee Harris for much of this tour. These shows are bound to be heartfelt and awe-inspiring, making for a night you won’t want to miss.

Check out all shows here

Aaron Lee Tasjan’s Album, Get Over It, Underdog, Is Now Available on Vinyl & CD!

By Marissa Lunt 

Last Friday, Aaron Lee Tasjan’s new album, Get Over it, Underdog was officially released on vinyl and CD. This marks an exciting moment for his album and offers his fans the chance to get their hands on his latest collection of songs!

The album explores a variety of themes such as resilience, finding one's identity, and the struggle of feeling like the underdog. At the same time it showcases Aaron’s distinctive sound, having one of the most captivating voices in contemporary Americana & Folk music.

Photo by: Van Darien

Physical copies of the album are shipping now! Fans can purchase the album on vinyl and CD, listen to all 11 tracks and add to their collection of records. Make sure to grab one!

Get your copy

Spring 2026 Intern Wrap Up

By Miriam DeYoung

It’s hard to believe that we’re already wrapping up the Spring 2026 semester! This spring has flown. We are so grateful for all of the help, laughs, and memories these wonderful interns have brought to the Olivia Management office. We’ve learned a lot from them and wanted to give them the space to reflect on their experience throughout their internship here. Without further ado, our spring 2026 interns:

Interning at Olivia Management has been such a meaningful experience for me. From the very beginning, Erin and the team created an environment where I felt valued, capable, and excited to learn. Throughout the semester, I was trusted with purposeful projects that pushed me to try new things, sharpen my organizational skills, and build confidence in my abilities. The combination of hands-on projects and a genuinely supportive team helped me grow both professionally and personally this semester. I’m walking away from this semester with nothing but great things to say about my time here at Olivia Management. I truly loved being a part of this team whose passion, humor, and work ethic made every day meaningful and fun. My experience here has grown my professional skill set and greatly helped me understand the industry on a deeper level. Thank you so much to the whole team for the opportunity to work with all of you and for making this semester so wonderful!

My experience here at Olivia Management has been an overall great experience. Working under four wonderful, intelligent women and watching them kick ass in this industry has been truly inspiring. I was able to translate their stories and experiences into career and life lessons for myself moving forward, which has been such a blessing. As an intern, I truly felt like I was a part of the team from day one!

At Olivia Management, such a warm, loving environment is created. Every week opens with appreciation and gratitude of each other and ourselves, cultivating a scene of positivity everyday. The connections and friendships I made in this building are so important to me, and I have every intention of building them outside this experience.

A big thank you to Erin, Grace, Maddy, and Miriam for the opportunity!

My time at Olivia Management has been a wonderful experience that will leave me with a lasting impact of growth and development. This past semester has been not only a learning curve of the artist management industry, but an opportunity to build meaningful connections with my fellow interns and the impeccable team. Everyone has been so kind and gracious with the time and care they have put into making sure I was experiencing this internship to the fullest. The office is always full of generosity, wisdom, and laughs. Being able to get hands on experience in this industry has made me feel more prepared as I move forward into the workforce after graduation and I am grateful I was able to do that at Olivia Management.

Interning at Olivia Management has been such an incredible and worthwhile experience. Not only have I learned so much, but I have made so many amazing connections with such beautiful people. I have gained an abundance of very valuable knowledge that I am positive will serve me well as I embark on my journey into the music industry. Each week I have greatly looked forward to this internship-- an office full of positivity, love, and encouragement. I will miss interning for Olivia, but am so grateful that I was able to learn from a group of such powerful and determined women, and to have been surrounded by a lovely group of hard-working interns. A big and special thank you to Miriam, Grace, Maddy and Erin for this opportunity. I am still so impressed by this company and all of the love and care that goes into every detail, artist, and operation. I will always remember and cherish my time interning for Olivia Management.

One Year of Survival Songs: Celebrating Derek Webb's Letter of Solidarity

by Jake Aurigema

This past weekend marked the one-year anniversary of the release of Survival Songs, a powerhouse of a record created by Derek Webb that has tackled the tough conversations some of us are too afraid to have. This time last year wasn’t just another album drop for Derek Webb, it was an urgent, emotional love letter to the LGBTQ+ community, signaling his sympathy for the struggles that queer youth face everyday. By walking through this record with fearless lyrics of affirmation and identity, Derek Webb made clear that his goal was to provide a safe space for queer kids navigating a world in which they may not feel seen. 

Survival Songs by Derek Webb

Survival Songs served as a masterclass in being human, unlearning the ways we were taught and becoming an ally to our brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. This piece acknowledges the deep cut scars of the past while offering a hopeful path towards healing and love. Whether you’re someone who seeks to better understand queer youth or someone who had braved this storm themselves, the songs in this project act as a mirror. It reminds us all that the ultimate form of resistance against exclusion is love and relationship. Love knows no bounds, it holds no true form or binary. 

For queer youth, Survival Songs is exactly what the title promises: a blueprint for survival. Tracks like “Queer Kid” and “Sola Translove Part 2 (Words of Affirmation)” offer unconditional belonging to queer people. They provide a safety net to queer youth, showing they they are seen, cherished and not alone. 

It has been a full year of this masterpiece, and it still hits the same as the day it was released. Derek Webb’s Survival Songs stands as a testament to the fact that music still has the power to save lives and spread love. 

This record was inspired by his child, Ash, who creates bold, expressive artwork to pair Derek’s tracks with an emotional visual! Check out “Survival Songs: The Art Project” and see more on how art can change the world. 

New Music, Vinyl, and Tour Updates from Aaron Lee Tasjan

by Braden Davis

There’s a new chapter underway for Aaron Lee Tasjan, and it’s already taking shape in a big way. With a fresh release out now and a full album on the horizon, everything is pointing toward a moment that feels both intentional and expansive.

His latest single, “Lost & Alone,” is out now, offering another glimpse into what’s coming next following the release of his first single, “Science Friction”. The track leans into the emotional and sonic space that Aaron has continued to refine. It’s honest, restless, and fully his own. It sets the tone without giving everything away, leaving room for the larger story to unfold. Listen to “Lost & Alone” here.

Alongside the single, Aaron Lee has officially announced his upcoming album, Get Over It, Underdog. The project will be released on vinyl May 29th, with the full album arriving on streaming services July 17th.

To bring it all to life, Aaron will also be heading out on the Get Over It, Underdog Album Release World Tour, taking the new music on the road across a wide range of cities.

Between the new single, the album announcement, and a full tour ahead, this next phase feels like an exciting new door Aaron Lee is opening, one that builds on everything that’s come before while introducing his listeners to something new.

14 Albums, 14 Years: Celebrating Olivia Management's Anniversary

by Saige Hoying

On April 6th, 2012, Olivia Management came to life. Our founder and CEO Erin Anderson began the business as a one-woman operation in her attic apartment. Since then, Olivia Management has grown into a flourishing artist management company built on hard work and dedication, and our team has had the privilege of supporting the careers of many remarkable artists.

In celebration of our 14th anniversary, here are 14 records, listed in no particular order, that we’re honored to have been part of. We hope you’ll give them a listen!

The Secret Sisters - You Don't Own Me Anymore - 2017  

Produced by Brandi Carlile, this album is a reflection of what got the Secret Sisters through their hardest moments, focusing on the honesty and healing born from that darkness.

Jill Andrews - The War Inside - 2015

This record showcases Jill Andrews expanding her sound and her spirit, merging new musical textures with the heartfelt sincerity she’s always brought to her craft.

Derek Webb - The Jesus Hypothesis - 2023

Derek Webb’s 12th studio album charts his journey through doubt, community, and reimagined faith, using storytelling to shine light on topics the traditional church often keeps in the dark.

Mary Gauthier - Dark Enough to See the Stars - 2022 

This album is a moving testament to loss, healing, and devotion, blending Mary Gauthier’s unmistakable voice with rich, rootsy arrangements to honor the past while embracing the present.

Josh Radnor - Eulogy Vol. I - 2023 

In this record, Josh Radnor transforms personal hardships into a beautifully textured album that highlights his expressive vocals and deeply felt songwriting.

Street Corner Symphony - Jukebox - 2022 

Street Corner Symphony’s Jukebox is a lively, heartfelt family album that mixes catchy fun with simple truths about bravery, kindness, and connection.

Ruthie Collins - Cold Comfort - 2020

Ruthie Collins uses this album as a way to showcase her authentic songwriting while describing the genuine emotions that come from relationships, romance, heartache, and making amends. 

Matthew Perryman Jones - The Waking Hours - 2018

This fifth studio album by Matthew Perryman Jones is a contemplative, folk-rock project focusing on the complexities of how humans process finding and losing love, memories, and their sense of self. 

Hush Kids - Hush Kids - 2018 

A beautiful collaboration between Jill Andrews and Peter Groenwald, the Hush Kids’ debut album is crafted from melodies, lyrics, and harmonies that tug the heartstrings of listeners everywhere. 

Alex Blue - Kin - 2024 

Alex Blue describes this album as a “musical memoir” that takes her listeners through her experiences and hardships with grief, family estrangement, queer motherhood, and understanding oneself. 

Amanda Shires - My Piece of Land - 2016 

Amanda Shires’ My Piece of Land showcases her poetic songwriting and expressive vocal style, bringing together nuanced emotional storytelling with powerful country-Americana production.

Smooth Hound Smith - Dog in a Manger - 2019

Smooth Hound Smith displays their musicality in this record as they mix heartfelt storytelling, delicate acoustic melodies, and pleasing harmonies into a captivating Americana listening experience.

Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes - Kid Tiger - 2014 

Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes was the first band signed at Olivia Management and a huge piece of the reason our company was started. Their album Kid Tiger holds a special place in our history and in the hearts of all its listeners. 

ZG Smith - Nighttime Animal - 2022 

This six-song project from ZG Smith blends soft rock, psychedelic folk, and indie pop to capture the unique and strange feeling of nighttime, with his silky vocals and flowing guitar exploring desire, time, and fleeting moments.

AND A BONUS 15th album because you can't pick just one Jill Andrews' record: 

Jill Andrews - Thirties - 2020 

Written as a tale of honesty, Jill Andrews’ Thirties pairs thirteen original songs with stories and photos that illuminate the reality of the highs and lows she’s encountered while navigating her thirties.

To listen to all of these songs in one place, click here!

Thank you to everyone who has made these past 14 years so much fun, here’s to all the artists, the songs, and the stories that continue to inspire us every day!

Three Albums You Should Be Funding!

by Maggie Sims

We believe in helping, funding, and raising up voices that are real musicians making real art. Won't you join us?

Big Dog- Jill McCracken

Jill McCracken is a powerhouse vocalist and performer whose presence leaves a lasting impression. A consistent Boston Music Awards nominee, they’ve built a strong reputation for delivering raw, captivating performances and emotionally resonant music.

Their latest project, Big Dog, showcases a bold evolution in both sound and storytelling—confident, compelling, and worthy of attention. You won’t want to miss it. As an independent artist, Jill is inviting fans to support the journey, and you can contribute to their fundraising effort through their website to help bring Big Dog to an even wider audience.

Last Resort Motor Inn- Sara Milonovich

Sara Milonovich’s beautiful vocals take center stage in her new album Last Resort Motor Inn, drawing listeners in with a sound that feels intimate and timeless- it will shock the audience when it is released. Her voice carries a quiet strength that brings each song to life in a deeply personal way.

As an independent artist, Sara truly embodies the spirit of creative ownership. She not only writes the songs but also “writes the checks,” investing in every aspect of her music from creation to release. That level of dedication shines through in Last Resort Motor Inn, making it a project that feels authentic, intentional, and wholly her own. You can contribute to her Kickstarter here.

Flamy Grant- Glory Bound

Known for her powerful vocals and unapologetic presence, Flamy uses her platform to challenge traditional boundaries in faith-based music while creating space for LGBTQ+ voices. Her work has gained widespread attention for both its musical depth and cultural impact, as she reclaims spiritual themes through a lens of inclusion, authenticity, and self-expression.

Flamy Grant’s Glorybound is sure to captivate you. This will be her third album and you won’t want to miss a second of this record. You can fund her Kickstarter here.

Our Workflow's Anatomy: How Asana and Slack Keep Us Organized!

by Jake Aurigema

At the Olivia Management office, the most important things are organization and communication! To make our jobs and lives easier, we use two platforms meant to help us delegate tasks and communicate throughout our workday: Slack and Asana.

As a smaller company, managing multiple artists can get hectic at times. To manage this, we work with Asana. This platform acts as the brain of the company, sending tasks and projects to our employees and interns! Every idea and request turns into a task, ensuring no assignment ever falls through the cracks. Artist managers wear many hats, so organizing our tasks and creating a hierarchy of priorities is vital to the successful execution of our projects.

The flow of Asana starts with one of the incredible OM women creating a task for either their own itinerary or their interns’ workload. They name the task at the top, which sits above the detailed description of the expectations and requirements for the task. Within the description are links, instructions, graphics, files, and more references to help the assignee do the best job possible. This system leaves full clarity for our interns, creating a smooth workflow for everyone in the office. 

Each task prompts the creator to assign an employee/intern, sending it directly to their Asana profile in the “My Tasks” tab, where you can find all your duties at that time. Assigning tasks clears up any confusion on who needs to do what in the office, especially among the interns who help out with every area of what we do here at Olivia Management. Each task also has a due date, which can be a one-time date or a repeated deadline depending on your weekly/monthly tasks. This helps our staff plan their days, tackle urgent tasks first,  and stay organized by checking off what is complete! Another beautiful feature of Asana are subtasks. Each main task can carry multiple subtasks, which can carry its own subtasks. This creates an incredibly coordinated structure for our team. 

To notify our interns and staff on what tasks have been delegated to them on Asana, we Slack it to them! “Slack” is a noun and a verb within the vocabulary of this office. If Asana is the brain, Slack is the voice of our workday. Our entire day is narrated on this platform because it’s where all internal communication happens. Need to know what tasks need to be tackled today? Check the “#interntasks” channel! Need to know who’s in charge of writing the blog this week? Head on over to the “#blogs” channel. We create various channels to organize where to communicate certain topics, keeping everything orderly and allowing questions and requests to be answered promptly. Also, everyone has a “Threads” tab that shows you any unanswered messages you were mentioned in. Threads also keep each Slack message organized, so you can also go back to a specific conversation for reference to your task or question. 

Slack also allows you to tag fellow employees to grab their attention to what you have to say! Based on your needs/questions, you can tag the person best suited to respond, or you can tag the entire channel in case you have a general request. Slack is a lifesaver, especially for those days when we have to work from home! 

Every piece of work follows the same lifecycle at Olivia Management: captured, clarified, assigned, Slacked, and completed. That consistency is what keeps our team on the same page and our projects moving. 

Rated, Reviewed, and Refilled: Our Favorite Office Snacks

By Braden Davis

At Olivia Management office, the workday runs on more than just calendars and coffee, it runs on snacks. Whether we’re deep in a flow state, prepping for an artist’s release, or bouncing between calls, there’s always something sweet or salty within arm’s reach to keep our energy up and ideas flowing. The office snack corner has become its own kind of ecosystem: a mix of reliables, random cravings, and the occasional wildcard that becomes everyone’s new obsession.

That love for trying new things doesn’t stop at the snack drawer. On our social channels, we’ve turned it into a recurring series where we test and rate new and peculiar treats that catch our eye at the grocery store. It’s part taste test, part team bonding, and part honest review (because not everything earns a 10/10). Now, we’re pulling back the curtain on what we actually keep stocked in the office, and the snacks that are fueling both our workdays and our content.

Our go-to snack lineup consists of the classics we know won’t let us down: Goldfish for something salty and nostalgic, Welch’s fruit snacks when we need a quick boost, Poppi sodas to keep things light and refreshing, Double Stuf Oreos for an afternoon sweet treat, and pretzels that somehow disappear faster than anything else in the room. But alongside those staples, we’re always mixing in something new for the sake of the series. Lately, that’s meant putting everything from the Hot Ones x Pringles collab (spicy, but enjoyable), to Ritz Toasted Chips (a unanimous thumbs up), dill pickle rice cakes (divisive, to say the least), and even wine-inspired gummies (surprisingly underwhelming) to the test. It’s the balance of familiar favorites and wild cards that keeps both our snack drawer and content interesting!

Better Together: The Power of Collaboration in the Music Industry

by Saige Hoying

Music has always been a reminder that we’re better when we create together. There’s something genuinely special about hearing two artists collaborating on the same track as they challenge each other, blend ideas, and find something neither would’ve discovered alone. Working together opens a door to new perspectives, sounds, and emotions for both artists. Creativity thrives in community, and those shared spaces are what allow musicians and art to flourish and remain consistently inspired.

Here at Olivia Management, our artists know the power of collaboration in a creative space, and they’ve shown just how impactful it can be. To celebrate the community they contribute to and the music that comes from it, we’re highlighting some of their standout collaborations below. 

Mary Gauthier and Vince Gill - “Some Times” 

Among Mary’s most notable recent collaborations is the song she wrote with Grammy winner Vince Gill titled “Some Times.” The song is a beautiful testament to the painful and complex history of America and, as Mary recounts, was written “from deep conversations, hard truths, and the kind of honesty that co-writers come to when a really good song has us in its sights.”

Aaron Lee Tasjan - “Nightmare” Lafemmebear Remix 

Aaron Lee’s “Nightmare” reflects on the fear and danger queer individuals face, speaking on the rising violence and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. In an interview with Variety, Tasjan shares how much Lafemmebear (neo-soul/electronic artist and producer) added to the track after remixing it: “She was able to take it a step further… speaking to her own experiences and how she relates to what she’s seeing.”

Derek Webb and Abbie Parker - Dead Ringer Rubber Bridge

Collaboration in the music industry doesn’t always look like writing a song together. In the instance of Derek Webb and his wife Abbie Parker, their teamwork resulted in a new product helping guitarists everywhere. After realizing he loved the velvety tone of a rubber bridged guitar, Derek began working with Abbie to make the sound more accessible in the form of a detachable “Dead Ringer” rubber bridge that allows him to play music in his preferred artistic way.

Jeremy Lister and Street Corner Symphony

Finding their beginning in NBC’s show The Sing Off in 2010, Street Corner Symphony has built an established career as an a cappella group. Tenor Jeremy Lister has remained a core member since the group’s founding, and together the group has continued to make energetic music and contribute to charitable causes while appealing to all audiences in many genres.

Ruthie Collins and Paul Freeman - “Come Around (For Christmas)” 

Under the group name “Little Lion,” American singer/songwriter Ruthie Collins and Welsh artist Paul Freeman created an emotional duet titled “Come Around (for Christmas)” that was featured in the Hallmark Movie A Royal Montana Christmas. Although the pair no longer make music together, the short-lived collaboration gave life to a beautiful work that will live on forever.

The Art of Finding Work-Life Balance in the Music Industry

By Maggie Sims

Creating a healthy work-life balance and maintaining it, can be incredibly overwhelming and challenging, especially within an industry as demanding and fast-paced as the music industry. Between juggling deadlines for work and staying in the loop with industry trends/updates, while also keeping up with our physical and mental health, it can feel like a struggle to find the perfect balance for all things work and life related. While it is a challenge to find this balance and maintain it, there are many helpful tools to do so- you are not alone in this!

Setting Clear Boundaries

The first tip for creating a healthy work-life balance in the music industry, is to set clear boundaries. It is so important to separate work hours from personal time to avoid overworking and burn out. Try to reserve the work-centered worries and tasks to have their own time to shine; not amidst spending time with friends and family, while relaxing, or while eating. Enjoy the moment- don’t allow work to creep into your relaxation time!

Hobbies Outside of Music

The next big tip for a work-life balance is to pursue/seek out hobbies outside of the realm of music. Engaging in activities outside of your scope of employment will allow for creative freedom and mental relaxation, which will in turn positively feed productivity and focus when working on music-related work. Who doesn’t want to try new hobbies? Now you can and do not have to feel guilty about it.

Optimal Sleep Schedule

The last tip, but certainly not least valuable, is to prioritize rest! Sleep is our time to recharge and fuel our bodies and brains. When we receive optimal amounts of sleep, we are able to execute tasks and work more effectively and productively, while exuding less exhaustive effort. Setting a sleep schedule and being disciplined in relation to when we go to sleep and when we awake, is crucial for consistent, effective work-life balance. With enough rest, we are able to complete out daily tasks and leave time at the end of our day to relax, reset and recharge.

The Concept of Love: Seeing Love Through Our Artists' Eyes

by Jake Aurigema

Love is a complicated topic, etched into the heart of music and storytelling. In honor of the month of love coming to an end, we wanted to share with you some love songs our artists have written throughout their careers. From unexpected love to unaccepted love to apocalyptic love, our artists have been through it all.

In June of 2022, Mary Gauthier released “Thank God For You” on her album Dark Enough to See the Stars. This deeply vulnerable lyrical piece provides a flashback into Mary’s time in New Orleans and healing from her past. In a YouTube video titled “Behind the Music: ‘Thank God For You’”, Mary describes this track as “another love song, unapologetically expressing deep romantic love.” She talks about the joy of finally finding a love that works. Mary has always been an incredible writer, and this is just one beautiful example of her talent and passion for storytelling! 

“Thank God For You” by Mary Gauthier

Aaron Lee Tasjan released Stellar Evolution in April of 2024, which featured the song “Dylan Shades”, a poignant exploration of the societal shames of queer love and accepting that you might have to let them go. His lyrics cut like a knife when he writes, “You’ve been hurt too, and so, feel free to let me know if you need to let me go.” Aaron Lee explores the concept of love many times throughout his discography, so this song is definitely in good company. 

“Dylan Shades” by Aaron Lee Tasjan

In that same vein of society taking its toll on romantic love, Josh Radnor wrote a beautiful piece called “Apocalyptic Love Song” on his project, One More Then I’ll Let You Go, in 2021. The lyric “If the world is ending, I’d prefer to be with you” ties the entire piece together, reflecting on the desire for togetherness regardless of the circumstances. The concept of unconditional romantic love invites raw passion and real emotion to Josh’s art. 

Love isn’t only between romantic partners, and Ruthie Collins’ latest release, “Barefoot No Fence,s” encapsulates this perfectly. Written for her daughter, this song is all about a mothers love and how it transcends anything else she’s known. Collins sings “my love for you is endless, I want you to grow up barefoot, no fences,” painting a beautiful picture of the life she dreams of for her child.

Derek Webb likes to say that there’s one love song that makes its way onto every one of his albums and that such love song on his album The Jesus Hypothesis is based on his parents’ story; the all too common experience of losing a loved one to memory loss as they age. In the song “Car Crash,” Webb sings “I would give up the years if it meant half the pain, I don’t wanna live so long that I don’t know your name,” a heartbreaking declaration of love.

Street Corner Symphony’s song “Little Old Me” highlights how finding the right partner can bring you back to life again. The lyric “now I’m satisfied, I’ve got your company, you’re the one for little old me” shines a light on the kind of comfort you can find through love.

There’s no time to feel more grateful for love than around the holidays and Jeremy Lister paints such a genuine picture of this in “Baby, You’re the Best Gift of All” off of his Happy Holidays, Everyone album. Lister sings “I’ve got all I’ll ever need standing here in front of me,” beautifully capturing the true spirit of not only the holidays, but everyday.

These examples are only a small glimpse of how well our artists portray love through songwriting— in all its complexity, confusion, and courage. Take a listen to these pieces this February to expand your idea of what love can really mean.

The Real Ways to Support Indie Artists Today

By Braden Davis

In an industry dominated by algorithms, viral moments, and major-label budgets, independent artists are building their careers in a completely different way. They fund their own recordings, market their own releases, book their own shows, and rely heavily on the community of their listeners rather than a corporation. Besides just buying tickets or adding to a playlist, there are so many helpful actions listeners and fans can take that greatly benefit our beloved smaller artist. It’s about understanding how the artist’s ecosystem works and recognizing that even small yet intentional actions from fans can have a big impact. In a landscape where sustainability is fragile, thoughtful support can be the difference between a passion project and a lasting career.

Supporting independent artists isn’t hard, it just takes intent. Here’s a non exhaustive list of things you can do to help:

  • Save their songs to your streaming library instead of just playing them once

  • Add their tracks to mixed playlists with other artists so the algorithm pushes them to new listeners

  • Let songs play all the way through to ensure engagement is properly registered

  • Share their music to your Instagram story with the sound on

  • Use their songs in TikToks or Reels and tag them to expand their reach

  • Comment something thoughtful within the first hour of a post going live to boost visibility

  • Purchase a digital download or merch item if you can

  • Buy on Bandcamp Fridays when artists keep a larger percentage of the sale

  • Join their email list and actually open the emails and click the links

  • Tell your friends about them in real life and in group chats

  • Add their songs to party or road trip playlists

  • Recommend them when someone asks what you have been listening to lately

  • Stay consistent in your support instead of only engaging during release week

At the end of it all, supporting indie artists is about choosing to be an active part of someone’s creative journey. Independent music thrives off of community and consistency. Small actions that only take a few seconds, saving a song, sharing a post, telling a friend, can build in ways that genuinely change the trajectory of an Independent artist’s career. Visibility is hard-earned and sustainability isn’t guaranteed, support from fans is more powerful than it can seem. When fans show up thoughtfully and consistently, they are not just consuming the music, they are helping grow something that lasts.

Throwback Spotlight: The Enduring Power of "Mercy Now"

By Saige Hoying

21 years ago this month, Mary Gauthier released her 4th studio album, Mercy Now. The ten song album is a beautiful piece of work that overflows with raw emotion and overwhelming honesty. Since its release in 2005, the album has earned critical acclaim and become one of Mary’s most well-known and enduring contributions to Americana and folk music.  

The title track, “Mercy Now,” has grown to be a signature of Mary’s — and for good reason. The genuine, raw storytelling approach she brings to the writing makes it a piece of art that people from all walks of life resonate with. The lyrics move from the personal struggles faced by her father and brother to broader topics, touching on pain within the church, the country, and humanity altogether. As reflected in the title, Mary uses this song to remind listeners that everyone is carrying their own struggles, and everyone could use a little mercy. 

“Yea, we all could use a little mercy now

I know we don’t deserve it

But we need it anyhow

We hang in the balance

Dangle ‘tween hell and hallowed ground

Every single one of us could use some mercy now”

Mary describes the writing process for “Mercy Now”:

“[It] came to me as a prayer and as an act of desperation. I wrote it in a time when the world around me was collapsing into darkness. The song brought me catharsis, and then, unexpectedly, it brought something else. I found peace in my heart where there was once anger and fear.” 

"Mercy Now," was named "One Of the Saddest 40 Country Songs of All Time" by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2014, and it continues to be her most-streamed and requested song. Mary herself has argued that it is not a sad song, but rather a real song ending in hope. As a whole, the track speaks to the human condition in a way that is both unflinchingly honest and quietly elegant. 

In honor of the 21st anniversary of “Mercy Now”, enjoy this throwback video of Mary performing at the 2010 Americana Music festival in Nashville, TN

The Highlights from Folk Alliance 2026!

By Maggie Sims

Folk Alliance 2026 was such a blast, as always. We loved getting to hear some of our amazing consulting clients and friends play!

Pictured: 1) China Kent, 2) Evan Boyer, Jolene Dixon, Frank Viele, 3) Sara Beth Go, Amy Jay, Nathan K., 4) Ordinary Elephant, 5) Beignets and Coffee Community Hang, 6) Beignet and Coffee Hang, 7) Alex Wong, 8) China Kent, Spencer LaJoye, Sav Madigan, 9) Amy Jay, 10) Clay Parker and Jodi James

Come Join Us for House of Pancakes at Folk Alliance International 2026!

by Jake Aurigema

For the third year in a row, House of Pancakes is presented by Olivia Management and Alright Alright. We are so beyond excited to be hosting at Folk Alliance 2026! If you’re attending Folk Alliance this year, we’d love you to stop by for four days of folk, friends, and flapjacks. While you’re at it, why not grab a House of Pancakes t-shirt on our website?! Buy an adorable tee here, come pick it up in room 1218, and stay for some pancakes and music. 

We will be showcasing the incredible talent of many artists including our fellow hosts Alright Alright, many of our Olivia Management consulting clients, and so many more we know you’ll enjoy! You can check out some of their music here before they perform so you can sing along. Olivia Management specifically curated the lineups for Friday and Saturday night, so we’d love to see you there.

Here are the beautiful lineups we have for the weekend. Time to get excited! We’ll see you there.