Check out episode 5 of The Hexagon: A Podcast For Singer-Songwriters.  It's a podcast about 6 aspects of being a singer-songwriter today.  Aaron Berg (also known as Mountainwalker) and I discuss the importance of community (find one, or make one), going against the grain as an artist, his love of hip-hop, building your fanbase, and challenges with depression and anxiety, and so much more.  Come listen and tell us what you think of the episode.  Join the conversation!    http://www.hexagonpodcast.com/episode//episode-5-aaron-berg-aka-mountainwalker

Episode 05 -Aaron Berg (AKA Mountainwalker)

The Hexagon Podcast is about six aspects of being a singer-songwriter.  You can learn more about the podcast and host by listening Episode 0, or visiting hexagonpodcast.com.

You can learn more about Jesse at his website, jessecorrell.com.

Each episode, Jesse will meet with a fellow singer-songwriter to discuss the Six Aspects of Being a Singer-Songwriter...so we may discuss things like:

Writing
What is your process?
How do you stay organized?
Do you immediately copyright everything?
Do you co-write?
Do you write out lead sheets for your songs?
 
Performance
Solo shows versus band gigs
Performance tech--loop pedals, tracks, gear, etc.
How do you book your shows?
How do you find the right venues?
Have you done any regional/national tours?
Describe your most difficult show?
What is your anxiety level before a typical show?
What is your best strategy for merch after the show?

Recording
Record yourself or go to the studio?
Do you try to capture your raw sound, or perfect it with studio techniques?
Do you record a demo for every song?
What can you do for yourself...and when is it time to hire someone else for the rest?
Do you release physical recordings (i.e. CDs or vinyl) or just digital?

Business
Are you a member of a Performing Rights Organization (PRO, i.e. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)?
Do you know who your audience is?  How did you develop that awareness?
How do you know what to demand regarding pay when you play shows?
How do you keep your audience engaged?
Do you file taxes as a musician?
How do you know where to put your energy when it comes to social media?
How do you find new streams of income?

Growth
How do you stay informed about musical trends?
How do you find new gear?
Where do you find new music?
How do you learn new covers?
Are there techniques you've learned that took your playing, singing, or writing to a new level?

Life
How do you do all of the above and still have energy left over?
What kind of toll does that take on your relationships?
How do you define success?
How long have you given yourself to "make it"?
If you weren't a singer-songwriter, what else would you be pursuing?

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Music

My guest this month is, the one-and-only, Mindy Smith.  She came by recently to talk through living an artist's life as a singer-songwriter.  We talk about her early days in Nashville, playing shows when sick, confidence and being open in the writing and recording process, finding compatible co-writers, and many other topics. Mindy and her team are celebrating the 15th year anniversary of the release of her first record "One Moment More".  Through Vanguard/Craft Records, they are reissuing the album on vinyl for the first time.  Mindy is also selling an exclusive autographed coke-bottle-blue clear pressing of the record on her site, along with handwritten lyrics from any of her songs from the record. Find out more about Mindy Smith: https://mindysmithmusic.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/4QGC11o7gQR7MBEJ5cUMSv https://www.facebook.com/mindysmithmusic/ https://twitter.com/mindysmithmusic https://www.instagram.com/mindysmithmusic/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYlnheT_gH-V9tlSnIClXA   Songs of Mindy's featured in this episode:  "If I Didn't Know Any Better" from Stupid Love  "Tennessee" from Long Island Shores "Come To Jesus" from One Moment More "One Moment More" from One Moment More    Thank you for listening! All incidental music by host and creator, Jesse Correll. www.jessecorrell.com   Support The Hexagon—help me keep this thing going.  There are several ways to support the show: You can leave a review...This is very important to help spread the word:  iTunes or Stitcher You can support financially on a monthly basis (for as little as $1 a month):  www.patreon.com/JesseCorrell Or you can purchase a limited-edition Hexagon T-Shirt here.

Episode 22 - Mindy Smith

My guest this month is Jake McMullen.  We talk about his recording and songwriting process, his focus on art above all else, and how covering a Robyn song gave him exposure.  We talk about this and many more things.  I hope you enjoy. Find out more about Jake McMullen: http://www.jakemcmullenmusic.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kBHkziT1rQpUBWW08p2dN https://www.facebook.com/listentojakemcmullen https://twitter.com/jake_mcmullen http://instagram.com/jake_mcmullen https://www.youtube.com/user/jakemcmullenmusic Songs of Jake’s featured from his latest EP “Giving Up":  Giving Up Falling Always -- from his first EP “Always” Dancing On My Own -- Robyn cover, from “Giving Up” played mid-way through the episode  Thank you for listening!   All incidental music by host and creator, Jesse Correll. www.jessecorrell.com   Support The Hexagon—help me keep this thing going.  There are several ways to support the show: You can leave a review...This is very important to help spread the word:  iTunes or Stitcher You can support financially on a monthly basis (for as little as $1 a month):  www.patreon.com/JesseCorrell Or you can purchase a limited-edition Hexagon T-Shirt here.

Episode 21 - Jake McMullen

http://www.hexagonpodcast.com/episode/20-wilson-harwood   My guest this month is Wilson Harwood, singer-songwriter/producer/videographer/banjo player--and all around nice guy.  We talk about how he recorded and produced his latest record "Rooted In You" himself.  He also shares about starting a new production company, the side-hustles of a musician, his practice of using a Passion Planner, and meditation.  We talk about this and many more things.  I hope you enjoy.   Find out more about Wilson Harwood: http://www.wilsonharwood.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AxBJJM4IPxwGDCOzKcMbn https://www.facebook.com/wilsonharwoodmusic/ https://twitter.com/WilsonHarwood https://www.youtube.com/user/musiclesson100/videos   Songs of Wilson’s featured (from his new record Rooted In You): Feelin’ What I’m Feelin' Skinny Dipping Rooted In You Big Smile   Thank you for listening!   All incidental music by host and creator, Jesse Correll. www.jessecorrell.com   Support The Hexagon—help me keep this thing going. www.patreon.com/JesseCorrell   To keep connected to The Hexagon: https://www.facebook.com/HexagonPodcast/ https://twitter.com/hexagonpodcast   Email questions or comments to: jesse@hexagonpodcast.com

Episode 20 - Wilson Harwood

http://www.hexagonpodcast.com/episode/19-shannon-labrie   Find out more about Shannon LaBrie: http://www.shannonlabriemusic.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2hbQ7GP1FxLy7D8lRX2Kq7 https://www.facebook.com/ShannonLaBrie/ https://twitter.com/shannonlabrie?lang=en https://www.youtube.com/user/shannonlabrie   Songs of Shannon's Featured: I Remember A Boy  - from Just Be Honest It’s Political - from War & Peace Alcohol - from War & Peace Heaven Crashed Down - from War & Peace My guest this month is Shannon LaBrie, Americana Soul singer-songwriter.  We talk about how she's had songs on hold for many major artists, and has been courted by major labels.  She talks about how ultimately while in those holding patterns, she learned she had to get down and do the work for herself--choosing to be an artist over being a writer.  We talk about this and many more things.  I hope you enjoy. Thank you for listening! All incidental music by host and creator, Jesse Correll. www.jessecorrell.com Support The Hexagon—help me keep this thing going. www.patreon.com/JesseCorrell To keep connected to The Hexagon: https://www.facebook.com/HexagonPodcast/ https://twitter.com/hexagonpodcast   Email questions or comments to: jesse@hexagonpodcast.com

Episode 19 - Shannon LaBrie

http://www.hexagonpodcast.com/episode/18-sarah-clanton   Find out more about Sarah Clanton: http://sarahclanton.com/ https://www.patreon.com/SarahClanton https://www.facebook.com/SarahClantonMusic/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahcello/ http://twitter.com/sarahcellomusic https://www.youtube.com/user/cellotreearts   Songs of Sarah’s Featured: Hot To Touch  - from Middle Tree Studio Live EP Sweet Carolina - from Sarah Clanton EP Stormy Baby - from Middle Tree Studio Live EP Tequila - from Sarah Clanton EP   How She Chose Cello in 5th Grade   How attending The Swannanoa Gathering - Contemporary Folk Week kicked off her songwriting and confidence writing songs on the cello.  https://www.swangathering.com/catalog/cf/contemporary-folk-week.html   Her journey with anxiety, how she learned to negotiate it by pushing through the nerves (repetition) and embracing her uniqueness—because “being human is weird”.   She signed a publishing deal with Writer’s Den this year.   When she first moved to Nashville, Sarah felt pretty blocked creatively.  A friend of hers, who goes by Danielle Ate The Sandwich, introduced her to the idea of trying to write an album in 24 hours.  She wrote 8 songs her first attempt in 2016.  Just write in the moment, use the first ideas because they’re often the coolest…the time for editing comes later. She’s gotten pretty serious about co-writing since moving to Nashville, discovering that she can write 8 songs in a night. http://danielleatethesandwich.com/   She teaches cello to people from 5 years old to 75.   She told me about her experiences with Folk Alliance International and Southeastern Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA).  She mentions her work with Kari Estrin. http://www.folk.org/ http://www.serfa.org/   She currently working on a new record—writing more than she ever has.  Living in Nashville has afforded her the opportunity to play with the best players.  She spoke about her work with Tom Shinness who was a mentor for her (he passed away earlier this year).  His passing was a reminder to her to truly live, and make time for what you love.   She spoke a bit about her experience with Patreon.  She describes the difference between a project-based site like Kickstarter, and an ongoing system for patrons to support your creative process in general.  As far as exclusives—figure out what your specific audience wants most.       All incidental music by host and creator, Jesse Correll. www.jessecorrell.com   Support The Hexagon—help me keep this thing going. www.patreon.com/JesseCorrell  

Episode 05 -Aaron Berg (AKA Mountainwalker)

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