On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Nashville-based artist Riley Smith (RYLY) to talk about the journey from Atlanta to Music City, shaping a sound that blends arena-ready indie pop/rock with songwriter roots, and what it takes to build momentum as an independent artist. We dig into writing from piano or acoustic guitar first, then “dressing up” songs in the studio, translating big arrangements to the stage (solo and with a band), and navigating the push-pull of social media while protecting your headspace.

Riley also teases new music on the way—including the forthcoming single “Somebody to Know Me”—and hints at a couple of side projects exploring different eras and flavors. If you’re into hooky melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and artists who think deeply about why the songs matter, this one’s for you.

Follow Riley and First Spin for updates—and stick around to discover a few new artists at the end.

Songs featured in this episode:

Figure It Out

Joyride

Better Alone

Sooner or Later

Young + Naive (I'm Addicted To My Phone And So Is Everyone Else)

Air

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On this episode of First Spin, I sit down with Taylor Lansdale, a Kentucky-born singer-songwriter whose heartfelt Americana sound is beginning to turn heads. Taylor talks us through his relatively new path into music, finding his voice in open mics, and slowly carving out a place for himself in Lexington’s growing music scene.

We dive into the making of his debut album Headlong and his brand-new three-song release Dance With You, exploring how these projects reflect different seasons of his life. Taylor opens up about the challenges of recording as an independent artist and how moving to a bigger city reshaped both his songwriting and his ambitions.

Along the way, he reflects on balancing music with family life, the highs and lows of social media, and learning his way around the studio. With his mix of honesty, warmth, and a genuine love of craft, Taylor shows you why he's the latest one to watch out of the Lexington, KY boom.

Songs in this episode:

Dance With You

Morehead, KY

Daffodils & Sleeping Pills

Until The Skies Are Clear

I Am Appalachia

Get On With It

If you enjoyed this episode, it’d mean a lot if you left a quick review—it's one of the best ways to help new listeners find the show.

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In this episode of First Spin, Hayden talks with Jack Sanders, a Springfield, Missouri–based singer-songwriter whose heartfelt country-Americana sound blends guitar-driven roots with lyrical storytelling. Jack shares how he didn’t even pick up a guitar until age 19, but quickly became obsessed—practicing for six hours a day and teaching himself via YouTube. Over time, he developed both his guitar chops and his singing voice, drawing early inspiration from Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and John Mayer’s Where the Light Is album, before fusing those influences with the raw honesty of Tyler Childers.

Jack opens up about his complicated relationship with social media and record labels, recalling viral TikToks, offers that went nowhere, and why he’s wary of the pressure to be “a brand” instead of simply a musician. Instead, he’s redefining success for himself: writing songs like Icy Cold and Evelyn, playing locally, and prioritizing joy in making music over chasing streams. He also shares how storytelling through characters (like in his song Lydia) gives him creative freedom while keeping a healthy boundary between art and personal life.

If you enjoyed this episode, it’d mean a lot if you left a quick review—it's one of the best ways to help new listeners find the show.

And if you want to hear more artists worth your time, follow First Spin on social:
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Thanks for listening—see you next week.