Brad Cook is a record producer based in Durham NC. Although he has been  a professional musician & artist manager in the past, Brad has focused on production full-time for the last seven years. He has produced dozens of records since then, working primarily from his home studio. And he's one of my best friends! Brad and I became pals when we both toured with Sharon Van Etten back in 2014-15 (Brad played bass, I was front of house audio engineer & tour manager). This conversation covers all kinds of ground, from production to the real value of financial advice to the ways that emerging technologies will disrupt both financial advise and the music industry.

Brad's question for Tim: there are so many conversations surrounding music and ai. What are your thoughts on the future of financial planning and investing in regard to AI and blockchain technology?

Key takeaways:

1. Brad started playing music with his brother Phil & pal Justin Vernon (who later started Bon Iver) in Wisconsin, where they all grew up. They later moved to Raleigh NC and, after that band broke up, Brad & Phil started Megafaun with their friend Joe Westerlund.
2. One of the biggest tasks he takes on as a producer is to help artists get over mental & emotional blocks so they can make the records they want to make. If he can help an artist make a record that's true to the their vision, Brad considers it a success.
3. Brad works with all kinds of bands, big & small, new & established. Some records make money, some don't, but he trusts in the process and believes that if he can consistently help people make great work, the money side will work itself out.
4. Working with a consistent engineer, Paul Voran, over the last several years has allowed Brad to be more objective than in the past when he was handling more technical aspects of recording. That gives him the space to help artists get comfortable and start making music right away, knowing that Paul is there to help facilitate the rest.
5. We talk about the roles of AI and blockchain technology in both music & the financial industry. Brad sees an opportunity for significant disruption of the publishing & royalty collection side of the music business once more modern, automated contracts become the norm.

Links
Send me a question to be answered on a future episode.
Sign up for the Keep It Easy newsletter.
Brad's website
Phil Cook's website
Megafaun
Bon Iver
The new Mavis Staples single that Brad produced
Paul Voran's IG