The Musician's Podcast

Is the industry set up wrong and should you steal your sister's guitar lessons? This week I talk with Smudge from Fossette, we discuss the industry, Diet (you know, for singing and that) writing, name changes and finding a new way to focus so you can make better music. You name it and we probably had a quick chat about it. Fossette are a great band and definitely ones to check out, it was an absolute pleasure to chat to Smudge, as I'm sure it will be an absolute pleasure to hear what he has to say! Enjoy x

This is not a drill! You never think it will happen to you... until it does. My hard drive on my mac and my external back both collapsed in on themselve last week, leaving me without any files for my past and future episodes! To say I'm distraught would be an understatement but I am trying to stay positive! I will be back with more epsiodes I just don't know if this is something that will happen next week, or the following week... I've sent my hard drive off to a lab and I'm remaining hopeful that they can retrieve my lost data, but honestly I don't know... Anyway, it's happened, that's where I am and I'll keep you updated! Thanks gang!

It's something that has always bugged me and I wanted to try something a little different. Some people hate bands that leave after they play and some people don't mind one way or the other. I wanted to discuss or just give my 2 cents on the subject, throwing my hat into the ring. I'm sure I will offend at least one person with my view on this but that is definitely not my intention. I have been in this situation many times and so it's something I know I have an opinion on! I really hope you enjoy the episode and for those who feel the opposite to me, I hope maybe you can take away a couple of points and see things fropm the other side. That said, I want to hear your thoughts on the subject too! Tweet me @TheMusicPod Enjoy (at least try to!) Love ya xxx

Mindset, work ethic and gigging. This week I talk to Soham De about the drive needed to enable yourself to improve your live performance. We talked for a long time about all sorts, but what really struck me was how sure and strong-minded Soham is when it comes to writing and performing music. He has a busy year ahead of him and I'm excited to see what is waiting around the corner for Soham. I hope you enjoy the episode and get something out of it! I know I did!

Recording, Control and being self-sufficient. This week I talk music and production with Josh from Phoxjaw. Josh is a poducer, recording other artists as well as taking the production helm for his band too. We talk about the difference between being a band member and being a producer, having to where different hats depending on the situation. It was a great talk from a guy in a band that I genuinely feel is THE most exciting band in the UK right now! I hope you enjoy the episode! it was a long one!

This week I bring you tips on how to get more out of your home recordings! It's a short episode but packed with some of my own personal tips and tricks on how be get better demos. It can be really difficult to know what to do when you start recording at home. Why doesn't my mix sound good? Why can't I get my track loud enough? You name it, and I've probably been through the same thing! While my tips aren't super technical, These things help me to get what I need out of a demo, from mindset, to practical advice and gear! I really hope you find them useful and enjoy the episode! 

Crowdfunding, organizing ideas, and being an independent artist. Laura (She Makes War) is not only a joy to work with but also has a wealth of experience. From playing session for the likes of Tricky (Massive Attack), playing for artists on TV and finally releasing her own music. Laura's approach is uncompromising and rooted in authenticity, she puts the creation first, always - making music for herself, to then share with her fans.  It was interesting to learn about Laura's career path and the decisions she's made along the way, recognizing what it is about music that she loves and then not putting that love at risk, there have been lessons along the way but her passion for the craft, her love for her audience and her love for the people she works with is clear. I'm really excited for you to hear this on! It's pretty special!   Enjoy!  

Working a day job, anxiety and ego. This week I chat with Kier Kemp (ex Fearless Vampire Killers) from Inklings. I've never met Kier before, we actually found out about each other through this podcast! We had an amazing and open chat about mental health and not being too proud to work a day job. It was incredible to chat to someone that appeared to be so similar to me in terms of thinking and to learn Kier's story and how he has developed as an artist and a person was special. If you have feelings of anxiety around your music and yourself, I think this episode is going to be something you may connect with on a deeper level.   Massive thanks to Kier for talking about his day in fearless Vampire Killers, and being so willing to talk about his mental health.

Band Relationships, discover, and not settling for the 'norm'. This week I talk to Kieran Ball, bassist of Diving Bell. Kieran and I have known eachother for a while and always kind of clicked, in a dry and awkward way, but we love it and it works. It was great to get to spend some time with him, discssing music and band life, with a few laughs along the way!  Kieran is someone who isn't happy with being stereotyped or compared musically but is still someone who relishes in live perfomance and creating music in the most organic way. It was a great conversation, I think you're going to love it! 

Live performance can be challenging, from fighting nerves to playing high pressure gigs - it's easy to feel like you're not ready or that you're not good enough. That's where this episode comes in!  asked the musicians of reddit what tips and techniques they use to improve their live act. From the most basic to the not so basic, here is a list of tips and tricks to help you improve your live game! I hope you enjoy the episode and get some use out of it! I'd love to hear what you do to help you improve your skills when it comes to live performance. Email musicianspodcast@gmail.com to let me know!   For More Episodes Click Here Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com    

Being 'kicked out' of a band you started. It seems harsh right? well, that's because it is! Me and Crayg talk about exactly that along with the fear of playing live after taking 2 years out from music. Crayg, also known as Player One (Plyr1) is a synth wave artist making incredible sounds, thing stranger things on drugs and you're in the same ball park.  I've known Crayg for years and so talking to him on this level was not only interesting but also extremely helpful to me, as I think it will be to you. We discuss ego, identity, fear and failure, but also with a keen drive to keep going! It's honestly one of my best! Enjoy!   For More Episodes Click Here Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com

Leaving the spotlight to pursue songwriting. This weekI'm chatting with Lauren Aquilina about her decision to move away from centre stage and continue a career as a songwriter. She has written with the best songwriters in the world and has made huge success in her career.  We discuss how she was head strong as a child and only ever thought about music, we talk about the business and making tough choices, managing yourself as an artist and performing under you own real name. It was honestly one of my favourite conversations and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed talking with her!   For More Episodes Click Here Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com

Identity, process and not being able to separate yourself when using your real name as a 'stage name'. This episode is exciting! I got to talk to one of THE BEST up and coming artists, Martin Luke Brown. He is an artist, a songwriter, and collaborator. He also works on TV and film, so it's safe to say he has fingers in all types of musical pies! We met in a studio in Shepherd's Bush and hashed out a lot of stuff, from growing up as a fame-hungry kid, to becoming ok with people not knowing your name. Martin is honest and interesting, I think he thinks about his career and the impact it's had on him for better and for worse, more than he may have let on. This was in my top 3 conversations I've had since starting this podcast. A great listen!   For More Episodes Click Here Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com

2017 gave us so many incredible artists and albums, I wanted to put together a List of my top albums of last year along with who I'm most looking forward to in 2018. That's right, 10 great albums, and 10 great new artists! I hope you enjoy the episode and check out everyone I talk about in the episode! I've linked my top 10's in no particular order so you can easily check them out! Happy 2018 everyone. Next week, back to interviews ;)   Best Albums of 2017   1. Alex Vargas - Cohere 2. Stevie Parker - The Cure 3. Allan Rayman - Courtney (5 Track EP) 4. Charlotte OC - Careless People 5. Coasts - This Life 6. IDLES - Brutalism 7. Leif Erikson - Self-Titled (8 track) 8. Matt Woods - Re: Connection (4 track) 9. Jarryd James - High (released 2016 Discovered 2017) too good not to mention) 10. Meadowlark - Postcards   My Sound of 2018 1. Dermot Kennedy 2. Lyves 3. George Glew 4. James Gillespie 5. Joseph J Jones 6. Keir 7. Mosa Wild 8. Martin Luke Brown 9. PhoxJaw 10. Sigrid   Honourable Mentions WILDES & Zach Said (These guys I found after recording this episode. You NEED to check them out)   For More Episodes Click Here Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com

It happens to everyone. Even if you're not a musician, when you're creating something, at some point it feels like your brain has given up. It Hitting a block on the road can be frustrating and often, the more you try to get through it, the more difficult it can become. Whether it's songwriting, lyrics, arrangments, music - it always handy to have some tools in your back pocket to help yourself when the ideas just aren't flowing. These are five tips I have put together to help you beat that creative block you may be in the middle of. I hope they help you as they have helped me in the past and still to this day, whatever the problem stopping you from getting your ideas out, these tips and tricks can help to kick-start your mind back into rhythm.   For More Episodes Click Here Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com

Personal issues and giving up on 'the dream'. This weak my friend Nick interviews ME! It's not as bad as it sounds though! we talk about what it means to accept change and how it's not always a bad/negative thing.  I've received a lot of emails asking for an episode about my side of the story and where I come from in a musical sense. Me and Nick started our first band together, we talk about that, right through to my most recent project. There are stories of Glastonbury, watching the world cup with Two Door Cinema Club and Chris Moyles and offending Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine at my FIRST GIG! There's definitely some good advice on what NOT to do! I hope you enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!  NEXT EPISODE ON JAN 10TH

How to navigate music as a new artist. This week I talk to Elter about music and how to know what you should and shouldn't be doing when it comes to live performance, getting paid and perceptions of the industry. It was a really great chat and a little disarming, or perhaps eye-opening to learn what current 'new artists are concerning themselves with. What is the 'product' and how should it be 'marketing'. It's not all about the music. Also, Laura has synesthesia (seeing colours in music) and so naturally we talk about that too! 

Criticism, storytelling and finding your sound, this week I talk with Meadowlark about being a musician and the challenges it entails from making choices about music videos, to production choices. Daniel James Broadley and Kate McGill are more than happy to explain how much they appreciate making music and being able to do it for a living. However, they are realists and understand that things can get difficult. We discuss music, visual connections with music, and all the tough challenges being a full-time musician comes with. It was an eye-openeing conversation and one I've been waiting for a long time to have.   Follow me on Social Media Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Website: www.themusicianspodcast.com Edited by Pete Essex

How to be an artist and being your own band. Ethan has spent his life making music and is a booking agent at Midnight Mango. We discuss music and how to navigate the set-backs all artists face in their careers, why being comfortable with yourself and the outcome is important and watching others succeed around you. Ethan Proctor from Bridges is, simply put, a good guy. His outlook is very matter of fact, I'd say if I didn't know any better, a 'realist'. We talk pop music, marketing, image, social media, touring and feeling like a 'guitarist'. It was an absolute pleasure to have him on the show, I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed talking to him! Note: I was extra 'sweary' in this for some reason, apologies if this causes any offence

The truth about touring, good and bad and pay-to-play. I talk with Deaf Havana about being on the road at the start of their tour, supported by Black Foxxes and Decade. Tom and I talk about music, live sound, travelling city to city across the globe and the differences between touring 'back in the day' and now.  It's been 10 years since Tom and I first met and so seeing him and chatting to him face to face was a joy for me, I got to see some old friends and make this episode for the show, can't be bad! Tom isn't afraid to talk about the things that grate on him when it comes to pay to play, songwriting and performance.  It's about energy, not hitting every single note perfectly.