Today I welcome back TJ Dumser, who makes ambient meditative soundscapes under the name Six Missing. TJ is in the process of releasing his new album Without Mind in 3 sections. We spoke shortly after the first section Identify was released.

TJ and I picked up where we left off, discussing his work and the vision he has for this album. Things pretty quickly got philosophical and introspective. We shared techniques for dealing with self-doubt and the inner critic. We also explored where we stand as artists in the face of Artificial Intelligence and constantly expanding technology.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

1. Trilogy Structure for Deeper Listening – TJ’s Without Mind album is being released in three parts to encourage intentional listening and build a larger sonic narrative.

2. Music Beyond the Background – Unlike passive ambient music, Without Mind is designed to hold your attention and reshape your experience in the moment.

3. Revisiting Old Work with Fresh Ears – After sitting unreleased for years, the project regained personal relevance when revisited in a new headspace and physical space.

4. Letting Go of Listener Expectations – TJ challenges the idea that ambient music has to be “nice and polite,” embracing sudden changes, rhythm, and experimentation.

5. Meditation as Creative Foundation – The concept of Without Mind stems from mindfulness: the ability to step back from thoughts and ego to access true presence.

6. Fighting the Algorithm with Art – Releasing in parts is not only practical for listeners, but also a way to subvert algorithm-driven consumption and reclaim artistic delivery.

7. Creative Identity Isn’t Fixed – Making something outside your norm is a valid and necessary part of your evolution as an artist.

8. Protect Your Flow State – Comparing distractions to carrying a hammer around all day, TJ emphasizes the need to carve out nonjudgmental, focused space to create.

9. From Critic to Collaborator – Brian and TJ reflect on treating the inner critic not as a judge, but as a collaborator—someone to notice, not obey.

10. Art as a Portal to Awareness – Both hosts agree: making music is not just about the product—it’s about attention, presence, joy, and being human.

Links:

• Six Missing - https://www.sixmissing.com
• Six Missing Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sixmissing
• Without Mind by Six Missing - https://www.sixmissing.com/sounds/without-mind
• TJ's First Appearance on this Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/tj-dumser
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening. 

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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk