Rough Pumpkins
Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray is a hangout for anyone who accidentally built a life outside the traditional 9-to-5. After 15 years on the road as a working musician, Travis sits down with fellow artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs to swap stories about the highs, lows, chaos, triumphs, and questionable decisions that come with chasing a life on your own terms.
Some episodes are hilarious. Some get real. Most are both.
If you’ve ever slept in a van, quit a “real job,” followed a wild idea, or wondered how the hell anyone makes a creative life work… this is your place.
Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray
“Real stories from people who should’ve gotten real jobs.”
Rough Pumpkins
Episode 11: Travis Solo 1
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Ten episodes in, and I’m starting to realize this whole “just make great music and everything will work out” idea… isn’t exactly how it goes anymore.
In this solo episode, I’m riffing on what it actually feels like to be an independent musician right now — writing songs, playing gigs, trying to grow an audience, and learning the social media/content game whether you like it or not. I talk about the stuff artists don’t always say out loud: the pressure to post, the weird relationship between art and algorithm, and figuring out how to stay creative without losing your mind.
I also get into vocal health myths, songwriting rules (and when to break them), unpopular gig opinions, and some of the realities of being a working musician in 2026.
This one’s more off-the-cuff. Just me talking honestly about where I’m at, what I’m learning, and what I’m still trying to figure out.
If you’re a musician, songwriter, or creative person trying to make this whole thing work... this episode’s for you.
New episodes every week.
— Travis
https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI