PlusMusic Podcast - Conversations with musicians, for musicians: Recent Episodes
PlusMusic
Hosts Nick Venti and Brian Karscig discuss the current state of music, business, and technology with musicians and top professionals in their respective fields. Nick and Brian are co-founders of PlusMusic (formerly BLKBOX Music). PlusMusic is a music technology platform that is redefining music discovery, monetization, and use online.
Welcome to another captivating episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast! In this installment, we delve into the cutting-edge realm of AI-generated music with our esteemed guests, Robin Jo and Ben Lee, hailing from the innovative Korean AI music powerhouse, PozaLabs. As pioneers in the field, PozaLabs has revolutionized the art of crafting soundtracks for various media through via artificial intelligence. Join us as we engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the ethical dimensions of training AI music models, where PozaLabs uniquely employs compositions crafted in-house rather than relying on existing musical works. We also delve into the evolving landscape of AI-generated music within the music industry, exploring responses from traditional labels and the regulatory landscape that seeks to govern this transformative technology. Discover exciting insights into PozaLabs' upcoming music composition software, a groundbreaking tool that empowers users to create their own AI-infused musical masterpieces by adjusting parameters ranging from genres and instruments to the inclusion of the human voice.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website.
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Welcome to another intriguing episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast, hosted by Brian Karscig and Nick Venti. In this installment, we have the pleasure of conversing with the brilliant Dr. Ahmed Elgammal, a true trailblazer in the fusion of art and AI. As the founder of Playform, Dr. Elgammal is at the forefront of making AI art tools accessible to artists, sparking a creative revolution. Alongside his role as a professor at Rutgers University, he pioneers the Art and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, seamlessly bridging technology and artistic expression. A multifaceted artist himself, Dr. Elgammal's exploration of AI's potential to augment creativity and expand artistic horizons unveils new frontiers. Tune in as we delve into a spirited debate on the evolving essence of an artist in the era of AI music—examining the intricate balance between human ingenuity and the artistry of AI programming.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website.
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In this episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast, hosts Brian Karscig and Nick Venti sit down with a true industry innovator, Ken Kobori, the brilliant mind behind SURF Music. As CEO, Ken Kobori has revolutionized the digital marketplace, providing a dynamic platform for creators to globally distribute and sell their music. With an impressive background as the renowned songwriter and producer 2SOUL in Japan, Ken brings a unique perspective to the conversation. Tune in as we delve into how SURF Music empowers artists with exclusive global placements through the synergy of AI technology. Join us for an enlightening discussion on the challenges of curating and managing an extensive music library in the AI era, as we explore the intricacies of discerning genuine submissions in this rapidly evolving landscape.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website.
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Step into the latest episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast as Brian Karscig and Nick Venti engage in an illuminating conversation with the seasoned music industry virtuoso, Drew Thurlow. With a remarkable journey that spans from being a session musician to the Head of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment, Drew's trajectory led him to establish Opening Ceremony Media, a dynamic music consulting enterprise. Delve into Drew's rich experiences as he shares insights into the evolving landscape of music discovery, intricately comparing today's digital age, AI, and algorithm-driven exploration with the bygone era of radio, TV, and magazines. In this captivating episode, the trio also delves into the fascinating realm of AI artists, contemplating their potential to ascend into stardom. Join us as we navigate the crossroads of music evolution, dissecting the intricate harmony between human intuition and technological innovation.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website.
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In this episode, Brian and Nick sit down with Bruno Guez, the ingenious founder of Revelator, your All-in-One Music 3.0 platform. Revelator stands tall as a pioneer in the realm of IP rights management, firmly rooted in the ever-evolving landscape of Music 3.0. Bruno Guez has led his company on a transformative journey, paving the way for artists and creators to assert their rights in the digital age. They also explore the concept of multiple blockchains and the tantalizing possibilities they bring forth. Could we be witnessing the emergence of a multi-chain future, where innovation and decentralization thrive hand in hand? Bruno Guez shares his insights, inviting us to contemplate the potential implications for the music industry and beyond. Tune in to gain an exclusive glimpse into the future of music, where innovation, creativity, and rights management converge in the fascinating realm of Music 3.0.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website.
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Join us for an exhilarating episode as we dive into the boundless world of music with renowned Digital Music expert, Aram Sinnreich. With a career spanning decades, Aram has been at the forefront of understanding and deciphering the ever-evolving landscape of music. As we explore the current state of the industry, we uncover fascinating insights into its transformation in today's times. From AI-generated compositions to its intermingling within the gaming realm, we embark on a thought-provoking journey into the future of music. Aram's profound knowledge and unique perspective offers us a glimpse into the innovative ways technology is shaping the musical landscape. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how music is evolving in the 21st century, and discover the profound implications of AI's involvement in this creative realm.
Check out Adam's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Piracy-Crusade-Industrys-Liberties-Technology/dp/1625340524
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/
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Join us on an extraordinary episode as we sit down with the brilliant mind behind SongVest, Founder and CEO Sean Peace. In this exhilarating conversation, we delve deep into the realm of music investment and the groundbreaking concept of fractional song royalties. Discover how SongVest empowers fans to not only support their favorite artists, but also earn a share of the revenue and join in on their success. Sean explains what happens to those profits when an artist blows up, and talks about the dynamic relationship between fractional song royalties and common performing rights organizations. To top it off, we open up a discussion on the future impact AI may have on the direction SongVest is heading in. Get ready to reimagine the way you connect with the music you love!
Check out SongVest here: https://www.songvest.com/
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/
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Join us for an insightful conversation with Jay Stolar, the Chief Artist Officer of Hume, a WEB3 record label that is breaking new ground in the world of music creation and virtual artists. In this episode, we explore the potential of AI in music creation and songwriting, and discuss the ethical considerations that come with using this technology. Jay brings a wealth of experience, having worked with top artists such as John Legend, Selena Gomez, and G-Eazy. We delve into the exciting possibilities of virtual artists and the role they may play in the future of music. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of AI and music, with Jay Stolar.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/
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In today's episode, we are joined by Toa Dunn, former head of Riot Games Music, to explore the exciting future of game music and the role of AI in its development. With nearly a decade of experience working with Riot Games, Toa shares his insights on integrating original music into gaming properties and the challenges he faced. He also discusses his collaborations with artists like Crystal Method and how they influenced his work. Tune in to discover how AI is shaping the future of game music and what it takes to create memorable soundtracks that enhance the gaming experience.
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/
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Welcome to today's episode of the Music 3.0 podcast. Our guest is Vasja Veber, Co-Founder of Viberate, an intelligent music data analytics company that offers services to music industry professionals. Vasja was previously a manager for 12 years, managing the career of Slovenian techno legend DJ Umek. In this episode, we will discuss the Metaverse, Viberate's evolution from a global booking system to an analytics company, and the lack of standardization across the music industry.
Check out Vasja's company Viberate here: https://analytics.viberate.com/about/
For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/
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Welcome to Music 3.0, listeners! Our guest today is Michael Jacob, CEO and founder of Lemonade.ai. Lemonade is a music creation software that uses AI algorithms to generate chord progressions and melodies for songwriters. While some artists may find that notion frightening, Michael sees Lemonade as a tool for inspiration and hopes to provide a service that empowers producers around the world. We chat with Michael about his journey from rising hip-hop star to tech visionary, and what generative AI means for musicians everywhere. Stay with us today on Music 3.0
Welcome to Music 3.0! Today we have a special guest, Soundation CEO Adam Hasslert, who is revolutionizing the way we collaborate, create, and network in the world of Music 3.0. Soundation is a leading company in the webification of at-home music production, offering a unique web-based software that enables multiple creators to work together in real time from any location worldwide. This reimagines the process of editing, producing, and recording music. In this interview, Adam will discuss how Soundation is bringing Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) to the internet and what alternatives this offers to industry staples like Logic Pro, Ableton, and Pro Tools. We will explore the potential changes that we can expect to see in music production as it continues to evolve. Join us for an insightful conversation on Music 3.0!
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Soundation Website
Hello musicians gamers and friends. Welcome to the PlusMusic Podcast! Today we’re sitting down with Sam Gribben, the CEO of Melodics. After leaving his position as the CEO of world famous DJ software company Serato, Sam decided to use his knowledge of music production and software to pioneer a new education tool for musicians of all skill levels.
His new venture Melodics is designed to lower the bar of entry for musicians using one of a kind, gamified software design to teach basic skills through fun challenges. Leading the charge on this new approach to online interactive education, Melodics aims to make the dream learning an instrument or producing a track a reality for any and everyone. We chat with Sam from his home base in Auckland, New Zealand about all things Music 3.0, and the gamification of music education. All this and more, today on the PlusMusic Podcast.
Visit the Melodics Website
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Hello musicians, gamers and friends. Welcome to Season 2 of the PlusMusic Podcast. First off we want to say Happy New Year to all of our listeners! We hope the holidays treated you well, and we’re so excited for what’s to come this year.
Our guest today is the CEO of Atlas Creative Studios Michael Herriger. At over 3 billion total plays and over 75 games developed, Atlas Creative has cemented itself as one of the premier developers for meta verse experiences within the Fortnite engine. From high level partnerships with Microsoft, Time Magazine and The NBA, to one of a kind meta verse events with I Heart Radio like their recent mega-concert with Charlie Puth, Atlas are at the forefront of Web 3 interactive experiences. So sit back, relax and join us as we pick Michael's brain on all things gaming. Right here on the PlusMusic Podcast.
Atlas Creative Website
Atlas Creative Twitter
PlusMusic Website
Hello gamers, musicians and friends! The PlusMusic Podcast is gearing up for a brand new and exciting new season. While we normally keep the focus of our show entirely on our guests, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to get to know our hosts before things get going. Join Nick Venti and Brian Karscig for a quick chat on who we are as a company and where we plan to take season 2. New episodes begin January 2023! Stay tuned.
Visit our website
Contact our A&R Team
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Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin
Welcome to the 100th episode of the PlusMusic Podcast with Brian Karscig and Nick Venti. For our 100th guest there was no one we’d rather talk to than our friend and collaborator, Yaprak DeCarmine - CEO of Game Jolt. Game Jolt is a one of a kind social media platform with a focus on games: from players and developers, to artists and fans. With over 60,000 unique communities and counting Game Jolt is poised to pave the way for the future of social gaming. Yaprak chats with us about their story, strategies and Game Jolt’s brand new Summer Concert Series that we at PlusMusic had the pleasure to co-host.
Check out Gamejolt.com!
Follow Gamejolt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gamejolt
Welcome to the PlusMusic podcast with Brian Karscig and Nick Venti! Today we're sitting down with Jack Spallone, Head of Crypto at HiFi Labs. HiFi is an incubator for up and coming artists that focuses on live streams and met averse concerts, NFT minting for new music, and other online experiences that return the power to the artist from the music industry. We touch on the consumer experience for music fans in 2022 and how new technologies are improving our relationship to art on a global scale.
Check out HiFi Labs: https://www.hifilabs.co/
Follow Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackspallone?lang=en
This week Brian and Nick are joined by Zac Tiessen, a Berklee trained composer making waves in the gaming world. Zac has had a hand in many exciting gaming projects, from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs franchise to fan-funded Starcraft II campaign UED: First Light. His passion for the craft is contagious and his knowledge of the business is sure to help any aspiring composers in the industry. Tune in to hear him walk through the actual process of how game scores are made, the hierarchies within large companies, and what to do with cryptic briefs and off-the-wall advice from superiors.
Check out Zac's most recent score, Streams From The Wastelandon Spotify
Zac's Website
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This week on the PlusMusic Podcast Nick and Brian are joined from London by Musiio CEO Hazel Savage. After years of working in the music industry, Hazel noticed major inefficiencies in the way companies listened to and catalogued their music. She set out to create a solution to this problem and founded Musiio - an AI music listening service designed to make curation dramatically easier. Nick and Brian chat with her about the company's story, their resent acquisition by SoundCloud, and Hazel's journey from punk rock musician to rising industry star.
Learn more about Musiio
Support Hazel's band Gintinka!
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Devon Thome is on the forefront of the next wave of gaming tech. The young CEO and CO-Founder of MELON, a metaverse on the Roblox platform, is re-imagining everything from social game experiences to live performances and one of a kind brand collaborations. Devon joins Nick and Brian on the PlusMusic Podcast to breakdown the metaverse to core components. Ever wanted to understand more about these new virtual worlds? Let Devon walk you through the basics and explain how he and his team of developers are dreaming up new ways to experience digital media and connect with others on a global scale.
Check out MELON for yourself
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This week Nick and Brian chat with Los Angeles based composer, musician and educator Shevy Smith. An Emmy nominated producer and winner of the esteemed ProMax Gold Award, Shevy is also the founder of Forte Poesy, a youth-focused music education program teaching empowerment through songwriting and musicianship. Her curriculum has been implemented in public and private schools across NYC, LA, and London. She has served as Board Co-President for the Afghan Women's Writing Project and is a member of the Alliance of Women Film Composers. She stops by to discuss her latest project The Ultimate Playlist: a free-to-play mobile app, raffle game, music discovery tool created in collaboration with the Arizona Lottery.
Follow Shevy on Twitter
Check out the Ultimate Playlist App
Austin Webster, a lifelong super fan of music, saw a flaw in the way digital art is consumed. Too often the producers, musicians and co-writers of classic songs are left out of the spotlight, creating a disconnect between audiences and the teams of people that make records. Austin created Deepr, a music listening tool called "Shazam on steroids," which delivers users detailed information on the teams behind their favorite records. Want to know who played bass on your favorite track? Or where a sample comes from? Deepr provides that insight and more. The Atlanta based company is poised to change the way we think about music discovery in the modern age, and hopefully return some well deserved recognition to the unsung heroes of popular music.
Check out the Deepr App
Find Austin on Twitter
To say George Howard is experienced in the music industry would be a massive understatement. Howard has been behind some of the most influential companies in the world. He is a co-founder of Tunecore, which has paid out over one billion dollars to artists for their streams, former president of Rykodisc, once the largest independent record label on the planet, and the mastermind behind the Music Audience Exchange (MAX). In his spare time he is a columnist for Forbes and a frequent contributor to the New York Times. Now a professor at the Berklee College of Music, Howard is educating the next generation of artists and moguls to make the right decisions for their careers and for the industry as a whole.
He chats with Nick and Brian about distribution, record deals, artists rights, blockchain, and so much more!
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This week we're welcoming the prolific Joel Corelitz to the PlusMusic Podcast. Developing an interest for sounds and electronic music at the age of five, Joel grew up to attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music pursuing a Major in Technology in Music and Related Arts. Before his transitioning into video game scoring, Joel had worked on various commercials with composition studio, Steve Ford Music. He later set up his own studio, Waveplant Studios, dedicated to creating soundscapes and music for visual mediums and installations.
Titles under his belt include Halo: Infinite, Death Stranding and cult classic The Unfinished Swan. Joel chats with Nick and Brian about his journey as a musician, his knowledge of game development, and his personal method for marrying music to gameplay.
SHOW NOTES
[1:04 - 2:14] Getting his start
[2:50 - 4:56] The function of sacred music
[6:12 - 9:07 ] The Unfinished Swan
[10:00 - 12:22] Game composing as a part of a team
[14:46 -18:13] Audio Branding
[20:24 - 22:46] Starting Waveplant Studios
[23”27 -27:34 ] Working on Halo Infinite
[29:00 - 31:47] Advice for indie composers
[32:06 -33:20 ] Gaming influences
Follow Joel on Twitter
Paul Leonard-Morgan is in his own lane. The Scottish-born composer has built a prolific career, mixing electronic and orchestral styles into a musical concoction all his own. He's worked extensively in film on projects like Dredd and Limitless, on TV with projects like Amazon's Tales from the Loop and Netflix's Wormwood, and more recently on video games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Warhammer III and Cyberpunk 2077. Paul joins Nick and Brian to share his journey as a composer, and to take a deep dive into his process for adding music to media.
SHOW NOTES
[6:26 - 7:58] Getting the call to score Despicable Me 2
[8:13 - 9:13] Collaborating with a director on a film score
[9:32 - 11:12] Personal influences
[12:00 - 13:34] Writing music for video games
[21:54 - 22:45] Finding the right DAW
[23:05 - 26:14] Advice for young composers
[33:52 - 36:37] Immersion and Interactivity
Paul's Socials:
YouTube
P.T. Adamczyk expressed interest in music from a young age. He started out working as a session and performing drummer, eventually hitting his stride as a composer and producer. He graduated from the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program at the University of Southern California, and landed himself a job as Senior Composer for the renowned Polish studio behind the Witcher games: CD Projekt Red. Their most recent title, Cyberpunk 2077, was a massive undertaking many years in the making. P.T. shares his personal journey during the development of the game, as well his inspirations and challenges. He chats with Nick and Brian about his techniques for building a game score, as well as some of his favorite ways to record music.
SHOW NOTES
[1:34 - 4:28] - Getting hired at CD Project Red
[7:55 - 11:22] - Behind the licensed music of Cyperpunk 2077
[12:45 - 14:00] - The composing team of Cyberpunk 2077
[15:46 - 19:44] - Design philosophy behind the music
[23:18] - 24:00] - Deciding on a genre for the music of Cyberpunk
[27:34 - 28:35] - Troubled Cyberpunk rollout
[30:06 - 31:32] - Working sessions in Abelton
[34:34 - 36:28] - Personal inspirations
P.T.'s socials: Twitter, Instagram, Spotify
Jonny Altepeter has music in his bones. Starting out as a musician and vinyl collector he eventually transitioned into music supervision for marketing teams in Hollywood, scoring trailers for huge movies. Recently he found a home for his talents at gaming giant Riot. He's played a large creative role in the marketing for Riot's hit team shooter Valorant and acts a liaison between artists and the gaming industry. Jonny joins the PlusMusic podcast to share his journey, his struggles, and what he's learned over the years as a music supervisor in the worlds of film and gaming.
Show Notes:
(3:16) Jonny discusses the role of music in his projects at Riot Games
(5:13): Adding Neon to Valiant
(10:26): Marketing for games vs marketing for film
(14:36): Time as a musician
(16:44): Sound design for Esports
(19:50): Personal thoughts on the Metaverse
(24:46): Advice for game scoring
(30:32): Love of jazz music
(34:26): Future Projects
Follow Jonny on Linkedin
Founder and CEO of the NUE Agency, Jesse Kirshbaum has a lot of experience in both the music space as well as tech innovation. NUE Agency's roster includes popular musicians like Solange, J. Cole, Pusha T, Big Sean, Action Bronson, Meek Mill and Logic. Currently as the Chief Marketing Officer of livestreaming company Dreamstage, Jesse has positioned himself at the cross section of the old and new worlds of entertainment, with a passion for designing unforgettable live and digital experiences. He sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss his time working as a booking agent, his advice for upcoming artists looking for an agency, as well as thoughts on innovations of Web 3.0.
Show Notes:
[2:50] Jesse discusses his time at Gizmondo and what he learned there.
[9:32] How Jesse went from being a promoter to an agent.
[12:06] What an agent is looking for when they sign an artist, and who Jesse is currently working with.
[20:23] The huge potential upsides for artists of Web 3.0, and how much things have already changed with Web 2.0.
[29:39] Exciting developments Jesse has seen at the Solana Conference in Miami.
Follow Jesse on Twitter, and subscribe to NUE Agency’s Beats+Bytes newsletter.
Former Chief Economist at Spotify Will Page joins the podcast and shares his expertise. As a prolific public speaker, music communicator, and author of Tarzan Economics, Will’s writings are regularly featured in Billboard, The Economist and the Financial Times. He sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the various issues surrounding Performance Rights Organizations, as well as the music industry’s problem with diminishing engagement.
Show Notes:
[1:16] - How Will got involved with Spotify.
[4:23] - A deep dive discussion of Performance Rights Organizations.
[20:50] - Will’s proposed solution to these issues.
[24:39] - Will’s thoughts on blockchain and Smart Contracts.
[31:53] - How the music industry is missing out on the opportunities posed by the gaming world.
[36:15] - Why Will thinks simplifying copyright and collection is the only path forward for the music industry.
Find Will on LinkedIn and check out Tarzan Economics.
Music industry analyst, consultant, and reporter, Tatiana Cirisano joins the podcast this week to discuss current industry trends found at MIDia research. Formerly an award winning music journalist at Billboard, Tatiana wrote cover stories on influential artists like Tame Impala, Travis Scott, and Alicia Keys. On the show, Tatiana gets into a deep discussion with Brian and Nick on the future of the music industry and the opportunities posed by the Metaverse.
Show Notes:
[1:23] - How Tatiana got her start in music journalism.
[5:08] - A deep dive discussion of the various applications of music in the Metaverse.
[10:50] - What a virtual concert could provide vs. IRL.
[25:33] - Incentives for artists to do virtual concerts.
[26:45] - A discussion of social media and the difficulties it poses for introverted artists.
[31:44] - What brought Tatiana to MiDia research and a look at how they approach entertainment industry analysis.
[32:57] - MIDia has found data to back up a shift in goals among most artists.
[35:43] - A shift in how younger generations want to interact with music vs passive listening.
Follow Tatiana on Twitter and check out her website.
Described in the press as “thrilling,” “inspirational,” and “world-class,” Portuguese-American conductor, producer, and podcast host Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of orchestral music by fusing genres and instrumentation, providing a modern take on what an orchestra can do. As the co-founder and artistic director of the Nu Deco Ensemble, Jacomo has found ways to challenge and inspire his audience, which has led to collaborations with notable musicians like Wyclef Jean, Tune-Yards, Jacob Collier, and Ben Folds. Jacomo sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss his path towards becoming a conductor, what a conductor's role is, and how he is working to keep orchestral music vibrant and relevant in the 21st century.
Show Notes:
[2:06] Jacomo describes his musical background, starting with learning the tuba in middle school, and eventually leading to touring the world and leading Nu Deco Ensemble.
[13:33] How a conductor leads and inspires an orchestra, and tastefully chooses and arranges music.
[18:15] How Nu Deco is working to combine traditional forms with 21st century instrumentation and interpretations.
[24:28] The pressure of a recording session on orchestral players.
[26:24] Audience reaction to Nu Deco’s initial genre-bending concerts, and how that led to a dedicated social media following.
[32:00] Jacomo’s belief in the importance of authentic and intimate interactions and engagement in the age of YouTube and social media, as well as incorporating modern technology in their own performances.
[39:24] What’s next for Nu Deco Ensemble.
[41:38] Listen to Nu Deco Ensemble’s version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk.
Follow Jacomo and Nu Deco Ensemble on Instagram and Spotify.
Gar Ragland is a producer, musician, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Citizen Vinyl, a record pressing plant, recording studio, and record shop located in Asheville, North Carolina. Together with entrepreneur and software engineer Sean Moore, they have started a new venture that combines LP's with uniquely ID'd and smartphone-scannable NFT chips - Vinylkey. In linking physical LPs with NFTs on the blockchain, Vinylkey hopes to bridge the gap between the traditional and digital marketplaces as never before. Brian and Nick sit down with Gar and Sean to discuss this exciting new venture and the future of record collecting.
Show Notes:
[1:38] How Gar Ragland founded Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, NC, got connected with Sean Moore, and combined their talents to form Vinylkey.
[4:43] Sean explains how Vinylkey has combined vinyl pressing with NFT minting using NFC chips.
[8:51] How NFTs could be used in the future of consumer markets both in the music space and beyond.
[17:00] What’s next for Vinylkey and what they’re currently working on.
[22:40] Other practical applications of NFTs, including digital performances in the Metaverse.
[26:18] NFT projects that Sean recommends checking out.
[32:45] Hear “Whiplash” by Citizen Vinyl artist Jobi Riccio, produced by Gar Ragland.
Follow Gar Ragland on Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more about Citizen Vinyl and Vinylkey.
Veteran tech entrepreneur Pascal Pilon knew the incredible potential of machine learning technology and wanted to apply it to music production as early as 2013. As the CEO of LANDR, Pascal helped the company grow to become the world’s leader in music post-production and digital content management. He joins the podcast to discuss the origins of LANDR, what makes his approach to business startups different, and the challenges along the way.
Show Notes:
[1:50] Pascal’s software and business background, how he started LANDR, and how LANDR fosters a music community.
[10:39] Why Pascal likes to focus on the DIY creators instead of bigger established artists.
[14:03] The types of musicians that have used LANDR the most.
[15:43] The challenges that Pascal ran into when LANDR first started.
[20:39] How LANDR used a content blog to generate buzz for their service.
[24:38] The biggest lessons Pascal learned from previous entrepreneurial endeavors.
[29:44] Pascal’s thoughts on blockchain technology.
[33:25] What’s next for LANDR.
Follow Pascal on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Ralph Sutton is a seasoned podcast and pop culture commentator with two decades of experience in front of the mic as a TV and radio host. Currently he hosts the hit comedy podcast The SDR Show and in 2016 founded the GaS Digital Network, which reaches 2 million listeners a week across 22 shows. Brian and Nick speak to Ralph about his insider knowledge of the radio and music industries, the death of the old music business, and his transition to digital formats.
Show Notes:
[2:07] How radio could have been viable at the dawn of the Internet age if they had stayed "live and local" instead of attempting to appeal to a national audience.
[7:58] Ralph's thoughts on the decline of radio during his time on the show The Tour Bus, as well as the initial excitement around the first Napster piracy wave.
[17:58] What Ralph believes could have slowed the death of the Compact Disc.
[20:00] The difficulties of the streaming age for musicians, especially during the pandemic.
[22:00] How Ralph started the GaS Digital Network for podcasts.
[28:16] Ralph’s podcast business strategy, including using live-streaming to boost engagement.
[31:25] Why musicians, especially new and unestablished, need to embrace social media and new digital avenues.
[39:21] What’s next for the GaS Digital Network.
Follow Ralph on Instagram and Twitter.
Obie Fernandez has been working at the intersection of music and tech for most of his career. A prolific remixer, writer, DJ, and most recently CEO of the curated NFT platform, RCRDSHP, Obie sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the potential of NFTs to bring back the culture of music ownership that has dramatically declined in the 21st century.
Show Notes:
[1:44] The origins of RCRDSHP, and why they use the Flow chain instead of other blockchain technologies.
[5:09] The opportunity and possibilities that NFTs represent for musicians.
[11:25] Obie expresses his skepticism about VR and other new technologies, while still advocating for musicians to be flexible and jump on new opportunities that new technology can provide.
[17:59] How RCRDSHP deals with rights management in their NFT market.
[22:17] Why fans would want an NFT and how NFTs can unlock access to an artist.
[29:25] How RCRDSHP is working to build a community of curated high quality artists, and how that makes it stand out from other NFT marketplaces.
[34:46] Fan interaction with NFTs.
[38:42] Digitally native items in the Metaverse and the potential of new forms of music consumption and collaboration.
[48:00] Hear “Have a Nice Day” by Obie Fernandez.
Follow Obie on Twitter and LinkedIn.
At just 29 years old, entertainment attorney Karl Fowlkes already has a vast client roster, including rising star rapper, singer, songwriter and producer Blxst, who just signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappel. Karl also represents Section 8, the super producer behind Lil Baby’s highest charting singles “The Bigger Picture” and We Paid”. On this episode Karl joins Brian and Nick to discuss his legal expertise in the world of music sampling, as well as his advice to emerging artists on when to seek legal counsel, and how to handle rights management issues.
Show Notes:
[1:39] Karl’s thoughts on when a musician needs a lawyer.
[5:40] Should an artist use the sync services from big online distributors? Karl believes there’s a better strategy.
[8:42] What blockchain can do for the music industry.
[12:14] A discussion of sampling and rights issues for producers and artists.
[19:51] Karl’s skepticism of NFT’s and their usefulness for emerging artists.
[29:47] The areas in which artists should be more educated and prepared when entering the music industry.
[32:02] How Karl got interested in entertainment law.
[36:54] Hear “WYA?” by Joony.
Find Karl Fowlkes on LinkedIn and Instagram, and check out The Fowlkes Firm.
After self-recording their debut album, Good to See You, New York indie rockers Meyru supported the album's release with a series of sold-out shows all over New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, DC, and Charlotte. The album’s single "She" found breakaway success on streaming platforms, allowing Meyru to reach a truly global fanbase. Lead singer Nic Grunewald sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the band's future plans and new single "I'd Ask... But I Know You're Alright", as well as the strategies that are working for an indie band in a post-Covid world.
Show Notes:
[0:55] Nic tells us about moving to New York City as a musician starting out, and the difficulties of dealing with the pandemic in 2020.
[4:34] How the band got in touch with legendary sound engineer Dan Millis.
[6:58] Nic discusses the digital avenues and strategies that are working for Meyru, and how to hold onto fans and keep them engaged.
[15:40] How Meyru manages their social media and figured out what works and feels authentic for them.
[19:07] Meyru’s approach to live-streaming.
[24:00] How digital media like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok is changing the way artists release and write songs.
[34:33] The genesis of Meyru’s new single "I’d Ask... But I Know You’re Alright," and what makes something a pop song.
[38:52] Hear "I’d Ask... But I Know You’re Alright"
Follow Meyru on Instagram and Spotify.
CEO of boutique consulting and advisory firm CrossBorderWorks, Vickie Nauman joins the pod to discuss the current state of the music industry and how independent artists should think about utilizing the newest technologies and platforms. With her expertise in the intersection of technology and music, Vickie shares some forward-thinking strategies and explains some more complex elements of today’s music industry.
Show notes:
[1:36] Vickie tells us how she got involved with the hit game Beatsaber, and shares her thoughts on how the music industry can intersect more with gaming.
[11:10] What makes the music industry slower to react despite being so affected by technical innovations.
[18:05] The complications of sync licensing.
[22:20] How the new creator economy gives artists a larger degree of freedom and control over their art, and how an administrative partner can be helpful.
[30:49] Why independent artists need a team.
[32:23] New and exciting prospects of Web 3.0 and an “artist-centric” world.
[37:33] A discussion of what it would take to change the more constrictive elements of the major label business.
[41:56] What’s next for Vickie in 2022.
Find Vickie Nauman on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Fred Beteille is an industry veteran with 20+ years of experience in media and technology. Currently, as Meta’s Head of Strategy – Audio Initiatives, he is responsible for the company’s Studio and Central Product investments for Music and Audio. Prior to his involvement with Facebook, Fred was a Product Lead at Google / YouTube where he led and worked on initiatives ranging from Content ID, Monetization, Rights Management, Music Apps, and more. He has spearheaded the launch of many products that, in sum, are used by billions of people around the world, generate billions of dollars in revenue, and are designed to help solve the most complex business and user problems. Brian and Nick sit down with Fred to discuss where the music industry is going, and future opportunities for music in the Metaverse.
Show Notes:
[1:19] Fred explains how the music industry has changed, and the difficulty of processing the sheer scale of reach with the advent of the Internet.
[7:04] How Blockchain technology can impact the music space
[11:16] The technical challenges of creating the Metaverse
[15:21] What musicians need to consider in the future, how they want their music to be used in new digital experiences.
[23:40] Fred talks about his time at Harry Fox Agency and YouTube.
[29:56] What musicians need to prepare for from a legal perspective.
[35:24] Opportunities for music and musicians in virtual spaces.
[40:11] Fred discusses the genesis of TrackTribe and it’s connection to YouTube.
[44:05] Hear “Reset” from TrackTribe's Otis McDonald
Find more from Fred on LinkedIn.
Singer-songwriter Ryan Egan began his music career in New York City and has garnered acclaim from Billboard, Indie Shuffle, and Apple Beats 1 for his debut EP and subsequent singles, which found their way onto Spotify's Fresh Finds and New Music Friday playlists. Prior to the worldwide lock down and in the middle of writing his debut full-length album, Ryan left NYC for Paris and re-directed his career path towards European markets. Ryan speaks with Brian and Nick about his life during this period, his creative philosophies, as well as his recent return to the US to work with Kevin Basko (Foxygen, Rubber Band Gun) on his debut LP, Soft Power.
Show Notes:
[0:49] Ryan discusses the differences between the Paris and NYC music scenes.
[4:19] What it's like to be back in NYC promoting the new single.
[7:09] How Ryan kept busy during the pandemic lockdowns.
[9:28] Ryan's do's and don'ts for maintaining creative habits.
[17:00] Some of Ryan’s favorite influences and a discussion of songwriting methods.
[25:55] How Ryan connects with fans, as well as release strategies for the new album.
[41:22] Hear Ryan’s new single “Alone For The Last Time”.
You can find more from Ryan Egan on Spotify and Instagram.
Christine Osazuwa has managed to combine her various passions into roles consulting and working with music startups, venues, festivals, radio stations and labels, bridging the gap between music, data & business. She spent 2 years in Stockholm most recently as the Head of Data & Insights for Universal Music Sweden before calling London home working as the Global Marketing Director for Data & Insights at Warner Music Group. In October 2021, Christine joined the live music & travel tech startup, Pollen, where she helps to curate one-of-a-kind music experiences. Christine sits down with Brian and Nick to share her various insights into what works and what doesn’t in today’s music industry.
Show Notes:
[2:12] How music data points have changed from the pre-digital era to now.
[6:53] Why you shouldn’t buy likes, plays or followers.
[8:40] Christine discusses her background in marketing and web development.
[11:08] What is and is not working for the industry in terms of data collection.
[16:22] An intro to Pollen and what they do, plus a discussion of trends in live music experiences and streaming.
[29:30] Christine’s advice for up and coming artists.
[39:40] Smaller strategies to develop a Minimum Viable Product.
[41:40] Christine tells us about the Measure Of Music conference.
Follow Christine on LinkedIn, and check out Measure of Music and Always Wanting More.
Manhattan native Miles Francis is already known amongst musicians as one of the best kept secrets of the NYC music scene. As a working musician, Miles has collaborated and performed with Sharon Jones, Allen Toussaint, Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio) and many others; toured the world with Win Butler (of Arcade Fire), and appeared on shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with David Letterman. Following 2018’s Swimmers EP, Francis has released two new singles in 2021 - “Service” & “Popular” - from a new solo project. Miles sits down with Brian and Nick to talk about the life of a working musician, coping with the pandemic, becoming a solo artist, and some successful networking methods.
Show Notes
[1:20] Miles’ background coming from a family of musicians, and transitioning from a touring drummer to a singer-songwriter.
[6:32] How Miles’ solo project began, turning demos into final versions of songs.
[9:11] Advantages of being an independent artist with no label.
[15:00] The Importance of visuals to Miles' process.
[18:19] Being proactive and following up with people in one's network.
[22:31] Miles tells a story about synchronicity with a member of the Roots and the Jimmy Fallon Show.
[25:58] Miles’ experience during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
[31:03] Miles shares thoughts on NYC reopening and playing shows again.
[34:10] Hear the new single from Miles Francis, “Good Man”.
For more from Miles Francis, follow them on Instagram and Spotify.
Chicago-born, LA-based artist R E L has garnered notable praise for her soulful ethereal music, which she describes as “EVOCA-POP." Her music has been featured in Wonderland, Atwood, EARMILK, The 405, Popdust, Huffington Post, and has been played on KCRW & MTV Iggy, among other outlets and stations. More recently, her song “Night City” has been featured as one of the main themes for the hit video game Cyberpunk 2077. Brian and Nick sit down with this young artist to discuss how she landed those placements, her relationship with technology and social media, and her strategies when it comes to getting her music heard in 2021.
Show Notes
[1:10] R E L’s singing and family background.
[4:26] How “Night City” came together for Cyberpunk 2077.
[8:43] R E L discusses her relationship with technology and social media.
[14:45] Live shows and livestream quirks.
[22:33] R E L’s love of collaboration and strategy.
[25:23] Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic as a young musician, new release strategies.
[30:36] Advice for new musicians in today’s climate.
[34:23] R E L shares her thoughts on touring.
[36:20] Hear “Stumbling” by R E L.
Keep up with R E L on Spotify and Instagram.
Joining us from Bordeaux, France, composer Yoann Laulan discusses his work on the hit game Dead Cells. He talks about his working relationship with game studio Motion Twin, his early love of game design and rock music, as well as his reaction to the massive success of one of his first major projects. You can hear his work on Spotify, or check out his bandcamp page.
Show Notes
[1:31] - How Yoann met Motion Twin and got involved with Dead Cells.
[3:20] - A discussion of game jams and how they work.
[7:10] - Yoann's young aspirations.
[10:22] - Who owns the music rights to a video game soundtrack?
[20:23] - The music scene growing up in France.
[23:05] - The current music scene in Bordeaux and how it has changed over time.
[29:20] - Hear “Prisoner’s Awakening” from Dead Cells
If you're a musician you don't want to miss this one! Moody Jones grew up in Saudi Arabia and didn't see his first concert until 2005, after his family had emigrated to Canada. Now the Senior Vice President of Digital & Creative at EMPIRE, Moody oversees marketing campaigns for artists, and has an impressive track record of working with top acts such as Iggy Azalea, Carnage, Snoop Dogg and Tyga. He helped Tyga's "Taste" reach a billion views on YouTube, and is currently working on bringing Aaliyah's catalog to streaming services. His deep knowledge of digital ad campaigns and best practices on communication and marketing makes this one of our most valuable episodes for any artist that wants their music heard.
Show Notes
[1:35] Moody’s general thoughts on music release strategies.
[5:51] His music and cultural background.
[11:12] Ad advice, which platform is right for you, the importance of finding out which platforms your demographic uses.
[20:12] Moody’s experience growing up in Saudi Arabia where most music was illegal.
[25:12] What Moody sees on the horizon in music and tech.
[35:12] Moody discusses his role at EMPIRE and the general philosophy and goals of the company.
[41:45] Warnings and more advice!
[44:05] A story about Fireboy DML before we get to hear his track, "Peru"
Follow Moody on Instagram at @moodyjones.
Lazaro Raposo is a lover of both music and video games. As the CEO of the Azores-based indie game studio Cereal Games, Lazaro oversaw the development of their pixel-noir action RPG, Pecaminosa. Lazaro chats with Brian and Nick about his musical background, his early gaming experiences with the Sega Megadrive, and his love of collaboration.
Show Notes
[1:30] Inspiration for Pecaminosa's film noir style
[4:40] Lazaro’s gaming & computer science background
[8:22] Lazaro discusses a surprising choice for one of his favorite games
[10:25] Lazaro’s musical background
[15:28] A discussion of cross-platforming and the future of gaming
[23:18] More details about Cereal Games and gameplay mechanics
[31:10] Info on Portugal’s tech and gaming scene
[37:00] The music of Pecaminosa, how dynamic soundtracks work
[42:46] Hear “Take That You Dirty Rat” from Pecaminosa
Follow Cereal Games on Game Jolt and Twitter.
Rich Vreeland, also known as Disasterpeace, is an American composer and musician. With over 50 albums released under Disasterpeace, Vreeland is known for scoring and programming sound and music in multiple mediums including film, television, and theater. Among those works are the acclaimed horror film It Follows, and 2D action-RPG Hyper Light Drifter. Vreeland chats with Brian and Nick about his musical background, how he broke into the video game and film industries, and how his initial love of graphic design and wrestling became the catalyst for his career. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
Show Notes
[1:04] An intro to the Chiptune genre
[7:37] Rich discusses his musical background
[12:44] Rich tells the story of his first break
[17:11] Origins of the name Disasterpeace
[23:15] Scoring It Follows and subsequent films and TV
[25:00] A discussion of audio revenue shares and royalties
[33:47] What's next for Disasterpeace
[38:00] Musical influences
[42:42] Hear an unreleased track that Rich originally pitched for Minecraft
Will Tenney is a music industry executive, entrepreneur, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Currently, as Head of Streaming Strategy & Promotion at Crush Music, he oversees campaigns for Lorde, Sia, Panic! At the Disco, and Green Day, among other artists. In this role, Tenney manages relationships with DSPs, studies algorithms, and finds streaming opportunities online and out of home. Tenney sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the recent changes in the music industry, 20-year pop culture cycles, and his own musical inspirations. Currently, Tenney's band Exit recently released their song "Overdramatic", which you can listen to here.
Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson are both daughters of world famous musicians, but remain incredibly down to earth. They formed their comedy songwriting duo Folk Uke in 1996, and have frequently toured in support of Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson, in addition to garnering their own unique success. Folk Uke was actually on tour right when the pandemic hit in March 2020, and have stayed fairly active despite having all their remaining shows cancelled. Longtime friends of our host Brian, Amy and Cathy catch up with us as they discuss their current music-making plans, and a scheme to postpone shows in order to keep getting mentioned on local media outlets in Austin, TX. Hear them on Spotify, and follow them on Instagram.
For everything Folk Uke, head to folkuke.com.
Lead guitarist of The Killers Dave Keuning returns to the podcast to talk about his new solo music and the changes in the Killers' sound on their most recent record. Keuning also discusses the uncertainty of booking future shows and tours considering the current state of the pandemic, and even gets into the nitty gritty of... Fantasy Football?
Check out his new record A Mild Case Of Everything, and Pressure Machine by The Killers
Dmitri Vietze is the Founder and CEO of Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. It was his crazy idea to transform a global music PR firm into what has become a predominant music tech PR firm. Vietze is a regular presenter at SXSW Music, SF MusicTech, Music Biz, APAP, and WOMEX. He is also the director of the annual Music Tectonics Conference, and host of the Music Tectonics podcast. Brian and Nick chat with Vietze about new and exciting tech companies in the world of music, and important strategies for musicians to get their music heard.
Show Notes
[4:37] Dmitri discusses the origins of Rock Paper Scissors, and the PR firm got their start by specializing in helping international artists break into the United States market.
[8:40] Dmitri speaks on the music industry in regards to tech.
[12:00] Dmitri lends advice to independent musicians looking to make bigger strides in the music industry, 2 learning practical business skills.
[27:15] Dmitri gives our listeners the rundown on the best music tech software and apps on the market, and how they assist musicians or foster fandom.
[39:27] Dmitri talks NFTs and the blockchain as a whole, and how the two are helpful to artists right now.
[41:48] Dmitri tells us what’s next for Music Tectonics, including the Music Tectonics Conference.
For more on Dmitri and Rock Paper Scissors, visit them online at rps.rockpaperscissors.biz.
Growing up as a musician and music fan, Kris Ahrend eventually leveraged his law degree into a career in the music industry. After working for Sony Music Entertainment, Rhino Entertainment Company, and Warner Music Group, he became the CEO of the nonprofit Mechanical Licensing Collective, established in response to the historic Music Modernization Act of 2018. Kris sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the complexities and nuances of the royalty system, and how the MLC works to collect and distribute the money that many musicians might miss out on from their own mechanical royalties. To date, the MLC has already distributed over 139 million dollars in royalties to artists. Learn more about them here.
Show Notes
[1:45] Kris reflects on his roots as a musician, and the transition of his career to the law side of the music business.
[7:18] Kris speaks on the origins of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), and why it was a necessary response to the rise of digital services such as Spotify and Apple Music, and the coinciding exponential growth of music catalogs.
[11:15] Kris defines the differences between mechanical royalties and performing royalties, and how The MLC helps right holders claim their mechanical royalties in the United States.
[20:22] Kris explains why DIY, or “indie,” musicians might be missing out on royalties, and how they can avoid leaving money on the table by understanding the digital royalties landscape and the four revenue streams.
[28:50] Kris informs the audience on how to retroactively retrieve uncollected mechanical royalties from The MLC, and breaks down a practical example of how receiving royalties works for the average independent musician.
Karen Allen has held executive positions on the digital side of the music and entertainment industry at the RIAA, Mobile Entertainment Forum, TAG Strategic, and as a consultant advising startups on strategy and business development. Intrigued by the advent of live-streaming, Allen took a deep dive into the world of Twitch streamers, and came away with a new understanding of the way audiences engage with online content. This led her to write the definitive guidebook on the subject - Twitch for Musicians - and she joins Brian and Nick to talk about the ways musicians can benefit from building an interactive online community with their fanbase, spearheaded on Twitch. Find Karen on Twitter at @karenallen.
Publicist Beth Martinez founded Danger Village PR in 2007 to help support emerging bands that she believed in. With over a decade of industry experience and success, Beth sits down with Brian and Nick to answer questions like: when does an artist need their own publicist, and what should an artist do on their own before hiring PR company? They also discuss the way that publicity has changed in the digital age, strategies to use for social media growth, and how digital entertainment differs from traditional media. Danger Village PR has helped launch the careers of bands like Sure Sure, FIDLAR, Cautious Clay, Marian Hill, and Mehro.
Marshall Betts has been booking shows since he was in a high school garage band, and continued to do so through college until it eventually became his career. Working his way up through management firms, Marshall eventually started his own agency in New York City - the TBA Agency - which signed hot artists like Courtney Barnett, CHVRCHES, The War On Drugs, Hot Chip, and many more. A lifelong lover of music, Marshall discusses cultivating talented artists, helping them grow, as well as the evolution of the live music industry in the post-pandemic world. Learn more about TBA here.
Jeremy Born saw the implications of blockchain technology earlier than most. As the founder of NFT Genius, he is now considered a thought leader and industry expert within the NFT space. We sit down to chat with Jeremy about his efforts to bring music to the world of NFTs, and empower artists and creators to focus on their craft instead of being bogged down by non-creative concerns. He talks about the growing potential of NFTs to lead to mass adoption within the blockchain industry, and where he sees this technology leading us in the future. Learn more about NFT Genius here.
As a lifelong fan of video games, Darren Korb is living his dream as the sole composer and audio engineer for Supergiant Games. After graduating from NYU, Korb honed his craft in small studios around New York City, eventually getting a job authoring songs for the Rock Band Network (and winning the 2010 Rock Band 2 national championship). As one of the founding members of Supergiant Games, Korb has composed music for all their projects, including their most recent critically acclaimed release, Hades. Korb discusses the challenges of creating music for games that are meant to be played for hundreds of hours, and how he layers music stems to create a dynamic soundtrack that changes based on what the player is doing. Check out his work on Spotify, and find him on Instagram at @darrenkorb!
David Wise didn't set out to become a video game composer, but his knowledge of synthesizers garnered the attention of Rare Limited in the 1980s, who hired him on the spot. Since then he has had a long and lucrative career in the gaming industry, where he is known for his beautiful and atmospheric scores - particularly on Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country series. Wise discusses his origins, his process, and the huge technological advancements in digital audio, as well as the surreal experiences of hearing his music sampled by famous rappers like Drake and Childish Gambino. Check out his work here.
Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Chuck Prophet has been working hard in the music industry since his days with Green On Red in the 1980s. Since then he has had a lucrative career as a songwriter and session player, working with artists like Heart, Bruce Springsteen, and Cake, and going on to release his own solo records. Chuck discusses his origins in the Bay Area music scene, his inspirations, as well as "the mystery" of what makes a song special enough to keep listeners returning to it time and time again. Learn more about Chuck Prophet here.
David Möllerstedt is the co-founder of Stockholm based electronics company, Teenage Engineering. With a background in both audio recording and computer programming, David used his love of music to create new, portable, and compact synthesizers for musicians. Calling in from Sweden, David sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the creative philosophy of his company, the challenge of making elegant and functional hardware, and how that hardware can inspire musicians to create magic.
Award winning composer Jacob Shea graduated from the University of California with a degree in Music Composition. After reaching out to composers he admired, Jacob landed an apprenticeship in the same studio campus as Hans Zimmer, and eventually assisted with scoring work on high profile projects like Inception, Despicable Me, and Ender's Game. On today's podcast we talk to Jacob about his life as a composer for film, television, and video games, the grueling work schedule that is sometimes necessary for large scale projects, as well as the importance of versatility when working with different directors and creators. You can hear his latest work on Seven Worlds, One Planet, and find more credits on his website.
Mara Kaye & Tim McNalley come from opposite coasts but bonded over their love of jazz music and performing. Hailing from Brooklyn with a background in jazz and musical theater, Mara has been performing for her entire life and is gearing up to release her first record. Tim studied upright bass at UCSD and went from a relentless gig schedule in San Diego to performing at the Grammys with Ariana Grande. Together they discuss the ways that they've been able to continue working as musicians in LA during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and even thrive off of the creative process of remote collaboration.
Find them on Instagram @MaraKaye and @TimMcNalley
John Petrocelli, CEO of Bulldog Digital Media, believes in the mantra of "experiences first." A pioneer of the Livestream Industry, he started in collaboration with Prince after watching Prince tour an incredible three hour show for 40+ concerts. This partnership led to him developing the first major direct-to-consumer digital store, complete with digital concerts. In 2012, John founded Bulldog DM, which has produced over one billion audience engagements, and he continues to push streaming technology forward, believing in turning viewers into participants. Learn more about John and Bulldog DM here.
Jenn Grinel is a singer-songwriter from - well, everywhere, as she earned her stripes on stages across the country. Jenn talks getting her start in showbiz with theater in San Diego, California. When Jenn decided to pursue her passion of being a full-time musician, she hopped from city to city to play any stage that welcomed her. Jenn shares the successes she's had on Patreon, and the techniques she's used to sustain that success. She also discusses the trials and tribulations of artist management, and finding that perfect match with your representation. We also get virtual on this episode of the PlusMusic Podcast, and discuss topics such as Roblox, blockchain, and more.
Find Jenn on Instagram at @jenngrinels.
Austin Archer is a man of many talents. The Los Angeles-based musician is also an actor, screenwriter, director, and content creator. On this week's episode of the PlusMusic Podcast, we pick Austin's brain and talk about his creative outlets, including his mastery of the TikTok platform where he's amassed over 160,000 followers. We also discuss the business side of things, and how Austin has invested his time and money into his craft. Up next for Austin is his plan to release a film, Marty Has Cancer. You can check out his most recent releases, Beautiful Things, and Now That's What I Call a Bunch of Austin Archer's TikTok Songs Compiled Into an Album Vol. 1, on his Bandcamp page.
Find Austin on TikTok: @yourpal_austin, and on Instagram: @yourpal_austin.
Jabari Johnson, CEO of COLORS Worldwide, knows a bit about the music business. During our conversation with Jabari, he reflects on his time spent with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis during their rise to superstardom and the release of their hit single "Thrift Shop." He also talks about the origins of R&B Only, and how he turned the live show into a business in COLORS Worldwide. Jabari shares how the pandemic affected the R&B Only tour, and the creative methods he and his team used to keep the lights on, with producing both drive-in and virtual events. Jabari also emphasizes the value of direct communication with your fanbase, and the possibility of distributing ownership of your music catalog. Lastly, speaking of distributing ownership, you can invest in R&B Only today and be a part of their present and future success.
Check the R&B Only Instagram @rnbonly to see when Jabari is coming to your city.
Charles Fauna is a singer, songwriter and producer living in Brooklyn, New York. On episode 49 of the PlusMusic Podcast, we talk about the pros and cons to new-school promotion, including the pressures of self-marketing and branding. We also discuss the current generation of live-streamers, and how they might involve their fans in the recording process. The topic of NFTs also resurfaces, and its infinite possibilities.
Keep up with Charles on Instagram at @charlesfauna or via his website at charlesfauna.com, and click here to listen to his music on Spotify.
John Herguth is the founder, producer, and creative engine driving Farrows, a dark and bewitching indie/house project. This week on the PlusMusic Podcast with our guest John, we discuss the importance of setting the bar high for your career goals, introverts vs. extroverts in music, and artist-management dynamics!
Find Farrows on Instagram at @farrowsmusic, and listen to their music on Spotify.
Fictitious Professor started playing piano when he was 6, in the form of classical piano lessons. As he grew older, he expanded his interests to guitars and drums, but the keys never left his repertoire. College courses rounded out his talents, including classes on composing and arranging, and music tech such as Logic. It's also where he added jazz to his toolkit, a love of his that has seamlessly seeped into his music and beatmaking. This is evident in his latest release, 30, a lo-fi blend of hip-hop, jazz, and neo-soul beats. Fictitious Professor talks to us about the release of 30 coinciding with his 30th birthday, the current state of the jazz scene, and more on the PlusMusic Podcast!
Find Fictitious Professor on Instagram at @fictprof_ and listen to his latest release, 30, here.
Growing up in Beijing, Leo Xia didn't have "musician" at the top of his dream job list. That all changed in 8th grade when he took a "Rock Band" enrichment course that sparked the creative fire he was missing in the violin and piano lessons he had become accustomed to. Presently, whether making music as a singer-songwriter under his namesake, or rapping in Mandarin and English in the hip-hop group NITEMRKT, Leo has been unafraid to let his creative juices flow. It's leaning into that "bravery and courageousness" that Leo is most proud of. He discusses how his canceled tour devastated his urge to create, and how he shifted his mindset to move "beyond living in fear." Leo unpacks his fear of imperfection, and talks about his new desire to "move fast and break things" instead.
Find Leo on Instagram at @leoxiamusic, and follow his hip-hop group at @_nitemrkt.
We sat down with singer-songwriter (and illustrator) Scott Butler of the Austin, Texas based project, The Black and White Years. Scott reflects on early career choices, such as transforming the band from "alt-folk" to art pop upon the departure of their drummer. He also discusses the contentious nature of the band, and how that dynamic fostered a more creative environment. We also take a moment to discuss Scott's relationship with social media, and how his successful "Shorts" project came to be.
Keep up with Scott Butler via his website at lessawful.com, and on Instagram @theblackandwhiteyears.
Alec Ellin, along with his co-founder Sajan Sanghvi, started Laylo with the goal of connecting artists to their fans. Alec joined us on the PlusMusic Podcast to discuss Laylo, how it works, and Laylo's new feature, "Drops." He also took some time to discuss music tech, and where he believes our world is headed. Alec, Nick, and Brian discuss the future of immersive experiences, including the possibilities of digital assets such as virtual merch and collectibles. They also discuss the success of Clubhouse, and whether or not it's here to stay.
Daniel Weisman made a living out of his passion for music. This encompassed a stop as an executive at Roc Nation, and managing the likes of Wale, Mike Posner, and Big Sean, helping them see some of the first successes of their young careers. This week on the PlusMusic Podcast, Dan discusses the steps he took to get where he is today, including critical decisions he made as an artist manager. Dan also gives us his thoughts on the music industry as a whole, and where he thinks it's headed in the future. Dan was also kind enough to share a few tips for up-and-coming artists, so you can be sure this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Rapper/producer 2Four from Nashville, Tennessee joined the PlusMusic Podcast this week to give us his perspective and experiences within the music industry. Growing up, 2Four had always loved music, leading to him joining band in school. To relax himself, he would write music, trying to figure out his sound at a young age. It all developed from there. 2Four has been releasing music since 2012, building a fan base in his hometown, and he eventually released an album in 2018. Get to know 2Four a little bit more, and see how he got to where he is today!
Get to know the band Pretty City`s early beginnings and influences. Each band member has a unique style of music that contributes differently and creates the band to be the sound they are today. With their world wide opportunities they have grown as a band and have learned an ample amount of tips and tricks within the music industry. Tune in to the PlusMusic Podcast to learn more.
Janiva Magness is a Grammy nominated artist that talks to us about her long career, 15 studio albums, and what it is like being on record label vs. what it is like being an indie artist. She makes it known that it is important to recognize and appreciate the importance of your fan base and musical family while making a career out of doing something you love. She also makes it known that her love for music is what got her where she is today because she didn't think she could sing, but after she got into the business she was put in a position where she had to sing or else she would lose her job... so she sang background for them and they loved it. Throughout this podcast you will learn how important it is to take a risk if you want to make it in the entertainment industry.
Bonnie Whitmore has been surrounded by musicians her whole life and she always knew that being a musician is what she would do with her career. Throughout the podcast you will discover more and more about her unique style and what she has been doing to keep music alive during this tough time for the music industry.
Ray Suen is a passionate artist for anything he can get his hands on, ranging from the violin to keys. He has built his career by being himself, never settling, and taking risks. Those risks have paid off, leading Ray Suen to back the likes of The Killers, Childish Gambino, Lorde, and even our host Brian's own band Louis XIV, on tour. Throughout the podcast they discuss what the pandemic may do to the music industry and live music, while also bringing out memories about how he grew as a musician.
The Howl & The Hum are from the quaint city of York, England, which they describe as "very British." Sam, Conor and Brad joined us to talk about the slow building of their careers as they honed their skills in their hometown. They walk us through the eventual release of their beloved single, "Godmanchester Chinese Bridge," and the perfectly executed Spotify playlist placements that followed. Other topics of discussion include political frustration, both in the U.S. and U.K., and the powerful music that can be born from it, and the good and bad of social media, and adapting to it as a part of your music career.
Find The Howl & The Hum on Instagram @thehowlandthehum, on streaming service everywhere, and check out their podcast Digging for more conversations with artists.
We welcomed Dave Keuning, guitarist for legendary Las Vegas rock band, The Killers. We spoke to him about the pitfalls of searching for his first bandmates, and eventually meeting Brandon Flowers via an online ad, laying the foundation for what would become The Killers. Dave's solo work (under his namesake, Keuning) was also a topic of discussion, including the sonic differences between his debut album, Prismism, his upcoming sophomore album, and the next Killers album, which he has returned to be apart of. Nick, Brian and Dave also talk about fantasy football, and do a deep dive into everyone's favorite topic - American politics!
Keep up with Dave on his Instagram, @keuning.
Horror movie writer, director, and resurgent garage rock legend? Can things get any more October than Tommy McLoughlin? Tommy walks us through his beginnings playing the famous Sunset Strip in the 60s with his band The Sloths, how rock n’ roll and protest went hand-in-hand, and his memories of sharing stages with a young Jim Morrison of The Doors. At 19, he moved to Paris on a whim to learn the art of comedy, where he took up street performing as a mime to make ends meet. It wasn’t long before he was rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dick Van Dyke and Andy Kaufman, before eventually writing and directing his own films such as the cult classic, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. Tommy was also kind enough to share touching stories of his lifelong friend, rock legend Eddie Van Halen, and how their kinship came to be. Last but not least, he lets us in on how he’s channeled the feeling of teenage angst into his myriad of life experiences while playing with his band The Sloths, who have been reinvigorated by a recent resurgence of their music!
You can keep up with Tommy at thesloths.org, and follow them on Instagram @thesloths65.
ill Nicky sees the world with a kind heart and an open mind, encouraging everyone to “go out there and start being better people.” This mindset is evident everywhere, first and foremost in his name - the word "ill" morphing into the movement that is "I love life." And the world appreciates that energy, reciprocating it in one form by way of a fan club being started in India, much to Nicky's surprise. Join us on the PlusMusic Podcast as we sit down with alternative hip-hop artist ill Nicky where we talk about starting his own label, sampling vs. stealing, getting his song “FourThirty” in NBA 2K20, and much more.
Find him on Instagram @theillnicky!
Will Reynolds has music in his blood. It's the same music that had his grandfather drumming for jazz bands in the 40s, who taught Will drums and piano at a young age. Now, as the guitarist and frontman of Billy King & The Bad Bad Bad, Will has his feet firmly planted in the Austin, TX music scene. Join us on the BLKBOX Music Podcast as we talk about the imminent release of their new album, his thoughts on live-stream shows, and more!
Find all things Billy King & The Bad Bad Bad here on their website.
On this episode of the BLKBOX Music Podcast, we spoke all things music with Ruben Zarate of Dante Elephante! From searching for bandmates on Craigslist and working with a producer for the first time, to viewing his band through the lens of a small business!
And for those of you who can't get enough of indie musicians and podcasts, we also learned a little about the Dante Elephante Podcast, which features one-on-one conversations between Ruben and his favorite artists! For all things Dante Elephante, check www.danteelephante.com!
Self-taught drummer Jake Najor has amassed a highlight reel of moments in his career, including drumming for the likes of Karl Denson and Big Daddy Kane, but it's his journey that offers incomparable insight for the DIY musician. Join us as Jake talks us through his network-building beginnings, developing a style built for breakbeats, and his new band, Jake Najor & The Moment of Truth!
Stay up to date with Jake by following him @thenaj.
Tatiana Hazel is the definition of a Renaissance woman. As the primary (and most of the time, only) singer, songwriter, producer, and engineer of her music, she’s in full control of her artistry. Add to that her passion for designing clothes, and eye for photography, Tatiana Hazel is a powerhouse of creative energy. We’re excited to welcome Tatiana to the BLKBOX Music Podcast where we discussed getting her start on YouTube, TikTok and the future of digital music, and her writing process.
Find her everywhere @tatianahazel.
The boys of Bronze Radio Return have been busy. They've released two new singles - "Tell It To Me" and "Still Wandering" - alongside holding a social media contest and releasing custom vinyl records. We spoke with drummer (and the bands first "manager") Rob Griffith about their concert experience in China, reaching your fans via social media, the viability of Patreon, and more! The BLKBOX Music Podcast is for musicians, by musicians.
As two-thirds of Los Angeles-based garage band FriendlyBear, married bandmates Meg Speer and Adam Bones were undoubtedly impacted by COVID-19. To pass the time, they began to record daily song covers for Adam's Instagram under the moniker MegaBones. The videos became so popular, the result of friends and fans making requests and donations, that they never stopped making them. Meg and Adam have since recorded over 115 videos - one for every day of quarantine - and counting! Join us as we speak with MegaBones about their "Live in Self-Quarantine" series, mastering live-stream shows, and the future of live music!
Follow Meg and Adam: @friendlybearband, @adambones, and @megsbones
If you're looking for inspiration for live-stream performances, look no further than industrial artist Curse Mackey's "Live Exorcism." Post-cancellation of over 60 shows, interrupting the tour of his 2019 album Instant Exorcism, Curse Mackey pushed on via Twitch, YouTube Live, and more. Truly the gold standard of the live-stream experience, Live Exorcism includes a full concert, Q+A session, and art show, all free! Welcome Curse Mackey to the BLKBOX Music Podcast, where we talk music, live-streaming, the future of the music industry, and more!
Go to cursemackey.com/signup and follow @cursemackey everywhere to stay in touch with Curse!
It's no coincidence that electro goth duo Weird Wolves found a home for their music in the video game universe. The vision was crafted long ago by Raf Colantonio, musician and founder of Arkane Studios (creators of titles such as the cult-classic Arx Fatalis, and 2017's AAA sci-fi epic, Prey). It was during the creation of the soundtrack for Prey that Colantonio first worked with singer Ava Gore. Their love for both music and video games fostered a connection that led to the formation of Weird Wolves in 2018. You'll get to hear Weird Wolves meld their passions on Raf's next project, Weird West, currently under development at his new home (which he founded), WolfEye Studios. The BLKBOX Music Podcast is for musicians, by musicians.
Esteban Rene of The Slashes joins Brian and Nick on the BLKBOX Music Podcast! We talk influences, staying productive during the quarantine, and more! The BLKBOX Music Podcast is for musicians, by musicians.
Italy's very own psych-tinged shoegaze band, Rev Rev Rev, join Brian and Nick on the BLKBOX Music Podcast! Check it out as we discuss current state of Italia, the music scene before and after COVID-19, their influences and more.
BLKBOX Music is a service built for musicians, by musicians.
Dream-rock band Mars Motel's singer/guitarist/creator Sarik Kumar joins Brian and Nick on the BLKBOX Music Podcast. We discuss the origins of Mars Motel, how to be a successful live-streamer, and more.
Vic and Gab Banuelos are REYNA, indie-pop sister duo based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Join Brian and Nick on the BLKBOX Music Podcast as we discuss their move from El Paso to the midwest, their newfound cooking skills, their growth as artists, and more! The #BLKBOXMusicPodcast is by musicians, for musicians, with a focus on navigating the music industry as an independent artist.
Best known by the stage name Robot Koch, is a German, Los Angeles based, artist, composer and record producer. Koch made a name for himself as a member of the band Jahcoozi before establishing himself as a solo artist.
His sound of organic electronic music has been called "Wonderful and Strange - pop music from the future" (by John Peel of the BBC already in 2003).
Koch works as a producer and composer for both indie and major artists worldwide, gaining gold and platinum records for his productions for Marteria, Casper and K.I.Z.
He won the German Music Composers Award 2014 in the category "best composer electronic music".
His music has been used on numerous TV shows and films, including NBC's The Blacklist, ABC's How to Get Away with Murder, MTV "Teen Wolf" and the trailer for San Andreas.
Koch also explores modern classical compositions as part of his work. For the ninth edition of Neue Meister at DRIVE Forum Berlin, Robot Koch and the Australian violinist and composer Savannah Jo Lack wrote and performed six pieces that were exclusively composed for the Neue Meister series. The music for this series will be released in 2019.
While Koch has been releasing his own original material on the labels Monkeytown Records, Project Mooncircle, Bpitch Control and Four Music, he has been a successful producer, remixer and collaborator for other musicians such as Tensnake, Norah Jones, Bassnectar and Max Richter.
In 2016 Koch launched his own label, Trees and Cyborgs.
MOÜGLI is a colombian band which started in Bogotá, Colombia in 2016. Their music is focused on mixing nature inspired soundscapes with current electronic trends.
Formed by Juan Pablo Delgado and Samuel Lizarralde, the bands focus is to represent, through its music, the diverse cultures that compose Colombia's multiculturalism throughout an original music genre, self defined by them as "Jungle Beat".
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/786qoKu8y9vQHdegoxNJn9/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mouglimusica/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mouglimusica/
Franziska Grohmann, known professionally as Dehlia de France, is a German singer, songwriter, producer and visual artist. Her collaboration with Robot Koch, "Moirai's Choir", is featured in the Cloak & Dagger episode Restless Energy and on the original soundtrack of the second season.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mG6Dc70lALiwXwkk6vR0t?si=JKthavNLT22kWK-6NMzdDQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delhia_de_france/
“..a voice like a sequined razor blade” (Raw Ramp UK)
With a back catalogue of collaborations that reads like the who’s-who of underground electronic dance music, Delhia de France has been forging her solo career between Berlin and LA since the last 2 years, giving melancholia a shape with her darker sides of Altpop Electronica. The writer, producer and performer has released her solo debut EP Moirai in 2018 with her sophomore Oceanides EP out in June 2019. Co-produced with renowned Robot Koch, with whom Delhia has been working closely over the years, she is seeing support by Spotify, XL8R, Clash Magazine, Kaltblut Magazine, BBC, KEXP, KCRW.
“There is something about the darkness of the music and the lightness of her voice and delivery that is undeniably sultry and sexy – like a siren from another plain.” says Blog Higherplain Music (UK) about her sound.
Creating a sonically as well as visually stunning world Delhia collaborates with talented visionaries for her artwork as well as on stage.
Prism Bitch loves you.
Prism Bitch is a hard rock band that beamed down in 2016 from the dust and wind of New Mexico. The group started as a four piece and asexually reproduced an additional member in 2017, resulting in a 5 piece mix of heavy guitar/keyboard layers blended with pop hooks/melodies/harmonies and occasional total noise freakouts - often compared to The Pixies and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. From humble beginnings at a punk rock coffeehouse open mic to nominations in the Weekly Alibi’s "Best of Burque” music awards for 2017, 2018, and 2019 (Best New Band, Best Party Band, Best Stage Presence, Band Most Likely To Make It Big In Japan), Prism Bitch has been privileged to share stages with Treepeople, Shonen Knife, and Le Butcherettes.
In September 2018, Prism Bitch completed a West Coast tour with Built to Spill, and have toured again with the iconic band on the East coast September 12 to October 12, 2019. Prism Bitch released their self-titled EP November 2018. The EP features 5 songs, recorded with engineer Toshi Kasai, known for his work with The Melvins, Big Business and Foo Fighters. Prism Bitch will be releasing a new album in 2020.
Prism Bitch has a reputation for wild and performative shows, professionalism and friendship.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ungoomfqCNHmx5No3a0py?si=N119JXxeSaC-840ltwyh6w
https://www.instagram.com/prismbitchband
https://www.facebook.com/PrismBish/
Houston native Jack Freeman (born November 8, 1988) is an American singer with a voice and a message of love. His sultry yet smooth style has been honed by artists such as Donny Hathaway, OutKast, John Legend, D’Angelo, Bilal, Chaka Khan and Scarface just to name a few. While looking up some of the industry’s greats, Jack has also had the opportunity to open for the likes of Bilal and John Legend as well as Anthony Hamilton, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Brian McKnight, PJ Morton, Phife Dawg and Tito Jackson.
In 2016 Jack Freeman was interviewed for the Radio One Black Music Month Feature with Joe where he shared his views for the future of Black music. That same year he was selected by John Legend as a member of The AXE Collective which encourages emerging artists to find their magic. And in 2014 he was voted by fans in Houston as 97.9 The Box’s Artist to Watch. Further contributing to his hometown notoriety, Jack was enlisted to collaborate on projects with rappers Scarface, Killa Kyleon and Le$.
http://www.thefreemanbrand.com
https://www.instagram.com/iamjackfreeman/
https://open.spotify.com/user/lynniefree
NITE are Canadian-born twin brothers, Kyle and Myles Mendes, based in Dallas, TX. The duo create a unique hybrid of electronic rock with a nod to 80’s-influenced dream-pop, outfitting their sound with dueling harmonies. Their pulsing dance beats fuels the bands' energetic live performances across North America.
NITE have completed three full tours in North America, 2016 with Seabound (Germany) and The Foreign Resort (Denmark) and 2018 with The New Division. They have been humbled to share the stage on a number of occasions with artists such as Midge Ure of Ultravox, Howard Jones, Clean Bandit, The Griswolds, A Flock of Seagulls, Small Black, The Alarm, and many more. On July 28, 2017, NITE released the album, Reborn, on Cleopatra Records, which features the song "Dreamer", as a follow-up to their 2014 self-release, I Am Not Afraid.
The duo set to release their third full length album, Sleepless in April 2020 through Cleopatra Records.
https://wearethenite.com
https://www.instagram.com/wearethenite/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tXXoTykabsZNETr1Sr1zC?fbclid=IwAR3i7CTCJsWvTstY7kleblZNGLYcAasK2yRiTmHjO8aWrCFicAdNeGznuo4
Born in 1999, Florida native NOAH SCHATZ (pronounced “shots”) is a multifaceted creative who desires to push boundaries in every medium of art.
https://whatsnoahschatz.com
https://www.instagram.com/whatsnoahschatz/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RUwkYe0q2e8irHTOz9sDz?si=RWeTAM07R-u6O-kEG-5BXg
David Longoria's Longriver ripples music that you sink into. Like his previous outfit the Black, Bob Dylan serves as unavoidable touchstone in Longoria's nasal twinge and hard harmonica riffs, but whereas his former band oriented toward rootsy garage rock, Longriver slips into contemplative folk.
http://www.longriversongs.com
https://www.instagram.com/longrivermusic/
Femme electropop powerhouse BEGINNERS are back with “Start A Riot” a percussive feminist anthem featured in the latest New Balance campaign celebrating powerful female olympic athletes alongside BEGINNERS as they perform.
"Let That Money Talk" a prior seductive single off their forthcoming album CREAM, generated buzz with a provocative queer music video, paying homage to Jumbos Clown Room, an iconic Los Angeles strip club.
CREAM which features collaborations from artists like Kygo is a formidable follow-up to their previous records which garnered immediate recognition from the press, impressive tours with bands like Walk The Moon, and over 15 million streams on Spotify.
Beginners have been featured in multiple commercial campaigns including, New Balance, Acura, Taco Bell, RayBan, McDonalds, Miller Lite, YouTube, House Beer, Skullcandy and Europe’s Douglas Cosmetics; and landed numerous high profile TV/Film placements like New Girl, Riverdale, The Vampire Diaries, Disobedience and Happytime Murders.
https://www.beginners.band
https://www.instagram.com/_beginners/
https://www.facebook.com/BEGINNERS.OFFICIAL/
Respect for tradition with the sophistication to shake it off. Deadpan expression of a staunchly honest vision. Edmonton based Altameda (æl-tah-MI-da) have evolved into a band with a bold, and unrelenting sound. It’s the culmination of experience, both musical and rawly human, that makes Altameda the band they are. Hitting festival circuits and stages across Canada and the UK, they’ve toured extensively since releasing their much-celebrated debut album, Dirty Rain.
Full and resounding, cutting and dynamic, Altameda’s sophomore record, Time Hasn’t Changed You, is full of all that makes life a beautiful mess. Brought along by warm bass lines, bluesy rhythms and the sweet whir of the wurlitzer, vocalist Troy Snaterse’s lyrics burn with nostalgia and present desire, made vivid by his talk-like cadences and emotional peaks. It will lift you out of your seat—then all at once send you spiralling down to the kitchen floor. It’s love lost and gained and lost again. It will stay with you even after vinyl and needle have parted ways.
Morgan Sorne, known in his solo music project as SORNE, is an American singer-songwriter, composer, multi-media artist, music producer, and actor based in Los Angeles, California. His musical style has been described tribal, electronica, avant-garde, avant pop, alternative rock, and electro-space-folk. Though sometimes associated with the broad genre of rock, his songs feature no electric guitars, conventional bass instruments, or conventional drum sets. His music utilizes layered vocal samples and unconventional (mostly hand-made) instrumentation. He was a Texas Biennial artist in 2009, and in 2013 won the Austin Chronicle 2013 Avant Garde Artist of the Year award.
An alt-country band with punk roots, Vandoliers put a rough-edged spin on Texas music. It's twang and tattoos, grit and guitars, honky-tonk and horns, Tejano and Telecasters. It's Vandoliers.
Josh Fleming and company have brilliantly combined punk, country, Tejano, and rockabilly influences to create a dynamic and modern cowpunk staple."
- Noisey
“Sounds like: rediscovering your parents' country record collection and realizing they’d make good punk songs.”
- Rolling Stone Country - 10 New Country Artists You Need To Know May 2017
" The Native, a tighter, more focused album that still retains the devil-may-care spirit of the band’s debut but pushes the Texas band in a more ambitious direction."
- American Songwriter
Launched in 2011 by former skate punk rocker Toby Hwang and fugitive astrophysicist Annie Ko, Love X Stereo is a dazzling Seoul electro rock duo whose dreamy kaleidoscope of stellar synthpop anthems have enraptured music festival audiences across Asia and North America. With the epic release of their double EP series ‘We Love We Leave’ in 2016, Love X Stereo headlined at SXSW’s perennially packed ‘K-Pop Night Out’ showcase, and has been nominated by music critics as one of the best dance/electronic album of the year at the 2017 Korean Music Awards. In 2017, they started to skip the release of traditional albums in favor of releasing 37 brand new tracks and music videos all via Patreon. As a result, they released two LPs in 2017, two more in 2019, and one of their newest single ‘Zero One,’ a collaboration with critically acclaimed director-actor Nick Neon, was highly reviewed by Billboard. Most recently, the band participated the original soundtrack for the newest Netflix Korea’s original series ‘Love Alarm.’
Antwan Wiggins (born March 6, 1980 in Brooklyn, NY) is an American hip hop recording artist based in Newport News, Virginia. He is known by his stage name Awon. In 2014, along with frequent collaborator Phoniks, he founded Don't Sleep Records. Awon has shared the stage with many hip-hop acts including Little Brother, Common, EPMD, MC Lyte, and Oddisee.
Franc Cinelli, Italian born singer/songwriter talks keeping your art pure, genuine and authentic in an age of social media and streaming.
"My name is Franc, I write songs. Usually the folky kind, but sometimes the other kind as well. I was born in Rome and grew up in London. I was raised on a sterling collection of blues, folk, country and wholesome rock n roll music. Muddy Waters, Lucio Dalla, Lucinda Williams, Blaze Foley are some of my favourite artists. I write songs to try and figure out my place in this world, how I relate to my surroundings and try and learn to be a better man. I share my songs to try and find a common thread with other people, knowing that someone else is going through it too is both empowering and soothing. Maybe you will identify with things I write about, maybe I will identify with how you’re feeling."
Hailing from San Diego, Spencer Yenson's captivating voice draws comparisons to Jim Morrison, Hozier and Robert Plant, displaying a versatility that keeps you listening through to the next track. Spencer talks being a solo artist, releasing music independently and his strategy with social media. His latest releast "In Fever" EP features four original tracks and a boisterous cover of the 1956 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins hit “I Put a Spell on You”. “In Fever” is a dangerous blend of dark psychedelia and explosive rock 'n' roll. From the opening track, “Wicked Ones”, with layered harmonies of synth and guitar, to “Throw Me on Your Fire”, with its evolving rhythms and a bass line beefy enough for 90’s Dr. Dre, this EP is eclectic yet cohesive.
22 year-old alternate hip-hop producer and recording artist from San Diego, California. At the beginning of a much anticipated career we talk social media, making ends meat, release strategy and Will Smith.
Troy, NY’s Candy Ambulance are Jesse Bolduc (bass), Jon Cantiello (drums) and Caitlin Barker (guitar, vocals). Formed in 2014, the trio have been honing their songwriting and touring around in a Toyota Corolla these past 5 years. Their upcoming LP, Traumantic (recorded and produced by The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson), boasts raw, emotive lyrics, poppy grunge hooks and slide guitar collaboration from the ever so talented Josh Marre (Blue Ranger, Pinegrove).
Barker says the album is about “the sum of my life’s experiences with men, abusive power dynamics in relationships, therapy, and how I relate to people from those experiences. Its rough around the edges. So am I. I was blackout drunk for all the vocal tracking.”
https://www.instagram.com/candyambulanceband/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Nashphone
Interview with Ryan Morse of Access Analog. Ryan is a musician, music engineer and producer. Access Analog is an exciting new music tech company that takes real analog outboard gear and makes it available in the cloud. Wide ranging.
https://accessanalog.com
Chris Perricelli talks about what it's like to make music in today's music world, independent releases, social media, promo and making pizza for fans.
Bio: An American rock band from Minneapolis lead by Chris Perricelli with classic rock, garage rock, psychedelic, and early 70's glam rock influences. Zen inspired spiritual rock.
Based in LA, hip-hop artist/poet/activist jason chu is on a mission to speak hope, healing, and justice in a broken world.
He tells stories about friends and families wrestling with fear and joy, greed and hope, hurt and healing.
jason has performed at over 170 colleges (NYU, UMass, Wisconsin, Dartmouth, Williams, Yale, etc.), conferences (Urbana, NYCAASC, ITASA, etc.), and community organizations across the country, including a 2015 Asia mini-tour to Hong Kong and Beijing. He has partnered with The White House to fight bullying in Asian-American communities and the Alameda County Government to speak up on mental health issues.
jason's work has been covered by the Huffington Post, the LA Times, the China Daily, AngryAsianMan, and other outlets.