The Happy Musicians Podcast

How to go from amateur/hobby/"not a real" musician to someone with a deep connect with making sound. Thank you to every single person who has listened to this show over the years. I'm so proud of what we've learned together. Here's to whatever comes next.

For over 35 years Elma Linz Kanefield has worked with performing artists as a psychotherapist and life coach and has one of the only private practices exclusively for them in the country. In 1986, she founded the Juilliard School's Counseling Service. Recently, she released her findings in Hamlet's Mirror a workbook for "reaching your performance potential onstage and off". It is the greatest mental health resource for artists I've ever found.   Hamlet's mirror: https://www.elmalinzkanefield.com/hamlets-mirror Finding Frances: https://www.youtube.com/@FindingFrancesBand Scotland (featured song): https://open.spotify.com/track/3fy6TrOb7U8HKGBWufaGbe?si=7bbb187ec9ce4b27

There's a wholesome way to get meaningful, fulfilling gigs. I'm talking about the best kinds of gigs. The ones you're so excited about you'd go to even if you weren't playing. The best part is there is no networking, sitting in, or jams sessions involved.  If you enjoyed this episode definitely listen to the Trumpet Mafia episode for ideas on group practice and Ep. 80 for help connecting with potential mentors.

(REPOST) Brent Wallarab – acclaimed arranger and composer – joins me to discuss walking away from the trombone, making relationships work, rediscovering his self worth, and the expectations we tend to have as musicians that lead to misery.

Bethany Robinson–award winning high school band director and bassist–on building a wholesome band room culture. She built her program from 1 to *checks notes* 6 freakin' jazz bands: she knows her stuff! What do students think makes a good teacher? How do you stay humble and curious as an educator? How do you avoid status games in a program with 6 bands? We also discuss work life balance and why education matters in light of Bethany's recent battle with cancer. 

If you've found musicians who you resonate with on the deepest level, you also know it can be intimidating to approach them. It's easy to feel unworthy of their time, attention, and friendship. These are our creative heroes after all! Why should they care about little old us? What could we possibly have to offer? If I could just practice enough then we could be friends... If any of that sounds familiar this episode is for you! Journal Prompts 1. All Musicians Are Nerds What are the musicians I want work with nerdy about? Am I nerdy about that too? 2. Focus On Giving How can you be of service to the musicians you look up to and want to work with? 3. Show Up and Be Patient Where are these musicians and what are they doing? Are you showing up?

5 new ideas to help navigate the age old pursuit of finding your voice. Here's a hint: finding your voice isn't a one time discover, it's a daily opportunity! Here are this episode's journal prompts: 1. Our voice is the group of musicians you associate with Are there musicians you're trying to impress, or play with, that you don't actually like? Are there musicians you'd like to be playing with that you don't feel 2. Your voice isn't notes on recordings. We play more than just notes How do you want others to feel when they're playing with you? Listen back to yourself on a gig. Does your playing match that intention? If someone is about to call you for a gig, and 3 things were to flash through their mind, what would you want those associations to be? 3. Your voice is mostly what you don't play Are there things you're ashamed of, or you've been trying to learn how to do but just can't seem to get get them feeling natural? Why are you trying to play them? What would happen if you gave yourself permission to let go of those? 4. Your voice is musical habits  Write out 10 musical problems you solve evergy gig. Is there an bigger musical problem you can have a habbit for that solves multiple of these smaller problems? 5. Finding your voice isn't a one time discover, it's a daily opportunity

Garrett Spoelhof-audio engineer and touring musician with indie rock outfit Secret Mezzanine-on the complex relationship between musicians and sound engineers. We explore several strategies for fostering good will, respect, and more wholesome music making between these two interconnected communities. We also discuss Garrett's decision to drop a performance major during school and how that reinvigorated his relationship with music. 

How to avoid fighting with our family when they ask us things like "What do you even do with a music degree?", "How's the little music thing going?", and "Can you really make money playing music?". Being a musician can be scary for us AND the people who care about us. With a bit of prep, planning, and compassion, we can all make it through the holidays not only fight free, but more connected with our folks and our musical journey. 

Josh Harmon–comedic drummer behind the mega-viral "Rhythms of Comedy"–on the emotional behind the scenes of being the most viewed drummer in the world. This is not an episode on how to win the social media lottery, but rather what life is like offline when you do and whether being a viral success is actually the thing we're looking for as creatives. We talk about isolation, therapy, finding genuine connections when it feels like people just want to use you for your platform, and getting in touch with the feeling of playing music. The song at the end is from guitarist Josh Starkman's HAGD series (check out EP. 46) featuring Josh and the incomparable Charlie Gabriel.  

Jenna McSwain–singer-songwriter, pianist, mother–on gardening, allowing abundance, leaving a teaching gig to be a full time artist, getting in touch with our bodily experiences, organically grown gigs, navigating the impulse to make your bandmates happy while honoring your own desires, mom lessons.

Noah Baerman–pianist, composer, educator, and activist–on playing with a physical disability, being open with our challenges, performance injuries, therapy mindsets, gratitude for our time with music, dealing with grief through composition, chasing truly selfless acts, crossroad moments, and "the process of the pursuit" of enlightening experiences.

Jamison Ross–soul singer, drummer, and Affective Music label owner–and I share our biggest fears and dreams right now. We talk about accessing new layers of awareness, interpreting spectrums of music, gospel chops, being afraid people won't hear you, making big career moves, understanding layers of fear, the ceiling for transplants in a music scene, and figuring out what you want. Jamison is out to define this era of Soul music and it was an honor to talk with him at the outset of this journey.

Nick Finzer–trombone maestro, educator, and Outside In Music label owner–on finding and connecting with people that care about what we do and answering the big question; Why should anyone care about your music? Listen for why websites and email still definitely matter, hyphenating your career, using a media company mindset, building a hedgehog concept, and putting value to our expertise. If you want to get into the step-by-step details, go buy his book Create, Connect, Repeat!

Hannah Johnson–drummer, teacher, and a true personal pal–on being a goober, the magic of having a best friend, femininity in music schools, finding a life-changing mentor, the toxic chase of impressing jazz bros, public school substitute teaching, the art of being a good friend, teaching girls to play loud, fast, and take of space, and my Brain Blade fandom. Also... we're making a record!

Much love to all of you. I'll be taking the month of May off for my sanity. Enjoy your gigs, be kind to your bandmates and your audiences, and I'll be back soon with more wholesome hot takes. 

Revisiting a must listen episode from the early days bc I'm having "one of those weeks". In NYC for the week so hmu if you wanna connect! Meagan Johnson joins Tanner Guss to discuss the Alexander Technique as a wellness practice for musicians. She breaks down what the technique is, the benefits it offers, and talks us through several exercises. Our conversation also explores performance anxiety, taking our play seriously, the problems of overly goal-oriented learning, and how to find a certified Alexander Technique teacher.

Cyrille Aimée–vocal sensation and life-improviser–on how her students sound incredible and they don't know it, and strategies for getting back the moment. We talk about finding permission to stop judging ourselves, putting health before work, figuring our where "home" is as an adult, how to live a freer lifestyle but still take care of business, building a Patreon community, and getting off grid and building a house in the jungle. We also get into and her experience on the trail with last week's guest Gaspard Panfiloff.

Gaspard Panfiloff–French balalaïka maestro–shares about his incredible mountaineering concert series Tournée Des Refuges. In our hike of a conversation we pass mountain energy, how to get people off our phones and into the music, turning a performance into an experience, the magic of music, building a mobile recording studio in a truck, enhancing band camaraderie, and how starting is the hardest part.

Rushad Eggleston–sonic pioneer & cello-goblin–on spiraling out of control, embracing chaotic good, climbing trees, letting our inner jester and wizard coexist, getting out of things you don't want to do, faith formulas, exploring the void, dad speeches, making up a language, imaginary lands, different zones of consciousness, brown rainbows, and sounding bad on purpose.

Matthew Kilby–of Ep. 1 fame–is back to debrief on two years of funding his original pop music by teaching middle school percussion. We also talk about collaboration, getting the cops called on him for practicing, process over product, controlling the uncontrollable, role models, valuing discomfort, and how to tell students they don't sound good.  Our first conversation covered much more of his teaching philosophies and it's wonderful. Definitely a personal favorite... there's a reason he's back on the show!

Sammy Miller–drumming bandleader of The Congregation–on turning a concept into a reality, his time at Juilliard, finding home on the instrument, what it means to be a student of the music, family bands, treating music as a service, starting a band and keeping it together, finding gigs in NYC, why your sock choice matters, and his new virtual teaching platform Playbook.

Quinn Sternberg is a bassist and composer. He's also "guy from small town in midwest" and that's enough. We talk about finding family through bands, anime, why making records still matters, bringing purpose to lame gigs, morning routines, getting to gigs on time, asking what is merit?, the importance of $20 gigs, and trucker hats. Listen to Quinn's new album Cicada Songs here!

Mikel Patrick Avery–interdisciplinary artist–on being your full self as a leader and sideperson, how he started music as a lie, artistic identity, managing how our art is received by people, escaping the shackles of tradition, and what to do when you're interested in doing lots of different things.

Some additional thoughts on important ideas from my conversation with René Marie.  Going forward, these solo "liner notes" episodes will only be available to my Patreon supporters over at patreon.com/thehappymsucians  You can join our wholesome-minded musician community for as little as $3 a month!

René Marie–Grammy nominated singer who didn't start her career until she was 42–on following our inner note, sticking it to the patriarchy, getting hit by buses, getting out of an abusive relationship, recognizing a weed from a plant (not about gardening), accepting dormant periods, performing original material, doing "the shit", and why getting your boss to sing is more important than a Grammy nomination. In a span of two decades, 11 recordings and countless stage performances, vocalist René Marie has cemented her reputation as not only a singer but also a composer, arranger, theatrical performer and teacher. Guided and tempered by powerful life lessons and rooted in jazz traditions laid down by Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and other leading ladies of past generations, she borrows various elements of folk, R&B and even classical and country to create a captivating hybrid style. Her body of work is musical, but it's more than just music. It's an exploration of the bright and dark corners of the human experience, and an affirmation of the power of the human spirit.

My recent interview on The Misfit Musician podcast with Bronwyn Beth! We talk about what I've changed my mind about since starting the show, what happiness means to me these days, sustainability, and the importance of having open conversations with other artists. When it comes to musician mental health two heads are way better than one. 

Richard Wolf–multi-platinum music producer, Emmy-Award winning composer, mindfulness teacher–helps us understand the what and why of meditation. We get into panic attacks, checking ourselves before we wreck ourselves, creating space in our lives, the notes of enlightenment, a guided meditation, zen and the art of film composing, and exploring some of the bridges between music and mindfulness. Richard hosts the Wolf In Tune podcast and is the author of In Tune: Music as The Bridge to Mindfulness, which are both lovely and highly recommended.

Over 40 mini interviews (miniviews) with wholesome folks at the 2022 JEN conference in Dallas. I'm feeling supercharged from all these hopeful perspectives! What's something you do to enjoy the gig? What's your favorite thing about music? What makes you hopeful about the future of music? What would you do to improve jazz education? Should music be easy? What's a record everyone should listen to?

Sean Jones – trumpet icon, education trailblazer, bandleader, and composer – joins me to talk practice routines, your local weather channel, getting stranded on a cruise ship, insecurity, creations of time, the ancestral pipeline, the importance of resistance, and E pluribus unum.

Kenny Werner–acclaimed pianist, composer, and famed author of Effortless Mastery–is here to discuss his new book Becoming the Instrument. We talk about finding The Space, MSD (music school disease), applying musical mastery to our lives, how to let go of the need to sound good, a 20 sec meditation for fellow lazy yogis, treating music as a spiritual practice, letting the hands play, how to actually make progress when practicing, and lima bean cans.

Pedro Segundo–otherworldly percussionist, sound wizard, and personal role model–is back on the podcast to talk about making other people feel valued, cultivating an unbiased relationship with sound, finding "home" when living in multiple places, travel tips, civilian life, making time for yourself, and celebrating silence.

Emily Fredrickson–trombonist, composer, arranger–opens up about dungeons & dragons saving her life, trying to quit music, working with Dee Dee Bridgewater, day jobs, the nonprofit world, therapy and depression, permission to be selfish, growing your career through genuine connections, and getting excited about our flaws.

Angie Marianthi–multi-instrumentalist and director of the adult education program Boise Music Lessons–joins me to talk about gate-keeping, teaching adults who don't think they can play music, busking, finding your place in the music world, the Boise music scene, and if getting “serious” about music actually works.

Brendan Keller-Tuberg–Australian bassist and composer–gives us all permission to honor the music we enjoy. We chat about rage composing, promoting collectivism, Bladerunner 2049, what makes music valuable, My Chemical Romance, "art" vs "popular" music, vulnerability, and (of course) institutional arts education. In Spite of It All is Brendan's new album which, in addition to being the subject matter for a significant portion of the episode, is breathtaking. I sincerely hope you can make time to listen to this lush, cathartic, and deeply moving sonic offering.

Monica Shriver–woodwindist, educator, visual artist, and host of Brave Musician–joins me to talk about creating communities where everyone feels they belong, leading our friends towards a deeper connection with music, imposter syndrome, dropping out of school, challenges faced by doublers, and removing systemic obstacles imposed on female musicians.

Coty Raven Morris–speaker, educator, artist, conductor, and founder of Being Human Together–joins me to talk about judgement, being afraid of singing, proudly celebrating ourselves, houselessness, having uncomfortable conversations in the classroom, and accessing the healing power of the voice. This episode's theme music is a field recording of The Preservation Hall All Stars from Mardi Gras 2020.

Brad Webb – drummer, composer, bandleader, multi-hobbyest– on avoiding linear thinking, potentially quitting music, not having music as his main source of income, surfing, defining quality, exploring other interests, experiencing balance, and getting punched in the face by music. Brad was the first person to accept me in the New Orleans music community and remains a dear friend and mentor.

Shea Pierre is a Louisiana native, husband, father, pianist, and community activist. We talk about diet tips for busy musicians, low vibrational cats, experiencing taste on a deeper level, and what comes next us him post-Ida. He and his community lost their homes and most of their material possessions to Hurricane Ida. In need of support, but wanting to provide something of value in return, he released Food & Mood: a cookbook/album project for cultivating mindful, enriching meal experiences.

Whether you're new to the show, missed one of these, or just want another round of wholesome goodness, these are the episodes I believe best capture the essence of The Happy Musicians. Thanks Matt Kilby, Meagan Johnson, Mikel Patrick Avery, Brent Wallarab, Roxy Coss, and Sean Jones for your wisdom and support!

My favorite moments from every episode all in one place. This is a serious dose of human, wholesome connection, and it's guaranteed to brighten your day. Thank you all for listening and being on this journey with me!

Susanna Klein – violinist, professor, researcher – shares practice psychology tips for truly enjoying our time in the shed. We talk about performance injuries, confidence vs bravery, playing through pain, journaling, recording yourself, performance anxiety, enjoying the journey, utilizing technology, and reimagining the classical musician education model.

Michael Spiro – world class conga player and renowned educator of Afro-Caribbean musics – shares insights from nearly 40 years of annual trips to Cuba. We chat about developing meaningful relationships with mentors, how to learn new instruments, the Vietnam War, trance states, sneaking in/out of Cuba, compensation for knowledge, conga drums, eating hot dogs, and a whole lot more.

Ian Molinaro-Thompson – fellow drummer and dear friend – interviews me for this one. We talk about why I don't think musicians are special, and how that's actually a freeing idea. I also share my current hot takes on Dungeons and Dragons, finding your voice, the role of artists in the digital era, musical ownership, and insights from my meditation practice.

Joshua Starkman – the "Have a Great Day" guitarist – and I talk about having a great day, humanings, insomnia, the reality of making music in a capitalist society, the role of music in our communities, managing our relationships with social media, desiring things you can't have, confessions, therapy, how whack hyper-individuality is, and (because it's Josh) poop, pee, sex, and drugs.

I'm joined by Trumpet Mafia members Branden Lewis, Ashlin Parker, John Michael Bradford, Emily Mikesell, Aurélien Barnes, Amina Scott, Michelle Welchons, and Jonathan Bauer. We talk about the power of social learning, becoming a leader, lineage, liminal spaces, cultivating community, and what happens behind Wendy's.

Drew Tucker – vibraphone maven, social entrepreneur, and educator – joins me to talk about marching band education, taking the untraditional route, questions we should be asking our students, the elements of "good technique", weighing aesthetics vs musicality, booking your own gigs, learning to be yourself, and vibraphone players probs.

Katie Ernst – bassist, vocalist, composer, and educator – and I talk about fancy crayons, her social media detox, when to stop saying yes, growing your orbit, making room for what you want, how everyone can sing, networking, and accessing deeper musical conversation. Katie is a renowned member of the Chicago music community and has received widespread acclaim for her work with the experimental jazz trio Twin Talk and her Dorothy Parker poetry song cycle Little Words.

Sean Jones – trumpet icon, education trailblazer, bandleader, and composer – joins me to talk practice routines, your local weather channel, getting stranded on a cruise ship, insecurity, creations of time, the ancestral pipeline, the importance of resistance, and E pluribus unum.

Melanie Shore – pianist, composer, MD, and podcaster – functions in two worlds. She's the happiest person in the room and the poster child for trauma and grief. She shares not only how to function with trauma and grief, but how to best support people living in that reality. We also talk about the stress of learning to improvise at a later age, synchronicity, and building a national profile from a small scene.

Abby Lannan aka the Goofy Euph, and I talk through healthy listening habits and what it means to play "serious music". Abby is a classically-trained euphonium player with a masters degree, and she plays video game music. Why are musicians so hung up on what art counts as "serious"? How do university programs contribute to this obsession? How can we enjoy listening to music again? How can we share music suggestions and guide listeners without sounding like snobs? Abby's got some answers for us.