In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Simon Vansintjan, a web developer and musician, to explore the innovative platform Mirlo. Designed as a collectively owned digital marketplace for music, Mirlo aims to provide an open-source alternative to conventional platforms like Bandcamp, emphasizing community and transparency.

Simon shares the story behind Mirlo and discusses the challenges of building a music platform without venture capital. We delve into the unique features of Mirlo, including its subscription model that allows artists to offer their music and merchandise directly to fans while fostering a sustainable income stream.

We talk about the importance of cooperative ownership in the music industry, the platform's support of Creative Commons licensing, and the vision for creating a supportive community for musicians. Simon also highlights the technical aspects of Mirlo, including its user-friendly interface and the ongoing development to enhance the listening experience for users.

To learn more about Mirlo and join the conversation, visit mirlo.space

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Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Simon Repp, a talented software developer focused on creating tools for musicians. We delve into Simon's projects, primarily Faircamp, a static site generator for musicians that allows them to host their music independently, much like Bandcamp but without the platform constraints.

Simon shares the origins of Faircamp, inspired by his own experiences as a musician and his desire for a platform that prioritizes simplicity and independence over commercial competition. We explore the technical aspects of Faircamp, including its foundation on Rust for efficient and bug-free coding, and its innovative use of FFmpeg for audio file conversion. Simon explains the concept of a "soft pay curtain," a unique approach to voluntary payments for music downloads.

We also discuss the challenges and opportunities of self-hosted platforms, the role of static site generators, and Simon's commitment to maintaining Faircamp as a low-maintenance, accessible tool for musicians. Additionally, Simon talks about his other project, Hyper 8, a similar tool for video producers, and his vision for the future of these projects.

Discover more about Simon's work and explore Faircamp at simonrepp.com/faircamp.

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Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of the Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I chat with Honeychild Coleman, a multifaceted musician and visual artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Our conversation kicks off with the unique story of how I first learned about this musician and quickly delves into Honeychild's journey from art school illustrator to street-performing musician. Honeychild shares insights into managing multiple bands, including the blues-punk group The 1865, and discusses her solo projects and collaborations with various artists.

Honeychild also talks about her experience busking in the New York subway, the creative process behind her music, and her involvement in the documentary "Rock Chicks." The discussion touches on her recent foray into writing and her contributions to the anthology "Black Punk Now." Honeychild reflects on the challenges of promoting her work across different platforms and maintaining a distinct voice for each of her creative ventures.

Discover more about Honeychild Coleman and her work at honeychildcoleman.com.

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Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Meljoann, a multidisciplinary artist from Ireland, now based in Brighton, UK. I heard about Meljoann on the federated social platform Mastodon, where I learned about our mutual passion for free and open-source music creation.

We talk about Meljoann's unique music style, "Hyperjack," a term they coined to describe their blend of New Jack Swing influences with modern electronic elements using tools like Reaper and a mix of hardware and software synthesizers.

The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities of releasing music independently in the digital age. Meljoann discusses their use of Fairamp, a self-hosted platform for musicians, and their involvement in the federated music community, including involvement on Radio Free Fedi and Peertube.

Additionally, Meljoann talks about their upcoming album "Status," set for release in March, and their innovative approach to music promotion.

Discover more about Meljoann and their work at meljoann.com.

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Lorenzo's Music Website https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode, we delve into the process behind a collaboration for Lorenzo's Remixes Volume 1. Toucon aka Connor Lipke, provided a beat that became the foundation for a remix of the song "Slippery friction". The discussion covers the nuances of beat creation, starting with the basics of a drum loop and building upon it with synth layers using the VST, Serum.

We look at the original FL Studio session for the beat Toucon made using a Novation Launchkey MIDI keyboard. We talk about the use of one-shot drum samples and drum packs from various producers for the beat-making process.

Toucon also discusses the challenges and strategies of selling beats online, including the use of platforms like BeatStars and maintaining relationships with artists for the beats he creates.

This interview was recorded during an Instagram live session.

Toucon on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5m9Arsu1Lxf5DPPGDYL7Ww

Lorenzo's Music album "Lorenzo's Remixes, Volume 1" is available now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lorenzosmusic/lorenzos-remixes-volume-1

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode musician Nicholas Burgess, returns to the show. This time, we talk about Nicholas's creative process for remixing our song "Rainy Day Friction" for our EP Lorenzo's Remixes Volume 1. We have a discussion about the techniques Nicholas used and the artistic decisions he made on the track.

This interview was recorded during an Instagram live session, Nicholas shares his method of starting with the original song's stems, selectively retaining parts like the bass, and building upon them with his own musical style. He explains his focus on the song's chorus and how it influenced the structure of the remix, drawing parallels to contemporary pop songwriting methods.

You'll also hear about Nicholas's approach to layering instruments, MIDI synths, and the creative effects he applies to achieve the remix's unique sound. Additionally, Nicholas discusses his vocal contributions to the track and how he balanced them with the original vocals.

Nicholas also has a new album release, "MEJORA MAJORA" that came out in October. He provides a glimpse into the album's production process including physical formats.

Listen to the remix https://youtu.be/dXRctm2uPRY

Nicholas Burgess Website https://nicholasburgess.com

Discover more about Lorenzo's Music at https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

This is a special behind-the-scenes episode! We look at the DAW recording session from our latest song "Blue water friction". Talk about blending influences from '80s new wave and reggae. Dive into the intricacies of drum, bass, and guitar arrangements, and explore the unique elements like the Yoshimi keyboard and saxophone improvisations.

Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode, I chat with Nashville-based artist Jon Worthy. From playing in a college band to becoming a full-time musician we delve into his experiences booking shows, transitioning from studio recording to home setups, and his approach to releasing music under Creative Commons. Jon talks about his new album, which is available on Spotify and as a vinyl LP, and the process behind its creation.

We explore Jon's transition into making music for TV and film. Jon shares insights into the world of sync licensing, the creative process behind crafting music for specific briefs, and some of the notable shows where his music has been featured, such as "American Ninja Warrior" and "Selling Sunset."

Our conversation also touches on the challenges of booking live shows his evolving live performances, as well as the intricacies of producing music videos. John shares stories of collaborating with talented filmmakers, including a high-production video where he played the Joker.

Check out John Worthy's music and videos:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jonworthy

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Jo3IYxXbnkBX8irFxeGX2?si=C4rzJaNMRmuD_DwuqL0uTw

And as always, find more about Lorenzo's Music at https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I chat with Nicole and Sam from the band Mr. Gnome. They started as a two-piece band but have since evolved, bringing Sam's brother Jonah into their live performances. Currently on tour for their new album, we dive into their journey, discussing their recording setup, the evolution of their music, and the creative process behind their albums and videos.

We explore how Mr. Gnome started in 2005, self-releasing their first EP and gradually gaining momentum through live shows. Nicole and Sam share insights into their DIY approach, including starting their own record label and the decision-making process behind recording at home.

We also touch on their unique approach to album artwork, which involves creating elaborate photo collages, and the collaborative effort within their family to bring their artistic visions to life.

Check out Mister Gnome on their website and social media:

Mr. Gnome - https://www.mrgnome.com

Instagram - https://instagram.com/mrgnomemusic

And as always, find more about Lorenzo's Music at https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of the Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I chat with Kristian, an electronic rock musician from Seattle who performs under the moniker US3R. We dive into his fascinating journey from a solo musician to collaborating with a bandmate, and how his setup has evolved to include both synths and guitars. Kristian shares details about his live rig, which features a blend of Moog synthesizers, guitars, and a sophisticated in-ear monitoring system. We explore how he uses a digital audio workstation (DAW) to enhance his portable stage set up.

Kristian also takes us through his creative process, discussing his latest album "Rise of the Midnight Sun" and the inspiration behind the track "Nightmare." We delve into the technical aspects of his live setup and a custom-built Wi-Fi network for seamless integration of lights and effects.

Check out US3R on Spotify:

US3R - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WKERvE3l2iklzOSZxtLsf

US3R on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/imtheus3r

And as always, find more about Lorenzo's Music at https://www.lorenzosmusic.com