The Big Break

Latest Episodes:

Jake Broido Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

Jake Broido has really lived a life of music. From his highschool days he was interning with major producers, seeing superstars like Adele, and Katy Perry in action in the studio. He continued to write and produce his own music as he went through college, even opening for Kendrick Lamar among others.

On top of that, Jake also worked as an A&R for Atlantic Records, and has helped dozens of artists create and pursue their musical dreams, which inspired him to continue pursuing his own.

Jake joins us today to talk about how he built his foundation for success in music and the steps that helped him follow the life he wants to live, on this episode of the Big Break.

Follow Jake on Instagram and Twitter

Show Notes

1:31Interning with producer Greg Wells

4:38Meeting Adele and hearing the creation of One and Only

7:12So what did those internship experiences do for you during your growth as a musician?

9:30Enjoy it

10:30Did you pick up any lessons or tips during those internship days that you still use today?

12:20What was the next step after the internship?

12:47Studying Philosophy, and getting a degree

13:45Opening for Kendrick Lamar and starting to produce

14:31How did you get the opportunities to open for these artists in college?

15:56Getting an offer from Atlantic Records

16:15What were some outlets in college that you used to get the opportunities you got?

18:17Being proactive and entrepreneurial about your music

19:40The impact of social media in music today

21:23Warner, and getting connected with Katy Tiz

22:53Becoming an A&R

24:25Bruce Tyler

27:45Working with Mike Caren

29:28Working in Atlantic Studios in Hollywood

32:31Starting to write again

33:21Paul Salva

35:56Getting back into writing music, making beats, and performing

38:24In your experience, was it more lucrative to release your own music? Or to produce others?

39:57Logan Paul and Quin NFN and different sources of revenue

42:58The foundations for success in the music industry

46:15“There is a spirituality to all of it”

48:17“Living a music life is the reward.”

49:05Closing thoughts

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bianca Atterberry "Blush" Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

The major labels in the music industry are responsible for a lot of the biggest hits we all listen to, but they aren’t the only avenue for success. Just ask our guest this week, Bianca Atterberry, better known by her artist name “Blush.”

Bianca was signed with a major, and has worked with tons of superstars including Meghan Trainor, Macy Gray, Chris Brown, and more. But when she felt she wasn’t getting the help she needed, she shifted gears and signed as a writer with Disney, who’s music division is a bit more boutique than the larger publishers. She’s never looked back.

Bianca joins us to talk about her experience navigating contracts, sessions, and how ultimately how she found the opportunity to do what she wants to do, on this episode of The Big Break.

Follow Bianca on Instagram and Twitter

Show Notes

1:30Growing up in Pittsburgh

2:40Starting to work with Pierre Medor

3:39Moving to Atlanta, and figuring out how the industry works

4:50“There’s no real strategy to it, it’s listening to your heart”

5:22Being an introvert in the music industry

6:07As you were figuring things out, what did your work look like when you were first starting in

Atlanta?

7:26What do you think Pierre saw in you?

8:10How did things shift for you after you started getting placements?

8:40Moving to LA and getting deals

9:28“It’s all about your hustle and your work ethic and your relationships.”

11:42When you moved to LA, did you start experimenting with different genres?

12:38Friends by Meghan Trainor

12:44Leaving Sony and signing with Disney

14:21What other areas of music are you trying to explore?

15:33“A huge star could put out a song that nobody likes, and a nobody from nowhere could put out a

song that touches the world.”

19:07A lot of songwriters have a goal of getting signed with a major, can you tell us about your

thought process for choosing who to sign with?

22:33Managing your expectations with publishers and labels

23:06Viewing your publisher more as a bank

25:32What are some other things that you picked up along the way as you worked in the industry

26:58Deciding between money and reputation

28:50“It’s okay to charge people”

30:20Now that you’ve moved more into the pop scene, has your day-to-day changed?

31:36Do you think it’s just time and experience that lead to getting the calls you want to get?

34:24What are you working on for the upcoming year?

35:39Do you find yourself working more when you’re really interested in projects?

36:24Reputation

38:17“The Music Industry is a highschool cafeteria”

38:45Is there anything else you want to add for other writers out there?

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dario Forzato Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

If there is one thing that’s for certain, it’s that there are lots of ways to see success working in the Music Industry. Just ask our guest this week, Dario Forzato, a guitarist from Italy who came to the United States to pursue his dreams in music.

Starting from scratch in a new country, Dario hit all the music touch points: touring with a band, getting sync placements, working as a cowriter, but after getting a big placement in a video game he found his groove making production music.

Beyond video games, Dario has had placements in award winning TV shows, documentaries, in stadiums, and more. He joins us to talk about his journey and his method for musical success, on this episode of The Big Break.

Follow Dario on Instagram

Check out Dario’s website

Show Notes

1:30Growing up in Milan and learning guitar

3:12Rock music

4:15What was the music culture and taste in Italy like?

6:11“I don’t care about what genre it is, if it’s good it’s good.”

6:50Film and TV and the attraction of film scores

8:06Starting to perform and tour professionally, and moving to Los Angeles

9:00Was it a difficult decision to move to the United States?

9:50Working with the RapScallions

10:38Composing and programming, and making the transition to full time producing

11:27“I came here with two bags, one with clothes and one with my pedal board and guitar.”

13:33What kind of tactics were you using to network when you came to the US?

14:20Licensing to video games like Rocksmith by Ubisoft

15:22Studying the business of producing

17:27What was your understanding of the music industry infrastructure like when you first started?

19:34Music in visual media

21:16Learning about Publishing and Copyrights and how the business works

25:51What’s your creative process for when you’re creating and where you ultimately want your

placements?

29:06“Whenever you write for a TV show or Documentary, it’s a collaborative process.”

31:41Versatility

34:00“At some point you’re going to be known for something.”

37:20What was the first placement that you got that really told you things were working?

40:00Being a musician versus becoming a professional

42:26What were some things you would have done differently looking back?

43:55How to be persistent

46:11What does your typical day look like now that you’re more established?

49:05Embracing the business along with the music

50:30What do you have coming up?

53:40Across All States

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Jackson Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

Chris Jackson is best known for his work with R&B legends like Cheryl Cole, Tank and Toni Braxton.

He’s a believer in chemistry in the songwriting process - the idea that two people writing together can come up with something greater than themselves, and it shows in the success he’s had as a songwriter and producer.

Chris calls himself an introvert by nature, but get him in the studio and his goal is to have fun, and make great music. This mentality has landing co-writing credits in many different genres of music and has helped launched an artist project of his own.

Chris joins us today on this episode of the big break.

Follow Chris on Instagram

Show Notes

1:32Growing up in White Plains New York

2:37Taking piano lessons and learning the technical side of music

4:35Learning to produce in college

5:45Getting signed and starting to get placements

6:20The decision to drop out of college

7:58Chuck Harmony

9:15Craig Kallman wants to buy the record for Atlantic Records

11:30Dealing with frustrations

13:20Learning to have faith in yourself and gain confidence

15:42How were you getting by in the days when you were still coming up?

16:56Getting a placement with Cheryl Cole and traveling for sessions

19:00Would you bring your emotion into your art?

20:42Were you familiar with how the industry worked when you started pursuing music full time?

22:30What kind of music were you doing? Were you working in different genres?

23:38Learning to work in other genres through cowriting, and learning Pop music

27:03So what was next for your career?

27:48Working with Jacob Latimore and Karina Pasian

29:15Starting to write songs for Ron Isley

30:39Coincidentally having the opportunity to show Ron the tracks they made for him

31:56This Song Is For You by Ron Isley

33:40Did you find a group of writers or producers that you worked with frequently?

37:23“There are times when the vibe is just not there, and sometimes you push through it, and

sometimes nothing happens. And that’s okay.”

38:00What have you been working on recently?

40:00Moving to LA and working with Che’ Nelle and Sean Hamilton to create “Metamorphosis”

42:39Starting to work on independent projects

44:27Going on tour with Pusha T

44:55Working with newer artists

46:02Staying busy and keeping the catalog growing

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stealing Oceans Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

Brian Thompson was constantly creating music his younger years, practicing rapping in dorm rooms and on school campuses. When he found his life going down the wrong path, his response was always to focus on music.

Brian is better known by his artist name Stealing Oceans. He is an alternative hip-hop artist and a prime example of how to organically grow a following. Brian was once signed to a major label, but the control and freedom he needed for his career could only be found by going independent.

Brian joins us this week to talk about what how he’s grown a fanbase as an independent artist and why he decided to take the leap on this episode of The Big Break.

Follow Stealing Oceans on Instagram and Twitter

Check out Stealing Oceans Website

Show Notes

1:32Growing up in Andover, MA.

3:40Late night rapping in boarding school

4:40Putting together a boarding school music tour with Dylan McDonald

6:19The first album titled “Graduation”

7:11Going to school in Colorado

8:38Getting an offer to go to Denver to do music, but at a cost

10:32Having a wake-up call and recentering around music

12:50Traveling in Sweden

14:11What inspired your move to Nashville?

16:30Did moving to Nashville really help with your understanding of how the Music Industry works?

17:01Connecting with Trey Bruce

18:15Getting a random email from Starstruck Entertainment

20:15Getting signed to Starstruck’s artist development

20:49Did you feel like you were bugging Starstruck when you were emailing them every week?

22:15“Someone is going to get lucky and make the choice to pick you up”

24:41What was that moment like when you got that call from Starstruck about getting signed?

25:46So you got signed after 3 years in Nashville, how were you sustaining yourself before signing?

28:00Did you ever have doubts while you were in Nashville?

29:35So once you got signed, how did life change?

31:48Parting ways with Starstruck

33:12Making the decision to move to Los Angeles

35:17As an independent artist, what are your main ways for generating opportunities?

39:27“Ego is your worst enemy”

41:23What are some of the ways that work best for you for networking?

43:50“You can’t compare yourself to other artists”

47:00So what do you have planned for the future and what’s next?

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James 'Keyz' Foye Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

James Foye, better known as Keyz, is part of the Grammy winning production duo The Upperclassmen. In the early years of high school James was making beats and immersing himself in music. His talent did not go unnoticed either- receiving a Grammy Nomination before graduating from college.

How did James get traction so early on in his career? Being talented definitely helps, but if you ask him, it’s all about networking. Meeting people and building connections are critical parts to the music industry, and as James network grew, so did his success. Culminating in a Grammy win last year for his work on the Cardi B album Invasion of Privacy.

We sat down with James to talk about his journey and get some advice, on this episode of the Big Break.

Follow James on Instagram and Twitter

Show Notes

1:30Growing up in Buffalo, NY

2:41So you were interested in music even in highschool?

4:04What were you learning while you were in college studying music?

6:30Learning from the first placements

7:01Let’s Talk by Omarion, My Man by Meek Mill

7:49Wickedest Style by Sean Paul and getting a Grammy Nomination

8:07Networking

9:19Did you have a collection of tracks already logged that you would show people?

10:45After graduating

12:47How did you network?

15:29What happened after the Grammy nomination?

16:22Working, moving, and traveling

17:33Bickenhead by Cardi B and winning a Grammy

18:50After your successes did you get affiliated with a Publisher or Label?

22:15Are you guys actively looking for writers to sign for UCMG?

23:38What’s it like shifting your work to from creative to managing people?

26:32What’s your relationship like with Ayo?

29:25Was there ever a time where you doubted pursuing music as a career?

34:20Trusting the process

35:49“I have such a passion for music, that even if I wasn’t getting paid I’d still be doing it.”

36:46Do you discuss the business and how it works with writers and producers you bring on?

38:58What’s coming up for you guys in the next few years?

41:15“Don’t get so caught up in being successful that you miss out on life.”

42:10What does that moment of success look like to you?

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashanti Floyd - The Mad Violinist Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Crossing over styles and merging sounds has always been a big part of the evolution of music, and few musicians have had the same impact as Ashanti Floyd, better known as the Mad Violinist.

Ashanti was born into music. Both his mother and father were accomplished musicians, and they ingrained in him a love for the violin. But it was his experimentation with other genres that set him apart as a musician. His creativity and skill netted him a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music.

Today, Ashanti is one of the top string arrangers in the music industry, and has worked with major artists in all genres from Rap and Hip Hop, to Pop and more. He has been nominated for six Grammy’s and continues to help artists grow in the music industry.

Today we welcome The Mad Violinist, on this episode of The Big Break.

You can Follow Ashanti on Instagram and Twitter

Check out Ashanti's website to keep up with his tours and current work

Show Notes

1:34The first time playing the violin, and growing up in a musical family

4:15What did “taking violin seriously” mean for you?

5:23What were these violin camps like compared to Tallahassee?

8:01What kind of music were you playing?

9:15How did you develop your skills after High School?

10:14Auditioning for Berklee College of Music

12:25Were there a lot of Jazz string players like you?

14:08Did you ever feel pressured to stay more traditional with your practice instead of experimenting?

15:57Discovering the reach of music

16:44What was your experience like at Berklee?

18:15Leaving Berklee, playing in clubs, and the birth of “The Mad Violinist”

18:55Working with childhood friend T-Pain

20:30Was it a hard decision to leave Berklee?

21:20Learning from signing a bad contract

23:00Moving back to Tallahassee and starting to make beats

27:10Ashanti’s popularity starts to get crazy

28:53“Not everyone’s your friend”

29:31The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and “Buss Yo’ Head” by Young Buck

30:51Accidentally moving to Atlanta

33:33Meeting Malay and working with John Legend and Yelawolf

35:38Was it unusual being in the studio with an actual violin with the artists you were working with?

37:33When you’re in the studio, are you in there with a specific idea? Or are you just seeing what

works with the record?

41:06Do you think your reputation precedes you now?

42:28Would you say your work with Malay and Yelawolf was the turning point for you?

43:10Starting the Youtube Channel

44:45Right Above It by Lil Wayne and Drake and The Show Goes On by Lupe Fiasco

46:48What was it like getting the Grammy nominations?

48:00What did your parents have to say about the Grammys?

49:06What have you been working on recently?

50:50Respecting each other and being comfortable in the studio

52:15Helping other musicians

54:27Closing thoughts from Ashanti

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fly By Midnight Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Justin Breit and Justin Slaven, known as Bryte and Slavo, make up the pop duo Fly By Midnight.

The pair first met at a songwriting session in New York, and instantly connected. After a few sessions working together, they decided to join forces.

They built a fan base by covering popular songs on their youtube channel, generating over a quarter million subscribers. The duo rolled out some original music and found a niche putting on energetic and engaging lives shows for their fans. They’ve built a worldwide audience for their music, which is all the more impressive seeing as they don’t have a record label to back them. That means the pair is mixing music, business and creativity every day, and doing it well.

Bryte and Slavo join us this week to talk about being independent artists, and the business of Fly By Midnight, on this episode of The Big Break

Follow Fly By Midnight on Instagram and Twitter

Fly By Midnight’s New Single “Love Me Like A Friend”

Show Notes

1:32Meeting Justin and Slavo

2:00Justin’s side of the Fly By Midnight origin story

2:53Slavo’s side of the Fly By Midnight origin story

4:30When you were growing up did you think of music as a potential career?

7:08Starting Fly By Midnight through Youtube

8:26Justin and Slavo meet for the first time

10:50You mentioned earlier “not turning people down,” do you guys still follow that mentality?

12:20Evolving from a Youtube project to a live, performing band

15:00How do you guys approach music when you are creating?

17:01What are your respective roles within the duo?

18:51What do you guys do to get your music out there?

21:00The importance of timing

22:22How do you guys connect with artists to collaborate?

25:43After your you big tour, how did you guys approach using the money you made?

28:02Managers and the value they add

29:40Fly By Midnight’s new single “Love Me Like a Friend”

30:56Starting to release internationally

32:10Blowing up in China

34:36How do you guys view timing and making sure you release at the right time?

35:40Meeting with the head of Pop at Apple Music

39:24How did you guys land on Pop music as your genre?

41:15So what’s next after this album?

41:32Playing in NY and LA with Loote

41:51Do you guys create new music while touring?

43:54If you could go back to the beginning, what would you guys do differently?

45:05“Everything is attainable.”

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddie Grey Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Some musicians have made their career being a specialist. Being the go-to for one part of the process.

But, the music industry is shifting to require each music creator to wear more hats, and our guest this week does just that.

Eddie Grey is a music composer and self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades. He’s put his name on every type of music, from hip-hop, to electronic and even a Flamenco song. He’s composed music for national and international television shows, and is currently the Head Composer for Kim Kardashian’s upcoming documentary.

He’s our guest this week on The Big Break, Eddie Grey.

Check out Eddie’s website and Vimeo page

Follow Eddie on Instagram and Twitter

Show Notes

1:30Eddie Grey, growing up in Los Angeles

3:10Discovering his need for music

5:32What was that realization that you needed music like?

8:59When you would go and analyze music, what would you do exactly?

10:28So how did you make the shift from singer/songwriter and band member to producer?

12:42If you have a desire inside you that you want to move forward with- do it...

14:12After the residency at Witzend ended, did you feel lost?

16:36A sudden deposit reopens the world of music

19:21Did you know before then that getting music placements was a viable option?

21:53What did your work look like after you received that deposit?

26:13Staying happy and making the adjustments to make sure you are happy

27:35What did you say to people you were reaching out to when pitching your music?

30:45“When you start to claim your position, people start to believe you.”

33:10What was that first placement where you thought “this is really working”

34:01A lot of people we talk to are specialists, how do you manage being a “jack of all trades”

37:14How is the landscape changing for you with the growth of streaming and new media?

40:22How do you generate ideas when you’re in a time crunch?

41:20Captain Chords and Arcade by Output

44:20Mugglin Works

44:54How do you network and meet people?

46:07Being genuine, and caring about people

For more information

More episodes

Know Your Worth

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kuk Harrell Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

If you’ve heard a pop song in the last two decades, odds are you’ve been witness to the work of our guest this week.

Kuk Harrell is the vocal producer in the music business. He’s won 5 Grammy awards, and has worked with nearly every superstar making music today. Including Rihanna, Beyonce, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and Jennifer Lopez, just to name a few.

We got the chance to sit down with Kuk to learn how he became the go-to vocal producer in the music industry. His journey took him all over the country, through several different industries.

Kuk joins us to tell his story, on this episode of The Big Break.

You can follow Kuk on Instagram and Twitter

Show Notes

1:33Growing up in Chicago, Illinois

2:50Learning guitar and drums, and being honest with yourself

3:40Charles Stepney

4:42What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

6:26What happened after you made the decision to go into music production?

6:50How McDonalds helped enhance Kuk’s understanding of the Music Industry

8:51Making jingles at Joy Art Music in Chicago

10:42Moving to LA

11:47Taking a break from the music scene to explore the spiritual