Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

This week's guest is film and television composer Andrew Johnson. Andrew started his career as an assistant for composer James S. Levine at Hans Zimmer's Remote Control facility. While there he worked on hit shows such as Glee, American Horror Story, Royal Pains, Major Crimes, and many more. We chat about learning the art of film composing from the greats, getting jobs from the places you don't expect, meeting deadlines by forcing decision making instead of creativity, and the numbers game of library production music.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Impressing your peers vs impressing your audienceWorking at Han Zimmer's Remote ControlScoring your own weddingMaster/Apprentice model of learning a craftGetting a job from a guy that knows a guy that knows a guyGhostwritingTreating looking for work a jobThe numbers game of library musicActing like every job is your big breakDemo seasonAnticipating your notes as a means of inspirationLearn More About Andrew Johnson...Website: https://www.andrewbrickjohnson.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/spotify"The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy Here"The One Thing" by Gary Keller HereCredits:Guest: Andrew JohnsonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is two time Grammy winning recording engineer and mixer Fernando Lodeiro. Fernando is a New York based engineer who came up through Avatar studios. His credits include Esperanza Spaulding, Vampire Weekend, Lady GaGa, and Sir Paul McCartney. We talk about his passion for working with musicians together in a room, the importance of maintaining relationships, big studio vs small studio vibes, and how learning all the gear in the room got him ahead early in his career.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Building your own vocabulary as an engineerOver delivering for clientsPandemic engineeringGear manualsThe importance of keeping in touchFreelance engineering in New York CityKnowing when it's time to move on to the next thingLearn More About Fernando Lodeiro...Website: https://fernandolodeiro.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferninthestudio/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ferninthestudio📢 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: Fernando LodeiroHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is Brian Zarlenga, general manager of the revolutionary music software and technology company Output. Brian's career in the music business has taken him from the sales team at a major label to handling licensing at a publisher, and finally to marketing where he would develop his expertise. We chat about staying true to your brand, always pushing for innovation, the challenges of product launches, and how musicians can benefit from embracing marketing.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Not following the playbookIdentifying your goals and setting milestonesSeeing your music as a productOvernight product launchesMarketing as storytellingTaking a chance on a startupWord of mouth as an extension of your brandLearn More About Brian Zarlenga and Output...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bzarlenga/Output Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/output/Website: https://output.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/spotifyMalcolm Gladwell "The Tipping Point" - Buy HereCredits:Guest: Brian ZarlengaHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Our guest this week is bass player, producer, songwriter, and artist Corey Britz. In addition to being the bass player for the band Bush, Corey also fronts his own project as well as produces and writes for numerous alternative and rock bands. He’s a close friend and collaborator of mine and this episode is an all round good hang with plenty of great advice mixed in. We cover his early career, breaking into the Los Angeles musician scene, discovering himself as an artist, and his vendetta with the word “luck”.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Music and the art of restraintTouring the world with Bush and The CallingImportance of being a problem solverDon't belittle your victories by calling them luckFive years as a college freshmenManifestationLying to yourselfTravis' Intro: Input vs Output GoalsLearn More About Corey Britz...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreybritz/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreyBritz/Listen to Corey Britz 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/spotifyGary Keller "The One Thing" - HereCredits:Guest: Corey BritzHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Our guest this week is Grammy nominated mixer Jesse Ray Ernster. Jesse has made a splash since his arrival in Los Angeles with quick chart success engineering for Kanye West and mixing for Burna Boy. We have a great chat about his career so far, his unique path to success, the importance of keeping the art and the team first, and using systems to increase your efficiency.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Recording Kanye and traveling the safariBuilding momentumHaving a clear vision of your goals and knowing what drives youSetting yourself apart when applying for gigsMixing via remote control from the beachWaking up earlySending out 100 emails a dayLiving the California dreamSession flow difference between commercial and home studiosLearn More About Jesse Ray Ernster...Website: https://www.jesseraymix.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesseraymix/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesseraymixHear a playlist of Jesse's work 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: Jesse Ray ErnsterHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is Dan Johnson, owner and chief engineer of Audio Archiving Services based out of Hollywood. Dan has become one of the leading experts on the archival of analog tape and has dedicated his career to preserving music history. He has archived over 10,000 reels of tape, some of which are the best selling albums of all time, and has been a featured speaker on panels at both NAMM and AES. We have a fun chat about his 20+ years in the studio business, the path that led him to becoming an archivist, the challenges and advantages of starting your own business, and how he earned the nickname "Dan the Muffin Man" while working with Michael Jackson.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Learning to run a business from the ground upPreserving music historyWorking hard because there is always someone ready to take your jobAnalog tape: Alignment, maintenance, history The challenge of find good working tape machinesGoing independent during the Recession.No sleep 1990s studio lifeLearn More About Dan Johnson and Audio Archiving Services...Website: https://www.audioarchivingservices.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_audioarchiving/📢 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: Dan JohnsonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Our guest this week is producer, songwriter, tech educator, entrepreneur, and activist Erin Barra. Currently Erin is the Director of Popular Music at Arizona State University. Prior to that she wrote multiple courses for Berklee Online and worked as an associate professor at their campus in Boston for several years. We discuss the importance of being a lifelong learner, understanding your personal narrative, and how learning music can be the skeleton key to unlocking your full potential. She is passionate about empowering her students through music and technology and fights to be sure that all people have equal access to the opportunity to learn.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Transitioning from artist to educator by accidentUnderstanding your Personal NarrativeCreating musical moments from chaosThe anti-todo listLife-Long LearningTechnology JusticeIn person vs online learningAbleton LiveLearn More About Erin Barra...Website: www.mammabarra.com, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinbarraTwitter: https://twitter.com/ErinBarraFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinbarramusic Beats By Girlz: www.beatsbygirlz.orgIntro to Ableton Course: HereASU Popular Music Program: 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: Erin BarraHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is producer, bassist, musical director and songwriter Wayne G Miller. Wayne has performed with or acted as musical director for a range of artists including Mike Posner, Christina Perri, AlunaGeorge, and Snakehips. He now produces and writes for various artists, both major label and independent, and mentors up and coming artists. We had a great conversation about touring, transitioning from the road to producing in the studio, battling the scarcity mindset, the importance of working on music you love, and having clarity on why you take a gig.In this episode, we'll dig in on...A great song supersedes everythingUnderestimating the relational factor of getting a gigQuoting jobsBattling the scarcity mindsetTransitioning from MD to producerPlaying late night shows as rite of passageStarting out in Portland and moving to LATravis' Intro: Abundance MindsetLearn More About Wayne G Miller...Website: https://waynegmiller.com/Instagram: instagram.com/waynegmillerPlaylist of his work: HereVisit LA Songwriters Collective 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: Wayne G MillerHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is recording engineer and mixer Cameron Lister. Cameron has spent most of his career in the engineering hot seat for indie and alternative records from artists such as The Fratellis, OK GO, KT Tunstall, Better Than Ezra, and Andrew McMahon. We chat about how a career in music is made up of incremental steps, each building on the momentum of the last one and how hard work and follow through are the key to success.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Importance of learning new thingsTaping jams bands as a gateway to recordingEarning TrustSwallowing your pride and starting overCool ShockmountsMoving to Los Angeles and staring at Sound FactoryGetting to work with your heroesDistortionMentioned in the Show:"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield - Here"Deep Work" by Cal Newport - HereTravis' Intro: The War of ArtLearn More About Cameron Lister...Website: http://www.cameronlister.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clister01/📢 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: Cameron ListerHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is the amazingly talented vocalist and broadway veteran Shoshana Bean. Shoshana and I have a great conversation about the progression of her career from being a singing and dancing two year old to holding leading roles on Broadway and releasing chart topping records as an independent artist. She is a truly inspiring person, committed to her artistic integrity and unwavering in her belief that driving towards what you fear is the key to success and growth.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Leaning into your greatest fearsMoving to NYC and breaking into BroadwayBeing your own best brand ambassadorSinging and dancing at two years oldBuilding a career brick by brickManaging your own career and standing by your decisionsHuman connection without an agenda is the best networkingAuthenticity in everything you doTravis' Intro: Lean into Your FearLearn More About Shoshana Bean...Website: https://www.shoshanabean.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shobean/📢 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: Shoshana BeanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference