Successful Musicians
By Jason Tonioli
Achieving success and finding fulfillment with music is different for everyone. This podcast features stories of musicians who have found their own personal version of success and fulfillment in both music and life. This podcast is meant to inspire musicians and help them believe in their abilities and motivate them to share their talents with others.
Successful MusiciansJul 28, 2022
Episode 53: Inspiring Change: Shannon K's Commitment to Positive Influence
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Shannon K, is an American-Indian singer and actress. She collaborated with Poo Bear on the song “A Long Time” in 2018, and her music video for this track has over 41 million views on YouTube. Shannon K also acted in the movie “The Big Feed” (2020) and is currently involved in the American drama series “Mystical Inheritance of Adina Hassan” and a short film called “Rolling,” which focuses on mental health awareness. Her versatility, passion, and dedication continue to make waves in the entertainment world.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Shannon K shares about the enduring importance of authenticity, resilience, and commitment to positive influence. Her dedication to staying true to herself amidst the pressures of the industry serves as a powerful reminder that success is not just about fame or fortune, but about staying grounded in one's values and morals. Shannon's emphasis on maintaining a strong work ethic and embracing every opportunity, no matter how small, underscores the significance of perseverance and seizing moments for growth. Moreover, her belief in the responsibility of artists and creators to inspire change and influence others for the better highlights the transformative potential of art and the impact it can have on shaping society. Ultimately, Shannon K's story encourages us to strive for authenticity, uphold our values, and use our platforms to make a positive difference in the world.
Things We Discussed
Shannon K has released a recreation version of the iconic old disco classic song “Jimmy Jimmy.” Her voice adds an upbeat twist to this beloved track. So put on your headphones and groove to the beats!
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Episode 52: Cultivating a Personal Brand for Lasting Success with Eric Thayne
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here. Eric Thayne is a professional director, DP, and film educator. He is known for his work in cinematography and film production. Eric shares his expertise through educational content on platforms like YouTube and Cinema Mastery.
What You’ll Learn
From Eric Thayne's insights, we can glean several valuable lessons:
Entrepreneurial Thinking: Understanding the difference between creatives and entrepreneurs is crucial. Entrepreneurs start with identifying problems and then develop solutions, often involving assembling teams to execute them. Creatives can benefit from adopting this problem-solving approach.
Visibility and Personal Branding: In today's digital age, visibility is key. Thayne advocates for creatives to focus on building their personal brands, connecting with audiences on a deeper level beyond just their craft. Engaging with fans and showcasing personality can cultivate a loyal following.
Things We Discussed
Eric Thayne mentioned his upcoming book, 'Create, Don't Capture,' It is a game-changer for creatives, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs alike. Packed with invaluable insights and practical advice, this book is a great tool for unlocking your full creative potential in today's digital landscape. You can preorder now at createdontcapture(dot)com.
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Episode 51: Carlos Baker's Evolution Through Cancer, Parenthood, and Passion
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Lead vocalist, bassist, and lyricist Carlos Baker hails from the United States and, together with his spouse, relocated to Northern Germany in 2009. Identifying himself as a seasoned artist, lyricist, and storyteller, Carlos authored the novel "SONGS For IVY" in 2020, now accessible on Amazon. With a repertoire spanning over 50 compositions, his musical range extends from country tunes to heartfelt ballads, and from rock anthems to bluesy melodies. Carlos crafts songs infused with the genuine sentiment, many delving into his personal encounters and battles with depression. Above all, Carlos expresses his utmost pride in the four children he and his wife have nurtured.
What You’ll Learn
Carlos's journey offers a profound exploration of resilience and transformation. From overcoming a rare bone cancer with candor and a unique perspective on mortality, he shares invaluable insights into the power of resilience and mental strength. His openness about mental health struggles, particularly with shame, underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing emotional wounds. Rejecting conventional therapy, Carlos found solace and healing through music and writing, portraying them as his therapeutic outlets. His ability to seamlessly integrate music into his life, from carefree youth to responsible adulthood, emphasizes the enduring role of artistic expression in navigating life's challenges. Carlos teaches that embracing vulnerability, pursuing one's passions, and finding solace in creative outlets can be powerful tools for personal growth and healing.
Things We Discussed
Resilience and Transformation: Overcoming rare bone cancer with candor and a unique perspective on mortality.
Mental Health Awareness: Openness about mental health struggles, particularly with shame.
Creative Therapeutic Outlets: Choosing music and writing as therapeutic outlets for emotional healing.
Integration of Music in Life: Seamless integration of music from carefree youth to responsible adulthood.
Life's Transformative Moments: Family life, marriage, and parenthood as transformative milestones.
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Episode 50: Chris SD and the Ultimate Music Supervisor Panel
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Chris SD is the go-to person for indie songwriters aiming to feature their music in top shows, movies, and ads. Initially an award-winning music producer, Chris recognized the potential for indie projects to gain greater visibility. He observed the impact of a single sync placement propelling artists onto charts and generating lucrative income. Beyond teaching indie songwriters the ropes, Chris actively connects them with key figures, opening doors to top music supervisors in TV and film.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Chris shares why indie music is so successful now in TV and film. He also explains the importance of metadata and reaching out directly to the source—the music supervisors who place music in TV and film. Building strong relationships with these decision-makers is crucial, as they have a select group of trusted individuals. By becoming one of their go-to contacts, you secure consistent and more lucrative sync placements. The key is delivering what they need when they need it, establishing trust and reliability in the process.
Things We Discussed
In January, Chris is hosting a free online panel featuring top music supervisors in the industry. These are professionals who curate music for the most prominent shows, movies, and ads. You're invited to join virtually and gain valuable insights into who they are, what they seek, and the criteria for music selection in TV and film. This event offers a unique opportunity to understand their perspective, helping you align your music with their preferences. It's a fantastic chance to learn, and it's entirely free. We typically have thousands of musicians participating each year. Don't miss out!
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Sync Songwriter Music Supervisor Panel Registration
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Episode 49: The Collective Mind: Michael Walker's Mastermind Secrets
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Joining us in our podcast today is Michael Walker, founder of Modern Musician, a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father and keyboardist for the band Paradise Fears, who made headlines years ago for a technique he started called “tour hacking.”
He spent around 10 years touring full time and during those years, their band released an album that hit number 2 on iTunes as an Alternative Rock Album. They got about 24 million streams on Spotify and toured around the world, playing music full-time, independently without a record label. He also coached thousands of independent musicians and paved the way for them to be successful musicians.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Michael shares the importance of stepping out of day-to-day operations to enter visionary and strategic modes. He also shared some insights on how to recognize the value of being intentional about the people you surround yourself with and how carefully curating your network can contribute to your success and bring about positive changes in your mindset and approach.
Things We Discussed
The Horizon Experience is a concept that likely refers to a transformative and expansive moment in one's personal or professional life. It is about taking a deliberate and focused approach to gain perspective, set long-term goals, and foster growth—whether on an individual or collective level. It encourages looking beyond the immediate horizon to explore new possibilities and shape a more intentional and visionary future.
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Episode 48: The Psychology of Songwriting: Valuable Insights from Friedemann Findeisen
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our guest for today is a prolific songwriter and the creator of Holistic Songwriting Academy, Friedemann Findeisen. He’s the author of the bestseller “The Addiction Formula'' (available on Amazon and Audible). His YouTube channel “Holistic Songwriting” has gathered over 400,000 subscribers.
Friedemann teaches people how to change their lives by empowering them to write awesome songs. He helps songwriters, musicians, producers and artists to find their message and express it in a way that resonates with others.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Friedemann shares how songwriting kept him alive in school when he was bullied a lot. He also explains the difference between classical musicians and jazz/pop musicians.
Friedemann also narrates how he can write a song super quick and how he can make decisions easily.
Let us also discover what is Friedemann’s advice to his own self and how he manages stress when he has a lot of stuff on his plate and life becomes so challenging and overwhelming.
Things We Discussed
Holistic Songwriting Academy - is a 12-week online course that teaches you how to write songs that are unique, engaging, and authentic. You will learn how to craft your image as an artist and reveal it through your music, using the principles of groove, pitch, and story. You will also get feedback and guidance from professional songwriting and production coaches, as well as collaborate with other artists and producers from around the world.
The 24-hour Song- is a course by Holistic Songwriting Academy that teaches you how to write a complete song in one day. You will learn how to overcome writer’s block, find your unique voice, and craft songs that you are proud of. You will also get feedback and tips from professional coaches and peers, as well as access to exclusive songwriting tools and resources.
The 24-hour Song is not just a course, but a challenge. You will be given a deadline to finish your song, and you will have to submit it for review. This will help you overcome procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt, and push you to achieve your full potential as a songwriter. You will also get to hear other people’s songs and learn from their strengths and weaknesses.
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Episode 47: Unveiling the PR Mastermind with Andrew Seth Cohen
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our guest for today is the Director of Publicity and Co-Founder of Impact24, Andrew Seth Cohen. Andrew graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Film Studies, and incorporated his love of film and storytelling into all his endeavors.
Impact24, Inc. is a distinguished entertainment public relations agency specializing in empowering behind-the-camera creatives, esteemed industry leaders, and visionary content creators. They are a broad team of communication experts and natural storytellers with diverse experience and professional acumen. They are located in Los Angeles, California.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Andrew shares some fundamental and essential aspects of Public Relations (PR). He delves into the nitty-gritty of why Public Relations (PR) companies can provide several benefits for individuals, businesses, and organizations. He also emphasized the right time to hire a publicist.
He also provides DIY PR for those who can’t afford to hire a publicist yet.
Things We Discussed
He also shares some ideas on AI solutions for PR and that there are different ways to discover what makes something marketable such as you can always make news things, like a music video or Instagram, real-style content, or a cool album cover or a concert poster. You have to just keep finding ways to create things that make it feel more notable. The more you do, the more buzz you surround yourself with, the easier it will be.
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Episode 46: Matt Novack's Notes on Networking and Overcoming Rejection
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our guest for today is a Los Angeles-based composer for film, TV, and video games Matt Novack. Matt has worked on multiple projects that really show his knowledge and skills in composing music that fits the project perfectly. He has worked on Medical Police which stars Erinn Hayes, Rob Huebel, and Tom Wright. Matt is a true creative who is very passionate about his work and creating soundtracks that are a stand-out factor for his projects. Some of Matt’s other notable credits include working cult favorite Children’s Hospital, Netflix’s A Murderville Holiday Special, as well as award-winning Dog Days and spots for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Most recently, he composed for TBS’s Miracle Workers: End Times, which premiered on July 10th and is releasing weekly episodes. He also recently co-scored Amy Always Wins, a podcast and comedy quiz show with Greg Martin.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Matt shares the significance of networking, communication, and collaboration in the creative process and career development.
He also emphasized that rejection and disappointment are natural parts of this industry, and they can be incredibly tough to handle. It's important to remember that you're not alone in facing these challenges. Every successful creative professional has encountered rejection at some point in their career.
Things We Discussed
Miracle Workers: End Times - The live-action comedy TV series "Miracle Workers: End Times" Season Four, is set in a 'post-apocalyptic' future, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni, and Jon Bass, aired January 16, 2023, on TBS.
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Episode 45: Unveiling the TrackStage Magic with Scott and Robina Barker
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Robina & Scott Barker are the husband-and-wife team behind TrackStage. Robina Barker is the co-founder and CEO. She is also a composer and producer who creates music for film, TV, and video games under the name Robott. Scott Barker is the co-founder and CTO. He developed the software to help independent musicians manage their sync licensing career with a powerful and comprehensive suite of tools.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Scott and Robina share what TrackStage is and why it's a game-changer for musicians and music industry professionals. Together, let’s gain insights into the journey from concept to private beta testing, and learn about Scott and Robina Barker's vision for revolutionizing the music industry.
Things We Discussed
TrackStage is a business management software for sync musicians. TrackStage allows users to organize their catalog, track their metadata, pitch their music, and handle their contracts and splits in one place. TrackStage is currently in private beta testing and is expected to launch soon.
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Episode 44: Balancing Acts: Work-Life Harmony with Dr. Matt Larsen
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Dr. Matthew F. Larsen is a dedicated and compassionate psychiatrist with a unique blend of medical expertise and artistic flair. Hailing from his hometown of Idaho Falls, Dr. Larsen's journey has been marked by a commitment to healing minds and hearts through his dual board certifications in adult and child psychiatry. Dr. Larsen has a strong interest in suicide prevention and in helping teens who are chronically suicidal or self-harming.
Outside the realm of medicine, Dr. Larsen's artistic spirit shines. With hobbies ranging from acting to singing, he infuses his patients' lives with joy by entertaining them through song, dance, and even an Irish accent. His diverse interests are a testament to his well-rounded approach to healing.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Dr. Larsen shares that integrating music into your life, even if it's not a full-blown career, can have numerous benefits for your well-being and personal growth. Having something that brings happiness outside of work is essential for maintaining a well-rounded and balanced life.
He also emphasizes that success goes beyond traditional measures and metrics, focusing on a holistic and meaningful approach to life. It is more about the emotional experience it brings than the external accomplishments. It's about feeling content, fulfilled, and genuinely happy with where you are in life.
Things We Discussed
Dr. Matt Larsen encourages us to approach our desire to help others with balance, sustainability, and a focus on making a lasting impact. It aligns with the principle that even small, consistent efforts can lead to significant positive change, both in the lives of others and in your own well-being.
In order to have a healthy work schedule, we should always take into consideration that the journey is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Episode 43: Crafting Sync Library Hits to Propel Artist Fanbases with Skye Emanuel
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Skye Emanuel. He is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer, and music producer. He was born in London, England in 1999. He started playing the guitar when he was 13 and he was heavily influenced by rock and blues music. At the age of 17, he was recognized by Guitar Player Magazine and was presented the 2017 Ronnie Montrose Official Rock the Nation Award for upcoming young guitar players.
He has worked as a session guitarist and music producer for various projects, such as the Netflix series The Witcher, the video game Cyberpunk 2077, and the movie Wonder Woman 19841. He joined Two Steps From Hell in 2019 and has toured with them in Europe and North America. He plays electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and mandolin in the band. He is also a solo artist and released his own album called Skye’s The Limit in 20201. The album features his original compositions and covers of some of his favorite songs.
What You’ll Learn
In today’s episode, join us in a captivating conversation about the intricate tapestry of sync placements, the power of diverse music genres, and the incredible potential they hold in shaping the modern music landscape.
Things We Discussed
Sync music is a type of music that is created or licensed for use in media, such as movies, games, or commercials. It is also called production music or library music. Sync music can be very diverse and creative, as it has to match the mood and tone of the media it accompanies. Some famous examples of sync music are the James Bond theme, the Star Wars soundtrack, and the Halo theme.
Hans Zimmer is a famous composer who has created music for many movies, games, and shows. He is known for his epic and dramatic style, which often combines orchestral, electronic, and ethnic elements. He has won several awards, including an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe. He is also one of the few composers who performs his music live in concerts around the world.
Wacken Festival is a famous rock music festival that takes place every year in the village of Wacken, Germany. It is also known as Wacken Open Air or W:O:A. It is one of the largest and most popular heavy metal festivals in the world, attracting thousands of fans and bands from different genres and countries. Some of the bands that have performed at the Wacken Festival include Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Judas Priest, and many more.
Blackbird Academy is a professional school of audio that offers courses in studio and live sound engineering. The school’s curriculum is designed to provide students with hands-on experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Some of the guest lecturers who have taught at Blackbird Academy include Hans Zimmer, Chris Lord-Alge, Joe Chiccarelli, and George Massenburg.
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Episode 42: Chasing the Dangling Carrot: Sherri Chung's Path to Creative Fulfillment
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Sherri Chung is a composer for film and television and currently composes the scores for Riverdale (CW) and Blindspot (NBC). Her most recent show, The Red Line, produced by Greg Berlanti and Ava DuVernay, is a limited series that premiered on CBS and currently airs on CBS All Access. Not only a composer, Sherri is also a pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. She has recorded and produced 2 original albums and performs with her band in Los Angeles. She is also the first female governor of the music branch of the Television Academy2.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we delve into the captivating journey of composer Sherri Chung, as she shares her evolution from traditional composition methods to embracing technology, and how this transformation shaped her role as a composer for film and television.
Sherri emphasized the importance of realistic self-assessment, strategic growth, and a proactive approach to professional development.
Things We Discussed
Exceeding Expectations:
Going above and beyond your designated responsibilities can lead to enhanced learning experiences and professional growth.
Demonstrating your willingness to contribute beyond what's explicitly required showcases your dedication and reliability.
Strategic Growth:
Focus on developing your skills and expertise where you currently are.
While pushing boundaries is important, it's crucial to do so in a way that aligns with your current abilities and level of experience.
Punching Above Your Weight:
While staying within your capabilities, don't shy away from pursuing challenges that are slightly above your comfort zone.
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Episode 41: From Assistant to Composer: Joy Ngiaw's Quest for Creative Inspiration
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Joy Ngiaw. She is an award-winning Malaysian composer for film and TV. Graduating summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music, Joy possesses a deep affinity for narratives that evoke nostalgia and forge meaningful connections.
Joy's music can be heard in Apple TV+ and SkyDance's debut animation Blush, Walt Disney Animation Studio's Short Circuit: Jing Hua, and Netflix's Rescued By Ruby. Most recently, Joy scored the music for the Netflix show Glamorous.
Her talent has been recognized with a nomination for the highly regarded Emerging Talent award by the Society of Composers and Lyricists, establishing her as a distinguished voice among the new generation of film composers.
What You’ll Learn
In today’s episode, Joy shares the experiences that have shaped her career. We explore her creative process, her inspirations, and the challenges she has faced in the industry.
Join us as we explore the significance of embracing emotions, breaking free from cultural expectations, and its impact on Joy's journey as a composer. Discover how embracing her emotions has become a driving force behind her creative expression and a catalyst for building meaningful connections with others.
Things We Discussed
Here are the key learnings from Joy Ngiaw's journey as a composer:
1. Embrace emotions and sensitivity:
Joy encourages others, including her younger self, to embrace being emotional and sensitive. It is not a weakness but a powerful tool for connection and expression.
2. Nostalgia as a creative force:
Joy's music is deeply rooted in nostalgia, evoking a complex range of emotions.
3. Networking and collaboration:
Joy pursued her own projects while working as an assistant composer by attending events, film festivals, and concerts. This proactive approach allowed her to meet like-minded individuals and led to serendipitous collaborations. Organic collaborations, aligned creative visions, and working with people can create magical results.
4. Balancing personal aspirations:
Despite her assisting role, Joy made sure to allocate time for her own compositions and creative pursuits. She recognized the importance of nurturing her own artistic voice and creating opportunities for herself.
5. Curiosity and storytelling:
Joy's love for working with people stems from her genuine curiosity about their stories. Engaging with others adds depth and perspective to her work and fuels her creativity.
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Episode 40: The Release Roadmap: Steps to Successfully Launch Your Music with Bree Noble
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Joining us for the second time is Bree Noble. She is a talented singer/songwriter, speaker, and music business coach who is passionate about sharing her story and helping others. She coached thousands of artists and helped them become successful. Bree has become a pioneer for women’s voices in Podcasting. She has her own podcast called Profitable Musician. Bree has recently launched an innovative tool called Release Concierge, which provides invaluable guidance and support throughout the music release process. She even shares a FREE Release Checklist for musicians struggling to keep track of their new releases.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we explore the common regrets artists face when it comes to music releases and the importance of avoiding them. Bree Noble highlights the need for artists to take their time, plan meticulously, and approach their releases strategically. By doing so, artists can ensure that they reach their desired audience and feel satisfied with their accomplishments.
We discuss the significance of planning and support in ensuring successful music releases. Bree Noble shares tips on effective release planning, including setting realistic goals, creating a timeline, and engaging with fans throughout the process. She emphasizes the importance of having a support system, whether it's through Release Concierge or a network of peers and mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement.
Things We Discussed
Release Concierge provides a range of benefits to musicians looking to make the most of their music releases. It offers a structured and comprehensive approach, helping artists avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions at every stage of the release process. By leveraging Bree Noble's extensive experience and industry insights, artists gain a competitive edge and increase their chances of reaching a wider audience.
With Release Concierge, artists can save valuable time and resources by having a trusted expert guide them through the intricate details of release planning, promotion, and distribution. Whether it's selecting the right release date, creating compelling promotional materials, or optimizing their online presence, musicians can rely on Release Concierge to provide personalized recommendations tailored to their unique music and goals.
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Episode 39: Mastering the Score: Tom Third's Fusion of Music and Art
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Tom Third has scored over 250 hours of film and television, and has been nominated for the Canadian Screen Award seven times, winning in both 2010 and 2014. He was also the winner of the 2004 Volkswagen Score Competition sponsored by the Berlin Film Festival and juried by Walter Murch. After graduating from The Ontario College of Art, with a major in new media and film studies, he went on to sign a recording deal with Nettwerk Productions, and then pursued film scoring after the release of three critically acclaimed electronica CDs. His work can be seen globally in dramatic series and documentaries for Showtime, HBO, FOX, NBC, PBS, CTV, and CBC. Recent projects have included four seasons of CORONER for CBC and CW, CERTAIN PREY, produced by Mark Harmon for USA NETWORK, THE LISTENER, for CTV and FOX, and SHOOT THE MESSENGER for CBC. Tom also regularly collaborates with fine artists on more experimental film and installation works that have been shown at art galleries throughout the world.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we'll delve into Tom's illustrious career and his artistic journey. Tom shares a powerful insight that resonates deeply with him. He emphasizes the importance of letting your conscience be your guide and behaving ethically, with kindness and generosity.
For Tom, it's not just about the final product or the accolades. It's about the journey, the shared experiences, and the bonds formed along the way. These meaningful relationships have become the true essence of his career and what he cherishes the most.
Things We Discussed
Tom Third's perspective on the importance of being open to collaboration and receptive to notes and criticism from others in the creative process.
The significance of letting go of preciousness and being more Zen-like in one's approach to work, which Tom believes can accelerate the creative process.
Tom's observations of composers who may possess immense talent but struggle to find consistent work due to being overly attached to their work and needing more coddling.
The impact of creating a space where collaboration can thrive, allows for a smoother and more productive creative process.
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Episode 38: Friendship and Music: How Fabrizio Mancinelli Found Lifelong Connections in the Industry
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Fabrizio Mancinelli is an Italian-American composer, songwriter, and conductor whose passion for music and fine arts was cultivated within the medieval walls of L’Aquila, Italy, a city of narrow streets surrounded by Baroque and Renaissance churches. His impressive list of clients and collaborators includes The Walt Disney Studios, Lionsgate, Warner Bros. and NBC. He has written the score for notable titles like Disney’s Growing Up with Nine Old Men, Universal’s The Snow Queen 4: Mirrorlands, and the feature thriller Coyote Lake, and has conducted the orchestral recordings for Universal’s Green Book, Hulu’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Warner Bros’ Space Jam 2, King Richard and the upcoming musical The Color Purple and Disney’s The Haunted Mansion. Certifying his incredible work, his original score for the musical Beauty received Best Original Score at the 2018 Genova Film Festival.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Fabrizio highlights the significance of building and nurturing long-term relationships in the music industry. He also discusses the perspective on celebrating the success of others and the benefits of being a supportive and kind professional as well as the importance of soulful connections beyond music.
Things We Discussed
Fabrizio Mancinelli's creative process as a composer and songwriter.
His sources of inspiration and how he translates them into his musical compositions.
His unique approaches or techniques he incorporates into his work.
Fabrizio Mancinelli's insights and advice for aspiring musicians and composers.
What success means to Fabrizio.
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Episode 37: How Authenticity Fuels Meaningful Connections with Tara Brueske
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Tara Brueske is a music entrepreneur, performing artist, and voice and piano teacher based in Minneapolis. She has released several albums, such as "How Can I Keep From Singing", "Those Timeless Vintage Melodies" and "Wonder Days". She also mentors indie musicians on how to book gigs and keep their voices healthy. She has performed at venues such as Madison Square Garden Theater in NYC, the Sonshine Festival, and the MN State Fair.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode of "The Successful Musicians," we have the pleasure of guesting Tara Brueske who believes in the power of authenticity and connection. Tara emphasizes that finding common ground with others, whether it's during the booking process or meeting new people, is essential in establishing meaningful relationships. She shares her insights on how she incorporates her research and personal connections into her approach to booking and cold calling.
Things We Discussed
Tara highlights the importance of authenticity in creating connections with others.
Tara emphasizes the significance of finding a connection point when meeting new people.
Tara highlights the power of live music experiences, stating that they offer a different and more captivating experience compared to recordings.
Tara recognized the profound impact her music had on individuals in the senior living facilities.
Tara Brueske emphasizes the transformative nature of being happy and supportive towards other musicians.
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Episode 36: Beyond Vanity Metrics: Monetizing Music with Lil Cross
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is a rapper and producer from Detroit, Michigan. He is known for his songs such as "DTW", "No Cap" and "Money Moves". He has collaborated with artists such as Big Sean, Tee Grizzley, and Sada Baby.
He is the founder and CEO of the company Dead to the World. They empower artists to take control and create careers for themselves in the music industry through education. They’ve helped dozens of creatives transition into becoming full-time and offer services that assist in doing so.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Lil Cross shared value bombs about vanity metrics and how ROI is the top priority.
He will also make us face the reality that the work of soothing and providing value to clients is not music. It is not making music. It is making content. It is communicating and creating products and services that are money grabs but are genuinely beneficial to the clients.
Things We Discussed
A vanity metric refers to a measurement or statistic that may appear impressive or give the illusion of success but doesn't provide meaningful insights or contribute directly to achieving specific goals. Vanity metrics are often surface-level indicators that don't necessarily reflect the true value or impact of a business or endeavor. Instead, they focus on numbers that might make someone look good or popular without necessarily translating into tangible results or profitability. Examples of vanity metrics in the context of music streaming could be the number of followers, likes, or streams without considering the actual revenue generated or the engagement and loyalty of the audience.
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Episode 35: Venture Virtuoso: Jon Cheney's Business-Music Balancing Act
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Jon Cheney is a multifaceted entrepreneur, composer, and adventurer. He is the founder and CEO of **Velocity Access**, an augmented reality platform that helps businesses create immersive experiences for their customers. He is also an angel investor, a student of the metaverse and Web3, and a lover of all things outdoors. He has a passion for whitewater kayaking and has explored rivers around the world.
Jon Cheney started playing piano at the age of three and composing his own music at 15. He has published seven albums of original piano music and sells piano books, sheet music, and CDs on his official website. He dreams of composing a soundtrack for a motion picture someday.
Jon Cheney graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Chinese and business. He speaks fluent Spanish and Chinese, having lived in Paraguay and Taiwan for several years. He has worked in the education tech sector before launching his own startups.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, let us discover how Jon Cheney’s experiences in business influenced his approach to music, and vice versa, as we unravel the interconnectedness of his creative and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Let us also uncover why Jon Cheney writes music.
Things We Discussed
BYU stands for Brigham Young University. It is a private research university located in Provo, Utah, United States. The university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which plays a significant role in the university's culture and values.
BYU is recognized for its high standards of education and is often ranked among the top universities in the United States. It also has a vibrant campus community with numerous extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and organizations.
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Episode 34: Building Lasting Connections: The Importance of Fostering Relationships with Fans feat. Eli Lev
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today’s episode is Eli Lev. Eli is a full-time grassroots folk-pop musician from Maryland. He’s raised tens of thousands of dollars through crowdfunding and has built a truly authentic and powerful connection to his tribe.
Eli is a singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics, soulful melodies, and captivating live performances. With a unique blend of folk, rock, and world influences, Eli's music resonates with audiences worldwide, touching on themes of love, resilience, and the human experience.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we sit down with singer-songwriter Eli Lev to discuss his music career and the innovative ways he engages and empowers his fans. Join us as we explore Eli's unique sound, the inspiration behind his latest album, and how he utilizes the power of Street Team software to cultivate a dedicated fanbase.
Things We Discussed
Notion - a versatile all-in-one productivity and collaboration software that allows individuals and teams to create, organize, and share various types of content and information in a single workspace. It combines the features of note-taking apps, project management tools, databases, wikis, and more into one cohesive platform. Notion provides a flexible and customizable environment where users can tailor their workspace to fit their specific needs.
Street Team - a software platform that enables artists, performers, and event organizers to mobilize and empower their fans, creating a dedicated community of supporters who actively promote their work. It serves as a tool for fan engagement and amplification of promotional efforts.
Fans of Eli Lev are called Levitators.
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Episode 33: Balancing Passion and Family: Tony Parlapiano's Journey to Success
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Tony Parlapiano. He is a piano instructor who specializes in teaching popular styles of music through interest-led learning. He is the creator of popMATICS, a course that teaches students how to play popular songs by breaking them down into smaller parts and teaching them how to play each part. Tony Parlapiano has also been featured on YouTube where he talks about approaches to chords and teaching pop music. He was also named Fons Provider of the Month for his innovative approach to teaching music.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Tony talks about music sheets and whether we still need it today. Tony teaches his new method of teaching piano. He firmly believes that learning should be fun and not stuck yourself with sheet music. It involves developing a range of skills that encompass both technical proficiency and musical expression.
He also shared his quest for balance and fulfillment and his idea of success.
Things We Discussed
Campfire-inspired recording - Campfire is the way Tony introduces creativity and improvisation. They have a campfire challenge that he puts his students through. The whole idea is that they produce daily recordings. They make the instrument part of the rhythm of their life. It's not something that they just go to occasionally. It's like they make the time, they carve the time out to do it. When they do that daily, they immediately see the benefits.
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Episode 32: Insider Tips for Audio Engineering Success with IRKO
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our dynamic guest for tonight is Maurizio Sera known professionally as IRKO. He is an Italian multi-platinum audio engineer currently based in Los Angeles, California. He has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Jay-Z, 88-Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Diddy, David Guetta, and many more.
He is also the man behind the SpeakEasy Workshop. Irko's goal is to give back and empower individuals to find their voice through workshops.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, IRKO shares some nuggets of wisdom with aspiring audio engineers. He emphasized the importance of patience and success takes a lot of investing in your craft and career in order to get to the point where you can be a very successful entity in the music industry.
Watch out because IRKO also shared what is the best Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to use.
Things We Discussed
DAW - which stands for Digital Audio Workstation is a software application used to record, edit, and produce audio. Think of a DAW as a digital representation of a physical recording studio where you can produce audio for a wide variety of mediums including, film, gaming, podcasting, music, UX, and more.
SpeakEasy Workshop - IRKO’s workshop on the story of his adventure in the music business focusing on his beginnings. He will discuss his approach to mixing and also the analysis of routing, plug-ins, dynamics, and EQ through the study of his Pro Tools sessions. IRKO will lead an in-depth study by listening to samples before and after the mix as well as an interactive discussion with the participants.
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Episode 31: Breaking Boundaries: Embracing Versatility in Music with Sherry Finzer
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Sherry Finzer. She is an acclaimed flutist, creative composer, and multifaceted musician. She was one of the first musicians asked to livestream on the Insight Timer app and performs weekly on this platform. Recently Sherry's song "Distant Rivers" was programmed on the PBS show "From Sea to Shining Sea".
She has recorded over 30 New Age & Contemporary Instrumental CDs and has released many singles.
Sherry is the founder and president of the Heart Dance Records label as well as Higher Level Media, a radio promotions company for instrumental musicians.
She is a national award-winning musician known for her contributions to the genre of flute and New Age music. Sherry is known predominantly as a soloist, but in recent years has formed the supergroup Trialogue with guitarist Darin Mahoney and percussionist Will Clipman. She tours worldwide as a Guo Flute and Pearl Flute Performing Artist, as well as in support of her album releases for the Heart Dance Records label, which she founded in 2006. Heart Dance Records represents 80+ artists in the New Age, Ambient, Acoustic, Electronic, and Chill genres, as well as the radio promotions and PR company Higher Level Media.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Sherry will teach us the importance of being open to new opportunities, including transitioning from classical music to being in a band and how it affected her professionally and artistically. She also shared how to create new pathways for success in the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.
She also shares the ultimate secret to a successful collaboration with other artists.
Things We Discussed
One of the things discussed here was the recording studio called The Tank. It is a unique musical venue located in Rangely, Colorado, in the United States. It is a large, acoustically resonant water tank that has been converted into a performance space for music and sound art. The Tank was originally built in 1940 as part of the Rangely Oil Field and was used as a storage tank for oil and water. In 1976, it was decommissioned and eventually abandoned, until it was rediscovered by sound artist Bruce Odland in 1979. Since then, The Tank has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind musical space with extraordinary natural reverberation, making it an acoustic marvel and an experimental venue for musicians and sound artists.
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Episode 30: Mastering the Craft: The Secrets of Success with Alex Sharpe
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our very special guest for today is Alexandria “Alex” Sharpe. She is one of the original members of Celtic Woman, a group that has become a worldwide sensation, enchanting millions with their unique blend of music.
As a vocalist, Alex Sharpe has a voice that is both powerful and ethereal, with a range that can soar to the heavens or whisper a lullaby.
Sharpe has a background in musical theater. She began her career by playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in Dublin. She was asked to play Eponine in Les Misérables for the Cameron Mackintosh Company in England and Ireland and in the Concert Tour. She created the role of Bernadette in The Beautiful Game by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Alex shares how she got her first professional job at 19. She also narrates why she stepped away from performing full time and the big decision why she left Celtic Woman. She shares her emotional strain as a mother and the goal of providing his son with the healthiest and most stable childhood.
She also has tons of value bombs for us that would surely inspire all of us.
Things We Discussed
Celtic Woman is an all-female Irish musical ensemble that was formed in 2004. The group combines traditional Celtic music with contemporary pop, classical, and folk influences, creating a unique sound that has captivated audiences around the world. Celtic Woman's performances are known for their stunning vocal harmonies, intricate arrangements, and captivating stage presence.
The group has released numerous albums and DVDs, which have sold millions of copies worldwide. They have also embarked on several successful concert tours, performing in some of the world's most prestigious venues and collaborating with renowned musicians and orchestras.
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Episode 29: How to Find Your Inner Compass in Songwriting with Michael Averill
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Michael is the Willy Wonka of songwriting coaches, a skilled host, and a motivator who helped hundreds of artists along their path through his workshops and mentoring. He is committed to deepening that journey with Write Songs You Love.
He has literally walked over 4,000 miles of Canada over an 8-year tour called “I’d Rather Walk,” sharing songs and encouraging others to share their stories on his way. Michael specializes in boutique songwriting for special occasions, group workshops for artists or businesses, and community building.
What You’ll Learn
In this special episode, Michael tells us how he is providing a space where it could be safe for people to explore music and to try screwing up and making mistakes and that perfection is not the goal.
He also shared how music has bailed him out of a lot of situations and his idea of success.
Things We Discussed
Snow King Festival - a music and culture festival in Yellowknife, Canada that literally is held in a giant ice castle
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Episode 28: Unleashing Your True Musicality with Christopher Sutton of Musical U
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest for today is Christopher Sutton, owner and director of UK-based Easy Ear Training Ltd. a London-based music education technology company. Their leading product is Musical U, a membership site providing comprehensive and fully-supported training for the “inner skills” of musicianship.
Originally trained as a computer scientist, he specialized in developing music-related software for desktop and mobile with the goal of creating cutting-edge training tools to help musicians develop their ears for music.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Christopher Sutton emphasized that anything we associate with talent, including music, is learnable. He also talked about the traps musicians sometimes fall into and how imposter syndrome can kick in really strong and quite quickly make people shy away from what could be an incredibly successful path for them.
Things We Discussed
Ear training for recognizing frequency bands
How music education system leave musicians so lopsided
Musical U, a new and innovative online musical training system
Relative Pitch, a best-selling iOS app featured as “New and Noteworthy” by Apple and downloaded over 300,000 times
Musicalitynow.com - a mix of short-teaching episodes podcast
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Episode 27: Crafting the Perfect PR Pitch with Kaytee Long Becker
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Kaytee Long Becker is the owner and founder of DIY PR, INC. in Los Angeles. She is a public relations and communications strategist. In addition to full-service PR and coaching, she has worked with many major recording artists and award shows such as the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and the American Music Awards. She is the creator of the DIY Music PR Academy.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Kaytee tells us her story of how she found this parallel love of media and PR and how she woke up one day and wanted to establish a PR firm in music. She also shares some big PRO tips on how to create a captivating PR pitch and shares with us literally exactly how the major labels are doing PR for their artists.
Things We Discussed
How PR is a marathon and not a sprint.
What makes a captivating PR pitch.
Misconceptions around PR.
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Instagram (DIY Public Relations, Inc.)
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Episode 26: The Paramount Impact of Music Promotion and Mentorship with Tobias Rauscher
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Tobias Rauscher is a “Modern Percussive Fingerstyle” guitar player from Germany and part of the modern acoustic guitar movement that is led by players like Andy McKee, Mike Dawes, and Tommy Emmanuel.
In 2015 Tobias created his own Guitar Academy to teach other aspiring guitarists how to play Modern Percussive Fingerstyle.
In October 2017 he published his first guitar book “Fingerstyle Guitar Secrets”.
Tobias has been playing shows around the world, from China to Singapore and Taiwan to the USA.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Tobias talks about the biggest mistakes musicians make, turning your passion into something that is helpful to other people, and the importance of getting a coach.
He also shares some biggest dreams and business killers.
Things We Discussed
Online Fingerstyle Guitar Academy - an academy Tobias designed for guitarists of all skill levels from advanced beginners to professional players teaching them fingerstyle techniques, music composition, audio & video recording, and much more.
Fingerstyle Guitar Secrets - an ultimate blueprint for becoming a great modern fingerstyle guitarist
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Episode 25: How to Get Nominated for a Grammy with Cheryl B. Engelhardt
For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.
Our special guest, Cheryl B. Engelhardt, is a GRAMMY®-Nominated New Age Composer and Recording Artist. She and her music have been featured in People, Bazaar, ABCFamily, GrammyAwards, Forbes, Keyboard, Newage and many more.
Her creation “The Passenger” has been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album.
Cheryl is also a trauma-informed master coach and uses that skill set to mentor other independent musicians in her mastermind called AMPLIFY.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Cheryl fills us in the blanks about how she ended up in a music career when she went to Cornell and studied marine law.
She also shares her knowledge of her concept of unconscious self-sabotage.
Cheryl also emphasizes collaboration and partnering with people that she really respects in creating something that really allows for self-expression.
Things We Discussed
GRAMMYs - The Grammys is another name for the Grammy Awards, an award ceremony to honor excellence in the music and recording industry. The statuette awarded to winners is called a Grammy. The plural form Grammys is usually used.
Ambient album - Ambient music is described on Wikipedia as “a genre of music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm.”
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Episode 24: Unfolding Sync Licensing Success with Chris SD
Our special guest today is Chris SD. He is an award-winning music producer who’s helped hundreds of musicians and artists get their music placed in top shows on networks such as Netflix, Hulu, ABC, Fox, NBC, FX, HBO, CBS, and more. Chris shares his industry knowledge on his website, syncsongwriter.com, and offers a program called “the Art of the Song Pitch” to help musicians get their music licensed.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Chris shares how he figured out a way of making music, satisfying his soul, and helping musicians make records by starting an online studio.
He also shares some relevant tips on getting sync placements, keeping labels and publishers come knocking, and riding on the coattails of all the publicity that the show or movie offers.
Chris also emphasized connecting with the top people by cutting out the middle person if you can, production level, and targeting.
Things We Discussed
The Art Of The Song Pitch is a proven step-by-step process that shows you exactly how to license your music to TV & film successfully in precise detail. It shows you exactly what to do every step of the way, right down to which song to send, and what to say in each email. We actually talk a bit about my experience going through his course on the interview.
Music libraries are essentially these big collections, catalogs of songs that people can upload their music to, and then music supervisors or anybody else who wants to use music can come there and select the music to be used in their show, movie, or ad.
Sync agents - a company that puts your music in front of directors, producers, game designers, and more.
Music supervisor - A music supervisor is a person who combines music and visual media. According to The Guild of Music Supervisors, a music supervisor is “a qualified professional who oversees all music-related aspects of film, television, advertising, video games, and other existing or emerging visual media platforms as required.” (Wikipedia)
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Episode 23: How to Generate Sync Placements on a Consistent Basis with Michael Elsner
Michael Elsner is a guitarist/songwriter/producer with over 2500 TV and Film placements to his name.
His songs have been placed in over 180 individual television series, accounting for over 850 individual episodes. Some of these include American Idol, The Voice, Good Morning America, Impractical Jokers, EXTRA, The Sing-Off, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Tracks he’s written have been used in international commercials for Audi, Mazda, Skechers and Verizon, as well as trailers for Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Maleficent 2, Disney’s Cinderella, Ocean's 8, Susperia, Narcos, Sneaky Pete, as well as a Super Bowl Ad for Amazon Prime’s Jack Ryan series.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Michael shared his secret on how independent musicians worldwide can connect with the taste-makers in the sync licensing industry, and generate sync placements on a consistent basis with a hefty sync fee.
He also wrapped up his idea of success with personal freedom, creative freedom, and financial freedom.
He also had this philosophy of “starting at the top” which was definitely one of the reasons why he had many opportunities in a very short amount of time.
Things We Discussed
“The 4 Step Plan to Licensing Success” - free ebook
Metadata - basically the descriptive words that have to be added to the audio file so that someone can search through catalogs of hundreds of thousands of songs for the ideal fit. Now, ideally, you want your metadata to be thorough so that you end up in the final ten or twelve songs in that search, and then of course, your song is going to be auditioned. If it's a good fit, then it goes to the next step where it actually has to get licensed.
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Website Master Music Licensing
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Episode 22: Music Improvisation Essentials with Ion Zanca of Dallas String Quartet
Our special guest for today is Ion Zanca, a violist and the principal founder of the Dallas String Quartet.
In October 2022, Zanca charted at #2 on the Classical Album and Classical Crossover Album Billboard Charts with DSQ's latest album, "Love Always." Under Zanca’s tutelage, The group has played for multiple sitting U.S. presidents, the NFL, the NBA, performed at the wedding of music legends Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, released a collaboration with The Piano Guys, charted on Billboard, and acquired over 50 million streams on Spotify.
As of November 2021, the group has more than 600 million streams on Pandora, 6.2 Million views on YouTube, and over 5.8 million listeners on Spotify.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Ion shared why he chose to go to the US rather than stay in Romania. He also explained why he used to hate the phrase “starving artist”.
Ion also has this concept of improvisation in music and the stacking of talents that we need to hear.
Another important takeaway is what Ion believes. He doesn't even care how good you are. If you come unprepared and you're on time, that’s a big X.
Things We Discussed
23ANDME DNA test - a DNA test with the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown, personalized health insights, and more.
Fake book - a collection of lead sheets. These sheets will have the chord symbols, the basic melody, and notated chords/harmony, generally no more than one or two sheets of music per tune. A fake book could contain hundreds of such sheets, making it a very economical way to learn tunes or bring music to a gig.
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Website (Dallas String Quartet)
Youtube ( Dallas String Quartet
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Episode 21: Transcend from a Struggling Artist to a Musicpreneur with Tiamo de Vettori
Tiamo De Vettori is the Founder of the Musicpreneur Academy. He is an acoustic-pop singer/songwriter and was recently named as "Singer/Songwriter of the Year" by LA Music Awards.
Tiamo has been featured on FOX, CBS, NBC and MSNBC. He performed live for over 100,000 people, and recently performed on stage at the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
He is also a motivational speaker who combines his on-stage charisma with his inspiring personal stories, original songs, and acoustic guitar to provide "Keynote Concerts".
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we learn from Tiamo about how to be passionate in your music career and at the same time being open-minded to possibilities that there is a whole other way that they could be doing their music to avoid settling, compromising, and feeling that “that's just how it is”.
He also shares how he ventured into “keynote concerts” and the progression of how he’s telling the story in his concerts.
Things We Discussed
mindset coaching - It means specifically for musicians to move from or transcend being a struggling artist to being an entrepreneur, what I call a musicpreneur, to go from struggling artist mindset to you are a business owner that's making profit, that can scale, that can grow. And the more you scale and grow and profit, the more you can touch and inspire all these people you've been wanting to reach, like, the more freedom that you have to do it because you're no longer struggling, but maybe you're thriving.
Keynote concert - a concert with the combination of inspiring personal stories, original songs, and acoustic guitar
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Website (Musicpreneur Academy)
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Episode 20: Sync Licensing Essentials with Derick Sebastian
Our guest for today, Derick Sebastian, is an accomplished international ukulele virtuoso. Derick’s critically acclaimed instrumental album, “From His Heart”, earned a Na Hoku Hanohano 2010 nomination.
Derick has shared the stage with singer/songwriter pop star Jason Mraz, the melodic Raining Jane, powerhouse Trombone Shorty, country star icons Thompson Square and Sara Evans, fellow ukulele ace Jake Shimabukuro and R&B sensations, Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight, and a highlighted private performance and ukulele lesson with Oprah Winfrey.
Along with his star-studded musical collaborations, Derick is a cultural practitioner teaching private ukulele LESSONS at a major island resort, Andaz Maui at Wailea.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Derick shares his goal to create different types of music in the ukulele genre - different types of elements and some approaches to arrangements.
Things We Discussed
Sync licensing - A license granting permission to synchronize a song with moving images on a screen - generally in television, film, or advertisements.
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Episode 19: How to Reach Over a Million Monthly Spotify Listeners with Chris ‘Manafest’ Greenwood
Our special guest for today is Chris Greenwood A.K.A Manafest. He is a Canadian Christian rapper and rock artist from Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has won multiple awards for the GMA Canada Covenant Awards, GMA Dove Awards, and has been nominated for multiple Juno Awards. He is a billboard charting artist with over 1,000,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
Chris Greenwood launched Fanbase University which trains independent musicians to make it in the music industry, with an emphasis on not signing with a label.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Manifest shares how important coaching is and surrounding yourself with the A players.
He will also impart his knowledge on how to get the right course and what to look for in hiring a coach/mentor.
Things We Discussed
Spotify 5-Day Challenge - is Manafest’s EASY SYSTEM THAT GENERATED
1,000,000 MONTHLY LISTENERS ON SPOTIFY. You can join the challenge here.
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Website (Smart Music Business)
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Episode 18: How to Transform Your Voice Using The Singing / Straw™ Method with Whitney Nichole
Our special guest is a vocal coach, studio owner, singer/songwriter and creator of the Singing / Straw™ & the S/S method which helps singers develop a healthier, stronger and more balanced voice.
She is the Founder and Lead Vocal Coach of Songbird Studios - a premier vocal coaching studio that offers singing lessons, voice lessons, vocal coaching, songwriting workshops, group classes, master classes, summer camps, and performance showcases in-person in San Francisco, California and online all over the world.
What You’ll Learn
Let us discover how The Singing / Straw™ is the next evolution in singing and how it changed Whitney Nichole’s life. She discusses how to use it in all of these more exciting, extreme ways of singing like belting and distortion.
Whitney shares how she came up with her dream product and how impactful and amazing this can be for your voice.
Whitney also shares some insights about retreats and conferences and how you're always going to get something out of it. She has this mindset that “I am going to learn so much and take so much from this, even if it's what I don't want to do.”
Things We Discussed
The Singing / Straw™ - The first of its kind: a patented, reusable, sustainable and customizable straw phonation tool set for singers, speakers, and vocalists that promotes vocal efficiency and reduces tension.
Straw phonation - Singing through a straw is a powerful “semi-occluded vocal tract”(SOVT) exercise, which means that as you vocalize, the air coming out of your mouth is partially blocked. This creates a resistance in the vocal tract, which sends energy back to the vocal folds and helps them vibrate more efficiently.
SOVT - stands for Semi Occluded Vocal Tract. A fancy way to say - the mouth is partially closed.
Connect with Whitney Nichole
Website ( The SongBird Studio)
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Episode 17: Isabella Bedoya’s Cutting-Edge Social Media Strategies for a Lucrative Musical Career
Our special guest today is Isabella Bedoya, founder of Fame Hackers, an artist accelerator that helps independent artists establish profitable and sustainable music careers so they can get paid doing what they love. As a former A&R for a label under Sony Music, and working for an award-winning social media marketing agency in the past, Isabella helps artists excel in the new music industry by using strategies that work in today’s social media.
Isabella has been invited to speak at the Musicians Institute, BoldTV, Ticker News, iHeartRadio, NBC, KCAA Radio, Beat The Clock Podcast, and published on Medium, Thrive Global, and many more!
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Isabella shares her story about how she went from being a private chef in Beverly Hills to coaching celebrities, influencers, and award-winning industry professionals and making them online sensations.
Things We Discussed
"A&R" - Artists and Repertoire - is the division of a record label or music publishing company that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists (singers, instrumentalists, bands, and so on) and songwriters.
Connect with Isabella Bedoya
Website (The Fame Hackers)
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Episode 16: The Significance of Mentorship In the Music Industry with Jason Lyle Black
Jason Lyle Black is an award-winning piano entertainer, published arranger and composer for the piano, having authored three bestselling piano books with the world’s largest music publisher, Hal Leonard. His most popular book, Disney Medleys for Piano Solo, is an Amazon bestseller, with over 10,000+ copies sold nationwide.
Jason performed on the Ellen Degeneres show in Hollywood, where Ellen called him “Unbelievable!”
What You’ll Learn
Jason Lyle Black shares with us how he started in the cruise industry and some first-hand tips on how to have a career for life on stage. He also emphasized that a good rating is very important so you will always get rebooked by agencies.
In this episode, he also shares some performers whom he loves to watch and considered phenomenal performers.
Things We Discussed
- Jon Schmidt - an American pianist, composer, piano teacher, and author. a member of The Piano Guys musical group, performing on their YouTube videos, albums, and in concert.
- Peter Falk - an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the long-running television series Columbo
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Episode 15: How to Break In to the Exciting World of SCORING with Aoife O'Leary
Aoife O'Leary, Aoife (pronounced “EE’fa”) is a composer, producer, songwriter, singer and founder of PoppyMoth Productions - a one-stop music production company for music, film, TV, games and session services. Aoife created 3 songs for the movie, Code Name Banshee, starring Antonio Banderas and Jaime King, including Banshee, for the end credits.
She is also the female vocalist of the band Moth Complex. It combines bruising rock with off-kilter electronics – all underlying singer, Aoife O'Leary’s powerful and gentle vocals. The band was featured as “Best Unsigned Band” in major genre-based European magazines and had been touring extensively across the States and playing shows at the infamous Viper Room and The Roxy on LA’s legendary Sunset Strip.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Aoife shares her story of how she landed on scoring a film. She also shared some tips on how to face your fears and overcome anxiety to accomplish your goals.
Things We Discussed
Moth Complex - Aoife’s band
Poppy Moth- Aoife’s production company
Intro to Scoring - a comprehensive course to uncover all you need to know to break into the exciting world of scoring music for media
Connect with Aoife O’ Leary
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Episode 14: Simplifying and Demystifying Music Production with Kris Bradley of Produce Like a Boss
Our special guest this week is Kris Bradley, a songwriter/producer who has done some amazingly cool things with Sony BMG, Rolling Stones Magazine, Fox, LinkedIn and Miramax.
She’s the founder of Produce Like a Boss and BoomFox Productions. Kris is a 6-figure musician and a producer business coach. She teaches musicians how to produce their own music from home, and how to build a business as a freelance musician/recording artist.
What You’ll Learn
Kris shares her story on how it was very challenging for a singer/songwriter who is not technically inclined and didn't grow up in an era or age of smartphones and computers.
Let us know how Kris was able to sit at home, not even have to put on real pants and track vocals, doing jingles for these clients,and making 6-figures as a musician.
Let us also dig into her mantra which is Create, Release, Repeat and learn more about the new music industry, and how to go PRO as a producer.
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Episode 13: Michele McLaughlin on How Branding and Story is Critical in Achieving Success
Our special guest for today’s episode is Michele McLaughlin. She is a self-taught contemporary solo pianist and composer. She has released twenty-one albums, many of which have received multiple nominations and awards.
She has over 1.5 Billion spins on Pandora radio and has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, both online and in print. Her albums “Undercurrent”, “Life” and “Memoirs” all debuted at #5, #4, and #3 on the New Age Billboard Charts.
She has performed in over 200 concerts. She has been featured on radio stations worldwide, including SiriusXM, MusicChoice Soundscapes, Whisperings Solo Piano Radio and Echoes.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Michele will share how she self-taught herself to play the piano and how she began her journey as an artist. She also discusses how having the proper mindset as a new musician is very important and how being successful as a musician is all about being patient. She also shares how to overcome the biggest obstacle that musicians face which is failing to believe in themselves. She also talks about how important branding is and how the story of the song makes a huge impact.
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Episode 12: Steve Rivera’s Life-Changing Advice on Following Your Dreams
Our guest for today is a multi-talented pianist and composer who’s worked with a lot of notable musicians over his career. Steve chose to work with one of the premier new age and contemporary instrumental producers in the world; the GRAMMY-winning founder of the legendary Windham Hill Records, Will Ackerman. Along with Will’s roster of world-class studio musicians at Imaginary Road Studios, Steve has created two albums that have garnered critical acclaim from highly regarded reviewers in the genre.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Steve will take us with him on his extraordinary musical journey from playing in Nordstrom, to joining metal gothic dark band and to achieving his level of consummate artistry he has achieved today.
He also shares how and where he gets his ideas and inspiration in creating his music.
The release of his two albums "Dividing the Darkness" and "Beyond Measures in Time" were very successful.
We will also be getting some wonderful life tips on valuing time, regrets and reaching for your dreams.
Things We Discussed
Dividing the Darkness - Steve’s first album. has charted at Zone Music Reporter, Secret Music, and One World Music Radio since it was released in October of 2015. Steve Rivera received a nomination as “Best New Artist” at Enlightened Piano Radio and was Featured Artist in April of 2016.
- produced by Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton, and what a beauty it is! Backed by the stellar line-up of musicians at Imaginary Road Studios
Beyond Measures in Time - Steve Rivera’s new release, recorded at Imaginary Roads Studios.
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Episode 11: How to Find your Voice in Music with Lynn Tredeau
Our special guest for today is Lynn Tredeau. She is an incredible and renowned pianist who lives and performs in the Pacific Northwest.
After discovering the music of Michele McLaughlin on Pandora, Lynn found her calling in the world of New Age music. She released her debut album, Echoes of Life, in January, 2015, which brought multiple nominations including Best New Artist 2015 by Enlightened Piano.
Lynn’s second album, SnowLight (A Christmas Memory), was released in September 2015. It quickly went to #1 on OWMR received many nominations and won Best Holiday Album 2016 at Enlightened Piano Radio.
In April of 2016, A New Dream became her third release. This album charted on OWMR top 10 for 8 months, was nominated multiple times and opened a door for Lynn's music to be heard on SiriusXM radio.
She has now a total of 8 albums and many many singles.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Lynn Tredeau advises piano teachers to not stick too much on the curriculum, instead let students experiment and let them do some creative things.
She also shared where she finds inspiration for her songs as well as her favorite music book.
Lynn also answers the big question: Is music still a viable career these days?
Things We Discussed
What the Rain Said - Lynn’s favorite song
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Episode 10: Matt Johnson’s Epiphany About Tuning Pianos and What He Considers As The Holy Grail of Pianos
Our special guest today is a Registered Piano Technician with the Piano Technicians Guild. He is a Bechstein Factory Trained Concert Technician. Suffice it to say, he has the knowledge and experience to best help customers fall in love with their piano again.
He has worked alongside and learned so much from some of the best piano technicians in the world. Among whom are Rick Baldassin, Keith Kopp and Torben Garlin.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, we would learn how Matt Johnson started with music and how he ended up tuning pianos and owning MJ Pianos - his own piano store.
He also talked about different kinds of piano such as Steinway, Yamaha or Kawai and he mentioned his favorite one which he describes as having a very colorful, orchestral, and full sound.
Things We Discussed
MJ Pianos - Matt Johnson’s piano store
C Bechstein - a German manufacturer of pianos, established in 1853 by Carl Bechstein.
Rachmaninoff - a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music.
How Firmer Foundation - Jason Tonioli’s piece which is Matt’s favorite
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Episode 9: Katie Zaccardi’s Holistic Approach to Strategy and Mindset
Joining us in our podcast today is a musician, business coach, and a MINDSET STRATEGY coach. She's done tons of expertise in branding, helping monetize your music online, wellness, time management coaching, building a fan base online, nurturing those fans and introducing an offer that you can sell so you can make money online.
She has a podcast called “The Out to Be Podcast”. It is a podcast for musicians, music entrepreneurs, music industry coaches, and music teachers, that discusses all things music biz strategy.
So far, she has helped hundreds of women in music grow their careers, release music, launch Patreons, start coaching businesses, and double their incomes!
What You’ll Learn
One important golden nugget in this podcast is “create for you.” In the creation process, take everything out. Don't worry about making money. Don't worry about going viral. Don't worry about any of those things. Just say what you wanted to say. And then when you go to that next stage of marketing, that's when you want to bring in the business strategies.
She also emphasized on applying what you learn. There are many free courses out there, but if you do not have that accountability to put everything into action then it is all in vain.
Things We Discussed
The Out to Be Podcast - a podcast for musicians, music entrepreneurs, music industry coaches, and music teachers, that discusses all things music biz strategy.
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Episode 8: Michael Walker’s Idea of Success and Finding Life’s Fulfillment Part 2 of 2
Joining us in our podcast today is Michael Walker. He is the founder of Modern Musician, a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father, and keyboardist for the band Paradise Fears, who made headlines years ago for a technique he started called “tour hacking.”
He spent around 10 years touring full time and during those years, their band released an album that hit number 2 on iTunes as an Alternative Rock Album. They got about 24 million streams on Spotify and toured around the world, playing music full-time, independently without a record label. He also coached thousands of independent musicians and paved the way for them to be successful musicians.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Michael emphasizes the importance of being intentional with who you choose to surround yourself with. He believes that we become the 5 people we spend most of our time with so we better choose our circle carefully.
He also talked about the importance of believing in oneself. If you have anything worthwhile that's worth achieving, it comes with first allowing yourself to believe it's possible and then taking action and becoming the person that deserves to achieve the goal.
Things We Discussed
Modern Musician - a team made up of highly-talented musicians who understand what it takes to be an independent artist in today’s industry.
Paradise Fears - his old band
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Episode 8: Michael Walker's Tour Hacking Technique and Advice on How Having the Right Producer can Make or Break your Music Career Part 1 of 2
Joining us in our podcast today is Michael Walker, founder of Modern Musician, a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father, and keyboardist for the band Paradise Fears, who made headlines years ago for a technique he started called “tour hacking.”
He spent around 10 years touring full time and during those years, their band released an album that hit number 2 on iTunes as an Alternative Rock Album. They got about 24 million streams on Spotify and toured around the world, playing music full-time, independently without a record label. He also coached thousands of independent musicians and paved the way for them to be successful musicians.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Michael recounts how he was transformed from a socially awkward kid in High School to signing autographs and taking pictures for fans and overcoming the fear of rejection.
He also shares how they deferred their full-ride scholarships to college to focus on their music and realizing how huge of an impact working with the right producer can make on the quality of your music. He believes that even if it's a super talented artist, but a horrible production of amateur quality then it's not it's going to sound awful.
He also highlights his “tour hacking” technique and how connecting with real people, and having core relationships with them, helps you build a solid fanbase.
Things We Discussed
Modern Musician - a team made up of highly-talented musicians who understand what it takes to be an independent artist in today’s industry.
All-Time Low, Mayday Parade, Blink 182 - some bands they looked up to
Mastermind Trips
Tour hacking - a marketing technique where they walk up to people and introduce themselves, share some of their music and just build a relationship, connect with as many people as possible and if they liked it, they would offer a CD
Warped Tour - a festival where there's a ton of pop-punk, pop-rock, kind of emo scene bands who were playing
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Episode 7: Doug Hammer on Transcending Technological Barriers and How to Be Effective Without A Major Label Record Deal
Joining us in our podcast today is multi-award-winning pianist, composer and producer Doug Hammer. He is educated in contemporary, jazz and classical music styles. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, he opened his own studio and production company called Dreamworld Productions. He has over 14 albums under his belt. Doug tours regularly and has performed in the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Doug’s 14th release, Night, debuted at number 1 for a week on both Amazon Hot New Releases and Best Seller New Age Charts.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Doug recounts how fake books rounded out his musical education and eventually led him to build a recording studio. He would tell us how it became a tipping point where he felt he learned a lot about composing and improvising.
He also shares what success means to him and shares how music should be a source of comfort and solace to your listeners.
He also mentioned YouTube Live, Twitch Live, Tiktok, Facebook Live or Instagram and how musicians should explore these platforms.
Things We Discussed
Solace - first album
Noel - Christmas album
ITZ (in the zone) - A relaxed mind is a creative mind.
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Episode 6: How a Career Shift Paved the Way to True Happiness - Luke Roberts
Our special guest for today is Luke Roberts "LJR". He is a multi-talented musician with a very unique story. He is very skilled when it comes to doing film and music videos.
Having a Ph.D. in Aerobatics, let's discover how LJR went from programming robotic birds to pursuing his creative process, writing, audio production, video production, business, and marketing.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, LJR will share about his music journey on how he became a Meyerhof scholar, working on autonomous aerobatics and navigation, flapping wings and miniature air vehicles but gradually becoming more dead and less happy and actually more angry.
He also narrates the story of how he overcome impostor syndrome and living a fulfilled and happy life by running towards his fears.
Things We Discussed
- LJR's music journey
- LJR's career shift
- LJR's advice on a kid thinking about doing something with music as a career
- LJR's take on what success look like for him as a musician
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Episode 5: Marvin Goldstein’s Advice on How to Find Fulfillment in Music and His Takeaways from Being a Musician for 60 Years
Joining our podcast today is Marvin Goldstein, an internationally acclaimed pianist, piano performer, arranger, music producer, composer and entertainer for over 60 years.
Goldstein has recorded over 50 albums. He also has arranged multiple piano solo arrangement books. Goldstein is listed in “Who’s Who in Music” in European Cambridge, England. He has extensively traveled and performed at places such as the Sydney Opera House, the Jerusalem YMCA, Europe, Egypt, South America, Canada, Mexico and more.
What You’ll Learn
In this episode, Goldstein shares how he started learning piano at 9 years old, his experiences in the music school, his favorite performances and what made him decide that piano is the career he wants. He also shares his advice to those who are still starting down the music path and how to start to get people to notice your music.
Things We Discussed
- his advice to the younger generation who are still figuring out if they will pursue the music path
- his major takeaways from his career
- his perspective of what the true beauty of music is
- which musician/composer he looks up to
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