The Big Break

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Zoe Keating - Independence in the industry Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

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.

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http://www.zoekeating.com/

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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Dr. Chaii- The importance of momentum, and being in the room Jun 24, 2020

Show notes

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 TwitterandInstagram

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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Steve Daly- Traction and the small breaks Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

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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Michale Graves- Keeping Focus May 27, 2020

Show notes

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

Official Michale Graves

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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Jeffery David- Glass Half-Full May 13, 2020

Show notes

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

Round Hill Music

Echosmith

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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Slade Echeverria from 'Anarbor' - What does success mean for you? Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Check out Anarbor’s Website

Watch Rudy on Instagram

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 'Jackie's Boy' - Don't take life for granted Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

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

Jackies Boy Live

Youtube

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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Cam Meekins - Building your own brand as an Independent Artist Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

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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Felix Snow- Adaptability and Collaboration Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

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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Bobby Messano Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

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