Podcast - BROKEN CITY ARTISTS

This week Mike Jackson and Adam Watts sit down with composer, percussionist and marching arts luminary Ian Grom. A Vic Firth, Yamaha and Zildjian artist, Ian's work with Pulse Percussion, Box Six and many others is recognized the world over. In this podcast we talk about getting our butts kicked by early mentors and we also dig into Ian's musical upbringing in Southern California including his formative years in college and what drives him as a musician and composer to this day. Don't miss this great conversation with two of the Marching Art's most respected artists.

THIS WEEK we sit down with our friend Colton Dixon: Dove Award winning artist, singer-songwriter. We discuss the creative process and he reveals as yet unknown pieces of his epic story from unknown small-town artist up through his stint on American Idol (and all the drama and stress that happened behind the scenes) which led to his signing with a major label (Capital CMG) and his connection with Red Decibel and Broken City and the four hit records that followed this incredible rise. We’re coming to you from Broken City Studios as we dive into the making of his upcoming full length release which is the follow up to "Anchor".

This is EPISODE #17 of the Broken City Artists podcast with Adam Watts and Mike Jackson. A Podcast about all things art, creativity and life. THIS WEEK: Mike & Adam are back in Broken City Studios talking about life, tolerance, empathy, the arts, passion and their varying perspectives relative to current world events.

THIS WEEK: We sit down to reflect about Broken City Percussion and the WGI Finals in Dayton Ohio. We also talk about Gannin's role in the BCP show and bestow on him an award... it's a tearjerker guys. VISIT: www.WeAreBrokenCity.com for more info. on all things BCA including educational events, private instruction and more.

This is EPISODE #15 of the Broken City Artists Podcast with Adam Watts & Gannin Arnold. A Podcast about all things art, creativity & life. THIS WEEK: We welcome Cory Clark: singer-songwriter, guitar player and member of the band Aeges... and one of our favorite humans.

This is EPISODE #14 of the Broken City Artists podcast with Adam Watts and Gannin Arnold. A Podcast about all things art, creativity and life. :::::::THIS WEEK::::::: We discuss all things improvisation and give lots of in studio live examples of various techniques and concepts as well as how improvisation relates to composition. This is fun one. Lots of layers. Hope you enjoy it!!

THIS WEEK: We welcome Kevin Shah (aka K-Shah). A graduate of Juilliard University, Kevin is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and educator. Amongst many other things he works with Mike Jackson as the core team behind Broken City Percussion. We had a great conversation about the arts, creativity, collaboration, commerce etc. etc.... so much so that this is our longest podcast yet:) I'm sure you'll come away thinking as highly of Kevin as we do. Enjoy!

This Week: We discuss 80's music and it's effect on the current music scene as well as how the modern era of music is reminiscent in sone ways to the 80's as it related to the it's preceding era, the 70's... and as usual, much more.

This is EPISODE #11 of the Broken City Artists podcast hosted by Adam Watts, with special guest artist: David Tosti (formerly of the popular band PAX 217), he's a bit of a renaissance-dude, photography, music, fine art etc. and a good guy. VISIT: www.WeAreBrokenCity.com for more info.

THIS WEEK: From listener questions we dive into composing (and give practical advice & examples), writers block (do we believe in it?!), and the concept behind Broken City Percussion's 2016 opening sequence which features the Adam Watts song "Reborn"... and much more.

THIS WEEK: Art contests: The Grammys, the Academy Awards... we all have a different opinion on the nature of these televised award ceremonies and what they say about art and people. Also, we talk about loyalty in the music business... how we do have our influences and still be unique? Also, the world of A&R in the music business... The historic proof of the power of production & artist teams in pop music...

THIS WEEK: We dive into authenticity relative to technical competence; are we more or less likely to be able express raw emotion the more technical proficiency we have? Escapism art versus meaning based art, what’s up with all that?Also, was the 80's the last pioneering era of music? If so, why? Is standup comedy the truest form of solo performance artistry? Also, Adam shares the impetus behind his upcoming book, the ideas of which BCA is founded on... and much more... plus, Mike and Adam both hold bass guitars the entire time… that alone is exciting.

THIS WEEK: We casted lines out to Instagram and Facebook to answer listener questions. Subjects include the creative process and how we approach getting feel and meaning into a song.. Also Adam shares the different ways he approaches the drum arrangements and recording when writing and producing songs from his solo work. Gannin discuss his unique Drum Channel project DVD starring Taylor Hawkins, Simon Phillips, Jimmy Chamberlain and more.

THIS WEEK: Listener Questions send us down the rabbit hole of considering the roots of individuality and a career in the arts… what path is the right path? Should we start out following by copying others? We also discuss the dichotomy between pop, jazz and classical… and as a result Gannin takes a dobro solo over Coltrane’s classic “Giant Steps” chord progression. Mike talks about how he comes up with his shows for leading drum corps and percussion ensembles including Blue Knights, OCI/Broken City Percussion… and much more.

THIS WEEK: We dig into songwriting including chord-plagiarism, or is it borrowing?… Art & MMA: Conor McGregor. and his visionary approach to fighting. Scott Weiland’s passing. We answer Listener Questions. Gannin plays a guitar solo LIVE over one of the most used chord persons in modern music and more.

THIS WEEK: Not our normal podcast... more a of a behind the scenes look. We're all scattered around, but we made it happen! So this week is a peak into what we've been up to while apart... still keeping the BCA wheels turning. Adam's in the woods pondering life whilst sitting on a fallen tree, Mike is in rehearsals with Broken City Percussion (BCP) and Gannin is making tracks in "Studio B" (i.e. on his laptop at home).... come travel around Southern California and sneak a peak at each of those worlds and get a behind the scenes look at the BCP 2016 show.

THIS WEEK: Are there parallels between martial arts fighting and music improvisation? How has Bruce Lee and his philosophical holistic approach effected culture?... Was Gannin bullied as a kid?... How do we weigh the plusses and minuses of mixing music, commerce & competition? Do artists have an innate responsibly with their work?... and of course, much more. Come hang out.

This is the kickoff episode of the BCA podcast with your hosts Adam Watts, Mike Jackson and Gannin Arnold along with Broken City artist, alt-pop singer-songwriter iRussi