Kal Lavelle is a singer/songwriter based out of Dublin and London. She is signed with Sony on a writing/publishing deal, and has a writing credit on Ed Sheeran's number 1, multi-platinum single "Shivers."  Kal and I had a great conversation about her songwriting process. She explained how she interacts with her collaborators to find inspiration. Kal's passion and enthusiasm for songwriting come through clearly in our conversation, and I learned a lot talking with her. Listen on  iTunes or  Stitcher or  Google Play or Spotify; watch on  YouTube Show Notes:  Kal's Site - http://www.kallavelle.com International Busking Day - https://wembleypark.com/international-busking-day-wembley-park/ Ed Sheeran "Shivers" - https://youtu.be/Il0S8BoucSA Spoon River Anthology - https://amzn.to/3o3lpdi  Brian Funk Links:  Website - https://brianfunk.com Intro Music Made with Dream Organ Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/dream-organ Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store  Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

#274: Writing Songs with Strangers and Ed Sheeran - Kal Lavelle

An exploration of music production through informal discussions about technique, philosophy, gear, and creativity. Hosted by Brian Funk, a musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer.

Music

Music Commentary

Mikas is the creator of We Make Dance Music, a site of music resources for producers. On his podcast, Live Electronic Music Tutorials with Mikas, he creates tracks in real-time, sharing tips and techniques along the way. The result of each episode becomes a template viewers can purchase on WeMakeDanceMusic.com.  This is the second time Mikas and I spoke on the Music Production Podcast. Immediately I was reminded of his passion and impressive work ethic. As a new father, Mikas discussed the importance of staying consistent and scheduling time to work on his music career. He spoke about how we can take small actions on a regular basis to complete major goals. Mikas also had some powerful thoughts on authenticity and honesty in art and how that can lead to deeper connections with your audience. Listen on  Apple, Spotify, YouTube Takeaways:  Consistency and dedication are key in pursuing creative endeavors. Limited time can increase productivity and focus. Focusing on strengths while working on weaknesses can lead to better results. Learning and growing as an artist is important, regardless of experience. Daily practice and challenges like Jamuary can lead to significant progress. Platforms like We Make Dance Music provide opportunities for musicians to make a living. Community and collaboration are important in the music industry. Success is the result of intentional action and consistent effort. Putting in the work and showing up consistently is more important than waiting for inspiration or relying on luck. Building relationships and connections requires effort and vulnerability, but it can lead to meaningful experiences and personal growth. Real, tangible experiences are important in a world dominated by technology. Taking breaks and engaging in physical activities can help maintain focus and perspective. Honesty, authenticity, and providing value to others are key in building meaningful relationships.  Links:  We Make Dance Music - https://www.wemakedancemusic.com/en/ Live Electronic Music Tutorials with Mikas Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/1SzmnEScpNBHCTJb3cqubN WMDM YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Wemakedancemusicstudios WMDA Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wemakedancemusic/ Mikas' First Time on the Music Production Podcast -  https://brianfunk.com/blog/2018/8/25/75-mikas-creator-of-we-make-dance-music 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.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

#369: Consistency and Authenticity with Mikas of We Make Dance Music

Jeff Leisawitz is a musician, producer, coach, college songwriting professor, and author. His new book The Magical Impact of Storytelling explores how creatives can connect with their audiences and produce more meaningful work with effective storytelling.  It was great to have Jeff back on the Music Production Podcast to discuss how we can use storytelling to make better music. We talk about how writing about the specific helps illuminate the universal. Jeff shares famous stories that have helped hit songs connect with listeners. We discuss dealing with the inner critic and the concepts of The Golden Repair, The Hero's Journey, and Head, Heart, and Hands.   Takeaways   Storytelling in music has the power to create emotional connections with listeners.  Specific details in storytelling can make a story more relatable and memorable.  Balancing the specific and the universal in storytelling can create a deeper emotional impact.  Limitations and experimentation can lead to unique and creative musical experiences.  Being vulnerable and authentic in expressing emotions through music is essential.  Accompanying songs with stories of their creation can add depth and interest to the music.  Having a unique story and perspective is crucial for musicians to stand out in a saturated market.  The Hero's Journey can serve as a template for creating compelling narratives in music.  Embracing imperfections and using them to create something beautiful can add depth and character to music.  The inner critic can be seen as a collaborator rather than an adversary, providing valuable feedback and pushing for improvement.  Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Links:  Jeff's Site - https://jeffleisawitz.com The Magical Impact of Storytelling - https://amzn.to/3QNSCYJ Complementary Coaching Session with Jeff - https://jeffleisawitz.com/coaching/ Not F*ing Around - https://amzn.to/3QJyqXS Jeff's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYewSq3WO-mEy3JwcOuHedQ Jeff's Music - Electron Love Theory - https://electron-love-theory.com Jeff's 1st Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/jeff-leisawitz Rolling Stone AI Song Went Viral -  https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/suno-ai-chatgpt-music-soul-of-the-machine-1234992365/ 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.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

#368: Write Better Music Through Storytelling w/ Jeff Leisawitz

Iftah is the creator of a number of official Ableton Live Packs, including CV Tools, Time and Timbre, Microtuner, and the new Performance Pack for Live 12. Formerly one-half of the duo, Skinnerbox, Iftah has performed around the world. His creative pursuits cover various mediums and styles such as electronic music, field recordings, photography, and programming.  Iftah and I spoke about his work as a music producer and developer. We discuss Iftah's journey in music, the development of the Performance Pack for Ableton Live, and the importance of rest and recovery in the creative process. Iftah speaks about the significance of building your own instruments and the satisfaction of seeing others use and create with your tools. We discuss the new features in Ableton Live 12 and the Performance Pack. We also explore the concept of constraints in music production and the importance of following one's own interests and passions.  Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Iftah on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iftah.gabbai/ Iftah's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iftah_fow/featured Ableton Live's Performance Pack - https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/performance-pack/ Iftah's Performance Pack Video Manual - https://youtu.be/SnqCJmkxZ_s?si=6m6L4lG1vjRkugNh Iftah's Dancing Candle - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CRl9nioCG10/ Skinnerbox - https://soundcloud.com/skinnerbox SideBrain's Performance Pack Walkthrough - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDVxZr4-Hoc 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.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

#367: Designing Ableton's Performance Pack and Hunting Creativity with Iftah

Gregg Lehrman is the founder and CEO of Output. Output is a music-creation software company created by musicians for musicians. Gregg is an ASCAP award-winning musician and producer who has worked in television and film. Gregg spoke about his work at Output and how he started the company to fulfill his creative needs. He shared lessons he learned working for Hans Zimmer and how those experiences informed his work at Output. Gregg elaborated on how focusing towards a clear vision can help creatives work through the process and finish more work. Gregg also shared details about Output's latest work, Co-Producer.  Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Output - https://output.com Co-Producer - https://coproducer.output.com Arcade - https://output.com/products/arcade Output YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/outputsounds Output Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/output/ Gregg's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gregglehrman/ 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.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk  

#366: Helping Creators Create with Output CEO Gregg Lehrman

Sound Oracle is a music producer and sound designer. He has worked with the heavy hitters in the hip-hop world, and his sounds have been used in Grammy-winning songs by Timbaland, Jay-Z, Drake, and more. His latest packs Golden Era Hip Hop Drums and Trap Drums are featured packs in the new Ableton Live 12 update. Sound Oracle and I had an inspiring conversation about his work as a producer and sound designer. He shared how he broke into the music scene when Timbaland discovered his sounds.  This episode is littered with tips about organization, workflow, and maintaining healthy working relationships. Sound Oracle also shared some of his favorite tools he uses in his productions. Listen on  Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes:  Sound Oracle - https://soundoracle.net/ Sound Oracle Packs -  https://soundoracle.net/collections/all-sound-kits-soundoracle-net Sound Oracle Courses - https://soundoracle.net/collections/courses Sound Oracle on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soundoracle/ Sound Oracle YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@soundoracle6651 Golden Era Hip-Hop Drums - https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/golden-era-hip-hop-drums/ Trap Drums - https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/trap-drums/ Volume Buddy - https://www.noirlabs.co Clip Gain - https://valiumdupeuple.gumroad.com/l/wmAPD?a=530757747 Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger - https://amzn.to/3PLU0e1 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.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

#274: Writing Songs with Strangers and Ed Sheeran - Kal Lavelle

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