ep30 Begonia unravels the fantasy
released November 27, 2025
1:26:37

In this engaging conversation, Glen Erickson speaks with Begonia, a Winnipeg-born artist, about her journey in the music industry. They discuss her early inspirations, the impact of the Winnipeg music scene, and her transition from band member to solo artist. Begonia shares her experiences with touring, the challenges of the music industry, and the importance of authenticity in her performances. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of age and gender in the industry, as well as the significance of awards like the Juno in shaping an artist's career. In this engaging conversation, Begonia discusses her artistic journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing discomfort in her music creation process. She reflects on her growth as an artist, describing her evolution as an amplification of her true self rather than a transformation. The discussion delves into the complexities of defining success in the music industry, the challenges of balancing personal life with touring, and the emotional toll of performance. Begonia expresses her desire to connect with audiences and her aspirations for the future, highlighting the importance of authenticity in her artistic expression.

Keywords

Begonia, Glen Erickson, Winnipeg, music industry, solo artist, touring, Brothers Landreth, Juno, live performance, music, artist journey, success, performance, touring, emotional connection, amplification, discomfort, creativity

Guest website: https://www.hellobegonia.com/
Guest Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hellobegonia
Guest youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKMptlDdQgKglySBjYJ7MGg

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
Almost Famous Enough website: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
Almost Famous Enough Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480

Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:02 Meet Begonia: Beginnings and Publicity

04:23 Winnipeg Roots and Mennonite Connections

06:08 The Journey of Begonia's Music Career

06:55 Touring and Performing Live

16:04 Early Musical Influences and Aspirations

20:04 The Impact of Canadian Idol

22:39 Transitioning from Band to Solo Artist

26:10 Navigating the Music Industry

40:45 Defining Success and Future Goals

48:15 Navigating the Artist's Journey

48:42 The Emotional Toll of Creating Music

49:16 The Challenges of Live Performances

50:24 The Rollercoaster of Touring

51:26 Balancing Life and Career

51:48 The Slow and Steady Rise

52:25 Dealing with Post-Release Emotions

57:37 Maintaining Vocal Health

58:53 The Importance of Indie Ownership

01:03:23 The Desire for Artistic Freedom

01:05:07 Concluding Thoughts and Future Aspirations

01:10:08 Post-Fame with Alexi