The Finish More Music Podcast

This week on the Finish More Music podcast, I'm joined by Kedrick Jeffries—CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas and a lifelong musician and community leader.   Kedrick has spent over two decades pouring into the lives of young people, helping them reach their potential through the power of music and mentorship.    In this episode, we explore the profound impact that a single individual can have on a young person's life—and how the act of showing up for others will radically transform our own.   In this episode, we explore: ✅ How mentorship transforms both mentor and mentee ✅ How music opens doors and uplifts entire communities ✅ Why mentorship builds empathy, resilience, and purpose ✅ Why contribution through creativity is a calling—and how to follow yours   Kedrick also shares how music has shaped his journey, from his personal practice to directing large ensembles in service of community uplift.   Through his work in education, leadership and music, Kedrick exemplifies what it means to lead with heart and give back through art.  

In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Mark Turk, founder of the Austin-based nonprofit Beat 4 Beat.    Mark's organization brings music education to underserved youths by hiring local musicians to teach in after-school programs—using creativity, performance, and songwriting as tools to transform young lives.   In this show, we explore:
   ✅ How teaching is a superpower for creatives  ✅ How music builds trust, confidence and community  ✅ How music and generosity are a life-line to underserved youth
 ✅ How YOU can get started impacting the world with your music ✅ How teaching fuels personal and professional growth for artists   We also dive into the surprising challenges of running a nonprofit—that quite frankly blew my mind! I thought everyone would be wholly supportive of organisations and people that empower young people… as you'll hear, that isn't so!   Mark's story is one of incredible resilience, challenges, kindness and impact that left me inspired and driven to contribute more with my creativity.    Let me know how this episode impacts you!  

What does it truly mean to give everything for your art?   In this powerful episode, drum & bass legend Tony Colman aka London Elektricity shares his deep philosophy on music, contribution, and living a life of service.   From founding Hospital Records to performing in war-torn Ukraine for free, Tony's career is a testament to the power of giving without expectation—and the unexpected rewards that come from it.   We explore: ✅ Why giving selflessly benefits both the artist and the world ✅ How Tony overcame fear, ego, and self-doubt to focus on service ✅ The battle to save small club culture from corporate dominance ✅ How to build real connections in the industry through trust & generosity ✅ Why music is about lighting people up, not just playing tracks   This episode is a masterclass in artistic generosity—one that might just change the way you approach your music career.  

Welcome to our first-ever Finish More Music podcast series!   This podcast series, "The Creative Calling," explores how pursuing one's passions, particularly in creative fields, leads to a more fulfilling life for you and for others.    In the series I use research and personal stories to illustrate the profound positive impacts of creative pursuits on mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and also address how to balance your personal creative goals with other life commitments.   Fear isn't the only thing stopping us from pursuing our creative calling—there's another silent threat: lethargy.    That feeling of being “too tired,” “too drained,” or “just not in the mood” can quietly steal more days from our lives than we realize.    In this episode, we break down what lethargy really is, why motivation isn't something you wait for, and how small shifts in mindset and action will help you overcome resistance.    Using insights from elite performers, psychological research, and personal experience, we unpack how to reclaim your energy and move forward…   …even when you don't feel like it.  

Welcome to our first-ever Finish More Music podcast series!   This podcast series, "The Creative Calling," explores how pursuing one's passions, particularly in creative fields, leads to a more fulfilling life for you and for others.    In the series I use research and personal stories to illustrate the profound positive impacts of creative pursuits on mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and also address how to balance your personal creative goals with other life commitments.   In this episode we discover one of the biggest threats to following your creative calling: Fear.    Fear disguises itself as perfectionism, self-doubt, and procrastination, keeping us stuck.    In this episode, we explore how fear manifests in creativity, why it's a response to a perceived (not real) threat, and how to overcome it.    Drawing from powerful insights by Jung and James Hollis, we uncover the secret to pushing past fear and learn how taking small steps, dismantling limiting beliefs, and reframing fears help you move forward with confidence on your creative journey.   Listen Now!   

Welcome to our first-ever Finish More Music podcast series!   This podcast series, "The Creative Calling," explores how pursuing one's passions, particularly in creative fields, leads to a more fulfilling life for you and for others.    In the series I use research and personal stories to illustrate the profound positive impacts of creative pursuits on mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and also address how to balance your personal creative goals with other life commitments.   In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest questions creatives face: When we follow our calling, are we being selfish? How do we balance personal creative pursuits with our responsibilities to others?   We explore the friction that can arise when making meaningful changes, the pushback we might receive from those around us, and how to navigate these challenges with integrity.   Through personal stories and deep reflection, I unpack why honoring your creative calling isn't self-indulgent—it's essential for growth, contribution, and authentic living.   Tune in now!  

Welcome to our first-ever Finish More Music podcast series!   This podcast series, "The Creative Calling," explores how pursuing one's passions, particularly in creative fields, leads to a more fulfilling life for you and for others.    In the series I use research and personal stories to illustrate the profound positive impacts of creative pursuits on mental, physical, and emotional well-being, and also address how to balance your personal creative goals with other life commitments.   In this episode, we continue exploring the power of following your creative calling. We discuss how embracing what you're truly drawn to leads to a more engaged and fulfilling life. From overcoming societal expectations to tapping into research-backed benefits of creative pursuits, we break down why honoring your callings isn't just personal—it's transformative.    Plus, I share my journey in supporting underprivileged youth through creative projects and how your music can change lives.   Dive in!

Welcome to our first-ever Finish More Music podcast series!   This five-part series concludes the story I shared last year about my instantaneous and permanent recovery from depression—and how I simultaneously regained my hearing, despite multiple medical professionals telling me it was lost forever.   I thought I fully understood what had led me into the darkest time of my life and the reason for my recovery.   However, it turned out I had only discovered the tip of the iceberg.   The real breakthrough was something much bigger. And, in keeping with the strange twists and turns of this story, it was something mysterious—something that has been discussed since ancient times...   In this series, I share this mystery with you, why I am confident it has permanently closed the door on my depression, and how it has led me to live a more expansive, fulfilling, energized, and creative life.

So we are deep into a story together…   A story of the darkest must tumultuous time in my life.    A time that almost ended me.   And now things are about to get very, very weird,   It starts with an event that spiralled me into panic followed by multiple appointments with the UK's top specialists.   And then there was a flash of intuition from my mentor that turned my entire world upside down.   And of course, because I was at rock bottom, turning my entire world upside down sent me soaring amongst the stars!   A new me. A new beginning. A new life.    You will of course make your own conclusions about what happened.   Was it a message from the Universe? Was it nature intervening? Was it a ‘million in one' pure coincidence? Or did God have a hand in my fate?   I know what I believe.    In fact I know what I know…   Now I'm curious to hear how you put the pieces of the puzzle together in your mind.   Reach out and let me know!

WE… ARE … BACK! Hello, It's been a while! 18 months to be precise.   After 4 years of never missing a beat and recording an episode of the podcast every single week…We suddenly disappeared.   Why?   It's a big question and it deserves a big answer.   In this podcast, I will share with you the reason why I and the podcast disappeared.   Fair warning: it may be unsettling for you. It is a dark story.   But I believe it is important to share it because there are powerful lessons that I hope will aid and empower you on your creative journey.   If you are prepared to come along for the ride, listen to the brand new episode of the Finish More Music podcast.

Discover how to escape being stuck with the same cycling thought patterns that keep you living in the past so that you can set yourself up for success in music and every other area of your life. The reason why people use time as an excuse.  ‘I don't have enough time', ‘I've wasted to much time and I'm running out of time'  - and how to dispel the lies that we tell ourselves in order to create an abundance of time to achieve the goals that matter most to us.  Brad's recipe for overcoming creative blocks. This isn't just theory, it's an actual tactic to get you high energy, in the zone and creating music, even when you feel like it least.

Today we are going to be talking about tearing holes in the fabric of reality and collapsing time.   Nope, it's not sci-fi.    This is something you have access to. And easy access to.   Changing your reality and collapsing your own personal timeline.   So that you get to achieve what you want in your life and your music in a fraction of the time you think possible…   …by taking shortcuts that you're sure can't possibly exist!   As Mark Twain famously said:    “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so”.   So if you're doubting what I say, then this podcast is especially for you.   Let's tear open what you know for sure that just ain't so.

In today's episode we have a controversial conversation that I would love to have your input on.   Rob from Team FMM is convinced that hardware has been knocked off it's perch…    …and that the future lies in the box and therefore we should all focus on software going forwards.   I threw my best shots at him during this session in support of hardware and he ducked, weaved, countered and even hit me with a few hooks.   So dive in, have a listen and let us know which side of the argument you fall on.   Oh - and before we get stuck in, you might have noticed new intro music…   This track is Lazarus by super-talented FMM member Kukoo aka Louis Hayward.    …And it's our new soundtrack for the next 100 episodes!   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm201/

Today we welcome Ambient and Electronica producer John Hayes to the show.   John is currently signed on a three-album deal to the excellent Nettwerk label alongside artists such as Sasha and il:lo.   His music is supported on radio stations worldwide, including the iconic BBC, and his track Sleep Song has over 2 million streams on Spotify.   In this conversation, we discover John's approach to album writing, how his music guides him to the finish line, how he was discovered by promotors and label owners, and how you can be too.   And we get to be a fly on the wall and discover what happens in a meeting with a top label before getting signed.   Finally, at the very end of the episode John shares a well-guarded secret that we are the first to discover.   This interview has it all - from initial improvisations to finished album to releasing to promo and building a fanbase…   …To the big reveal at the end!   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm200/

  Are you open to exploring something a bit leftfield?   We all know that there are ways to get into a creative headspace at the start of a writing session that will help us to be more productive in that session…   And maybe you are already making good use of many of them…   DAW Templates…Creating a tidy studio space…Having a plan of what you want to achieve…Even meditation.   But what if I told you there was another way?   A way that while at first might sound a bit bonkers, has been scientifically proven to work and is being used by many of the world's greatest creatives and performers.   A way to build confidence, escape fears, beat procrastination…    Would you be interested to know about it, even if it might raise an eyebrow or two when you first hear it?   If the answer is “yes, I'm game for new ideas, especially those that can help me to be more creative”…   Then stay tuned, because I'm about to reveal all…

In this episode, we're asking the question - has it all been done before?   Have we reached the frontier of music and there are no new genres, sounds, or musical directions to pursue?   Given the amount of music in the world and the hundreds of genres and subgenres that exist, it would be easy to conclude that the answer is yes…   …Our lot now is to simply refine what exists and there's nothing fundamentally new to discover.   So is it true?   Or is there another way of thinking? One, that when unlocked, will; fill us with inspiration and wonder about the future.   In this episode, we'll dive into the topic and as always you can decide for yourself. https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm198/

In today's episode, we're going to be exploring that question.   Said another way:   Just because a particular genre lights you up to hear it in a club or on your phone, does that mean it's the music you were put on this planet to make?   …or could it be that holding on to the belief that you must make the genre that's your favourite to listen to is dragging you down and sapping your enjoyment of making music in the studio?   There's something very interesting at play here, so without further ado, let's find out. ---------------- https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm197/

Today we're meeting a familiar foe but in a surprising new way.   The enemy in front of us is distraction, and we've uncovered some new research that shows that everything we thought we knew about distractions and their impact on creatives is actually way worse.    And some of the things we didn't know were distractions… to our minds, actually are.   Distractions cause us to react, and when we react we have no control…   …and when we have no control, then who is running our lives?    It's certainly not us!   So, to find out how this is happening to us…   …and to discover the solutions we've uncovered to get your own mind and your own time back;   Keep listening. www.finishmoremusic.com/196

No matter how organised and self-disciplined you are, change is inevitable.    And, as a result, that will shake up your routine.   This episode is all about the inevitable breaks that from time to time we are forced to take away from our regular creative sessions.   Whether it's an illness, life events, vacations, work, or perhaps you've simply fallen off the wagon and stopped writing music…   Nobody wants to come back from a break and struggle to get started with their music.    …and nobody wants the break from their creativity to take any longer than necessary.   And yet, I've noticed that so many people end up dragging it out when they do have the opportunity to get started with their music again.   And maybe this sounds familiar to you:  You struggle to get back into a rhythm and days turn into weeks turn into months and the resistance to get started keeps building more and more.   Really comes down to one factor. One reliable and repeatable first step.   In this episode we look at the number one way to quickly and efficiently get back to your music…   …and how you can implement it as soon as you've listen to this very episode.   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm195/

Nobody wants their art to be a stressful frustrating anxiety-inducing experience.   And yet I've noticed so many creatives bring this upon themselves by creating their own studio paralysis.   In this episode, we're going to be exploring a strange phenomenon that will hamper your ability to make progress with the piece of music you are writing.   In fact, if left unchecked this way of operating has been proven to lead creatives into stress, fatigue, frustration and a state of zero outcome…   …that's to say completely blocked creatively and with nothing to show for themselves.   So let's unpack this, shine your awareness on the red flags to watch out for…   ...and make sure you don't experience this debilitating phenomenon. https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm194/

  Today we are entertaining one of Spain's finest House Music Producers, KPD.   With hundreds of releases to his name on the world's biggest labels from Defected to Toolroom AND with one of his singles reaching 25 million streams on Spotify, I was keen to understand how he maintains this output, at this quality.    And all whilst DJing around the world!   The answers to these questions are actually very different to everything we've heard on the show so far.   We uncover the reason why one big release does not mean you've made it…   …what happens when a track goes big and reaches 25 million streams…   …how you can build a career as a producer and DJ without being a slave to relentless travelling…   …and how to get your music discovered by the people who count in your corner of the industry.   Now, if you think you might have left it too late to give yourself a chance of building a career in the industry…   Or if you have a family you want to spend time with and feel that's a barrier to following your dreams of DJing and producing…   …you'll want to pay special attention to this one!   Let's dive in.  

Today we are going to be talking about mistakes…   … particularly mistakes my wife Ana has made.   And let me tell you, they've cost us a few quid!   But… they have also revealed a profound lesson for me and a way of thinking about mistakes that, if you find yourself holding back due to fear of making mistakes, I know you are going to love.   So If you want release from perfectionism, fear of what others think of you, or fear of failure then this episode is for you.   I just hope Ana doesn't kill me for sharing this with you…

  Today we are going to be talking about sabotage!   Specifically, how we often sabotage our chances of success by worrying, avoiding, and procrastinating on the things that we really want to achieve.   Maybe you know you're doing this regularly, maybe you can see that you are starving yourself of learning opportunities, growth and the results and outcomes that you truly want.   In this episode, we'll get to the bottom of the cause of this and importantly what to do about it…   …so that you get to achieve more of what you want with your art and in the other areas of your life that matter the most to you.   This concept will improve the quality of your life, art and music, and also improve your chances of achieving the outcomes and dreams that you are aspiring to so that you will be more present and worry-free.   Let's get started.   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm191/

This is the second part of a double-header focussing on what it takes to get your music signed on the labels you love, and the shortcuts to get you there fast.   Previously we heard the perspectives of established artists in the scene learning how to get noticed, and the pitfalls they have fallen into so that you don't fall into the same.   In this episode, we are hearing from the label owners themselves…   What criteria are they looking at?    What do they want to see in you beyond just the music?    How can you stand out in a good way to catch their ear?    And, importantly, what not to do to avoid getting blacklisted by labels.   Getting your music signed consists of several processes from getting heard in the first place to signing a contract to promo and to building long-lasting relationships with labels.   So whether you're excited to advance your career in music or you're happy in your current job but want to get your music played by the DJs you love and share the feeling you get when you're on the dance floor with other people…   This is the episode for you.   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm190/

In this episode, we're talking about getting your music out into the world…   …so that you get to impact and share your creativity with others.   I decided a great way to do this would be to search through our podcast interviews and curate the most powerful lessons from artists at the top of the game.    People who have experienced massive success releasing their music on established labels AND have also made every mistake in the game.   By hearing their advice you get to take advantage of the shortcuts they share…   …whilst avoiding the pitfalls and traps they succumbed to on their journey.   It's super humbling to have shared these interviews with so many world-class artists.    Their humility and willingness to share is an absolute gift for us on the podcast.   So, if you're looking to get your music out into the world (and I hope you are) then this episode is for you. https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm189/

It's not often we have a bonafide pioneer of dance music on the podcast…   Today I'm in conversation with house music legend Jesse Saunders who holds the impressive accolade of releasing the first ever House record…   …planting the seed that sprouted into the global phenomenon that is dance music today.   In this interview, we follow his journey and learn exactly what the formative years of dance music were really like…   The scene, the people, the creativity and the vibe that kick-started DJing and dance music we know today.   And importantly, the mindset and approach that Jesse takes into the studio and his performances. The same mindset that enabled him to write his name in dance music history.   If you want to make a mark, be an innovator, stand out from the crowd and cut through the noise…   If you are struggling in the studio and want a fun, joyous and spiritual way of writing music that takes the pressure off…   If you have any interest in dance music whatsoever…   Then this is absolutely the podcast for you.   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm188/

Travis Stewart is the gift that keeps on giving…    Having left you dangling with one hell of a cliffhanger last week, now's your chance to pick up where we left off…   …and dive into part two of our conversation with Travis Stewart aka Machinedrum aka T.Stewart.   We received amazing feedback about the first part of the interview in which Travis dove into the mindset, productivity, life skills and mental capacity required to be a professional producer.     In this second half we step through the studio doors with Travis and uncover his creative process and the approach he uses to consistently write and release high quality, critically acclaimed pieces of music.   Travis breaks down his 3 stages of music production, an essential technique for increasing your chances of finishing more music, the approach to mix downs that pros take that amateurs do not…    …that will lead you to far more original and creative pieces of music…   AND reveals the story that most struggling producers keep telling themselves that stops them from ever making it in the music industry…   …which hit home really hard for my co-host Terra and had her on the brink of tears!   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm187/

Today we are in conversation with Travis Stewart aka Machinedrum.    Travis debuted his Machinedrum Moniker in 2001 when he was only 18 years old and has consistently pushed creative boundaries with his music for the last 2 decades.   With releases on forward-thinking, innovative labels such as Ninja Tune, Plant Mu, Lucky Me and Mercury KX, his latest album Elysian under his moniker T-Stewart once again showcased his versatility as a musician and producer.   This absolutely stunning ambient album explores the concept of finding heaven on earth through nature and music.   So I was super excited to speak to Travis and get a glimpse into how he stimulates his creative thinking and consistently executes to such a high level.   In this episode, you'll discover how to use your life experiences to craft original pieces of art…   …what your creative mode is and how to activate it every day.    …how to give your work and family the undivided attention they deserve and still build a flourishing career in music.   …AND how to build the habits and processes that underpin the success of a full-time music producer.   In short, this is an absolute treasure trove of an interview and we dive into previously uncharted territory… https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm186/

In this second part of our reactions podcast, we dig into a topic that is continuously raising its ugly head…time.   This is an area that relates to all of us and brings with it all kinds of anxiety…   Are you spending more time than you need to on your music and how can you save time?   Are you focusing on the right things or in completely the wrong area?   And how do you even know what the “right” area is?   Then we have the angle of running out of time altogether - this idea of simply being “too old” for the game.   Our time is precious and none of us wants to waste it on something that at the end of the day no one cares about.    We want to use it to make a significant impact.   In today's show, Team FMM's Terra and Rob discuss the methods you can use to determine how and where you should be focusing your time…   …so that you can get maximum results for the minimum effort and keep moving forwards faster.   This episode hits those tough questions on how as music producers we approach time.   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm185/

What is influencing your music? Are you stealing like a thief or an artist?   Has your sound found you yet?…and just what is YOUR sound?   This week's podcast saw a return of the Team Takeover with Terra and Rob finding their way back into the podcast hot seat.   Diving back into some of the earliest episodes and the fundamental topics that all creatives face…   Innovation and originality, bringing your own sense of fun, loving what you do, and the importance of staying authentic.   I love hearing real-world examples, insights and experiences from music producers who are wrestling with these ideas.   Rob and Terra dug deep into the unavoidable questions of what it takes to be authentic with your music.   And if you're like most music producers, these topics will hit home particularly hard for you…   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm184/

If you could jump back in time and share one life lesson with your younger self what would it be?   If you're like most people, chances are you've caught yourself saying “if only I'd known that years ago…”   And when it comes to music production there are some impactful lessons that have the potential to save you time, money, and frustration…   …while maximising on opportunities and massively accelerating your progress.   When I started out in music production I didn't have a clue and yet there are countless people who have travelled that same path, who have the experience and who have the answers.   In today's episode, the focus is on sharing those answers so that you don't have to make the same mistakes that others before you made (myself included).   I asked members of my Finish More Music community what things they wish they had known when first starting out.    …What piece of advice was the difference that made the difference for them?   So if you're not consistently finishing music and haven't yet cracked the code, this is going to be dynamite for you!   https://finishmoremusic.com/fmm183/

Disruption can hit our lives at any time and in many different ways, creating a world of pain.   Maybe you're moving house, or welcoming a new family member…   Perhaps you're changing jobs, or getting a promotion...   Or maybe it's exams, a new course, or unexpected travel.   These situations happen to all of us throughout our creative journey, and for some people the effects last way beyond the actual period of disruption…   …creating a real mountain for them to climb before they feel ready to start writing music again.    So how do you stay on track with your dreams and stay consistent with your music when other areas of your life get tied in a knot and pull you out of your routines and away from your daily stability?   In this episode, I'll share with you a simple, yet powerful three-part formula that you can apply whenever your life sails into choppy waters.   …to keep your creativity flourishing and your dreams completely on track.    Let's get started…

Today I'm talking about possibly THE most impactful piece of advice I could give you on your music production journey.   It's a topic that is incredibly important, and one of the biggest ways to accelerate your progress as a music producer.   …In fact, I'd go as far as to say that it's nearly impossible to succeed without this ingredient.    This topic is about finding people to work with who have complementary skill sets, perspectives, and ways of thinking so that you can make meaningful steps towards the success that you want.   But it's also about the traps and tricks that our minds play on us - the fear that we're a failure because we reach out and ask for help.   And this is something I've noticed that holds people back across all areas of music production and creativity.   Something that actually stops them from seeking out and working with someone who may have the skills or knowledge that complement their own.   And maybe you can relate to this.   It might seem obvious, but if you are NOT working with others at every step of your journey, then chances are that you are living with a fear or a story that is keeping you trapped.   Maybe you feel you are missing a bunch of different skills that you need and that's holding you back.    Maybe you are a perfectionist or you find yourself distracted a lot and just can't seem to get over the line with your tracks.   Or maybe you are sitting on a pile of music and haven't quite managed to get the courage up to get it out into the world.    If you are trying to do everything yourself because you're stuck in your own head then this episode is for you.   Asking for help is not a weakness. It is a strength. And it is the route that unquestionably will maximize your individual chances of success.     So let's dive in…

In this episode, I'm sharing an unpleasant experience that Mrs M and I faced within days of arriving here in Austin.   This is something that could have seriously messed us up…   …but instead, Ana and I were able to seamlessly move through it without feeling stressed, hopeless, or desperate about what was going on.    We've been fortunate to go through some challenging situations in the past that have helped us to build our resolve and our thought process so that we can now tackle things like this with relative ease.    And I'll share with you some of the simple principles that we've learned and were able to apply that really helped.   …Because so often it's just little ways of looking at the world - a couple of perspectives -  that make all of the difference.    Every strand of your life is intertwined. Your music journey does not exist in a bubble. And these lessons fit perfectly with all areas of your life which support your creative journey.    There's a lot to get stuck into in this one!  

Miami based DJ Adrian Blaga who owns and runs the Magician on Duty label is a man who's growing in multiple facets of the music industry.    “There's no doubt about it. If you wanna be the best at what you do, you need to show up and you need to be better than everybody else”   We dig deep into what it takes to climb the ladder as DJ, producer, and label owner. And the importance of discipline and consistency to be the best at what you do.   “The more you do one thing, the better you get. That's how you start. There's no discussion that after a while you're gonna get better at it. It's proven”   Adrian reveals the most effective approach for submitting your music to labels and what to avoid…   …so that you get signed, not blacklisted.   And importantly, how to overcome the fears, insecurities, and self doubt that are holding you back from sending out your music.   “Life takes you in different ways and there are a lot of times that opportunities got presented to me. And then I just took them. Some worked some didn't but from each one I got to learn something that helped me”.   Adrian dropped so much knowledge and answered so many of the burning questions that I constantly hear from people about sending their music to labels.   There's such a great vibe, ethos and professionalism in Adrian's desire to support artists.   We unpack a lot in this episode…

While many producers try to sound like other artists, my guest today has always chosen to go against the grain.   In this episode I'm sitting down with co-founder and owner of the iconic Hospital records, Drum and Bass legend Tony Colman, who performs and produces as London Elektricity.   With a punk attitude of doing things differently and getting reactions, Tony broke stereotypes and boundaries by doing what he wanted and not what was expected.   “There's no point unless you do it differently”   The culmination of diverse influences led him to discover his place in the world of music…   “Hearing the tune work on the dance floor I just knew this was my future”.   Tony talks about the serendipity of his journey and how a negative experience became a positive and defining moment in his life.    Energised from getting burned, he worked hard, followed his muse and went by pure gut instinct to build a successful label with a novel philosophy.   Tony lays out his approach to listening to demos and the emotional response he looks for…   “Music for me works when it's accessing an emotional source within the listener that they may not even be aware of now. That is genius. That is undefinable. That's what people call the ingredient X. And that's what I try and open myself to when I'm listening to new music”   We go deep into the topic of being unique, sourcing obscure sounds and beats, the art of improvisation in the studio, throwing off restrictions and having fun…   “Don't be afraid to break out of your comfort zone…Fear is important. Imposter syndrome is essential. It's part of what helps us to be different and better.” Tony really knows his stuff and this interview has one hell of an empowering message…

With his first music released at age 14, Tim Engelhardt has gone on to consistently release on some of the most respected labels in the industry, playing his music out around the world.    Today Tim talks about his unique journey, what he embraces in his productions and his process of discovery and learning, exploring the possibilities of the tools available…   “there's a tendency for a lot of people to almost discount the stock plugins or devices…just an exploration of the presets can be quite mind blowing sometimes”   The benefits of bringing something new into your workflow whilst minimising the risks of interrupting your creative flow…   “What's really important for me is that there is not that big of a learning curve. So it is very immediate. I don't have to do a lot to make it sound great.”   Deciding what to let go of for the greater good of the record…   “you don't necessarily need to add things, you can also take things away…it's easy to overcomplicate…there's a time to bring things in and a time when there isn't”   We deep dive into his workflow from the studio to the clubs to the label, the necessity of deadlines to get motivated to finish…   …and the power of saying no; reserving your creative energy for things that you love and that really inspire you.   This episode is a real eye-opener!

Owner and runner of the iconic label CLR, podcast and radio host, music producer and one of the most in-demand DJs in the world, Chris Liebing is a man who has had a huge impact on the techno scene.    We sat down to talk about starting out as an artist and the importance of building strong relationships and a reputation of trust with the people in the industry who will get your music heard…   The mentors and label owners who are your path to releasing on the labels you love and getting the gigs you dream of.   “Find a good person who is experienced and can guide you, you might be able to avoid a lot of mistakes because if you're a young artist in this world, you're kind of a really nice victim to a lot of experienced business people out there who try to take advantage of you”    Chris spoke about finding like-minded people to work with and surrounding yourself with people who have great knowledge in the business and are good at what they do…   “I would start to build up a relationship with the artist because it's not only about the music it's also about the character, the personality, the person who's behind it…   …I want to find great new artists and I want to support those”.   This interview is gold from start to finish…

As a music producer it's all too easy to be influenced by trends, and to end up switching tracks to what's popular at the moment.   My guest today chose to back himself, staying true to his path and having the confidence in himself to go for what he really wanted to go for and remain authentic.    David Penn (Defected, Glasgow Underground) is a house music legend. A man with a career that spans over 25 years that has seen him DJ all over the world and regularly top the music charts.   “I'm in a position that I believe in what I'm doing and it's more freedom for me to make what I have in my mind…that is something that's non-negotiable that isn't up for compromise”.   With an infectious enthusiasm for music and an identity of sound that he is well known for, David marries his skills with a rich mixture of funk, soul and jazz influences.   “I have many different influences, but I'm not following anyone…I'm just following my instinct that is working. So I'm happy.”   There's a lot to takeaway from this interview.

With releases on Defected, Toolroom, Solid Grooves… Josh Butler is, without doubt, one of the UK's premier House talents.   I sat down with him to cover the full spectrum of what it takes to be a pro artist…   …finding creative flow state, methods for inspiration, road testing tracks, and tips on how to boost your chances of having labels listen to and sign your music.   Josh talks about the dangers of overproducing, of diminishing returns, of reversing all the hard work and the vibe that you've created.   And how he hits his ideal goals for a session…    …entering the elusive flow state, getting lost in the music, not overthinking, not perfecting, not getting distracted…   …surrendering to creativity.   This is an episode that you will take an absolute ton of insights from.

We continue this week with our second special episode hearing about the journeys and lessons from the producers inside of the FMM community.   And today I'm delighted to be speaking to Jonas Klugel who produces and DJs under the name Azpecialguest. Jonas has had an incredible 12 months, a very accomplished DJ, recently nominated best new Danish artist 2022 and rubbing shoulders on stage with Hans Bieger. He's now following suit with his productions, hitting the top spots in the Beatport charts and has over 100 finished tracks in the bag. But rewind just a few short years and things were quite different… After attending various courses, Jonas imagined he would be able to write music to play out… …but never really learned how to finish a track, and was finding things slow going. Dug into a hole of frustration and confusion and a mess on the production front, his music came to a stop. He had learned some skills but ultimately without the process to consistently put them into pratice. Meanwhile his friends were releasing music, getting bookings and leveling up. Jonas felt like a failure, stuck on the starting grid, not knowing how to get moving.  In this episode we dig into his journey so that you can hear what flipped the switch for Jonas, and what he changed to get to where he is today. If you want to know what it takes to progress from being completely stuck with your music to becoming a prolific artist who's able to create with ease and consistently level up the quality of your music, you are going to LOVE this episode.

Today is a very special episode of the series in which we're going to be hearing about the journeys and lessons from some of our producers from the FMM community.   And I'm super excited to share these journeys with you because they'll give you the opportunity to learn from producers just like you…   Producers who have BIG ambitions, and who've wrestled and overcome a variety of challenges to see the amazing results that they are achieving today.   And stories like these are SO powerful because so often just one piece of information is all you need to flick a switch and see a huge change for yourself.   So in the hot seat today I am joined by Amber Sophia and Sean Crower, partners in life as well as partners in music.   Sean and Amber saw an opportunity to combine forces and step into the unknown, taking the scary decision to step away from a lucrative job to pursue creativity.    …Combining a shared love for electronic music, and journalism, and finding the parallels in the idea of telling a story through music.   This was a really candid interview covering relationships, self-imposed pressure, imposter syndrome, and backing yourself to go all in.    The impact of this podcast can't be understated. 

One of the things I've noticed that affects so many struggling music producers, and maybe you can relate, is that they have so many false starts.   They show up every day for a short period of time….   …And then it's back to the same old distractions that get them frustrated, overwhelmed, and with absolutely nothing to show for themselves.    Successful people are simply people with successful habits.    We first make our habits. Then our habits make us.   Our habits become who we are. Our habits are part of our being…   …and our being and how we behave, dictates the results we get.    In this episode I'll show you how to finally erase that stop start behavior…   …and instead build rock solid habits that lead to excellence in the studio.   And very quickly you will scale your output, the quality of your music, your releases and the impact you get to have on the scene that you love.    It's yours for the taking. 

We're flipping the script on you today, quite literally!   It's always super valuable to hear straight from the horse's mouth, so we're turning the tables and passing the virtual mic into your hands, to dive into your burning questions.   In today's episode we invited you, our listeners, to direct the topics that we would cover and to steer the direction of the show…   What's going to help you on your creative journey to move forward?    This brought up some interesting and recurring topics and I'll be unpacking some thoughts around those and giving some advice.   We love to drive our content in a way that's meaningful to you. That's why we do what we do :-)   So hop in and let's get rolling with that first question…

What would you do if you suddenly lost your hearing?   What impact would this have on your abilities as a music producer?   These things can hit us suddenly and without warning…   And leave you reassessing many aspects of your life!   When I recently and unexpectedly experienced a sudden onset of hearing loss, combined with tinnitus and other ringing artefacts in my ear, it left me battling against damage to my hearing.   And I'll be honest, it's been pretty scary.    In this episode, I'll be sharing with you exactly what happened, my approach to dealing with it and how I intend to manage myself both physically and mentally going forwards.    It's my hope that if you have experienced, or ever encounter something like this, some of my thoughts and the lessons I've learned here will help you to move forward, stay positive, and keep doing what you love doing best.    …And that's making music! 

A boxer can train hard, spar hard, and still not win the world title on their next shot.    But who is more likely to win it on the shot after that?    Is it the person who put that work in or the person who didn't?   We have to have absolute belief that we can hit the goal.    …because if you don't believe that a thing is possible, you won't go all in.    And at the first sign of hitting a hurdle you may well give up, instead of expecting it as part of the process.   And if you don't get the win, it doesn't mean anything and it doesn't mean that you are a failure…   You had the courage to play the game and you are significantly better for playing.    This one is a little bit of a mind wobbler but when this lands for you, magic will happen.

This week's podcast took an unexpected turn…   When two members of my team decided to give their own commentary on my podcasts!   Now it's all well and good me giving you my opinions and thoughts each week but I'm always curious to hear others' takeaways.   And that's exactly what I got this week I was away travelling to see family overseas.   Rob and Terra from the Team, both music producers themselves, regular listeners of the show and kick-ass members of FMM, staged a team takeover…   …and recorded their own podcast with their own unique angles.   This was the result…

How can you show up in a new way to move from procrastinating to finishing? …to getting signed on the biggest and best labels in your genre?    Well, the best way to discover this is to hear from people who've made these leaps… …and made them in a short period of time.   The producers in this episode don't have any particular talent. They don't have formal music training. They don't have the world's most enviable collection of studio gear. They don't have sound engineering degrees.   What they do have is a desire and a passion to make it happen.  …and a system to follow.    And when they worked the process, the process worked, and they doubled down on it, and started to get fantastic results.   And if this sounds like a pipe dream. That's just because you haven't made that first breakthrough. And here's the truth of it…   Once that first domino topples, the rest will start to fall.  …and you will see what is possible for you.    So what is the difference that made the difference for these people?   Well, in this episode, you're going to hear what they did so that you can achieve the same breakthroughs.

You name one pro-athlete, one entrepreneur, one top CEO, one pro producer who doesn't have a consistent source of feedback.   Feedback is not just important, it's essential for any artist's development.    And if you don't know how to receive feedback…   … you will squander its potential to help you improve.   …and you will alienate the people who are supporting you.   So if you want to build valuable relationships with people you trust and who are invested in your success…   And if you want actionable, constructive, and encouraging feedback from your peers.   Understanding how to receive feedback is a no brainer!   Now, there is an art to this so let's dive in and find out exactly how to do it…