For this episode of LaunchLeft Podcast, Rain is joined by renowned producer and musician John Congleton, who shares his journey in the music industry and his collaboration with emerging artist Sarah Kinsley. They explore the creative process, the significance of authenticity in art, and the unique dynamics of producing music. John Congleton shares his early musical influences and the pivotal moments that led him to become a producer, reflecting on his upbringing in a musically rich environment and the profound impact of punk rock on his creative journey. John launches Sarah Kinsley who reflects on working with John on her latest album, “Escaper”, highlighting the collaborative nature of music production and the challenges of translating studio work to live performances.

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In This Episode:

[5:30] John Congleton's Early Music Journey

[10:48] The Role of Artists and Creativity

[16:43] Mentorship and Influence of Steve Albini

[21:33] John launches Sarah Kinsley

[27:06] Creating Music with Physical Instruments

[33:07] The Impact of Technology on Music Creation

[38:25] Social Media and Artistic Perception

Key Takeaways:

​Everyone is inherently creative, akin to breathing. It's about recognizing and nurturing that creativity in everyday life.

Congleton believes that creativity is as natural as breathing. Everyone possesses it, but often, people forget their innate artistic potential. Recognizing and nurturing this creativity can lead to personal fulfillment and innovation.

Artists serve as conduits for expressing the human experience. They capture the essence of what it feels like to be alive at a particular moment in time, offering insights that go beyond mere information through all forms of art and expression. 

The digital age presents new challenges, such as the instant playback of music and the pervasive influence of social media. Artists must balance these tools with their creative instincts to maintain authenticity.

Performing live offers a unique opportunity to connect with audiences in a shared, ephemeral experience. It allows artists to reinterpret their work and engage with listeners on a deeper level.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for John Congleton

https://www.instagram.com/congletonjohn

Links for Sarah Kinsley 

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkinsleyd

https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahkinsleyd

https://twitter.com/sarahkinsleyd

https://www.sarahkinsleymusic.com/

John Congleton’s Bio 

Producer of some of the most cutting edge music over the past ten years, Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton is known for challenging the artists with whom he works and the listeners who enjoy their work. From his astounding drum sounds to the aggressive guitar sounds he conjures, Congleton defines modern record production.

Starting as a teenager in Dallas, Congleton studied and learned the craft of engineering from the ground up. While recording bands on the local scene he developed into an engineer of note. Soon he was being called to record projects as diverse as Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, all the while continuing to work with the local indie rock scene. 

Upon returning to Dallas, Congleton quickly established himself as the best producer in town. It was while working with the Polyphonic Spree he met Annie Clark, now better known as St. Vincent. Their partnership over six albums has won Grammy awards and been universally praised by critics as some of the most important music of our times.

Now based in Los Angeles, Congleton continues to grow and flourish. In addition to the repeat business from long-time clients, he’s now established among the best of the best. Recent productions include Death Cab for Cutie, The Murder Capital, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, Wallows, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten and many more.