The Career Musician

Nomad Ripoll sits down with Belle & Chain, an artist duo bringing their own musical identity and creative chemistry to the stage. In this in-person conversation, they explore the story behind the duo, the partnership that brings their music to life, and what it takes to build a band around an artistic vision. From developing their sound and defining their identity as performers to navigating the realities of making music and growing as artists, Belle & Chain offer a closer look at the people and creativity behind the name. Whether you're an independent artist, a musician building a project with collaborators, or someone looking to turn your creative passion into a sustainable career, this episode is a reminder that great music is about more than talent alone. It's about collaboration, finding your voice, and building something that connects with an audience.

The opportunity usually comes before you feel ready.

Don’t wait until the audition, session, tour, or referral lands in your inbox to start treating your career like a business.

👉 GET THE GIG: https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig

Talent gets attention. Professionalism gets the callback.

The ETHOS: The Career Musician’s Code bundle gives you the mindset, principles, and real-world career framework NOMAD has developed from decades inside the business.

👉 GET THE ETHOS BUNDLE: https://www.thecareermusician.com/ethos

Stop guessing what your next move should be.

Book a 1-on-1 coaching call with NOMAD and build a strategy around your career, your goals, and your next opportunity.

👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching

If this episode gave you value, don’t just scroll away.

YouTube: Subscribe • Like • Comment • Share
Spotify: Follow • Rate the show ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Apple Podcasts: Follow • Leave a 5-star rating + review

And send this episode to one musician who needs to hear it.

That small action helps us bring you more conversations, tools, guests, and resources built for musicians serious about going pro.

PA Rehearsal Studios — 20% OFF
Use code NOMAD
https://parehearsalstudios.com

Courses + Career Tools
https://www.thecareermusician.com/store

Podcast + Latest Episodes
https://www.thecareermusician.com/podcast

JamPlay — Free Trial
Use code NOMAD
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Website: https://belleandchain.com/c2fa5405-80db-4b47-a22a-02522dfcb504
Instagram: @belleandchain
TikTok: @belle.and.chain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BelleandChain
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelleandChain/

YouTube: @TheCareerMusician
Instagram: @thecareermusician
Facebook: The Career Musician
TikTok: @thecareermusician

GET THE GIG. KEEP THE GIG. GO BEYOND THE GIG.
MAKE MUSIC YOUR BUSINESS.

#TheCareerMusician #MusicianMindset #MusicCareer #MusicianBurnout #MusicBusiness #BelleAndChain

🚨 READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?📘 BUILD YOUR CAREER WITH ETHOS🎯 WANT PERSONAL CAREER GUIDANCE?🔥 HELP TCM REACH THE NEXT CAREER MUSICIAN🎸 TCM RESOURCES🎤 MEET BELLE & CHAIN📲 FOLLOW THE CAREER MUSICIAN

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Nomad talks to Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton from New Orleans about Black American Music (BAM), breaking genre boundaries, and preserving the cultural roots and history of the music that shaped generations. He shares his journey growing up in a musical household, creating his own record label, Paytone Records, and using his voice and platform to challenge conventional ideas about jazz, artistic expression, and the music industry. They also discuss the importance of an artist’s visual identity, the value of physical music in the streaming era, overcoming self-doubt, speaking out as an artist, and navigating the rise of AI in music. Payton reflects on the legacy of musical pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis, the responsibility of carrying their influence forward, and why staying true to your art means embracing resistance and creating without boundaries.

The opportunity usually comes before you feel ready.

Don’t wait until the audition, session, tour, or referral lands in your inbox to start treating your career like a business.

👉 GET THE GIG: https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig

Talent gets attention. Professionalism gets the callback.

The ETHOS: The Career Musician’s Code bundle gives you the mindset, principles, and real-world career framework NOMAD has developed from decades inside the business.

👉 GET THE ETHOS BUNDLE: https://www.thecareermusician.com/ethos

Stop guessing what your next move should be.

Book a 1-on-1 coaching call with NOMAD and build a strategy around your career, your goals, and your next opportunity. 👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching

If this episode gave you value, don’t just scroll away.

YouTube: Subscribe • Like • Comment • ShareSpotify: Follow • Rate the show ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Apple Podcasts: Follow • Leave a 5-star rating + review

And send this episode to one musician who needs to hear it.

That small action helps us bring you more conversations, tools, guests, and resources built for musicians serious about going pro.

PA Rehearsal Studios — 20% OFFUse code NOMADhttps://parehearsalstudios.com

Courses + Career Toolshttps://www.thecareermusician.com/store

Podcast + Latest Episodeshttps://www.thecareermusician.com/podcast

JamPlay — Free TrialUse code NOMADhttps://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD

YouTube: @TheCareerMusicianInstagram: @thecareermusicianFacebook: The Career MusicianTikTok: @thecareermusician

GET THE GIG. KEEP THE GIG. GO BEYOND THE GIG.MAKE MUSIC YOUR BUSINESS.

#TheCareerMusician #MusicianMindset #MusicCareer #MusicianBurnout #MusicBusiness

🚨 READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?
📘 BUILD YOUR CAREER WITH ETHOS🎯 WANT PERSONAL CAREER GUIDANCE?🔥 HELP TCM REACH THE NEXT CAREER MUSICIAN🎸 TCM RESOURCES📲 FOLLOW THE CAREER MUSICIAN

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Episode #207: Proud, But Never Satisfied | Danny McGonegle

What happens when you stop waiting to feel ready—and start giving yourself every chance to succeed?

Drummer Danny McGonegle joins NOMAD to talk discipline, sobriety, preparation, social media, and the mindset shift that took him from feeling like an underachiever to attacking his career with purpose. His philosophy: be comfortable being uncomfortable.

✅ Why consistency beats motivation
✅ How preparation helps kill audition anxiety
✅ Building a career instead of chasing the next gig
✅ Using social media without sacrificing the music
✅ Why most people quit before the work starts paying off
✅ Danny’s mantra: “Proud, but never satisfied.”

Talent gets you noticed. Preparation gets you hired.

👉 GET THE GIG:
https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig

Get ETHOS: The Career Musician’s Code and learn the principles behind becoming the musician people call back.

👉 GET ETHOS: https://www.thecareermusician.com/ethos

Book a 1-on-1 coaching call with NOMAD.

👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching

If this episode gave you value:

Subscribe. Like. Comment. Share. Follow.
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating + review and send this episode to one musician who needs it.

https://www.thecareermusician.com/podcast

GET THE GIG. KEEP THE GIG. GO BEYOND THE GIG.
MAKE MUSIC YOUR BUSINESS.

#TheCareerMusician #DannyMcGonegle #MusicCareer #ProfessionalMusician #MusicianMindset

🎯 IN THIS EPISODE🚨 WOULD YOU BE READY IF THE GIG CAME TOMORROW?📘 STOP CHASING GIGS. BUILD A CAREER.🎯 NEED A CAREER GAME PLAN?🔥 SUPPORT THE SHOW🥁 FOLLOW DANNY McGONEGLE📲 THE CAREER MUSICIAN

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#206 — Mitch Beer on Bass: What They Don’t Teach You

Being a great bass player can get you noticed.

But chops alone won’t build you a career.

In this episode of The Career Musician, NOMAD sits down with bassist, producer, engineer, studio owner, and music industry lifer Mitch Beer for a real-world conversation about the stuff they DON’T teach you in music school — the lessons you usually have to learn on the gig.

🚨 READY TO GET THE GIG? START HERE:
👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig

If your next audition, session, tour call, referral, or opportunity showed up tomorrow… would you actually be ready?

Don’t wait until the gig is already on the table to figure out the business side of your career. Getting hired is about more than playing the notes — it’s your preparation, relationships, reputation, communication, gear, mindset, and your ability to deliver when somebody puts their trust in you.

Your next opportunity could come sooner than you think. Get ahead of it.
👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig

Mitch has built the kind of multidimensional career we talk about constantly at TCM.

He’s worked as a bassist and producer on Lil Uzi Vert’s #1 platinum album Pink Tape, contributed to Tierra Whack’s World Wide Whack, toured with Digable Planets and The Bacon Brothers, and has worked as a studio bassist for nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo.

But Mitch’s career doesn’t stop when he puts the bass down.

He’s also a producer, recording engineer, educator, content creator, podcast host, and owner/operator of Retro City B Room — making him the perfect person to talk about what a sustainable music career actually looks like in the real world.

Because being a Career Musician isn’t just about mastering your instrument.

It’s about becoming the person people want to hire again.

NOMAD and Mitch get into the real-world lessons behind becoming — and remaining — a working professional musician:

🎯 Why being an incredible player is only the beginning

🎸 The things music lessons and music school can’t fully prepare you for

🤝 Why relationships, reputation, and being a good hang matter

🎧 Understanding the session from more than just the player’s perspective

💼 Thinking like a professional instead of waiting to be “discovered”

🔥 Showing up prepared when opportunity finally calls

🧠 Developing the mindset required for longevity in the music business

🎛 Why learning production, recording, and the technology around your instrument makes you more valuable

🚀 Building a career that extends beyond one artist, one tour, or one gig

❤️ And how to stay in love with music while treating it like a profession

This one is for bass players, session musicians, touring musicians, producers, students, and anybody trying to turn musical ability into an actual livelihood.

Because eventually you learn the truth:

Talent may get you into the room.
What you do once you’re there determines whether you get called back.

Don’t just practice your instrument. Practice being the musician people can depend on.

Preparation. Communication. Awareness. Adaptability. Relationships.

Those are chops too.

And remember…

EVERYTHING YOU DO IS AN AUDITION.

Website:
https://mitchbeerbass.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mitchbeerbass/

Asses in Seats Podcast:
https://mitchbeerbass.com/podcast

Ready to turn your musical skills into more real-world opportunities?

Start here:
👉 https://www.thecareermusician.com/get-the-gig

L.A. musicians: Get 20% OFF your next booking.

Use code: NOMAD
👉 https://parehearsalstudios.com/

Sharpen your skills, expand your vocabulary, and stay inspired.

Free Trial — Use code: NOMAD
👉 https://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thecareermusician

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@thecareermusician

Podcast Hub:
https://www.thecareermusician.com/podcast

Apple Podcasts:
https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Apple

Spotify:
https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Spotify

📚 Online Courses
https://www.thecareermusician.com/store

💼 Expert Career Coaching
https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching

🔖 TCM Blog
https://www.thecareermusician.com/blog/

The Career Musician exists to empower musicians with strategies for building a sustainable career in music.

🎯 Get the Gig.
🔥 Keep the Gig.
🚀 Go Beyond the Gig.
💼 Make Music Your Business.

#TheCareerMusician #MitchBeer #BassPlayer

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With the recent Oscars spotlight on Sinners and breakout artist Miles Caton, this episode shares a great behind-the-scenes story from a performance a few months earlier at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA).

The TCM Pro Band had the opportunity to perform with Miles Caton during the event, and it turned into one of those classic live music moments that perfectly illustrates what professional musicianship is all about.

When you work in live performance, things don’t always go exactly as planned — and that’s where preparation, experience, and teamwork make all the difference.

It’s a great reminder of the deeper tradition behind American music as well, including the profound influence of Black culture and artists on the foundation of modern music.

This story also connects to a broader conversation we’re having inside The Green Room, where we explore how musicians can navigate the modern music industry — from live performance skills to emerging tools like AI for musicians.

A weekly live session for musicians who want to build real careers in music.

Topics include:

• Getting the gig and keeping the gig

🟢 Live every Tuesday — 6PM Pacific

First session is FREE Join here:
https://www.skool.com/tcm-green-room

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👉 Join The TCM Green Room

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NAMM 2026 Special – “Do You Even Gig, Bro?” (Part 1)

On this special two-part series, the TCM Pro Team — Joel Meza, Emily Lauren, and myself — hit the floor of NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center to ask some of the baddest players, creators, producers, and industry pros what gigging really means in 2026.

Because at TCM, we don’t just talk about playing music…

We talk about:

🎯 Getting the Gig

🔥 Keeping the Gig

🚀 Going Beyond the Gig

💼 And ultimately — Making Music Your Business

This episode is raw, fast, funny, insightful, and full of gold nuggets from artists who are actually in the trenches.

We chopped it up with:

Stanley Randolph

Eric Moore II

Sean Sentdabeat

Trevan Music

Lington

Mitch Gallagher

Amayita

Davy Nathan

Eaddy

Yasmine Azaiez

J.J. Blair

YAGKI

Morganizm

Knick Smith

Sir Cory James

Bobby Ross Avila

The Mighty Giants

Each one answered the question differently.

Some talked about:

Staying ready so you don’t have to get ready.

The evolution of the modern working musician.

Social media vs. stage time.

Touring realities.

Studio hustle.

Faith, consistency, and relationships.

Why reputation travels faster than talent.

Across the board, a few Career Musician truths stood out:

Your reputation is your résumé.

Everything you do is an audition.

Consistency > clout.

Preparation creates opportunity.

The gig isn’t just the stage — it’s the mindset.

This wasn’t influencer fluff.This was real talk from real working pros.

And that’s what TCM is about.

NAMM is full of shiny objects.

But behind every endorsement, booth demo, and viral clip… there’s a musician who had to:

Grind.

Practice.

Network.

Deliver.

Stay humble.

Stay savvy.

In other words — live the ETHOS.

Because methods change…Principles remain.

If you’re serious about becoming a true Career Musician — not just a hobbyist, not just a content creator — but someone building a sustainable music career…

Your backstage pass to community, coaching, accountability, and next-level strategy.

🔓 Join here:https://www.skool.com/tcm-green-room-3722/about

If auditions are part of your path — whether live, studio, MD, touring, worship, corporate, or artist support…

You NEED this:

🔥 Rockstar Audition Hacks – 3 Proven Steps to Landing Your Dream Gighttps://thecareermusician.com/audition/

Because remember…

Everything you do is an audition.

If this episode hit home:

Share it with your band.

Send it to your producer.

Drop it in your musician group chat.

Tag us.

Let us know — Do YOU even gig, bro?

This is The Career Musician.

Where business meets music. Where we help you get the gig…Make sure you keep the gig…And eventually go beyond the gig…So you can build a sustainable career doing what you love.

🎙️ Let’s go.

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Award season is here — and in this episode of The Career Musician, Nomad and the TCM Pro Team sit down for a post-show Green Room debrief after working an awards-show house band gig in the trenches.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your professionalism is already “enough.”
Don’t put management or “important people” on a pedestal. Show up prepared, play great, be a pro.

Prioritize relationships over “impressing.”
Instead of trying to win over the top boss, find one person in the firm or at the company you can genuinely connect with.

Be a good hang; that’s your X-factor.
There are tons of great players. What separates you is being a solid human: chill, personable, easy to be around, making others feel comfortable.

The “care less, play better” mindset.
When you’re too hyped or anxious, your performance suffers. You generally play better when you’re relaxed, not gripping so hard.

For introverts: small, doable behaviors.
You don’t have to turn into a cartoon extrovert. Just push your comfort zone a bit: smile, say hi, repeat people’s names, be present for a moment.

Energy is currency (ETHOS: Attitude + Vibe).
Bring positive, high-vibe energy into sessions, shows, and NAMM. Like Kenny Aronoff, you can “save” a room just by the energy you bring.

NAMM is for friends, not “networking.”
Use the 3-foot rule: if someone’s within three feet, talk to them.

Go to NAMM with clear goals, not delusions.
Don’t show up thinking, “I’ll get signed to five endorsements in a day.” Instead, go with 1–2 concrete missions.

Understand what endorsements really are.

Beware of “fake” endorsements that are just tiny discounts and bad support.

Real endorsement = you truly back the product, and the company truly backs you.

Relationships outlast companies and reps.
Artist reps leave. Deals lapse. That’s normal. Keep nurturing relationships so you can re-ignite deals.

Say “yes” more, but stay discerning.
Don’t shut down opportunities just because they don’t fit your old mental picture (tours, panels, gear deals, etc.)

NAMM is more than a gear expo.
The NAMM org does year-round work: lobbying in D.C., helping with regulations (woods, tariffs, shipping), and creating educational panels on social media, AI, mental health, business, etc.

Everything is an audition — including content.
Whether it’s a tour, a bar gig, a podcast, or your IG reel, people are always seeing you “audition” for the next thing.

Don’t be jaded — let yourself be excited.
Locals love to say “It was better 10 years ago.” That mindset kills joy and keeps you stuck in the past.

Exclusive Career Musician Resources 

🌟 Nail the Audition and Get the Gig! (Audition Secrets—Free Guide) 

→ https://thecareermusician.com/audition/

🎛 PA Rehearsal Studios Official Sponsor (L.A.) 

Get 20% OFF your next booking Use code NOMAD 

→ https://parehearsalstudios.com/

🎸 JamPlay Guitar Lessons (Free Trial) 

Sharpen your skills & stay inspired Use code NOMAD 

→ https://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecareermusician

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecareermusician

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Apple

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Spotify

📚Online Courses 

→ https://www.thecareermusician.com/store

💼Expert Career Coaching 

→ https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching

💡 TCM Pro Tip: Don't fall into the trap of being jaded, go to ENJOY NAMM and watch your future blossom!

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Welcome to Episode 200 of The Career Musician Podcast!

This milestone episode celebrates 200 conversations, lessons, and real-world strategies for working musicians.

Nomad reflects on recent gigs with legendary bassist Nathan East, introduces the TCM Pro team (Joel Meza and Emily Lauren), and dives deep into the philosophy that's driven the show from day one: action over resolution, principles remain methods change, and execution over perfection.

🎯 Core Philosophy:

Action over resolution: Why consistent action compounds into results

Methods change, but principles remain

The importance of having a Plan of Attack (POA)

Done is better than perfect

👥 Meet the TCM Pro Team:

Joel Meza and Emily Lauren share their transformative goals for the year

Emily's focus: Being present and not "watering all the flowers at once"

Joel's commitment: Actively using a CRM (Contacts Relations Manager) to maintain relationships

💡 Key Insights:

The danger of over-scheduling and setting unrealistic daily goals

How to stay "top of mind" in the music industry

The power of sincere relationship building vs. transactional networking

Why execution beats perfection every time

🎸 Real Talk:

How Nathan East kept the Eric Clapton gig for over 40 years

Working with legendary artists (Aretha, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, David Foster)

The importance of auditioning with intention

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) mindset for musicians

📊 Practical Tools Discussed:

CRM/Contacts Relations Manager for musicians

Plan of Attack (POA) worksheet

Audition preparation framework

Balancing work, life, and creative pursuits

Exclusive Career Musician Resources 

🌟 Nail the Audition and Get the Gig! (Audition Secrets—Free Guide) 

→ https://thecareermusician.com/audition/

🎛 PA Rehearsal Studios Official Sponsor (L.A.) 

Get 20% OFF your next booking Use code NOMAD 

→ https://parehearsalstudios.com/

🎸 JamPlay Guitar Lessons (Free Trial) 

Sharpen your skills & stay inspired Use code NOMAD 

→ https://jamplay.com/get-free-access?code=NOMAD

📲 Follow The Career Musician 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareermusician/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerMusician/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecareermusician

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecareermusician

🎙 Stream The Podcast:

Podcast Hub: https://thecareermusician.com/podcast/

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Apple

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Spotify

iHeart: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-iHeart

Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/TCM-Stitcher-Pod

📚Online Courses 

→ https://www.thecareermusician.com/store

💼Expert Career Coaching 

→ https://www.thecareermusician.com/coaching

🔖Read Our Blog 

→ https://www.thecareermusician.com/blog/

💡 TCM Pro Tip:
Done is better than perfect. Execute faster than anyone else, and get it to market first.

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