Aural Alchemists

Show Notes:

Welcome to today’s episode where we dive into the captivating musical evolution of YASMINE, from her classical roots in opera to her current passion for indie music. Join us as we explore the insights and stories behind her unique transformation.

In this episode, you'll discover:

1. YASMINE's Background: An introduction to YASMINE's early musical experiences and her foundational training in opera.
2. Decision to Transition: What sparked YASMINE's shift from opera singing to pursuing a career in indie music.
3. Challenges Faced: The obstacles and challenges YASMINE encountered while adapting to a new musical genre, including technical adjustments and industry perceptions.
4. Creative Process: Insights into the creative process that shapes YASMINE's indie music, highlighting her approach to songwriting and production.
5. Advice for Aspiring Artists: YASMINE shares valuable advice for other artists considering a genre transition, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and perseverance.
6. Future Projects: A sneak peek into upcoming projects and what fans can expect from YASMINE in the near future.

Connect with Yasmine:

https://www.instagram.com/thequeenyazzyg/

https://yasminemusic.com/

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 Getting to Know the Guest: Yasmine's Background

00:30 Yasmine's Journey into Music and Opera

01:51 The Challenges of Switching Music Genres

03:46 Yasmine's College Experience and Musical Exploration

05:01 Finding a Creative Community and Collaborators

10:37 Yasmine's Album and the Creative Process

12:10 The Art of Songwriting and Collaboration

23:30 Defining Yasmine as an Artist

24:57 Defining the Artist's Identity

25:47 The Artist's Vision for Their Music

26:28 The Artist's Journey and Growth

28:01 The Artist's Experience with Group Chat

28:26 The Story Behind 'Heartstrings'

28:48 The Artist's Role in Group Chat

31:19 The Artist's Songwriting Process

34:25 The Artist's Experience with Recording

40:01 The Artist's Approach to Honing Their Craft

46:09 Wrapping Up the Interview

In-Depth Conversation on Music, Writing and Career

Just D.C. discusses his journey and evolution as a musician, beginning as a church musician and continuing to produce music in 2017 and turning songwriting into a career. He discloses his struggles and successes, his approach to creating music, and the influence of playing with other musicians on his own work. He goes on to talk about his previous and upcoming music projects, emphasizing on the importance of love as a central theme. Additionally, he discusses the process of songwriting, the value of collaboration, and his experience mixing his music.

00:00 Introduction

00:22 Journey into Music Production

01:15 Challenges in Songwriting

02:33 Overcoming Overthinking

03:03 The Importance of Having Fun in the Process

03:27 Learning through Trial and Error

04:03 First Major Project and Breakthrough

06:13 Lessons Learned from Early Career

06:26 The Process of Songwriting

07:10 Volume of Work and Productivity

08:35 Balancing Creativity and Technicality

13:04 Influence of Church and Gospel Music

14:09 Approach to Drums and Groove

15:50 Influence of Playing with Other Musicians

16:48 The Importance of Collaboration

17:57 The Importance of Jam Sessions

18:48 Creating a Groove: Starting with Bass

18:58 Understanding the Goal of Your Music

19:26 The Role of Curiosity in Music Creation

19:59 The Art of Writing Lyrics

20:25 Avoiding Overproduction in Music

21:13 The Voice as an Instrument

22:20 The Dynamics of Co-Writing

23:24 The Importance of Ego in Music Creation

24:29 The Role of Communication in Music

25:21 The Influence of Family on Communication Skills

26:01 The Art of Listening in Music

27:25 The Challenges of Creating a Music Project

27:40 The Process of Creating 'Down to the Root'

29:40 The Struggles of Sticking to a Preconceived Notion

30:46 The Joy of Discovery in Music Creation

31:51 Upcoming Projects and Live Shows

32:35 The Making of 'Love is Enough'

34:40 The Role of Love in Music

35:00 The Influence of Church on Music

35:07 The Misconceptions about Non-Gospel Music

Interview with Noah Brooks: The Making and Journey of a Jazz Musician

This interview with Noah Brooks, the founder and leader of the Noah Brooks Coalition, a young innovative jazz musician who blends jazz with pop and hip-hop influences. Noah shares his journey from starting his group during his freshman year of college to his current endeavors in music, including the decision to integrate pop and hip-hop samples into his compositions to make his music more appealing to a wider audience. He emphasizes how flexible and collaborative songwriting, along with incorporating various musical influences, has significantly enhanced their music and attracted a diverse audience. Noah also highlights his admiration for Kanye West and Chance the Rapper, and how they have greatly influenced his writing. Towards the end, he touches upon his music education and how it's shaped his perspective on self-taught versus studied music writing. The interview wraps up with details on where listeners can find Noah's music and hints at a new record release in 2022.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:30 Talking About the Guest's Current Projects
• 01:36 Discussing the Writing Process
• 02:41 The Struggles of Writing
• 03:15 Developing a Writing Methodology
• 03:37 Defining the Group's Sound
• 03:50 Incorporating Pop and Jazz
• 04:06 Influences from Other Genres
• 04:52 The Role of Jazz in the Guest's Music
• 05:38 The Appeal of Pop Music
• 07:33 Combining Jazz and Pop
• 08:47 The Guest's Influences
• 10:30 Influence from Kanye West
• 11:16 The Art of Sampling in Music
• 12:05 Examples of Sampling in the Guest's Music
• 15:07 The Guest's Philosophy on Music
• 17:07 The Impact of Sound on Writing
• 17:47 The Art of Simple Chord Progressions
• 18:27 The Role of Musicians in a Band
• 19:07 Adapting to Different Musical Styles
• 19:59 The Importance of Playing to the Style
• 20:19 The Role of Individual Musicians in a Band
• 21:29 The Process of Writing a Song
• 23:10 The Role of Collaboration in Songwriting
• 24:43 The Impact of Co-Writing
• 25:13 The Benefits of Being Open to Changes
• 26:20 The Power of Group Collaboration
• 26:34 The Value of Learning from Others
• 28:50 The Dream Collaborations
• 34:14 The Journey of Self-Improvement
• 34:46 The Regrets and Lessons Learned
• 35:30 Where to Find the Music
• 36:07 Future Plans for New Music
• 36:29 The Closing Remarks

Embracing Your Authenticity: A Conversation with Jason Jones

In this enlightening chat, musical artist Jason Jones shares his insights around creativity and authenticity in songwriting, his versatile music influences, and his affection for musical scores. Jason also details his journey from being classically trained in piano to finding his voice in self-produced music, emphasizing the approach of 'painting a picture' with sound. A significant part of the conversation dives into 988, his passion project that bravely confronts the silent epidemic of depression and suicide. He challenges musicians to remain authentically expressive, master the language of music, and aim to take the listener through a sonic journey. Fostering authenticity, creating a distinctive atmosphere, and mastering perspectives are also highlighted as his building blocks of successful songwriting.

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

00:45 Musical Background and Journey

01:18 Influence of Mentors and Musical Training

03:14 The Art of Making Music

03:45 Exploring the Art of Songwriting

03:45 Behind the Scenes: Recording Challenges

06:52 The Struggles of Being a Musician

07:57 The Process of Self Discovery through Music

09:19 The Role of Music in Communication

11:55 The Journey of Writing and Self-Producing

14:01 The Emotional Journey of Creating '988'

26:04 The Art of Scoring for Theatre

42:28 Influences and Aspirations

52:10 The Challenges of Self-Producing