Oh Gatekeeper with Joe Talbot 2: Kenny Beats
Sep 9, 2025
Kenny Beats, a talented record producer and educator, shares his insights on music creation with Joe Talbot. He discusses his custom 'Wonder Tone' synth that encourages intuitive play, emphasizing empowerment over technical barriers. Kenny also contemplates the benefits of slowing down to refocus on music and the complexities of career choices. They dive into coaching artists to embrace naivety as a powerful tool in creativity, while also engaging in some lighthearted banter about favorite dishes in the fun 'Death Row Dinner' segment.
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Handmade Synth To Force Intuition
- Kenny built a bespoke analog synth with Leon Dewan to force intuitive playing and remove presets.
- The synth has no text labels so users must rely on listening rather than reading controls.
Vulnerability Inspires More Than Expertise
- Kenny says showing your weaknesses inspires people more than showing expertise.
- Admitting you suck and sharing how you improved makes others feel like peers and able to learn.
Thinking About Moving To Bristol
- Kenny considers moving to Bristol to slow down and rethink his creative process.
- He feels Bristol's pace and history (Massive Attack, Portishead) could force new artistic directions.