📄 Episode Description:

Hey everyone, and welcome back to the So Rude Podcast! I’m your host, Paige Ruderman, and I am beyond excited to kick off this brand-new episode with a guest who truly does it all.

Today, I’m joined by Matt Steward—a Nashville-based luthier, professional guitar tech, and recording artist. Originally from California and raised in Phoenix, Matt’s journey took him from music school straight to the heart of Music City. Since planting roots in Nashville, he’s opened his own custom guitar shop and hit the road as a stagehand and tech for the award-winning duo Brothers Osborne.

But Matt isn't just behind the scenes; he’s also the creative force behind Hotelonfire, having recently released his single, "Change." I actually met Matt earlier this year when I needed some expert guitar work done. He came highly recommended, and once we started chatting, I knew I had to get him on the mic.

🎧 What You'll Hear:

• The Nashville Hustle: Moving from Phoenix to the center of the music industry.
• The Craft: What it’s really like working as a professional luthier and shop owner.
• Life on Tour: Behind-the-scenes stories from the road with Brothers Osborne.
• The Artistry: Matt’s evolution as a songwriter and his latest release, "Change."

Whether you’re a gearhead, an aspiring musician, or just love a good "making it in Nashville" story, this episode is for you.

🎧 About the So Rude Podcast:So Rude is hosted by Paige Ruderman and dives into real conversations with artists, songwriters, and creatives in Nashville and beyond. From the highs and lows of the industry to the behind-the-scenes of building a career in music, this show keeps it honest, curious, and always relevant. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

📲 Connect with Matt Steward (Hotelonfire):

• Instagram: @hotelonfire
• Instagram: @workingorderguitar
• TikTok: @hotelonfire

📲 Follow the Show:

• Follow Paige: @paigeruderman_ (https://www.instagram.com/paigeruderman_)
• Follow the podcast: @sorude.podcast (https://www.tiktok.com/sorude.podcast)
• Subscribe: [Insert podcast platform links—Spotify, Apple, etc.]Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhcW6IduxjTnvJQUTVhAa
• Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-rude-podcast/id1522530338
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SoRudePodcast
• Want to be a guest or suggest one? - So Rude Podcast Episode Suggestion Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesoXNsoJ15L0NxBuzbA3VfoZ8DW36UfHoEMt5aYRK4CqIDWg/viewform

🔖 SEO Keywords & Tags:Guitar Tech, Brothers Osborne Crew, Hotelonfire Music, Music Industry Podcast, Guitar Repair Nashville, Luthier, Matt Steward, Hotelonfire, Nashville Luthier, Guitar Tech, Brothers Osborne, So Rude Podcast, Paige Ruderman, Nashville Music Scene, Guitar Repair Nashville, Tour Life, Professional Luthier, Stagehand Stories, Music Industry Career, Custom Guitar Shop, Guitar Maintenance Tips, Indie Artist Marketing 2026

📄 Episode Description:

Join your host, Paige Ruderman, for the very last So Rude Podcast episode of 2025! This is a solo chat where Paige gets candid about the year's big changes. You'll hear the real reason the podcast shifted to a biweekly schedule—a personal journey involving a sudden and painful jaw injury that made talking a challenge.

Paige also dives into a topic we all need to hear: the trap of comparing your real life to curated online highlight reels. Plus, she shares her latest personal update (hello, Invisalign!) and looks forward to what 2026 has in store for the podcast and her personal life. A reflective, honest, and inspiring end to the year.

🎧 About the So Rude Podcast:

So Rude is hosted by Paige Ruderman and dives into real conversations with artists, songwriters, and creatives in Nashville and beyond. From the highs and lows of the industry to the behind-the-scenes of building a career in music, this show keeps it honest, curious, and always relevant. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

📲 Follow the Show:

- Follow Paige: @paigeruderman_ (https://www.instagram.com/paigeruderman_)

- Follow the podcast: @sorude.podcast (https://www.tiktok.com/sorude.podcast)

- Subscribe: [Insert podcast platform links—Spotify, Apple, etc.]Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhcW6IduxjTnvJQUTVhAaApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-rude-podcast/id1522530338

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SoRudePodcast- Want to be a guest or suggest one?

- So Rude Podcast Episode Suggestion Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesoXNsoJ15L0NxBuzbA3VfoZ8DW36UfHoEMt5aYRK4CqIDWg/viewform

🔖 SEO Keywords & Tags:

#PodcastFinale #SoloEpisode #JawInjury #InvisalignJourney #ComparisonIsTheThiefOfJoy #SocialMediaComparison #2025WrapUp #PaigeRuderman #SoRudePodcast

📄 Episode Description:

Welcome back to the So Rude Podcast! This week, host Paige Ruderman is thrilled to welcome Nashville-based folk singer-songwriter and audio engineer, Laura Nickel!

Originally from Albany, NY, Laura is known for her descriptive lyrics and memorable melodies that fearlessly explore the complexities of the human experience. Her music is a raw, heart-felt reflection, encouraging listeners to confront their own emotions with care.

Paige and Laura first met at NSAI, and this episode dives deep into Laura's inspiring journey.

🎧 What You'll Hear:

• • The Road to Nashville: What drew Laura from New York to the heart of music city.
  • The Solo Producer: How she taught herself audio production and completed a program at Blackbird Academy to fully record and produce all of her own music.
  • The Albums: A look back at her debut, Dusty Houses, which explored themes of lost loved ones and childhood memories.
  • The New LP, Honestly: Laura opens up about her ambitious 12-track sophomore album—completely written, recorded, and produced by her—and the stories behind tracks like "Garden Snakes," "St. Louis," and "Crystal Ball."
  • Creative Process: Learning about the art that inspires her, the challenge of recording a huge project while studying, and painting her own striking album cover.
  • Mic Check: We wrap up with a quick-fire segment on her dream collab, her go-to guilty pleasure song, and the best hidden gem spot in Nashville.

• Get ready to hear from an incredibly talented and self-driven artist who is truly doing it all!

  🎧 About the So Rude Podcast:

  So Rude is hosted by Paige Ruderman and dives into real conversations with artists, songwriters, and creatives in Nashville and beyond. From the highs and lows of the industry to the behind-the-scenes of building a career in music, this show keeps it honest, curious, and always relevant. New episodes drop Tuesdays.

  📲 Connect with Laura Nickel:

  • Instagram: @lauranickelmusic https://www.instagram.com/lauranickelmusic/?hl=en

  • TikTok: @lauranickelmusic https://www.tiktok.com/@lauranickelmusic

  • Website: https://lauranickelmusic.wordpress.com/

  📲 Follow the Show:

  - Follow Paige: @paigeruderman_ (https://www.instagram.com/paigeruderman_)

  - Follow the podcast: @sorude.podcast (https://www.tiktok.com/sorude.podcast)

  - Subscribe:

  • Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0KhcW6IduxjTnvJQUTVhAa
  • Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-rude-podcast/id1522530338
  • YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SoRudePodcast-

  Want to be a guest or suggest one? - So Rude Podcast Episode Suggestion Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesoXNsoJ15L0NxBuzbA3VfoZ8DW36UfHoEMt5aYRK4CqIDWg/viewform

  🔖 SEO Keywords & Tags:

  #LauraNickel #SoRudePodcast #FolkSingerSongwriter #NashvilleMusic #NashvilleArtist #DIYMusic #SelfProduced #FemaleProducer #AudioEngineer #BlackbirdAcademy #HonestlyAlbum #DustyHouses #NewMusic #PodcastEpisode #MusicPodcast #FolkMusic #AcousticMusic #SingerSongwriter #MusicForOverthinkers #IndieFolk #IndependentArtist #CreativeJourney #PaigeRuderman #MusicInterview #SupportLocalMusic #NashvilleNights #NewYorkToNashville #CreativeProcess