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Podcast Show Notes: The Future of Church Leadership with Josh Howerton and Chris Kuti

Guests: Josh Howerton (Senior Pastor) and Chris Kuti (Worship Pastor) from LakePoint Church Hosts: Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer from Churchfront

Key Topics Discussed AI in Ministry (00:02:15)

• Josh's approach: Uses ChatGPT weekly for sermon prep as a "high-powered research assistant"
• Prompt strategy: "Give me 20 interesting facts about [passage] that are historical, cultural, theological, archeological, linguistic, or biblical that most Christians wouldn't know"
• Chris's usage: Meeting organization, content creation, voice conversations during drives
• Key principle: Use AI as a tool that serves you, don't serve the tool
• Important caveat: Always fact-check AI outputs - they can be wrong up to 17% of the time

Church Technology Criticism (00:58:22)

• The "negative world" concept by Aaron Renn - cultural shift from positive to neutral to negative perception of Christianity
• Common criticisms: "Tax the churches," "Money should go to the poor"
• Biblical response: Only Judas complained about expensive things being used to honor Jesus
• Economic reality: Larger churches often spend lower percentages on tech than smaller churches due to economy of scale
• Technology costs: Modern equipment costs significantly less than in the early 2000s

Social Media Strategy (00:12:38)

• Initial resistance: Reformed background's "theologized cynicism" toward self-promotion
• The turning point: People spend 16-18 hours/week on social media hearing secular perspectives
• "Air war vs. Ground war": Ground war = traditional discipleship, Air war = cultural engagement
• Digital Areopagus: Social media as the modern equivalent of where Paul engaged culture in Athens
• Current following growth: From 20-40k to significantly larger audience through strategic content

Worship Pastor Turnover Crisis (01:26:06)

• Root causes identified:
  • Getting into ministry for wrong reasons (seeking bigger stages/record deals)
  • Senior pastors hiring for talent over pastoral gifting
  • Lack of pastoral development and broader leadership responsibilities
  • "Warm up the crowd" mentality rather than true pastoral partnership
• Solutions proposed:
  • Hire character first, develop competency
  • Give worship pastors genuine pastoral responsibilities
  • Focus on being pastors who happen to use music
  • Create long-term development paths

Hiring and Leadership Development (00:36:29)

• Key principle: "Always bet on leadership" over pure talent
• Character evaluation: Look at family life as indicator of leadership capacity
• "Hire slow, fire fast" - don't ignore red flags in interviews
• Vision alignment: Ensure worship leaders can come under senior pastor's vision
• Josh's story: Had to fire a worship leader after 5 weeks for vision misalignment

Succession Planning (00:45:13)

• LakePoint's success factors:
  • Outgoing pastor (Steve Stroop) "left campground clean" - addressed problems before transition
  • Incoming pastor honored what came before rather than dismissing it
  • 70% credit to predecessor, 30% to successor for smooth transition
• Key advice for incoming leaders:
  • Honor those who built what you inherited
  • Watch your pace in first year - observe more than you act
  • Win relationships and excel on stage
  • Don't make major changes without building equity first

Staying Humble While Growing (00:52:54)

• Key relationships: Spouse who believes in you but isn't impressed by you
• Hire up: Surround yourself with people more talented than you
• Find joy in others' wins: Move from taking all the shots to giving others opportunities
• Dave Stone's wisdom: "Don't let praise go to your head, don't let criticism go to your heart"
• Josh's perspective: Staying confident is often harder than staying humble

Future Ministry Vision (01:08:27)

• Chris's focus: Leadership pipeline development - never having to post job openings
• Josh's project: "Discipleship at scale" through vertically aligned content delivery
• Core principle: "We're in the disciple business, not the events business"
• Technology integration: Purpose-built app to connect sermon, podcast, reading plans, and groups

Quotable Moments

"If you find yourself on team Judas, get a different team." - Josh on criticizing church spending

"Two visions create division." - Chris on worship pastor alignment

"Don't let praise go to your head and don't let criticism go to your heart." - Dave Stone's advice

"We're not in the events business, we're in the disciple business." - Josh on ministry focus

"The loudest boos come from the cheapest seats." - Josh on handling criticism

Action Items for Church Leaders

1. Experiment with AI as a research and content creation tool while maintaining proper oversight
2. Evaluate your hiring process - prioritize character and leadership potential over pure talent
3. Assess succession planning - are you preparing for healthy transitions?
4. Review social media strategy - consider it as cultural engagement rather than self-promotion
5. Examine technology spending through economy of scale lens rather than raw dollar amounts
6. Develop internal leadership pipelines rather than constantly hiring externally
7. Align all ministry elements toward discipleship rather than just events

Resources Mentioned

• ChatGPT/Grok for AI assistance
• Stream Deck for video production control
• Canon C80 cameras for podcast production
• Aaron Renn's "Negative World" essay
• Apple Maps analogy for leadership transitions

Connect with Guests

• LakePoint Church: [Church website/social media]
• Josh Howerton: [Social media handles]
• Chris Kuti: [Social media handles]

This episode was recorded at LakePoint Church's broadcast studio. Special thanks to Blaine for the viral video content and Carlos for the social media strategy insights mentioned during the conversation.

Podcast Notes - Jesus Image Church Construction Discussion Episode Overview

Jake and Matt discuss Jesus Image Church's impressive $44 million building project in Orlando, featuring traditional Gothic-inspired architecture and innovative tilt-up construction techniques.

Key Discussion Points Traditional Church Architecture Revival

• Jesus Image Church building actually looks like a church (rare in modern construction)
• Gothic architecture elements with arched windows
• Stone facade reminiscent of historical church construction
• Departure from typical strip mall/warehouse church designs

Tilt-Up Construction Technique

• Industrial/commercial construction method adapted for church use
• Process: Pour concrete walls as slabs on ground → Frame windows/openings → Let cure → Use cranes to tilt walls into position
• Much faster than traditional masonry (decades vs. weeks)
• Requires expensive crane equipment but overall more efficient than historical cathedral construction

Project Scale & Phasing

• Phase 1: $28.6 million, 56,000 square feet
• Phase 2: Additional $16 million expansion
• Total Investment: $44+ million
• Smart phased approach allows use of Phase 1 while planning/fundraising for Phase 2
• Simpler sanctuary design in Phase 1, enhanced sanctuary in Phase 2

Jesus Image Church Context

• Known for charismatic, powerful ministry style
• Innovative in ministry approach, now extending to architecture
• Multiple ministries: worship, ministry school, prayer ministry
• Heavy building usage beyond Sunday services justifies investment

Architecture Philosophy Discussion

• Modern churches often designed for easy conversion (school, gym, commercial use)
• Jesus Image building will "never be anything but a church"
• Debate: Cost-effectiveness vs. purpose-built sacred spaces
• Traditional approach: building took centuries, but created lasting landmarks
• Architecture's role in facilitating impactful worship experiences

Budget Reality Check

• $44 million not accessible to most churches
• Equipment costs (cranes) vs. long-term construction savings
• Question of whether traditional design is worth the premium cost
• Comparison to strip mall churches and pragmatic building approaches

Ministry Integration

• Building supports multiple ministry functions
• Architecture chosen to complement their charismatic worship style
• Investment in excellence across all ministry aspects
• Physical space designed to enhance spiritual encounters

Quotes & Notable Moments

Jake: "It's almost got like a gothic architecture look to it with those arched windows."

Matt: "They're not building a lot of our modern church buildings. If the church closed, the building would be quickly taken up by someone else that's not a church... But this is never going to be anything but a church."

Jake: "I think we're missing out on the power of architecture to support and facilitate impactful worship."

Takeaways

• Traditional church architecture is making a comeback in some circles
• Modern construction techniques can make historical designs more feasible
• Phased construction allows ambitious projects without overextending
• Purpose-built worship spaces vs. multi-use flexibility is an ongoing debate
• Architecture can be a ministry tool, not just a practical necessity

Future Content Ideas

• Tech tour of Jesus Image when construction is complete
• Comparison series: Traditional vs. Modern church architecture
• Construction technique deep-dives for church building projects
• Budget-friendly ways to incorporate traditional design elements

Action Items

• Plan potential visit to Jesus Image Church construction site
• Research other churches using similar traditional design approaches
• Investigate cost comparisons between construction methods

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Podcast Episode Notes: Choosing Church Broadcast Audio Systems Episode Overview

Discussion about switching from Logic Pro to other broadcast audio solutions including Waves LV1, Studio One, and Pro Tools for church live streaming applications.

Key Participants

• Jake Gosselin - Host/Audio Expert
• Matt Woltjer - Audio Engineer/Consultant

Main Topics Covered Current Industry Setup

• Most professionals using matrix mix from LV1 systems for broadcast
• Common approach: dedicated matrix send from main front-of-house mix
• Requires ongoing attention to maintain quality

Logic Pro Issues Identified

Primary Problem: Time Drift

• Logic Pro gradually falls behind video stream
• Can drift up to 2+ seconds behind actual video
• Creates major sync issues for live streaming
• Problem appears unique to Logic Pro

Design Limitations

• Logic Pro optimized for studio recording, not live applications
• Apple's development priorities focus on studio use
• Pricing model ($200 for 18+ years) indicates different revenue focus

Alternative DAW Options

Ableton Live & Pro Tools

• No reported time drift issues
• Better suited for live applications
• More reliable for broadcast mixing

Waves LV1 System

• Purpose-built for live mixing
• Hardware controller integration
• Superior plugin processing
• Most expensive but most reliable option

System Integration Challenges

Hardware Requirements

• Allen & Heath SQ: Requires Waves interface cards
• Dante Systems: Need Dante Wave Sound Bridge (~$3,000)
• LV1 Options:
  • Classic (most expensive, full features)
  • One C Compact (budget option, limited processing)
  • Proton Duo (insufficient for full mix)

Critical Decision Factors

Budget Considerations

• LV1 systems: $10,000+ for complete setup
• Additional hardware costs often overlooked
• Integration complexity increases total cost

Staffing Reality Check

• Many churches: 1-2 experienced engineers, 2-3 learning operators
• Common mistake: Experienced on FOH, beginners on broadcast
• Results in expensive equipment producing poor mixes

Fundamental Issues First

• Acoustic treatment more impactful than equipment upgrades
• Proper PA tuning essential before broadcast considerations
• Secondary console improves mix quality only 2-5%
• Room acoustics can transform entire sound

Professional Recommendations

When to Choose Matrix Mix:

• Small to midsize churches
• Limited experienced staff
• Budget constraints
• Desire for consistency and reliability

When to Consider LV1:

• Dedicated broadcast mixing staff
• Sufficient budget for complete system
• Acoustics and PA already optimized
• Need for advanced plugin processing

Questions to Ask Before Upgrading:

1. What specific problems are you solving?
2. Do you have dedicated, experienced broadcast staff?
3. Are fundamental acoustic/PA issues addressed?
4. What's your complete system budget?
5. How complex is your current audio routing?

Real-World Case Study

Recent consultation example:

• Church requesting lighting upgrades without understanding lighting theory
• Eight BLX wireless systems failing across multiple rooms
• Recommended: Learn fundamentals before spending money
• Upgrade to antenna-capable systems for multi-room use

Key Takeaways

Equipment Isn't Always the Answer

• Master current equipment before upgrading
• Address fundamental issues (acoustics, tuning) first
• Proper operation often more important than specific hardware

Context is Critical

• Every church situation is unique
• Professional consultation recommended
• Holistic system assessment necessary
• Strategic upgrade planning prevents expensive mistakes

Success Factors

• Experienced operation
• Proper implementation
• Fundamental acoustic treatment
• Realistic budget and expectations

Action Items for Listeners

1. Assess current system holistically before planning upgrades
2. Prioritize acoustic treatment and PA tuning
3. Evaluate staff experience and availability
4. Consider professional consultation for complex decisions
5. Focus on mastering current equipment capabilities

Resources Mentioned

• Church Front premium membership for professional consultation
• Professional coaching calls available
• Community recommendations for Studio One and Pro Tools

Next Steps for Churches

• Evaluate specific broadcast mixing challenges
• Consider matrix mix optimization before new systems
• Plan strategic upgrade path with professional guidance
• Address fundamental issues before equipment purchases

Episode Duration: ~10 minutes Topic: Church Audio Technology Audience: Church technical teams, audio engineers, ministry leaders

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Podcast Episode Notes: Church Live Streaming Reality Check Episode Overview

Matt and Jake react to Pro Church Tools' recent discussion about the current state of online church, diving deep into questions about quality, purpose, and audience for church live streaming in 2025.

Key Topics Covered The Quality vs. Accessibility Debate

• Pro Church Tools' Position: High-quality livestreams require dedicated mixing boards and professional expertise that most churches lack
• Matt & Jake's Pushback: 85-95% quality is achievable with proper fundamentals and doesn't require professional-level resources
• The Real Issue: Sometimes poor livestream quality stems from poor source material (musicianship, room acoustics)

The Hard Truth About Audio Quality

• Matt's Honest Take: "Your livestream mix is not good because your musicians are not good"
• The Growth Mindset: Every great musician started as a not-so-great musician
• Foundation First: Master musicianship, room acoustics, and basic mixing before investing in expensive gear

Who's Actually Watching Your Stream?

• Key Statistic: 35% of online church attenders are retirement age (12 points above average)
• Implications for Ministry: Need to consider accessibility, content relevance, and viewing habits
• Snowbird Effect: Many older viewers are traveling members staying connected to home church

The Purpose Question

What are we streaming for?

• Marketing tool for church visitors
• Connection for homebound members
• Seasonal/traveling member engagement
• Accessibility for those who can't attend in person

Production Philosophy

• Start with fundamentals: Musicianship, room acoustics, basic mixing skills, proper lighting
• Avoid the gear trap: Don't buy expensive equipment without mastering the basics
• Quality target: Aim for "good enough" that serves your actual audience, not "perfect" that impresses other tech people

Notable Quotes

Jake: "You can compress a jackhammer, but it's still going to sound like a jackhammer."

Matt: "If you're the sound guy trying to get an online mix that sounds good from a band that doesn't sound good in house, then good luck."

Jake: "There's something magical that happens when you're in person in the room at worship every Sunday."

Matt: "The top four pages on church websites are always: homepage, about us, staff, and livestream."

Action Items for Churches

1. Audit your fundamentals before investing in new gear
2. Understand your actual livestream audience (hint: it might be older than you think)
3. Optimize for accessibility - text size, audio levels, clear announcements
4. Invest in musical training for your team
5. Remember the goal: Complement, don't compete with, in-person worship

Tools & Resources Mentioned

• Waves Real Tune plugin for pitch correction
• Importance of proper room acoustics
• Front-of-house mixing consoles for dual-purpose mixing
• Website analytics for understanding visitor behavior

Discussion Questions

• Who is your church's livestream actually serving?
• Are you starting with the right foundational skills?
• How do you balance quality aspirations with realistic resource constraints?
• What role should livestreaming play in your overall ministry strategy?

Related Topics for Future Episodes

• Room acoustics basics for churches
• Building a volunteer tech team
• Church website optimization
• Generational differences in worship preferences
• Cost-effective lighting solutions for churches

This episode was a reaction to Pro Church Tools' video about online church. While we respectfully disagree on some technical points, we appreciate Brady and Alex for raising these important strategic questions about church technology.

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Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast - Episode with Joey Parish Guest: Joey Parish - Founder of Parish Drums Episode Description

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Joey Parish, founder of Parish Drums and longtime touring drummer with Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. Discover how one drummer's need for portable gear led to a complete rethinking of drums designed specifically for worship contexts. From canvas drum heads to brush techniques, Joey shares practical insights for worship teams looking to solve volume and space challenges.

Key Topics Covered Joey's Background

• Started playing in church in 5th/6th grade with a pawn shop drum kit
• Early touring with Chris Tomlin (the "little east Texas guy in a cowboy hat")
• Years on the road with Shane & Shane, learning nuanced, acoustic-focused drumming
• Transition from bus tours to flying and the birth of Parish Drums

The Parish Drums Innovation

• The Problem: Need for consistent, portable drums for fly dates
• The Research: Existing portable kits were too heavy (70+ lbs without cases)
• The Solution: Custom-built nesting kit under 50 lbs, fits in airline luggage
• Evolution: From 14" bass drum to current 18" bass drum design

Design Philosophy

• Wood Choices: Mahogany exterior, poplar interior (softer, less dense woods)
• Bearing Edges: Rounded edges for less resonance and more control
• Shell Depth: Shorter drums for quicker decay
• Goal: "Dead, thumpy" drums that don't require extensive muffling

Revolutionary Canvas Heads

• Patent Pending: First-of-its-kind cotton canvas drum heads
• Benefits: Extremely quiet, removes high frequencies, maintains attack
• Testing: Road-tested extensively during Shane & Shane Christmas tour
• Sound: Natural muffling without sacrificing musical quality

Playing Techniques for Worship

• Brush Advocacy: Nylon bristle brushes for volume control and articulation
• Brush Development: Creating improved brushes to solve durability issues
• Dynamic Range: Learning to play from whisper-quiet to full volume
• Adaptability: Removing drums as needed to fit the room/moment

Practical Tips for Worship Drummers In-Ear Monitor Mixing

• Counter-intuitive Tip: Turn problem instruments UP in your mix to naturally play softer
• Simplification: Turn off crowd mics, choir mics to maintain timing focus
• Click Track: Use plenty of click for solid timing foundation

Transitioning from Rock to Worship

1. Understand the Mission: Create an environment for corporate worship
2. Know the Songs: Learn originals thoroughly before adapting
3. Build Vocabulary: Play with different worship leaders to develop adaptability
4. Embrace Dynamics: Move beyond on/off playing to gradual dynamic shifts

Room Adaptation

• Play the Room: Adjust setup and dynamics to fit the space
• Less is More: Sometimes removing elements serves the music better
• Acoustic Partnership: Leave space for other instruments to fill

Technical Insights Microphone Approaches

• Versatility: Parish drums work well with any standard drum mics
• Preference: Beta 98s on toms for wood hoop compatibility
• Studio Standard: 421s on toms, large diaphragm dynamics on kick
• Monitor Mix: Often removes bottom snare mic from personal mix for clarity

Drum Tuning and Setup

• Locking Tension Rods: Maintain tuning stability during transport
• Head Choices: Evans 56 Calftone (synthetic calfskin) for natural feel
• Snare Wires: Uses 12-strand instead of typical 42-strand for volume control
• Shell Materials: Prioritizes control over projection and resonance

Shane Bernard Collaboration Insights Musical Partnership

• Extreme Dynamics: Shane plays from inaudible whisper to full volume
• Percussive Approach: Shane thinks like a drummer on guitar
• Negative Space: Musicians fill each other's gaps rather than competing
• Real-time Adaptation: Shared musical language allows for spontaneous changes

Learning from a Master

• Observation Period: Spent month doing sound before playing, learning the parts
• Musical Vocabulary: Built understanding of Shane's musical thinking
• Dynamic Response: Learned to match and complement extreme dynamic ranges

Business and Ministry Integration The Worship Initiative Partnership

• Resource Support: Financial and operational backing for growth
• Shared Mission: Equipping churches with better tools for worship
• Content Creation: Part of comprehensive worship training platform

Church Applications

• Volume Control: Primary solution for churches struggling with drum volume
• Space Efficiency: Fits in corners, small stages, intimate settings
• Aesthetic: Eliminates need for drum shields in many cases
• Consistency: Same sound every service, regardless of room acoustics

Resources and Connect Parish Drums

• Website: parishdrums.com
• Innovation: Canvas heads and improved brush designs coming soon
• Focus: Drums designed specifically for worship contexts

The Worship Initiative

• Website: theworshipinitiative.com
• Content: Songwriting, heart training, instrument training
• Mission: Comprehensive worship leader development

Quotable Moments

"I learned to do more with less. When you're touring with buses and trucks and trailers, you end up bringing more than you need... it really helped move me back to these are the fundamentals. This is man, you're here to keep time and occasionally do something interesting maybe."

"Every kit in every church is just covered in gaff tape and gels and big fat snare drum rings... So what I wanted to do was out of the box have just the dead, most dead thumpy drums with the least amount of resonance."

"If you just Google 'drum muffle,' you can just scroll for pages and pages and pages... everybody that I know in my whole career has been spent trying to tame frequencies, overtones, all that stuff."

"We want to sing together. We want to praise the Lord... We want to create an environment where that's the most possible."

Episode Length: Approximately 65 minutes Host: Luke Jackson Production: Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast

Podcast Notes: Interview with Carson Bruce of The Worship Keys Episode Overview

In this episode of the Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast, Luke Jackson interviews Carson Bruce, founder of The Worship Keys platform—a resource dedicated to helping keys players in worship settings improve their skills and understanding of their role.

About Carson Bruce & The Worship Keys

• Founder of The Worship Keys platform, which focuses on four main areas: music theory, gear/software, ministry, and industry
• Classically trained pianist who now lives in Nashville
• The Worship Keys podcast releases weekly on Wednesdays, featuring interviews with keys players

Origin Story

• Carson created the platform because he "wished something like this existed" when he was younger
• Piano has been central to his personal faith journey—often serving as his "prayer closet"
• Noticed a gap in resources specifically for worship keys players

Essential Skills for Worship Pianists

1. Heart Posture: "If your heart is not in ministry...you're not going to stay on that stage satisfied"
2. Playing by Ear: Learning to listen and replicate what you hear is crucial
3. Nashville Number System: Understanding music theory through the number system
4. Ear Training: Practice playing unfamiliar worship songs by ear, then verify with chord charts
5. Focus on Fundamentals: Learn to play well before worrying about gear

Transitioning from Classical to Contemporary

• Classical training often emphasizes sight-reading and technical precision
• Worship contexts require playing by ear, improvisation, and band awareness
• Many pianists struggle with this transition because the learning approaches are fundamentally different

Nashville Number System for Keys Players

Despite some believing it's mainly useful for guitarists, Carson advocates for pianists using the Nashville Number System because:

• It facilitates whole-band communication
• Makes modulation easier
• Numbers are quicker to call out than complex chord names
• Works internationally across language barriers
• Promotes collaboration rather than piano-centric leadership

Common Mistakes Worship Keys Players Make

1. Overplaying the Low End: Creates muddiness when there's already a bass player
2. Doing Too Much: Sometimes simplicity serves the song better
3. Playing Full Triads in Both Hands: Consider simpler voicings like fifths or suspended chords
4. Not Understanding Context: Different musical styles require different approaches

Technology Tips Software Options

• MainStage: Good for Mac users, moderate learning curve
• Ableton Live: Most powerful but steeper learning curve
• Sunday Keys App: User-friendly iPad app with AI capabilities ($120)

Hardware Highlight

• Atmosphere Pedal by Aerospace Audio: Physical pedal with high-quality atmospheric pads built in
• Allows pianists to trigger pads without needing a computer on stage
• Features 10 different pad sounds based on atmospheric layers
• Small footprint allows it to be placed directly on the keyboard

Keys Players' Rigs

Carson's typical setup includes:

• Arturia KeyLab MIDI controller
• MainStage software for sounds
• Focusrite 18i20 interface when running tracks
• Software from Sunday Sounds or Aerospace Audio for pads

Decision-Making for Keys Equipment

Carson's advice:

• If your keyboard works well, keep it and upgrade your sounds through software
• Consider Sunday Keys app for simplicity and ease of use
• MainStage for Mac users who want more control
• Ableton Live for those willing to invest time in learning a comprehensive system
• Use iPad apps when available to avoid complex computer setups

Sunday Keys App Highlights

• Features AI-generated sounds based on text or emoji descriptions
• Allows easy sharing of setlists between multiple campuses
• Affordable one-time purchase with optional annual updates
• Limitation: Cannot currently import custom-created patches

Artists That Inspire Carson

• Red Rocks Worship (particularly Spooky Scott)
• Elevation Rhythm (especially "Goodbye Yesterday")
• The Ramp Worship from Hamilton, Alabama
• Various gospel artists for technical inspiration

Connect with The Worship Keys

• Instagram: @theworshipkeys
• YouTube: The Worship Keys
• Email: [email protected]

Key Quotes

• "If you're not using the number system as a pianist, maybe you're not meaning to, but it's like you're trying to say one up almost."
• "It's like buying a Lamborghini and driving it in first gear everywhere you go."
• "The piano was once looked at as a secular instrument that you only play in the bars and the pubs, and then it was brought into the church and people had big problems with that."
• "A lot of times they're asking you to do less in a full band context."

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