
Progressions: Success in the Music Industry
Conversations exploring creativity, productivity, and career growth in the music industry. Join in each week as Travis sits down with some of the industry’s best and brightest to discuss the mindsets and strategies that they use in their careers every day.
Latest episodes

May 19, 2021 • 1h 5min
Kavi Halemane: Radio, Building Relationships, and All Things Digital Music
Today's guest, Kavi Halemane, has worked in various parts of the music business. After starting his career in digital marketing and strategy for Interscope Records he moved on to work directly with artists and content creators as VP of Marketing for the Collective Digital Studio and EVP & Head of Digital for The Collective. Currently Kavi is working in music programming as an executive vice president & general manager at iHeartRadio. We have a great chat about all things digital in music, what to look for in a manager, and the importance of relationships.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The digital download to streaming transitionRelationships are the key to your careerHearing your music on the radioStaying ahead of the gameBlockchain and music rights managementWorking for a major labelWhat to look for in a potential managerEarly YouTubeNever getting boredLearn More About Kavi Halemane...Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kavidentTwitter: https://twitter.com/darthkavi📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Kavi HalemaneHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

May 12, 2021 • 56min
Mike Patti: Finding Balance, Defining Success, and Running Cinesamples
Our guest today is composer, producer, and co-founder of Cinesamples, Mike Patti. Mike started Cinesamples in 2007 when he saw an opportunity to create niche libraries to fill holes in the marketplace. Since then they have grown it to become one of the go to orchestral library developers for composers around the globe. As a composer Mike has done work with Disney Parks and video games such as Starcraft 2 and League of Legends. We have a great chat about composing for media, running a business, anticipating the marketplace, and the importance of defining your own success.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Building inspiring virtual instrumentsComposing for video gamesFinding a mentor, work for your idolsWriting out your goals and review themScore mock-upsGrowing a team and a businessScoring Saturday morning cartoonsThe boring but important idea of retirementLearn More About Mike Patti and Cinesamples...Website: https://cinesamples.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinesamples📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Mike PattiHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

May 5, 2021 • 58min
I Am Snow Angel: Finding Your Sound, Being Confident, and Creating Without Limits
Today's guest is producer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist Julie Kathryn. Julie releases music under the alias I Am Snow Angel, an immersive blend of digital and organic elements, many of which are created from her own voice. In addition to producing and writing her own music Julie also produces for various other artists, does sound design for Ableton, and is a co-founder of Female Frequency, a collective dedicated to empowering women in music. We have a chat about finding your sound, self-producing, and sound design without barriers.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The magic of creating without rulesDon't be afraid of making mistakesMaking music as a new motherEmpowering yourself by learning production toolsBuilding presets for AbletonFinding a mentorFemale FrequencyKeeping perspective through a projectBeing open minded to new soundsSelf-Producing vs producing for for othersLearn More About I Am Snow Angel...Website: https://www.iamsnowangel.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_am_snowangel/Links: https://linktr.ee/iamsnowangelListen on Spotify HERE📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: I Am Snow Angel (Julie Kathryn)Host: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Apr 28, 2021 • 1h 10min
Trivers Myers Music: Improvising, Quick Response, and Creating Opportunity
Today we are joined by two guests. The songwriting, composition, and production duo of John Trivers and Elizabeth Myers. Operating as Trivers Myers Music for over three decades, they have created musical brand identities for clients such as Apple, American Express, Verizon, and United Airlines. The most notable of all their compositions is the CBS Evening News theme, which ran for 19 years. They've also produced performances for commercials with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, and Lang Lang. We have a great chat about creating your opportunities, why music must always be fun, and how advertising music has changed over the past 30 years.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The importance of making decisionsWorking with ad agenciesCreating sonic brand identitiesWorking with live musiciansNew York music scene in the 1970sPlaying in Broadway for GreaseEverybody has a clientImprovising in music and in businessLearn More About Trivers Myers Music...Website: https://www.triversmyersmusic.com/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: John Trivers & Elizabeth MyersHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Apr 21, 2021 • 51min
Ian Sefchick: Cutting Vinyl, Shaping Sound, and the Magic Death Eye
This week's guest is Grammy nominated mastering engineer and audio equipment designer Ian Sefchick. Ian builds one of the most sought after boutique tube compressors in the audio industry under the unusual company name Magic Death Eye. He has also become a go to vinyl cutting engineer for some of the top producers in the world. We chat about the various hats he's worn in the music industry, the value of having multiple skillsets, and how understanding electronics can empower creativity in the studio.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Critical listeningMastering for vinylOrganically building a brandDiversifying your skills and incomeBuilding your own gearHard work puts you in a position to experience "luck"Learning electronicsLearn More About Ian Sefchick...Website: http://www.magicdeatheye.com/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/magicdeatheyeMagic Death Eye Plug In: https://ddmf.eu/magicdeatheyestereo/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyRoom Measurement Mic: HereRoom EQ Software: HereCredits:Guest: Ian SefchickHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Apr 14, 2021 • 52min
Attom: Remixing Hits, Committing to Creativity, and Growing an Organic Fanbase
This week's guest is artist, producer, and remixer Kyle Stern, better known by his moniker Attom. Kyle has built a following in the electronic music realm with his blend of chill and house with a heavy pop music influence. In addition to his own project, he has also had success doing remixes for artists such as Charlie Puth, Bishop Briggs, and Kiiara. We have a great chat about how doing remix contests started his career, the importance of building real fans, and why consistently putting in work is the key to success.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Playing Bonnaroo as your first showRemixing major label hitsHow structure keeps you committed to creativityGetting organic Spotify growth without playlistsHow to break the ice of a empty project screenLearning how to producer around vocals by doing remix contestsRemote collaborationLearn More About Attom...Website: https://attommusic.comInstagram: https://Instagram.com/attommusicFacebook: https://facebook.com/attommusicTwitter: https://facebook.com/attommusicSpotify Artist Page: Here 📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Attom (Kyle Stern)Host: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Apr 7, 2021 • 1h 13min
Bill Appleberry: Teamwork, Opportunity, and the 5 P's of Preparation
Today’s guest is the multi-platinum awarded producer, mixer, and musician Bill Appleberry. Bill has worked on Republic Records' and NBC's hit TV show The Voice for the last decade. He has produced and mixed the studio recorded versions of every song, performed by every artist for every season of the show. Outside of his work with The Voice, Bill's credits as an engineer, producer, and player include names like Stone Temple Pilots, The Wallflowers, Puddle of Mudd, Joe Walsh, Hole, and 311. We have a great chat about his start, playing drums in the Marines, getting a hit early in his career, being prepared, and how your career is defined by what you do between gigs.In this episode, we'll dig in on...10 Years of The VoiceThe 5 P's of PreparationKnowing when to reinventPutting in practiceBuilding a team that you trustHaving a hit early in your careerEnlisting in the MarinesGetting recognized by the labelsLiving in a van with your keyboardsDoing demos with bands and trying to get them signedHow recording schools are commercializing the industryLearn More About Bill Appleberry...Website: http://www.billappleberry.com/LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/bill-appleberry-6334561b📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Bill AppleberryHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Mar 31, 2021 • 1h 28min
Travis Ference: Live Six Month Anniversary AMA Episode
This week's guest is our very own host Travis Ference. To celebrate six months of Progressions: Success in the Music Industry we invited our prior interviewee, Damian Taylor, to guest host a live Ask Me Anything episode. Damian asks listener submitted questions (as well as some of his own) to Travis in this reverse interview. The interview originally aired live on Damian's Twitch channel. We had a great time and covered everything from our host's backstory and career path to how the podcast came about and the mindset and habits he uses to help balance his time.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Traditional studio path vs DIY studio pathGetting better everydayLearning from your setbacksWorking at Capitol StudiosStarting a podcastQuitting salaried engineering jobsClearing your mind through exerciseGetting over putting yourself out thereNot fearing "No"Engineering pop vocal sessionsLearn More About Travis Ference...Website: https://www.travisference.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tference/Learn More About Damian Taylor...Website: https://www.damiantaylor.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hereisdamian/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/hereisdamian📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Travis FerenceHost: Damian TaylorEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Mar 24, 2021 • 56min
Jerimaya Grabher: Being Proactive, Connecting the Dots, and Working with People You Believe In
Today’s guest is entrepreneur and creative music executive Jerimaya Grabher. Jerimaya is a co-founder of and principle manager at Global Positioning Services, a full service music management company that currently looks after some of the top engineers, mixers, and producers in the world. We have a great chat about the future of music deals, how to know if you need a manager, the importance of staying top of mind with your clients, and why you should act like the type of person you aspire to be.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Being proactive and staying top of mindAlways looking for the next wave of talentNet receipts deals vs royalty point dealsBlockchain and the future of musicDo you need a manager?Performing Rights OrganizationsChasing royaltiesThe lopsided structure of the music businessLearn More About Jerimaya Grabher and GPS Management...Website: https://globalpositioningservices.netInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpsmanagement/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gpsmgmt📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Jerimaya GrabherHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Mar 17, 2021 • 1h 2min
Matt Lange: Organized Chaos, Trailer Music, and Having a Conversation with Music
This week's guest is Los Angeles based producer, composer and artist Matt Lange. Matt has made a name for himself in the electronic music world both as an artist and as a producer. In addition to releasing his own music, he’s done work with Deadmau5, BT, and Glenn Morrison. He's also done work for films and games, including names like Blade Runner 2049, Ready Player One, and The Fast and the Furious 8. We have a great chat about using organized chaos to spawn creativity, why everyone should discover the joy of playing an instrument, and the importance of remembering to stay true to your artistic vision.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Touring as a DJUsing sound design as inspirationThe power of learning musicBeing nimble and streamlined as an independent artistDoing pop demo production workBeing perfectly accidentalMaking electronic music with guitarsPicking up a real instrumentHome Depot instrumentsSigning and recouping a publishing dealMovie trailer workLearn More About Matt Lange...Website: www.mattlange.netInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_lange/Isolated on Spotify: Here📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Matt LangeHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference