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FEATURED SONG

The Drop – “Flunky Fesh” (from LONG HELD GRUDGES)

This season has been a real stretching experience (country & Christian pop music?!?), and it continues with my take on smooth jazz pop icons Steely Dan. They were the dominant antidote to rock music in the 1970s. Some might say they pioneered yacht rock (insert comment here). 

They’re back in vogue with the younger generations, and I don’t know why. I explore their history, the music, why they’ve been love/hate anti-rebels since they started, why people are into them now, and why they ever were. And I sort through ALL of my hugs and ughs.

Are you a fan of the Dan? Do you just know the hits? Can you not stand them? Do you think they deserve a place in the pantheon of great 1970s artists? And why do you think they’re so popular again? Discuss dammit!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: The best songs that sampled Steely Dan

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*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"

SONG COACHING

I'm starting a new song coaching service! I have decades of writing and producing hundreds of songs for dozens of artists in dozens of genres, and I'd love for you to be one of those artists.

I work with you at whatever part of the process you’re in, and take you as far as you’d like to go. Have a vague idea, one line, a few chords, half a song, a full song that needs shaping, a song you already love & want recorded, I meet you where you are and help you realize YOUR vision for YOUR song, from conception to recording & even distribution, or any stop in between. 

My rates are simple. Pay for as much or as little time as you want, and I also have discounted package deals. Check out the details on my song coaching page (nickdematteo.com/songcoaching). And then if you’d like to hire me as your song coach, or if you aren’t sure & have more questions, send me a message either way and let’s get started!

SONG COACHING

I spend about an hour with Nashville singer/songwriter Laura Sawosko. Her sixth album, Not What I Do, comes out on April 18. We get into her career - including her big move to Nashville, how she interprets the idea that music is not a genre, and what moves her as a music creator. We also talk about her overcoming a paralyzed vocal cord, and how that's influenced her sound.

And stay to the end to hear the FEATURED SONG: 
Laura Sawosko - "Not What I Do"

More on Laura Sawosko

See the "Rhinestones for Pearls" video!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Laura's 49-year-old family restaurant!

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*intro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

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Guest host Meat gives his take on the complete history of music. Plus a bit of his recipe for cacio e pepe.

Passion beats precision any day of the week.

No questions asked. None answered. Stay silent, dammit!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Meat's Famous Balls

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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

I spend about an hour with writer, historian and professor Don Cusic. He's the author of over 30 books, including his upcoming biography of Chet Atkins, and teaches "History of the Recording Industry" at Belmont University. We get into country music, music history in general, and the business of music.

More on Don Cusic

Check out Don's Books!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Don wrote a musical about Minnie Pearl!

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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!

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Here's a surprise gift BONUS MxTRA episode. It's a PATREON EXCLUSIVE that I'm sharing for two reasons. ONE - so you know what awesome bonuses you get if you join Patreon (link above). TWO - MxG Daddy needs a break this week!

This one is tells the truth about vinyl. Yes, we all like to romanticize it. But is the audio quality really better than digital or CDs or cassettes? I lay down the cold, hard facts, and weigh in on my favorite music listening formats.

If you like these BONS MxTRAs, you can see the videos, all 30+ MxTRAs, and every future episode if you join me on Patreon.

Enjoy!

I spend way too little time with Qais "Q" Masri, founder of Q Music Co., author of Press Play on Your Music Career, and a teacher at Music Production for Women (MPW). We talk about his business, his book, his intense passion for music and marketing, and what it takes to release your music properly.

Q Music Co.

Q's coaching

Press Play on Your Music Career

Music Production for Women

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: talking shop with Q on REC's new single

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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST!

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~~~~

FEATURED SONG

NICK – “Listen You People” (from the album LISTEN YOU PEOPLE)

Protest music has been around far longer than the 1960s, far earlier than America’s history of slavery, and far beyond even the history of the USA. Some might say that protest music has been around as long as people have lived in groups and put words to melodies.

Every era has its own versions of protest music – including right now, and all of them are vital. I go through protest music’s long history, its multiple reasons for being, whether or not it’s effective in bringing about change, and how it relates to today’s sociopolitical climate.

Are you a fan of protest music? If so, which songs and from which eras? Do you think protest music does anything beyond giving people a voice? Or do you think politics and social issues should stay out of music? Discuss dammit!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Do artists have a responsibility to speak out?

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*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

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FEATURED SONG

NICK – “Higher Ground Again” (from the unreleased demo, BLACK-EYED SUSAN)

Christian music has a loooooooooooooong history, likely as old as the religion itself. But it’s only been in the last 70 years or so that Christian music entered pop culture. Since then, it’s been a wildly successful sect of popular music that encompasses a growing number of subgenres, from rock to country to hip hop and beyond.

I kneel down and get serious about this often precisely understood form of music, starting with the ancient prehistory, its birthing into the modern music world, its growth and expansion, and even reveal some artists you had no idea were doing Christian music. And I decide once and for all if it’s any good.

Are you a fan of Christian music? If so, what kind and which artists? Do you like when popular music gets religious? Or would you rather those worlds remain separate? Discuss dammit!

BONUS MxTRA VIDEO: Mainstream artists who were actually Christian

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*intro music credit: REC - "Wake Up High"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"

I spend an hour with music industry veteran Ralph Tashjian, Founder and Chairman of Intercept Music. We talk about the industry past and present, some of his incredible experiences, the impressive roster of artists he's worked with, what Intercept music does, and what YOU can do as an artist to be ready for success.

Intercept Music

Intercept on Instagram

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*intro/outro music credit: REC - "Sing Owwt"

*mid roll music credit: The Drop - "Outerloper"