Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

Today’s guest is music producer, recording engineer, and songwriter Ebonie Smith. Ebonie has been a house engineer for Atlantic Records for 10 years, working on projects for artists like Cardi B, Janelle Monae, Jason Mraz, Charlie Puth, and Misterwives. She is also the founder and President of Gender Amplfied, Inc, a non-profit focused on celebrating women in music production. She holds a Masters in Music Technology from NYU and is currently a governor for the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy. We have a great chat about the mission of Gender Amplified and how it got started, as well as tips for producers running sessions and why it’s important to not always do the same thing.🗒 In this episode we'll dig in on... 🗒The mission of Gender Amplified, Inc.Connecting women in music as part of her college thesisWorking as a house engineer for Atlantic RecordsThe choice to pursue music higher education for musicRunning a pop session as a producerSongwriting campsMethod vs FormulaHow to identify good adviceThe business structure behind Non-Profits and the benefits of making it officialThe importance of having eclectic taste🎙 Travis' Intro 🎙Why Taking Risks in Art is Necessary🎶 ... Listening Recommendation 🎶Float - Janelle Monae Listen👉 Learn More About Ebonie Smith & Gender Amplified... 👈Website: https://genderamplified.org/Website: http://www.eboniesmith.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genderamplifiedInstagram: http://instagram.com/eboniesmithmusic📢 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: Ebonie SmithHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is Madison, Wisconsin based mastering engineer Justin Perkins. Justin currently works out of his studio Mystery Room Mastering where he has worked on projects for artists such as The Replacements, Jason Mraz, Busta Rhymes, and North Mississippi Allstars, as well as countless independent artists from around the world. He’s also worked at Butch Vig’s Smart Studios, actively played in numerous bands, and written various articles for The Pro Audio Files. We have a great chat about the importance of communication, how to choose a mastering chain, and why relationships still matter more than social media. 🗒 In this episode we'll dig in on... 🗒Remote masteringChoosing a mastering chainAnalog vs Digital masteringWorking at Butch Vig's Smart StudiosBeing a self-taught engineerMatching the limited mix referenceAutomations and Project ManagementMoving to Milwaukee and starting a mastering businessThe importance of communicationRelationships matter!🎙 Travis' Intro 🎙The Tyranny of the Urgent🎶 ... Listening Recommendation 🎶The ReplacementsThe War on Drugs🗣 Mentioned in the Interview 🗣Working Class Audio PodcastTrinnovNotion👉 Learn More About Justin Perkins 👈Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mystery_roomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mystery_room_mke/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryRoomMKE📢 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: Justin PerkinsHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is music entrepreneur and manager Sam Saideman. Sam is co-founder and CEO of Innovo Management where he and his team specialize and work across, artist management, project management, influencer management, and brand marketing. Currently Innovo manages a roster of creators who have a reach of over 43 million followers on TikTok alone. His forward thinking approach and innovative spirit has helped him carve out a space as one of the most influential thought leaders in today’s creator economy. We have a great chat about staying authentic in your content, the dangers of hustle, culture, how to utilize social media to promote your music, and how TikTok levels the playing field between independent artists and major labels.🗒 In this episode we'll dig in on... 🗒Staying authentic with your short-form contentThe importance of a narrativeBuilding a creator management firmBrand deal rates and terms for creatorsWorking at Sony/ATVThe power of collaboration on social mediaHow TikTok levels the playing fieldRunning US Artist strategy for OneRPMPromoting your music with social mediaKeeping leverageUnderstanding a social platform before postingThe dangers of hustle culture🎙 Travis' Intro 🎙Start a Daily Review Habit! 🎶 ... Listening Recommendation 🎶Sammy Adams - Listen👉 Learn More About Sam Saideman... 👈Website: https://www.innovomanagement.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samthemanager_/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-saideman-b389a480/📢 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: Sam SaidemanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is New York based composer and musician Pat Irwin. Pat has spent over four decades pushing the boundaries of popular music with his soundtracks for television shows such as Dexter: New Blood, Nurse Jackie, Bored to Death and scores for animations including Rocko’s Modern Life and Sponge Bob Square Pants. He also performed with the B-52s for twenty years, was a founding member of two New York No Wave bands, The Raybeats and 8 Eyed Spy, and still performs and releases music today with his ambient project SUSS. We chat about letting yourself come through score, working with a live band in the studio, the importance of being able to do your own copy work, hiring people that elevate you, and why the world needs more musicians and artists.🗒 In this episode we'll dig in on... 🗒Working with John CagePlaying in the B-52sThe early days of MTVReasons to use Digital Performer for scoringHiring people that elevate you and make you betterScoring Dexter: New BloodThe New York art seen in the 80sCBGB and Max's Kansas CityAmbient CountryScoring cartoons while on the road🎙 Travis' Intro 🎙How the Arts Set You Up for Success in Life🎶 ... Listening Recommendation 🎶Richika - ListenChuck Johnson - ListenClarice Jensen - ListenMica Levi - Listen🗣 Mentioned in the Interview 🗣Finale Music Notation SoftwareBerhinger CAT👉 Learn More About Pat Irwin 👈Website: https://patirwinmusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patirwinmusic/SUSS: https://www.sussband.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: Pat IrwinHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Todays guest is Nashville based mix engineer Matt Huber. Matt has become known for his highly competitive pop and indie mixes, racking up credits for artists such as Valley, Betty Who, Nightly, Joan, ELIO, and CRUISR over the last few years. He’s also passionate about education and building community within the mix engineer world. We have a great chat about mixing workflows, Dolby Atmos, home studio builds, being excellent every day, and why it takes more than just the best mix to get the gig.🗒 In this episode we'll dig in on... 🗒The value of the rough mixThe importance of being in the artist's cornerUsing tech to over-deliveryThe simplicity of a great mixBeing a solution to people's problemsValuing every mix like it's the biggest mix you've ever doneDolby Atmos and binaural translationUsing Soundflow to increase workflow speedsPhasers on the mix bussGoing against your natural inclination🎙 Travis' Intro 🎙Time and Our Perception of It🎶 Matt's Listening Recommendation 🎶Mooney - Listen on Spotify🗣 Mentioned in the Interview 🗣SoundflowElgato Streamdeck"Atomic Habits" by James ClearSam Moses MasteringBilly Decker - Progressions Ep. 059Aberrant DSP - Progressions Ep. 038👉 Learn More About Matt Huber 👈Website: https://matthuber.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattjhuber/📢 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 HuberHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest 10 time Grammy nominated music producer, mixing engineer, and songwriter Damian Taylor. Damian has worked with artists such as Bjork, The Killers, Bomba Estéreo, Odette, The Prodigy, and UNKLE. He’s also the founder of The Complete Producer Network, an online hub for people all over the world who are dedicated to improving their ability to create and share extraordinary music. We have a great chat about trusting your creative instincts, recognizing career break points, working with modular templates to boost output, and how music and culture drive human civilization forward.In this episode we'll dig in on...Damian's Pro Tools mix template and workflowExpanding your own mind by learning from your clientsCreating an environment of trust with the people you are working withAttracting people that are on your wavelengthTaking a permissionless approach to your music career and knowledge learningBuilding The Mix Accelerator Process to be the ultimate course about mixing having a mixing careerAdding the mix buss processing laterMaking the work the goal will take you further than making the outcome the goalInviting your collaborators to influence youDesigning systems that allow your business to run smoothly behind the scenesTravis' Intro: Committing to the ProcessListen to Damian's first appearance in Episode 2!Damian's Listening Recommendations:Jesse Ware, "What's Your Pleasure"Bomba Estéreo, "Deja"Lido PimientaMentioned in the Interview:"Build" by Tony Fadell"Deep Work" by Cal NewportAvantone Mix CubesBilly Decker on Progressions Episode 59Andrew Maury on Progressions Episode 68Pedro Calloni on Progressions Episode 70Learn More About Damian Taylor...Website: https://www.damiantaylor.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hereisdamian/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hereisdamianDamian's Extended Discography Playlist - Listen📢 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: Damian TaylorHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

2023 is upon us! Season 3 officially begins next week, but I wanted to share a few thoughts about setting out into the New Year and announce the first official Progressions YouTube video!📢 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: N/AHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is Los Angeles based recording artist Dresage. A blend of genres ranging from dreamy synth wave to indie art pop, Dresage is the artist project of producer, songwriter, and composer Keeley Bumford. In addition to releasing her own music she also co-wrote and was the featured vocalist on Jai Wolf's single "Better Apart". Co-scored as well as wrote and performed all the original songs in the Hulu/Blumhouse film "My Valentine," and was featured on Andrew Huang's "4-Producers One Sample" Youtube series. She also has loads sync placements in various shows and ad spots, including Netflix's The Crown and an Apple Watch trailer. We chat about making her latest EP, and how embracing the idea that it's ok to not know everything can empower you to experiment, learn, and ultimately find your creative voice.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Making her Terror Nights / Terror Days EPKeeping perspective as a self-producing, self-recording artistCommitting to your production because it informs all the decisions that followHow music fits into TV and Film vs Ads and TrailersBeing intentional about the choice to keep your artist voice and not get lost behind the scenesBuilding a community on DiscordDiscovering jazz and the Great American SongbookAttending Berklee College of MusicBuilding relationships and supporting your collaboratorsShazaamTaking advantage of opporunitiesWorking at the Interscope recording studiosTop-lining in the EDM worldTravis' Intro Topic...How all of your gigs and experiences come together to make you a better creative and person.Learn More About Dresage...Check out Terror Nights / Terror Days EP - HERE!Website: https://www.dresage.la/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dresagemusicTwitter: https://twitter.com/dresagemusicYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dresagemusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dresagemusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dresagemusicSupport Dresage on Patreon HERE!Join Dresage's Discord Server 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: DresageHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is engineer, mixer, producer, and professor Dr. Susan Rogers. Susan is a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston where she is also the acting Director of the Berklee Music Perception and Cognition Laboratory. Prior to her academic career she worked for 22 years as an in demand engineer and producer with artists such as David Byrne, Barenaked Ladies, Rusted Root, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and also spent four years as Prince's personal staff engineer. We have a great conversation about how the brain reacts to music, analog vs digital, and why success should be defined by what you believe could be possible, not by what is obvious.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Working with PrinceListening and how music triggers the brainModern uses for analog tapeThe art and craft of mixingUS Army electronics manualsMusic Cognition and PsychoacousticsLeaving the music industry to work in scienceTeaching at Berklee College of MusicTaking your toys apartWriting a bookHow to find an audienceCheck out Susan's book! "This is What it Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You"Learn More About ...📢 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: Dr. Susan RogersHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is music producer, recording engineer, and mixer Tim O’Sullivan. Tim’s credits include artists such as Chicano Batman, Rayland Baxter, The Head and the Heart, Grace Potter, and Leonard Cohen. His career has involved bouncing around freelancing and working on staff for various producers and at studios such as Capitol and Barefoot Recording. We have a great chat about building studios, the importance of a great headphone mix, wiring for creativity, learning to express your opinion in a way that fits your role, and using unique instruments to inspire the artist.In this episode we'll dig in on...Things to consider when building a studioHow to wire a studio to encourage creativityManaging Barefoot RecordingPicking a studio that fits the projectThe importance of a great headphone mixNot being too transactional with clientsFrankenstein GuitarsWorking for Undertone Audio in assembly and fabricationHow to get repeat workMentioned in the Episode:Aviom Headphone SystemAudio Engineering SocietyUndertone AudioNash GuitarsTim's Listening Recommendations:CASIOPEARayland Baxter "If I Were a Butterfly"Travis' Intro: Season 2 Thanks & Wrap UpLearn More About Tim O'Sullivan...Website: https://osullivanaudio.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timosullivanmusic/📢 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: Tim O'SullivanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference