On Creating with Talking Ear

We celebrate past guests of the podcast by sharing their music on this special edition of On Creating. Featured Music: Patrick Booth- In the Still Silence and Skipping Stones from his 2018 album titled Stillness are available on all music streaming platforms Saajtak- If You Ask (Acoustic version) is available on bandcamp Throaway- Bonathan Jyers and the Brilliant Society of the Illustrious Mule from their 2019 album titled What? are available on all streaming platforms Groove Plexus- Chorduroys and No Escape From Time (feat. Alex Koi) from their 2019 EP titled No Escape From Time are available on all streaming platforms Becca Stevens- Feels Like This from her upcoming album titled Wonderbloom is available on all streaming platforms Estar Cohen- For Tad is currently not available on any streaming platforms and Only Once (feat. Red Shoe Company) is available on YouTube   

On the final episode of the On Creating podcast's first season, Travis and Estar interview Becca Stevens. Becca is a highly accomplished composer, vocalist, and arranger who has worked with the likes of David Crosby, Brad Mehldau, Snarky Puppy, Jacob Collier and Ambrose Akinmusire; all while continuing to release her own highly original music as a bandleader. The three dive into Becca's musical upbringing in North Carolina with her family's band (The Tune Mammals), the inspiration and creative growth that can be born out of collaboration, and what it means to "make friends with your critical voice" as an artist.   Talking Ear releases "Shadows Of" by Travis Aukerman.

On the eleventh episode of the On Creating series, Travis dives into conversation with saxophonist, composer, and educator Patrick Booth. The two discuss Patrick's new album "Stillness," which reflects his experience living in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, along with the impact mentorship by artists including Wadada Leo Smith and the late Geri Allen has had on Patrick's life.  Talking Ear releases "Dahlem" by Dan Palmer. 

Estar and Travis are joined by Troy Rogers, a roboticist, composer, and educator who stopped by the studio with his rickshaw of improvising musical robots on his tour of the United States. This episode includes the first-ever live in-studio performance with Robot Rickshaw himself! Talking Ear also debuts their tenth composition for the On Creating series, "Free Night at the Astro," by Dan Palmer.   

On Episode 9 of the On Creating podcast, Travis talks with Talking Ear's pianist, Ben Maloney. The two discuss how Ben was drawn to the (at times) chaotic life of a full-time musician from an early age, and how that path led him to find a strong sense of identity. The two also discuss the inspiration behind Ben's new composition and Talking Ear's latest release, "Dab Kids."   

On Episode 8 of the On Creating podcast, Estar and Travis talk with guitarist/composer/bandleader Kirsten Carey of avant-rock phenomenon Throwaway. Kirsten discusses her recent experience at the Banff Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music, her experience as a Detroit to L.A. transplant, and the unique way she cultivated Throwaway's persona. She also shares two brand new, unreleased recordings. Talking Ear shares their brand new composition, "Falling," written by Travis.     

On episode 7 of the On Creating Podcast, Estar and Travis talk with pianist/composer/educator Adam Benjamin of original music quintet, Kneebody. They cover everything from Adam's early start in music to the personal experiences that can lead to motivation and inspiration. Also, Travis talks with Talking Ear's bassist, Aidan Cafferty, about his new composition "Liminality" and what it was like for the band to learn the piece completely by ear.      

In Episode 6 of the On Creating Podcast, Dan Palmer and Ben Maloney chat with drummer Travis Aukerman about his new composition and Talking Ear's most recent video release entitled "Where Steps May Lead Me." On top of this, they also dive into the steps that led Travis to a career in music, his obsession with seeking honesty and vulnerability in life, and the challenges of playing in a band while also acting as manager. 

On episode 5 of On Creating, Travis and Estar interview Tori & Jason Tomalia, owners of Ann Arbor's Pointless Brewery & Theatre. The four discuss the parallels of comedic improv and Jazz improvisation, the struggles and joys of building a business focused on creativity from scratch, and Jason's unique craft beer. Also, Ben and Estar discuss Estar's new piece, "What Remains," touching on the imagery of the lyrics and the inspiration behind the piece.

Estar hosts the fourth installment of On Creating with special guest Galen Bundy. Galen, a pianist/composer based in Ypsilanti, MI discusses his hunger to digest many different musical styles at an early age, the things that led him to becoming a composer, and how intense life experiences have influenced his writing. They also discuss Talking Ear's latest release "Trees Change," by Dan Palmer, which features Galen on synthesizer. 

On episode 3 of On Creating, Travis and Ben sit down with award-winning vocalist/composer Estar Cohen to discuss her piece "Knowing You, the intention behind her lyric writing, and the impact mentors can have in one's personal artistic development. 

In episode two of On Creating, Talking Ear dives into their new piece, "Center," and discuss the inspiration behind it. They also talk to Alex Koi and Jon Taylor of Detroit avant-rock outfit, Saajtak about composition around improvisation, creating storyline, and cultivating an original sound. 

On the first episode of On Creating, we learn how Talking Ear was formed, hear a new composition "Awake," and speak with guitarist/composer Dan Palmer. We get to know about how Dan first came into music and his two techniques fundamental to his personal writing: practice and experience.