Bridge The Atlantic

This week we’re joined by one man band Matt Wade, aka My Silent Bravery. Following a sports injury in his youth, Matt has turned physical adversity into musical success, with numerous placements on TV, college radio play, and nationwide tours under his belt. A strong believe in “paying it forward” Matt wants to inspire others through the music of My Silent Bravery.Matt's shared the stage with artists including Daughtry, Delta Rae, Howie Day, and Tyler Ward, and has released 4 full length records independently, with his most recent - Breakthrough - due for release in fall 2016.Highlights:- We hear how Matt’s sports injury and spiritual studies led to him pursuing music- Matt says he’s not someone who was born with musicality, he had to really work at it!- We talk about the importance of “paying it forward”“I’m nothing without the fans who listen to my music” - Matt Wade, 2016- Matt tells us how he pays it forward through charity and volunteer work- To Matt, the name My Silent Bravery means persistence and overcoming obstacles- As creatives, we all need reminders that it’s not always all about us- Three words of inspiration: “You’re gonna die” - Gary Vaynerchuk- We hear about the new single “Drunk Off The Sun”- Matt tells us about the new My Silent Bravery album “Breakthrough”- Marcio suggests Matt makes a music video combining his love of music and sports- We accidentally sabotage Matt’s 20 Questions section - he would have broken the record if it wasn’t for us!- “When I enjoy it more, it leads to others enjoying the work more” - Matt Wade, 2016- “It can’t be anything unless it’s about other people” - Matt Wade, 2016- We talk about the importance of patience and how so many artists quit before something big is about to happen- We talk about the importance of having friends and allies in the music businessAdvice:- Your career is a constant journey and process - be patient- Work with people you really enjoy working with and who bring out the best of you- Make sure you’re accomplishing things you feel good about- Enjoy the process as well as the end resultGuest Links:- Website: http://mysilentbravery.com- Twitter: @mysilentbravery- Instagram: @mysilentbravery- Facebook: /mysilentbraverySponsors:- 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 South Carolina based singer/songwriter Noah Guthrie. Noah's had a really interesting journey so far - his cover of “Sexy and I Know It” went viral and led to features on NBC's Today Show, Jay Leno's Tonight Show, and Dancing With The Stars.He’s also opened concerts for Ed Sheeran, Cobra Starship and Selena Gomez, and in 2013, he released his debut album “Among The Wildest Things."In 2015 he landed a feature role in Glee, starring as Roderick. Noah tells us all about his experiences with YouTube, what auditioning for Glee was like, and the advice he'd offer to his fellow musicians. Enjoy!Highlights:- We are full of praise for Gabe Dixon, who is responsible for introducing us to Noah!- Noah is an old soul, but is embracing modern technology and social media to get his music out there- We hear how Noah’s YouTube covers led to his first management deal and TV exposure- Noah shares how he works with his family, and if he’s not humble or modest, they’d be the first to let him know!- You can’t predict viral success - it’s down to whether people like it and who shares it- Noah tells us how he’s built a big audience in Europe via YouTube- We hear how Noah landed a feature role in Glee, and how it was completely unexpected!- Noah tells us about the audition experience for Glee, and how it looked like the casting team hated him!- We hear how Noah’s Glee experience was the perfect storm of the right time, and right people- Noah tells us about his new single and upcoming EP- We hear how when Noah’s not on the road, he really wants to be back out there!- Noah wishes he knew when starting out how long it can take to get your first “break”Advice:- If you’re not using social media, you’re missing out on a big potential audience- You need to learn to be happy with what you create- Be patient when learning and developing your craft- Music is not a competition - stop comparing your journey to the journey of others- Be happy for the success of othersGuest Links:- Website: http://www.noahguthrie.com- YouTube: /noahguthrie- Twitter: @only1noah- Instagram: @only1noah- Facebook: /only1noahSponsors:- 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.

This week we’re excited to welcome Welsh voice actor and impressionist Scheiffer Bates to the show. Scheiffer is a man of many voices and he’s been taking the internet by storm lately with his Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead impression videos going viral, to name just a few. He’s racked up over 4 million views and 60,000 subscribers on YouTube and recently appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show! We hear all about the advice he would offer to fellow voice actors, the importance of treating your audience well, and Stewie Griffin makes a surprise appearance...Highlights:Scheiffer shares that he would like to progress into voice acting for video gamesWe hear how Scheiffer found out he was good at impressions and how he got startedScheiffer tells us how he fell in love with listening to, and learning how, people talkRoss shines light on how terrible Marcio’s attempt at a Scottish accent isScheiffer wants to hear us doing a Welsh accent, and Ross gives it a shotWe hear about the pilot for Scheiffer’s E4 show “iCon” and how the idea was bornDon’t be discouraged - some of the greatest actors had to wait 10 or 15 years to get their first big roleWe hear about Scheiffer’s experience on the Jimmy Kimmel show and how it was perfect timing“There is nothing more unattractive than someone who isn’t grateful or humble” - Marcio Novelli, 2016We talk about how Scheiffer handled some controversy around a recent Britain’s Got Talent contestantWe talk about the collaboration vs competition approach, and how it benefits everyone involvedRather than tearing other people down, we have to show support to others“I shake the hand of everyone on set - you’ve got to be nice to everyone” - Scheiffer Bates, 2016“There is no excuse for NOT bringing other people up” - Scheiffer Bates, 2016We talk about how some of the most successful people we know are the people who treat others wellAdvice:Learn how to deal with rejection and keep pushing on throughIf you want to do some like voice acting, you have to dedicate a lot of time“It can’t just be a full time job, it has to be a full time obsession” - Scheiffer Bates, 2016“Helping others succeed doesn’t take anything away from your own success” - Marcio Novelli, 2016In building a fanbase on YouTube, you need to brand yourself correctlyFind your niche and socialise with your audienceBe loyal to your fans, and show appreciation sincerely“Look after your fans because your fans will look after you” - Scheiffer Bates, 2016Guest Links:- YouTube: /scheifferbates- Twitter: @scheifferbates- Instagram: @scheifferbates- Facebook: /scheiffer.batesSponsors:- 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.

This week we’re excited to chat with music publicist and friend of the show, Laura Goldfarb! Laura is the big kahuna at Red Boot PR, and writer and producer at BTRtoday, where she also hosts the weekly Jam Session show. She created Red Boot PR in 2009, with the goal to breathe integrity back into the industry and treat PR clients like family.She’s worked with artists including past guests, Keaton Simons, Jesse Macht and Gabe Dixon, and she also writes for Sonicbids blog for their “Ask A Publicist” section. She was recently a panelist at SXSW talking about the secrets of pitching your band, and has been featured on Examiner.com, Hypebot and Tunecore. She owns four pairs of red boots, and if you’re wearing a pair of your own when you see her, she’ll buy you a beer.Highlights:- Laura pours her heart and soul into everything she does (and it shows!)- One of the biggest misconceptions artists have around PR is the cost of good PR- When it comes to PR it’s a marathon, not a sprint- If someone promises you something that’s too good to be true, it probably is- With PR there are no guarantees - so don’t solely base your publicist on past placements- Laura tells us how independent artists can get their first placement themselves- We hear some examples of bad press photos Laura has received in submissions- Contact local press initially, and introduce yourself - give them a story that will interest them!- Never underestimate the power of the follow up- Laura shares her experience of SXSW and offers some tips for attendees to get the most out of conferences- Laura shares a story involving a butterfly which acts as a perfect networking metaphor- We hear how Laura landed Gabe Dixon a feature in Rolling Stone- We talk about the importance of working with people you like and click with, rather than just those who can (apparently) make things happen- By working with good people, we can help shape and create the industry we want to work inAdvice:- Before you do anything, get all your ducks in a row - get a great bio, press photos, social platforms & website in place- “If someone says something that interests or fascinates you, let them know!” - Laura Goldfarb, 2016- Acknowledgement is so important, and really helps to build relationships- Be persistent but not obnoxious- When finding a publicist, go with someone you like and feel you can talk to- Choose the publicist you feel you could sit and have a beer with- “If anyone you’re working with makes you question your value, you don’t want to work with them” - Marcio Novelli, 2016Guest Links:- Website: http://redbootpr.com- Twitter: @redbootpr- Instagram: @hellolauragoldfarb- Facebook: /redbootPRSponsors:- 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.

This week we’re joined by music entrepreneur D Grant Smith, who helps musicians grow their audience through targeted initiatives, primarily in radio. He’s the host of internationally syndicated radio show, The Appetizer, which pairs well-known artist B-sides with new/emerging/unsigned artists to create a powerful listening experience.He’s also the author of The DIY Musician’s Radio Handbook, and has an online course called the Indie Radio Promotion Course. As if all this wasn’t enough, he’s also the host of the DIY Artist Route podcast. There is a TON of valuable advice and insight shared in this episode - enjoy!Highlights:- Every episode of Bridge the Atlantic is like Christmas for us!- The heart and soul of what D Grant Smith does is about relationship building and networking- We talk about how podcasting has helped us all make new friends and connections- Networking is simply the art of having conversations and building friendships over time- We hear how many artists have the wrong radio stations in mind when thinking about getting radio play- “Real radio is run by people who give a shit about what they’re playing!” - D Grant Smith, 2016- We talk about email mistakes musicians and others in the music industry make- The closer a relationship you can build with somebody, the longer they will stick with you- You’ve got to get people to like YOU - that will give them a reason to listen to your music- Blanket emails = a waste of time- “If you’re not committed to building relationships with people one-on-one, don’t bother reaching out to media”- D Grant Smith has a theory as to why most guests pick Ross during 20 Questions…- Farm what you already have, rather than hunting for something new- D Grant Smith is Marcio’s new music business crush- Get 50% off D Grant’s Indie Radio Promotion book with the coupon code beuncommon! (until 8th July, 2016)Advice:- A good place to start when getting radio play, look at public and community radio stations first and foremost- If you want to get in front of really influential people, make the timeGuest Links:- Website: http://dgrantsmith.com- Twitter: @AppetizerRadio- Facebook: /thedgrantsmith- Radio Show: http://appetizerradio.com- Book: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/indieradiocourseSponsors:- 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 Toronto based actor, Alen Delain. Alen studied at Ryerson University and started his career by doing extra work on sets. He fell in love with the film industry and continued pursuing his dream in acting.Some of the films and TV shows Alen has worked on, include The Dirties, Transcendent, Nikita, The Lottery, The Strain and Dark Matter.Highlights:- shares the story of how he and Alen met each other- We hear how Alen got started in the film industry, and how he became an extra- You never know what job will get attention- We hear about Alen’s role in The Dirties, which ended up grabbing the attention of Kevin Smith- We talk about the advantages and disadvantages of being based outside of Hollywood- As artists, we love to find excuses as to why we aren’t succeeding - we create our own mental blocks- Alen tells us about working as an actor in Canada- Acting (and music) is a long game, and it’s all about the process- Writing and directing can help you improve as an actor, and vice versa- Creativity knows no bounds - it’s only a good thing to be creating in whichever way you feel!- “I like to create things while waiting for things to happen” - Alen DelainAdvice:- Go to workshops, become better at your craft & understand the business better- When you're ready to get into the industry, look for work and always remember it's a business- Build your social media following as some casting agents pay attention to the size of your following- "Sometimes you don't need a plan, you just need to do things"- Go into auditions aiming to impress yourself rather than the casting agentGuest Links:- Website: http://alendelain.com- Twitter: @alendelain- Instagram: @alendelain- Facebook: Alen DelainSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.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 Alabama based singer/songwriter Jessica Meuse. In 2013/14 Jessica competed on American Idol, finishing in 4th place and was the first person in the history of the show to perform an original song, “Blue-Eyed Lie,” during the finals. She went on to tour with the Idols LIVE Tour in summer 2014, visiting 40 different cities in the United States and Canada.Post Idol, Jessica released her first independent single, “Done”, and in January 2016 she released her second independent single, “Rio Grande,” with plans to release an EP soon. We hear all about Jessica’s experiences of the music industry, the misconceptions that surround a show like American Idol and the advice she’d offer to her fellow musicians.Highlights:- Jessica tells us about the relationship she has with her fans (aka the self-named Meuse Mafia)- “If your fans think you’re a douchebag, they aren’t going to support you” - Jessica Meuse, 2016- We hear how Jessica wants to set a good example to her fans, especially the younger ones- Ross talks about how he feels Jessica appreciates her fans as much as they appreciate her- We hear how the relationships and friendships Jessica has made through music is one of the driving forces behind creating- Jessica tells us how participating in American Idol has changed her career- American Idol gave Jessica a level of exposure that would be very difficult to achieve- Jessica tells us how American Idol helped her learn how to deal with criticism- We discuss the pros and cons of taking part in a show like American Idol- We talk about the importance of taking time off from social media and working constantly- “You set your own limits on yourself” - Jessica Meuse, 2016- Jessica tells us how she has learned to give herself credit for how hard she works- We talk about the dangers of overworking and burnout - it’s important to take time out for the sake of creativityAdvice:- Remember why you make music in the first place- If you’re in it just for the money, you’re in it for the wrong reasons- Don’t let someone else tell you what is possible or isn’t possible- Right now, social media is the best way to build relationships with your fans- Get out of your comfort zoneGuest Links:- Website: http://jessicameuse.com- Twitter: @jessmeuse- Facebook: /idoljessicameuse- Instagram: @jessmeuseSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Steve Palfreyman all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Steven is an artistpreneur who helps creative people thrive. He’s a marketing consultant and coach, and recently launched Music Launch Hub which aims to help musicians collaborate and support each other. Steve’s big on growing communities built on reciprocity, just like we are. We had a great chat with Steve about some of the mistakes artists make when marketing their music, the importance of telling stories, and his new Music Launch Hub community.Highlights:- Steve is an empath, and this has shaped the way he approaches everything- We’re all a little bit weird, and this is probably why we all get along!- Whether we want to admit it, we all want people to like us- Steve tells us how he’s working on putting more of himself out there, rather than being who thinks people want him to be- We talk about some of the biggest mistakes artists are making when marketing themselves- A lot of artists think they need to do things because other artists are - but not everything is right for everyone- Marketing should be seen as your life, rather than something strategic or manipulative- The “gimme, gimme, gimme” attitude hurts more than it helps- We talk about the 80/20 rule, and how sometimes your social media should be 100% non-promotional- Promoting other artists benefits so many people - you, your audience and the artist you’re promoting- The story and the context of where you are is so important when it comes to sharing on social media- Steve shares some tips for effectively sharing music or playlists on social media- We hear all about Steve’s Music Launch Hub community, and the upcoming summitAdvice:- Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is an important step a lot of artists miss- Being a curator and storyteller is incredibly valuable- We need to learn more about the platforms we’re using to use them more effectively- Think about the person you want to be friends with and how you would connect with them- Start telling stories that your ideal friend would want to hear- Try falling in love with marketing - you never know, you might just like it!- If you’re struggling with something, try looking at it from another perspectiveGuest Links:- Website: http://stevepalfreyman.com- Music Launch Hub: http://musiclaunchhub.com- Twitter: @StevePalfreyman- Instagram: @StevePalfreyman- Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/musiclaunchhubSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.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.

This week, we’re excited to welcome booking agent Matt Rafal to the show. In his seven year tenure at Supreme Entertainment Artists, Matt has specialized in booking tours for singer-songwriters, including the “Kate Voegele / Tyler Hilton” package tour (which spanned through the UK, Canada, Europe and the US), the 2013 “Trio Tour” featuring Tyler Hilton, Teddy Geiger and Ryan Cabrera, as well as national tours for Howie Day, American Idol winner Lee DeWyze, YouTube star Tyler Ward, Ron Pope and The Click Five. Originally a touring musician and songwriter, Matt has written music for a variety of television projects, including NBC, CBS, Disney and the CW.In this episode, Matt shares some great insight into the life of a booking agent and what goes on behind the scenes, how important communication is, and offers some advice for artists interested in getting on the college show circuit.Highlights:- We hear about the average day in a booking agent’s life- Matt tells us about what a booking agent’s role is - and there’s a lot involved!- Marcio shares how handling booking a tour is one of his least favourite parts of the DIY artist career- Matt tells us how having a booking agent as a buffer can be really useful for an artist- Booking a successful show is all about good communication - and that goes both ways- If someone isn’t replying to you in a timely fashion, they’re probably not doing the work they need to do- Bad communication is the death of so many things in the music industry- Matt Rafal = the nicest guy in the music business- We talk about the importance of building up a good reputation in the music business- Matt shares how he’s been on the artist side of the booking equation and this has helped build compassion for the artists he works with- We hear about the challenges in booking tours or shows for developmental artists- We talk about the favours that booking agents sometimes need to call in when booking shows- Matt tells us about NACA and why artists who want to tour should get involved with it- Matt shares some details about Michael Bolton that we didn’t know…and we love itAdvice:- Follow your gut instinct. If something feels wrong, don’t do it.- Find other artists you can trade shows with in other cities- Look at calendars and contact artists who are touring who may not have support acts in place- Make it easy for promoters to find out what you’re all about - don’t send too many links!- Keep your emails short and sweet, so they’re easier to read and reply to!Guest Links:- Website: http://supremeentertainment.net- Twitter: @MattRafal / @Supreme_Artists- Instagram: @MattRafalSponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.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.

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 excited to welcome Altered Sky vocalist and songwriter Ana Nowosielska to the show! Altered Sky are a Glasgow based rock band who have built themselves a loyal fanbase, won critical acclaim from publications such as Rock Sound, Kerrang! and have been tipped by Apple Music and the Huffington Post as a band to watch out for in 2016.In addition to standard shows, the band also does an “edu-tour” which includes an acoustic or full band performance, paired with a careers-oriented seminar about the music industry which focuses on a student’s potential role as a professional musician. Their self funded album Without Wonderland is out now.Highlights:- Ana is an avocado enthusiast and gamer nerd!- We hear how touring is still one of the most effective ways of building an audience- Meeting people on tour helps to build a personal connection- We hear about Altered Sky’s edu-tours and how they teach students how they can work in the music industry- “You can make a career in the music industry, because I’m standing here - I’m doing it”- Ross makes a pretty huge research faux pas in which he marries Ana and Altered Sky’s bass player- We hear all about Altered Sky’s debut album “Without Wonderland” and the search for their sound- Social media is increasingly where you’ll start to build your audience- The numbers don’t really mean anything without the connection with your audience- Be yourself on social media!Guest Links:- Website: http://alteredsky.com- Twitter: @alteredsky / @ahnuhhh- Instagram: @alteredsky- Facebook: /alteredskySponsors:- Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com)- The Rock/Star Advocate (http://therockstaradvocate.com)- Buck Naked Soap Company (http://bucknakedsoapcompany.com)- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.