Music Production Podcast

Erin Barra is a musician, songwriter, teacher, and performer specializing in the convergence of music and technology. She has created music curriculum for students of all ages, including Beatz for Girlz, which specializes in bringing music production to young women and Berklee College of Music. She's worked with Grammy-winning artists and is a powerful voice in the world of music technology and education.  Erin and I had a great conversation about a wide range of topics including education, creativity, and some of our favorite creative tools.  Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Mammabarra.com - Erin's website  Beatz by Girlz - Erin's mission to bring music production to young women Matthew Herbert's Manifesto Izotope (We spoke about so much of their stuff, I swear this wasn't a paid promo!)

Thomas Piper is an accomplished musician, producer, performer, and video artist from New York. Over the years, our paths have crossed many times at various shows, workshops, and Ableton User Groups.  It seems like wherever the action is, so is Thomas! Recently, Thomas' work was featured in a  documentary by Ableton.  We had a great conversation about live performance, overcoming creative blocks, and building community. I love his positivity. Thomas is an example to all of us about productivity and hard work. This episode is loaded with great insights and powerful knowledge from a man who is doing the work! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: The People's Republic of Sound Thomas Piper's YouTube Channel Thomas Piper on Twitter Thomas Piper on Instagram Support Thomas Piper on Patreon Elektron Gear Output plugins

Thomas Glendinning is an Ableton Certified Trainer, formerly from Cape Town, South Africa, but now living in London. Tom creates music under the name ELPHNT, which is pronounced "Elephant." There he creates sample packs, Ableton Live Packs, and tutorials. We sat down for a conversation about making music, sharing your work, and building communities. Enjoy! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: ELPHNT - Tom's blog, full of great stuff for fellow producers Ableton Live Packs - Tom's collection of really cool Ableton Live devices. Tom's Music Ableton Live Suite Free Alternative Devices Deconstruction - Ski Oakenfull's deconstruction of a Todd Terje track Trello - Online to-do list    

Andrew Whiteman is a musician and songwriter out of Toronto. He plays guitar in Broken Social Scene and has a number of other projects including Sonic Poetry and AroarA.  Andrew is about to embark on a tour with Broken Social Scene, as they release a new album on July 7th. We spoke about creativity, change, and performing on Stephen Colbert's late night show.  Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Broken Social Scene Sonic Poetry AroarA Apostle of Hustle Morning Becomes Eclectic DJ Rupture Muse Exchange Sonic Poetry: Broken Social Scene performing on David Letterman's show: AroarA, Andrew's collaboration with his wife, Ariel:

Most of the things I regret in life are the things I did not do, and not the things I did do. With the exception of being mean or vindictive, in most cases taking action resulted in a positive experience in one way or another... even if it was by learning from failure. In this episode of the podcast, I discuss this idea and how it applies to music production. I share a story of a live performance I nearly backed out of but ultimately went through with. In the end, it turned out to be the right decision by a long shot. For the first time on the Music Production Podcast, you'll actually hear some music. It's the iPhone recording of that very live performance that almost never happened. The experience left me in a better place than if I had taken the easy way out and bailed on it. I hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires you to take action!

Tomislav Zlatic is the creator and editor in chief of Bedroom Producers Blog, a website dedicated to sharing music making tips, software, and gear for music making enthusiasts and professionals alike. Over the years, BPB has been extremely supportive of my work, and we have even collaborated on a few projects.  I had a chance to chat with Tomislav about writing, staying consistent, and our mutual love of old school video game chip music. Bonus Free Ableton Live Pack: Yamaha DD-8 Drums and Synths - These Free Ableton Live Instruments were made from some of the free samples over at Bedroom Producers Blog. Enjoy! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Bedroom Producers Blog Mssiah MIDI SID Cartridge TherapSid - Hardware synth that uses the SID chip Fact TV Against the Clock - Producers make beats in 10 Minutes Gameboy Drums Ableton Live Pack -  a collaboration with BPB and AfroDJMac Commodore 64 Drums Ableton Live Pack - a collaboration with BPB and AfroDJMac Gameboy Glitches and Synths Ableton Live Pack - a collaboration with BPB and AfroDJMac

Michael Harren is a composer and performer from Brooklyn, New York. He combines classical and electronic components, plays piano for Sandra Bernhard, and produced a one-man theater piece called "The Animal Show." Michael recently returned from Moogfest and sat down with me for a conversation about making music. Bonus: Get a free Ableton Live Pack created from a Skype glitch during our conversation! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Michael Harren's Website Mikeypod - Michael's Podcast Christopher Willits on the Mikeypod Podcast OurHenHouse.org Tamerlaine Farm Sandra Bernhard Ariel Publicity 365 Ableton Live Tips - Jon Margulies Eban Crawford - Who Michael collaborated with at Moogfest Live Performance with Ableton Live  

Tom Filepp makes music as Cars and Trains. He describes his sound as "electronic-folk toy-instrument live-looping craziness." I was originally drawn to Tom's music because of its combination of electronic and acoustic parts. In this episode, we discuss the creative process, some gear,  and finding music in unlikely objects like cardboard boxes. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes:  Cars and Trains - electronic-folk toy-instrument live-looping craziness by Tom Filepp Subscribe to Cars and Trains - Bandcamp subscription that keeps you in the loop of Tom's work True Deceiver - Tom's other, heavier music project Bastl Micro Granny - Exciting little granular synthesizer Ableton is the Engine - Ableton's feature on Cars and Trains AudioMulch - Tom's dessert island software Soulsby Atmegatron - Arduino based digital 8-bit synthesizer  

This is a little case study about how doing things that may seem counterintuitive can actually be productive. Sometimes we can win even if we lose or are cheated.  Having a money-back guarantee on digital products leaves me open to the possibility that people could be buying my products and asking for their money back even if there is no problem. It's an easy scam. But in truth, I think the potential for this is much smaller than the benefits.  In this episode I discuss how we can think outside the box a bit with our music. Enjoy! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon

It's all about community. People connecting, sharing ideas, collaborating and supporting each other. This is something Jesse Brede, founder of Gravitas Recordings, understands. I  think we can all picture that stereotypical record label, with the stack of demos on a desk that just get shoveled into the trash without ever being heard. Gravitas Recordings is different. They want to hear new music and are looking for new artists all the time. They've found a unique way to reach the community of producers through their new site, Gravitas Create.  In this episode, I got to speak with Jesse about being a part of the music community, finding and encouraging new artists, and educating young people and involving them in the music making process.  Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Gravitas Recordings Free Music From Gravitas Gravitas Create  Gravitas Create Facebook Group Lion's Share Digital - Jesse's web agency Jesse's Music on Soundcloud Jesse on Facebook Music from Gravitas Artist CloZee Team Supreme "Strength in Numbers"  Women's Audio Mission Erin Barra High School Sounds- Free Ableton Live Pack 144 Noverture Percussion - Free Ableton Live Pack 142