Not Your Average Musician

Quick update guys. From now on we're only going to be on Spotify. The podcast is on a new trajectory. We're no longer doing interviews. We're taking music from various areas of pop culture and breaking it down for you. We figured it would be pretty cool to play actual music on the show. The only way we can legally do this is through Spotify, exclusively. We hope you understand. As always, thank you for listening. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/notyouraveragemusician/message

The pod is on life support. Issac is busy doing Crossfit and uploading douchy reels on Insta. Dalton is becoming a Hockey playing man. Issac doesn't know how to skate. Who would win a fight on the ice?

Quick update on the busy lives of Issac and Dalton. They discuss Issac's recent interest in orchestral music. Does film music count as orchestral music? Both musicians have experience learning secondary instruments. They go over some of the benefits of taking on a new instrument, the challenges, and why you should be expanding your skillset.

Issac & Dalton reflect on the half time show. Dalton not too impressed. Issac tries to change his mind.

It's good to be back! Quick update from Issac & Dalton. What if Dalton had to write music for star wars? We come up with a composing challenge. Help keep the Pod alive: https://anchor.fm/notyouraveragemusician/support

We're back! After a long summer break, we're finally back. After a brief update on the state of the podcast and our lives we have the pleasure of bringing Ryan Ladd. He's a bass player in the Nashville scene. His band Waker just released a new album, "Fresh Out. Ryan went over the knitty gritty of the touring life and shares the do's and don'ts for every gigging musician.   

Ryan Coad is an emerging ukulele artist based out of Hawaii. Last time we talked with Ryan he was in the process of releasing his debut album, Dawn, which is now streaming on all platforms. In this episode we dive deeper into Ryan's life outside of music as well as some of his philosophies towards playing, teaching, and how to be productive.  

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a must read for any creative. Resistance is a force keeping us from living our ideal life. It stand between us and the work that we're meant for. This book clearly defines resistance and the steps we have to take to overcome it. Far from it being a hypothetical path, Pressfield's solutions are practical yet profound. Issac and Dalton dive into key parts of this book and take it for a spin from the perspective of the musician.  

The tables get turned this week as Issac takes the hot seat. He's the creator of this podcast, a guitar teacher, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in music education.  The co-host, Dalton McLaughlin, dives into Issac's story and the lessons he's picked up along the way.  

What is the reason for using genres? Are the boundaries between them clear? Today, Dalton and Issac discuss the role that genres play in music and the industry. They also dive into the nuances that come with genres and it's boundaries.

Ryan Devlin is a jazz saxophonist based out of Orlando Florida. He is finishing up his jazz studies at the University of Southern Florida, and has played with such groups as the Orlando Jazz Orchestra. His debut album called “Thoughts on the Matter” is out now, and streaming on all platforms. We had a fantastic conversation with Ryan on this one. We explored the nuances of making jazz music accessible to the general audience.

Movies are the biggest form of entertainment today. Although many of the modern film composers are classically trained, can we find a clear distinction between classical music and film scoring? Dalton and Issac discuss the shifts in music that have occurred in classical music, and how we've arrived at modern film scoring. They dive into the role of technology in the music film industry. They explore how composers are perceived, and how their function in the industry has changed from the classical times to today.  

Gabe Flow is a session guitarist based out of Miami Florida. He infuses neo-soul and R&B into the Miami music scene whenever needed. He also writes and produces his own music. He's very creative when it comes to his compositional approach  

The Artist's Table is a non profit for opera singers that is looking to help and empower the opera community. Currently there is very little to no diversity in this area of the music industry. Sarah and Celeste are on a mission to level the playing field so that every musician has the opportunity to thrive in this field. We discuss some of the challenges that minorities face in the Operatic world and how they're filling in the gap.

Do you have a guitar collecting dust? Have you always wanted to play guitar? This episode is for you. Whether you play another instrument or not, anyone can learn to play guitar.  Dalton and Issac break down the fundamentals of guitar into three simple steps. Master these and become the source of entertainment the next time the campfire is lit.  

Vinnie De Masi is a guitarist, educator, and author based out of the greater NYC area. He currently plays guitar in The White Wedding  Band. Vinnie has also performed in pit orchestras for the Broadway shows, Mamma Mia, Moving Out, and Jersey Boys. He has been writing articles for Guitar Player Magazine 2001, and has designed multiple rock courses for NYC Guitar School.

There's a general fixation with harmony when musicians analyze music. As important as it is, there is a lot more to music than chords. Today, Dalton & Issac discuss various scopes with which to approach music, and the different methods we can take when listening to various styles of music.  

Noelle Drewes is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College, where she teaches oboe and is a resident artist member of the Sunderman Wind Quintet. She has served as Principal Oboe with the Apollo Orchestra in Washington, DC since its founding in 2010 as well as Principal Oboe of the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra in Shepherdstown, WV since 2014  

Dalton & Issac go over the origins of the acoustic guitar as we know it today. It was born out of need and innovation. We can trace the original company that started it all. Some whacky iterations, and why we ended up with the steel string acoustic of today. Enjoy!  

Kate Warren is a freelance horn player based in New York City. She has previously toured with the Dallas Brass and held positions with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Kate holds a Masters degree in horn performance from the New School, studying with Erik Ralske, and a BM in horn performance from Florida State University.  

Myles Blakemore is an up and coming classical trombonist. He currently serves as Trombonist in the US Naval Academy Band and as Professor of Trombone at Howard University. Prior to his current positions, he was the inaugural Rosemary and David Good Fellow with the Minnesota Orchestra and a fellow with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Miles got his masters from MSM, and is buzzing on social media presenting the satirical side of classical music.  

Transcribing music is the process in which we learn music by ear. It's a simple process, but by no means is it easy. Transcribing is taking the hard road. However, if you choose to implement this arduous practice into your skill set you'll be better for it. I've seen musician's recognize patterns and melodies almost immediately. At the time I thought it was magic that only a select few could posses. I can confidently tell you that those are the results from years of hard work. The more you transcribe the easier it gets. Your ears get sharp, you can start to hear music in your head, and you're musicianship goes through the roof. Today, Dalton and Issac give you three very simple steps to transcribe music. They talk about the specific benefits of transcribing and where to start. If you have any questions please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you!  

Jake Eddy is a bluegrass guitarist who splits his time between his home state of West Virginia and Nashville. Jake is both a touring musician as well as a studio artist. Check him out on instagram to hear about all his recent projects, his dedication to teaching, and his absolute shredding on the guitar.

Flamenco has a rich tradition and specific musical devices that come attached to it. Today, Dalton and Issac go over four specific techniques that you can add to your repertoire. These will help you add that Flamenco sound to your music. It's so important for musicians to branch out and explore various styles. It's in this manner that we can grow as artists and expand the limitations of our creativity.  

Connor Kuehn is a session drummer and music producer based out of Los Angeles. He studied jazz drumming at USC Thornton school of music. Connor is an extremely versatile musician that has dived into multiple genres including rock, jazz, and world music. He can quickly adapt to any situation, making him great for gigs of any kind.  

When it comes to finding the right teacher, there are a lot of options out there. It's very important that you find someone you trust to help you reach your potential. Today, Dalton & Issac go over a few tips to keep you from picking the wrong teacher. Making a mistake on this front can cost you time, money, and may even discourage you from pursuing what you love.  

Kelly Catlin is a flutist and composer currently pursuing her DMA at University of Georgia. She is the composer and co-producer of an off broadway show called, the “Magic Play.” She is also the composer for the new indie orchestra called, “Millenium, the 21st Century Concert.” She recently released her first solo album called “Backstory,” which is a collection of electroacoustic flute works.   Find Kelly here: https://www.instagram.com/kellycatlinmusic/   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Chord inversions are very simple. The concept is all about moving the bass around. But we can often overlook how much of a difference they can make with our harmonic progressions. This is the key to getting creative with your rhythm playing. Whether your backing someone up or writing your songs, inversions are going to help you turn stale chord progressions into the smooth journey you want for your listeners.   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Courtney Preis is an indie/pop singer songwriter based out of Los Angeles California. She connects with her listeners by providing mellow, easy listening songs that share a positive vibe. Her first full length album, “Halfway There” was released back in 2019 and is available on all streaming platforms.   Find Courtney here: https://www.instagram.com/courtneypreismusic/ Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

You can find Youtube stations and dozen's of spotify playlists that are all LoFi music. It has become the study soundtrack for millions of people around the world. Dalton and I explore what lofi music is and some of the musical components that are found in the genre. If you're looking to make your own chill beats or get a jazzier vibe into your music,this episode is for you. Enjoy! Get in touch with us Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

We have a big hitter this week! Thomas Hooten is the principal trumpet for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His extensive resume includes, "The President's Own" Marine band, The Indianapolis Symphony, performing for Gustavo Dudamel, and being featured for John William's (STAR WARS!) concerto for trumpet and orchestra. Thomas' approach to music and life is holistic. It is focused on balance, being present, and learning from failure. He shared the lessons he learned from the legends. He's an active educator, Tom talked about his approach to developing both as a musician and as a person. This episode is packed with golden nuggets, enjoy! Find Tom here: https://www.instagram.com/tomhooten/ Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Dalton & I get a little personal this week. We share some failures from our journey, but more importantly, what we learned from them. Anyone who wants to grow will face failure. Success will be dictated by the relationship that we have with it. The lessons that we take with us will be the difference between learning and real failure. One of my favorite sayings from Jiu Jitsu is, " You either win or learn, failing is when you learn nothing." Perhaps we need to redefine what failure actually is. We want to encourage all of you to go for it, whatever that is. And not to be afraid of coming short, surely, something will be gained along the way. Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Confused on where to start with music theory? Today, Dalton and I go over a simple process for tackling music theory. Having a process and effective resources can make all the difference in your study of music theory. It can be tricky to figure out where to start and how to go about using what you learn. We provide you with three simple steps that will help you organize your practice and study of music theory.    Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/   Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Zeke Bardash is a guitarist based out of NYC. He studied classical guitar at both Queens College and the Manhattan School of Music. After graduating from MSM, Zeke revisited his past love for electric guitar and rock and roll. He currently is a member of a rock band called “Sex for Breaksfast,” that embodies many influences such as jazz, classical, and electronic music. In today's episode we discuss the place that rock music has in the academia. Zeke has performed in many styles throughout his life and has a very profound way of looking at music. He dives into key elements of his practice routine, dealing with imposter syndrome, and how he found his own voice in music.   Find Zeke here: https://www.instagram.com/zekebardashsound/   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/   Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Success and accomplishment don't arrive in one day. It takes consistency, dedication, and discipline. If you want to become an excellent musician you need to have structured and consistent practice. Dalton & I go over three simple tips to make your practice sessions count. We also go over a few things that are worth considering before you start planning out your practice, like goal setting, how you'll assess your progress and why, and the importance of breaking things down.    If you have any questions please reach out, we'd love to hear from you.   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Lars Fiero is a singer and songwriter based in Germany but heard all over the world - his last single 'Emily' was awarded as best pop song for Europe at the Intercontinental Music Awards.!Since August 7th Lars can be seen in the new music show 'Sing On! Germany' on NETFLIX, where he made it to the final. Lars is also buzzing on Instagram, where he has accumulated over 18,000 followers. Lars' story is very interesting. Not only did he decide on a "career" change, he transitioned from  heavy metal to writing pop oriented music. Lars discussed his process for writing songs. He goes over what it takes to be a successful musician in the industry, and practicing for performance and recording.   Find Lars here: https://www.instagram.com/larsfiero/?hl=en   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/   Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

The mindset required for practicing and playing is different. There is a switch that should go off depending on the situation that we're in. If you approach a performance but your brain is still in practice mode, well that's a recipe for trouble. We musicians need both in order to grow and hone our skills. Today, Dalton and I go over the differences between these two scenarios and how to maximize each one. The details will vary from person to person. But we provide you with some general guidelines to help you engage that musical switch.   Do you have any questions for us? We'd love to hear from you! Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/   Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Russ Crowter, known as BeatsbyRuss is a producer and beat maker from the UK. Russ has a strong community on IG, where he has almost 10,000 followers. He shares his content and connects with other musicians. He sells custom beats for a wide range of artists from R&B to rock. Russ hasn't been on the scene long. He got into producing music only a year ago. Like many of us he took advantage of the the extra time in quarantine and got started on his path to music. He dropped an insane amount of knowledge on us. Russ is a great example that it doesn't take years of training and studying in order to get started. You can walk the path TODAY! He was super humble about his accomplishments. He isdedicated to improving himself as an artists, professional, and entrepreneur.

Are your compositions starting to sound the same? Maybe your you want to convey a specific emotion, or capture a vibe in your music. Dalton and I go over some musical devices to help you expand your musical toolbox. Aside from giving you specific examples we also present some starting points. Concepts to keep in mind when you're making music. These will serve as a starting point for you to expand upon.   Some of the things we cover today: Rhythm- Varying tempos, changing subdivisions, and harmonic rhythm The modes of the major scale can give you different colors to play with. How timbre and orchestration plays a big part in the effect your music will have on your listeners.   If you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Derek Cooper is a composer and music educator based out of the greater New York City area. He earned both his Masters and Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music. Derek is currently on faculty at Ramapo College in New Jersey, where he teaches music theory. Derek has a large catalogue of music ranging from solo piano music to larger works for full orchestra. He is also a member of the Iceberg Institute, which is a group that consists of composers promoting new music throughout NYC. Today we talk about what composing actually is. The nuanced aspects that go into writing music. Derek helps us expand our perspective by stepping outside the box. He also shared the positive and negative sides to academia.     Find Derek here: https://www.instagram.com/derekcoopercomposer/ https://www.derekcoopercomposer.com/ Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Today Dalton and I go over some chord progression fundamentals. If you've been struggling with harmony and how to go about it this lesson will give you a good starting point. This is meant for you to get started. The topics we cover today can be expanded and taken in any direction. We go over: What you should know before starting to write your own chord progressions. How keys work How to harmonize the major scale Getting familiar with the chords within the major scale The fundamental "rules" of chord progressions Building tension and release The different categories for diatonic chords We hope you enjoy this episode. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you.   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/   Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Hi! Dalton and I are switching up things a little bit. So we wanted to take the time to let you know what's changing with the podcast. We're going to be releasing two episodes a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Every two weeks we'll be focusing on a new theme or subject. Our Tuesday episode, "Teaching Tuesday" will be a lesson based around the current subject. These are going to range from composing, improvising, recording, arranging, etc... Thursdays will be our interview episode. If you've been listening you know that this has been our primary type of content. We don't want to get rid of that. We're learning so much from our guests that it would be a shame to stop now. These episodes will also be focused around the current subject, our guests will be pros that are centered around it. We would love to hear your feedback. So get in touch and let us know what you think. Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Phoebe Clarke is a double bassist currently studying music at the Royal College of Music in London England. She has accumulated an Instagram following of almost 8,000 people, where she connects with her community by sharing content such as lessons, collaborations with other musicians, gigs, a practice journal, and insights into the Royal College of Music.   The interview starts here: 20:20   Find Phoebe here: https://www.instagram.com/phoebedoesbass/   Find Dalton here: https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/ http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/   Find Issac Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-g https://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/ http://issachernandez.com/

Rob Adler is a classical guitarist, certified suzuki teacher,music video creator and editor, photographer, and administrative leader based out of Brooklyn in NYC. He studied music production at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and classical guitar at MSM. Rob is a multifaceted musician that utilizes his expansive toolkit to create quality projects that can be anything from a new music video to a suzuki guitar lesson.The interview starts here: 21:19Find Rob here:https://www.instagram.com/robadlerguitar/ Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/

Hunter Havokk is a metal and rock guitarist based out of Southern California. He is buzzing on Instagram with over 22 thousand followers, where he is sharing great content such as a featured riff of the day. Hunter is both an Ernie Ball and Schecter featured artist.For our topic of the day Dalton and I discuss the grind and burnout that sometimes comes attached with the musician's lifestyle. For the most part we're freelance workers. Finding paying gigs and establishing your career can take a lot out of you. We talk about what these moments have looked like for us and what we've done to get through it. The interview starts here: 15:37Find Hunter here:https://www.instagram.com/thealonadecade/ Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/

Meghan Faw is a classical violinist who has an undergraduate degree from University of Austin Texas and a Masters from DePaul University in Chicago. Meghan is passionate about educating violinists of all ages, and is a certified Suzuki teacher and trainer. Her website also features various courses that she designed herself including courses that focus on left hand technique as well as the bow hold. The interview starts here: 11:13 Find Meghan here:https://www.instagram.com/suzukiviolinteacherFind Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/ 

Nanu Villabla is an Argentinian metal drummer that is currently buzzing on instagram with 56 thousand followers. She is a member of a band called Arthemisia, works as a session drummer, and is sponsored by both Vic Firth drumsticks and Zildian cymbals. The interview starts here: 16:59 Find Nanu here:https://www.instagram.com/nanu_villalba/ Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/

RFD is an aspiring Asian American artist from the Bay Area whose catalog of music is making waves. He began writing at the age of 16 and has drawn inspiration from greats such as Drake and Calen Raps. RFD is a member of Yellow Boyz Productions and consists of three members: RFD, Hiro The Champ, and Kae The Prophet. As the youngest of the group, he always comes with fresh sounds that always feel exuberant. In just the short time of a little over a year, he has accumulated 100K streams on all platforms in his first year of crafting his sound. The interview starts here: 14:50 Find here:https://www.instagram.com/rfdulay/https://www.instagram.com/thealonadecade/ Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/

Steven Lesko is a metal guitarist that is a part of a band called AmerStein, which is based out of Milwaukee Wisconsin. He has amassed over 5,000 Instagram followers, and is a featured artist sponsored by Solar Guitars. Today he discusses what it takes to develop shredding technique, how musicians can grow on social media, and the work that has gone into recording his music. The interview starts here: 18:13Find here:https://www.instagram.com/stevenleskoassets/ Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/

MSG/ Dr. Sam Woodhead is the solo and principal trombonist and trombone section leader of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” He earned his BM from University of Southern Maine, his Master’s from Yale, and his Doctorate from University of Maryland. In addition to his duties with the concert band, he has performed with the Brass Quintet, Blues, Orchestra, Chorus, Herald Trumpets, and DownRange, with whom he toured Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan as part of the Sergeant Major of the Army's Hope and Freedom Tour in 2006. In addition to his musical career, Sam  is also a fitness and nutrition instructor. Today Sam discusses what being a musician in the military is like. He tells us about the music scene in Washington D.C. and the high level of musicianship that can be found there.  We also discussed the role that fitness plays into the life of a musician and why it's crucial. The interview starts here: 05:20Find Sam here:https://www.instagram.com/xfittbn/Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/

 Alona Decade is an up and coming artist that mixes soul, hip hop, R&B, and jazz into her music. She recently released her debut album titled, “Indecisive,” which is now streaming on all digital platforms. Alona takes pride in her ability to write her own music, and is helping empower her audience through not only her music, but through her own merchandise line called Oakie naturals.Today we discuss the path to answering your "calling" and the consequences of not doing so. Alona talks about letting go of her fear and taking the leap to pursuing her dreams. She also walks us through her creative of process.  The interview starts here: 11:13 Find Alona here: https://www.instagram.com/thealonadecade/ Find Dalton here:https://www.instagram.com/dmclaughlin93/http://www.daltonmclaughlin.com/ Find Issac Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVIivmh4isdo7w7zOm7O-ghttps://www.instagram.com/theissachernandez/http://issachernandez.com/