The Finish More Music Podcast

We're keeping up the momentum with the legends joining us on the Finish More Music Podcast this week as we welcome Matthew Benjamin, AKA Bushwacka!

From early beginnings at the London School Symphony Orchestra to taking command of some of the world's biggest dancefloors, including some infamous parties at The End with production partner Layo, Bushwacka! is as accomplished as they come.

But in this episode, Matthew digs deep and opens up about some of the struggles he still faces in the studio despite his illustrious 30 year career, and shares with us how his journey from addiction to recovery has led to him embarking on a life-changing venture into the world of psychotherapy.

We get super deep in this one as we dive into some of the mental challenges that many creatives face, such as doubting your self-worth and sense of belonging, but also how talking can help you see the wood through the trees, and how unattaching yourself from the music will improve your creative process - even in the face of a major hard-drive failure!

This really is one of the most inspirational and insightful interviews we've ever had on the podcast, and one which you can take on board in all aspects of your life, not just the studio.

So sit back, or get ready to head out, and take it ALL in!

• Recognise your inner voice
• Encourage non-attachment
• "Being able to challenge the way that you are to yourself is really, really important."
• Does your music still matter if it doesn't sell as well as others? YES

• "Being able to challenge the way that you are to yourself is really, really important."
• "With creativity there can be massive array of different senses of worth and belonging…it's important to remember you're not alone"

This week on the podcast we're joined by the legendary DJ, producer, label owner and all round good guy, John 00 Fleming!

With 10 million album sales, 30 produced mix compilations, and an army of global fans to his name, J00F is an artist who's international success lies in his commitment to new creative ideas whilst always staying true to himself.

In the podcast we discuss getting into creative flow, the value of second opinions, forging your own sound, and important tips for staying in love with the music whilst navigating the industry.

John further opens about how life still gets in the way of the creative process despite his huge success in the music industry, and what he does to overcome it, and imparts some golden musical wisdom that every producer will benefit from hearing.

It's undoubtedly a massive honour to have J00F with us on the Finish More Music Podcast this week, and it's definitely one to remember.

Key takeaways:

• Feel what's in your heart and forge your own sounds.
• Have a vision for what you're going to produce.
• "When that creative flow is rolling...run with it"
• Research the music industry and have realistic expectations.

We're absolutely buzzing as we are joined by one of the rising stars in the house music scene. With releases in some of house music's biggest labels like Get Physical, Voltaire, Magician on Duty, and Kindisch, this young producer's dedication to his music and mindset is absolutely inspiring!So let's give it up for ADISYN!In this episode, Adisyn shares with us his production workflow and his ethos when it comes to creating music. With a simple but very powerful mindset and goal in becoming the pro for the pros, Adisyn's perspective on music is definitely a must listen!So without further ado, let's get cracking!

We have a very special episode lined up for you today because we're joined none other than...NICK MUIR!With his early introduction to music to taking up music in his studies, starting his musical journey touring with some of the biggest bands at the time and finally leading him to create some of dance music's biggest hits and DJ in some of the biggest venues in electronic music, Nick has decades worth of insights in building a music career and finding ways to keep the fire going for 30+ years!

In this episode, Nick shares with us some of his time-tested workflow and production tips, how he generates ideas, some of his mindset hacks and his biggest takeaways in working with collaborators and his production partner, who is none other than the legendary John Digweed!So sit back, grab a cuppa because this is an exciting one!

In this episode, we're going to be talking about a topic that has been brought up numerous times both inside our Finish More Music Community and outside...SOCIAL MEDIAMore specifically, creating and building a following on your social media for your music.Joined again by the wonderful Ana Mills, or Mrs. M, we share with you some of the best practices that you can do when it comes to handling your social media so you can maximise the benefits of having one without the expense of the one thing that matters most in order to move the needle forward which is,Writing Music.

Key Takeaways:Why build a social media audience when you don't have anything to impact them?

What matters most is the quality of music.The importance of building your contacts proactively.The benefits of using your social media as your virtual business card.

There's a truth in the saying "You are what you eat" and it also applies to what we surround ourseves with.

If we surround ourselves with negative influences, then our energy drops and our limiting beliefs will start to form and be reinforced and life of music becomes a real struggle but…

If we surround ourselves with positive influences, we feel inspired and we feel empowered to chase down our goals in both life and music.

In this episode, I talk about guarding the factory of your mind. This is such a simple thing of surrounding yourself with influences that are going to give you the best chance of reaching your version of success.

Key Takeaways

• "Positive people and influences are the fuel that will power you towards reaching your music goals"
• "Minimise the rubbish and maximize the good stuff that is empowering, inspiring, and motivating you."
• Your brain loves reinforcement so open the positive evidence funnels in your brain."

As music producers we put a lot of personal value in the music that we create, but should we let it define us?

Definitely not!

This can be a dangerous game because when we do this, we get hurt by our own or someone else's opinion of our music. This can then lead us to avoiding writing music because we don't want to hurt ourselves any further.

I see this scenario holding back a lot of music producers when they pin their own personal values and self worth on the quality of their music.So what can we do about it?

• In this episode, I share with you how to overcome this limiting belief and my personal strategies to ensure that my music does not define who I am, enabling me to push forward and finish tracks on a regular basis Key Takeaways:"Would you tell your friend they suck if you don't like one of their tracks? Then don't do it to yourself!"
• Your music doesn't define you.
• The importance of focusing on your deepest "Whys"
• Feelings are temporary, the thing that lights you up about your music is permanent.

We all have that voice in our head that is going to be with us for our entire lives.

So it makes sense that this voice that this voice is the one that propels us to reaching our goal-our version of success. But what if it doesn't?What if that voice is the one holding you back?In this episode, I'm going to share with you a technique that I've been using that is transforming that critical, abusive voice in my head into a supportive, encouraging coach and companion. So you will be able to live a more enjoyable life and get yourself motoring towards your goals!Key Takeaways:

"Rather than criticise people when they make mistakes, support them and lift them up. You'll find you start doing the same for yourself."

Listen to the positive voice in your head.

Treat yourself like you would treat the one person you would always support

Look for the opportunity to grow

We all have that voice in our head that is going to be with us for our entire lives.

So it makes sense that this voice that this voice is the one that propels us to reaching our goal-our version of success. But what if it doesn't?What if that voice is the one holding you back?In this episode, I'm going to share with you a technique that I've been using that is transforming that critical, abusive voice in my head into a supportive, encouraging coach and companion. So you will be able to live a more enjoyable life and get yourself motoring towards your goals!

PERFECTIONISM! We've all at one point suffered from this belief that everything we need to do and put out in the world needs to be perfect. So we say things like:"I don't want to put this out there because it's not perfect.""This track is still missing something so I need to keep working on it.""Everything is great but I think the drums can be better."STOP!

It doesn't. It's just perfectionism tightening its grip on you and holding you back from achieving the best version of yourself and your music.

So in this episode, I'm going to be sharing with you a new perspective on perfectionism or any other fears that are holding you back so you can go full steam ahead towards reaching your goals and hitting the targets that you've set for yourself with music. Key Takeaways:

"Striving for perfectionism doesn't get us to our goal"The more music you finish, the more chance you will succeed!

"By holding onto this belief, I'm creating the very problem that I'm trying to stay safe from. "