Concentric Circles

In this episode we talk with Matt Appleton about pivoting. Matt's storied career is a captivating success story. He is a Vermont based saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist record producer best known as the saxophone player and vocalist for ska legends Reel Big Fish. He graduated from Skidmore College in 2003 with a BA in Music and Full Sail University in 2004 with an AS in Recording Arts. He is the recipient of a 2019 Grammy Award nomination for his work on “Made an America” by The Fever 333 as well as two ARIA awards for his work on Silverchair’s “Young Modern” (Album of the Year and Rock Album of the Year). Matt began his recording career as an engineer for legendary English producer Nick Launay. He then spent many years as head engineer for producer John Feldmann. In the studio Matt has engineered, produced, and performed on a variety of instruments for records by Rachel Platten, Panic! At the Disco, The Used, Good Charlotte, Silverchair, Refused, Gavin Degraw, Anti-Flag, Set it Off, Von Smith, The Veronicas, The Mowglis, Foxy Shazam, Story of the Year, and Atreyu, to name a few. As a member of Reel Big Fish, Matt plays approximately 200 shows a year worldwide, including extensive tours of Europe, Russia, South America, Japan, and Australia. He has performed at the Vans Warped Tour, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Sonisphere, Boomtown, Give it a Name, and Slam Dunk festivals among others. In addition to his career as a touring musician, Matt is also a member of the pop songwriting duo Peter Panic and composes for Extreme Music, Superpop, and the Kingdom 2 Division of APM. Their work can be heard regularly on a number of cable and network TV shows, including “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” “Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” “Girl Meets World,” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” They are also the creators of DreamworksTV's "Sung History" and "Sung Science" series, which make learning about the past and the natural world fun for kids through catchy musical cartoons.

In this episode of Concentric Circles we talk about thinking outside of the box with the fascinating Jim Logrando. Jim is a co-founder of Craft Services, a music strategy agency that specializes in crowdfunding music projects. Prior to launching Craft Services, Jim held senior roles in strategic marketing and brand development at Redeye Worldwide / Yep Roc Records, as well as being a leading member of the Kickstarter Music team and working directly with creators.    By night, Jim is a songwriter, band manager, blackjack player, t-shirt collector, and tortured Pittsburgh Pirates baseball fan.  Visit https://concentriccircles.cc

On this episode of Concentric Circles we talk about FINDING YOUR VOICE with the almighty Liana Kangas.   In addition to working on titles for publishers like Image, TKO, 2000 AD, and Black Mask, Liana has joined the world of THE INEVITABLES as the artist for the comic.   Vinnie, Obi, Jono, and Liana talk about their personal experiences trying to hone their own creative voices in their projects, fight imposter syndrome, and be the best versions of themselves.    The episode ends with a round of SHITTY SUPERHEROES! The Concentric Circles Crew challenges Liana to draw three shitty superheroes with only a minute on the clock. Needless to say, the results are amazing.   Want to see more work from Liana? Check out www.lianakangas.com   Want to support THE INEVITABLES? Help us fund the project on KICKSTARTER here http://kck.st/2ZXMWRT

Work/life balance is an elusive subject for most people in the modern world. When you add the struggles and pressures of a creative's day-to-day, it can be a moving target. On today's episode, the lads talk with Alex Stern about how to strike the perfect balance of home life, work, and creative output.   Join the inner circle and learn more at https://concentriccircles.cc

On Episode #2 we talk about TAKING RISKS with designer and illustrator extraordinaire, Devin Watson. Listen wherever podcasts are streamed, or check out the visual experience at  https://concentriccircles.cc

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Big things on the way.

Welcome to the first episode of the NEW Concentric Circles, the show all about being a creative professional in the 21st century. 

In this action packed episode  Vinnie Fiorello, Obi Fernandez, Jon Diener and Jim Tramontana have a frank discussion about the importance of trust when working in creative teams. The dudes share personal experiences from the bands they've been as well as the tons of other creative projects they've been associated with over the years. 

Some of you may recall Concentric Circles originally was conceived as a creativity podcast, but because of various extenuating circumstances we put the project on hold. And now, like a phoenix reborn from its own ashes, the show has been resurrected to a more glorious and elaborate format. By taking advantage of the increased availability and the consumption of online streaming, we are proud to announce the show will be live on Twitch and then rebroadcast over various social media and podcast platforms.

Another exciting development is the show itself doubled in size, including musical and literary luminaries Obi Fernandez of Westbound Train and Jono Diener of Swellers to round out the original hosts Vinnie Fiorello (Less Than Jake) and, me, Jim Tramontana (you know me. I write, I rock...) Each of the four hosts brings a unique perspective on what it means to be a creative professional in the 21st century. We look forward to sharing insights, tips, and tricks from the quartet and from exciting guests who are out there crushing it.

We hope that this is the start of a thriving community where in-depth discussions can begin and radiate out, inspiring and educating us all to be more prolific creators and enrich the world with our gifts and creations.

Learn more at https://concentriccircles.cc

INSPIRATION AND CREATIVITY

Join your hosts, Vinnie Fiorello and Jim Tramontana as they explore what it means to engage with the culture create change through the connections encircling us. 

Visit www.concentriccircles.cc to join the inner circle. 

MEET YOUR HOSTS

is a founding member and chief lyricist of the seminal punk band Less Than Jake, a group with over 300 releases and 2000 live shows performed globally in its 25+ year life. He is the co-founder of Fueled By Ramen Records, a label acquired by Warner Music Group in 2006 that launched the careers of alternative music luminaries like Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and Panic! At the Disco.  His media company, Paper + Plastick, was founded in 2007 and releases music in all formats (including collectible vinyl), books, toys, and other merchandise.  Fiorello expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors in 2015 by opening  Wunderland Custom Tattooing (named after his successful toy brand, Wunderland War, featuring over 15 characters and 200 variations). He is also an author of children's books and comic books and a regular consultant for Warner Bros. He lives with his wife and daughter in Gainesville, Fl. 

is the sole creator of Ace Tucker Space Trucker, a cinematic audio science fiction and novel series. In addition to writing, editing, and sound designing the show, he voices all of the characters. The novelization of Ace Tucker Space Trucker: Season One, released in February of 2018, shot to the top of Amazon.com's humorous science fiction charts and remains in the top 100 to this day.