Live Free or D.I.Y.

Spotify
Apple
Amazon
iHeart

Join co-hosts Dana Bollen (Two Week Notice Podcast / Tour Manager - Piebald), Professor Andrew Mall (that’s me!), and a panel of interviewees as we discuss D.I.Y. hardcore, punk, and emo music scenes and communities. This season, we consider what makes scenes important and meaningful to musicians, fans, and everyone in between. We address scene resilience, exposure, community, mental health, and overall challenges. Our guests reflect on their experiences as musicians, record label owners, festival and show promoters, music industry professors, and fans.

Season 1’s guests include current and former members of Cape Crush, The Early November, Fever333, I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business, Inspirit, Koyo, Passion Pit, Piebald, Texas Is the Reason, Thursday, Vanna, and more. Check out our linktree to connect with these guests.

Season 1 is available now! Listen, rate, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates.

Episodes

Featured
Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall (Life Free or DIY Podcast, Two Week Notice Podcast)
Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall (Life Free or DIY Podcast, Two Week Notice Podcast)

The Rumors Are True (podcast, 2025). Host Jeremy Alan Gould interviews Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall about making their new podcast, Live Free or DIY.

Read More →
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #06: Challenges (Season 1 Finale)
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #06: Challenges (Season 1 Finale)

Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #05: Mental Health. Hosts Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall are joined by ten of our Season 1 panel members to discuss some of the biggest changes that we've experienced within the DIY music scenes over the last few decades & the challenges that we face today. Several panelists also share advice that is valuable to anyone who is involved in these communities.

Click through for episode links and full transcript.

Read More →
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #05: Mental Health
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #05: Mental Health

Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #05: Mental Health. Hosts Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall are joined by nine of our Season 1 panel members to discuss the mental health benefits that we gain through being involved in DIY music scenes and communities.

Click through for episode links, mental health resources, and full transcript.

Read More →
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #04: Community
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #04: Community

Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #04: Community. Hosts Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall are joined by eight of our Season 1 panel members to discuss the communities that we build around D.I.Y. music scenes, as well as values that are essential within these communities.

Click through for episode links and full transcript.

Read More →
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #03: Exposure
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #03: Exposure

Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #03: Exposure. Hosts Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall are joined by nine of our Season 1 panel members to discuss the impact that exposure can have on D.I.Y. music scenes and what happens when these bands and this music reaches mainstream attention and success.

Click through for episode links and full transcript.

Read More →
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #02: Sustainability and Resilience
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #02: Sustainability and Resilience

Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #02: Sustainability and Resilience. hosts Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall are joined by eight of our Season 1 panel members to discuss factors that impact the sustainability and resilience in D.I.Y. music scenes, as well as the importance of adaptability in a society that is constantly changing and evolving.

Click through for episode links and full transcript.

Read More →
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #01: Pilot
Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #01: Pilot

Live Free Or D.I.Y. Episode #01: Pilot. Hosts Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall introduce themselves and the panel of twelve individuals that we will hear from throughout Season 1 of this podcast series. Each panel member also chimes in to describe their personal connection to the term “D.I.Y.” (do-it-yourself) and its connection to their experiences in the D.I.Y. music scenes and communities.

Click through for episode links and full transcript.

Read More →