Explore every episode of the podcast Bridge The Atlantic

In this episode we talk about the importance of taking a break from social media and doing a digital detox, as a musician. A few of the topics we discuss include:

• The pros and cons of social media
• Examples of reasons you might take a break from social media
• How to keep social media manageable
• Avoiding outrage culture

Sponsors:

• Social Surge
• Electric Kiwi

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

In this episode, we ask the question - what matters more in today's music industry: quality or quantity? A few of the things we discuss include:

• The strategy of releasing singles rather than albums (especially when it comes to the Spotify algorithms)
• Whether focusing on quantity means that the quality suffers
• The benefits of releasing cover songs

Sponsors:

• Social Surge
• Electric Kiwi

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

In recent years, live streaming has grown in popularity as it allows artists to perform and connect with a worldwide audience. And with the current pandemic enforcing social distancing and quarantines all over the world, it's one of the few ways artists can currently perform for an audience.

In this episode we talk about the benefits of live streaming, how to get started, promote, and monetize your streams.

Sponsors:

• Social Surge
• Electric Kiwi

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

In this episode we're talking about album artwork, and whether it matters in the streaming age. We cover how album artwork plays a role when it comes to streaming; the resurgence of vinyl and the impact this has on the album artwork; and how to approach album artwork to cover all bases.

Sponsors:

• Social Surge
• Electric Kiwi

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

In this B-SIDES episode we're talking about the fallout from the downfall of Pledge Music, and what musicians can do next. Our discussion includes:

• How this has affected artists
• How this has affected fans who have contributed to campaigns
• Ways that artists can help to rebuild trust with their audience
• Other crowdfunding options for the future

Sponsors:

• Social Surge
• Electric Kiwi

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

It's hard to escape the fact that we're currently living in a pandemic. And we know that many musicians are unsure of what to do in these times. In this episode we discuss:

• How the coronavirus pandemic has affected musicians and everyone else who works in the music industry
• What musicians can do to stay productive
• Why self care is so important
• The role livestreaming can play in staying engaged with your audience
• The importance of entertainment at a time like this

Sponsors:

• Social Surge
• Electric Kiwi

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

We’re back, baby! In this B-Sides episode, we talk about why we took a break, what burnout is, and how to avoid it, particularly when it comes to working in the music industry.

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

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

In this B-SIDES episode we're looking at the options available for selling music and merch online, and whether you should have a store on your website.

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Sponsors:

Social Surge

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

Have CDs finally had their day? We all know that vinyl has made a comeback but why is that?

In this episode, we weigh the pros the cons of pressing physical copies of your next release to help you decide which option is best for you.

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Sponsors: Social Surge

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

In an age where digital streaming and curated playlists are king, does your album’s song order even matter anymore?

In this episode we're talking about why tracklisting is important in a full album, what to consider when creating the track order, and the difference in approach for discovery vs listenability.

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- Sponsor: Social Surge

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

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

This week's B-SIDES episode is all about collaboration!

We talk about the benefits of collaborating with other musicians, including reaching new audiences, learning from the experience, and how it can be a win/win situation for everyone involved.

Sponsors:

Social Surge

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

In this week’s B-SIDES episode, we’re talking about mastering: what IS audio mastering, and do you need to hire a professional to do it for you?

Highlights:

• We discuss what audio mastering is, and why it’s important that your music is properly mastered
• We talk about the pros of doing mastering yourself: with the main one being financial
• We talk about the cons of doing mastering yourself, and why you would want to hire a mastering engineer
• Marcio shares times where he masters tracks himself, and times where he would hire an engineer
• “Mastering engineers should take an already great product and make it even better” - Marcio Novelli
• We talk about DIY online mastering services, and the pros/cons of using services like these
• "Online mastering services are not a substitute for human ear, skill or experience” - Ross Barber-Smith

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this episode of B-SIDES we are talking all about PR; the misconceptions artists have around PR, the real benefits of press, and whether you can do PR yourself. We cover quite a lot of ground in this one - enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about some misconceptions artists have around PR, and what press WON'T get you
• We talk about the real benefits of PR for musicians
• We discuss the pros and cons of doing your own PR

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're looking at cover songs, and whether or not you should record them. We'd love to hear your thoughts too, so please leave us a comment on our YouTube channel and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about some of the reasons why you should record covers, and how they can benefit or compliment your original material
• We talk about how covers have led to career opportunities for past guest Summer Swee-Singh
• Marcio talks about some of the covers he's recorded
• Marcio shares a story about how sharing a 30 Seconds To Mars cover impacted him
• We talk about artists we've discovered via their cover videos and how some covers end up more popular than the original

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this instalment of B-Sides, we're sharing some of the mistakes we see people making on social media, and how you can avoid making them.

Highlights:

• We talk about the pros and cons of using multiple platforms vs focusing your energies on just one or two
• So much of social media success comes down to trial and error and finding what works for you, as everyone is different
• "Focus on what you enjoy, and where your audience are, and you’ll be on the right track." -Ross
• "It’s called SOCIAL media for a reason!" - Ross
• "Too many people tend to just shout about upcoming releases and shows, rather than investing time in getting to know the people who follow them." -Marcio
• We talk about the importance of building two-way relationships over social media
• "If you can build connections with the people who follow you, then they’re more likely to want to support you because they like you and feel valued!" -Ross
• We talk about people not doing their research when it comes to contacting music industry professionals via social media
• "If you’re sending someone your music because you’re seeking management, it’s probably a good idea to find out if they’re involved in management FIRST!" -Ross
• "If you want to be featured on a podcast or magazine, check that they cover your genre of music, or that they accept submissions at all!" -Marcio
• "Make sure any communication you have is personal and you’re not just demanding someone does something for you" -Ross

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Joining us this week out of LA is Tyler Smyth - lead singer of DangerKids, producer, topline songwriter, and co-founder of BandAcademy. In this interview, we hear more about why DangerKids waited before releasing their latest album, the importance of seizing opportunities, and Tyler's new venture with producer Joey Sturgis, BandAcademy.

Highlights:

• Tyler tells us about the process of releasing the latest DangerKids album and why they waited for the right time to put it out
• Tyler shares how as an artist you need to make the most of the opportunities that come your way
• We hear about how writing with other artists has impacted on the Tyler’s writing with DangerKids
• Tyler shares some of the opportunities and experiences that have come his way through writing with other artists
• “Be the person that adds value to people” - Tyler Smyth
• Tyler tells us about his new venture BandAcademy and how musicians can benefit from it
• “The music industry is a dark basement full of murky secrets and cobwebs and I hate that!” - Tyler Smyth
• “There is not a finite amount of success out there!” - Tyler Smyth

Guest Links:

• Website: tylersmyth.com / wearedangerkids.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/wearedangerkids
• Instagram: @tylersmyth
• Twitter: @tylersmyth
• BandAcademy: bandacademy.com

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode we're talking all about the experience you offer your fans, the importance of creating communities around your music and rewarding superfans for their support and loyalty.

Highlights:

• We talk about the importance of creating communities around your music and rewarding superfans for their support
• We break down the difference between a fan and a superfan
• “A superfan is not only dedicated to you, but they are an ambassador for you”
• We talk about why we might be annoyed when a band we love makes it big - and it’s because something has changed…
• We discuss ways artists can reward the loyalty of their superfans
• “If some people are willing to go the extra mile, then I’m willing to go the extra mile for them” - Marcio Novelli

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Joining us this week is Allison Iraheta out of Los Angeles -- lead singer of Halo Circus, former American Idol contestant, and backup singer for Rickey Minor’s house band on various TV shows. We had a great time chatting with Allison and learned more about her journey, the new Halo Circus record, and why it's so important to be a good person in the music industry.

Highlights:

• Allison mentions enchiladas and then forgets everything else about herself
• We hear how American Idol did (or didn’t) prepare Allison for the real world of the music industry
• Allison talks about her gratitude for the opportunities she’s been offered throughout her career
• We talk about the importance of being a decent person in the music industry
• “Your job as a musician is to show up!” - Allison Iraheta
• Allison shares how the new Halo Circus sound was born
• We hear about the inspiration behind the latest Halo Circus album, Robots and Wranglers

Guest Links:

• Website: halocircus.com
• Twitter: @allisoniraheta
• Instagram: @halocircus

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

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

Joining us this week from Germany is Friedemann Findeisen - an award winning songwriter and producer, and founder of Holistic Songwriting, the most complete collection of commercial songwriting techniques on the web.

Highlights:

• On songwriting techniques and music theory: “It doesn’t help you to have a toolbox if you don’t know how to use the tools” - Friedemann Findeisen
• Friedemann shares that almost every songwriting rule has a counter argument, so you can really do anything in songwriting
• “There are no rules in songwriting - it depends on the effect you want to achieve” - Friedemann Findeisen
• We talk about using classical music theory as an analytical tool rather than a creative tool
• Friedemann shares some common mistakes he sees songwriters making in their careers
• We hear what holistic songwriting means to Friedemann, and how taking the holistic approach can benefit songwriters

Guest Links:

• Website: holistic-songwriting.com
• YouTube: Holistic Songwriting
• Twitter: @holisticsongs
• Facebook: /holisticsongwriting

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Inspired by our interview with Tim Schmoyer, this week's B-SIDES episode is all about community, and why you should build a community around your music. Enjoy, and let us know what you think over on our YouTube channel!

Highlights:

• We talk about different types of online communities and the ones we use regularly
• “The strongest communities revolve not around interests, but common beliefs” - Tim Schmoyer
• We talk about how musicians can create stronger relationships with their audience by building communities around their music
• We talk about Marcio's Facebook group and how it's helped him and other fans connect with one another
• "Your personality is almost as, if not more, important than your music - because people are more likely to support you if they feel some kind of connection with you and share the same interests and values." - Ross Barber-Smith
• We discuss ways you can start building a community around what you do
• "Keep in touch with your audience and make them feel appreciated!" - Marcio Novelli

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're looking at what you need to know when applying to festivals. We've got some tips from two festival organisers in here too; Darryl Hurs of Indie Week, and Nathan Fleet of the Hamilton Film Festival. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about the main benefits of performing at festivals and showcases
• We talk about the benefits of attending festivals and conferences as an attendee, as well as a performer
• We discuss how you can actually get in front of the festival organisers and get accepted onto the lineup
• Darryl Hurs of Indie Week talks about the festival application process
• We talk about applying for the most relevant and suitable festivals vs applying for every festival you can find
• Nathan Fleet shares what his team at the Hamilton Film Festival look for when sorting through festival applications

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

This week's B-SIDES episode is all about session musicians: how you can find sessions, what you should expect when going into the studio, and also what NOT to do in a session. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about the importance of networking when it comes to becoming a session musician
• Build connections with record studios, as they may recommend you if artists are looking for session musicians
• We talk about creating a showcase or portfolio of your work online so people know you are available for session work
• “Make sure you advertise the fact that you are available for hire!”
• We talk about what artists need to do when hiring a session musician to make sure they are prepared for the studio
• “In the studio, be clear and direct about what you need”
• We share some experiences of sessions that have gone horribly wrong

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Joining us this week out of Brooklyn, New York is session drummer and YouTuber Kristina Schiano! Kristina has become well known on YouTube for her wide array of covers of popular songs on the drums.

Over the past few years, she’s amassed over 400,000 subscribers and over 28 million views on YouTube, with no sign of slowing down! We’re excited to get to know Kristina and hear the advice she would offer to her fellow musicians, so let’s jump right in!

Highlights:

• Kristina tells us why she started posting drum covers on YouTube
• “My fans are the people who keep me going as I know they are learning from my videos” - Kristina Schiano
• We talk about how covers can introduce you to a new audience
• Kristina tells us about the opportunities that have come her way via posting videos on YouTube
• “Just covering other people’s songs has power!” - Kristina Schiano
• We hear the advice Kristina would offer to other creators on YouTube
• Kristina shares her advice on getting started in session work, and how YouTube plays a role
• Kristina tells us about the role of consistency and patience in growing a YouTube channel
• Kristina Schiano on creating YouTube videos: “Focus on audio quality over video quality!”
• 
  

Guest Links:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ggnoka82
• Twitter: @drumgal95
• Facebook: @KristinaSchianoDrums

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're looking at the importance of building a team and collaborating with the right people. We also talk with producer/engineer Nick Blagona about artists a successful experience with a producer, but then ended up working with someone else when they signed to a label. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• "Often, DIY is taken too literally in the music industry, but your career should be a balance of doing some things yourself, and delegating others" - Marcio Novelli
• We talk about what you should be looking for in a potential team member or collaborator
• "Relationships are so important - especially if you’re going to be working with this person long-term. There should be a mutual respect and understanding" - Ross Barber-Smith
• We talk with Nick Blagona about collaborating with different people, and what can happen when people have different agendas
• "Just because someone has worked with certain people, it doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for YOU!" - Marcio Novelli
• "If you find people you collaborate well with, stick with them! It’s really hard to find a team of people you trust and work well with, so when you DO find them, treat them well and keep making things happen together." - Ross Barber-Smith

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Our first Indie Spotlight features singer/songwriter Cindy Rainne, where we talk about her new album "Unmasked" and how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign as an independent artist.

Guest Links:

Website: cindyrainne.com

Twitter: @cindyrainne

Instagram: @cindyrainne

Facebook: /cindyrainne

Sponsors:

Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're talking about growing an audience online, and some of the habits you can get into that will help you to do this. Past guest Damian Keyes also joins us to talk about consistency, and the questions he gets asked most by musicians. Hope you find this one useful - enjoy!

Highlights:

• "Remember that overnight successes are never overnight - they’re often working for years before they get the type of success they’re experiencing" - Ross Barber-Smith
• When growing an audience, it’s not just about the numbers - it’s about the quality and relevance
• We talk about ways you can get your music in front of new people, both offline and online
• "Once you’ve caught the attention of people, you need to keep providing them with a steady flow of content to keep them interested and engaged" - Ross Barber-Smith
• We talk about ways you can keep your followers engaged online
• Damian Keyes shares the questions he's asked most often by musicians
• We hear all about the importance of being consistent with your content from Damian Keyes

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Joining us this week out of Ontario is Nick Cino. Nick was the Evening Announcer and host of the Indie Show at radio station Y108 in Hamilton, Ontario from 2010-2018. Nick is also a singer, songwriter and musician, currently fronting Fool’s Union.

Nick has spent the last 20 years performing in various bands including Neoprene, The Misssissippi Kings, City and The Sea, and The Coverboards, playing in venues across Canada, United States and Europe. In this interview we hear the advice he’d offer to musicians and other creative professionals.

Highlights:

• Nick shares the biggest thing he’s learned from touring
• Nick Cino on touring: “You have to get people on board before you show up in their town”
• We talk about the importance of being active on social media as a musician
• Nick talks about what radio programmers look for when adding music to a radio playlist
• “A lot of the decisions on radio programming are based on the presentation that the artist puts forth” - Nick Cino
• We talk about the importance of getting feedback as a band or musician
• Nick shares advice for bands getting their music in the hands of a radio programmer

Guest Links:

• Website: http://vigilantedetective.com
• Twitter: @thewalkingnick
• Instagram: @thewalkingnick

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

Joining us this week out of California is Darrin Pfeiffer! Darrin is best known as the drummer of Platinum selling pop punk band Goldfinger, but as well as being a musician he is also an accomplished label owner and radio host.

Darrin is the owner of High 4 Recordings & High 4 Management, and presents the Dangerous Darrin show on Idobi Radio where he interviews musicians and athletes. In this interview, we hear the advice Darrin would offer to musicians who are seeking management or label support, and more!

Highlights:

• Darrin Pfeiffer on artist management: “I know what bugs musicians and the things I wish I didn’t do!”
• When approaching a manager or label you have to ask yourself “do you have the songs?”
• “Managers and agents are going to put a lot of work in for free, so they want to make sure the time they invest is going to be rewarded down the line” - Darrin Pfeiffer
• “You HAVE to have a presence online” - Darrin Pfeiffer
• “You have to be nice and over the top appreciative when contacting labels, and be diligent with your responses and follow ups” - Darrin Pfeiffer
• “Don’t make decisions when you’re angry - when you’re in a band, you’re going to be angry with your bandmates, and I’ve made bad decisions when I’ve been angry” - Darrin Pfeiffer
• We hear about Darrin’s new Idobi Radio show, The Dangerous Darrin Show

Guest Links:

• Website: http://high4recordings.com/
• Twitter: @darrin99

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're looking at touring, and whether with the opportunities that social media brings, if you need to tour to build an audience and have a successful career. This episode was inspired by an answer Nick Blagona gave to a question about the common traits he sees in successful artists - we'd love to know what YOU think!

Highlights:

• Nick Blagona shares his thoughts on why artists need to be touring
• Nick shares some examples of why touring is beneficial for artists
• “If you can find an area in the world where you’re popular on the internet, go there and do a gig in that city” - Nick Blagona
• We believe that with social media, you can still be a successful artist without going on the road
• There’s still a lot of money in touring, but it’s not the be all and end all, as you can find your audience online
• We talk about other ways that artists can make money without touring
• We talk about how it used to have to tour in order to find your audience, whereas now you can find them without touring
• “There’s no substitute for real life, human interaction, but it’s not the only way to reach and engage your audience” - Marcio Novelli
• We talk about how artists can do shorter tours, or online shows, if they can’t go on the road for months at a time
• “The magic of the world we live in today is that you can build a following online before heading out on the road” - Marcio Novelli

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

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

Joining us this week out of Toronto is mastering engineer João Carvalho. João began his mastering career in the mid-1990’s while producing records for many of Canada’s groundbreaking artists of the time, and opened his own studio, João Carvalho Mastering in 2003.

In 2011, to further his passion for the ultimate in audio production, João partnered with three colleagues and opened the doors to Revolution Recording. To date, Joao has worked on over 2000 records, with clients including The Smashing Pumpkins, Alt J, Fun, and Protest the Hero. In this interview, we hear more about the mastering process, and the advice João would offer to musicians.

Highlights:

• Joao tells us about his experience of being nominated for a GRAMMY
• Joao breaks down the role of a mastering engineer for us
• We hear how most mastering engineers start out recording and mixing before moving into mastering
• Joao explains to us what a mastering engineer does, and why it’s important to have your mixes mastered
• “Loud is good! I’m not afraid of loud as long as you can still make it sound dynamic” - Joao Cavalho
• Joao tells us how artists can make sure their mixes are as mastering-ready as possible
• We talk about how a good mastering engineer will know when less is more

Guest Links:

• Website: http://www.joaocarvalhomastering.com/
• Twitter: @jcmastering
• Facebook: /joaocarvalho.mastering

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're talking about what to do when you're sick - when you've got commitments or deadlines that you really can’t push back or cancel, or a show to play. What should you do? We explore that further in this week's episode. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about how to decide what to do when you’re sick but have projects or performances to do
• We discuss how when you’re sick it can be useful to do light work, rather than taking the day completely off
• When you don’t practice self care, you end up getting sick!” - Marcio Novelli
• We talk about how to decide whether you should cancel a show when sick, or if you should go ahead with it
• Be upfront with people you’re working with when you’re not feeling well - it just ensures that everyone knows there are reasons for delays
• We talk about how it’s important to make progress if you can, but your health always has to come first

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

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

Joining us this week from Hamilton, Ontario is musician, filmmaker and educator, Nathan Fleet. Nathan runs the Hamilton Film Festival and the entertainment production company, Blue Pick Media. As the director of the Hamilton Film Festival, Nathan is helping to grow, enhance and connect the filmmaking community in Hamilton and abroad.

As a professional musician, he has helped almost one million musicians with his music lessons on YouTube. In this interview, we hear more about Nathan's experience in the creative industries and the advice he would offer to his fellow creatives.

Highlights:

• We hear how Nathan got started in the creative industries and what led him to the Hamilton Film Festival
• We learn that Star Wars played a huge part in getting Nathan into film and music
• “In the film industry one job leads to another, and to another” - Nathan Fleet
• Nathan shares how he ended up running the Hamilton Film Festival - and it started by getting his foot in the door as a ticket collector!
• We hear how the Hamilton Film Festival select which films are included, and which aren’t
• Nathan shares his advice for creatives who are balancing multiple projects
• “Take on jobs that interest you and that will take you to the next step” - Nathan Fleet
• “Don’t be afraid to fail!” - Nathan Fleet

Guest Links:

• Website: http://www.nathanfleet.com/
• Instagram: @nathanfleet
• Twitter: @nathanfleet
• Facebook: /nathanfleetfanpage

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

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

Joining us this week is Juno nominated producer and engineer Nick Blagona out of Ontario. Nick’s credits include Cat Stevens,The Police, Deep Purple, Alexisonfire, Foo Fighters, Green Day and our very own Marcio Novelli.

Nick has been integral to the history of music recording in Canada and internationally, and he has created recordings that played pivotal on the world stage for almost 45 years. In this interview, we hear about the mistakes Nick has seen musicians make over the years, how artists should prepare for a studio session, and more. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We learn that as well as being an awesome producer/engineer, Nick is a terrible golfer, loves music from the 1930s and writes screenplays
• Nick shares some of the biggest mistakes he’s seen musicians make in the studio
• “Sometimes mistakes end up being a hit record!” - Nick Blagona
• “In the recording studio, you should be allowed to make mistakes” - Nick Blagona
• Nick tells us what artists should be looking for when choosing a producer
• Nick shares some mistakes that artists make when hiring a producer for their project
• “If hiring a producer, do it for 2 songs and see how it feels” - Nick Blagona
• “You really have to follow your gut reaction!” - Nick Blagona
• Nick shares what a producer looks for when choosing whether to work on a project or not, and it’s all down to one thing!
• “An artist should always know his or her limitations” - Nick Blagona

Guest Links:

• Website: http://nickblagona.com
• Twitter: @nickblagona

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

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

Joining us this week out of Ohio is founder of Video Creators, Tim Schmoyer. Tim has published thousands of videos, racked up millions of views, and is even certified by YouTube in “Audience Growth.”

With Video Creators, Tim helps YouTube creators effectively spread their message to reach people online – and we’re excited to hear the advice he’d offer for musicians and other creatives.

Highlights:

• Tim shares how you should be thinking about why you do something rather than simply what you do
• “If money is your goal, it’ll ruin your life” – Tim Schmoyer
• Tim shares some of the misconceptions that creators have around building an audience online
• “The people who make art make it look so easy” – Tim Schmoyer
• On YouTube success: “It’s not just about working hard – it’s about learning new things” – Tim Schmoyer
• Tim shares some tips for creators on keeping their motivation levels up
• “Make sure your goals are aligned with your mission” – Tim Schmoyer

Guest Links:

• Website: http://videocreators.com
• YouTube:  /videocreators
• Instagram: @videocreators
• Twitter: @timschmoyer
• Facebook: /videocreators

Sponsors:

• Social Surge

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're talking about the importance of self care in the music industry. We're all told that we need to be hustling 24/7 in order to succeed in this business, but that often leads to burnout. We discuss times that we've felt burnt out ourselves, the dangers of overworking, and ways to look after ourselves to make sure we can continue being productive and healthy in the music industry.

Highlights:

- Marcio shares times when he’s felt burnt out due to lack of self care, especially when it comes to recording music

- We talk about finding a balance between working hard and taking care of ourselves

- Marcio shares a story about when he went into the studio when he was already burnt out, and the time it’s taken to get back to well enough to record again

- We talk about the dangers of overworking, and the importance of setting boundaries

- Ross shares how he’s started to create boundaries and be stricter with himself over working hours to avoid burnout

- We talk about how we’re told we need to make ourselves available 24/7, but discuss how that’s not always good advice

- We talk about doing things for yourself vs doing things for your career

Sponsors:

- Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

- Music Entrepreneur HQ

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More:

• For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.com
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlantic
• Subscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunes
• Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic

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Joining us this week out of Toronto is Darryl Hurs, owner and programme director of Indie Week. Indie Week is an annual music festival held over four days/nights, featuring local & international acts performing in the heart of Toronto, Canada.

Indie Week’s showcases are judged by members of the music industry, and the top scoring act receives a paid trip to headline Indie Week UK. In this interview, we talk about how you can apply for music festivals, the benefits of attending music industry conferences, and SonicBids.

Highlights:

• Darryl tells us about the benefits of music conferences and conventions, and what artists should do before attending
• Darryl shares how he thinks many music festivals/conferences should actually be described as conventions
• “It’s what happens off the stage and behind the scenes that makes what happens on the stage successful” - Darryl Hurs
• We hear about the submission process for artists who are interested in showcasing at Indie Week
• Darryl talks about why festivals use SonicBids for submissions, despite many artists being against it
• “Many artists apply to festivals and showcases before they are ready” - Darryl Hurs
• We hear about the benefits of applying to play at festivals as early as possible
• Darryl tells us why festivals charge submission fees
• “It’s better to attend a festival and start building your story rather than submitting to play when you’re not ready” - Darryl Hurs

Guest Links:

• Website: http://indieweek.com
• Instagram: @darryl_hurs / @indieweek
• Twitter: @darrylhurs / @indieweek
• Facebook: /indieweek

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

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

Happy Valentine's Day! In what's becoming a yearly tradition, we're back with a new Valentine's special for you.

In this episode, we play "Two Truths and a Lie" with Nashville based singer/songwriter Kris Allen, and singer/songwriter Jena Irene Asciutto out of Detroit.

Enjoy!

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses

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

Joining us out of Detroit is singer/songwriter Jena Irene Asciutto. Jena finished second in the 2014 season of American Idol, and has since signed to Original 1265 Recordings, released an EP and full length album, “Cold Fame” and is currently studying for a degree in Creative Songwriting.

“Cold Fame” was written and recorded after Jena spent six months of her teenage years as a contestant in American Idol, and the record displays a range of sounds and sensibilities that take us through the life of a modern young woman. In this interview, Jena talks about her decision to sign with an independent label, the new album, and the advice she'd offer to her fellow musicians.

Highlights:

• Jena shares how she’s trying to be less of a people pleaser, and be more direct and assertive
• Jena tells us why she decided to sign with an independent label post-American Idol rather than a major
• “I wanted to be really open and honest with my audience on Cold Fame” - Jena Irene Asciutto
• “Throughout the writing and recording process, I was still second guessing myself” - Jena Irene Asciutto
• Jena shares how American Idol only allowed her to show a couple of sides of herself, but now she doesn’t need to think about turning parts of her personality on or off
• “Being known for just one thing would be a miserable life for me!” - Jena Irene Asciutto
• “It’s good to be friends with your fans!” - Jena Irene Asciutto
• We hear about Jena’s record “Cold Fame” and what she’s learned about herself as an artist
• Jena shares her advice on making decisions as an artist
• We talk about what artists should be looking for when choosing a record label
• “A label are investing in you, but make sure that investment is in what YOU want to put out and is in the REAL version of you” - Jena Irene Asciutto

Guest Links:

• Website: http://jenairene.com
• Instagram: @jenaasciutto1
• Twitter: @jenaasciutto1
• Facebook: /jiamusic

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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• For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.com
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlantic
• Subscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunes
• Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic

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

In this week's B-SIDES episode, we're talking all about your gut feeling. It's something that comes up a lot on this show, so we decided to dive a little deeper into some times that we didn't follow our gut, and why we wish we did, and also times when we DID follow our gut, and what the outcome was. Hopefully you can learn from some of the mistakes and successes we've had, and start listening to your gut more. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about the importance of trusting your gut when it comes to making decisions in your creative career
• “Follow that gut feeling, and whether or not it works out, you’ll know that you were true to yourself” - Marcio Novelli
• Marcio talks about times where he didn’t follow his gut, and how things turned out as a result
• Marcio on listening to his head rather than what his gut was telling him - “On paper it made sense, but something didn’t feel right”
• We talk about being swayed by who people have worked with rather than the vibe we get from them
• Ross shares a story about taking on a project despite his gut telling him it wasn’t a good fit
• Ross shares some advice he received a while ago that he now things is bad advice if taken too literally
• We talk about how both your head and your heart can be misleading when it comes to making decisions
• Ross shares how he went with his gut and seized an opportunity to work with Terra Naomi

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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More:

• For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.com
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlantic
• Subscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunes
• Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic

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Joining us this week out of Atlanta is Bryan Calhoun. Bryan is the creator of The Music Business Toolbox, which breaks down in easy-to-follow steps what both brand-new and experienced music industry professionals need to do to get to the next level.

Bryan has spoken on panels and taught workshops at all of the key music industry conferences including SXSW, MIDEM and CMJ. He’s also worked with artists including including Kanye West, Questlove, Nicki Minaj and Drake over his 25 year career so far. In this interview, Bryan shares the traits he sees in successful artists, the importance of allocating a budget correctly, and the importance of consistency in today's music industry.

Enjoy!

Highlights:

• Bryan is an advocate for independent musicians and labels, and is always fighting for the underdog
• Bryan shares the common traits that he sees in successful artists - both independent and major
• “What I’ve noticed in all of the super successful artists and executives is that they have a really great sense of intuition” - Bryan Calhoun
• Bryan shares a story about Kanye West’s website back in 2005, and how Kanye’s intuition enabled him to be an innovator in his field
• “The biggest mistake musicians make is the way they allocate their budget” - Bryan Calhoun
• Bryan shares that you can’t spend 95% of your budget on recording and only 5% on marketing - because you won’t have the impact with your record that you’re hoping to if no-one knows about it!
• We hear about why Bryan started The Music Business Toolbox and how it can benefit artists
• “I saw problems artists and independent labels were making through creating music… I realised I could package resources up and guide people through the business” - Bryan Calhoun
• Bryan talks about the importance of releasing consistent content in order to build more connections with your audience
• “Be diligent about paying attention to the details” - Bryan Calhoun

Guest Links:

• Website: musicbusinesstoolbox.com
• Instagram: @bryancalhoun
• Twitter: @bryancalhoun
• Facebook: /musicbusinesstoolbox

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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

Joining us this week out of Nashville is award winning singer/songwriter and American Idol winner Kris Allen. Kris was crowned the winner of Idol in 2008, and since then has released 5 studio albums, amassing hundreds of thousands of sales and millions of streams.

Kris is now releasing music on his own label, Dog Bear Records - with both releases so far charting in the top 20 on Billboard’s Independent chart. In this interview we hear about Kris’ American Idol experience and how it’s impacted on his career, how a car crash has changed his life both personally and musically, and the advice he’d offer to his fellow musicians.

Highlights:

• We learn Kris is missing a rib, is very honest, and is not a morning person (but who is?!)
• Kris tells us what he learned from his American Idol experience
• “American Idol taught me that I could belong in the music industry” - Kris Allen
• Kris tells us how he had to re-learn how to play guitar after a car crash in 2013
• “I took a lot of things for granted - when something gets taken from you, you either cry about it or learn to rise above it” - Kris Allen
• We hear how Kris believes he’s become a better songwriter and a better person as a result of surviving a car crash
• We hear about the songs Kris has been working on, and that there will be a new album in 2018
• Kris shares the advice he’d offer to musicians who want to participate in a talent competition like American Idol
• “Be yourself, and don’t expect anything. And remember the TV world is very different from the music world” - Kris Allen
• Kris tells us how he wishes he had trusted his gut more early on in his career
• “My gut has always been right for me, and it’s the thing I trust most - especially nowadays” - Kris Allen
• We talk with Kris about how advice can often be valuable, but you should always listen to your gut
• “When I think about what I do, this is my life, this is my career…I’m the one who has to live by the decisions” - Kris Allen

Guest Links:

• Website: http://krisallenofficial.com
• Instagram: @Kris_Allen
• Twitter: @KrisAllen
• Facebook: /KrisAllen

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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More:

• For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.com
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlantic
• Subscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunes
• Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic

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

Happy holidays!

In the final instalment of our 2017 holiday special, we talk about planning for the year ahead, and the importance of taking breaks. We share some tips on how to set goals and achieve them, as well as some past interviews where we talk about this in more depth. We also play Two Truths & A Lie with Nettwerk Music Group's Terry McBride.Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about breaking large goals down into smaller goals to make them more manageable
• "Every large task has multiple steps to achieving it - identifying the smaller steps can make a huge difference to getting things done!"
• We recommend our interview with Pam Lewis-Rudden for advice on music licensing
• "If you’re struggling to keep on top of your goals, reach out to other artists and creatives and see if you can become accountability partners"
• We recommend our interviews with Stephen Christian & Suzanne Paulinski for more advice on time management and goal setting
• We play a game of Two Truths & A Lie with Terry McBride
• We talk about burnout as creatives, and how breaks are important to help prevent this

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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

Happy holidays!

In part 3 of our 4 part holiday special, we talk about holiday sales and promotions, and offer some tips on how to make the most of the holidays for promoting your music and merch. We also play Two Truths & A Lie with music industry champion Damian Keyes and Canadian broadcasting legend Alan Cross.

Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about offers and promotions you can offer on your music and merch during the holidays
• We talk about the benefits of running a Boxing Day sale for your merch
• We play a game of Two Truths & A Lie with Damian Keyes
• We talk about how you can sweeten your digital download offers by adding additional content
• We talk about our upcoming Buy-One-Get-One-Free T-shirt sale!
• We play a game of Two Truths & A Lie with Alan Cross

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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

Happy holidays!

In part 2 of our 4 part holiday special, we talk about ways you can market your music during the holidays, and other ways you can make the most of the holiday season as an artist. We also play Two Truths & A Lie with singer/songwriter Troi Irons, and Said The Whale co-frontman Tyler Bancroft. Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We talk about how you can promote your music and make the most of the holiday season as an artist
• We talk about how you can promote your music as a gift, and give music away for free during the holidays
• We play a Holiday-themed game of Two Truths & A Lie with Troi Irons
• We talk about the benefits of writing or covering holiday songs
• "Think about what YOU might like from your favourite artists if you’re not sure what to offer!"
• We play a Holiday-themed game of Two Truths & A Lie with Tyler Bancroft

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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

Happy holidays!

In this first part of our 4 part Holiday Special, we look back at 2017 and talk about some of our favourite interviews from the past year, as well as playing Two Truths & A Lie with past guests Riley Smith and Bif Naked.

Enjoy!

Highlights:

• We look back at 2017 and talk about some of our favourite interviews from the past year
• We share some of the highlights from 2017, including our interview with Justin Pierre and Melissa Cross
• We play a Holiday-themed game of Two Truths & A Lie with Riley Smith
• We talk about how Nathan West's interview crashed our website
• Bif Naked plays a fun Holiday-themed game of Two Truths & A Lie with us

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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

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

Joining us this week out of Ohio is singer/songwriter Trey Pearson. With his band Everyday Sunday, Trey Pearson has sold hundreds of thousands of records, and amassed millions of streams. He has scored 5 #1 U.S. singles and 20 Top 10 hits. His song “Wake Up! Wake Up!” was the most-played Christian rock song of 2007, and his 2009 album, “Best Night of Our Lives,” broke onto the coveted Billboard 200 chart. Trey has toured in all 50 states and 20 countries, playing with musicians such as Switchfoot and Relient K.

Recently Trey came out as gay, and made national news. His announcement started a national conversation with a television appearance on The View. It has been covered by The New York Times, Billboard Magazine, CNN and more, as he became the most trending topic worldwide on Facebook. His first solo EP “Love Is Love” was just released, and in this interview we hear more about that, Trey's experience of coming out as a LGBTQ musician, and more.

Highlights:

• We find out if Trey feels pressure to achieve similar success with his solo material to the success he achieved with Everyday Sunday
• "Music has been very therapeutic for me" - Trey Pearson
• "I'm insanely proud of this new album and I'm more proud of this than anything I've done before" - Trey Pearson
• We hear about the passion Trey feels to be a positive and supportive role model in the LGBT community
• Trey tells us about the reaction his coming out received, and how he handled being all over national news
• Trey shares how he sees his media exposure as an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives
• We hear about Trey's recently released debut solo EP "Love Is Love" and what we can expect from it
• Trey tells us about the influences behind the new record, and what he wanted to achieve with it
• Trey on his new EP: "It's pop music but it's honest pop music and very vulnerable"
• Trey offers advice to LGBT artists who are worried about the impact coming out could have on their career
• We hear what Trey would do differently, looking back on his career to date
• Trey tells us about his relationship between his faith and his sexuality

Guest Links:

• Website: http://treypearson.com
• Instagram: @treypearson
• Twitter: @treypearson
• Facebook: /treypearson

Sponsors:

• Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses
• Music Entrepreneur HQ

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• For more episodes, visit http://bridge-the-atlantic.com
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bridge_atlantic
• Subscribe on iTunes: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com/itunes
• Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/bridgetheatlantic

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