Music Explored Podcast

In this conversation, Anthony interviews Phil Morse, a professional DJ, CEO of Digital DJ Tips, and author of the book Rock the Dance Floor. Phil shares his journey as a DJ and how he transitioned into teaching others. He discusses the five-step method of teaching DJing, which includes gear, music, mixing, performing, and success. Phil emphasizes the importance of trying different genres of music and being open to new opportunities as a DJ. He also addresses the blurred line between DJing and producing, highlighting the use of technology in live remixing and the controversy surrounding the beat sync button. In this conversation, Phil and Anthony discuss the blurred line between producers and DJs, the importance of understanding the tools and technology used in DJing, and managing nerves in front of a crowd.

In this clip Anthony and Dee chat various forms of beef in other popular genres of music, including the frequencies of the music itself!

In this conversation, Kevin from Shoemaker Levee discusses the origin of the band's name and the fragility of the human condition. He also talks about the band's journey and the process of writing and recording music. The band focuses on creating a live experience that emulates their recorded music. They value authenticity and the emotional connection with their audience. Technology plays a role in their music creation process, but they strive to maintain the rawness and imperfections that come with live performances.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

03:18 The Band's Journey and Overcoming Challenges

08:04 Collaborative Songwriting Process

11:14 Creating an Authentic Live Experience

21:29 The Value of Live Music

26:17 Balancing Personal Life and Music

32:43 Goals and Legacy in the Music Industry

• The recent beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake highlights the dangers of the gangster rap culture and the influence it can have on artists' behavior.
• Social media platforms like TikTok play a significant role in artists' exposure, but there are concerns about fair compensation and the protection of artists' rights.
• The dispute between Universal Music Group and TikTok raises questions about the sincerity of the music industry's fight for artists' rights and the power dynamics at play.
• Data collection has become a valuable commodity, and there are concerns about the privacy and control of user data on social media platforms.
• It is important for artists to consider the long-term impact of their actions and the messages they convey through their music. Data is a valuable currency that is being collected and used to understand and predict human behavior.
• Canadian artists face challenges in working in the US due to visa requirements and the complexities of international travel.
• Universal Music Group is a major player in the music industry, owning multiple record labels.
• The push for AI in music creation raises questions about the future of human creativity and talent.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and the Kendrick Lamar-Drake Beef

02:54 The Dangers of Gangster Rap Culture

08:30 The Impact of Social Media on Artists' Exposure

13:38 The Dispute Between Universal Music Group and TikTok

15:50 The Sincerity of the Music Industry's Fight for Artists' Rights

23:37 Challenges for Canadian Artists

26:19 The Complexities of International Travel

28:56 The Influence of Universal Music Group

33:53 The Implications of AI in Music Creation

Today's chat focuses on the ongoing hip hop beef between Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake, highlighting the intensity and potential consequences of such beefs. The conversation explores the escalating beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, discussing the personal and hurtful nature of their diss tracks. There is speculation about whether the beef is orchestrated for entertainment purposes or if it has gone too far. The conversation also touches on the role of ghostwriters in the industry and the importance of collaboration in songwriting. The potential impact of the beef on the hip-hop community and the responsibility of artists to set a positive example for younger generations is also discussed.

Takeaways

• Appreciate both busy and slow times in life.
• Beef between artists is not exclusive to hip hop and has existed in various genres throughout history.
• Music frequencies can have an impact on the mind and emotions.
• Hip hop beefs can be intense and have significant consequences.
• Fan bases often take sides in beefs and can become deeply invested in the conflict. The beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has become personal and hurtful, crossing lines of respect and decency.
• There is speculation about whether the beef is orchestrated for entertainment purposes or if it has gone too far.
• The conversation highlights the role of ghostwriters in the industry and the importance of collaboration in songwriting.
• The potential impact of the beef on the hip-hop community and the responsibility of artists to set a positive example for younger generations is discussed.

00:00 Introduction and Appreciating the Balance of Busy and Slow Times

05:20 Beef in Music: A Historical Perspective

09:28 The Influence of Music Frequencies on the Mind

14:50 The Intensity and Consequences of Hip Hop Beef

17:56 Introduction to the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef

18:24 Speculation on the intention behind the beef

19:10 The personal and hurtful nature of the diss tracks

20:30 The role of ghostwriters and collaboration in songwriting

25:23 The sustainability of battle rap leagues

26:27 The potential impact of the beef on the hip-hop community

28:24 The line between entertainment and personal attacks

29:47 The importance of respecting boundaries and codes in hip-hop

31:21 The possibility of a face-to-face battle or rap battle

33:09 J. Cole's decision to choose peace

35:26 Final thoughts and prayers for peace

Takeaways

• Pavlo started giving away guitars when he realized he had too many
• He appreciates every moment of his success and doesn't take it for granted
• The guitar is his tool of engagement and expression
• He gives away guitars at his concerts and finds joy in it
• Pavlo keeps his music fresh by playing with his band and having different guests join him on stage
• He emphasizes the importance of gratitude and never taking anything for granted Allowing inspiration to come naturally is key to Pavlo's creative process
• Combining ideas from different time periods can result in unique and meaningful songs
• Integrating family into the touring lifestyle helps maintain a balance between work and personal life
• Producing his own music and TV shows has been instrumental in getting Pavlo's songs out into the world Having a concept or idea in mind can guide the composition of an album
• The fear of repeating oneself can drive artists to explore new creative directions
• Pavlo allows his band creative freedom within the framework of his compositions
• Pavlo has upcoming TV programming and specials, including a potential concert at Massey Hall in Toronto
• He expresses his desire to collaborate with Drake and emphasizes the importance of enjoying life

Chapters

00:00 The Concept of Giving Away Guitars

06:13 No Specific Attachment to Guitars

11:24 The Power of Natural Inspiration

28:00 Overcoming the Fear of Repetition in Songwriting

32:37 The Desire to Collaborate with Drake

Takeaways

• Childhood dreams can shape our aspirations and influence our paths in life.
• Pursuing a career in music, particularly as a rapper, requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
• Doing cover songs can be a way to gain exposure and connect with audiences.
• Live performances have a unique energy and can create memorable experiences for both artists and audiences.
• The decline of music television shows like Much Music has created a need for new platforms to showcase emerging artists.
• Overproduction can sometimes detract from the authenticity and impact of music shows. Exposure is crucial for artists to gain recognition and expand their fan base.
• Organizing large-scale music events can be challenging due to budget constraints and the difficulty of bringing together iconic bands.
• Having a strategic marketing plan and giving enough time for promotion is essential for filling up venues and attracting audiences.
• Living within one's means and focusing on developing one's craft are important for artists to succeed in the music industry.
• Believing in one's potential and making consistent efforts to improve are key to achieving success.

00:00 Childhood Dreams and Hip Hop

07:09 The Decline of Music Television and the Need for New Platforms

12:29 Overproduction in Music Shows

21:26 Marketing and Planning for Success

26:36 The Journey of Self-Improvement

30:40 Living Within Your Means and Making Positive Changes

The conversation explores the impact of AI on various industries, particularly music and healthcare. While AI has the potential to streamline processes and reduce costs, it also poses a threat to job security. In the music industry, AI can assist in composing and producing music, lowering barriers to entry for artists. However, it also raises questions about the authenticity of the art and the role of human creativity. In healthcare, AI can improve diagnostics and provide alternative treatment options, but it may also lead to a loss of trust in human doctors. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for balance and careful consideration of the implications of AI. The conversation explores the impact of AI on the music industry, discussing topics such as AI-generated music, AI voices, and AI tools for musicians. They also touch on the potential loss of jobs for humans and the blurred lines between real and fake content. Despite the concerns, they express hope for the future and the value of human talent and authenticity in live performances.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

06:14 AI in Healthcare: Improving Diagnostics and Treatment

09:43 Job Security in the Age of AI

16:05 Balancing the Benefits and Risks of AI

27:56 Balancing Job Loss and Human Creativity

Summary

In this conversation, Dee and Anthony interview Leo Bernard, the founder and developer of AbleSet, a software solution for managing set-lists and controlling playback in Ableton Live. Leo shares his background in music and software development, as well as the inspiration behind creating AbleSet. The conversation covers the challenges faced by musicians in live performances and how AbleSet addresses those challenges. Leo discusses the features of AbleSet, including remote control of playback computers, dynamic looping of song sections, and the ability to change set-lists on the fly. He also mentions future updates and integrations he is considering for AbleSet. In this conversation, Leo discusses the capabilities of AbleSet, a software that enhances the functionality of Ableton Live for live performances. He explains how AbleSet allows users to reorder songs and create random set-lists, making it easier for party bands and musicians to perform on the fly. Leo also shares the challenges he faced in developing AbleSet and the lack of official support from Ableton. Despite this, he has received endorsements from respected Ableton certified professionals. Leo talks about his other projects and applications outside of AbleSet and his goals for the future. He also shares his passion for music and attending concerts.

Takeaways

• AbleSet is a software solution that simplifies managing setlists and controlling playback in Ableton Live.
• The inspiration for AbleSet came from Leo's experience as a musician in a band that needed a solution for managing complex live performances.
• AbleSet allows musicians to remotely control their playback computer, change setlists on the fly, and dynamically loop song sections.
• Leo is grateful for the feedback and support from AbleSet users and is constantly working on improving the software. AbleSet allows users to reorder songs and create random setlists, making live performances more flexible and dynamic.
• Developing AbleSet presented challenges, but Leo was determined to find solutions and improve the functionality of Ableton Live.
• Leo has received endorsements from respected Ableton certified professionals, highlighting the value and effectiveness of AbleSet.
• Leo's passion for music extends beyond AbleSet, as he has created other projects and applications in the multimedia field.

Sound Bites

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:22 Introduction to AbleSet

02:48 Inspiration for AbleSet

04:01 Leo's Background in Software Development

05:23 First Issue: Remote Control of Playback Computer

06:36 Second Issue: Changing Setlist on the Fly

09:26 Dynamic Looping of Song Sections

12:27 Development and Commercialization of AbleSet

15:30 Future Updates and Integrations

18:33 AbleSet's Capabilities

19:10 Reordering Songs and Random Setlists

20:02 Challenges and Solutions

21:10 Lack of Official Support from Ableton

22:08 Endorsements and Frustrations

23:49 Other Projects and Applications

25:31 Attending NEM and Future Plans

27:19 Goals for AbleSet

28:04 Unwinding and Hobbies

28:51 Favorite Concerts

30:14 Concerts on the Bucket List

31:17 Social Media and Closing Remarks

In this episode we delve into crucial advice for musicians aiming to thrive in today's ever-evolving music industry landscape. Join us as we identify and discuss five common pitfalls that musicians often fall into, hindering their progress and success. From neglecting branding and obsessing over social media metrics to ignoring essential music business fundamentals, we explore the detrimental effects of these habits on artists' careers. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of prioritizing health and well-being, as well as embracing adaptation to industry changes. Packed with valuable insights and actionable tips, this episode serves as a wake-up call for musicians striving to elevate their craft and achieve long-term success. Tune in to discover the key strategies for navigating the challenges of the modern music industry and taking your music career to new heights.

- [01:00] Discussion on the importance of branding for musicians.

- [02:15] Why neglecting branding can hinder an artist's success.

- [03:45] Tips on building a strong brand as a musician.

- [05:00] Exploring the obsession with social media metrics among musicians.

- [06:30] The downside of solely focusing on follower counts and likes.

- [08:00] Alternative strategies for leveraging social media effectively.

- [09:30] The significance of understanding music business fundamentals.

- [11:00] Common mistakes made by musicians who overlook business aspects.

- [12:45] Resources and education avenues for learning about the music industry.

- [14:00] Addressing the tendency for musicians to neglect self-care.

- [15:30] The impact of neglecting health on creativity and performance.

- [17:00] Strategies for prioritizing health and well-being in the music industry.

- [18:30] Discussion on the importance of adapting to changes in the music industry.

- [20:00] Examples of outdated practices that musicians should abandon.

- [21:30] Embracing innovation and staying relevant in a dynamic industry.

Conclusion

- [23:00] Recap of the 5 things musicians need to stop doing.

- [24:00] Closing remarks and encouragement for listeners to implement positive changes.