I spoke with Claudia Varona , a Berklee alumni, music educator and performer about her journey. In this conversation we speak about Claudia's insights with social media, boundaries, being a music educator and COVID 19.  Stay tuned and listen to more on Claudia's experiences with the Burlington,Vermont music scene and her life as a songwriter and performer on Dreams Not Memes.  

Link to Claudia's Tunes:

Youtube

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clxWPfPZJk8

Bandcamp

http://www.claudiavarona.bandcamp.com/

I spoke with Providence,Rhode Island writer Rob Duguay about writing and event planning. Duguay writes for 10 publications locally and nationally on various topics from sports, music, and day to day events in his community. He also organizes shows for local and touring bands in the Providence area. In this episode we talk about the ebbs and flows of the journalism industry and how to remain sustainable. Duguay also talks and criticizes the predatory pay to play model and how the pandemic is impacting pay to play promoters who have historically hurt the motivations of artists. Tune in on Dreams Not Memes. 

I spoke with Mollie Ennis based out in Portland, Maine about her career in graphic design. We discussed topics such as systems thinking, design principles, and market research. Ennis works in the marketing industry and shares her thoughts about how graphic design can be applicable to a wide range of industries and academic practice. 

Ennis also talks about her transition from working in graphic design for the love of art vs working to remain sustainable. Tune in on Dreams Not Memes to learn more about the well-rounded journey of Mollie Ennis and our conversations on data, design, and research. 

To view some of Mollie's work click the link below. 

http://www.molliennis.com/about-1

I spoke to Filip Zemcik, the founder of the Slovakian based cassette label, Z Tapes Records. Filip shares his story about how he started Z Tapes and has remained efficient and sustainable. Zemcik talks about how he has turned his passion for music into supporting artists internationally. We discuss the importance of relationship building, community, and the logistics of operating an independent label. Z Tapes has worked with artists ranging from Andy Burns, Max Gowan, Teen Suicide, Abi Reimold, Alex G, and countless others. Tune in to our conversation and learn more about Z Tapes on Dreams Not Memes. 

To follow ongoing projects by Z Tapes click the link below 

https://ztapesrecords.com/

I spoke to Taylor Wafford of Blood Root, a Nasvhille native project with Sylvan Esso, Maggie Rogers, and Daughter vibes. Wafford and I met while on tour in 2019 over St Patty's Day. In our conversation, we talk about Taylor's back story as a songwriter, her love for pedals, and self-discovery with the ups and downs of life. We take a deep dive into her two singles Teeth and Conversations and talk about her recording approaches with writing her upcoming Quarantine EP, CRUX. In addition to her life as a recording musician, Taylor talks about thoughts with the music industry, collaborating, goal setting, her day to day work in a guitar pedal shop, and life in Nashville during the Quarantine. Tune in and listen to more on Dreams Not Memes. 

Check out CRUX on July 24th 

https://bloodrootmusic.bandcamp.com/

Follow and listen to Taylor across social media at the link below 

https://fanlink.to/bloodroot

I spoke to Daniel, a musician local to the Providence, Rhode Island community. Daniel dives in and shares his story about how he became involved with music and booking. Daniel highlights experiences such as booking Mitski and Snail Mail to having to deal with the struggles of booking and relationship management in independent music communities. 

Daniel is also the lead singer of a band called Pondering, with no hesitation Dan shares that he wishes to be a full-time musician and wants to share his emotions with others while discussing his own struggles with depression. Tune in to more of Dan's story and listen on Dreams Not Memes. 

You can follow Dans journey at the links below. 

Twitter: @ponderingband 

Instagram: @ponderingmusic

Facebook: @ponderingnyc 

Booking @spacecloudpresents on Instagram and FB 

I spoke with a live sound front of the house engineer and studio producer Drew Gantert. Drew shares his story about how he fell into live production and is currently working on widening his skills as a producer and engineer for his own venture, Small Face Studios. In our discussion we talk about ongoing trends in the recording industry, freelancing, preparing for a studio session, how to keep yourself educated and more. Tune in and listen to Drew's story on Dreams Not Memes. 

Emily Famularo is a Rhode Island/NJ / Philly based writer who is in graduate school. Famularo speaks with me about her journey as a writer, and support for community-driven arts communities. Emily is the founder of The Hook Journal, a music publication that has covered various musicians and artists on a non-profit basis.  In addition to The Hook , Emily speaks to me about her self care and self-discovery routine, entrepreneurship, and commute life in the New England area. Listen to more on Dreams Not Memes. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehookjournal/

Website: https://www.thehookjournal.org/

Bandcamp: https://thehookjournal.bandcamp.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thehookjournal