As artists, the journey from rehearsal room to the stage is often shadowed by anxiety, self-doubt, and a constant urge to compare ourselves to others. In a recent episode of the PM Podcast Videos, host Bree Noble sat down with Lucie Burns—also known as Lazy Hammock—to talk about these very issues and more. Their candid conversation peeled back the layers of the performer’s experience, offering both practical guidance and encouragement for musicians at any stage of their journey.

Watch the episode here

Listen to the episode here

The Making of a Musician
Lucie’s journey began at the tender age of three, starting with chime bars, moving to classical piano at eight, and writing her first song at age twelve. Over the years, her love for music became her anchor, a source of solace through highs and lows. She wore many hats: songwriter, band leader, producer, DJ, music tutor, and, more recently, a performance psychology coach and founder of Stage Ready Artists.

“Music for me was the thing that I always came back to… It was kind of my rock, it was. If I was going through tough times, it was there, I was going through good times, it was there if I needed, needed Sol.”

The Balancing Act: Parenting and Performance
Both Bree and Lucie recounted the challenges of parenting while pursuing their artistic careers. Lucie, a single mother, had to creatively work around her son’s schedule—a reality many parents face.

“There were things that I couldn’t do… it wasn’t like now where you can get online… There wasn’t Internet then, you know, and so it was like you either went out and performed or, or you didn’t. And being a single parent… I struggled a lot with that.”

She emphasized the need for artists—especially women—to prioritize themselves and carve out creative time, even if it’s just a small window each week.

“Take yourself out of the bottom of that washing bin, put yourself on top and actually see yourself as worthy, you know, honor yourself, honor your calling, honor your music.”

Why In-Person Performance Still Matters
While technology has made it tempting to hide behind the screen, Lucie insists that nothing replaces the tangible energy of a live audience.

“Being able to actually connect with an audience is very different to connecting with a camera… What you get back from your audience is something that cannot be explained to someone who will just sing to a camera. There’s something very special, very tangible that you receive as a performer. But to receive that, you need to be able to give.”

Taming the Beast: Making Friends with Nerves
It’s a myth that “real” performers aren’t nervous. Lucie breaks down this notion:

“It’s about understanding what nerves are and it’s about making friends with those nerves but not letting them interfere with your job… What it is, is back in the day, our ancestors, when we went into an unfamiliar scenario or environment… alarm, alarm, alarm would go off… This still happens to us when we get on stage.”

Rather than trying to “get rid of” nerves, she encourages artists to work with them and prepare mentally for performances, starting months in advance with mindset work, visualization, and positive affirmations.

Transforming The Audience Relationship
A core concept from the interview was shifting focus away from yourself and onto the audience during performances.

“We have to remember that as performers, it’s not about us. It’s about our audience. It’s about us in rehearsals, but on stage, it’s about our audience.”

She adds a practical analogy: treat your audience like guests in your home. Welcome them, make them feel safe, and open yourself up.

On Comparison and Authenticity
Lucie addresses the ever-present monster of comparison, especially in the age of social media:

“Comparison to others is a completely wasted energy… What are you spending your coins on? And is the cost worth it? If your energy is going on looking at other people… that might take four of your coins. Then you have six left… So what do you actually do that for yourself?”

Instead of measuring yourself against others, she urges artists to focus on their own unique voices and creative processes, spending more time creating than consuming.

A Resource for Performers
Lucie’s new book, “The Art of Live Performance Unlocked,” draws from her decades of performing, coaching, and teaching.

“I work with the person behind the performer because that is the per[son] that the artist is coming from… I’ve spent 10 years collating all of the knowledge… Even in some sessions, I’d write down little notes and then I’d end up adding it to my computer. So for the last 10 years, I’ve just been adding notes.”

The book dives deep into performance psychology, mindset, audience connection, overcoming setbacks, and so much more—a must-read for anyone wanting to perform with confidence and authenticity.

Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Lucie’s advice rings clear: honor your artistry, invest in your mindset, and don’t lose yourself in the noise of comparison. And above all, remember that your audience is there to share in the magic you create.

“Try and just accept who you are and what you have and get in your little world. If your life isn’t balanced and you are doing more consuming than creating, then there’s an imbalance. Because if you’re a creator and you are not creating… you’re missing your essence.”

Explore More:

StageReadyArtists.com

“The Art of Live Performance Unlocked” on Amazon and major bookstores

The Singing Buddha Podcast

If you’re ready to take your stage presence to the next level, Lucie Burns’ insights might be just the encouragement you’ve been waiting for.