The industry wanted virality. She wanted honesty.

Guess who won?

She walked away from the band, the marriage, the map — and somehow walked straight into her true voice.

Nikki Bluhm didn’t plan the reinvention.

She didn’t chase the algorithm.

She didn’t engineer a “moment.”

She just told the truth.

This is a woman whose band once went viral… in a van.

Millions and millions of people watched something recorded on an iPhone, mixed by flipping mics and shuffling bandmates between seats.

But her rebirth didn’t happen in front of millions.

It happened in a quiet little studio called Rancho Deluxe, built on a piece of land where artists walk in, breathe out, and finally relax enough to create something real.

Nikki left everything familiar behind — the band, the tour life, the relationship, the identity she’d built for a decade.

She moved 2,000 miles for a fresh start.

Recorded with people who didn’t know her pain.

And rebuilt her artistic compass from the inside out.

Because here’s the truth she discovered:

👉 You don’t need chaos to make great art.

👉 You don’t need drama to write something that matters.

👉 You don’t need to go viral to be real.

You need presence.

You need honesty.

You need soul.

And Rancho Deluxe became the ground where she reclaimed all three.

If you’ve ever felt crushed by the pressure to “perform” online…

If the noise, the speed, the expectations have ever made you forget why you started…

If you’re longing for something more grounded, more human, more you…

Nikki’s story will feel like fresh air.

🎙️ Subscribe now to Americana Curious.

Real art. Real stories. Real soul.

Let’s get Americana Curious.

Jake Owen iis a platinum-selling artist with ten #1 hits, a Breakthrough Artist of the Year winner, and one of the most recognizable voices in modern country.

You know him from “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’,” and “American Country Love Song.”

But after two decades at the top, Jake Owen did something most artists never dare to do - he reinvented everything.

He stepped away from what was comfortable, bet on himself, and made the most honest music of his life.

In this powerful conversation, Jake opens up about taking risks, trusting his gut, and creating from a place of truth instead of expectation.

We talk about breaking free from Nashville’s major-label system, teaming up with Shooter Jennings, and rediscovering the joy of making music that feels good again.

This might be one of the most vulnerable and revealing conversations we’ve ever had on Americana Curious.

It’s a reminder that music can still move people — and sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose authenticity over approval.

🎧 You’ll Hear Jake Share:

🎵 Why he needed to trust himself again after 20 years of success

🔥 How he found the courage to take creative risks

🤝 The unexpected story behind his partnership with Shooter Jennings

💔 What a moment with his daughter taught him about pride, identity, and purpose

🎸 Why letting the music lead — not the business — changed everything

This isn’t a comeback story.

It’s a coming-home story.

A reminder that reinvention isn’t starting over — it’s stepping into who you really are.

And if you’ve ever felt torn between success and your soul…

Jake’s words will hit you right in the heart.

🎧 From Ben & Zach

We started Americana Curious because we believe real music still matters.

Too many overlook the artists carrying the torch for truth, connection, and heart — so every week, we bring you their stories.

Thanks for being here, for caring about the songs that still mean something.

If this episode moves you, share it with a friend who needs a reminder that it’s never too late to start over.

🎙 Subscribe for more stories that prove Americana is alive and well.

At just 21 years old, Stella Prince has already done what most artists spend a lifetime chasing.

She’s been called “the artist bringing folk music to Gen Z” by Forbes, sang at a John Prine tribute in Nashville, and will record her debut album under the Northern Lights in Iceland.

But what struck me most wasn’t her voice (which has shades of Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile)…

It was her work ethic and gratitude.

For seven years, she handled everything — booking, performing, social, promotion — completely solo.

Then, in the last nine months, her dream team came together.

And her reflection is powerful:

“It’s really life-changing to finally have support from other people. It’s the biggest shift I’ve ever felt.”

💡 It’s a reminder for every creator, leader, and dreamer:

You can carry your dream far on your own — but it grows wings assemble your team of supporters!

✨ Don’t miss this moving Americana Curious episode featuring Stella Prince, the rising voice of modern folk.