Pod Castanova

In this episode, the guys talk about what they mean when they say "Rock n' Roll is dead, kid!"  

What does a producer do exactly, and why would I need one?  In this episode, the guys talk about the kind of questions you should ask potential producers and how to prepare for your recording project.

Tyler and Scott talk all about songwriting and the importance of a good intro and how it affects a song's success.  They also talk about radio tours, chat roulette, and being on the road.  

In this episode, the guys talk about the pros and cons of co-writing songs versus writing alone.  They also talk about how co-writes work in Nashville, music publishing, the Rolling Stones, and bands splitting writing credit.

Tyler and Scott talk about buying new gear to get out of a musical rut, seeing musical idols at the Nashville Airport, horror movie music, and Scott talks about trying to be comfortable at big music festivals.

Celebrate the 4th of July with Tyler and Scott.  In this episode, Scott has some unique ideas about patriotism, Tyler talks about recording with Fred from the B-52s, and the guys talk about recording studio technology and paths to success in music.

The Whigs singer/guitarist Parker Gispert talks about rock costumes, how to make a record on the cheap in a frat house, Instagram, touring with the Kings of Leon, living on his farm, and his upcoming solo record.

When we heard that Fastball was coming through Nashville on tour, we knew that we had to get them on the podcast.  Tony and Miles from the band stopped by the studio to talk with us about their new album "Step Into Light" and their current tour with Everclear and Vertical Horizon.  They talked about what they did before music took off, what it's like hearing your song on the radio and having it become a massive hit, their creative processes as songwriters and the dynamic of being in a band that has kept original members and toured the world since the 90s.  

Our friend Misa Arriaga stopped by this week to come talk with us.  He's a great musician here in Nashville who has toured the world with Kasey Musgraves and has produced her & Willie Nelson as well.  He tells us some stories about being on the road, what's it's like to record Willie Nelson on his tourbus, how empowering it is to wear a custom light up suit on stage, and we get down to some James Brown music.  Good times on this one!  

The guys talk about music production, approaches to drum programming, making the bad guy lovable in a lyric, and the Nashville co-writing process.

In this episode, the guys talk about seeing musical legends at the hardware store, the work of Quincy Jones, and rockstar genes.  They also listen to and analyze an older soul track and a newer pop song.

To celebrate Thanksgiving coming, we had Grammy nominated songwriter, music director, and producer extraordinaire Jon Jackson, Jr come by the studio for a fun episode of the podcast.  Jon has been touring and working in the studio most recently with the amazing Macy Gray.  He has a unique perspective on the music industry after working as a professional musician at the top of the game in New Orleans, Nashville, and Los Angeles...3 cities with booming music scenes and very different industries.  Not to mention, Jon happens to be one of our oldest friends and just a generally rad guy.  We talked about bands recreating their successes after a huge record, discected the form of "Who Let the Dogs Out", and the songwriting process.  

The guys talk about how musicians and artists get paid, strategies some artists have used to promote themselves online, super fans of bands, and Mike Judge

Scott jams out on some yacht rock, Tyler talks about how the studio came together, and the guys talk about co-writing and collaborating with other musicians and writers. 

Scott gets back from a month in LA.  Tyler talks about being at the CMT Awards and meeting Pharrell, and recording your music mobile on the road.

The guys talk about what qualities they think define hit songs, artists building themselves as brands, Tyler talks about opening for Billy Gibbons and how he pranked them, and Scott talks about the time he DJ-ed a dinosaur themed wedding.  

In this episode, the guys talk about Bonnaroo and Jazz Fest, their undying love for Dr. John, and the time Scott played with Shania Twain.  

We caught up with Los Angeles based hit songwriter Dave Kuncio at a really exciting time.   It was the day after the song "Somewhere on a Beach" he co-wrote for Dierks Bentley went #1.  Not only has this guy written songs for Selena Gomez, Ty Dolla Sign, and Nico & Vinz, but he also almost became an NFL football kicker.  He talked with us about getting started in music, bowling with Alicia Keys, and how his songs ended up on the radio.  

Sarah and Ian are not only married, but they tour the country together putting thousands of miles on the Van-tasy promoting their own brand of indie, soulful Americana music.  They have built a loyal following and have a lot of really great stories from it all.  Sarah's powerful voice and unique story also led her to reaching the top 20 on season 8 of NBC's the Voice.  She & Ian are hilarious together, and they definitely didn't hold anything back.  They also play an original song "Granddad" off of their upcoming record "Monster" at the end of the episode.

Tyler & Scott talk about the craft of pop songwriting, the Shins, rockstars with day jobs, and Scott trashes Tyler's new Hawaiian shirt. 

Tyler & Scott talk about recording, shows in Nashville, hit songwriters, and creating a brand as an artist.

Jason Brooks is not only a monster on the guitar, he also happens to be a fellow connoisseur of good girl pop music, a lover of fine pizzas, and an in demand touring musician in Nashville.  In between tour dates with Voice winner Danielle Bradbury on the Thomas Rhett/Brett Eldridge tour, we caught up with Jason at the studio late one evening after a few beers at the bar.  Hence, this impromptu podcast baby was born, and now the world is a happier place.  Thanks Jason!  Vwolla!

Sarah Buxton has had many different perspectives on the Nashville music scene from her time in a jam band, to having a major label record deal promoting her music on the radio as a solo artist, to establishing herself as one of the most respected young writers in town.   She talks with us about writing her first number one "Sun Daze" with Florida Georgia Line and how that went down.  She has also written some great songs for Keith Urban including "Stupid Boy" and "Put You in a Song", and she shares with us her incite and philosophies on writing and being creative.     She sings an awesome song at the end too that you'll definitely want to hear.  

Sarah Buxton performing "Angels Singing" live on the podcast

Charlie is the kind of guy you really root for...a great writer, killer musician, and all around swell dude.  As he begins his second solo record on Warner Brothers, he shares with us his journeys on the road with Vince Gill, what it's like touring with Taylor Swift, his philosophies on songwriting, and how he ended up in Nashville by way of Berklee School of Music in Boston.  He sings a brand spanking new song at the end too that you don't want to miss.  

Charlie Worsham performing "Running My Own Race" live on the podcast.    

Jamie Dailey performing "In the Garden" live on the podcast    

Jamie Dailey is half of the Grammy nominated bluegrass group Dailey and Vincent.  He joins us on the podcast to talk about the groups rise to success, how they navigated the music industry to build a successful, sustainable career, the feeling of playing Carnegie Hall, growing up in a one stop light town, and chatting with Ryan Seacrest on the Red Carpet (for a Grammy that Scott and I think they should have won).  Jamie even plays a really great version of an old Gospel classic at the end.            

Scott and I have some cool friends.  Our buddy, Jimmy Stafford joined us this week on the show.  He has been the guitarist and founding member of the band Train for over 20 years.  They've enjoyed the success of over a half dozen international hits, huge tours, and appearances on pretty much all the major TV shows.  He tells us what it's like being on Howard Stern, the rise of Train from playing to one guy in a bar to playing huge shows, and how he gets confused for Howie Mandel.  Also, he talks about the recording process of some of Train's biggest hits and being on an episode of Family Guy!    

Today John Osborne stopped by the studio to talk with us, and it ended up being one of the most fun podcasts to date.  To those not in the know, John is a killer player and member of the CMA nominated country duo “Brothers Osborne.”  John talks about touring with Eric Church, being called on to Dwight Yoakum’s tour bus and recording with producer Jay Joyce. We talk about how playing music at Nashville’s Country Music Marathon is like being in a reverse marching band, how photo shoots largely consist of people asking you to be cooler than you are, and how you should be able to campaign to win a CMA once you’ve been nominated, including negative campaign ads.    

We talk about Uptown Funk, wearing two monocles, how singing only showcases one aspect of being an artist, and what a track guy is in LA or Nashville.

On today's episode we have audio engineer Justin Cortelyou.  Justin is known around Nashville for being an in-demand mix engineer.  He's spent the past five years working with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, with whom he's recorded Alice Cooper, Paul McCartney, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry and many more.  He talks about the relationship between a producer and an engineer, some tricks of the trade, and what it's like to star in an eHarmony commercial.  This is a great one for anyone who wants to hear a successful audio engineer talking about his approach to recording.  

Ree is a person who hires songwriters.  She has run her own super successful independent music publishing company for upwards of 30 years. She has published hits for artists including Blake Shelton, Band Perry, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Gary Allen, Dierks Bentley, and Ashley Monroe, and she definitely has her finger on the pulse of the industry. Also, her father INVENTED the game Twister AND Nerf, and she tells us  how the game industry is really similar to the music industry.  Also, you can check out her publishing company at www.reynsong.com      

This week bass player, ultra marathoner, and all around interesting guy Kyle Whalum chats with us.  Tyler and I met Kyle when we were all Freshman in college.  We tell stories spanning our younger days of drunken buffoonery to Kyle's recent engagement.  He talks about performing with Steven Tyler, growing up on Green Day albums, and we share examples of how Kanye West has life figured out.  Tyler and Kyle even delve into  "strange game," their own theory of how to approach women in a way you won't hear anywhere else.    

In this episode, Scott and I talk about everything from Willie Nelson being misunderstood, to Garth Brooks' comeback world tour, to commercial songwriting in Nashville, some cool local music events, and the transition from an artist career to producing.  We end the episode with some stuff to check out from local artists to gear for musicians.

Joshua Scott Jones performing "Howlin' at a Neon Moon" live on the podcast

Joshua Scott Jones, one half of nationally acclaimed country duo Steel Magnolia and now solo artist, dropped by the studio today to talk with Scott and I.  He came in with a bunch of jokes about animals, and left with an awesome acoustic performance.  We talked with him about his journey through the music industry in Nashville from a major label deal to his recently released independent album "The Healing".  Check it out.

We made a fancy little video of the recording of the Music.People.Podcast. theme song a few nights ago.  We wanted to see how much rock we could squeeze into 14 seconds…

All you aspiring musicians tune into to this episode! Zach Casebolt is a world class violinist who was on a path to becoming a top player in the classical world studying with greats Ani Kavafian and Isaac Stern when he took a 180 degree turn and moved to Nashville to pursue dreams of playing rock, country and pop for a living. He has since established a really successful niche for himself touring the world with the likes of country legend Ray Price to musical phenom Futureman of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to Styx. He has played on countless records and is here with us on the podcast discussing his experiences in music, marrying his pop sensibilities with his classical skills, the Beatles, being on the road, and his journey from living in a tent to playing for thousands from India to beyond. He also performs an insane solo violin piece at the end. Here ya go!

This week, the lovely, talented Meghan Linsey is on the show with Scott and I. She happens to be my awesome girlfriend, but she also has a really exciting career as a recording artist in Nashville. She went from winning the TV show Can You Duet on CMT, to putting out several hit country singles with her group Steel Magnolia on Big Machine and selling over a million downloads. She recently released her first solo EP and has been enjoying the success of radio airplay, praise from Rolling Stone, and touring the country. She talks about touring with Reba McEntire, Bob Seger,and the Band Perry, working at a karaoke bar when moving to Nashville, and navigating the music industry. Also, we do an acoustic performance of her song “Cocaine and Jesus” at the end, so tune in!

We met Bubba recently when he came in to guest on a track I was working on in the studio.  He’s a great guy, and he has some crazy stories from working with Timbaland, Organized Noize, Missy Elliott, and many others to solidify his spot as one of the most prominent white rappers in the world.  He’s had a long career with numerous number ones, and he talks with us about the ups, downs, and everything in between in this week’s podcast.  There’s also a little impromptu freestyle jam at the end where Bubba raps with Scott and I backing him up.  Boom!

James Otto is the real deal.  He had the most played song on country radio in 2008, CMA and ACM awards for “Song of the Year” and a grammy nomination.  I’ve had the pleasure of doing a lot of recording, touring and writing with him over the years, and today he came by to chat with us about his craft, his definition of success, writing, touring, and his love of vintage cars.  Oh, AND he does an acoustic performance of a new song at the end, so check it out!

Between founding and playing lead guitar for internationally acclaimed rock band Cage the Elephant and touring the world, Lincoln Parish has amassed a lot of rock n roll street cred.  He talks with Scott and I about stories from the road, playing with Dave Grohl, his life now as a badass songwriter/record producer, and his undying love for hot chicken.