HIP To The Scene

Episode 13 of HIP To The Scene answers the question: "Why is picking the right producer so important?" - with our guest Godfrey Diamond!

Lou Reed. Etta James. Frank Sinatra. Aerosmith. These are only a few of the renowned names that Godfrey Diamond has produced and sound-engineered over the years since his start in the '70s. Being able to consult and get advice from a legend in the production realm, we couldn't be more humbled to have Godfrey Diamond here to answer HIP To The Scene's episode 13 question for our viewership: "Why is picking the right producer so important?"

With more than 50 years in the music business, Diamond has an abundance of sage wisdom to dispense because he has quite literally seen it all. Having a great producer behind your musical productions is vital to the success of any artist's career, and without a doubt, Diamond was born to work in music. He proved it at just 21 years old when he was asked to produce Coney Island Baby for Lou Reed. His career took off from there, as it was that same year that Diamond and his brother helped "More, More, More" by Andrea True Connection reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100! He is yet another living and breathing example of the mantra that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. He spreads nothing but optimism with everything he does, particularly when related to his genuine joy found in making music, and that in itself is inspiring. 

For the past 20 years, Godfrey Diamond has been the owner of Perfect Mixes Studio in Brooklyn, New York. Thriving off the collaborative environment in the studio, he recently launched his newest project, biGDream. His goal is to be able to reconnect with musicians he's worked with in the past as he begins his journey beyond producing, and becomes an artist in his own right too. HIP was beyond excited to join the Godfrey Diamond team to secure further exposure on his latest biGDream music video, "Everybody's High." All musicians want advice they can trust, and the fact that Diamond has been in the game for so long alongside remarkable players, we are truly honored to have him discuss this pertinent topic today.

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Episode 12 of HIP To The Scene answers the question: "What's the secret to booking a successful tour?" with our guest Greg Hoy!

For someone who coins himself as "just a guy in a band," Greg Hoy deserves every bit of attention he enjoys. He's a songwriter, producer, indie label record owner, singer, multi-instrumentalist, podcast host, and overall musical and marketing mastermind with countless success stories under his belt. 

Today, our humble guest is here making a pitstop to speak with us amidst his 2022 East Coast tour to divulge details and insight from years of music industry experiences. Together, we will be answering HIP to the Scene's often-asked question as of late: "What's the secret to booking a successful tour?"

Hoy lives the traveling life in the name of sharing his music with the world. Just look at him now! Greg Hoy & The Boys just finished their Build Back Bitter Tour this summer. It was originally slated for 2020 but was canceled due to health concerns. That tour recently wrapped, and Hoy and his boys are already back at it again with the current Demons At Night Tour. Here's a rock and roller that burns red hot no matter which creative endeavor he undertakes.  

Hoy is also the host of the wildly entertaining Limited Mileage podcast. He's the owner and operator of 30 Peak Recording Co. and has soundtracked for major brands like Pinterest, American Express, and Adobe. Hoy can work a soundboard just as well as he can carry and single-handedly create rock songs with a guitar, keyboard, drum set, bass guitar, and pen and paper. Ultimately, though, he is a trusted member of the music world and an all-around authentic, talented artist familiar with all that goes into a career in the music business. There's no doubt he has perfected the recipe for booking tours, and by the end of this transmission, you - the viewer and listener - will be fully equipped to give it a shot, despite the dwindling amount of venues and troubling new challenges of taking it on the road.

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Tris McCall (writer, music journalist, reporter, musician, and novelist!) is our guest today to answer the question: "What is your motivation?"

One of the most important parts of music video promotion is connecting with programmers by effectively telling an artist's "signature story." But how does one develop the writing prowess to guide audiences through all the must-know details of any band's background and career? Coming in with over three decades of experience writing powerful prose is HIP To The Scene episode 11 guest Tris McCall. Whether he's writing novels like The Trespassers, blogging about New Jersey arts and politics on The Tris McCall Report, or covering the indie arts and entertainment scene through weekly news/reviews on NJ Arts and Jersey City Times, Tris has an abundance of sage wisdom, information and firsthand insights. Tris McCall is the best person to give us the answer to today's question: "What is your motivation?"

With so much going on in the realm of music, staying inspired and keeping a high-spirited outlook is essential. The New York Times has praised McCall as "the plugged-in, Internet-era muse of Jersey City" - but at the end of the day, his writing portfolio speaks for itself. Tris is humble about his immense talent and unbelievable capacity for greatness in his work, crediting his undying interest in reading record reviews and actively — not passively — listening to music for his success. It's also important to note that he's a musician, too: Tris is a longtime singer/songwriter, which should come as no surprise considering both his musical passions and expertise in working with words. So, it checks out once again that Tris is completely in the know with all that comes with a professional career in music across all genres through consistent, immersive experience in multiple areas of the industry.

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Liz Tallent (The Orange Peel + secretary of the Southeast chapter of the National Independent Venue Association [NIVA]) is our guest today to answer the question: What does the future of live music look like?

Nothing is more exhilarating than live music, but as we know, live music faced some hardships over the last two years. Still, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. To guide us, there is no one better than Liz Tallent. Liz is the secretary of the Southeast chapter of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). She's here to help us get to the bottom of a question every independent creative has been asking: "What does the future of live music look like?"  

Tallent stumbled into the live music scene in 2006, planning to work temporarily at Asheville N.C's historic concert venue The Orange Peel between jobs. As the highest ticket-selling indie artist club on the southeast circuit, The Orange Peel has showcased artists like the Beastie Boys, The Avett Brothers, Lauryn Hill, Jack White, and more. What began as covering a management role for six months turned into filling the role of venue manager and marketing/special events director right up to today! Liz’s undying passion and energy have allowed for the local music and entertainment culture to prosper, amplifying this successful setting for quality experiences for both bands and fans.

Liz’s contributions to the indie venue world don't stop there. Her involvement with NIVA has put her at the forefront of the Save the Stage movement, which provides funds to arts and entertainment entities affected by the pandemic. She recognizes that music venues are not the same as any other small businesses, and they need both internal and external support to flourish. While things are starting to look up, the effects of the pandemic continue to linger, and Tallent and others in the venue business keep working hard to save the live music industry. It's an ever-evolving, ongoing undertaking, but with knowledgeable and experienced people like Liz, we know live music is in good hands. Outside of that, Liz is also a proud wife and mother of three children. In her spare time, they love spending time in the indie music hub downtown Asheville has to offer.

Bruce Sudano is our guest today to answer the question: As a creative, how can you possibly keep going and stay optimistic during such challenging times?

Given Bruce's lengthy record of accomplishments — working with Tommy James; rocking with Alive N Kickin' and Brooklyn Dreams; writing hit songs for Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, and Dolly Parton, to name just a few — you might expect Bruce Sudano to take his work very seriously. And that he does: when he's composing with a guitar in his hand, he's absolutely committed to the quest for the perfect melody, the sharpest hook, and the most expressive lyric. He also runs an indie record label called Purple Heart Recording Company and works closely with artists like Johnnyswim and The Zombies. With no intention of slowing down, the genre-bouncing Brooklyn-native is barreling into 2022 with a new album, fresh new hits that build on the unique sound he has curated over his remarkable career. Dancing between folk, blues, pop, and rock, Bruce Sudano brings intensity and comfort all wrapped in one, while giving voice to the voiceless in a world torn asunder.

As skilled a vocalist and guitarist as he is, he might be an even better communicator. He's determined to be understood, even when his ideas are sophisticated and his writing is complex. Spirals Vol. 1...Not A Straight Line To Be Found and Spirals Vol. 2...Time & Space In Between are collections of thoughtful songs that grapple with grown-up struggles, existential questions, and the difficulties of maintaining relationships in a world that often seems to be spinning out of control. Sudano is such a sensitive writer and strong singer that he renders all of this subject matter approachable. It's that sort of artistic flexibility that has helped sustain Bruce Sudano's status as a songwriter in demand for over five decades. On his new record, Ode To A Nightingale, he continues his winning streak of timeless gems, seven songs straight from his big, humble heart.

Jim Peterik is our guest today on HIP To The Scene to share his vast knowledge and answer the question: "How do you have a hit song?"

How many of today's hits will people still be singing in ten years? Or dare I say - half a century from now? It takes an extraordinary musician to write songs that remain in the popular imagination for decades. Jim Peterik is one of those rare songwriters, and even if you might not be familiar with the name, you certainly know the tunes. The music he's composed is as alive to audiences as the songs in the current Top 40. Along with his ability to pen a hit, Jim is a talented instrumentalist and a strong, soulful singer. He remains the frontman and the main creative force in The Ides Of March, an ambitious, horn-spiked rock band he co-founded in Chicago in the 1960s. Peterik's unerring ear for catchy pop-rock melody has kept him in the music industry for more than half a century: over the years, he's written for everybody from REO Speedwagon to Sammy Hagar. But he'll always be best known for his work with two of the best-loved mainstream groups of the 1980s: the classic Southern rock band .38 Special, and the inspirational, universally loved Survivor. Peterik had a hand in the composition of nearly all of the hit songs recorded by both groups, including "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys," "The Search Is Over," "I Can't Hold Back," and many other enduring radio favorites. Jim and I have known each other for many years, and I'm thrilled to have him as our guest on HIP To The Scene!

Trenton Pratt of BET joins Andy to answer the question: "How do I get my music video on BET?"

Trenton has taken on a variety of different roles over the years, including being a journalist, photographer, director, producer, and music programmer, giving him the ability to navigate these fields from a unique perspective. His career in the music industry began during his college years, where he worked as an Urban/Pop Marketing Representative for Sony Music Entertainment. Jumping on the digital marketing wave early, Trenton was able to identify tactics to boost awareness and promote new music. He brought these skills to The Syndicate, an entertainment marketing agency, where he continued to craft his talents in marketing. Trenton is now a music programmer at Viacom, where he is curating music video blocks to pique the interests of viewers at BET Jams & BET Hip-Hop. He also oversees BET branded playlists and content management. Trenton has built an impressive reputation over his career and is an information hub for all things BET.  I'm so excited to have him on this episode of HIP To The Scene where we'll be talking about all things BET and answering the question: "How do I get my music video on BET?”

AJ Tobey of Rough Trade Publishing joins Andy to answer the question: "How do I get my music placed into TV shows, commercials, film, digital content, etc.?"

If there's one person who knows the ins and outs of the music industry, it's AJ. AJ Tobey is the badass A&R Exec at Rough Trade Publishing and Bank Robber Music, founder of Trash Casual, and even finds time to rock out with his band Ultra Major. This man has seen every side of the music industry and can answer almost every question you have. He represents his artists to the best of his ability, and he relentlessly champions each and every one. This is a man you want to have on your side when you're entering the music industry. AJ has been a close friend of the HIP family for over 15 years, and I'm so excited to have him on this episode of HIP To The Scene, where we'll be talking about music publishing and answer the question: How do I get my music placed into TV shows, commercials, film, digital content, etc.?

Matt Pinfield joins Andy to answer the question: "What does the future of rock and roll look like in 2021?"

Matt Pinfied is one of rock radio's biggest names, from WRSU-FM in New Brunswick, NJ to WHTG-FM at the Jersey Shore, to WXRX and WRXP in New York, KFOG in San Francisco, SiriusXM, VH1. He currently has a nationally syndicated weekly radio show 'Flashback', and recently became the radio host of 'New And Approved' on KLOS. Matt is also the former  Vice President of A&R and Artist Development at Columbia Records and host of 120 Minutes on MTV.

Rob Schwartz joins Andy to answer the question: "What is OTT? And why should I care?"

Jesse Cannon joins Andy to answer the question: how can independent musicians go from zero to 10,000 fans in 2021?