This is a podcast focused on music creation, professional and personal development, the creative process, and the inner workings of my life in music. My name is John O'Hallaron. I release music under the name Chalk Dinosaur and I work as a TV composer.
Talking about the ways I'm trying to remove resistance and make the touring life balance easier. I abstained from alcohol the first 5 weeks of the year and have also made some investments in additional gear that will help make the transition from shows to studio easier.
Looking back at 2024, and forward to 2025 and beyond.
Stream of consciousness talking about upcoming events, current strategies and challenges in life regarding touring, music, organization, and mental state.
Talking about what happened in August & September in the Chalk Dinosphere
Sharing thoughts and experiences from the past two years getting into some touring for the first time.
Talking about the making of the newest Chalk Dinosaur song, "Electric Biscuit"
Recap of our experience playing at this year's Solshine Reverie Music Festival.
Recapping the 4 day run we just did through WV, OH, TN, and IN
Rambling about my plans for my bedroom studio, upcoming run of 4 shows, 4 states in 4 days WV, OH, TN, IN! Also rambling about how we approach live performance and the balance of composition to improvisation.
Details about the new Chalk Dinosaur x crypto WAVE radio song, "Clear In My Mind (feat. Katriella)"
Lots of random thoughts from March 2024 about time management, our recent 2 night run with Papadosio, set structure, & random thoughts.
Talking about my experiences playing the sold out Philly show opening for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and playing with Squeaky Feet in Illinois
Talking about how the recent shows in Denver and Indianapolis went.
Talking about this summers shows so far in NC, VT, MA, and PA
Sharing the experience of playing Domefest and Summer Camp 2023
Talking about the new album and current stuff April 2023
Chatting with my friend David Didio, a fellow Pittsburgh musician, songwriter and producer who releases music and performs under the name Stone Throwers. I've mixed and mastered some of their releases which is how I met them. You can find them on Spotify or any major streaming outlet.
This might only be relevant to other people who self schedule. Here's the most recent schedule I've designed. I was trying to make a schedule that was going to flexible yet rigid enough to allow me to get to all the things that I'd like to work on. I haven't employed it yet so maybe it won't work well, but I'm thinking this might be the ticket for me. I'll 5:00 - Wake + breakfast 6:00 - Exercise + post workout meal 7:30 - meditation + journaling 8:30 - 12:30 - Work Block 1 12:30-1:00 - Lunch 1:00-5:00 - Work Block 2
Talking about the new music and things in the works for 2023.
Talking about yesterdays recording session at The Vault Recording Studio in Pittsburgh. https://thevaultrecording.com/
This episode features vocologist, band merch salesman, bubble extraordinaire, and friend Keith Harker.
Talking about my recent experience performing at Summerdance.
Talking about my current strategies for surviving as a musician.
Talking about the shows we've played so far this summer. Our Pittsburgh show at Thunderbird, Peach Fest, and The Werk Out.
Venting about a recent covid cancellation, my collaboration with our guitarist Jon Henderson, release strategy, and quitting nicotine. Sky Ridge: https://soundcloud.com/jon-tom Instagram: @SkyRidgeMusic
Answering some listener submitted questions on mixing. If you have any topics or questions you'd like me to discuss on the podcast about Chalk Dinosaur, mixing, composing, bean mush, etc, email them to ChalkDinosaurPodcast@gmail.com
The making of the album Sunset. https://open.spotify.com/album/52of4cTlUnYH7wdpI50sIY?si=c3F465Z7THC4iQv444Tdzw https://linktr.ee/chalkdinosaur
The making of Song of an Eastern Wind. https://chalkdinosaur.com/album/1367115/song-of-an-eastern-wind
Reviewing the highlights and challenges of 2021 for Chalk Dinosaur and me personally. https://linktr.ee/chalkdinosaur
The making of the album, Peace (feat. Ancient Frequencies) https://chalkdinosaur.com/album/1520128/peace-feat-ancient-frequencies
On this episode I chat with Pittsburgh music producer and vinyl dj - BusCrates. He's one of my personal hometown favorites, and his music combines elements of hip-hop, synthesizer funk, and disco. He is also an avid user of the live streaming platform, Twitch. He does live streams of his vinyl dj sets and also production streams where he's composing new material. Find his music on Spotify, Bandcamp, and anywhere else music is available. Follow BusCrates: Instagram: @buscrates www.twitch.tv/buscrates
In this episode I address some of the responses I got on Instagram when I asked the question, "what is your greatest challenge as a musician or producer?"
Listen to the new album with me before it comes out! In this episode I go through the upcoming album and comment on the making of each song and the recording process as a whole. The album gets released on October 29th, 2021. Hear it first here on the Chalk Dinosaur Podcast! All relevant Chalk Dinosaur links: https://linktr.ee/chalkdinosaur
Recap of what's been going on with Chalk Dinosaur over summer 2021. Listen on Spotify Check Out the Entire Discography
In this episode I share my memory of making the 22nd Chalk Dinosaur record, With You. Download or Stream Listen on Spotify Check Out the Entire Discography
In this episode I talk about the making of the album Word of the Soul. Lots of rambling. You can download or listen to the album here: https://chalkdinosaur.com/album/1679013/word-of-the-soul or on Spotify.
The story of the Chalk Dinosaur album Spectrum. Purchase: https://chalkdinosaur.com/album/1811048/spectrum
Recap of what happened since episode 18. Spectrum: https://chalkdinosaur.bandcamp.com/album/spectrum Word of the Soul: https://chalkdinosaur.bandcamp.com/album/word-of-the-soul Chalk Dinosaur - Live at Homefest - 06.11.2020 https://youtu.be/2YPUZhdrJq0 Chalk Dinosaur - Live at the Rex Theater - 06.27.2020 youtube: https://youtu.be/zc_zJWwZJ7Q bandcamp: https://chalkdinosaurlive.bandcamp.com/album/rex-theater-06272020
In this episode I talk music with Steve Ippolito, a drummer in Pittsburgh who plays in a band called The Clock Reads.note** There are a couple spots where the conversation cuts out and picks up later on in the conversation. This was my first attempt at a remote podcast and I encountered some unexpected technical difficulties. The Clock Reads: http://www.theclockreads.band/Their new album "Gnomon": https://theclockreads.bandcamp.com/album/gnomon
In this episode I talk about the 3 new Chalk Dinosaur albums, the music I've been doing for some new indie VR games, COVID-19, and my thoughts on managing doubt, identifying targets, and seeking vision. Relevant links: Chalk Dinosaur - "Peace" - Free meditative album featuring the sound of synthesizers with indigenous flutes.Chalk Dinosaur - "Service" - All sales donated to the service industry professionals in my life.Chalk Dinosaur - "With You" - All sales donated to the Rex Theater staff relief fund.Virus Popper Theme Song - "Virus Poppin' People"Virus Popper Game LinkPasta Boy the songJocko Podcast
On this episode, I talk with Katie Oltmanns who works in the radio industry as a DJ on 105.9 and 104.7, the live music industry, and is the founder of a local music podcast called Scene Unheard. Katie details what it's like working in radio, how she arrived, and her experience doing Scene Unheard. Check out her podcast, Scene Unheard
On today's episode I have a discussion with Paul Guarino, one of the owners and founders of ASCEND, a rock climbing gym in Pittsburgh. Interestingly, I've been involved musically with ASCEND since they opened. They've used Chalk Dinosaur music in some of their promotional videos and I've also DJ'd for the gym a couple times. I've been curious about what it was like starting that business, and the backstory behind everything, so I'm grateful for Paul taking the time to come and chat with me about it. https://www.ascendclimbing.com/ Next Chalk Dinosaur show is on March 26th at the Thunderbird! http://www.thunderbirdmusichall.com/e/chalk-dinosaur-w-chachuba-92302034871/
If we want to feel inspiration, we must not wait for it to find us, but rather, we must seek it out and cultivate it. If we feed it, it will grow. If we neglect it, it will wither.In this episode I share my thoughts on actively seeking and maintaining an inspired state.
In this episode I sit down with Jeremy Colbert who is a Pittsburgh based singer/songwriter, guitar and terrapan player. Jeremy plays in a Pittsburgh folk rock band called Nameless in August, but this episode focuses on his upcoming solo album called Spirit Maze and the story behind it. His solo artist alias is Taragape. The album release show is this Saturday, February 22nd, 2020. Details and links below!Artist: TaragapeAlbum: Spirit Maze (Available 2.22.2020)Bandcamp: www.taragape.bandcamp.comAlbum Release Show: Saturday, 2.22.2020 • 6-9pmVenue: Dragon's Den • 1008 Amity St • Homestead, PA Album Art (wood):Naked Geometry • https://www.facebook.com/WisdomAndWork/Album Art (painting): Krystaleyez • https://www.krystleyez.com/Nameless in August: https://namelessinaugust.bandcamp.com/releases Press release for Spirit Maze and the accompanying release show:Jeremy Colbert, of folk-rock band Nameless in August, spent most of 2019 working to bring the album “Spirit Maze” to fruition. What began as a solo album with healing intentions has grown into a music entity seeking to support community and cultivate consciousness. The origin of the name stems from agápe, one of seven different words for ‘love’ by the ancient Greek culture, meaning unconditional love or love for humanity.This unique album features handpan (inverted steel drum) arranged with strings intertwined with conscious guitar and lyric compositions. It is truly a sonic journey of reflection.The album will be released on 02-22-20, 6-9pm at the Dragon’s Den, a new venue serving the youth community of Homestead by establishing an indoor ropes course and zip line. The Dragon’s Den will officially open this summer and 18% of tickets sold will benefit the venue. https://dragonsdenpgh.org/For all event info and to purchase tickets, visit:https://bit.ly/3blEq2LTaragápe will perform the album in its entirety as a 5-piece ensemble featuring Jeremy Colbert(handpan/guitar/vocals), Matt Price (drums/percussion), James Bristol (double bass), Briana Carraher (cello), and Nashwan Abdullah (violin/fiddle).The all-star lineup includes supporting musicians:Scott & RosannaGuy RussoDavid JM BielewiczLauren ‘Shay’ DeMichieiJason GambleMonkey GoddessEntertainment from circus arts performers:Camille Zamboni (contortionist) and Ishkaday (dancer, light/fire spinner & acrobat)Live painting by the renowned Seth LeibowitzAlso featured will be Hope Academy student performers!Empath Sober Bar will be serving locally-sourced intentionally-infused non-alcoholic beveragesLaser-cut album merchandise designed by Naked GeometryProduction by Xenon EntertainmentEvent coordination by TJ Parker-Young of Bricolage Theater Company
In this episode I tell the story of Chalk Dinosaur, from the first time I held an instrument all the way to the present time. All of the iterations of Chalk Dinosaur from solo project to full band.
In this episode I have a conversation with Michael Berger, bassist and writer for a Pittsburgh band called The Clock Reads. I would describe their music as a fusion of jazz, jam, funk, and latin. They just released a new album called Gnomon which is the main catalyst for our conversation today. You can find The Clock Reads at the links listed below. Happy New Year! Time to put a new ring in the tree trunk.http://www.theclockreads.band/https://theclockreads.bandcamp.com/https://www.facebook.com/theclockreads/
On this episode I talk with my friend Sean Howard. If you go to any of the smaller PA music festivals, you've probably seen Sean running sound or lights. I met Sean at a festival called FarmJammaLamma in 2016. He was one of the lighting and sound engineers as well as a performer. In this conversation we talk about his work as a lighting and sound engineer, his band, and the recording studio project he is currently building. https://www.facebook.com/SHOrchestra/https://www.facebook.com/soundbarproductions/
In this episode I talk about a bunch of random stuff, both related and unrelated to Chalk Dinosaur. Recent and upcoming performances, reflections, and a bunch of random thoughts.
In this episode I talk about some of my methods and thoughts on mixing.
This episode features songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Shane McLaughlin of the Pittsburgh folk band Buffalo Rose. In this conversation we talk about songwriting, recording, journaling, and a bunch of other random stuff.Links:Buffalo Rose WebsiteBuffalo Rose SpotifyFacebookBandcampThe River Song (live clip from the beginning of the episode)Rocketship (single)
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the keys to prolificity and finishing ideas.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
