Making a Scene Presents

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Kamel L King Entertainment Lawyer and Artist ManagementKamel L. King was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He studied at American University in Washington, D.C., before returning home to attend Tougaloo College, where he graduated with honors and earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations. He later received his law degree from Mississippi College School of Law, focusing on intellectual property and entertainment law. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Why Web3 Touring Collectives Will Replace Booking AgentsHow Indie Artists Can Use DAOs, Fan-Powered Ticketing, and Community Spaces to Build Tours Without GatekeepersThe music industry likes to pretend that touring is some kind of secret science only insiders understand. Booking agents act like they hold magic keys. Venues act like they own every path to a stage. Promoters act like they decide who deserves to play. But if you talk to indie artists long enough, you learn the truth. The system isn't complicated. It's controlled. And Web3 is about to tear that control down to the foundation. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Pierre Lacocque of Mississippi Heat!On the back cover of Mississippi Heat's album Footprints On the Ceiling, there's a photo of a man playing harmonica with such intensity you can almost hear the music in the silence of the still image. That man is Pierre Lacocque—the band's founder, bandleader, and principal songwriter. What that photo suggests is exactly what his music delivers: a harmonica voice full of fire, soul, and emotion. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - How to Use ChatGPT to Analyze Your Mix and Make It BetterThe New Secret Weapon for Indie Artists Mixing at HomeMixing your music at home shouldn't feel like guesswork. But most indie artists know the feeling. You sit in front of your speakers, you start turning knobs, and you hope for the best. Some days everything sounds muddy. Other days your vocals feel harsh and thin. Maybe your kick drum disappears on phone speakers. Maybe you're scared to even compare your mix to a real release because you don't want to hear how far off it is. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Pops FletcherMy story starts at age thirteen in the Roosevelt Jr. High auditorium. Three of us stood onstage with acoustic guitars, blinded by a single follow spot, singing “If I Had a Hammer” and “Blowin' in the Wind.” I didn't realize it then, but folk music was the doorway that pulled me into a lifetime of performing. http://www.makingascene.org

Making A Scene Is Moving Toward a 100% Ad-Free, User-Supported FutureFor more than a decade, Making A Scene has been showing up every single day for the indie music world. We have published fresh content every single day for over 10 years straight. No breaks. No missed days. No excuses. Every sunrise brings new interviews, new reviews, new gear talk, new music business guides, and new tools to help independent artists grow. This is not a hobby for us. It is a mission. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - AI Isn't Replacing Musicians—It's Replacing the Music Industry MiddlemenThere's a strange truth hiding in plain sight in the music world right now, and the only people who seem scared of it are the ones who have the most to lose. If you listen to big labels, legacy execs, and certain industry talking heads, they want you to believe that AI is coming after the artists. They want you nervous, shaking, and convinced that a robot is going to take your guitar, steal your mic, and drop an album on Spotify before you can tune your instrument. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Emotion-Driven Mixing: How AI Reads Feelings to Shape the SoundThere's a quiet revolution happening in the studio, and it has nothing to do with new mics or fancy compressors. It's about something deeper. For the first time ever, we have AI tools that can actually read the emotional tone of music. Not just the key, tempo, or waveform shape. I'm talking about mood, feeling, energy, and intensity. This is called emotion-driven mixing, and it's changing everything for indie artists, bedroom producers, and even film scorers who need to tell a story through sound. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - AI-Powered Music Ads: Smarter Targeting, Better ResultsWhen you hear people talk about AI in music marketing, it usually sounds like a bunch of tech hype. But the truth is actually much simpler. AI has changed ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok in a way that finally helps indie musicians reach real fans without wasting money. You no longer have to sit there trying to guess interests, age groups, cities, or behaviors. The machines do the learning for you. AI watches who reacts to your music, who skips it, who follows, who saves, and who keeps repeating the song. Then it reshapes your entire ad delivery behind the scenes. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Warner Music Signs Deal with Suno.com and Ends it's LawsuitSo… What Happened?Last week, Warner Music Group (WMG) announced it had settled its copyright lawsuit against Suno. That lawsuit was one of several filed by major labels in 2024 and 2025, accusing AI music generators like Suno (and its rival Udio) of using copyrighted recordings — without permission — to train their AI models. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Music Metadata on the Blockchain: Fixing a Broken SystemThe music industry has a weird problem that nobody outside the business talks about. It's not streaming payouts. It's not labels taking too much money. It's something way more basic, almost embarrassing when you think about it. The whole industry still runs on broken metadata. Metadata is the simple information about a song like who wrote it, who produced it, who played on it, who owns the master, who owns the publishing, and what identifiers track those rights. Without it, the entire royalty system collapses. And right now, that system is held together with duct tape, Excel sheets, and outdated databases that can't keep up with the global music economy. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Roy Blumenfeld of The Blues ProjectRoy Blumenfeld has lived at the center of some of the most electrifying moments in New York's 1960s music revolution. Born in the Bronx in 1944, he came of age just as American rock and roll was taking shape. Drawn early to the sounds of blues, R&B, and jazz, he picked up the drums and quickly became part of the city's vibrant, fast-moving music scene. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Rebecca DownesBirmingham-based singer, songwriter, and independent artist Rebecca Downes has spent more than a decade building one of the most respected reputations in modern blues-rock. Working closely with longtime co-writer and multi-instrumentalist Steve Birkett, she releases all her music on her own label Mad Hat Records—a fully self-sustained operation that handles everything from writing and recording to manufacturing, marketing, and global distribution through Cargo Records. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Larin MichaelsBorn and raised in the heart of Motown, Larin Michaels grew up surrounded by one of the world's greatest music traditions. He began his musical journey at just seven years old as a drummer, laying the foundation for a lifelong career shaped by rhythm, soul, and unmistakable Detroit grit. By fifteen, Larin had expanded his musical palette to include guitar and piano, and soon formed his first rock band, The Noblemen, with longtime friend Mario Bee. The group quickly built a regional following, performing across the Midwest and appearing on radio and television while recording original material. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - The Last Great Land Grab: How Web3 Will Decide Who Owns the Next Music EconomyThe music industry is going through one of the biggest power shifts in its history, and most artists don't even realize it yet. The shift isn't happening in the headlines. It's happening underneath everything, in the code, in the way money moves, in the way fans connect, and in the way ownership works online. This isn't a slow drift like the move from CDs to downloads. It's a full-on takeover. It's a land grab. And whoever claims their territory first will own the next music economy. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - AI Audience Targeting: Finding Your True FansHow Indie Artists Use AI to Locate Real Listeners Before Spending a Dime on AdsIf you're an indie artist trying to grow your fanbase, you already know the truth that no one likes to say out loud. Posting nonstop on social media doesn't automatically bring fans. Boosting random posts doesn't work. Throwing a few dollars at an ad without a plan is basically donating your money to the algorithm gods. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Intelligent Room Simulation: AI That Maps Your Studio's Sonic DNAWhen you're working in a home studio that doubles as a bedroom, office, storage space, and part-time cat playground, it can feel like the whole room is fighting your mix. The low end swells in one corner, the highs disappear in another, and your mixes fall apart the second you play them anywhere else. For years, this was the single biggest problem for indie artists and engineers working outside fancy studios. You could have golden ears, killer monitors, and world-class plugins, but if your room lied to you, your mix would lie right back. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Fan Tokens and Social Currencies: The Rise of the Artist CoinsThere's a quiet revolution happening in the music world, and you can feel it in the air if you're paying attention. It's not coming from the major labels or the streaming giants. It's coming from the artists — especially the independent ones who are finally done waiting for permission. After years of dealing with algorithms that hide your posts, payouts that feel like pocket change, and companies that treat your fanbase like their property, musicians have started to build something different. They're creating their own economies using fan tokens and artist coins, and it's changing what it means to have a music career. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Henri HerbertOriginally from the UK and now based in Nashville, TN, Henri Herbert has earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying blues and boogie-woogie pianists working today. A permanent resident of the United States, his Green Card was granted specifically for his exceptional ability as a blues pianist—formal recognition of a talent that has taken him across stages throughout the U.S. and Europe. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with AK and the Red KitesAK & The Red Kites is a modern rock band with a retro-infused edge—big riffs, cinematic soundscapes, and a raw energy rooted in classic influences but driven by a bold, contemporary vision. At the center of this new creative chapter is frontman and guitarist Andrew Knightley, rising from the ashes of his previous blues-rock powerhouse, Trident Waters. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Joel DupuisBased in London, Ontario, The Joel Dupuis Band is a powerhouse three-piece delivering high-energy, no-nonsense, straight-ahead rocking blues. Winners of London Blues Band of the Year 2024 and Guitar Player of the Year 2024, they're known for explosive performances, soulful original songs, and bold, modern spins on classic favorites. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Predictive Mixing: How AI Anticipates Problems Before You Hear ThemA Deep-Dive Guide for Indie Artists Who Want a Cleaner, Faster, Smarter MixIf you've been mixing your own music for a while, you already know how chaotic the process can feel. You dial in the vocals until they finally sit right, but then the guitars suddenly jump out too bright. You smooth the guitars, and somehow the kick drum disappears. So you push the kick, and the bass turns to mud. Then you fix the bass, and your vocals sound dull again. It's like chasing ghosts in your own mix. http://www.makingascene.org

The Importance of Building a Music Industry Middle ClassWhy 1,000 True Fans, Smart Business Strategy, and New Tech Can Build a Real Career for Indie ArtistsMost people look at the music industry and imagine two extremes. On one side, there are the massive superstars with private jets, giant stadiums, and million-dollar deals. On the other side, there are the struggling artists who play small gigs and try to scrape by. For decades, this has been the story the industry tells. But that story is broken. The truth is that the future of music depends on something the industry has ignored for far too long: a strong, healthy, empowered music industry middle class. http://www.makingascene.org

AUTOMATING YOUR MUSIC RELEASE CAMPAIGN WITH AIHow AI Plans, Writes, Designs, and Schedules Every Step of a Music ReleaseReleasing music used to feel like running a marathon blindfolded. You'd drop a song and hope someone noticed. You'd scramble to write captions. You'd rush to make promo graphics. You'd forget to email your fans. You'd promise yourself you wouldn't make the same mistakes next time, and then next time would roll around and everything would feel just as messy. The truth is most indie artists never struggled because they lacked talent. They struggled because the marketing workload was insane and the industry expected you to do everything alone. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - How to Use Web3 and the Decentralized Music Industry to Build a Sync Licensing BusinessIf you've been in music for a while, you already know the truth — streaming doesn't pay the bills. The pennies per play model has pushed more and more indie musicians to look for other ways to earn. One of the most powerful options out there is sync licensing — getting your music placed in movies, TV shows, commercials, games, and digital content. But here's where things get interesting: the rise of blockchain and Web3 technology now makes it possible for independent artists to build their own sync licensing businesses without the middlemen who have always taken the biggest cuts.Let's walk through what that actually looks like. We'll start with what sync licensing really means, why the traditional system is so broken, and then dive into how Web3 and smart contracts can give you total control over your rights and royalties. By the end, you'll understand exactly how to set up a decentralized sync licensing business that works for you, not for the labels. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with John Christopher MorganJohn Christopher Morgan is a songwriter, guitarist, and storyteller whose music digs deep into the roots of American sound—where blues, soul, and folk rock collide with raw honesty. With a voice rich in grit and warmth, and guitar work shaped by years of stage experience, Morgan delivers songs that feel lived-in, heartfelt, and unfiltered. Every lyric carries the weight of real stories, real struggles, and real triumphs. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Scott McDonaldScott McDonald is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter from the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania whose career has been built on crafting memorable, melody-driven rock and pop songs. His music blends the punch of guitar-powered rock with the warmth of acoustic storytelling, creating a sound anchored in strong hooks, rich harmonies, and emotional authenticity. Whether he's plugged in or stripped down, Scott's songwriting always puts melody first while still carrying the energy and attitude of classic rock 'n' roll. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents a Deep Dive into Cubase 15Early Days — Where Cubase BeganPicture this: it's the late 1980s. Computers are clunky, floppy disks are king, and the idea of recording full songs on a computer feels like science fiction. Most musicians are still running tape decks and analog gear, but a few forward-thinkers are experimenting with something new — MIDI sequencing. That's when a company called Steinberg Media Technologies, based in Hamburg, Germany, releases a piece of software that quietly changes everything. They call it Cubase. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Steven C AndersonSteven C Anderson is a genre-bending pianist and composer whose music sits at the crossroads of classic rock inspiration, sweeping cinematic soundscapes, and intimate solo-piano artistry. With more than 2,000 original works and millions of streams worldwide, Steven has built a career defined by both prolific creativity and emotional honesty. His music moves effortlessly from raw, exposed piano pieces to richly orchestrated arrangements, always anchored in melody, mood, and storytelling. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - EQ Demystified: How to Really Use Equalization in Recording, Mixing, and MasteringLet's be honest — EQ is one of the most misunderstood and misused tools in audio production. Every engineer, from beginners to veterans, has at some point reached for an EQ knob when they probably should've just moved a microphone, changed a preamp, or adjusted their room. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Real-Time AI Feedback: The Virtual Producer in Your HeadphonesImagine you're in the middle of a take. The mic is hot, the groove feels right, but suddenly you hear a calm voice in your headphones: “Your vocals are clipping. Step back from the mic just a bit.” You adjust your distance, redo the phrase, and this time—perfect. No ruined take, no distorted peak, no need to scrub through the waveform later. That's the future of recording with real-time AI feedback—where your computer doesn't just capture sound, it coaches you. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - The Economics of Tokenized Music RightsHow Fractional Ownership and Revenue-Sharing NFTs Are Changing RoyaltiesIn the old days, owning a song meant something simple. The artist wrote it, recorded it, and maybe a record label handled the rest. Money came in through radio, CD sales, or streaming. But most fans never owned any piece of the music they loved, and artists often gave up a big share of their income just to get heard. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - ChatGPT as Your Personal Music Marketing AssistantHow to Build Your Own “AI Intern” for Emails, Social Captions, and CampaignsImagine having your own marketing assistant — someone who knows your artist story, understands your fans, and can help you plan your next release, write your social posts, or even draft your newsletters. Now imagine that assistant never sleeps, never complains, and learns your voice over time. That's exactly what ChatGPT can be for indie musicians. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jason CaleJason Cale is a powerhouse guitarist, vocalist, and composer whose fearless creativity has birthed a sound that's as unique as it is electrifying. Leading the charge with The Jason Cale Band, he's crafted a genre-bending style they call Swampfunk—a fiery mix of soulful blues-rock, gritty New Orleans funk, and adventurous jazz fusion. It's music that oozes authenticity, groove, and grit—equal parts Louisiana bayou, late-'60s psychedelia, and Southern soul, all stirred together in a modern, high-octane gumbo. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Markus Ullrich of ThemTHEM. is the theatrical, globe-spanning metal collective led by German guitarist/composer Markus Ullrich and fronted by enigmatic vocalist Klaus König “KK” Fossor. Based in Germany but drawing from an international roster of musicians, they fuse power and thrash metal with gothic, horror-concept storytelling—delivering both epic musical compositions and immersive visual theatre. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Bryan SchumannBryan Schumann is an award-winning composer, producer, and singer-songwriter based in Minnesota. His music weaves together elements of pop, folk, indie, rock, electronic, and classical genres, creating a sound that feels both modern and timeless. Known for his strong melodies and emotional depth, Schumann's songs range from infectious dance tracks to introspective ballads that linger long after they end. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - DaVinci Resolve 20: The Ultimate Free Video Editor for Indie MusiciansIf you're an indie musician — writing songs, shooting videos, or just trying to tell your story visually — you've probably realized how important good video editing has become. Fans don't just listen anymore; they watch. Whether you're putting out a full music video, a lyric visualizer, a rehearsal clip, or a behind-the-scenes vlog, video is the main way you connect with your audience. But good editing software can be expensive, complicated, and often limited unless you pay for premium plans. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - The Roadmap: How to Transition from Web2 to Web3For most indie artists, Web3 can sound like another buzzword—like crypto, NFTs, or blockchain were just a few years ago. But under the hype, there's something far more powerful going on. Web3 represents a shift from renting space on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram to owning your creative universe. It's the difference between being an employee and being your own boss. And for independent musicians, it might be the biggest opportunity since the invention of home recording. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene - The Sentient Studio: How AI Learns Your Sound Over TimeThere was a time when your digital audio workstation, or DAW, was nothing more than a glorified tape machine. You hit record, moved some faders, and hoped for the best. Every time you opened a new project, it felt like starting from scratch. Your EQ curves, compressor ratios, and reverb settings had to be dialed in again and again. You might have had a few saved presets, but the system itself didn't know you. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - From Likes to Income: How AI Marketing Translates Fan Engagement into RevenueThere's a funny thing about the internet. It gives artists more visibility than ever before—yet most indie musicians still struggle to turn that attention into real money. Getting thousands of likes on Instagram or a viral TikTok video feels good, but when it comes to paying rent or funding your next album, likes don't equal dollars. That's where artificial intelligence is changing the game. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - The Indie Advantage: How AI Levels the Playing Field in the StudioAccess to Major-Label Tech, at HomeImagine being in a major label studio in the 1990s: racks of outboard gear, professional engineers, weeks of tracking, mixing, and mastering. For most indie artists, that meant compromise: cheaper rooms, fewer takes, less time, less polish. But today, AI is giving indie musicians the power to access that kind of technology in a very different way. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an interview with Samuel WilburSamuel Wilbur returns with a powerful new album, Ivory Tower — a record that feels nothing short of magical. Beyond its cinematic sound and lyrical depth, the album stands out for how Wilbur uses his platform to spotlight some of Minneapolis's strongest female voices, featuring stunning performances by Meghan Kreidler, Dani Michaele, and Laura Kiernan. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Tola Lamont and Kurt Michael of Coastland FairBlending coastal soul with Americana grit, Coastland Fair is the creative union of Tola Lamont and Kurt Michael — two artists whose musical chemistry feels as timeless as the tide. Based on a shared love for organic songwriting and heartfelt storytelling, the duo crafts songs that blur the lines between folk, roots rock, and modern indie pop, wrapped in harmonies that shimmer like sunlight on open water. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Mid/Side Processing in Mixing: The Secret to Width, Clarity, and ControlHave you ever listened to a pro mix and thought, “Why does this sound so wide and full, but everything still feels perfectly in place?” That's not just good EQ or compression — chances are, the engineer used a little Mid/Side processing to get that balance between focus and space.Mid/Side, or M/S, is one of those behind-the-scenes techniques that can take your mixes from sounding flat and two-dimensional to open, clear, and three-dimensional. Once you understand what it does and how to use it properly, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in your mixing toolbox. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Billy Branch!Billy Branch is one of the most respected and influential harmonica players of his generation — a true ambassador of Chicago Blues. Discovered by the legendary Willie Dixon, often called the “father of modern Chicago Blues,” Branch was still in college when Dixon took him under his wing. Dixon urged him to complete his degree, which he did, earning a political science degree before joining Willie Dixon's Chicago All-Stars. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - AI for Session Musicianship: Tightening, Not ReplacingThere's this fear floating around studios lately — that artificial intelligence is coming to take the jobs of session musicians, singers, producers, even mixing engineers. The truth? AI isn't here to replace you. It's here to help you sound tighter, cleaner, and more confident in the studio. It's a tool, not a takeover. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Neutron 5: A Deep Dive Review For Real-World MixingIf you make music at home or in a small studio, you already know the hardest part usually isn't the songwriting. It's the mix. Tracks pile up. Levels fight. Vocals hide behind guitars. Drums either feel weak or way too loud. That's where iZotope's Neutron 5 steps in. Think of it like a modern, all-in-one mixing toolkit that combines powerful modules with smart, AI-assisted workflows. You can drop it on individual tracks, stack the modules you need in any order, and even let it listen to your song so it can give you an honest first pass at balance and tone. You still make the creative calls, but it gets you to a clean starting point fast. http://www.makingascene.org

Audius Introduces Artist Coins!Think of an Artist Coin like a digital fan-club pass. You make a coin under your artist name on Audius. Fans can buy it inside Audius. Holding your coin gets them into your inner circle: early listens, coin-only posts, private chats, special drops, and whatever else you decide to offer. It's all built into the same Audius site where your music lives, so fans don't have to learn a bunch of new tools. On day one, Audius already lets you gate music for coin holders and send message blasts to those holders, which makes the coin useful immediately—not some “maybe later” promise. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Mix Clarity: The Truth About Masking (And How to Fix It)by a recording engineer who's spent way too many nights chasing clarity in crowded mixesThere's a moment every indie artist hits when a mix sounds almost perfect… but something feels wrong. The vocals are there, the bass is there, the guitars are crunchy, the kick is thumping — yet somehow, it all sounds like a muddy soup instead of a clear, powerful record.You might try turning things up, EQing harder, or adding compression, but nothing seems to fix it. That's not a “bad mix.” That's masking — one of the most misunderstood problems in music production. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene Presents - Know Your Fans: How AI Analytics Shows You Who to Market To (and How)Picture this. You've just dropped your new single. You check your stats on Spotify, maybe glance at YouTube views, and you're left wondering—Who's actually listening to my stuff? Are they in your hometown? Across the country? Maybe on the other side of the world?Most indie musicians have asked these questions at some point. The thing is, guessing who your fans are is kind of like throwing darts blindfolded. You might hit something now and then, but you're mostly just hoping for the best. That's where AI analytics comes in to lift the blindfold. http://www.makingascene.org

Making a Scene - Building Your Web3 Artist Brand: How to Present Yourself as a Forward-Thinking MusicianIf you're an independent musician trying to stand out today, you've probably noticed that the music world is changing faster than ever. Between streaming algorithms, AI, and blockchain, it can feel like the ground keeps shifting under your feet. But here's the thing—change isn't the enemy. It's the opportunity. http://www.makingascene.org