Above the Noise

Today's podcast is with Mark Tavern, an A&R administrator, mentor, speaker, blogger, and creator of strategies for the new music industry among other things.

Mark has made a career out of helping musicians execute their creative vision.

His industry experience spans more than 18 years, with positions at record labels and at performing arts organizations. Whether the music is hip-hop, rock, pop, jazz or classical, he's leveraged his education, creative sensibility, management skills, operations expertise, administrative experience and industry contacts to deliver artistic and commercial success.

Mark has worked on a wide range of projects including Justin Bieber, The Roots, Mariah Carey, India.Arie, Whitney Houston, The Killers, Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, Angie Stone, Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood, The Chieftains, Etta James, Jim Brickman, Andy Summers, Dave Douglas, Eliane Elias, Tom Harrell, Fourplay, Dominique Eade, Denyce Graves, Leontyne Price, a dozen Broadway cast albums including Urinetown, Avenue Q, Cabaret and Ragtime, and more than 15 opera productions at companies such as the Glimmerglass Festival, Glyndebourne (UK) and New York City Opera.

In today's conversation we are going to be talking about the realities of the new music industry, finding the right studios and the right producers, artist development, the new rockstar dream, the value of music and "free" music, traits of successful artists, editing out the soul of a song, and whole lot more!

I really enjoyed today's interview and I am sure you will too! It contains lots of insight for a career in today's new music industry.

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist. Creative Collaborator.

http://www.playitloudmusic.com & http://www.abovethenoise.ca

For More Information on Mark please visit his website: http://www.marktavern.com

For a list of projects Mark has worked on please visit: http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/mark-tavern/2616237

Today's podcast is with David Das, a sonic architect with a wide-ranging and unique background. He is an active composer, producer, and songwriter based in Los Angeles. His experience covers the range from films, TV shows, commercials, and other media work, over to pop/rock/jazz music production, choral and orchestral writing and arranging, and more. His clients include 20th Century Fox, Coca Cola, Delta Airlines, and Disney, and numerous pop, rock, R&B, soul, and jazz artists.

With a background in pop and jazz but thoroughly schooled in the classical tradition, David has lived and studied all over the world, including the U.S., England, Italy, and Singapore. He earned his degree in classical piano and conducting from the University of North Texas, and during that time was a member of the award-winning Jazz Singers. Later seasons in both Nashville and in his current home of Los Angeles brought opportunities to tour as a keyboard player, arranger, and musical director for such diverse artists as Grammy-winning singer Rebecca St. James, American Idol superstar Katharine McPhee, Ginny Owens, Margaret Becker, Bryan Duncan, Ryan Farish, and many others.

Nowadays his production work ranges from film scores and orchestral/choral writing over to pop, rock, R&B, soul, and jazz production. His music has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including American Idol, America’s Got Talent, The Sing-Off, and his arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard. He also does a considerable amount of sound design work for companies such as Big Fish Audio, Native Instruments, and MOTU.

My conversation with David discusses how he finds work as a composer, how he interprets music requests from music supervisors, writing songs that stick, social media, the power of word of mouth, and whole lot more! I think this one is going to really appeal to all of you musicians that are interested in writing music for film and TV.

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist. Creative Collaborator.

http://www.playitloudmusic.com & http://www.abovethenoise.ca

For more information and to listen to David's music please visit his website:

http://www.daviddas.com

Today's podcast is with David Das, a sonic architect with a wide-ranging and unique background. He is an active composer, producer, and songwriter based in Los Angeles. His experience covers the range from films, TV shows, commercials, and other media work, over to pop/rock/jazz music production, choral and orchestral writing and arranging, and more. His clients include 20th Century Fox, Coca Cola, Delta Airlines, and Disney, and numerous pop, rock, R&B, soul, and jazz artists.

With a background in pop and jazz but thoroughly schooled in the classical tradition, David has lived and studied all over the world, including the U.S., England, Italy, and Singapore. He earned his degree in classical piano and conducting from the University of North Texas, and during that time was a member of the award-winning Jazz Singers. Later seasons in both Nashville and in his current home of Los Angeles brought opportunities to tour as a keyboard player, arranger, and musical director for such diverse artists as Grammy-winning singer Rebecca St. James, American Idol superstar Katharine McPhee, Ginny Owens, Margaret Becker, Bryan Duncan, Ryan Farish, and many others.

Nowadays his production work ranges from film scores and orchestral/choral writing over to pop, rock, R&B, soul, and jazz production. His music has appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including American Idol, America’s Got Talent, The Sing-Off, and his arrangements have been published by Hal Leonard. He also does a considerable amount of sound design work for companies such as Big Fish Audio, Native Instruments, and MOTU.

My conversation with David discusses how he finds work as a composer, how he interprets music requests from music supervisors, writing songs that stick, social media, the power of word of mouth, and whole lot more! I think this one is going to really appeal to all of you musicians that are interested in writing music for film and TV.

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist. Creative Collaborator.

http://www.playitloudmusic.com & http://www.abovethenoise.ca

For more information and to listen to David's music please visit his website:

http://www.daviddas.com

Above The Noise Music Industry Podcast with Steve Rennie, Manager of Incubus

Steve Rennie was a record executive and artist manager for more than a decade before he decided enough was enough. He wouldn’t take on clients– no new bands. That was before he found Incubus.

Several years and millions of albums later, Rennie manages just one band, Incubus.

Despite the band’s success Incubus now faces the same challenges as any other trying to find an audience. The playing field has never been more level. Bands, labels, managers, agents, publicists; everyone is forced to rethink the game. This is where Rennie’s gregarious nature comes in.

Rennie is arguably one of the most forward-thinking managers in the business. He understands which old school promotions methods still work and which don’t. He has opinions on which digital strategies produce measurable results and which are wastes of time and money. And he wants to share this knowledge with you free of charge with no strings attached. Steve Rennie pulls no punches. No topic is off-limits, ever.

With the kick-off of his web series and community-driven website, Rennie aims to be the Dr. Phil of the music business. His series is designed to help musicians and industry hopefuls get their heads in the right place to do something great in the music business. He intends to answer every question with no sugar-coating, as “Renman” says, “absolutely no bullsh*t.”

Read more: http://bit.ly/Q6F3Rc

Today I am talking to Steve Rennie about how artists rise above the noise. For someone who has been there and done that in every area of the music industry and has been part of the old model and the new, Renman has a lot of insight to share!

We discuss: How he got started, having a goal, dream it do it, networking, characteristics of artists that rise above the noise, success and the middle class musician.

The knowledge that Steve shares in this interview as well as all you can find on his website is priceless!

Aaron Bethune. Music Consultant. Creative Collaborator.

For more from Steve Rennie on the music business including a ton of videos please visit his website:

http://www.renmanmb.com

Above The Noise Music Industry Podcast with Steve Rennie, Manager of Incubus

Steve Rennie was a record executive and artist manager for more than a decade before he decided enough was enough. He wouldn’t take on clients– no new bands. That was before he found Incubus.

Several years and millions of albums later, Rennie manages just one band, Incubus.

Despite the band’s success Incubus now faces the same challenges as any other trying to find an audience. The playing field has never been more level. Bands, labels, managers, agents, publicists; everyone is forced to rethink the game. This is where Rennie’s gregarious nature comes in.

Rennie is arguably one of the most forward-thinking managers in the business. He understands which old school promotions methods still work and which don’t. He has opinions on which digital strategies produce measurable results and which are wastes of time and money. And he wants to share this knowledge with you free of charge with no strings attached. Steve Rennie pulls no punches. No topic is off-limits, ever.

With the kick-off of his web series and community-driven website, Rennie aims to be the Dr. Phil of the music business. His series is designed to help musicians and industry hopefuls get their heads in the right place to do something great in the music business. He intends to answer every question with no sugar-coating, as “Renman” says, “absolutely no bullsh*t.”

Read more: http://bit.ly/Q6F3Rc

Today I am talking to Steve Rennie about how artists rise above the noise. For someone who has been there and done that in every area of the music industry and has been part of the old model and the new, Renman has a lot of insight to share!

We discuss: How he got started, having a goal, dream it do it, networking, characteristics of artists that rise above the noise, success and the middle class musician.

The knowledge that Steve shares in this interview as well as all you can find on his website is priceless!

Aaron Bethune. Music Consultant. Creative Collaborator.

For more from Steve Rennie on the music business including a ton of videos please visit his website:

http://www.renmanmb.com

Today I'm talking with the head of music supervision at Elias arts and Saturday night host on KCRW, Jason Kramer.

Elias arts is a prestigious music production company based in Santa Monica and New York. Elias Arts specializes in original music composition, sound design, music supervision, and audio branding for television, film, and commercials, and has won countless awards for over the years. Jason’s extensive knowledge of music coupled with a great intuition makes him an integral part of the Elias Team. His job is to help find the perfect music solution for every project.

Jason has also been a part of the KCRW 89.9 FM family for the last 14 years and still hosts the widely popular show on Saturday Evenings from 10-12. He is immersed in all the new music before it hits the airwaves.

Jason also has been heavily involved in virtually every aspect of music for decades, from working with bands like Skunk Records/ Sublime, to music supervision, radio producing for FOX, publishing, music photography and commercial and television production.

We talk about how environment, relationships, knowledge, passion, and persistence play a part in being heard above the noise! We also talk about how you can get your music licensed.

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist. Creative Collaborator.

http:www.playitloudmusic.com & http:www.abovethenoise.ca

For more information you can check out:

KCRW: http://www.kcrw.com/people/kramer_jason?role=host

Elias Arts: http://eliasarts.com/elias-arts-hires-new-head-of-music-supervision-jason-kramer/

Follow Jason on Twitter: @kcrwkramer

Today I'm talking with the head of music supervision at Elias arts and Saturday night host on KCRW, Jason Kramer.

Elias arts is a prestigious music production company based in Santa Monica and New York. Elias Arts specializes in original music composition, sound design, music supervision, and audio branding for television, film, and commercials, and has won countless awards for over the years. Jason’s extensive knowledge of music coupled with a great intuition makes him an integral part of the Elias Team. His job is to help find the perfect music solution for every project.

Jason has also been a part of the KCRW 89.9 FM family for the last 14 years and still hosts the widely popular show on Saturday Evenings from 10-12. He is immersed in all the new music before it hits the airwaves.

Jason also has been heavily involved in virtually every aspect of music for decades, from working with bands like Skunk Records/ Sublime, to music supervision, radio producing for FOX, publishing, music photography and commercial and television production.

We talk about how environment, relationships, knowledge, passion, and persistence play a part in being heard above the noise! We also talk about how you can get your music licensed.

Aaron Bethune. Music Specialist. Creative Collaborator.

http:www.playitloudmusic.com & http:www.abovethenoise.ca

For more information you can check out:

KCRW: http://www.kcrw.com/people/kramer_jason?role=host

Elias Arts: http://eliasarts.com/elias-arts-hires-new-head-of-music-supervision-jason-kramer/

Follow Jason on Twitter: @kcrwkramer

It has been a few weeks since my last podcast and I have certainly missed it! I love these interviews and get the feeling so do all of you!

I have moved down to the Southern States with my family and set up a new office in Georgia. Although I would be the first to rave about Canada I certainly can't say I am missing the weather. November in Georgia, wearing shorts and t-shirts, beats wearing rain gear on Vancouver Island!

Today I am interviewing Brian Thompson of Thornybleeder. Brian is a well known social media and music marketing expert. Today however I am asking Brian questions regarding what it has taken for him to rise above the noise.

Over the last few years Brian has carved his niche in the current music industry. After having been head buyer for a popular Canadian music retail chain, he has now become an advocate of the freemium music model. His Twitter bio reads: "creative coach. music marketer. podcaster. blogger. guy behind The DIY Daily Newsletter & Podcast" and for those of you who don't know, Brian puts out a podcast every day! Wow!

Brian and I go deep on what it takes to find personal success and rise above the noise.

A couple of years ago I interviewed Brian with a focus on Social media and can say that it is still extremely relevant. If you would like to read it you ca do so here:

http://playitloudmusic.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/interview-with-artist-manager-speaker-consultant-factor-accredited-juror-and-managing-partner-at-thorny-bleeder-records-brian-thompson/

It has been a few weeks since my last podcast and I have certainly missed it! I love these interviews and get the feeling so do all of you!

I have moved down to the Southern States with my family and set up a new office in Georgia. Although I would be the first to rave about Canada I certainly can't say I am missing the weather. November in Georgia, wearing shorts and t-shirts, beats wearing rain gear on Vancouver Island!

Today I am interviewing Brian Thompson of Thornybleeder. Brian is a well known social media and music marketing expert. Today however I am asking Brian questions regarding what it has taken for him to rise above the noise.

Over the last few years Brian has carved his niche in the current music industry. After having been head buyer for a popular Canadian music retail chain, he has now become an advocate of the freemium music model. His Twitter bio reads: "creative coach. music marketer. podcaster. blogger. guy behind The DIY Daily Newsletter & Podcast" and for those of you who don't know, Brian puts out a podcast every day! Wow!

Brian and I go deep on what it takes to find personal success and rise above the noise.

A couple of years ago I interviewed Brian with a focus on Social media and can say that it is still extremely relevant. If you would like to read it you ca do so here:

http://playitloudmusic.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/interview-with-artist-manager-speaker-consultant-factor-accredited-juror-and-managing-partner-at-thorny-bleeder-records-brian-thompson/

Today I am talking with Nashville based music and technology entrepreneur Mark Montgomery.

Mark is a pioneer in the e-commerce and business to consumer marketing space. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with hundreds of entertainment and corporate clients, including names like Sony, Kanye West, Keith Urban, RIM/Blackberry, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Best Buy, Gnarls Barkley, Rascal Flatts, and General Motors to name a few.

Mark has been working in the web space since the early 90′s, launching his first B2C ecommerce play in early 1996. In 1999, he co-founded echo, a company focused on building communities around entertainment brands. He was the co-creator of the patented platform echotools™, a direct to consumer delivery and data management system which ultimately grew to serve millions of users and distribute hundreds of millions of pages, data feeds, and e-commerce transactions. In 2007, the company was acquired by Barry Diller’s IAC/Ticketmaster for eight figures.

A winner of multiple “Best in Business” awards, as well as “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2007, Mark is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist in the US and Europe for corporate functions as well as conferences on a variety of topics.

He recently founded FLO {a thinkery}, and maintains his role as the Entrepreneur in Residence for Claritas Capital, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with his EIR role, he holds several board seats in the profit and not for profit companies. In addition, he maintains a small list of consulting clients focused on overall strategy, business development, branding, and technology initiatives.

For more information than you’d probably ever want to know (including facts about the hair metal era) check wikipedia.