Design is the silent partner of every great record, yet the path to becoming a creative director in the music industry is rarely linear. From navigating the Montreal art scene to designing for icons like Tegan and Sara and Arcade Fire, Becca McFarlane shares her journey of "Type A" creativity. We dive into the merch economics of stadium tours, why authenticity beats the algorithm, and how to build a visual brand that resonates long after the music stops.

ep42 Becca McFarlane is a swan
released April 30, 2026
1:44:45

Highlights

• The Swan - on imposter syndrome and hidden effort: Becca uses the swan metaphor to illustrate the hidden struggles of ADHD creatives who appear confident but are constantly working hard beneath the surface.
• The quarter-life crisis that changed everything: At 25, Becca leaves a stable career to rediscover her creativity, taking a prep cook job and returning to school to study illustration.
• "Just because you're good at something doesn't mean it's what you should do": Becca shares the insight that skill alone doesn't dictate career choice, echoed by Glen's record label experience.
• Working with musicians vs. corporate clients: Becca contrasts musicians' self-awareness with corporate clients' indecision, highlighting differences in creative collaboration.

https://beccamcfarlane.com/
https://www.minifists.com/
https://www.instagram.com/minifists/

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
AFE website: https://www.almostfamousenough.com
AFE instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostfamousenough
AFE Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1o1PRD2X0i3Otmpn8vi2zP?si=1ece497360564480

Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction and Technical Insights

00:01:55 Becca McFarlane

00:04:03 Navigating the Job Market and Personal Branding

00:07:02 The Journey into the Music Industry

00:10:00 Creative Pursuits and Career Crossroads

00:12:56 The Balance of Supporting Others vs. Personal Creation

00:16:09 The Transition to Full-Time Creative Work

00:19:17 The Challenges of Being a Type A Creative

00:22:11 Imposter Syndrome and the Creative Process

00:25:10 Finding Your Path in the Arts

00:33:14 Transitioning from Production to Creative Design

00:34:48 The Role of Design in the Music Industry

00:40:14 Collaboration with Artists and Art Directors

00:45:12 The Ease of Working with Musicians

00:51:44 Building a Brand as an Artist

00:56:26 The Importance of Authenticity in Creativity

01:00:54 AI's Impact on Creativity and the Industry

01:04:23 Generative AI and the Human Element

01:07:40 Art vs. Design: Understanding the Differences

01:09:51 The Return to Analog: A Trend in Music and Art

01:14:15 Navigating the Economics of Creativity

01:20:14 Finding Your Creative Collaborators

01:25:00 Post-Fame with Alexi