She Creates Noise

We sit down with Nashville powerhouse Anastasia Brown—music supervisor, consultant, and author—to chart the moments that reshaped her career and helped reshape the city’s relationship with film and television. From her early days as a manager, the Bluebird Cafe revelation that led to signing Keith Urban to his first record deal; Anastasia shows how conviction, curiosity, and grit can lift you to new career heights. We unpack the real Nashville: a ten-year town for artist developm...

Today Sarah sits down with Rachael Yamagata. Her new album asks you to stop scrolling and truly listen. That’s the invitation at the heart of our conversation with Rachel Yamagata, whose new record, Starlit Alchemy, unfolds as a continuous journey—interludes, transitions, and songs that flow like a single film score. We trace the winding path to release: tours planned for 2019, recording plans derailed in 2020, the pivot to a home studio in the Catskills, and the choice to embrace an album-fi...

Sarah sits down with Kim Frankiewicz, EVP of Worldwide A&R at Concord Music Publishing, to map the real levers behind sustainable artist success—from first gigs that Kim went to in Newcastle, Australia and a life-changing INXS chapter to leading a global team that signs, nurtures, and re-signs talent on the strength of songs and character. Kim’s path is a masterclass in long-game A&R: choose publishing to grow gracefully, curate a roster you’re proud of, and make passion the e...

In this engaging conversation, Divinity Roxx takes us through her remarkable journey from classical clarinet player to hip-hop artist, to Beyoncé's bassist and musical director, and ultimately, a creator of genre-defying music for all ages. Divinity talks about her experience as musical director in Beyoncé's groundbreaking all-female band—a role that transformed perceptions of women in music across generations. "I meet people all the time who talk about how impactful it was," she...

From art student to music publishing powerhouse, Annette Barrett's 40-year career reveals the invisible architecture behind some of music's biggest moments. Sarah and Annette discuss her remarkable journey that began with a chance opportunity at Carlin Music and led to groundbreaking work with legends like David Bowie, Madonna, Prince, and Elton John. With the perfect blend of business acumen and creative intuition, Barrett explains how her foundation in copyright law combined wi...

Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Syreeta Thompson takes us on a musical journey from her Chicago roots to becoming "New York's Trumpet Lady," revealing how determination and authenticity built her remarkable career. Syreeta’s story begins with her name itself – named after Syreeta Wright, Stevie Wonder's wife – setting the stage for a life immersed in music. Growing up in a household where jazz classics and soul legends provided the soundtrack, she first attempted clarinet be...

Sharon Tapper's journey provides a masterclass in resilience, advocacy, and community-building that every music professional should hear. When Sharon told her parents she was postponing medical school to explore the music business, they never imagined this "gap year" would transform into a decades-long career spanning artist management, publishing, and advocacy. From working at London's legendary SARM Studios with Trevor Horn and George Michael to managing icons like The Cranberr...

Sarah sits down with Samantha Cox, Vice President of Creative at BMI New York, to explore the vital role BMI plays in supporting songwriters and artists as well as her take on how women are reshaping the music industry. Sam's journey from small-town Texas to becoming an influential figure in the industry serves as both inspiration and masterclass. With remarkable candor, she shares the moment she discovered a teenage Stephanie Germanotta—soon to become Lady Gaga—and instantly recognized...

What does it take to discover Jeff Buckley when your boss says "he has no charisma"? How do you stand up to Tommy Mottola when he tries to intimidate you with an East River "walk and talk"? And what happens when Madonna becomes your roommate and starts throwing out all your "unhealthy" food? Kate Hyman knows. As one of the first female A&R executives at major labels, Kate has shaped music history through her work with the Flaming Lips, Moby, the Cranberries, Aimee Mann, and countles...

What happens when you stop hiding what makes you different and instead turn it into your superpower? Meet Lachi, a chart-topping recording artist and fierce advocate who's revolutionizing how the music industry approaches disability inclusion. Born legally blind, she spent years concealing her disability until a pivotal missed opportunity with an A&R executive changed everything. Embracing her blind identity – bejeweled cane and all – she discovered authenticity wasn't just liberating; it...

With over 30 years as an A&R executive at Sony Music and Warner Chappell, Lee Dannay has guided the careers of platinum-selling artists including John Mayer, Brandi Carlile, and Train while fundamentally reshaping how the industry approaches artist development. The heart of great A&R work, Lee reveals, lies not just in spotting talent but in building genuine trust. "At the end of the day, the music artists write is personal," she explains. "Every time an artist writes a song, i...

Sarah sits down with Shira Gans to discuss Shira’s work as a nationally recognized social impact strategist and as the Senior Executive Director for Policy and Programs at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. She has led pioneering initiatives that promote equity, opportunity, and sustainability across entertainment, government, and finance—including founding NY Music Month, the city’s official celebration of its vibrant music scene, The initiative now encompasses nearly 60 ev...

With 20 years of experience spanning publishing, distribution, and streaming platforms, Michelle Fantus witnessed—and shaped—dramatic shifts in how we discover, create, and monetize music. From her beginnings as a receptionist at Sony ATV Music Publishing to her current role as co-head of A&R at Killphonic Rights, Michelle's journey reveals the power of relationship-building and strategic innovation. When she found herself at Spotify during a pivotal moment, she seized the opp...

Welcome to She Creates Noise, a new podcast spotlighting the women who power the music industry—on stage and behind the scenes. Hosted by a platinum-selling songwriter, producer, manager, and mentor, this series pulls back the curtain on the female changemakers redefining how music gets made and heard. The mission of the show is to celebrate the visionary women who connect the dots others can’t see—producers, label execs, artists, and managers alike. These conversations are raw, real, and r...