While the limelight goes to the performers, the heart and soul of the music business is the songwriter. My Big Break explores the stories of these unsung heroes who largely operate behind the scenes, writing and producing the music we all love. How did they write their hit song? What’s the secret to a sustainable creative career in music today? And most importantly… how did they get their Big Break?
Hosted by Antony Bruno, former Billboard editor and music industry consultant, now Dir. of Communications for Royalty Exchange.
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While the limelight goes to the performers, the heart and soul of the music business is the songwriter. My Big Break explores the stories of these unsung heroes who largely operate behind the scenes, writing and producing the music we all love. How did they write their hit song? What’s the secret to a sustainable creative career in music today? And most importantly… how did they get their Big Break?
Hosted by Antony Bruno, former Billboard editor and music industry consultant, now Dir. of Communications for Royalty Exchange.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For this episode we are joined by Anthony Martini, best known for discovering massive artists like Tyga and Lil Dicky, but his experience in the music industry is vast. Ant sits down with us to talk about how he evolved from an artist, to a manager, and the importance of hustle, on this episode of The Big Break.
Show Notes
5:00When did Ant first get hooked on music, and learning instruments as a kid and in school
“I really enjoyed stories- lyrics and all that.”
11:55Forming the first band that started to get traction
“There was a local music paper called The Aquarian, and I would go get it and then look in the back, all the advertisements for shows at all the venues, and I would just call the venues and try and get in opening slots for all the bands.”
23:30Putting out albums and getting interest from labels
“Just get in the door- don’t shoot yourself in the foot before you even get there.”
30:20Deciding to move into the business side of music, and leaving the band
“Hustle trumps talent in a lot of ways.”
36:30Big Daddy Distribution, and learning about labels and marketing
Learning management on a larger level with Ferret Records
39:30Moving into Hip Hop
Crush Management, and the next level of money in music
Almost managing Gym Class Heroes, and getting to work with The Pack
51:00Tyga
Receiving the Young on Probation mixtape
“He had a ‘it’ factor. When I met him he was a 16-year-old kid, but he just looked famous- he had this aura about him. He had it, he had the swag.”
60:00Closing thoughts
“Nothing is a loss or waste of time if you can get a lesson out of it.”
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This week we sit down with Domingo Padilla, a music legend with over 30 years of experience under his belt as a producer for some of the biggest names in rap and hip-hop. Domingo shares with us his experiences, the importance of mentors, publishing, and more, on this episode of The Big Break.
Find Domingo on Social Media
Show Notes
1:55Where Domingo is from, where he is now, and the impact of Covid-19
“Business didn’t slow down- one of the business I own is online so it keeps generating, keeps running.”
5:26Domingo’s first exposure to music, and the path to pursuing it on a professional level.
Rapper’s Delight by The Sugarhill Gang
Marley Marl- In Control Vol. 2
18:00Being a producer versus being a rapper, the Art of Mentorship, and having thick skin
“If you can’t take constructive criticism, you’re in the wrong game”
30:30The give-and-take of working with other artists, and longevity
“I think mentoring the business-end is a lot more important… Longevity is the key.”
38:55“Publishing is like real-estate in the music business.”
44:54What’s next for Domingo
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Anthony Lee Norris, better known as Lee on the Beats, joins us to talk about growing up in music, the people in his corner, the power of technology, and why it's important to believe in yourself, on this episode of The Big Break.
Show Notes
1:30Where Anthony is from and where he is with Covid-19
7:50The impact of family, support, pressure and guiding youth
“I’m not everybody…”
12:40Soundclick, and getting started as an artist
19:30Making the connections and turning music into a career from a hobby
“It really all goes back to Desert Storm, family and those people guiding me along the way.”
22:48The impact of technology.
“Twitter was one of the keys to succes… Myspace, Twitter, Instagram, these are relatively new
things to life… Now when Twitter came along its different, because your looking at a feed and its people just writing messages, so I’m on their following people, following artists, and some artists start putting up their emails.”
28:03Pop That by French Montana, and leading up the DJ Khaled
“It was like FAST fast, and I don’t think anybody expected it- I didn’t expect it, I don’t even think
my people in my corner expected it, nobody expected it. Maybe French expected it- you know like the people that were actually on the song expected it, but as far as the people on the outside looking in, I didn’t expect it.”
38:13Retrospective and what could have been done differently, and what’s next
“I felt like if all that time I spent in those clubs, if I had spent those times in the studio… Who
knows what I could have done at that specific time.”
43:50“I want to shout out to all the artists I’m working with- there’s a whole list of them- I just want
them to all know I appreciate them, and we’re going to keep making fire.”
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Like many artists, Brad Rempel got out of his first record contract. But unlike others, he harbors no ill will. In this episode of The Big Break, the High Valley founder explains why artists shouldn’t “crucify” the companies making early bets on your career.
To keep up with Brad:
Show Notes
2:30 Brad’s background, Canada, and life in Covid
9:00The start of music from living in a rural town, and falling in love with country music.
“I literally did not know who Michael Jackson was until I moved to Nashville.”
13:40The first concert, Mid South, and the creation of High Valley
20:00Learning about managing money, and touring
25:05The first ‘break’
Meeting John Mays and the road to a record deal
32:51The move to Nashville, Brad learns the truth about being a big fish in a small pond and what the
real level of competition is.
35:20The second ‘break’
Buying out of the record deal to go completely independent.
“I don’t understand why we try and crucify them later on in our careers when all of a sudden
we’re making real money and now we just hate them and think they’re evil people. What about
back in the day when nobody would give you five bucks for anything you had, and this person
offered you some real money to live off of?”
41:09A kids Jiu Jitsu class, and a bagel at Panera Bread bridges the gap to the US market, and
everything blows up
49:30Brad tells us about the business perspective for buying out of his contracts, and what’s next
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This week we are joined by Adam Craig. Adam has experience on both sides of the coin. He has pursued a career as a recording and touring artist, and was even named by Rolling Stone as one of the top 10 country acts to know in 2016, but he's recently put the road to rest to focus on his passion for songwriting.
Adam has contributed to Church Pew and Barstool by Jason Aldean, Whiskey on my Breath by Love and Theft, and Close Your Eyes by Parmalee among many others. Adam provides us with some great perspective as a songwriter, while keeping a foot in the performer camp, and how focusing on the work can deliver the goal in the end, on this episode of The Big Break
Adam's Instagram
Show Notes
3:10How the pandemic has affected Adam, both professionally and personally
8:24Social media and the new landscape of music promotion
John Marx and getting involved with XM
11:34Meeting Jake Owen’s producer, Adam drops everything to focus and improve and starting the
road to Nashville
“I’d meet a girl and tell her I loved her just to get my heart broken.”
16:00Adam moves to Nashville in pursuit of country music
“I came here to be Tim McGraw.”
21:30Getting, and losing, publishing deals, and then the snowball of hits that lead to a record deal
Church Pews and Barstools by Jason Aldean
30:13Transitioning from songwriter, to performer, to songwriter
40:00How do you lose a publishing deal?
42:42What’s next for Adam Craig
My First Car by Meghan Patrick
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Matt Rogers is a songwriting dynamo. He has written for major country artists like Brett Aldridge, Luke Bryan, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, Chris Young, Jimmie Allen, and tons more- even branching out to other genre artists like Jordin Sparks.
Matt started his music career in Nashville, like many other artists, but it wasn’t until a chance opportunity allowed him to play some songs for a publisher, at a bar, while filming a documentary that things started to click into place. Matt joins us to share his experiences as a songwriter on this episode of The Big Break.
Show Notes
2:10 How the pandemic has impacted Matt and songwriting as a profession
4:07How Matt first got into music, starting as a journalist
9:35Getting to Nashville, as an editor, and starting to work as a songwriter
“Okay buddy, you got something going on here that maybe we should try to pursue…”
15:10Getting meetings with PRO’s, Publishers, and Labels, and keeping momentum with your circle
“When I got there, there was like a camera man, and a couple people, and they were talking to the publisher and a couple writers, and the guy I was writing with was like ‘why don’t you play them a song?’ so I grabbed a guitar and played a song, and the publisher said ‘play me another one…’”
24:30Negotiating, and understanding, your publishing deal
“When you are getting to the stage of a [publishing deal], the best advice I would give anybody is get a great lawyer.”
28:45Matt’s first hit- We Went by Randy Houser
35:08The network and circles of writers, and working to cast a wide net
“You cast a wider net- let’s say I write for Sony, and I write a song with a guy who writes for Warner Chappell, and I write with another writer who writes for Big Yellow Dog. Now we have three sets of publishers slinging this song around town instead of just one.”
38:20Catalog sales, and what’s next
“We look at every song as a potential, life-changing, financial aspiration.”
45:15How do people follow you and keep up with you?
Freedom is a Highway by Jimmie Allen
A Little Less Broken by Luke Bryan
The One You Need by Brett Eldredge
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Show Notes
Our guest this week is Jack Forman, President of BiCoastal Productions. BiCoastal is a booking agency working with acts like Colin Mochrie, Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers, The Daily Show Writers Comedy Tour, and tons more.
Jack joins us to discuss the state of the industry today, and how the live performance world is adjusting to the new normal of the Covid-19 pandemic, on this episode of The Big Break.
4:38Jack’s inspiration for working in the music industry, schooling and learning the industry
11:15The impact of Covid-19 on live events in the entertainment industry
16:15The landscape of rescheduling- with the financial hardships falling on venues, and the limited availability for time and days, what will the return to live shows look like.
22:07Live streaming performances, and the digital forefront for engagement and monetization
23:30VEEPS, Benji Madden and Joel Madden
25:10The evolving role of a booking agent, manager, and the impact of smaller venues and artist partnerships
31:40Opening up to a virtual audience and the threat to ticketing companies- the start to hybrid events servicing both in-person, and digital clients.
35:35The four ‘D’s of Copyright Acquisition, and the different ways and opportunities for artists to take advantage of the industry changes
41:18Alternative opportunities like Cameo and looking at the glass as half-full
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Joining us this week is podcaster, producer, marketer, and all-around music industry wiz, Johnny Dwinell. Johnny started out as a musician, performing in hair metal bands, but he pivoted to focus more on business and marketing side, developing artists through his own company.
Today, he is not only a co-host on The CLIMB podcast, but he also runs Daredevil Production, where he helps artists with their digital marketing. He has worked with multi-platinum artists like Collin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ty Herndon, and more.
Johnny joins us to discuss the state of the industry, and how the landscape is evolving, on this episode of The Big Break.
Show Notes
1:17Where are you joining us from today?
3:40How have you been managing with Covid-19?
5:20The impact of digital marketing
6:55Who exactly are the artists that you’re working with?
10:39You started off as an artist correct?
12:50Neil Diamond, and getting hooked on music
14:24When was your first band?
16:23Opening for Hericane Alice
18:08Recording the first album
19:18Bud Snyder and The Allman Brothers
23:00Recording and mixing the record, and getting bumped
27:32What ended up happening with the band?
28:50Getting started on the business side
30:20Nashville, Tennessee
33:00Sales, and the power of ‘The List’
37:20When did you decide to get back into music?
41:42What are artists focusing too much on, and not enough on?
44:20Appetite for Destruction, by Guns & Roses
45:30How much do you need to educate your clients today about the power of marketing?
46:23Adjusting to the interruption of the internet
47:17The crystal ball of Hollywood
50:00The attention economy
55:00You need to know that you need the data, and what to do with it
56:30We keep coming back to funding- are there more options or danger in funding options?
60:14“The middle class is arriving in the music industry”
61:20How to help the other 80%
62:30The C.L.I.M.B.
65:55Johnny’s Free informational download
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Joining us this week is Brent Baxter, a hit songwriter who has worked with artists like Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Randy Travis, and many more. He is also one of the co-hosts of the songwriter podcast The C.L.I.M.B. and is extremely active in the songwriter development sphere through the website Songwriting Pro.
After working a nine-to-five, Brent took the leap and moved to Nashville to pursue his dreams as a songwriter. Brent shares his experiences growing as a songwriter and finding a publisher who wants to invest in your future, not your past, on this episode of The Big Break.
Show Notes
1:20 Where are you these days?
5:02 Do you think the remote writing method has enough benefits to stay as a norm?
7:15 Are you more of a lyricist or a melody creator?
8:09 Growing up as a storyteller, and first putting words to music
11:30Where did you go to school and what did you study?
12:11Getting a degree, but discovering the dream of Nashville
13:55The first song, and starting to make trips to Nashville
15:10A certification for ‘Triple Plywood’
17:09When do you realize that it’s time to quit the job and move to Nashville?
18:20A room opens up, and the Nashville journey begins
19:54Blue Water Music
23:10Figuring out balancing working and learning the business, and writing
24:07Is being exclusively a lyricist limiting at all? Is it common?
25:40Erin Enderlin
26:46Creating Monday Morning Church
28:20How did Monday Morning Church make its way to a big placement?
30:31Getting a call at 1:00 AM
33:30Alan Jackson gets the cut, now the wait to see if it makes the record.
35:50How do you leverage a hit like that so it doesn’t become just a fluke?
37:17Jeff Carlton
38:11Don’t burn bridges
40:00Getting connected to Major Bob Music
42:49“I need to know you’re in it for my future”
43:50When did the songwriter coaching component become part of what you do?
48:10Did your job at Blue Water help you with the teaching you do now?
50:35Social credit, and staying current
52:17If there was one piece of advice you could give to songwriters, what would it be?
55:30How do people find you?
56:30Thanks for joining us
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Joining us this week is country songwriter Ben Stennis. Ben has written for numerous artists including Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Florida Georgia Line, the list goes on.
Ben’s break didn’t happen all at once. It was a series of steps that lead from one accomplishment to the next over ten years that ultimately gave birth to his success. He joins us to discuss the pursuit of his dreams in Nashville and recognizing progress on this episode of The Big Break.
https://www.younggunspublishing.com/
Show Notes
1:30 Where are you talking to us from Ben?
2:05 How have you been managing work with the pandemic?
5:40 Do you think the writing workarounds you have been employing will continue once the necessity
passes?
7:00 Tell us about your background as a stuntman
8:30 Starting a band and going through college
10:28Was music a part of your life before you really started tinkering with instruments?
12:33Getting advice to move to Nashville
14:20At what point did you determine you wanted to pursue songwriting rather than performing?
17:46How was the transition to Nashville?
19:42How were you sustaining yourself while you wrote?
21:33“Move there, never leave.”
22:42How long did success take for you, and what was the turning point?
23:36Getting a placement with Jason Aldean
26:40Getting a publishing deal
32:50High Valley
35:20“Find your dude or girl that you believe in and put some time into them, because your break
may be attached to their break as well.”
35:47Tell us about the little things that happened that kept you going as a songwriter
36:15Getting connected to Matt Lindsey
39:50Is the importance of being in big writing areas still as prevalent with the state of remote writing?
44:55What’s the best way for people to keep up with you?
46:35Do you have anything coming up we should watch out for?
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Our guest this week is legendary Cellist Zoe Keating. Zoe is an independent artist who found success in fusing musical styles through technology. Her music has been used in television shows, radio shows, and has been used in over 20,000 third party videos. Beyond that, her work has hit #7 on the Billboard Classical charts, and #1 on iTunes classical charts- 4 times.
She is a tremendous advocate for artist and creator rights and speaks at regular engagements about the mechanics of the music industry economy. Zoe joins us to talk about the path that music took her, and the successes and hardships she faced on her journey, in this episode of The Big Break.
Show Notes
1:18Where are you calling us from today?
1:40How have you been managing with the current COVID-19 situation?
3:10Have you been doing any streaming performances?
4:49Take us back to when you first became interested in music in general
7:15Did your parents encourage you into music?
8:50So was it always the Cello for you? Or were there other instruments you enjoyed?
9:16At what point did you determine that music was something you wanted to do?
11:30When you were at Sarah Lawrence did you focus on music? Or was it just liberal arts?
13:05Talk to us about switching from being in an orchestra, to composing your own works
15:34When you started to mix the music yourself, did that start you on the path to your current music?
17:50Why did you move out to the Bay Area? How did you sustain yourself as a musician?
20:20Getting taken advantage of professionally
23:05Was there a momentum generating event for music while you were working in the food industry?
24:35Putting out newspaper ads
25:14Van Gogh’s Daughter
26:40Did your own personal mixing and recording come back into play?
28:30Digital Performer
30:20Were you focusing on licensing as you got more serious into your music?
32:50A lot of the artists we talk to didn’t have one big break, but several small breaks. Would you say that was similar to your experience?
34:30Were there events that led to that evolution of your career that helped it grow and get to that next track?
41:00Having a track broadcast on NPR and getting the iTunes #1
42:30Being the biggest fish of your small pond, and putting yourself out there
44:16You have always been aware and open about your earnings in music- how did that become part of your outlook?
45:50Having control over your work, and being at the mercy of labels and publishers
49:11“I didn’t want to have to use my physical appearance to sell the music.”
52:55Publicly speaking for independent artists
55:30The impact of Spotify
57:55Releasing earnings figures and what that means
61:00Elementary on CBS
63:20Thanks for joining us
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Our guest this week is Grammy nominated producer and songwriter Philip Kembo, known as “Dr. Chaii”.
Dr. Chaii has co-produced and co-written for global superstars like Sean Paul, Pitbull, Chris Brown, Camila Cabello, Dua Lipa, and many others. Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Dr. Chaii found his way just making beats, and utilizing Twitter to foster connections in the industry. As he progressed, he began to see the value in momentum and being in the room as the magic happens.
Dr. Chaii joins us to talk about going across the world to pursue his dreams, on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Dr. Chaii on Twitter and Instagram
Show Notes
1:15 Where are you talking to us from?
2:25 How have you been managing through the quarantine?
4:30 What was your first experience with music?
6:20 Was there a point where you realized your interest in music was greater than most people?
7:02 Grade 5 show & tell
8:50 Fruity Loops
10:42You went to University for marketing, instead of music. What was your plan?
12:59Using Twitter
13:45When did you get a meaningful response from your outreach?
15:35Sermstyle
17:15Sean Paul raps to the beats
20:00At what point were you officially part of the placement with Sean Paul?
23:41Being persistent
25:50APG
28:43Trey Songz 1x1
31:40Do you have any advice for other artists out there about staying involved?
33:58Learning to value your role in the room
35:55Were you always drawn to producing rather than performing?
37:36How has the transition been from producer to performer?
41:08Is it different writing music for yourself rather than for others?
42:50Do you have people helping you as an artist like you were helping artists before?
43:43Looking back, is there anything that stands out as a particularly useful lesson or mistake?
46:20Any current projects you want to share with us?
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There is not always a defining moment that screams success. Sometimes, it’s a culmination of small decisions and opportunities that make up that big break, and it’s only when taking a step back that we can truly see it.
Just ask our guest this week, Grammy nominated producer Steve Daly. Steve was part of the production team called the Tracklacers, and has worked with superstars all over the world including Pink, Christina Aguilera, Snoop Dog, Charlie Wilson, and more.
Steve joins us to talk about the small steps and chance encounters that brought him to success, on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Steve on Twitter
Show Notes
1:12 Where are you currently living?
3:30 Has COVID-19 been affecting you and your work?
5:30 What are some of the less obvious impacts that you have seen?
7:55 Tell us about when you first got into music
10:25Was guitar the first instrument you started playing?
11:48What was the first song you wrote?
13:20How young were you when the songwriting and music making started?
14:14Getting exposed to hip-hop
15:30When did you realize that you wanted to, and could, do music for a living?
17:22Getting sent to the BRIT School
18:20Auditioning for a girl band
19:15Getting a call from Wayne Hector
23:30At this point did you know if you wanted to be a performer or a producer?
24:30Getting connected to Jon Keep and the start of the Tracklacers
26:40Making the first studio
29:25Getting traction, and starting to make money
31:05Was there any moment that really solidified that what you were doing was working?
32:22JLS
35:20How do the connection to P!nk happen?
38:26Publishing, and taking chances with Billy Mann
41:10What was it like when you received the Grammy nomination?
43:16Outreach strategies, and methods for trying to ‘make it’
46:10Is there any noticeable differences in the music business in the US versus the UK?
48:40What are you doing now? What’s next?
51:10Any last thoughts you’d like to share?
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Our guest this week is Michale Graves, best known for joining the revival of legendary international punk band ‘The Misfits’ as their lead singer.
Michale has had an incredible career in music, with difficult ebbs and flows of good times and bad. The key to his success? Focus, doing the work and keeping your eye on the prize. Join us as Michale tells the story of how he set himself up for success, both in the past and the present, on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Michale on Twitter and Instagram
Show Notes
1:30Where are you based these days?
2:14How have things been since COVID-19 with your touring plans?
5:20Tell us about your early days in music, how did you get started?
8:13Picking up a guitar
9:25Getting inspired for the first song
10:35How did that first songwriting experience feel?
11:47Growing up and learning about art and music
13:11When did you start playing music with others?
16:30What was your first ‘real’ band?
17:45Tell us about the lead up to your introduction to The Misfits
21:30Tragedy strikes
22:50Getting pointed at The Misfits
26:30What was the audition like?
31:05Was there a lot of competition for the position?
33:01Halloween, and The Misfits need to make a decision
34:12Teaching Pete Steele The Misfits songs
37:25Riding the wave
39:05Focus
42:06How did you approach writing new songs with them?
45:08Do you prefer songwriting or performing more?
49:50Can you tell us how you have expanded yourself beyond The Misfits?
50:45Why Michale left The Misfits
51:17Geffen and RoadRunner
54:00Fulfillment, and walking away
55:35Returning to New Jersey and working at IHOP
57:08Considering joining the military
60:04A series of misfortunes
63:30Joining the Marine Corps
65:06Did the connections you made rekindle your musical fire?
69:17Leaving the Marines and starting over again
71:25Getting inspired by The Blues and classic Rock and Roll
73:15What are you involved with now?
76:05The big break, and the little breaks
77:53“Constantly putting yourself in a position to learn, so when that next big break comes along-
you’re ready.”
78:40How do people keep up with you?
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Our guest this week is lifetime producer, Jeffery David. Jeff has worked in music for the entirety of his life, producing tracks independently, and also as a musical director for his church. He has collaborated with superstars like Zedd, and built his success from the ground up. Most recently, in addition to being a top-tier producer, he also manages the chart topping band Echosmith- who also happens to be his family.
Jeff joins us to discuss his experience in the music industry and how a glass-half-full mentality can make all the difference, on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Jeffery on Instagram and Twitter
Show Notes
1:14Where are you currently?
2:49The Digital World Tour
3:37How did you get started in music?
6:02What was the thing that made you want to pursue music more seriously?
9:45Going to college at Azusa Pacific University
10:45Shopping gigs for bands
12:52What was your plan when you were in school and learning music?
16:30Getting involved with the church as a music director and developing as a producer
26:37At any point during your work at the church did you feel like you wanted more?
27:52“It’s all about casting vision.”
31:45Starting to get producing work from church-goers
32:30Was there one big jump in your producing that took you to the next level?
35:43How did you make the transfer from working with Indie artists to more mainstream work?
36:45The kids get exposed to music
38:07Creating the song Ipod
41.26The birth of Echosmith
43:08So what do you consider your ‘Big Break’ to be?
47:19Hills and Valleys to success
49:00Finding out how to make money in the valleys
54:44A contact at Warner Records, and getting signed
59:40Cool Kids, and creating the hits
62:20“It’s our job to train people on how to see us.”
65:15The value of patience
66:37Any last thoughts?
67:00Lonely Generation
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Success has a different meaning for everyone, and it’s not always easy to define. Our guest this week is Slade Echeverria, one of the founding members, and current manager of the rock band Anarbor. Slade and the band saw success early, getting a Record deal when they were still in their teens, but if you ask Slade, the real success didn’t come until later, much later.
Anarbor has a dedicated fan base, and have had commercial placements on TV programs like Sports Center and Cartoon Network, but is that enough? Slade explains what his marker for success truly was on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Anarbor on Twitter and Instagram
Check out Anarbor’s Website
Slade’s Instagram
Show Notes
1:30Where are you based right now?
2:08How are you guys managing with the Covid-19 outbreak?
4:55What’s the difference between today and when you first started in music?
6:00How did you first get started in music?
8:00Taking singing lessons
9:55Starting to learn guitar
10:57Starting the first band - ‘Troop 101’
13:17The first show and growing and playing gigs
15:10Hopeless Records
15:45Was there any outreach to representation? Or was the Hopeless Records connection luck?
17:27What were you guys looking for in representation that made you decide to go with Hopeless?
19:35Did things change when you guys signed?
21:40What was the first harsh reality you guys hit?
24:36“We were making money as Anarbor, but we weren’t taking care of the financials.”
27:30Did you guys find a way to break out of the touring cycle?
28:37Finally getting recouped and starting to see money
29:13What about the publishing?
31:17What do you feel the ‘big break’ was for you? Or has it come yet?
34:17Control and being independent
35:22Is it difficult being in Phoenix compared to a music city like Nashville or LA?
37:47Do you have a preference between performing versus songwriting?
38:30Creating Watch Rudy
41:04What’s next for you and Anarbor?
42:58Dealing with tragedy
44:05An upcoming EP, and the future
47:10Scooby Doo
51:20Thanks for joining us
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Carlos Battey, better known as Jackie’s Boy, lost both of his parents at a young age- a massive life hurdle that can disrupt even the best laid plans. However, Carlos took that loss and channeled it into his music, grinding, writing, and networking on the streets of LA. His hard work paid off, and after signing a deal with Universal and working with superstars of all types, he ultimately earned a Grammy for his work with Madonna.
Carlos joins us today to talk about perseverance, and motivation in the face of the greatest adversity life can throw at us, on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Carlos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
Show Notes
1:14Where are you living?
2:50You and your brother were discovered as street performers right?
4:25How did you first get into music?
6:35Tell us about your artist name “Jackie’s Boy”
7:40When did music become something you would start pursuing?
8:25Coming to California
9:13When you guys first started, were you getting any paid venue gigs?
11:00Were you guys singing covers or original music?
12:30What was the goal while you guys were grinding in California?
13:12“I wanted to make my parents proud, and it was unfortunate they never got to see the evolution
of what I became, or what I was going to become.”
15:24Was there any point where you thought about quitting?
16:34“After that fifth year, my life changed…”
19:05Getting a meeting with Atlantic Records
20:43A short session opportunity to create for Flo Rida, and the birth of Sugar
22:56How were you guys surviving while the song was growing?
23:52Signing with Universal Music Publishing
25:21How did you determine that UMPG was the right company for you?
28:09The Hustle Mentality
29:04Looking back, is there anything you would do differently? Or a lesson that really clarified things?
31:00Winning a Grammy
34:00Staying grounded in reality
35:18Another life-changing event
37:40Starting the solo singing career
38:10Mad Love
39:14“I needed something that was me, that was my art.”
41:58What are you working on now?
42:12Do it Again featuring Shawn Stockman form Boyz II Men
44:34Any closing thoughts you’d like to share?
44:55Big Circle Music Group
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These days, musical artists have tough decisions to make when thinking about their own growth. Like whether to sign a deal, or stay independent. With the growth of online resources, both options can lead to success, but having the choice is critical. Just ask our guest this week Cam Meekins, a hip-hop artist who made the decision to go independent and never looked back.
Cam has had a rollercoaster of a life, and his experiences have been a big driver in his success. Cam sat down with us to talk about his journey through music, the choices he made, and how he grew to be the independent success he is today on this episode of The Big Break.
Follow Cam on Twitter
Show Notes
1:05Growing up in Boston, MA
2:02Siblings and getting into music
3:02What inspired you to make the leap from appreciating music, to creating music?
5:25Understanding your purpose
6:08Realizing success young
8:02The impact of the accident
13:34How you respond to life
14:49“You can do a lot of things if you put the energy towards it, just try.”
16:37What was the tipping point for you when you started releasing music?
17:55Calculated Delusion
19:07Going all-in with music
21:02Connecting to Matty Trump and learning about the industry
23:49Making the mixtape “1993”
27:53Atlantic Records
28:45A student of a different school
31:30Competing at a high level at a Record Label
34:22The decision to leave the label
35:56Learning about business and entrepreneurship
37:30Blending the business and creative
40:20Starting your own label
42:00Building your own team, your core
45:18Tell us a little about your perspective of the music business today
49:00Who do you look to as an inspiration or example for yourself?
50:45“I’m not in the music business, I’m in the Cam Meekins business.”
51:11Is there anything else you want to discuss before we wrap up?
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Adaptability is a key component in the music industry. The ability to work with different musicians, styles, and artists of all types is important to ongoing success and growth. There are fewer better examples of adaptable musicians than our guest this week, Felix Snow.
A lifelong musician, Felix has worked with artists like Christina Aguilera, Selena Gomez, Lil Uzi Vert, Gallant, and ton’s more. He is even one of the creators of the chart topping song “Gold” by Kiiara, but it doesn’t stop there. Today Felix is part of the Country Pop-duo 17 Memphis, continuing to showcase his incredible musicianship. Felix joins us to talk about how he approaches music on our new season of The Big Break.
Follow Felix on Twitter
Show Notes
1:33 Born in Stamford, Connecticut
1:45 Bob Leinbach
3:26 How do you recall getting into music?
4:16 When did you start creating music?
6:30 The first official band “6th Gear”
7:47 Going to NYU
8:26 “Music doesn’t feel like a choice to me, it’s just what I do.”
10:30What did you do once you graduated from college?
12:19Learning Ableton from Arca
13:20Did you have an initial goal?
14:25Getting in touch with Katie Donovan from Warner/Chappell
16:49What was your first cut?
17:32What was the next step after Warner/Chappell?
21:07“Momma” and David Singer-Vine, and making “Gold” by Kiiara
23:00Effess Records
24:1517 Memphis
25:55Does your production-heavy background help with your current musical work?
28:07“You have to be fearless, you have to be a risk taker.”
29:45The move from Los Angeles to Nashville
32:12What’s next for 17 Memphis?
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It’s not often that the world sees a living legend, someone who’s work changes the landscape of their field before their very eyes, but that’s exactly what we have in Bobby Messano.
Bobby has been in the music industry for over 40 years as a guitarist. He has seen some of the biggest bands rise to stardom, and even knew some of the artists while they were just kids. His influence can be seen all over the world in bands like Metallica, Poison, Eric Clapton, and tons more.
Bobby joins us for a special in-person interview to talk about his experience in music, and how he has manages to stay not only relevant, but influential all these years. We hope you enjoy hearing Bobby’s story on this episode of the Big Break.
Follow Bobby on Instagram and Twitter
Check out Bobby’s website
Show Notes
1:36Welcome Bobby
2:40A quick synopsis on Bobby Messano
4:08Starting in Rock, and shifting to the Blues
5:05David Hasselhoff and other early works
6:56Bobby’s “Big Break” meeting Les Paul and getting connected with Sire Records
8:18When did you first get interested in music?
9:45The influence of The Beatles
10:45When did you first think you could make money from music?
12:45Working at the post office, and making the decision to pursue music
14:12Shopping for bands, and finding Stanky Brown
15:24Sending demos, and getting in touch with Swan Song Records
18:14Starting to tour, and opening for Kansas
20:13“When you’re in the situation, if you’re gearing yourself to become a pro, you have to be one of
them, a peer.”
21:53Meeting Eric Clapton
24:36How did things develop after you started touring?
26:14Can you explain the session versus touring environments?
28:22Which did you prefer? Touring or Sessions?
29:42When did you realize that making music for other people wasn’t enough for you?
30:20Joining Stars, and touring with major bands like Rush and Ted Nugent
32:47Learning about the flow of money in the music industry
34:19The influence that Stars had on bands like Metallica, Bon Jovi, Poison, and more.
36:03When did your solo work start?
38:05Writing for others, versus writing for yourself.
41:43Sustaining yourself as a musician
43:35ASCAP and BMI, and learning to pay attention to royalties
45:49What are the things that an artist can do themselves compared to what a label offers?
47:45Music pirating
50:00How do you feel about streaming?
50:50XM Radio
55:00What got you to Fort Collins, Colorado?
58:10“You’re never a hero in your home town.”
59:57“Do not undercut yourself.”
61:07What’s next for you?
62:45Longevity
65:16The power of a song
68:57“When you’re writing songs, think about who’s listening”
70:10The songs in the little plastic boxes
75:40“Do not stop being writers.”
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