Bridge The Atlantic

This week we’re joined by freelance music journalist, Hugh McIntyre. Hugh’s work has appeared in Forbes, Sonicbids, The Huffington Post and Billboard, and he is editor in chief at Pop Bang Boom. Earlier this year he was part of a panel at SXSW called The Secrets of Pitching Your Band, with past guest and friend of the show, Laura Goldfarb. In this interview we hear about mistakes artists and publicists make when approaching journalists, what a good press release should consist of, and the importance of relationships in the music industry.Highlights:- We hear how Hugh started writing about music, and his first publication- Hugh tells us how he got an internship at Billboard, and how it was a bit of a fluke- We talk about mistakes artists and publicists make when sending pitch emails to journalists- Hugh shares how often press releases don’t convey the excitement they should- The human touch is very important in press releases - they should sound like they’re coming from a human- Hugh shares his preferred format for emails and press releases- We hear some of things Hugh doesn’t want to hear in a pitch email- We talk about the importance of relationships in the music business- Hugh shares why he thinks it’s important that artists go for smaller publications before the bigger ones- You never know what blogs are going to become popular - don’t dismiss them!- Hugh remembers the artists who gave him their time when he first started, and will continue to help them out- “Has anyone ever chosen Michael Bolton? Was it Michael Bolton?!” - Hugh McIntyre, 2016Advice:- Look back at your press release as if you’re reading it for the first time- Your email pitch should be short and sweet- Make things easy for the journalist or publication you are contacting- Writers base what they write about based on what they think people are going to want to read- If you can tie yourself in with a bigger name somehow, it will make you more appealing to journalistsGuest Links:- Website: http://popbangboomblog.com/- Twitter: @popbanghugh- Instagram: @popbanghughSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses- Joe Settineri- The Rock/Star Advocate- Buck Naked Soap Company- Wendy Donaldson---For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by singer/songwriters Trey and Ty Turner of The Icarus Account. The Icarus Account have released 7 albums independently since 2007, with their latest album “Over The Moon” out now. Their music has enabled them to make countless connections all over the world through his music, which the band say is more important to them than anything else.The band are definitely on our wavelength - in their bio, they say “We love writing. We love recording. We love meeting fans for the first time and calling them friends by the end of the night.” In this interview we hear about how they've coped with changes in the industry over the past 10 years, the advice they'd offer to fellow artists, and about their new record, "Over the Moon."Highlights:- If you don’t like photos of Trey’s dog, you probably shouldn’t follow him on Instagram!- We talk about the changes in the music industry and how the guys have stayed focused- We hear how Ty and Trey balance the different responsibilities and roles required in the new music industry- Ty tells us how the decline of Myspace impacted them as musicians- We hear how long term ways of keeping in touch with your audience are so important- Trey = right brain / Ty = left brain / The Icarus Account = full brain- We hear how Ty and Trey compliment each other with their different skillsets- The guys tell us about some of the most memorable fan experiences they’ve had- We set Ty and Trey against each other in our 20 Questions section- Talent + Attitude = Talittude- No-one knows what swamp cabbage is; who can tell us what it is?- Ross = king of the segue- We hear about The Icarus Account’s new album “Over the Moon”- Trey shares how their fans didn’t just need new material, they needed better material- With the new album, the band spent much more time working on this record than othersAdvice:- “You have to stay passionate about the music at all times” - Ty Turner, 2016- “You have to be willing to experiment and capitalise on the opportunities technology presents” - Trey Turner, 2016- You have to be persistent and willing to get your hands dirty in this industry- A musician isn’t just a musician anymore - you have to know how to do the business stuff, too- If you’re driven enough, you can open doors- You’re going to hear people say no - don’t get discouraged- Just because one person doesn’t like your music, doesn’t mean someone else won’t- You should always be learning and improving - you have to put the work into your craftGuest Links:- Website: http://theicarusaccount.com- Twitter: @icarusaccount / @tyturnerband / @treyturnerband- Facebook: /theicarusaccount- Instagram: @icarusaccount / @tyturnerband / @treyturnerbandSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses- The Rock/Star Advocate- Buck Naked Soap Company- Wendy Donaldson---For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by New York based singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata. To date, she’s released 4 solo EPs and 3 full length albums, and she’s collaborated with artists such as Jason Mraz, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes and past guest Terra Naomi. Her music has also been featured in shows such as The OC, Brothers & Sisters, Grey’s Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother.Rachael has seen both sides of the major and independent spectrum, and is currently gearing up to release her latest album Tightrope Walker independently. In this intervew we hear about Rachael's experience as an independent musician, how she finds that work/life balance we're all searching for, and why collaboration is so important to her.Highlights:- Sometimes we all need the melody and chord progression to help us get the words out- Ross shares a story about finding out how a fellow college classmate was a fan of Rachael’s- Rachael shares the pros/cons of being both a major and independent artist- When you’re on a major label, you’re surrounded by a big team - you’ve got that “machine”- A lot of artists now are finding that they have no choice other than to do things themselves- Rachael shares that being independent gave her a birds eye view of her career she didn’t have before- “Being an independent artist is a 24 hour job” - Rachael Yamagata, 2016- We talk about Rachael’s upcoming record and how she was involved in the production process- Rachael shares how she believes in the importance of collaboration- “The greatest challenge is being creatively IN it, but being able to look at it objectively” - Rachael Yamagata, 2016- We hear how Rachael learned how to edit her own video out of necessity- “Knowledge is bred from necessity” - Rachael Yamagata, 2016- We talk about finding that work/life balance that we’re all looking for- Rachael shares how she loves watching other artists work, and what you can learn from what they do- Rachael tells us about Jason Mraz’s work ethic and writing process and what she learned from himAdvice:- “You just dive in and figure it out as you go” - Rachael Yamagata, 2016- Part of taking over your career is a great education for how to make smarter decisions and utilise your resources- Know what you can’t do, and pick your team around the skills you don’t have- Finding those key people for your team can change your life- Find people with 100% integrity and who can be accountable- You want someone on your team who makes the world a better placeGuest Links:- Website: http://rachaelyamagata.com- Twitter: @rachaelyamagata- Facebook: /rachaelyamagata- Instagram: @rachaelyamagataSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses- The Rock/Star Advocate- Buck Naked Soap Company---For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by LA based musician and Grammy award winning songwriter Dave Yaden. Dave’s written and toured with artists such as Lady Antebellum, One Republic, Josh Kelley, and our friend Tyler Hilton. He’s also performed on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with Dave Letterman, Good Morning America and the Ellen Degeneres show several times over.His musical range is extremely eclectic - he’s collaborated on hip hop tracks, written and recorded with hardcore punk group Pierce The Veil, and as if that wasn’t enough, is also working on his own solo material. His latest EP “Move” is out now.Highlights:- Dave says he’s always been better at writing for other people than himself- Writing for others took so many self-directed questions out of the equation for Dave- Sometimes as artists we get worried that we won’t come across- We talk about writing in different genres and how heavily related western music genres really are- People don’t listen to music questioning the genre - we appreciate it for what it is- 2016 is a really exciting time for musicians, especially as genres are more open now- Dave believes that writing in various genres helps to make him a better writer- When writing a song, ask yourself “is this a good song?” rather than “is this good punk music?”- Dave compares the major label to independent experience, and tells us the pros and cons of each- Dave shares how he feels there is too much pandering within the major labels- Dave gives us some tips for getting songs in front of publishers - and there’s no quick fix- We hear how Dave wishes he could go back in time and dress cooler - your look is important in music!- Artists will dress up for a regular job, but won’t do the same for their music career- You have to enjoy your work in the music industry, otherwise you may as well be doing something else- “I should just be playing the piano with my dick - I’d have hundreds of thousands of subscribers” - Dave Yaden, 2016Advice:- “In songwriting, the more personal you get, the more relatable it is” - Dave Yaden, 2016- “When writing a song, think about what is going to make people want to hit play” - Dave Yaden, 2016- If approaching a publisher, make sure your demos are as good as they can be- If you want to do art for a living, you have to think like a business person- Go to where the music is - go to shows, networking events- The “ins” that people have are never a guaranteed route to success- If artists aren’t cutting your songs, FIND an artist to cut your song- Listen to the little kid inside of you - if that kid is excited, you’ve got a good songGuest Links:- Instagram: @daveyaden- Twitter: @daveyaden- Facebook: /daveyaden- Soundcloud: /daveyadenSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses- The Rock/Star Advocate- Buck Naked Soap Company---For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Rick Barker out of Nashville, former manager of Taylor Swift, Social Media Mentor to American Idol finalists, and private consultant to Big Machine Label Group and Live Nation. He strives to teach artists how to be artists, and treat their art as a business.Rick is also the founder of Music Industry Blueprint, and his marketing tactics have been featured in Billboard. He’s dedicated his life to helping independent artists plot out the most efficient strategies for turning their music into a career. In this interview, Rick shares so much advice, including some of the misconceptions artists have around the music business, and the importance of social media in today's music industry.Highlights:- Rick shares what the three things he wants people after being in contact with him- We hear why Rick encouraged Taylor Swift to meet 500,000 people- “It really means something when you have an artist who is willing to do the work” - Rick Barker, 2016- “You don’t fill a stadium with hit songs, you fill it with people” - Rick Barker, 2016- We can’t duplicate timing and luck, but we can make sure we’re prepared for when opportunities happen- Rick shares some of the biggest misconceptions artists have around the music business- Rick doesn’t think artists realise quite how powerful the new music industry is- The music industry is a relationship business- Ross says an artist has to earn someone’s “fanship”- We hear how many artists don’t know how to use their mailing lists correctly- Rick teaches artists how to use the techniques that major corporations use to get in front of an audience- If you’re just making records and not getting it out there, you’re in the inventory business, not the music business- We hear about Rick’s work as social media mentor for American Idol finalists- Rick shares some of the mistakes that artists make on social media- “If you don’t have an hour a day to dedicate to the customers of your business, get out of the business” - Rick Barker, 2016- Rick flies through our 20 questions in what might be our fastest one yet!- Rick shares why it’s so important for artists to have their own websiteAdvice:- Your past doesn’t define your future- Your music career all starts with the music, but it grows with relationships- Get your music on as many phones as possible- Comment on other people’s stuff and show them that you care- Consistency, especially on social media, is key- Invest in yourself, and educate yourself - it’s your own responsibilityGuest Links:- Website: http://rickbarker.com- Twitter: @rickbarkermusic- Instagram: @rickbarkermusic- Facebook: /themusicindustryblueprintSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by LA based artist, author, illustrator and designer, Ruby Roth. Ruby is the world's leading author and illustrator of vegan and vegetarian books for children, and has been featured on CNN, FOX, and many other major media outlets.Complementing her degrees in art and American Studies, Ruby has researched animal agriculture, health, nutrition, and the benefits of a plant-based diet for over a decade. In this episode, Ruby shares how her art and passion for veganism have been combined, and discusses the challenges involved in making a living as an artist.Ruby has also very kindly offered to give away a free copy of her latest book! For your chance to win, share this episode on Facebook or Twitter and subscribe to our mailing list, and we’ll be picking a winner at random next week!Highlights:- Ruby is an artist first and foremost- Ruby is an undercover punk - you wouldn’t know by looking at her, but you would if you saw her music collection!- We hear how Ruby ended up combining multiple skills and passions into a career- Ruby tells us about her latest book “The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids”- Ruby’s latest book is also for busy people or lazy adults (like Ross)- Marcio shares some of his favourite Vegan documentaries (including Cowspiracy)- Ruby shares how making a living as a creative is often a challenge, and you have to be fully invested in making it work- There is a lot of patience involved in making a creative living- Ruby feels that if she wasn’t able to do her art, she would wither and die- Ruby shares why she has become a vegan- We hear about the book publishing process and the pros/cons of writing in a niche genre- Ruby shares the story of how she became a published authorAdvice:- If you want to make a living through creativity, you have to do the work and commit to it- You have to be disciplined and trust in yourselfGuest Links:- Website: drawordie.com / wedonteatanimals.com- Facebook: /wedonteatanimals- Twitter: @ruby_roth- Instagram: @ruby_roth / @wedonteatanimalsSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)---For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by singer/songwriter Adam Clark from Rochester, New York. Adam is an extremely hard working musician whose brand of pop/rock is both radio friendly and authentic. His music has been featured on PopMatters, The Vinyl District and PopWrapped.Over the past couple of years Adam’s released numerous singles and has collaborated with YouTube star Kait Weston (on “Take Me”) and producer David Schuler (who has worked with P!nk and John Legend). In this interview we discuss authenticity and accessibility in music, and the advice Adam would offer for his fellow musicians.Highlights:- We learn Adam is an uncle, vinyl lover and cook- We hear how Adam has been working with producer David Schuler- The last few singles Adam has released have helped him to test his boundaries- We talk about the challenges of finding your sound, and the journey you can take as an artist- We discuss the balance of authenticity and accessibility in music- “I don’t really want to write a hit to write a hit - I want to say what I have to say” - Adam Clark, 2016- As artists we want people to understand us- We hear how Adam is going to be co-producing his next record- Adam tells us how he’s using streaming to promote his music, but doesn’t want it in the long-term picture- We hear how Adam’s plan is to release a new single every 3 months before working on an albumAdvice:- Don’t stop - success doesn’t happen overnightGuest Links:- Facebook: /AdamMusicClark- Twitter: @AdamMusicClark- Instagram: @AdamMusicClarkSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)---For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by inspirational poet, writer, speaker, and podcaster, Brian Thompson. Brian is the host of the Zen Thinking podcast, and the author of the soon-to-be-released book, Sparks to Awaken. His goal with Zen Thinking is to provide an entirely new perspective for people to consider their life through, one that allows them to live more wisely, with compassion, purpose, clarity and happiness.Before shifting to writing full time, Brian spent close to 25 years in the music industry. He managed a chain of music retail stores, I started a record label and artist management company, and tour-managed a successful hard rock band. In this interview we hear about Brian’s work and how the philosophies he explores through his writing can be applied to creative professionals.Highlights:- “No matter where you are, there you are” - Brian Thompson- Through his writing, Brian explores the concepts of being- The only truth that can ever be spoken is: “I am” - anything else is just trouble!- Brian tells us about transitioning from working in the music industry to what he does now with Zen Thinking- We hear that Brian needed to live his life with passion, and it’s that which moved him towards writing, and away from the music business- Brian was observing his life through a narrow lens and was unhappy with that point of view - so had to make a change- We have to ask ourselves “are our goals in life ego driven?”- When our goals are absolute and pure, they’re coming from a place of expression rather than ego boosting- If you’re creating from an ego-driven place, you’ll always be wanting more- Once you know your true self, everything becomes more effortless- It was scarier for Brian to continue being unhappy than to change everything in his life- We hear how Brian’s transformation was triggered by quitting drinking- “We latch ourselves onto these things that we believe define us but the only thing that defines us are our own definitions” - Brian Thompson, 2016- Brian tells us about the Zen Thinking podcast and what we can hear on there- Brian talks about the flow state and how it relates to artistsGuest Links:- Website: http://zenthinking.net- Twitter: @zen_thinking- Instagram: @zen_thinking- Facebook: /zenthinkingSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)More:For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic---This week we’re joined by New York based music photographer Shervin Lainez. Shervin’s photographed many of our past guests (including Keaton Simons, Wendy Parr, Bright Light Bright Light and Gabe Dixon), as well as major and independent artists such as Amanda Palmer, Panic! At the Disco, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor and Sara Barielles.In this episode, we hear more about Shervin’s work, the experiences he’s had, and the advice he would give to artists from a photographer’s perspective.Highlights:- We hear how Shervin started his photography career- Shervin wanted to be around and work with musicians, and photography was the way to do it!- “If I was able to take photos of musicians or collaborate visually with musicians, I could contribute to their projects” - Shervin Lainez, 2016- We hear how Shervin moved to New York from DC to pursue music photography- As an artist, knowing what you like and knowing your musical identity really helps when working with a photographer- The best people to work with are the people who know how they would like to be presented- “It’s so important for creative people to know who they are” - Shervin Lainez, 2016- Music is still the main focus - the photography should compliment the project and translate it visually- “Wear to a shoot what you would perform in” - Shervin Lainez, 2016- A photographer should make the subject feel comfortable, and make the process easy for the artist- Shervin tells us about the biggest mistake he sees photographers making… and that’s being an asshole- Ross defends his love of Friends, and Shervin wants to fix himAdvice:- You’ll never be the best or most talented at what you do, but you can be the hardest working- Don’t try to be the best, just try and work the hardest- Work a lot harder and more often than you think you have to- When you start to get comfortable, it’s time to step it upGuest Links:- Website: http://shervinfoto.com- Twitter: @ohshervin- Instagram: @shervinfoto- Facebook: /ohshervinSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest this week is Nashville based singer/songwriter Morgan Myles.Morgan completed her first solo record in 2009, writing every song and promoting it throughout Europe. Shortly after, she opened for Reba McEntire, and played at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Her most eye-opening moment was performing for US troops departing for Iraq at Camp Shelby Mississippi where she rediscovered the power of music. She also caught the attention of BMI’s Mark Mason and was featured in the Key West Songwriter’s festivals, BMI Buzz showcases, as well as BMI Presents.Morgan’s latest EP received great reviews from the industry including Music Row Magazine, Taste of Country, as well as CMT who aired an exclusive premiere of her music video, “Whiskey Dreaming.”Highlights:- Ross shares how he discovered Morgan on a Spotify Discover Weekly playlist- Morgan shares her experience of being a road musician- In a touring band, you have to treat everyone equally- Being in the background gives you an appreciation for how a band works as a team- Having a bad tour experience has made Morgan more aware of how to treat the musicians she works with- Morgan shares a story about how incredible Reba McEntire treats the musicians she takes on tour- We talk about how a good attitude is a factor in creating a long-term successful career- “If you’re doing something for the wrong reasons, it’s probably not going to last” - Morgan Myles, 2016- We hear about Morgan’s experience in recording an alternative rock project, and how it’s influenced her writing since- We talk about the beauty of simplicity and stripped arrangements in music- “Soul never ends up going away in any genre” - Morgan Myles, 2016- We talk about how if a song can stand alone as an acoustic song, it’s a good song!- Morgan tells us about the vocal recording process, and how she prefers to record her vocals- We hear how Morgan’s music ended up in documentaries and film - it’s all about being open to opportunities- Morgan tells us about opening for Rick Springfield and how obsessive his fans are- “We’re on this Earth to be happy, so do what makes you happy” - Morgan Myles, 2016Advice:- Don’t compare yourself to anybody- Be true to who you are and stay positive about your future- The BS of the music industry has nothing to do with you as a person- We all have a different path, so don’t compare your journey’s to someone else’sGuest Links:- Website: http://morganmyleslive.com/- Twitter: @morganmyleslive- Instagram: @morganmyleslive- Facebook: /morganmylesliveSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)More:For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.comFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlanticSubscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunesSupport us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.