The In-Session Podcast

In this bonus episode, we bring you some stories and lessons from Grammy Winner, Producer, Musician & Engineer Paul Santo on his best and worst experiences in the studio. In Session Shorts episodes are shorter episodes where we bring you stories from top AirGigs pros on their best and worst experiences in the studio and lessons they learned.

Paul was on the podcast back on episode #5. The background music on this episode is the song "Psychopath!" by Daniel Hardin.

In this episode we had the real pleasure to sit down with producer and engineer Stuart Epps. Stuart has had an amazing career working with artists like Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Twisted Sister, The Firm and many others. 

He began his career at Dick James publishing (The Beatles publisher), and went on to be part of the original team at Rocket Records, and then eventually to being the lead engineer at the Mill Studios under legendary producer Gus Dudgeon. The Mill was later purchased by Jimmy Page and Stuart remained on as lead engineer and worked closely with Page on a number of projects.

We had a great chat. He shared his thoughts on the role of a Producer, how magic is captured in the studio, how he now works with artists remotely and much more.

You can contact Stuart about your project at his AirGigs page below:
https://www.airgigs.com/user/stuartepps

In this bonus episode, Luke brings you some stories and lessons from producer, engineer, and composer Isha Erskine's best and worst experiences in the studio. In Session Shorts episodes are shorter episodes where we bring you stories from top AirGigs pros on their best and worst experiences in the studio and lessons they learned.

Isha was on the podcast back on episode #8.  The background music on this episode is the song "Psychopath!" by Daniel Hardin. 

In today's podcast, host Luke O'Kelley talks to Nashville based guitarist, songwriter, and producer Clint Wells. Clint is a long time AirGigs member and has recorded and toured with artists like Rodney Atkins, Bob Schneider, Mindy Smith, Jessie Baylin, Laura Bell Bundy. Clint is also a songwriter with Rough Trade Publishing where he's written for artists like Jaida Dreyer, Mindy Smith, HudsonMoore, Elise Davis, The Hells, and LeRiche. 

In this episode we discuss: Clint's musical development, moving to Nashville, his approach to session work, fighting imposter syndrome, pushing yourself to grow without letting people down, his experience as a songwriter in Nashville, and more.

To hire Clint to record guitars or produce a song you can contact him here.

Check out Clint's original music here.

Intro and outro music is by Daniel Hardin.

Today we had the sincere pleasure to sit down with the ultra talented Mike Cleveland. Mike has had a pretty amazing career and story. He's widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, and if you're into bluegrass you know him well. He's been IBMA’s “Fiddler of the Year” over 12 times and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame. His recording Fiddler’s Dream was nominated in 2018 for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, and in 2019, he won a Grammy for his album Tall Fiddler. In 2019, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story from director John Presley. You can find it streaming online and it's really incredibly inspiring and a must watch.

To hire Mike for a session, contact him here

We had an amazing chat. We spoke about his early days and influences. Attending the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, where he originally learned the Suzuki method of violin, and then how got deep into bluegrass after hearing a local fiddler play the tune Orange Blossom Special. He shared a bit about his attitude to toward practice, leading a band and so much more.

I know you're really going to dig this one, so without further ado, here's our chat. 

Today we had the pleasure to sit down with Erin M. Jacobson, an internationally recognized attorney who protects independent, established and legacy songwriters and artists, independent music publishers, distinguished legacy catalogs, heirs and estates, Grammy and Emmy award winners and other music professionals from her law practice based in Beverly Hills. 

Erin has been named as one of the top music lawyers by Billboard magazine, and has been featured in publications like Billboard and Forbes as well as on networks such as ABC and the BBC. Erin is also the author of "Don't Get Screwed - How to protect yourself as an independent musician."

She's founder and owner of Indie Artist Resource, a company that empowers independent musicians to take charge of their music careers with contract templates and educational materials. 

We had an awesome chat, and got into a whole variety of important topics; Songwriter split agreements, Work for hire contracts, when to register your work, the changing landscape of the music industry, and we talked a bit about NFT's, uploading cover songs to Youtube, "Fair Use" and much more.

Today we sat down with prolific NYC based singer, rap artist and songwriter Merty Shango. 

Merty has had such an interesting career and  approach to the music business. From literally buying a one way ticket to China with less than 1000 bucks in his pocket, to being signed to a Chinese label, then eventually being picked up by a European label... and then pivoting completely to build his career on his own terms.

Now with more than 70k monthly listeners on Spotify, as well as a busy career as a lyricist for other artists, Merty exemplifies what it takes to build a thriving career in the new music business.

We had an amazing conversation about his extensive travels, his philosophy, his approach to work, goal setting and so much more. I know you're really going to enjoy, be inspired and learn a lot from our chat, so without further ado, let's dive into it.

Check out Merty's AirGigs profile here:
https://www.airgigs.com/user/MertyShango

The background intro and outro music is by Daniel Hardin, and you'll hear Merty's music within the interview.

Today we're speaking with one of AirGigs's all star members Brian Petry. Brian's a professional live and session drummer based in Lafayette Louisiana. At the time of our original conversation Brian was closing in on 600 five star reviews, and as of today he's already surpassed that. 

Before coming to AirGigs, Brian spent years touring and working the Gulf Coast club scene with different original and cover bands. He's had a wealth of experience from sitting in for a full set with The Dazz Band when their drummer was a no show, to opening for acts like 3 Doors Down and Train. He's also currently endorsed by GMS Drums, Evans Heads and ProMark Sticks

We had a really awesome conversation, and Brian was super generous sharing his perspectives on working with clients, what it takes to succeed as a working musician and much more. You'll hear clips of Brian's playing interspersed within the podcast. So buckle up, I know you're really going to dig this one. So without further ado, let's dive in. 

In this episode, David Blacker talks with guitarist, songwriter, educator, journalist and author Adam Levy.   

Adam is a guitarist in high demand. His playing has been featured on recordings by major-label artists such as Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, and Amos Lee. He has also played on records by acclaimed indie artists such as Ani DiFranco and Anayis Mitchell. He's performed live onstage with all of these musicians—as well as with Rosanne Cash, Lisa Loeb, Darol Anger, Regina Carter, and many others.

In addition to his work as a guitarist, Adam has blossomed as a songwriter in recent years, with work appearing on releases by Norah Jones, Chris Difford (of Squeeze), Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket), Miles Zuniga (of Fastball), and Amber Rubarth. He writes mostly alone, but does a bit of co-writing as well. One of his recent co-writing collaborations was with singer/songwriter Jill Sobule. The song they wrote together, “Bound to Happen,” is featured in the documentary film If You Build It.

Over the past decade or so, Adam has released a dozen of his own recordings—some song-oriented, some instrumental.

We had a really awesome chat. We spoke about

- His early influences & first gig experiences
- His iconic solo on Tracy Chapman's Give Me One Reason
- Moving to New York to follow his passion for jazz
- Getting in the Norah Jones project and how it grew from playing local gigs to international recognition.
- Stepping out on his own as a songwriter
- What he strives for as a musician and performer
- Some of the key lessons he's learned along the way
- How he approaches remote sessions

The guitar music between the podcast segments features Adam's playing

You can contact Adam about your project on his AirGigs profile:
https://www.airgigs.com/user/adamlevymusic

The background intro and outro music is by Athens, Ga based artist Daniel Hardin.

In this episode, Luke O'Kelley talks with producer, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Katie Marie.

Katie Marie is a U.K. native and a resident of Austin, TX. She has been in the industry for 25 years, and has toured across the U.S. and Europe and separated herself as a session musician, producer, and songwriter. She's had her songs placed on BBC, ITV, Nickelodeon, CBS and EvineLive.

Katie is endorsed by Takamine guitars, L R Baggs, Schlagwerk Percussion and Logarhythm stomp boxes.

In this episode Luke and Katie discuss:

- Music education
- Her journey as a multi-instrumentalist
- Her move from the U.K. to Austin, TX
- The Austin music scene
- Her beginnings in recording
- Developing talent before developing a brand
- Leaning into your strengths
- Her success with livestream shows
- Overcoming stereotypes as a woman in music
- Her bucket list client
- Her favorite gear
- Tips to younger musicians

You can contact Katie about your project below:
https://www.airgigs.com/user/funkeegirl

The music in this episode includes: 

"To New Beginnings" - Harriet Reynolds (14:38)
"UT Anthem" - Nagavalli ft Candy Sanders (26:30)
"Reclaim Her Time" - Harriet Reynolds (50:58)
"I See You" - Nagavalli (55:45) (Unreleased)

Katie Marie produced, engineered, and performed multiple instruments on these songs.

The background intro and outro music is by Athens, Ga based artist Daniel Hardin.