Real Musicians Don't Starve: Recent Episodes
Michael Elsner
No one wants to be a starving artist or struggling musician. Join Michael Elsner every week as he interviews the world’s most successful musicians, and dissects the strategies they’ve implemented to achieve the kind of career that every musician dreams about. If your goal is to do what you’re passionate about and create music full time, this is the podcast for you… because Real Musicians Don’t Starve!
Alan Litten is a Mixing Engineer who has had six #1 hits, and many Top 10's. He has worked with artists including Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, and many others.
Alan has built his career by focusing on building a highly regarded reputation in niche markets within the music industry.
Here's a sneak peek inside this episode:
- [3:20] Noticing how the recording market was transitioning from professional studios to home studios, and mixing out of his bonus room
- [6:55] The 3 niche markets he's worked in, and how he navigated from one into the next.
- [13:00] The importance of looking outside the box at the outlets beyond 'pop music' to build a life-long career in music.
- [16:15] Stepping outside of a red ocean, into a blue ocean where you can grow.
- [19:20] "The people who are willing to pay for quality will find you.”
- [19:45] Alan's hybrid home studio mixing setup.
- [25:30] The plug-ins that Alan gravitates to when creating a mix.
- [30:20] How Alan begins the process of mixing a song.
- [35:40] The misuse of compression that's so common among independent musicians who mix their own songs.
- [43:00] The an early lesson in my career regarding how one of my favorite albums I ever worked on got ruined by over-compression.
- [46:20] How to build a great relationship with a highly skilled mastering engineer before you even finish mixing your album or song.
- [50:50] Looking at your songs as income producing assets.
- [54:20] How to approach your recording and mixing process with a team mentality, and getting feedback through the entire process to get a perspective of what's working, and what's not.
Christian Cullen is a keyboardist / composer who spent 5 years as a member of rock legends Night Ranger. Other artists he has played with include Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Bobby Kimble (Toto), Rick Nielsen & Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Tommy Shaw (Styx), and many other rock legends.
After leaving Night Ranger, Christian has had tremendous success as a composer for TV and Radio spots for companies including Disney, NFL, Fox, Ford, and Google.
Here's a sneak peek inside this episode:
- [2:51] How living in Illinois, and not living in a major music metropolis, opened doors for him to play with so many rock legends.
- [9:46] His approach to taking on a challenging gig, especially with a tight deadline or a quick turnaround time.
- [11:15] Why it's important to never take a gig that you don't think you're right for.
- [18:28] There's something magical that happens when you get in a room with other musicians. Something else starts to happen that you never expected and it changes everything. You have to be open to that and not hold on too tight to any one particular idea.
- [19:16] The best stuff happens incollaboration. When you look at your favorite records, it's a team of people doing what they do best.
- [22:46] His weekly schedule of scoring, sound designing, and mixing video projects for clients.
- [29:17] Why it's so crucial to be honest with yourself about what your weaknesses are.
- [30:10] Once he knew he wanted to be a producer, he also realized that he had to get better at mixing.
- [31:35] Once you have the ability make your recordings sound great, the creation process is more exciting, and you reach your end goal much quicker.
- [35:14 - 35:35] Perfection doesn't exist, and there is no perfect scenario. Creating music doesn't require you to be a perfectionist to do exceptional work.
- [36:17] Towards the end of his time touring with Night Ranger, he woke up one day and realized, ‘’It's time, it's time to say goodbye to this chapter of my life.’’
- [38:34] Everything he's ever achieved in his career, opportunity wise, came through some relationship that was forged over time.
- [39:26] Part of being successful as a creative individual is not having the financial stress while trying to create.
- [41:42] Layering sound effects to picture is no different than layering instruments such as guitars or synths.
- [46:50] There’s so much to learn from other people who have had in the music business, and there are a lot of people who are eager to share their experience when they see that there's interest in what they’ve done.
You can learn more about Christian at: http://christiancullenmusic.com/
Björgvin Benediktsson is an engineer, mixer, educator and best selling author. His book, “You Get What You Give,” is a simple story for finding success in the music business.
He is also a wealth of information when it comes to recording and mixing. The quality of content that he shares with his audience on a daily basis through Audio-Issues is unparalleled.
Here’s a sneak peek inside this episode:
- 2:25 - Björgvin’s online educational site Audio Issues started through his writings 12 years ago, because he wanted to share his audio school education with others.
- 3:19 - The things that you're solving for yourself are probably things that other people have issues with, and would like to know the solution to.
- 3:58 - Don't just learn to learn, learn to apply!! If you haven't applied your lessons or the things you’ve learnt , then they haven't truly solidified.
- 9:33 - Björgvin’s book “You Get What You Give” is a simple story of finding success in the music business. It is written as a business parable for the musician/music producer.
- 14:29 - A lot of times it's about taking action in the face of fear.
- 15:37 - Taking action, putting yourself out there, building an audience, and seeing what resonates with others, will help guide you and your career path.
- 22:28 - Success can be a numbers game!!
- 25:06 - Lose what doesn't move the needle, and put what does move the needle into overdrive.
- 30:59 - Know how to define your own success, and what that success means to you… as your definition of success is not the same as someone else's.
- 42:41 - Björgvin currently works as a mentor at the university of Arizona, mentoring student teams that are building businesses.
To learn more about Björgvin, go to: https://www.audio-issues.com/
Brian Davis' songs have been recorded by artists including, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, Jarrod Niemann, Tyler Farr, Gretchen Wilson, and many others.
He wrote Brantley Gilbert's #1 hit "One Hell of an Amen."
Brian Carico has been a fixture in the music industry for over two decades. He's worked with artists including Blake Shelton, Sir Paul McCarney, Aerosmith, Brad Paisley, and many more...
He's also an inductee into the Full Sail Hall of Fame! The wealth of insight and career advice he brings to this interview is second to none.
Today's guest, Johnny Rabb is the drummer for multi-platinum rock band Collective Soul. Throughout his career, he's also played with artists including Maynard Ferguson, SheDaisy, Tanya Tucker, Mindy McCready, and many more!
He's also an educator, and was voted #1 Best Educational Author by Modern Drummer Magazine's Reader's Poll.
Bassist Derek Frank has traveled the world with a “who’s-who” of A-list artists and bands including Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Air Supply, Daniel Powter, and many others.
In this episode he shares what it takes for musicians to travel down the road to success.
Guitarist Tariqh Akoni has managed to pack an impressive and diverse array of experiences in his 25 years in the music industry. A perpetual student of the art, Tariqh has been a composer, producer, songwriter, studio musician, educator, musical director, multi-instrumentalist and clinician.
He has amassed an extensive and eclectic resume, including: Josh Groban, Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, The Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack, Stevie Wonder and super producer David Foster among many others...
Keyboardist Kevin Antunes is truly the Music Director to the industry's premier artists. Currently the MD for Madonna, he has also worked with Justin Timberlake, N'Sync, Rihanna, Brittany Spears, and so many more.
He is also the Music Designer for Michael Jackson's One and The Immortal World Tour Cirque de Soleil shows.
#1 Hit Songwriter Chris Wallin’s songs have been recorded by Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, and many others.
In this episode, he shares stories and strategies that every songwriter needs to know to build their own music career.
Multi-instrumentalist / Songwriter / Producer Martin Sutton has worked with artists including Celine Dion, The Backstreet Boys, Leanne Rimes, X Factor & Idol Winners and was a signed writer with Universal Music Publishing.
He runs the Songwriting Academy, whose faculty have collectively sold over 3/4 of a billion records!
In this episode he shares his perspective as a life-long songwriter, and how his life's work is helping other songwriters both understand the industry, and streamline their journey to success.
In this episode, multi-platinum songwriter Andrea Stolpe shares strategies and advice on how every songwriter can grow their network of established co-writers.
Andrea has been a staff writer for EMI and Universal Music, and her book Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling, is a staple text for the songwriting programs at Berklee College of Music, Belmont University and USC's Thornton School of Music.
Wes Quave has built a music career spanning decades as both a performer and a songwriter/producer. As someone who splits his time between the stage and the studio, he's found a way to build successful businesses around his various skillsets.
In this episode, he shares his secret to building a large network, and how to authentically connect with others in a way that leaves a lasting impression.
Guitarist / Songwriter / Composer NOMAD has spent the majority of his career working with GRAMMY award winning producers and artists including Rodney Jerkins, David Foster, Walter A., Tommy Simms, Bernie Herms, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Justin Beiber, Colbie Caillat, Babyface, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder and Sting.
Also very active in the Sync community, he has composed music for over 300 TV Shows, Films and Commercials.
In this episode, NOMAD shares what it takes to be a career musician.
After selling over 25 million albums, guitarist Adam Gaynor shares how he went from answering phones to forming Matchbox 20 at 30 years old.
Not one to rest on that incredible success, Adam has since moved to Hollywood and opened an entertainment company called Creationville! Through this new venture, he's already shot reality sizzle reels, animation shorts, and has even started manufacturing a plush toy line.
He is a shining example of how much one can achieve when they implement the three keys to success that we talk about here at Real Musicians Don't Starve.
In this episode, Adam shares a WEALTH of knowledge, experience and advicefor musicians of every age, and at every stage of their career.
Hear how artist/songwriter Kris Bradley dramatically scaled her business by learning some simple production techniques.
After spending years in Los Angeles, fronting bands, as well as pursuing her own artist career, Kris realized that she needed to learn the production side of music as well.
After investing in a laptop and Logic, then spending countless hours learning how to produce her own demos, she has become an in-demand producer. Along with working with other artists, she's also focused heavily on Sync Licensing with her production company Boomfox Productions, having produced music for Sony, Miramax, Fox, Warner Chappell PM, and many others.
Even more exciting, she's the CEO of Produce Like A Boss, where she's been helping hundreds of musicians and songwriters take control over their careers by teaching them how to fully produce their own music. Her program From Voice Memo to Demo has hundreds of students who have quickly been able to create new revenue streams for themselves by applying the recording strategies that Kris teaches.
Every serious musician is an entrepreneur. We are simply doing one of two things: Creating a Product (the song or album), or Providing a Service. If you want to make a living as a musician, you have to generate an income from it, and that means that treating this like a business.
There is one essential mindset every successful entrepreneur has: Instead of saying, “I don’t have,” they ask the question, “How can I?”
When it comes to 'landing the gig,' one friend is worth of a hundred acquaintances. In this episode you're going to meet guitarist Matt Reviere whose credits include Carrie Underwood, The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery, and more.
He shares why his secret to having consistent success as a musician, is BEING consistent AS a musician. He also shares why developing real relationships are what will ultimately get you the gig.
In this episode you're going to meet Michelle Sabolchick, and learn the steps she took to become one of the premier live sound mixers in the world.
With a career as a professional live sound engineer for nearly 30 years, Michelle as worked with some of the most recognizable names in music including: Styx, Gwen Stefani, Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls, Mr. Big, Big Time Rush, Ke$ha, Jewel, Adam Lambert, and more.
In 2013 she co-founded soundgirls.org to create a supportive community for women working in professional audio. In 2015 she was inducted into Full Sail University's Hall of Fame.
After having played drums on over 25 #1 Hit Singles, Rich Redmond offers his advice on what it takes to succeed as a musician.
You're going to hear how Rich took the rejection after 3 auditions and spun it into a career as an award-winning recording and touring drummer who has recorded, toured, and/or performed with: Jason Aldean, Ludacris, Kelly Clarkson, Bryan Adams, Bob Seger, Joe Perry, and Garth Brooks.
If you choose the right thing to be passionate about, it allows you to work harder. As Rich says, "Passion is your engine, and hard work is the fuel."
Change is inevitable. Not only has the industry changed, but our consumers have changed as well. People absorb music now in a completely different way than they did just 20 years ago. But we have to adapt to those changes
Deciding to leverage these changes to our advantage is the difference between being starving musician, or choosing to be a thriving musician.
Producer/Songwriter David Browning has crafted a new business model that benefits both artists AND fans, without giving all their money away to the big labels!
It's wrong to call yourself a 'professional musician' if you're not going to value yourself like one. But when you treat your music career like a business, it will pay you like one.
In this episode drummer Jeff Bowders discusses how he leveraged a unique strategy that allowed him to get his first book published quickly.
Time is so precious that we don't have the luxury to waste it on someone else's indecisiveness. You have to push them to the point where they either say yes or no. If they say no, then this gives us the green light to move on to someone else who could actually benefit from our talent, time and energy.
In this episode you're going to meet Ed Eason, a guitarist that has played with artists who've sold over 25,000,000 albums! Growing up in a small town in Texas, he's been able to implement strategies that have allowed him to play events ranging from Dick Clark's Rockin Eve at Times Square to The Grammys.
You can't let your insecurities stop you from moving forward. You have to position yourself in the path of opportunity. This is one of the key factors that differentiates who thrive in their careers from those who continue to struggle and starve.
There's a big distinction between the mindset of a starving musician and a successful musician. But the truth is... Real Musicians DON'T Starve!
It's essential to understand how the words we use to speak to ourselves will either empower us to succeed, or set us up for failure.