Join us as we talk about the "controlled chaos" and joy of songwriting, production, and many other aspects of artist development with songwriter | producer, Kipp Williams!

Kipp is a Nashville-based producer/songwriter signed to Dr. Luke’s Prescription Songs. Kipp has had success across multiple genres producing and writing for artists such as Echosmith, Nick Carter, RaeLynn, and Newsboys. Kipp also specializes in artist development - “starting early” - with emerging pop artists in Nashville (Quinn Lewis, AnnaMae Hoffbeck) and Norway, where he organizes writing camps, conferences, community building and develops artists, writers and producers.

In this enlightening episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron delve into the indispensable role of a vocal coach in a singer's journey.

Whether you're an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights into how personalized training and ongoing mentorship can transform your vocal performance and career.

Episode Highlights:

- Mindset Matters: Discover how mental blocks can impede your singing progress and how a coach can help you overcome these challenges.

- Training Fundamentals: Learn about the essential techniques that every singer should prioritize, from muscle coordination to resonance.

- Personalized Coaching: Understand the unique benefits of one-on-one coaching, tailored to address your specific needs and goals.

- Ongoing Growth: Hear why continuous training and mentorship are crucial, even for professional singers, to maintain and enhance vocal performance.

Quotes:

- Shelby Rollins:"If you think that it's hard, you will approach it with striving. But if you know that it's easy, you will approach it with authority."

- Jason Catron: "Training is everything, whether it's the voice, your body, or your brain. The only way to reach true potential is through consistent and dedicated training."

- Shelby Rollins: "The voice is a muscle, not just an aesthetic. If you train it like a muscle, it will function aesthetically."

- Jason Catron: "Finding the right mentor and eliminating as much noise as possible is key to growing together and achieving your fullest potential."

Connect and Follow Us:

• Follow us on YouTube: Vocal Lab Collective
• Follow Jason Catron on Instagram: @jasoncatron
• Follow Shelby Rollins on Instagram: @shelbyrollinsm

In this inspiring episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron sit down with the incredibly talented Sarah Barlow. Sarah shares invaluable advice for aspiring creatives, drawing from her own journey and extensive experience in the music and photography industries. Tune in to learn how to build a personal brand, navigate career challenges, and leverage tools to enhance your creative journey.

1. Building a Personal Brand:

Sarah emphasizes the importance of having a cohesive personal brand. She advises aspiring artists to use tools like Pinterest to create a brand board that captures the essence of their creative vision. This brand board can serve as a foundation for all visual and marketing efforts.

2. Practical Tips for Starting Out:

Sarah shares her journey of starting in wedding photography and transitioning into music photography. She highlights the significance of learning on the job, taking on internships, and being open to various experiences. Her story underscores the importance of persistence and seizing opportunities.

3. Leveraging Free Tools:

For creatives on a budget, Sarah recommends utilizing free resources like Pinterest and Canva. Pinterest is great for finding inspiration and creating brand boards, while Canva can help in designing professional-looking graphics that align with your brand.

4. Overcoming Challenges:

Sarah candidly talks about the challenges she faced, including the pressure of professional critiques and the mishap at her best friend's wedding. She discusses how these experiences taught her valuable lessons and contributed to her growth as a creative professional.

5. Finding Your Unique Path:

Sarah encourages artists to embrace their individuality and not be swayed by trends or external pressures. She believes that clarity in one's creative direction is crucial and advises staying true to one's vision while being open to new ideas and collaborations.

From the Hosts:

• "You have to mine for the golden people in your artists and find the beauty in every subject that you're working with." - Shelby Rollins
• "It's important to have clarity in your personal branding and creative direction." - Jason Catron

From Sarah Barlow:

• "I believe in the philosophy of photography where the subject emulates the photographer’s energy."
• "Pinterest is amazing and free for building your overall brand board."

• Follow us on YouTube for more exclusive content: Vocal Lab Collective YouTube
• Connect with Jason on Instagram: Jason Catron Instagram
• Connect with Shelby on Instagram: Shelby Rollins Instagram
• Connect with Sarah on Instagram: Sarah Barlow Instagram

In this episode of The Vocal Lab Collective, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron sit down with Jason Jenkins, the Senior Vice President at Curb Records. Jason shares his insights on the importance of authenticity and creativity in the music industry, drawing from his extensive experience and personal journey.

Episode Highlights:

• Jason's Musical Roots: Jason Jenkins discusses his early exposure to music through his family's country band in Georgia and his fascination with both country and R&B music. He shares how these experiences shaped his career in the music industry.
• Balancing Authenticity and Success: Jason emphasizes the struggle artists face in maintaining their authenticity while achieving commercial success. He explains how artists can navigate the pressures of the industry without losing their creative integrity.
• The Role of Social Media: The conversation delves into the critical role of social media in today's music landscape. Jason highlights how artists can use these platforms to express their genuine selves and connect with their audience, despite the challenges it presents.
• Supporting Artists: Jason talks about the supportive environment at Curb Records, where the focus is on nurturing artists' creativity and passion. He provides insights into how labels can help artists find their unique voice and sustain their authenticity.
• Advice for Artists: Jason offers valuable advice for emerging artists on how to stay true to their art. He stresses the importance of consistency, relationship-building, and embracing one's unique journey in the music industry.

Quotes:

• Jason Catron: "The creative industry can be somewhat self-indulgent, but we need to see outside of ourselves and look at other people."
• Shelby Rollins: "Our job is to remove obstacles from people that are overthinking stuff. It's easier than you think; you just need to reframe."
• Jason Jenkins: "You have to care more about the art. Why would you not want to talk about what you're passionate about?"
• Jason Jenkins: "Express your authenticity. Be as authentic as possible and just do what feels most comfortable."

Connect and Follow Us:

• Follow us on YouTube: Vocal Lab Collective
• Follow Jason Catron on Instagram: @jasoncatron
• Follow Shelby Rollins on Instagram: @shelbyrollinsm

In this episode of The Vocal Lab Collective, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron dive deep into the essence of authenticity in artistry. They explore how staying true to oneself is not only crucial for personal fulfillment but also fundamental to building a successful career in the music industry. They discuss the challenges and rewards of maintaining authenticity in a world full of external pressures and expectations.

Some Key Takeaways:

- The Importance of Authenticity:

Shelby and Jason emphasize that authenticity is vital not only for artists but for anyone striving to live a genuine life. They highlight how true self-expression resonates more profoundly with audiences and can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling career.

- Challenges of Being Authentic:

The hosts discuss the societal pressures and influences, especially from social media, that can make it difficult for artists to stay true to themselves. They share personal anecdotes and insights on how to navigate these challenges.

- Finding Your Vocal Thumbprint:

Jason introduces the concept of a "vocal thumbprint," a unique vocal identity that each artist possesses. They discuss how recognizing and embracing this uniqueness is a key aspect of being authentic.

- Role of Technique in Authenticity:

While authenticity is about being true to oneself, having solid vocal technique is crucial to express that authenticity effectively. Shelby and Jason share their experiences and the transformation they witnessed in their own careers through proper vocal coaching.

- Artist Development:

Both hosts underline the importance of artist development, which includes not just vocal coaching but also nurturing the artist’s overall growth. They talk about how they have naturally moved into artist development and how it has helped their clients.

Quotes:

Shelby Rollins:

1. "Good technique is the gateway to authentic artistry."

2. "When your technique sucks, you can't be authentic. You cannot."

Jason Catron:

1. "If you're you, you always win. That doesn't mean you're going to get the role, but you're going to get the roles that are meant for you."

2. "Our worth is really built in helping each of you find your true authentic voice, whether you sing, speak, make sushi, I don't care what you do to truly be you."

Follow and Connect With Us:

- Follow the Vocal Lab Podcast on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@VocalLabCollective)

- Connect with Jason Catron on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jasoncatron)

- Connect with Shelby Rollins on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/shelbyrollinsmv)

Welcome to another episode of The Vocal Lab Collective! In this episode, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron are joined by the amazing Sarah Robbins from Mailbox Money Music. Get ready for an insightful conversation packed with valuable advice on the significance of relationships and networking in the music industry.

Episode Highlights:

- Introduction to Sarah Robbins:

  - Shelby introduces Sarah, sharing how they met and highlighting her impressive journey in the music industry.

  - Sarah discusses her background, from working at Big Machine and Big Yellow Dog to founding Mailbox Money Music, which offers publishing, label services, and management.

- The Power of Networking:

  - Sarah emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships in the music industry.

  - The conversation covers how genuine connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.

  - Sarah shares her experiences and stories of how networking has played a crucial role in her career and the success of Mailbox Money Music.

- Advice for Aspiring Artists:

  - Sarah offers practical tips for artists looking to break into the industry, including the importance of being proactive and reaching out to industry professionals.

  - The discussion highlights the benefits of playing live shows, engaging on social media, and seeking mentorship and advice from experienced professionals.

- Building a Supportive Community:

  - The episode explores the concept of finding your "people" and the value of creative collaboration.

  - Sarah talks about the significance of working with like-minded individuals who share your vision and passion.

- Leveraging Social Media:

  - The hosts and Sarah discuss how social media has transformed the way artists connect with their audience and industry professionals.

  - Tips on how to effectively use social media to showcase talent and build a following are shared.

Quotes:

Shelby Rollins:

"You need to know who you are because if you don't, someone else in the industry will pop you into the vending machine and out pops the artist they want you to be."

Jason Catron:

"It's crazy how many of my artists don't even take advantage of the relationships and opportunities they have. If you really want to do this, you have to ask and put yourself out there."

Sarah Robbins:

"Social media is a very valuable tool. You don't have to spend a bunch of money. Learn how to market yourself within reason, modestly, and consistently put your music out there."

"Control what you can control and don't worry about the rest so much. Everyone thinks they need to meet this executive or get signed by this major label, but really, it starts with playing shows and putting yourself out there."

Follow And Connect with Us:

- Follow us on YouTube for more exclusive content: [Vocal Lab Collective YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@VocalLabCollective)

- Connect with Jason on Instagram: [Jason Catron Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jasoncatron)

- Connect with Shelby on Instagram: [Shelby Rollins Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/shelbyrollinsmv)

Connect with Sarah Robbins and learn more about Mailbox Money Music:

- Website: [Mailbox Money Music](https://www.mailboxmoneymusic.com/)

- Instagram: [Sarah Robbins](https://www.instagram.com/sarahrabbins)

In this episode of The Vocal Lab Collective, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron delve into their extensive experiences in the music industry, offering valuable insights and advice for aspiring musicians and vocal coaches. Drawing from their combined 30+ years in the field, Shelby and Jason discuss the intricacies of the music business, the importance of mentorship, and the key strategies for building a successful career in music.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Personal Journeys:

   - Shelby and Jason share their individual paths in the music industry, highlighting pivotal moments and key decisions that shaped their careers. From early performances to professional achievements, their stories provide inspiration and practical guidance.

2. The Role of Mentorship:

   - The hosts emphasize the significance of having mentors in the music industry. They recount their experiences with renowned vocal coach Brett Manning and discuss how mentorship has been crucial in their development as vocal coaches and artists.

3. Building a Sustainable Career:

   - Shelby and Jason discuss essential strategies for sustaining a career in music, including the importance of authenticity, continuous learning, and networking. They offer practical tips for artists to stand out and thrive in a competitive industry.

4. Challenges and Triumphs:

   - The conversation touches on the common challenges faced by musicians, such as overcoming scarcity mindset and navigating industry politics. Shelby and Jason share their triumphs and setbacks, providing valuable lessons for listeners.

Notable Quotes:

Shelby Rollins:

- "Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my career. Having someone guide you through the complexities of the music industry is invaluable."

- "Authenticity is key. When you bring your true self to your music, you connect with your audience on a deeper level."

Jason Catron:

- "The music industry is tough, but with the right mindset and support, you can achieve great things. It's all about perseverance and passion."

- "Continuous learning and adapting are crucial. The industry evolves, and so should you if you want to stay relevant and successful."

Follow And Connect with Us:

- Follow us on YouTube for more exclusive content: [Vocal Lab Collective YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@VocalLabCollective)

- Connect with Jason on Instagram: [Jason Catron Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jasoncatron)

- Connect with Shelby on Instagram: [Shelby Rollins Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/shelbyrollinsmv)