Rock Singing Success

Join us as we dive into VAHTANG’s cover of “Human” to find creative approaches to vocal distortion. What can VAHTANG’s beatboxing, throat singing, and false cord techniques teach us about pushing the limits of rock and metal singing? From exploring rhythmic textures to developing powerful low screams safely, join Chris Fox and me as we discover how to build distortion that’s flexible, authentic, and unforgettable.

In this episode:

• Discover VAHTANG’s beatbox cover of “Human” and his creative ways to use vocal distortion, grit, and screams
• Understand why great distortion starts with relaxation, not brute force
• Learn how to use false cord placement to shape rhythmic textures in vocals
• See the shared techniques between beatboxers and extreme vocalists
• Unlock brutal low tones safely with demon speech
• How jaw opening, crying, and yawning create relaxed distortion
• Develop vocal flexibility to access both high-intensity grit and deep lows
• Blend fry, false cord, and open resonance to create unique vocals
• How to build powerful low screams without hurting your voice
• Apply throat singing concepts to extreme vocals and metal styles

VAHTANG - Human (Beatbox Cover): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCnXohPhkUk

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

What do you do when your singing voice gives out mid-set? Why does your vocal endurance fail, even when you feel ready? Whether you constantly lose your voice mid-performance or force yourself to keep singing no matter how exhausted your voice is, dive into what really causes vocal fatigue on stage—and how to fix it. From mastering subtle resets to balancing distortion and clean vocals, join me as we uncover practical ways to build vocal resilience, sing with power, and deliver every performance with control and longevity.

In this episode:

• Learn why you lose your singing voice during a performance—and how to stop it from happening
• Why endurance issues usually point to poor training, not just poor singing
• The difference between shaping for belt and distortion vs. pushing for it
• How yawning and sighing can reset your voice on stage
• How crying prepares your voice for the hard parts
• Why rehearsing your setlist like a real show preps your voice too
• Discover how small vocal cues (like “hey” or a soulful “mmm”) can lock in your voice placement
• Learn to balance distortion and clean singing to avoid vocal fatigue
• How to keep distortion powerful without pushing
• Why over-articulation creates intensity better than pushing
• Why consistency, awareness, and shaping—not brute force—create lasting impact

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

What does it take to recover your singing voice and come back stronger? How can you rebuild vocal strength after illness, overuse, or fatigue? Whether you’ve dealt with Covid, laryngitis, or the common cold, join me as we explore targeted strategies that restore vocal health, rebuild control, and reconnect you with your voice—safely, consistently, and with lasting impact.

In this episode:

• Learn to rebuild your voice after illness, overuse, or vocal fatigue
• The vital difference between singing and training
• Why proper vocal recovery requires specific coordination and muscle memory
• How to massage and reset the vocal cords
• The benefits of straw sirens and cry phonation for healing and stretching the voice
• How to balance breath control and compression
• Discover how yawning can promote relaxation and vocal fold connection
• Recover without straining your voice using light, whimper-based octaves
• Learn to stabilize your mix and reduce flipping through cry coordination
• Develop compression safely with proper humming (tracking) SOVT
• Build back your full voice gradually by aligning with your current limits
• Why consistency, patience, and the right feedback are essential to recover fully

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

Even if you don’t think of yourself as the typical frontperson, understanding the dynamics of being a lead singer is essential to delivering powerful performances and building a lasting impression and connection with your fans. From balancing confidence and ego to harnessing emotion and authenticity on stage, join me, Chris Fox, Drew Cope, and Matt Sutton as we explore the key strategies that shape great performers, strengthen band dynamics, and define your unique identity and reputation.

In this episode:

• Understanding lead singer syndrome and how it affects band dynamics
• The fine line between confidence and ego on stage
• The importance of connecting with your audience rather than showcasing skill
• How emotion impacts performance and stage presence
• The role of authenticity in building a strong connection with your fans
• Learning from on-stage experiences to refine your artistic identity
• The dangers of allowing frustration to bleed into your live performance
• How humor and storytelling can enhance (or ruin) audience engagement
• Recognizing the impact of your reputation and the persona you create
• Why defining your personal and artistic brand is key to success
• The importance of self-awareness and adaptability as a performer
• Navigating the mental health challenges of being a front-person

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

What does it take to thrive creatively while avoiding burnout? How can embracing flexibility, gratitude, and self-reflection unlock your potential? From aligning personal projects with core values to building systems for accountability, join Michael Amidei and me as we explore strategies to grow as an artist, develop resilience, and redefine success in 2025.

In this episode:

• Strategies for avoiding burnout while pursuing artistic endeavors
• How reflection without judgment is paramount for achieving your goals
• Why choose flexible planning over rigid New Year's resolutions
• Recognizing the value of consistent small steps and habits for long-term progress
• The importance of emotional regulation for productivity and creativity
• Building resilience through understanding personal motivation
• The importance of focusing on fewer, meaningful goals
• Creating systems and teams for accountability and consistency
• How practicing gratitude can reshape your perspective
• The power of letting go of perfectionism and embracing imperfection
• Understanding that change can happen quickly and unexpectedly
• The benefits of aligning personal projects with core values
• How to redefine success outside traditional expectations

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

Even if you don’t plan on producing your music, understanding the basics of recording and mixing is essential to becoming a better singer and musician. From finding the right microphone to improving your sound with EQ, compression, and more, join me as we explore practical production tips to elevate your vocal performance and take your recording to the next level.

In this episode:

• How basic production skills make you a better singer and musician
• The insane value of understanding recording and mixing
• How to find the RIGHT microphone for you, and why it’s incredibly important
• Affordable and effective soundproofing
• The benefit of using reference tracks for mixing
• How to use EQ and compression to enhance your vocals
• Why mastering is important
• Getting a full and polished sound
• The importance of recording for improving your voice
• You don’t hear what you think you hear: why taking breaks during mixing is essential
• Essential strategies to help your vocals stand out in the mix

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

What does it take to find and sustain creative flow? How can embracing failure and everyday rituals enhance your creativity? From connecting with mentors to drawing inspiration from daily life and the hero’s journey, join me as we uncover strategies to deepen your artistry, build creative muscles, and strengthen your connection with your audience.

In this episode:

• How to channel flow state in songwriting and performing
• Why staying motivated isn't just about productivity
• Understand why failure is essential to refining your music
• How rituals and mental cues enhance your creative process
• How creative inspiration can come from everyday interactions and stories
• Identify your personal story and communicate it to build a strong connection with your audience
• Recognize the power of connecting with mentors and allies to overcome inner challenges
• Learn from Star Wars and Harry Potter: How the hero's journey helps you be more creative in your art and career
• How leveraging everyday habits establishes a strong creative routine

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

Even if you don’t plan on writing music, learning the ins and outs of songwriting is essential to becoming a better singer and performer. From simplifying your music to overcoming busy schedules and writer’s block, join me in exploring essential songwriting tips that are useful both as a singer and songwriter.

In this episode:

• The importance of making songs your own
• Stupid simple: why simplicity is essential in songwriting
• Why writing bad songs is necessary to create good ones
• Using experimentation to turn familiar riffs into something unique
• How stripping down to simple chords leads to powerful music
• Why collaboration is key to creating memorable music
• What covers can teach you about songwriting
• The value of finding your voice and style through songwriting experimentation
• Utilize modern tools and apps to make songwriting accessible
• How simplifying the process can make songwriting more productive and fulfilling
• Why scheduling and prioritizing songwriting is crucial—from afterthought to habit
• Overcome writer’s block with modern tools for inspiration
• How the concepts of songwriting benefit you overall as a singer

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

How do you distort high notes when nothing seems to work? What do you do when your voice is worn out but you have a show in two days? How do you prevent over-singing and sustain your voice long-term? From distorting high notes to sustaining and recovering your voice, join me in exploring essential answers to student questions from the rock singing community.

In this episode:

• Learn why light, comfortable sounds are key to mastering distortion
• Explore how head voice supports high-note distortion
• Why you should avoid forcing distortion at higher pitches
• Tips to prevent over-compression and strain when adding grit
• How thinning and over-crying into higher notes can unlock distortion
• How to find balance between breath support and letting air through for distortion
• Understand distortion as a shape supported by airflow, not forced into place
• How mixing head voice and chest voice creates smoother transitions for distortion
• Techniques for maintaining vocal health while singing with distortion
• Why proper warm-ups are crucial before attempting any grit or distortion
• Strategies for recovering your voice after over-singing
• The importance of hydration and rest for sustaining your voice after heavy distortion
• How to maintain energy and aggression without over-straining your vocal cords during live shows
• How to adjust your set list to protect your voice during live performances
• Essential strategies for recording multiple takes without wearing out your voice

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about

What practices are essential to keeping your voice healthy and letting you sing for longer? What do you do when you’re sick but still need to sing? How do different foods, hydration, and sleep affect your singing? From the impact of personal rituals to adopting exercises that prepare your body for singing, join me in exploring essential strategies to improve your voice, stay healthy, and perform with confidence.

In this episode:

• Essential practices for maintaining vocal health
• Why hydration is crucial for singers and how to stay properly hydrated
• How sleep and diet impact your voice and overall singing performance
• Effective vocal warm-up routines and exercises for singing well
• How personal rituals can enhance your performance mindset
• How physical exercises help prepare your body for singing
• Strategies for singing while sick and how to recover your voice safely
• The importance of gradual warm-ups from light to intense
• The benefits of the cry technique in improving your vocal range
• How to adjust your performance when dealing with illness or recovery
• Why keeping your voice active during recovery is important
• The role of mental preparation and adopting an alter ego for stage confidence
• Why adapting warm-ups to your individual needs is crucial to singing well
• Why avoiding harmful vocal practices is essential for longevity in singing

Join the Rock Singing Success community for podcast discussions, courses, and an incredible community of supportive singers who are on the same journey as you.

https://www.skool.com/rocksingingsuccess/about