Podsafe Cafe: Carla Lynne Hall

What’s the reasoning behind releasing your new live EP, the Dirty5?


The EP was originally a live show that I had recorded while I was finishing up my full-length studio CD, Supernova. It was my first gig in a while, and it ended up being a night to remember – just a great vibe. At the time, I had come across a few articles that referred to “Dirtysomethings”, single women in their 30’s who were enjoying romantic adventures instead of seeking husbands, and I joked about it from the stage.

I received a lot of requests for a copy of the recording, so I thought, “What the heck?” I happened to be 35, newly single, and flirting madly from the stage, so the name stuck.



So how did you earn the reputation as the “do it yourself diva”?


When I first started performing original music, I had a few music industry doors slammed in my face – just like most musicians. Luckily, this also happened around the beginning of the whole DIY (Do-It-Yourself) revolution. I saw musicians, such as Ani DiFranco, build and sustain careers outside the traditional music industry, and I was totally inspired by that. I was so inspired that I started writing articles and giving lectures for musicians who wanted to learn how to do the same.

How did your time working at a major label affect your decision to start your own label, Moxie Entertainment?


As a musician, working at a major music label can often be disheartening. I saw people get deals based on things that had little or nothing to do with music. And the better I was at doing my day gig, the least likely my bosses were going to give me a break. I learned the hard way that no one is going to care about your music as much as you will, and if you’re going to find success, you’re gonna have to take matters into your own hands.

After a round of layoffs in the music industry, I started my own label Moxie Entertainment. The word moxie means “courage and aggressiveness”, which are qualities every indie musician needs!

How did you get involved with podsafe music?


My publicist is Ariel Hyatt at Ariel Publicity, whose focus is “CyberPR”. She gets musicians lots of online exposure for their music by encouraging them to offer as much free MP3s as possible on the podsafe music network.

How has podsafe music impacted your career?


Having podsafe music available enables podcasters, internet radio DJs, and other music lovers to access and share my music without worrying about copyright issues. I have lots of podsafe tracks available, so listeners can get an earful of what I sound like before they buy Supernova or Dirty5.

How did you end up working as a music journalist?


I started writing articles for musician websites so readers would click to my website and check out my music. The irony was that, after having so many articles floating around, Vibe Magazine asked me to start their first music business column. To tell the truth, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go in that direction when the idea was first presented.

But when I realized that I’d get to interview recording artists who had already achieved success, it was hard to say no. When the Vibe column ended, I compiled my articles and interviews into an eBook called “The DIY Guide to the Music Biz”.

How does living in New York City impact your life as a professional musician?


On one hand, NYC is a great kick in the butt for musicians. There is so much talent here, and on any night of the week, you can check out great live music. There are also lots of opportunities to network and meet people who can potentially help your music and career. This level of quality makes you bring your “A Game” to the table.


On the other hand, NYC is one of the most expensive cities to live in. Musicians have the challenge of making ends meet, while continuing to work on their art. It can be a tough balancing act. But if you’re determined and focused, it’s so worth it!

What’s next for you professionally?


To support my Supernova and Dirty5 CDs, I’ll be performing as much as possible in the New York area, trying out new venues. I’ve also been invited to perform in Europe, which will be a first for me, and I’m looking forward to that.

My blog at RockStarLifeLessons.com has been growing in popularity, and I’ve been working hard to keep info fresh for my readers. To keep current with all of the changes in the music biz, I’m also working on the next edition of “The DIY Guide to the Music Biz”.


Later this month, I’ll be offering a new workshop called “The Music Marketing Machine” which I’m also excited about. It’s a four week course, which is equal parts lecture, mastermind group, networking meeting, and supportive community for musicians. At the end of the four weeks, each student will have a personalized music marketing plan. Ariel Publicity will be providing the online mastermind component, so my students in NYC can also share lessons with other musicians around the world.