Music Production Podcast

EmmoLei Sankofa is a composer, producer, musician, and artist. Credits include Emmy award-winning “Watch Out For the Big Grrrls,” the Lizzo documentary series, STARZ’s “Step Up”, and newly released, “Three Ways,” which recently premiered on Hulu.  EmmoLei and I had a wide-ranging conversation about her career and creative process. We wound up exploring some deep philosophical and evolutionary aspects of music, art, and simply living. EmmoLei's deep insights about the power of music and human compassion left me feeling inspired and uplifted. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: EmmoLei's website - https://www.e-sankofa.com/ EmmoLei's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emmolei/ EmmoLei's Discography - https://www.e-sankofa.com/disco Three Ways - https://www.hulu.com/movie/three-ways Lizzo's "Watch Out for the Big Grrrls" - https://www.amazon.com/Lizzos-Watch-Out-Big-Grrrls/dp/B09KFGXCRP/ Quincy Jones "12 Notes: On Life and Creativity" - https://amzn.to/41YVViC Matthew Dicks "Someday is Today" - https://amzn.to/3WuFSIo Matthew Dicks on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/matthew-dicks George Prochnick "In Pursuit of Silence" - https://amzn.to/45qIgUe Outro Music "Compassion" by Shavano - https://shavano.bandcamp.com/album/progressive-energy-transfer Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

How come we get so good at creating one short section of music only to get stuck when it's time to create the next section? If a song is a collection of different sections, why is it so hard to string a few sections together to make a song?  In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, we explore a big mistake that all but prevents us from finishing songs.  Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: What Bob Ross Teaches Us About Music Production - https://brianfunk.com/blog/what-bob-ross-teaches-us-about-music-production Arrangement Templates - https://brianfunk.com/blog/arrangement-templates-use-popular-songs-as-a-guide-to-structure-your-songs End Procrastination - Music Production Podcast #324 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/procrastination Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

Ameya is a prog rock musician living in Philadelphia by way of India. He has a master's degree in biomedical engineering. Ameya shares his process and songwriting techniques on his Instagram and YouTube. His new EP is due to be released towards the end of this summer. Ameya and I had a great conversation about his work, the prog rock genre, guitar playing, and his love of learning new things with steep learning curves. He shared some of the breakthroughs he's experienced as a guitarist and songwriter, as well as the challenges that helped him grow as an artist. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: Ameya's Bandcamp - https://ameyaxoxo.bandcamp.com/track/foxgloves-amethyst Ameya's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ameyaxoxo/ Ameya's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ameyaxoxo Jordan Rudess on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/jordan-rudess Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Will Doggett is a musician, sound designer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He runs the popular YouTube Channel From Studio to Stage where he teaches musicians how to use Ableton Live in their live performances. He discusses all aspects of live performance on his podcast Behind the Spacebar. I had a great conversation with Will about his work as a playback engineer. Will has tons of insight on what makes a great live show using Ableton Live. We discussed everything from redundant backup machines, the technical features he uses in Ableton Live, and how to perform with backing tracks without cheating.  There are two sides to every story! Watch Will and me on his podcast Behind The Spacebar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4rU1fvVRfQ Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: From Studio to Stage - https://fromstudiotostage.com/ From Studio to Stage YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@fromstudiotostage Free Live Performance Template for Ableton Live - https://fromstudiotostage.com/template/ Will's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/willdoggett/ How to Use Tracks on Stage (without cheating) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blCf8_SPv9g Zig Ziglar - https://www.ziglar.com/ Seth Godin - https://seths.blog/ DiViNCi on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2017/8/28/33-divinci-producer-composer-musical-sensei Laura Escude on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/4/16/laura-escud-helping-artists-reach-their-potential-music-production-podcast-166 Claire Marie Linn Dolltrick on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2018/12/2/claire-marie-lim Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg are film score composers whose credits include Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Cobra Kai, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, and Florida Man.  Zach, Leo, and I had a great conversation about their work with the Weird Al biopic and scoring Cobra Kai. Both shared their thoughts about bringing films to life, working together and with others, and how they seek to challenge themselves and bring their best to every project. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube. Show Notes: Leo's Site - https://leobirenberg.com/ Zach's Site - http://zachrobinsonmusic.com/about Leo Birenberg & Zach Robinson - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jesNA0xWqXtanMVTB1EMp Leo on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leobirenberg/?hl=en Zach on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zrobusa/?hl=en Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

Even though I spend most of my days wishing I had more time to make music, when that time arrives, I find myself avoiding the task.  Why do we Procrastinate? What can we do to end procrastination and get to work? In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, I share 3 techniques that have worked for me over the years. Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/XYhsBdo__80 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: Seth Godin on Chores - https://seths.blog/2023/05/chores/ Produce Music Like Jerry Seinfeld - Music Production Podcast #172 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/seinfeld Storytelling and Creative Productivity with Matthew Dicks - Music Production Podcast #314 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/matthew-dicks Matthew Dicks on Incrementalism - https://matthewdicks.com/incrementalism-may-save-your-life-or-at-least-prolong-it/ What to do to Finish More Music - Music Production Podcast #322 - https://youtu.be/4acXs-kNbVI Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Zack Zarrillo is co-founder of Alternate Side, a full-service music company that represents over 30 artists in the alternative/rock/pop/electronic/metal genres. He also co-founded Bad Timing Records, and he began writing his popular music blog "PropertyOfZack" when he was just 16 years old. In addition to helping artists build their careers, Zack is co-owner of Hello Donuts + Coffee in Philadelphia, PA. Zack spoke about the ways the music industry has evolved over the last 15 years and the strategies his artists have used to grow their careers. We covered everything from Tik Tok to Spotify and Patreon. Zack also drew parallels between building a community of fans with artists to building a real-world community at his Philadelphia donut shop. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: Zack's Website - http://zzarrillo.com/ Alternate Side - http://alternatesi.de/ Bad Timing Records - https://www.badtimingrecords.com/ PropertyOfZack - https://propertyofzack.com/ Allergic Reactions - http://zzarrillo.com/allergic-reactions Kevin Devine - https://www.kevindevine.net/home Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Making Music is hard. Even when we have attained all of the skills and knowledge to create music, it's still extremely difficult to finish music. Along the way, there are thousands of tiny decisions that need to be made. At each decision lies the risk of running into self-doubt and a crippling inner critic. In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, we explore the importance of almost recklessly making decisions and committing to them. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: Bounce in Place Ableton Live Tutorial - https://youtu.be/tCEdipLbarw Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Amadeus360 started his career as a DJ and came up under the mentorship of the legendary Kid Capri. He's also produced records for Rap legends like Kool G Rap, Busta Rhymes, Paul Wall, Sheek Louch of The LOX, etc. His new album The MPC Jedi releases on May 12 Amadeus and I spoke about his work as a boom bap hip hop producer. He shared his experiences collaborating with a wide range of artists and how his work ethic and dedication to quality and authenticity have served him during his impressive career.  Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: The MPC Jedi - https://soulspazm.bandcamp.com/album/the-mpc-jedi-1 Amadeus on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amadeus360thebeatking/ Amadeus YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@knos360 "Still World Famous" featuring M.O.P - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6piUOSIUE4 Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Paul Laski is a music producer, sound designer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He designs sounds in the factory preset bank of XFER Records Serum and sample and preset packs for Sample Magic, Splice, and Sonic Academy. Paul teaches computer music production, sound design, and live performance with ICON Collective in Los Angeles. I had a great conversation with Paul about how he has carved out a career in music via producing, teaching, and sound design. Paul went into detail about the challenges of work-life balance, especially as a new father. We went deep into the philosophy around creativity and productivity, and how we can find satisfaction and fulfillment in our work and the unexpected paths that present themselves along the way. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube Show Notes: Paul's Official Site - https://www.p-lask.com/ ICON Collective - https://iconcollective.edu/music-production-programs/ Tape Hiss and Vinyl Crackle Free Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2012/07/19/free-ableton-pack-60-tape-hiss-vinyl-crackle War of Art by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/415Q4HD The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell - https://amzn.to/41XRFAx Ben Burnes on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ben-burnes-4 The Power of Now - https://amzn.to/3Lptkgd Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc  5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk