A Musical Journey Across America with Levi Coovert

Country artist Levi Coovert joins me to talk about releasing music independently, writing authentic country songs, and launching a self-funded tour across all 48 U.S. states and Canada.

Levi shares the inspiration behind his feel-good single “Let the Good Times Flow,” how live performances are helping him build a fan base, and why storytelling and positivity still matter in modern music.

If you enjoy country music, independent artists, and stories about chasing big dreams on the open road, this episode is for you.

You can find his content via his website: levicoovert.com

Want to be a guest on Drink O’Clock? Send us a message on PodMatch here:
 podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/drinkoclock

Transcript

Intro Song

Rob Valincius: And we're live. I'm alive. We're alive, we're breathing. It's a beautiful thing, right? Uh, I know one of these days I probably, something's weird's gonna fucking happen to me, and someone's gonna come back and listen to my show and be like, that guy's dead. Right? You know, like, that guy's not alive anymore.

But anyway, my name's Rob Valincius. This is the Drink O'Clock podcast, and I have a very special guest with me, Levi Coovert. Did I say it right?

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: Let's fucking go. Uh, now, Levi, you're a country music singer slash band slash writer. All the above, man. Welcome to the show.

Levi Coovert: Yeah. Singer, songwriter, performer, whatever you want to call it. Uh, yeah. Happy to be on here. I,

Rob Valincius: the Man of, uh, song and Dance, right? I mean, at this point, you know, if you're, if you're, as long as you're not using AI for any of your shit, you do it all

Levi Coovert: yeah. Well, not all of it. I, we, we, we work with a producer and, uh, but no, it's, it's really fun and you bring up a good point, you know, with the AI right off the bat. Because that, uh, it's just, it's such a, I think, a, a tragedy to kind of modern art that AI is getting into the scene. But I don't know if you wanna talk about that or not.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. I mean, look, I, I, I'll be honest with you, uh, I'm a member. I have a yearly membership to Sono, and that's where I got my intro outro song from. Um, but it's mainly because

people charge wi my original song, dude, not only did it cost me like 200 bucks, but. He did, he used like copyrighted stuff, so I couldn't even, like whenever I posted a YouTube video, I couldn't even use my own song

because he had used a melody that was copyrighted.

So YouTube would pick it up and it would flag all my fucking videos. So, um, I think there's a time and

place, like if it's, if it's a jingle or like, you know, I, I don't wanna go crazy, you know, maybe if this gets big at some point, yeah, I'll fucking pay someone a couple grand and make me my own shit. But I, this lowly guy down here, uh, can't afford to, to constant, like, you know, if I, I have seasons, so every season I try to do a different song.

So it's like, I, I don't have the money to be, to be propping up, you know,

for, for a Grammy award-winning singer to do my shit. But there's a time and a place, it's the same thing. I, you know, I work, um, I work in the insurance field in our, in our marketing department and you know, a lot of the girls in our marketing division. I hate ai. You say AI and it's like, whew. You know? Uh, but I get it because it's coming for their jobs,

you know? 

Levi Coovert: I like the.

Rob Valincius: feel it's the same, it's the same way for, for you guys.

Levi Coovert: Yeah, I mean, what, what I like, I, 'cause I see, you know, the Suno stuff and I think when, when you hear, sometimes I'll be scrolling, you know, TikTok or whatever, they, there are some hilarious like comedies or parodies that AI can come out. And I think those are, those are kind of cool. But the, the minute that you start listening to an AI song on a Spotify playlist, that's when you know, okay, it's gone a little too far.

Like, use it for, for comedy, use it for a joke, but don't use it to try to claim this is a, you know, a real legitimate music. Because it, it's not the same. It's not the same thing. At least that's what I would say.

Rob Valincius: Didn't the number one song on TikTok, wasn't that an AI song? Let me see. I forget. Uh, let me see. I run Haven and Caitlyn Aragon. Caitlyn Aragon. Do you remember that song?

Levi Coovert: No, I don't think I do, but I've seen. 

Rob Valincius: as I So on, as soon as I play it, you're gonna fucking know. Hold on, You didn't hear that song?

Levi Coovert: Nah, well, it sounds like a generic kind of pop song, but is that ai? 

Rob Valincius: It, so a lot of people were saying it's ai, like the, the, the girl singing and then the girl singing. There's, there was like two or three of 'em there said no, it was me.

I don't know, dude. It could, it, it could be. Who knows? Uh, but it was pulled down, I think from something, because people were saying it's a, it's AI generated.

Um, it's gonna, dude, if I was, I saw some videos, uh, Elon Musk and some other guys were talking at a, I forget what conference it was, but they were showing the difference in video. AI from 2023, you know, so we're

not even talking a full three years. I don't know if you saw it, where it's like the Will Smith eating pasta and he's all like, like his mouth is, and it just, it looks like a fucked up, stupid cartoon you see on Cartoon Network at like your adult swim at like

2:00 AM and then, and then they show another video of, of AI Will Smith and it, it's hard to tell the difference if that's real Will Smith or AI Will Smith

Levi Coovert: Yeah. It's certainly getting better.

Rob Valincius: it's insane.

But anyway, I digress. Let's talk about you brother. Um, obviously. For my listeners and meeting you, Levi for the first time, let's talk a little bit about growing up and, uh, you know, what kind of drove you into the, the musical side of things. 'cause I think, uh, us creatives, right? I think I, I'm a very tech oriented person, so I always was big into video games and big into shit like that, and like really heavy.

Like, I went to design video games growing up. I

went to school for it for a little bit. So what, uh, as a kid, you know, what, what got you into it?

Levi Coovert: Uh, well, I mean, I, I just, I grew up with music all around me and it was just. Whatever it was. My, my mom, my grandma, my dad, everybody in my family loved music. And so it just kind of was a part of me from a very early age. Um, but I, I remember like, I used to watch, my dad's favorite band was U2 and he had this EVD of them performing live, and I would just watch that on repeat and I just, I couldn't, I couldn't imagine when I was a kid, I, you know, people would say, what do you wanna do?

And I said, I wanna be a rock star. Like that. I couldn't imagine not doing that 'cause it just seemed so cool to me. And so that's kind of how it started was just as a kid, just hearing so much music and seeing so much music and it just, it just became a part of me.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. And, and so why country? You know, I always ask, so, so I'm not a, I'm not a fan of country. I mean, there is some country songs that I like that are more, it's like the more poppy country stuff, uh, that I like, but I've also never really given it a chance. I, I just don't, that's just not my style of music.

And I listen to a lot of different things. But what drove you towards the country side of things?

Levi Coovert: Well, I, I was like you, I didn't give it a chance until I was about 15. And, uh, during, during that, the pandemic, uh, I spent, started spending a lot of time with my grandparents and they lived out in, uh, eastern Washington, very rural part of the state. And, uh, they loved country music. And so I just started to, to hear it a lot more when I was around my grandparents.

And I kind of fell in love with it. And, and it, there was a storytelling aspect of country music that I really resonated with that I thought modern pop music maybe lacks a little bit. Um. I love. So, so I say my favorite music right now, it's it's country and then it, I really, I've always loved Rock up until about you get to like the nineties sort of period, and I think Modern Rock is kind of lacking in that the country has kind of filled that void for me.

Um, I just, I love, yeah, I love the storytelling and I love the, the melodies of country music, so, yeah.

Rob Valincius: There is a lot of storytelling in country music. Um, I feel like a lot of it comes from booze driven escapades too. I mean, a lot of

it's got booze driven escapades, which is my type of music, obviously Drink clock

podcast. But, um. Yeah. You know, I guess I never really gave it a chance. See, I was always into, and, you know, you gotta respect, uh, the wifeys big into eighties music.

So she, she got me listening to that. That's like 95% of our Spotify liked list

Levi Coovert: Oh man.

Rob Valincius: you know, uh, eighties music, which spans rock and pop and little bit of everything. Um, but you also really gotta appreciate, like, I grew up in the nineties, so I, you know, I'm, I'll be 40 this year. I, I was born in 86, so I really grew up in the, you know, nineties and early two thousands and just nineties.

Grunge music is just, there's nothing like it, man. Like, there's nothing like nirvana. There's nothing like those, like

smashing pumpkins, like those, they just were dropping hit after hit. It's the same thing with movies though. You know, the nineties just hit after hit. Like, there, I, I forget where it was.

Like all, um, Jim Carrey, it was like his list of movies that released in the nineties, and you're like, holy shit. It's like banger after banger, and then now it's like we could barely get one, like really, really good hit movie a year. Everything. It's just all bullshit. Uh, maybe I'm just a, a skeptic anymore.

I

Levi Coovert: No, I, I agree because I. I always, I, I have some friends who are trying to become, uh, filmmakers and I always tell them, you need to bring it back to how, how it was before we really, like, I was born in 2005. I grew up

Rob Valincius: Jesus Christ. I graduated high school in 2004. I

am old. I am an ancient fucking dinosaur.

Jesus. Go ahead. Sorry. 

Levi Coovert: I grew up with, there weren't many huge movies, like for, for my, when I remember movies that went huge as a kid. It was like Frozen, which I wasn't that interested in. And the first, the first time they came out with the new Star Wars, that was huge. But then those kind of started getting bad.

So all the new movies nowadays I'm not interested and I, I find myself going back and watching classic movies all the time, but where are the big blockbuster? I don't know what happened to 'em. Especially 

Rob Valincius: Yeah. Like, avatar doesn't do it for me, bro.

That's just not, and I'm a sci-fi, I'm a sci-fi person. I love that. But it's just, uh, I don't know what people's, uh, obsession with that, that movie line is. I, I think I watched the first one and I just, yeah, it looks okay, but it's just, it's like a staple, you know, throwing a bunch of movie tropes and there's nothing like unique like, uh, like, and I know it's based on a book, but have you ever seen Fight Club?

Levi Coovert: Yeah,

Rob Valincius: Where the fuck is my movie? Twists Man,

fight Club movie Twist? You're like, what the. Fuck. And then they show you him. I don't wanna ruin it for people that haven't watched it, but they show you that the fucking thing and you're just like, holy shit, that guy is insane. But this movie's awesome.

Levi Coovert: yeah. And even just c creativity in movies. Like where are the creative plots? I feel like every movie now is just, you know, I now I sound like a, I sound like an old head, but I feel like every movie now is like the same, like. You know, hero has to solve a bad guy or something. It's just like, come up with some more creativity.

That's what I say.

Rob Valincius: Well, that, that, and, you know, we've gotten very, you know, they weren't afraid to push the boundaries in the

nineties and two thousands. Right Now it's like, all right, every movie you have to have a white person, a black person, a Chinese person, a trans, a lesbian.

Like all of those people have to be in the movie.

So when, when you come up with the original, original concept, I'm not saying that's not okay, but it's all movies.

And it's like, well, what if the story is telling about a group of black guys are, you're gonna cast a random white person or Asian person just because

you need them in the movie? Why wouldn't you just have it so that it, it stays true to its original script.

Right? It's, um, you know, put, to put it in music terms, right? It's like if there, if you're supposed to sing a certain melody, but you want a different melody in its place just to have it there, but it throws the whole

tune off of the song. And that happens all the time,

Levi Coovert: Oh yeah.

Rob Valincius: Like, I'll be vibing, I'm a beat person.

So that's, you know, like I, I grew up, um, enjoying like rap to a certain degree. I hate it now, but, you know, a beat would get me,

you know, Lil Wayne was, was really good with that. Like, he'd have a beat that would just hook you. And there was never a time where I feel like in his songs where there'd just be a random, Kanye was known for that.

Sometimes it would work, sometimes it would fail

Levi Coovert: Yeah, he has some, some, you know, he's creative. I'll give him that. Kanye very creative, but he has some weird songs.

Rob Valincius: Some weird songs, some weird shit that he throws in, and

it just throws the whole vibe of the song up. But it's the same concept. It's like you gotta stay true to what you envision in your head or what you wrote as the script and things like, you can make changes, but don't just do it to app piece

people. right.

And, you know, what's your, your approach when you're sitting down, I always like to ask like, what's your approach to writing music? Like, do, do you have a, uh, your favorite desk, your favorite chair? Do you have to be out in nature? Like, what's, what's your process look like?

Levi Coovert: Yeah, it, it does actually, nature help can help a lot. Right now, I oftentimes, when I'm writing songs, I do it on my balcony. Um, I'll just go out in the balcony and I, we have a little view of like a park. Um, so kind of just sitting out there with my guitar, kind of just drumming lightly. And that's a lot of times when I, when I'm kind of able to be the most creative is kind of outdoors.

Um, and yeah, I mean usually the, it's a very simple process that starts with just find a melody that sticks, find, uh, a rhythm or a melody that can just hook you. And once I'm hooked on something, then I, then I kind of know, okay, maybe this will work. Um, and sometimes it comes to me right away and sometimes it comes to me when I'm not even trying to think of one.

And sometimes it will take, I'll go like weeks and weeks without thinking of anything good. And that's when, you know, just bad idea. Throw it in the scrap in, find a new idea. But yeah, it's, it's all about, you either have to have, I believe you either have to have a groove that just hooks you right away or a really, really catchy melody.

And if you don't have one of those two things, this song is probably not gonna be very good.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, and you gotta have something that's relatable too. I think that

is important. Right? Uh, I think that's why a lot of the rap these days is like, it's not good because they're, they're singing about, you know, being rich and, and famous and, and it's like,

Levi Coovert: Like I can't really say. 

Rob Valincius: cool. 

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: You know, but nobody, nobody can relate to that.

And I think that's why you've seen a lot more country music start to take off too, because you don't have many country singers that's singing about that.

Right.

They're singing about breakups, they're singing about getting drunk and having fun. They're singing about four-wheeling. They're saying like they're singing about and, and talking about things that are relatable to people, especially depending on where you are.

Right? Like, you know, if you're in the south and people ride four wheelers all the time, or dirt bikes or whatever, they're appealing to, to people. Whereas you have the current rap and, and some pop and it's like outside of the catchy beats, they don't hook you emotionally.

Levi Coovert: Right. It's like one of the, one of my favorite groups is the Zack Brown Band, and they, you know, what's their big song? Chicken Fried? It's just about having a barbecue, you know what I mean? It's like that's, everyone can relate to that. Everyone can relate to chicken fried, everyone can relate to, you know, wanting to go down to the beach for a day.

Like that sort of stuff is relatable. Whereas, yeah, you're right. A lot of the kind of, you know, you tune into Top 40 radio and it's kind of a lot of, uh, you know. Money, sex hookups. And that's not as relatable, I think, for people, especially nowadays. So, I don't know. That's, that's kind of how I see it.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, the world's different now than it was, you know, but I think, I think everyone's looking for a little nostalgia anymore. Like you see a lot of things starting to come back a little bit, um, whether that's good or bad, right? Some of it's not good, but some of it I do think, you know, as I think as a society, you try to move on from certain things thinking you're better than it, but at the same time, it's like, what happened to comedy?

right.

It's like, it's, it's so hard to be a comedian. I, I, it's gotten a little easier, but I, I, I feel like I feel bad for them because you say one thing and everyone's trying to cancel you and it's just like, it, you're a comedian. Like if I go to a comedy show and you know, some guy was like, you're a fat short guy.

And I wouldn't be upset. He's one, he's telling the truth. But two, if he's working it into a joke, I'm

laughing because it's, it's a comedy show. That's what you expect. And um, I think, you know, I think people gotta get thicker skin. It's changing a little bit. We're going a little bit back to the way

it was. We got a long way to go though, man. The PC stuff drives me nuts.

Levi Coovert: Yeah, I do think we're getting a little better, 'cause I watch Shane Gillis and I think sometimes some of those jokes that he'll say like, I don't know if he would've made it five, even five years ago. He might have been canceled. But I'm glad that we, we, we still have some funny comedians, but not a whole lot.

I don't know.

Rob Valincius: Shane pushes the limits. I, I, uh, I'm a bill. We're, uh, bill Burr fans. We love Bill

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: Um, you know, if you've never seen him live, he's fucking great. Um, he definitely has, somehow, he always works a Nazi joking, which is, which the way he does is always just great. Um, it's just cer certain comedians, they know how to play a crowd.

Um, Anthony Zelnick is the Wifeys favorite comedian. 'cause he tells the most ridiculous deadpan. Like his, he's, he's got a, what type of comedy is he, babe? Dark humor. It's like dark humor. I forget. There's a certain, like, like, it's like he says shit to get reactions outta people. Like he'll tell dead baby jokes. Uh, he talks about how much he hates kids. Like he's just like that type of person and people go. What, and then, you know, who goes to see him because they know his comedy. 'cause we're all laughing,

Right?

It's a joke. Um, but yeah, I, I don't know. I, I think, uh, I think the world needs to heal a little bit

and stop, you know, pretending like they, they gotta stick up their ass.

But,

Levi Coovert: And the ability to laugh together for people to come together and laugh, that is such a powerful like community building experience, you know, you can relate it right back to music. Whereas like when you have people in the same room. A hundred people in the same room who probably all came from different places, different, you know, different places they were born, different places they work at different places they live, but they're all laughing at the same jokes or they're all enjoying the same movie or they're all singing along to the same song.

That's how you can build that community and really kind of show like, Hey, we're actually not that different, even though we all came from different walks of life. And so I, I agree. I mean, you need people, you need as a society, things to bring us together like that. And uh, you know, it feels like there's, there has been a small renaissance kind of driving that back, but it's still, you're right, it we're not near like, I wish I was born 20 years before I had been, so I could have experienced a little more of that.

'cause I feel like, yeah, I, you know, I grew up in such a time when it's more like, you believe this, you believe that, and you do separate things. And I don't think that's right. I don't think that makes sense for society.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. I mean, look, my generation I think is a, is a dying breed, right? 'cause, 'cause we grew up when there really wasn't internet, like not everybody had it.

And I know that that's, it's hard to believe. But yeah, that was the thing. But then we also grew into it, like we grew into having a cell phone that eventually, like I could text people and then eventually I could go online with it, and that was a big thing, and then I could use apps with it.

And then now it's basically a fucking supercomputer in your pocket, you know? Um, there was a time where no one had cell phones and you just went out and you played basketball. I played a ton of basketball, played a ton of football. You know, we skateboarded like, you just, you hung out with your friends and you just did shit. Um, and then, you know, I feel like that's kind of gone away a little bit. Right. But, you know, I, I don't know. Again, maybe that's part of, you know, technology becoming more

and more pertinent in our lives, you know?

Levi Coovert: But we need to bring that, I mean, I, I think I'm so grateful that my parents didn't give me a phone until my 15th birthday because I got a semi-normal childhood. At least. You know, I, I like to say like, I think part of the reason why I'm so creative today is because I gotta be creative as a child. I got, I still, I was outside, I was, you know, I had a huge imagination and I think that really helped and helps me now, um, to have had that kind of background.

Um, and I just think, like, I look at kids now getting phones when they're eight years old and I can't believe, like, how, I don't know. I feel like they're missing out on something like an, an element of life that I feel, I feel a little, I still feel a little bit lucky that I got to have a little bit of that, so,

Rob Valincius: It's, it, it was, it was cool. I, I, I will, I hated it at the time. Uh, you know, but I also didn't know what today would be like,

right? So like, I think you look back and I'm like, I really enjoyed being able to, you could just do things and like your parents would be like, Hey, be home by dinner, or You're getting your ass whooped.

You know, like there was no text message or call wherever you were. And like, if I had to make an urgent call, I had to go to a payphone, which when I was growing up, still kind of, I mean, it existed, but cell phones were starting to get bigger and bigger, right? So like, you know, you have more people using it, but it was a weird time.

Uh, but it was cool. So, uh, it's a shame people now don't get to experience that.

I mean, maybe at some point in the future there will be a renaissance of, Hey, leave your fucking phone at home and just hang out. You know,

Levi Coovert: I think there will be, I feel like people are starting to kind of wake up and kind of see like, we got all this AI junk and we got all this. Like, you know, I don't know. I think that, I think we will kind of get to that point. I, I think people are just gonna have to choose, are we gonna, are we gonna be slaves to our technology and to the ai, or are we going to.

Live like normal human beings, and I think we're gonna choose option number two, live like normal human beings. But we'll see how it goes.

Rob Valincius: Well, I mean, think about it, man, like, uh, you know, um, obviously have you, you've, you've performed in different places, right? How many times have you seen where all these people are just staring at you perform? Most of the time it's people with the phones up recording it. They're not in the moment

Levi Coovert: yeah, that's true. You got, you know, I don't think I've performed a single time when there wasn't at least somebody filming me, which I guess that's kind of cool. But then there's also somebody else just sitting in the background scrolling, not even paying attention. So, you know, it's a, it's a double-edged sword.

It's like, well, the phones are cool, you help, you know, I can share on social media, I can promote myself better. People can, you know, send videos of me. But then also it, it's a big distraction. And so, yeah.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, you guys just be present,

man. Um, you know, there's, there's certain things and I'm guilty of it, you know, I'm a doom scroller and, you know, but I think sometimes, like, it's weird. Um, I always tell people I, I wanna get a Tesla because I want it to drive me to work.

And I bet you I would, and I've been driving the same route to work for 11 years. I bet you that if I had OT Tesla driving me, I would notice shit that I've never noticed before because I wouldn't be just. Watching my hands and just watching to make sure that the guy from jersey's not gonna knock me off the road. Jersey drivers are the worst. I'll say that again and again.

Um, but, you know, I would be less connected to like, 'cause that's a lot of the, the driving itself is, is a stressor

and you gotta always be paying attention.

So, uh, can you ever fully trust an AI car?

Levi Coovert: I don't know if I would.

Rob Valincius: maybe my dad's like, why the hell would you trust? Would you trust that car with your life? I'm like, I mean, it's probably gonna drive more safer than the way I drive. You know, I'm from Philly, man, we don't, uh, we we're not like the, you know, ease, the, the most laid back of drivers.

We'll say that. Um, now listen, you, you talked a little bit about, uh, you know, promoting yourself. Um, you released your first record independently last spring. Um, you know, what did that process teach you about yourself? Because I know, um, when you're dependent, you don't have a label and you're kind of doing everything all on your own. There's a lot that goes into it. 'cause not only are you the talent, but you're also the marketer. Uh, and just about everything else.

Levi Coovert: Yeah, a lot of, it's a lot of work that goes into it, and it's, it was a lot for me to kind of, you know, I, I used to want to do everything on my own, you know, and I've always, I've always kind of been a, a person like that, but I kind of had to realize I. I can't do everything on my own, you know, I can't. And so I had to, I had to kind of find people to, to help me, you know?

So I found a, a producer to help me out, and I found people who are willing to help promote me. And, and, and that's been great. But what I wasn't able to find was a solid label. And I've reached out, you know, I've reached out to labels and I've reached out to kind of songwriting agencies and there have been some interest, but it was never able to kind of work a deal out between me and, and any other group.

And part of that was because, um, some of the deals that were being offered didn't seem super fair, um, to me. And other times there was just things that, you know, wasn't, we weren't able to work things out. And so at the end of the day, I decided I'm gonna put it out independently, and we're just gonna see what happens.

And, uh, there's, there's a little, there's a lot of stress that can come with that. You know, you kind of have to just be okay with. If it blows up, it blows up. If it flops, it flops and whatever happens in between happens in between, you know? And so I'm, I feel lucky that people have, have heard it and people have listened to it.

And I feel lucky that because I've been able to put music out, it's helped me to land more opportunities to perform at different places. Um, and I also understand I have a lot, a long, long way, uh, to continue to grow and to, to build. So I thought it was a good starting point though, for sure.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, I mean, look, dude, it's uh, it's, it's not easy, uh, to, to kind of get yourself out there and, and do what you need to do. But I will, I'll tell you this, and I think it transcends, you know, even podcasting. 'cause I've been doing this for, uh, like three, almost three and a half years. Don't pay attention to the numbers. And I was a slave the first year because I, that's just who I am. I'm a numbers guy and I'm like, okay, I'm, you know, no one downloaded today. What do I need to do? How do I need? And I think the moment I stopped caring about the numbers is when my podcast started to do way better

Levi Coovert: Right,

Rob Valincius: organically. And I think, I think the same thing for you goes, I would not. Just be a slave to the numbers. Just let it come. Because when it comes, it's, it's a slow build. Right? I, you know, I started out and no one knew what my show was. And then I had a couple people that started to listen after year one. And then year two I had more people start to listen regularly. Right. And now in year three, I got even more people that are starting to listen Now I'm pushing year four.

And it's, it's, it's just a slow climb. I think if you stick with it, you'll be fine. Just don't, the numbers can sometimes, one, it can skew you, right? What if you have a, if you're a one hit wonder, look at all the one hit

wonders out there, right? That had one good song and then they couldn't make anything else.

Um, I think if you just focus on your music and don't worry about the numbers, they'll come.

Levi Coovert: Yeah, and 

Rob Valincius: always my advice to people. 

Levi Coovert: what I had to realize as well because I was putting out a lot of music before I would put out singles and whatever, and it wouldn't get a whole lot of traction. And I finally just realized this is not working. Like putting music onto Spotify and then just hoping people listen, that's not working.

What I realized is instead of worrying about the Spotify, like, yeah, I'm gonna put music on Spotify, but the, the, the thing that I need to focus on right now is becoming a great performer. You know? And so that's when I said I'm gonna start performing live. I'm gonna email every restaurant in town and say, Hey, can I perform at this?

Can I perform at your bar? Can I perform at your restaurant? Can I perform at the barbecue? Can I perform at the farmer's market? And that's how I've really feel like I've improved and actually. Started to find people who are interested and kind of find fans is by actually going out there and just playing live and not really worrying about the streaming or the YouTube numbers, whatever.

Like, I like, like you said, I think those will come eventually over time, but sitting at home like twiddling my thumbs like, man, I didn't get enough streams today that that wasn't gonna move me anywhere. That was that gonna, I'm, you're not gonna go up in the world by doing that.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. No, it probably doesn't help. You're young

and I think that. One is a good thing 'cause you, you got plenty of life ahead of you. It's a beautiful thing to be young, but it in, in what you're trying to do right now, I think it hurts you

because you know, you, you're making these calls and I, I'm, I'd imagine people probably don't take you as serious.

Levi Coovert: Well they've started to, but you, you, once you have, at first it was really hard to find people to let me come play music. Um, 'cause it was just like this kid. And then, you know, I got a couple of places. And I, I got some good videos of myself kind of performing live. And now that I have the, the videos I can kind of show them and that kind of proves to them, hey, okay, he knows what he's doing.

He can put, he can play a two hour set and not, you know, lose the crowd or whatever. So that has helped me a lot, is getting some good high quality live videos. Um, so it's starting to get easier to book, uh, to book gigs, but it's still, you know, it's again, yeah. You know, you get a lot of people who just don't even respond.

And that's, again, you kinda have to be okay with it. Like, look, I don't take it personally. I understand. I understand it all. It's, it's all kind of a business at the end of the day, but, um, it's kind of how you, how you have to handle it. If you take it personally, you're, you'll give up within a week.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. I mean, look, at the end of the day, you're a business, right? So I think for you, uh, the people that don't answer, reach out back to 'em again in a

month. Maybe they just weren't paying attention to their email.

I mean, there's a lot, there's a lot that, yeah, there's a lot that can go into that. I mean, I'm guilty of it myself, you know, uh, but I would definitely, in my world, I work in the insurance world. I mean, a lot of our guys are reaching out to people 10, 15 times, leaving them messages until they tell them, you know, either, okay, let's talk or go fuck yourself.

You literally, so I, I think if you're persistent in what you do, you'll, you'll, you'll get it, dude. You'll book more and more places. You just have to, you stick with it.

Levi Coovert: yeah,

Rob Valincius: the moment you become lackadaisical, that's when it, it's, it's not gonna, it's not gonna help you in any way.

Levi Coovert: yeah. And that's why, I mean, I just tell myself, just get the next one. Get the next one, get the next one. And don't worry about all the, every yes is worth a hundred no's in my book. And so like, if I can just get the next gig, the next gig, the next gig, that's all it is for me. It's just go. Go find one more.

Go find one more and don't worry about the 10 people who didn't respond or whatever. Just go find another one. And, because there's always somebody who's gonna say yes, um, which is, which is the nice thing. But yeah, it, it can be, sometimes it can be a little bit draining, but you just, you know, you shrug it off.

It's like, look, this is what I want do. This is what I find joy doing, and so I'm not gonna let, I'm not gonna let any setbacks like ruin that.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, building a brand's not easy man. Um, you know, especially if you're building it from the ground up

on your own. So, you know, it takes, uh, it takes a lot of time. I mean, I'm sure you got a, you know, a decent, uh, you know, uh, backing behind you, right? Friends, family, all that stuff. It's, it sounds like you get a good head on your shoulder, so I'm sure, you know, with that comes, you, you, you at least have people that are on your side, you know?

Levi Coovert: Yeah. And the friends and family is huge. And having people who I know will support me, that is. Massive. And it wasn't always the case, you know? But as my music has gotten better, I think my songwriting, my performances have gotten a little bit better. I've started to, I think, win over some of the friends and family who might have doubted me at first.

And that has also been huge. Like, okay, the people who know me believe in me. And I think that matters a lot. Like if, if nobody believes in you, that would be a lot worse of a feeling. But the fact that the people who, people who used to tell me, Hey dude, I think you need to get better at this. Or now they've kind of started to say, okay, you, you're, you are improving, you are getting better.

And now they can, they can see it. And that, and that helps me see it as well to see the growth. 'cause yeah, you're right. Like you start building, it's a slow climb, but you have, once you start to see the growth, it kind of changes the way you think about it. 'cause then all of a sudden it's like, okay, there is a mountain and I am climbing it.

And whether or not you're at the top bottle minimum, wherever it is like. You're going up and that's what you need. You need, if you're not going up, you're not really, what are you doing?

Rob Valincius: Yeah, if you're staying flat, man, then that's, that's not a good thing.

Levi Coovert: Right?

Rob Valincius: you know, but sometimes you'll have setbacks too.

You know, it's, uh, it's not always gonna be this, it might be this

Levi Coovert: That's a lot.

Rob Valincius: you know.

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. It's, it's a s slow climb. And you know, I think, I think, uh, as you learn, you know, you get better able and as you, as you age, right, you, you're gonna ha you're gonna fall down and it's, as you get back up, you're like, all right, don't do that again.

You know? All right. I'll stay away from that and I'll, I'll continue on, but, uh, you got a new single. Let the good times flow. So talk, talk to me a little bit. Um, it's got, you know, a bit of an uplifting feel to it. What type of head space were you in when, when you wrote it, and, and what was that process like for it?

Levi Coovert: yeah, I wrote, uh, let the Good Times Flow after, um, after actually a rough week. So, um, I, I, in addition to being a musician, I work in journalism, um, and I work for our local newspaper. Um, that definitely has helped me, you know, survive, pay the bills, everything. Um, and uh,

Rob Valincius: there, brother.

Levi Coovert: this was happening after a week of, uh, quite a bit of.

Unrest because there was, uh, there was, the Charlie Kirk murder had happened recently. So we had, uh, protests happening in our town. And there was, it just, there was a general feeling that people were, um, people were not feeling great about where we were at as a country, as a town anyway, you know, it just felt like people were down, people were down.

Um, and so I thought, you know what, you know what I need to do? I need to write a song that's gonna bring back the good vibes. And so that's why I wrote Let The Good Times Flow. 'cause I was just thinking like, man, we just, we need songs that are gonna energize us and kind of make people happy and make us forget about what had been a long week.

And so for me that was all it was, was I'd had a long week and I needed a song that was gonna make me forget about it. So yeah, that's kind of how, how it came about.

Rob Valincius: So how do you want people to feel when they hear this track for the first time? Like, what, what do you want the, the general public to feel

when they listen? To let the good times flow?

Levi Coovert: I want people to hear the song and think I need to go have a great night. Whether it's tonight or tomorrow or in the weekend, like I want people to hear the song and think, I need to go have a good night.

Rob Valincius: And those are the type of songs you need to listen

to. None of that fucking depressing shit, man.

Levi Coovert: Right. I do not like to write depressing songs. I really,

Rob Valincius: and place for the depressing stuff.

Levi Coovert: There, there is a time and place and I, I'm sure there will be a time in my life when that is the kind of thing that I'm writing. 'cause I feel like we all go through peaks and valleys in life, you know, between the, the, the good and bad. But right now, you know, I'm like, I'm in a good mental space.

I'm having fun, so I'm gonna write songs like that. I, I don't need to write, it would be inauthentic for me to write a sad song right now because I'm not sad right now. You know? So.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. Hey, look, as a creative man, the, the, the brain's gonna flow. The creativity's gonna be somewhere. Right.

So, uh, I'm sure at some point you'll be depressed. We all get

there and, and who knows what's gonna come outta you then?

Levi Coovert: Yeah,

Rob Valincius: Could be a

banger, right? It could could, could be a banger. 

Levi Coovert: but that's, you have to write songs that are the most authentic. Like, this is what, when I was a kid, I would try to write songs because I thought, or even when I was not even a kid a few years ago, I would try to write songs because I would think, oh, people like songs about X, so I'm gonna write a song about X people, like songs about Y, so I'm gonna write a song about this.

And those never felt as good because it was never, it was always me trying to write a version of a song that had already been written. And it wasn't really me writing from the heart and from my own. Like, you have to write what's authentic to you or else people will see right through it. If I tried to write a breakup song like that wouldn't work because I, I haven't gone through a breakup in what, four, four or five years, so it wouldn't feel right.

People would see through it. They'd think they'd hear it, and they'd say, I don't think that guy actually knows what he's talking about.

Rob Valincius: Yeah.

Levi Coovert: the same time, somebody else might write a great breakup song 'cause they just went through a break. Like you have to have, it has to mean something to you. If it doesn't, people will see through it and they won't care.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, dude. That's why when I do doing this show, it's the same thing, right? I try to be as authentic as possible.

Um, I've had some, I've had some duds of guests and, uh, I've had to, I'm not gonna say names, I've had to plow through it. Um, but I always try to stay true to me, and my show is a reflection of that.

And I always tell people, look, this is a safe space for you. You could talk about what you do. You could talk about like, I'm not gonna come at you. This isn't a gotcha show. I'm not gonna be like, that's weird. You know? Unless you, unless you want me to tell you. That's weird, then I got

you. You know? Um, but the point of this show was. I wanted a safe space for myself to be able to talk to people and whether that's a conversation or even if we disagree, a place where people can just talk about it and not yell at each other or hate each other for it. 'cause when I grew up, especially if you're a dude, we would get into a fist fight and then we were best friends.

That's kind of what we did then, you know? Um, but if you had a disagreement, you could talk to somebody about it and have a argument and then you'd be good. And it wasn't this like, craziness today where it's like you have an argument, then you're canceled, and then, you know, you get a mob of people to hate you.

It's like, it's like very calculated

now. You know? Like if you wanna destroy someone, it it, you could do it pretty easy.

Levi Coovert: Oh yeah. Yeah.

Rob Valincius: So like, what I try to put out there, it's, it's, it's, I try to be as positive as possible. I try to do it, you know, as much of an entertaining job as I can, as a host. And. I try to make my show reflect that.

And, and it sounds like you do the same thing with your music. So I think that there's something to that and, 'cause if you're fake, people can typically sense fake.

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: I'm not gonna do something I don't, I

don't wanna do. And I'll, I'll typically, I'm at the age where I'll just tell you I don't want do it. You know, or I don't.

I I, and there's been plenty of times, I mean, the wifeys behind here, she could probably attest to that.

Levi Coovert: yeah, but you're right. Being, being who being who you are is, is so important. And I think there are a lot of people now maybe who are scared to be who they are for, for whatever reason. And maybe, you know, you could blame some of that on kind of social media. Um, but no, I, I agree. And you're doing a great job, by the way.

I mean, I can tell you are who you are and, um. I love that. I appreciate that. Um, it's like one of, one of my favorite musicians, Kenny Chesney, I don't know if you, if you're familiar with him, but he's all about that brand as well. It's like, be positive, be yourself, be authentically you and don't, don't like, don't give a shit about what the, about what the rest of the world has to say because there's, there is a lot of negativity, you know?

But at the end of the day, if you can be positive, if I can be positive, if, if this community of people can be positive, then that's, that's what it takes.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, I mean, hey, look, the wifey,

um, how, how long ago was that, babe, that you worked for Kenny Chesney? Um, it was before COVID, like 2017. 2018? Probably 18. 19, yeah. Multiple years. Uh, the wife, he actually used to go to like, uh, Kenny loves blondes,

so the wife, he's a blonde, and, uh, she would, she would work. What company was it? It was just the, it was Twisted T No, no, he, uh. It was his rum. His rum. He, uh, he owns a rum.

Levi Coovert: Right, right.

Rob Valincius: Chesney's. Loaded,

Levi Coovert: Yeah. 

Rob Valincius: uh, but she would

work for something big, something bay. She would work for his rum brand and then they would like go out on stage and fucking throw t-shirts to people and

she got to meet him and, and be backstage and stuff like that.

And 'cause he would, uh, he would have a big show in Jersey.

Levi Coovert: Right?

Rob Valincius: I always forget what it was a big country show and, uh, a yeah, mine was at Lincoln Financial. She did it at Lincoln Financial, but there were, they were always, they would be in Jersey too alive. I forget what the hell, the, which show that was, that's a big country show my buddies would go. Um, but yeah, Kenny, I mean, Kenny's loaded. Kenny Kenny's, uh, he's living the good

life. That's, that's for sure. Um, but yeah, I think au authenticity is that. Part of the convo. Authenticity is important. People

stop being fake bitches. All right? And don't hide behind. You know, I, it's always the people online that don't have a profile picture.

It's a cartoon or some dumb shit. And they're the

people that hide. And I look, man, I've been called at all on my YouTube videos. You're fat, you're old, you're stupid. Whatever, man. I don't let that shit bother me 'cause I don't

give a shit. People can say whatever they want, but you know, the internet is a wild, wild west.

Um, that, you know, I don't think they're ever, ever solved that 'cause it's always been that way. But, um, I'm sure you can attest, especially if you're posting videos and

socials and, uh,

Levi Coovert: yeah. And you'll get the, you'll get the hate comments and sometimes it's AI bots, and sometimes it's, it's, I'm sure it's a real person, and you just kinda just have to shrug your shoulders and say, Hey, look, if, if this person is having such a bad day that they felt the need to, you know, comment, oh, this, this guy, his music sucks, or whatever.

I, I don't get that too often, luckily. But, um, but you know, if, if someone's 

Rob Valincius: Once you get big, you will.

Once you get big, you'll have a hater. They're all

Levi Coovert: They're all haters. But if you're having such a bad day or such a bad life that you have to be a hater, it's like, I feel bad for that. I feel bad for them. And I, I just kind of say a prayer, say, Hey, I hope that person has a good day, and then I move on with it because you can't, like, you really cannot let that stuff affect you or else Yeah.

It's like I've, I've heard horror stories, I've heard people who, you know, they've been bullied to suicide from, from online, people just being hate hateful and that sucks. Um, and so that's a kind of a part of what I'm trying to build into my own brand. Throwing it back to what you said about building a brand, I would love for my brand to be a brand of just uplifting positivity.

You know, that's, that's what I want. 'cause I want people to have a place to just be positive and be uplifting and not have to really worry about what other people think or what other people have to say.

Rob Valincius: And that's good, man. I think you're doing a great job. Um, I think you just gotta stick with it and, and that is a good message. And it's, it's weird because you're, you're young.

Um, I think, um, in the world we live in, there's a lot of people that are your age that are just vain and they don't give a shit about anything except clout and getting clicks and getting

likes.

And, uh, I think it's, it's cool to have someone that's thinks like an old soul like you do. Um, and maybe your generation there, there's more people like you and there's hope.

Because, 'cause you're the future brother. We, we need you guys to be more positive like you and not the, you know, uh, ass clappers that are just trying to get fucking, you know, likes on TikTok and, and make money off of selling t-shirts and dumps.

Like, we need people with uplifting ideals like that. So I, I, I do like what you're doing, uh, speaking of what you're doing, 48 states and a Canada tour, now you're planning it, right? Fully self-funded.

Self-managed, uh, and you're just gonna do it within 120 days. So you gotta talk to me, what's, what the logistics look like on that. Um, how the hell are you, are you just gonna get in the RV and, and hope you, you find gas money or what, what's, what's the process like that?

Levi Coovert: Yeah. Well, we're saving our money right now. Uh, I'm saving up pretty much everything I have. Um, and, uh, the plan is I'm gonna drive around the whole country, and, uh, it's gonna be, it's gonna be the most craziest, I, it's the craziest idea I've ever had. And I told my friends, I think you're gonna, you're gonna think I'm crazy.

You're gonna think I'm nuts for doing this. But they all said, Levi, I think you need to do this. And I, I agree. And, um, and so the way it works, you know, I just, I find a city, um, that seems convenient to visit. And then I just email every single vendor, restaurant, bar, barbecue, public library, public park, anywhere I can find and just say, Hey, there's a deal.

I'm coming to every state. I'm making a stop in your city. I would love to play for a couple hours for a tip jar, free meal, whatever. Whatever you can afford to pay me, I will do it. And, uh, the goal is hopefully kind of prove that this is possible. Um, prove that an independent, fully kind of self-funded musician.

'cause I told my parents, I do not want your dime. This is, this is something I would like to do. It's something that I want. I have to do it myself or else I'm not gonna feel right. Like it has to be me and they understand it. And, uh, you know, so it's gonna be, it's gonna be ambitious, but it's gonna be, hopefully it'll be a memory I'll always have.

And it hopefully it'll be something that I can kind of prove. Yeah, you can. You can do this as a independent musician, and it doesn't have to be a big production. It doesn't have to be a multimillion dollar funded stage production. It can just be a guy having a good time singing at bars to people who are interested in listening to some country music.

Like it can be that simple.

Rob Valincius: And, and I like it, dude, because I'll tell you what, when you hit your thirties and you hit your forties, it's not gonna be something you could typically, now, if you could be huge, right?

And then you could do it on someone else's dollar, but it, you know, if, if this eventually changes and you change your mind, you don't do music or you do something different in music, you could say you did it.

Levi Coovert: Right.

Rob Valincius: You know, because it gets harder as you get older, right? Bills pile up. You might have a wife, you might have kids, you know, things, things anchor you, and then you're not able to do something as ambitious as this. So it's do it now while you can and say fuck it. And if it works, great. If it doesn't, you tried,

Levi Coovert: Right. And that's what people say. Are you worried that it is gonna fail? And I tell them in my eyes, even if I, even if I fail, I come home with a memory I'll never forget. I come home with probably the best story I can ever tell to my kids, my grandkids, whatever. And I come home with the knowledge that, hey, it didn't work out and maybe I need to pivot, but it is what it is, you know?

And so I don't see that as a failure. Like I don't think whatever happens, I think it will still be a success in that way because at the end of the day, experience is success.

Rob Valincius: So are you in the Washington area?

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: Okay, so I interviewed, uh, an author. She wrote a book. Okay? Uh, she was. I wanna say she was in her late fifties, early sixties, and with her husband, they rode a tandem fucking bicycle

Levi Coovert: Wow.

Rob Valincius: from Washington, you're Washington, to Washington DC

Levi Coovert: That is nuts.

Rob Valincius: and they only went with, they had this little cart thing that attached to the tandem bicycle, and they had this fully planned out way of where they're gonna stop, how much time they're gonna spend. And it, they did it. Uh, now, uh, her, her husband passed away a little bit ago, and, you know, it sucked because

they were, you know, she, she loved them and, and there was a lot, you know, they did a lot together. But I thought that was an incredible, uplifting story where, hey, it doesn't matter how old you

are, if you wanna do something crazy, like, you know, I know I just kind of said, Hey, it gets harder.

But it depends on who you spend your life with too.

Man. You might find a wife that's like, Hey, fuck it. You like music. I like music. Let's tour the country

again, you know, and maybe do it again. So, um, it doesn't matter how old you are, you can still do some, some shit. And, and I, they did it. I mean, they went through some shit, you know, uh, they definitely, uh, they were yelling at each other.

Uh, but, uh, they, they went through it and they, they eventually, you know, they blew a tire. They, they, a bunch of shit happened, but they did it. And she said it was, she wouldn't do it again. But she said it was one of the, uh, coolest experiences of her entire life. And she will always till the end of her time, remember that whole trip like it was yesterday.

So, um, you know, and, and that, I think that matters.

Levi Coovert: Yeah. And just doing things to kind of. Spice your life up and make it interesting and make it, you know, escape that kind of mundane reality can be good. Um, so I would encourage, like anybody, if you are young, old, whatever, if you have a dream, do what I'm doing. Go follow your dream. Obviously be smart about it.

Um, but really, I mean, life's too short not to, to take a shot, you know, at something that will be really, really cool and, uh, really memorable and possibly, you know, we'll see. Maybe, maybe this does, maybe, maybe I can gain some traction, you know, get, find myself on the news somehow. And, uh, next thing I know, wake up and, you know, I really can kind of make music a full-time thing and maybe not, you know, I really, I don't know what the world has in store for me.

I don't know what God has in store for my life, but, uh, I'm excited to find out, but I figure if I don't try, I'll never know.

Rob Valincius: So what excites you the most about this trip and, and what do you think would, is gonna scare you A bit.

Levi Coovert: Well, the scariest part for sure is, uh, the idea of, I think it'll probably be a lot of either camping or sleeping in my car. Which, which I, I'm ready for it, but it, that does kind of, you know, that's something I'm gonna have to mentally be prepared to do. 'cause I realize like, I'm not, I'm not paying for a bed at night.

You know, it's, there's no way I'm, I'm able to, to afford 

Rob Valincius: there's no budget. There's no budget for

that here. 

Levi Coovert: Well, that's not in the budget. Maybe, maybe like, maybe once a week. I, I find a really, really cheap motel and give my back some rest. But that's about as much as I'll be able to, to afford. It's gonna be a lot of car and, uh, tent nights, which I'm okay with.

You know, I was a boy scout. I love that. So I'll be okay. But that does, that kinda scares me a bit as far as the excitement. I'm just excited to see all the people who, who I'll be performing to, because. So far I've only performed in Washington state. Right. And, and it's a, it's, it's a great community in Washington state.

I love Washington and I've been around to different areas of the country before though, and I'd like to kind of experience the rest of the country and the rest of this. Beautiful, I mean, I, I read somewhere, if you wanna love the United States, drive across it, like that's the best way to appreciate this place that we live.

So that's what I'm gonna do. And I'm excited to see how are different crowds gonna enjoy my music. I think, I think my music would play really well in the south. I've never performed in the south before, but I think it would play really well in a place like Florida or Alabama or Georgia. And so I'm excited to see that.

I'm excited to kinda see the difference between what's a cafe crowd versus a bar crowd, versus a barbecue crowd versus a, you know, music festival. Like, there's different sorts of places I'll be performing. So I'm excited to kind of see. What, what crowds are gonna work better, what crowds are gonna work less.

So I think that's really gonna be kind of a cool thing. 'cause I can kind of learn, I'm, I'm basically learning on the job here, like going out and really kind of getting the most practical experience I can get to figure out how am I gonna build a fan base from this.

Rob Valincius: Yeah. Have you logistically, are you working on that now, like planned out? You know the cities you're gonna hit or are you just gonna wing it?

Levi Coovert: we've planned out about the first, I say we, I mostly just me. Uh, I've planned out about the first 10 states, um, where we are, where we'll be going, and then kind of, we're kind of just, I'm kind of going in phases, you know. So I started with Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas working down to Wyoming, Utah, Colorado.

And then it's kind of just gonna go from there. And so, uh, every time I, I book one city, then I start emailing the next city, and then I book the next city and I start emailing the next city. And kind of just going from there. And so I kind of have an idea of where I want the map to go, of how I want to get all around.

But I'm, I'm obviously very flexible and kind of have to base it off of, you know, who says yes and, uh, and where I can find places to play. So, uh, worst case scenario, um, I will find a place in every state though, um, whether it has to be outta the way or not. But, um, that's, that's, I mean, I'm confident I can do it, so,

Rob Valincius: Well, hey dude, if, if by the time you make it over here to Philly, man, you let me know, I

Levi Coovert: oh, I'll,

Rob Valincius: check you out. You have to let, you have to let me know.

I'll, I'll throw some, some cash in the tip bin for you.

Uh, 

Levi Coovert: I appreciate it.

Rob Valincius: so yeah, of course, man. So, um, now you're documenting that entire thing on social media.

You know, how, how you gonna balance that out? Do you have someone coming with you that's kind of gonna be your, your social media person? Like, what's, how's that gonna function?

Levi Coovert: There will be people at different parts, um, for a lot of it though will just be me. Um, but there will be, there's people around the country that I'll, I'll be. Spending maybe a week with a week with one person, a week with a friend, a week with my mom, a week with my dad. But there will be a lot of it with, it's, it's just myself out there.

Um, the plan is I'm just gonna film everything. I got a GoPro. I got, uh, my phone, I got a new iPhone with a great new camera on it. So I'm just, I figure I'm just gonna film everything I can. And for every day I'm out there. We'll film, I'll probably wanna post maybe six or seven, maybe eight. So like quite a few, uh, short form, you know, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and just put it out and hope people will see it and build.

And I'll kind of explain it like, Hey, I'm 21 years old. I'm driving around the country chasing a dream, following this, following this passion of mine. I'd love for you to follow along the way. And that's kind of what my, what my pitch will be on social media is, Hey, check me out. Maybe you'll find some inspiration for me.

Maybe you'll. Think I'm funny. I don't know. Um, and so it'll be some of my performance. You know, I'll obviously, I'll post clips of my performances, but I'll also be just kind of documenting my life, you know, and, you know, here's what it looks like. Here's what driving five hours looks like. Here's, here's this, you know, cool.

I don't know. Whatever cool things I see do or whatever, I'll be documenting, kind of posting it to kind of make it, it'll be, it'll be an adventure. And I want people to feel like they can come with me on this adventure.

Rob Valincius: dude. And people love that man. Uh, I don't know, did you see the viral TikTok guy sailing with Phoenix

Levi Coovert: Uh, I don't know if I've seen him, but I've seen some, I've seen one guy on TikTok who like wrote his, wrote himself all the way across, uh, lake Michigan or something. That was cool.

Rob Valincius: This guy, uh, quit his job, liquidated his 4 0 1 401k, and bought a sailboat. And he sailed from Oregon to Hawaii

with his cat, with his cat named Phoenix. You should check him out.

Uh, he documented it, got huge,

went viral. Uh, by the time he got to Hawaii, he had people were like waiting for him and cheering and freaking out.

And

they, some, a company bought a boat for a brand new boat sailboat for him. And he

stayed there for a while. And then I think he's, he's going somewhere else now. But, um, it was a whole thing. And I, I think, um, people love a good

story, right? And, and, and I know it comes back to this, but they love a relatable

story, right? Everyone wants to fucking quit their job and, and. Go do something they wanna do. And, and this guy did it so everyone was invested. And I think, uh, there's a lot of artists that are probably in your shoes that maybe wish they would've did that or wanna do that. Maybe you will, um, kind of open it up and maybe people will see your story and, and it'll, it'll get big organically that way too, you know.

Levi Coovert: yeah. And that's kind of it, like tell a story about this crazy adventure that I'm about to take and hope it, hopefully it will resonate, and if it does, great, and if it doesn't, it'll at least resonate with me and my friends and my family. So, uh, either way I, I feel, I feel excited about it.

Rob Valincius: That's awesome, man. Now, when does this start? You know, you said you're gonna go for 120 days, right? And, uh, in your eyes, what would make this, regardless of the numbers, a success?

Levi Coovert: Well, it starts in June, um, is when it'll kick off. And in my eyes it's a success if, if I, if I come home alive and happy. It's a success like that, 

Rob Valincius: As long as you're breathing right, that's what matters. that's

that's a good 

Levi Coovert: And and I think that's how my parents feel about that as well because like I said, I mean at the end of the day I will come home even if, you know, maybe it goes nowhere on social media and I lose money doing it and whatever.

But if I can come home and say, look, I just played 48 shows, actually 49 'cause I'm gonna stop in Canada too. I just played 49 shows at least, probably more. Um, and I've improved and I've made it across the country and I've accomplished this goal that I set for myself. So even if it doesn't gain any other traction, or even if I lose money on it, like I'm gonna come home with saying, look, I succeeded.

I made it, I did it. Um, and that's kind of proved to me that I think I can do anything if I can do this.

Rob Valincius: That's cool man. And one thing I would recommend and that we started this a long time ago, me and the wifey, 'cause I, you know, we traveled a lot for what we did. Um, and I still travel a decent amount. We buy shot glasses in every new state slash city we're in. If I were you, I try to get a memento.

For every city that you're in, you know, I know you don't have a lot of money, but even if, even if, even if it's like a, a bottle cap from like a local beer

company, or you drink a beer that's locally brewed or something and you keep the bottle or something cool.

So this way when you come home, you could kind of build something up and you have like a visual memory. You say, Hey, I got this from Oregon. Hey, I got this from Philly. Hey, I got this from Alabama. Uh, maybe it's a Dr. A, a guitar pick from someone else that's playing

at a show or just, so I, I would do that and I think that would be pretty cool from a memory perspective for you when you, when you get older.

Levi Coovert: Well, I was joking with my girlfriend 'cause I just turned 21 2 weeks ago and 

Rob Valincius: Uh oh shit. 

Levi Coovert: I said, I guess now it's, time for me to start collecting shot glasses, so maybe I will do the shot glasses.

Rob Valincius: Dude, we have, I have so many fucking shots. There's so many, but it's cool. You could buy, like, there's like a cabinet that you could buy and, and people do that. And you could put a shot glass for every city, and they always have like touristy little

Levi Coovert: Yeah, I'm 

Rob Valincius: or a knick-knack store and shot glasses. As long as you're not in the airport, shot glasses are four or five bucks, you know?

So it's not much, but it would give you a memory and then you'd go like, Hey, I got this from here when I went to this city. And it's cool. Uh, but I would do that

Levi Coovert: yeah. That'd be 

Rob Valincius: you, I bet you you'll be happy if you have like little mementos from places.

The, the shot glasses are cool. I like, I like

Levi Coovert: And then you get, each one has a little story to tell along with it.

Rob Valincius: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Um, well look man, we're we're hitting the hour mark. It was a pleasure having you on. Dude. You're, um, you're, you're an inspiration for a lot of, you know, uh, independent music people. I love promoting that stuff. So you tell me anytime you're doing something, man, I, I'll try to promote you.

I'll listen, listen to some stuff, help you with the, with the number side of things. And, uh, you know, I'll, I'll definitely follow your socials 'cause I'll be interested to see, uh, you make it through alive.

Levi Coovert: Yeah.

Rob Valincius: If you're coming up through Pennsylvania, just don't go to Kensington. Uh, stay away from Camden and Jersey.

You'll be all right.

Levi Coovert: All 

Rob Valincius: Don't go to those places if they're cheap and they're, people are, want you to come there, there is a reason, there's, there's a reason. So,

um, but yeah, plug yourself, dude. Where can we, uh, where can we find all your content, your socials, your music?

Levi Coovert: Yeah. Um, Instagram, it's just my name, Levi Couver. Um, and then same thing on TikTok, Levi Couver. Uh, on YouTube, it's Levi Cove, uh, without the rt, but you know, pretty, pretty, if you look up Levi Kover, you'll find me there too. So, yeah, I, I've tried to make it as simple as possible to kind of find me. Um, you can find some music on Apple, apple Music, Spotify, uh, I think it's on like Amazon Music, wherever, wherever you listen to music, it's probably there.

So, um, yeah, and we'll have more music coming out soon. I'm gonna try to put out, hopefully at least a couple more singles, uh, before I leave on the tour, so we'll have a little bit more music coming out and, uh, it should be really, really fun time, really. Uh, I'm just excited to see where it goes and see where this takes me.

Rob Valincius: Awesome dude. Well look, uh, drink Clock Pod on all socials, drink clock podcasts, wherever you listen to

Levi Coovert: Yeah. And I'll be tuning into this as well.

Rob Valincius: Oh, good. Good man. And you, you'll have to hit me up when you're live and, and you're out and about. 'cause I, I'll have to, to see how you're doing and make sure you're, you're still kicking.

And if you

need some drinking advice, I do have 20 years on you, so, well, not quite 20, more like 18 or 19, but. I can help you out. You let me know. I'll hook you up, brother. I won't point you in the wrong direction. All right.

Levi Coovert: Awesome. Awesome. What's your favorite?

Rob Valincius: Uh, I'm a Captain Morgan guy,

so I like captain and Diet Coke. That's, you know, I'm, I'm part Puerto Rican and I feel like the, the dark rum is kind of just in my blood. The wife eats a Tito's 'cause she's Ukrainian, so she can drink vodka like it's water. It's like, it's in their DNA, you

know. Um, don't fall for all the IPAs, not that other bullshit. Okay.

You gotta just, just drink what you enjoy. Uh, I drink light beer. My friends have been making fun of me for 20 years for it.

I don't give a shit. Because you can have two or three light beers and you could chill. You're not gonna get drunk. Um, maybe you'll catch a buzz, right? Especially you're, you're young, so it's, and you're, you're new to drinking, so you two or three light beers, you're chill. But if you have like one of those, you have two 10% IPAs, that shit fucks you

up.

Then you got a horrible hangover. I'm cool, man. I'll drink a couple, you know, Millers couple, couple Bud Lights. I'm chilling. That, that, that's all I need in life. I don't need to get wasted, you know,

been there, done that. But, uh, yeah, look, it was a pleasure, man. Let's do this again. Maybe after

you come back and, uh, we'll see where you're at.

Levi Coovert: Awesome. Thank you so much. I had a pleasure.

Rob Valincius: Awesome man. It was, it was a lot of fun. And, uh, have a great night.

Levi Coovert: You too, man. Have a great one.

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