The Intelligent Vocalist

Kristian Lavercombe has starred in major productions from Urinetown to Jesus Christ Superstar, but he is best known for playing Riff Raff in the Rocky Horror Show. Kristian holds the world record at over eighteen hundred performances. In this episode, John and Kristian discuss his successful career and his best advice for singers looking to work in musical theatre. Plus, Kristian tells the best opening night story ever! EPISODE LINKS Kristian's Website

Vocal technique is a vital skill, but it can also become a trap, leaving singers frustrated and less connected with their performances. In this episode, John discusses getting beyond technique to the highest level of singing - selfless communication and connection.  

You can have all the vocal technique in the world, but if you can't conquer your mental fears and roadblocks, you will struggle to perform at your best. Becky Gilhespie, a leading voice teacher in London, and now Australia, has published a new book, Singing for the Self-Conscious, to help singers breakthrough their mental hurdles. In this episode, John and Becky discuss the everyday mental struggles singers face and the steps to breakthrough to confident singing. EPISODE LINKS: Becky's Website

The current challenges we face have been incredibly disruptive for musicians and creatives. Projects, goals, and livelihoods have been displaced, creating untold amounts of stress and worries of the future. In this episode, John discusses how to navigate these difficult times and how a cable TV show about restoring cabins has helped him find a positive mental space.

Singing is full of little interrupters, changes in pitch, vowels, or consonants that can throw you off balance and into vocal tension. By utilizing legato to smooth out your singing, you can diminish these interruptions and stay locked-in to your vocal sweet spots. In this episode, John discusses legato and how to practice and employ this concept in your own singing. EPISODE LINKS Beginning Singing Book Video Breakdown of Floor Jansen

No matter your level of experience, it's always a good idea to revisit the fundamentals. In this episode, John discusses his brand new book, Beginning Singing, and his approach to the fundamentals for beginners as well as advanced singers. EPISODE LINKS Beginning Singing Book

With most high-level skills, the better you get, the harder it can seem to improve. In this episode, John discusses what to expect as you become more advanced and how to push through the inevitable rough patches to come. EPISODE LINKS Beginning Singing Book

In her book, The Biggest Bluff, author, and psychologist Maria Konnikova takes a year off from writing to learn poker. In 12 short months, she goes from complete novice to tournament champion. Maria learns that poker is an almost perfect vehicle for learning how to make correct life decisions, and how to deal with the swings of luck we all experience. In this episode, John discusses how to deal with the current state of the world for musicians (known as a "bad beat" in poker) and how to make correct decisions going forward in your singing and music. EPISODE LINKS The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova

There are so many decisions that go into a creative project. Knowing when something is good enough without getting stuck in the perfectionist trap can be incredibly hard to discern. In this episode, John discusses his journey to find the right cover for his latest book, and the creative struggles and decisions he dealt with. EPISODE LINKS: Cover Examples  

When tackling a larger project, such as writing a song or reaching a vocal goal, it is all too easy to falter just before the finish line. After the initial inspiration wears off, it requires a level of sticktoitiveness to push through and see the goal to completion.  In this episode, John discusses the mental roadblocks to finishing large projects and what to do to get over the hump and get it done.