Maybe I’m not quite a geezer, but let’s be real—Ainsley’s music wasn’t exactly written with middle-aged guys like me (or my audience) in mind. Still, her publicist assured me that she was genuinely excited to connect with a wider audience, and with that, I stood down and got to work preparing for our conversation.

What I found surprised me. Not only was Ainsley well-spoken and thoughtful beyond her years (and forgive me if that sounds condescending—I remember my 21-year-old self, and let’s just say… yikes), but her experience in the music industry so far has already given her a level of insight and business savvy that many seasoned musicians would envy.

It’s no secret that the music industry today barely resembles the one that launched the careers of the artists I usually feature. Labels aren’t throwing money around, and long-term success now demands a mix of creativity, entrepreneurship, and a willingness to embrace tools and platforms that some of us can barely pronounce.

So yeah, I went into this wondering if we had much common ground — and came out a fan, not just of her songs, but of how she’s navigating this wild new version of the music world. Ainsley gets it. And more than that, she’s thriving in it.

And damn it all – she really knows how to write a great hook…

The post Ainsley Costello: Big Hooks, Bigger Future appeared first on Pop Rocks Radio.

Artists like Josie Cotton are priceless. Unlike many of her peers, she didn’t follow the path to becoming a household name. Instead, she embraced cult hero status early on and did the work of becoming a legend.

Bomp! Records, founded by Greg and Suzy Shaw in 1974, became a pivotal force in launching bands like 20/20, The Romantics, and countless punk, garage, and power pop acts. And their best-selling single of all time? Anybody? “Johnny, Are You Queer?” by Josie Cotton.

Josie burst onto the scene with an energy that couldn’t be ignored. Her blend of talent, beauty, and bold spirit quickly landed her in the pop culture moment of the 80s with an appearance in Valley Girl, the Nicolas Cage classic that also featured The Plimsouls (man, what a time to be alive!). She released two albums during the 80s, then, after 1993’s Frightened By Nightingales, she stepped away from the spotlight to hone her craft behind the scenes, opening her own studio and working with artists like Elliott Smith. But by 2006, Josie was back to making music of her own, and she hasn’t slowed down since.

In a digital world where so much of today’s music vanishes from memory as soon as it drops off the charts, Josie Cotton’s catalog remains a physical and emotional bridge between eras. Her iconic albums, Convertible Music and From the Hip, still transport us back to the 80s, while her new releases (still on vinyl!) point toward the future with a sense of purpose few artists maintain after four decades in the industry. Josie Cotton not only stays relevant—she keeps pushing boundaries.

In this crazy world, I find that bridge to be as comforting as it is exciting. As long as we have Josie Cotton, things are going to be ok.

Break out the bubble wrap!

The post Break Out the Bubble-Wrap! appeared first on Pop Rocks Radio.