Listen Now

JAKE CROCKER RETURNS! One of the best parts of the podcast is building community and getting to celebrate the wins of the amazing people who have graced the show. We juxtapose where he was at in his initial interview with what he's accomplished the past four years, including signing a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing, performing at Paradiso, Capitol Hill Block Party, and Bumbershoot, touring with Ryan Caraveo, and developing a number of independent and major label artists alike. 

Today's friend of the podcast took to songwriter at just 12 years old. Four short years later he found himself on the road with none other than the Pure Prairie League on tour for three months. In 2005, he moved to Nashville and signed his first publishing deal just a year later (his story is a movie). After many commercial and independent cuts alike, he moved back to Seattle and started TSDC Music Group - his very own publishing company based in the Pacific Northwest.  So without further ado, please welcome an avid Mariners fan - the man behind more than a thousand songs, a thousand shows, and a thousand melted hearts - Brian James.

Why is data quality so important in the music industry? Today's friend of the podcast is the President of VEVA Sound. The company provides a data storage and collaboration capabilities with the added benefit of verifying publishing and other metadata for superstars, major record labels, and publishers alike, including Gwen Stefani, Olivia Rodrigo, Kane Brown, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Universal Music Group, Republic Records, and the Library of Congress.  She's also a member of The Recording Academy Grammy P&E Wing, DDEX Studio Metadata Working Group, DDEX Electronic Release Notification Working Group, Audio Engineering Society, and ASCAP as a songwriter. So without further ado, please welcome the woman transforming the way the music business runs and leading your favorite artists and labels alike into the future, President of VEVA Sound, Deborah Fairchild.

What does it take to navigate a #1 hit? Today's friend of the podcast is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and frontman of Plain White T's. He's also the head of Humans Were Here, a Chicago-based record label, drummer for TLB, and launching his solo act Million Miler. So without further ado, say hello to Tom Higgenson.

Today’s friend of the podcast is our first international guest. Coming to us from Northampton, England. We talk about his journey into music, including his venture into the 2000s Kerrang world via his sister, picking up the guitar circa 11 years old, discovering heavier metal artists, signing to @abyssalsounds, and so much more (including his many upcoming projects). Now, sitting atop the underground Trap Metal scene, he’s preparing to release Basement with Fellow De Se and friend of the podcast – Xstitch.  While he screams over intense beats to horrorcore mainstays, he’s claims to be a true softy deep down.  So, without further ado, please welcome – a new father of 3 Baby Giant African Land Snails, owner of 50 guitars, and lover of cars – the man with the most powerful scream in the scene, ghostofblu.

Duncan breaks down the rights that enable artists and songwriters to generate revenue and the organizations they must register with to actually collect them. Think of this as the first day of class in a Music Business 101 course (or a 500-level graduate school course...).

Today’s friend of the podcast made his industry debut at just 16 years old – as the youngest DJ in Santa Barbara’s KJEE’s history. This led to an early career as a promoter – followed by stints as a touring crew member, a member of Conan O Brian’s music department, then time as a publicist, manager, freelance A&R, and ultimately landing at Angry Mob Music in 2015 – a full-service publishing company in Los Angeles.  Needless to say, this guy KNOWS the business. Not only that, but he plays guitar, bass, drums, keys, and sings. Excited yet? Same. So, without further ado, please welcome – the co-lead vocalist and guitarist of Cuffed Up, manager of Cape Francis, and IFS awarding-winning director and screenwriter – Angry Mob Music’s Senior Director of A&R, Ralph Torrefranca. 

Today’s friend of the podcast is coming to us from Los Angeles. Born in Long Island New York and raised in Charlotte North Carolina he kickstarted his musical journey at 15 on bass. About a decade later he began honing his production chops in Logic Pro, opening a whole new world.  Drawing from everything from alternative rock and pop punk to Billie Eilish, he’s crafted incredible works across the musical spectrum – working with the likes of Brooke Daye, King Elle Noir, and Ataia.  Recently, “Ripe” a song he produced for Flavia – was featured in Generations – the latest project from Lena Dunham now on HBO Max. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  So without further ado, please welcome – the man achieves balance as an avid runner and avid foodie – Joe Pepe. 

Today's friend of the podcast has made a career in live music as a front-of-house sound engineer, production manager, and tour manager. In fact, he's engineered some of my personal favorite concerts (which we dive into). He makes country and hard rock heavy hitters sound great day-in, day-out – including Godsmack, Avatar, Saint Asonia, Avenged Sevenfold, Hunter Hayes, and more.  He’s been featured in ProSoundNews, Audio-Technical, Mix Magazine, Roadie Free Radio, Mix Masters inaugural episode, and ProSoundWeb’s podcast Signal to Noise. You get it.  So without further ado, please welcome – the man making your favorite rock stars sound like they aren’t terrible – the founder of “Hellooo,” the ultimate, all-inclusive live concert video production service, Erik Rogers. 

We have an extremely special guest today. Hailing from Sao Paulo, Brasil, he fell in love with rock greats such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Queen at a young age. Inspired by everyone from McCartney and Lennon to Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen, to George Martin and T-Bone Burnett – he began working at a studio by age 20.  This led to bands you may have heard of – such as Candlebox, Plain White Ts, Sugarland, and Thin Lzzy (just to name a few) asking him to record, mix, and tour internationally going on 33 years now.  So without further ado, please welcome – the King of the Road Show – Carlos Novais. 

Welcome to Made for Music! We have a truly special episode in store. This one has STORIES. Today’s friend of the podcast is coming to you from Nashville, by way of Houston, Texas. The first tour this man ever was a part of was a Motley Crue tour in 1989 – and things have not slowed down since. He currently drives for Coach Quarters out of Nashville, Tennessee – working with the likes of Kevin Hart, and Scott Stapp – just to drop a FEW more big names into the mix. Not only that, but he’s a drummer and songwriter – with his song “Two Wheels on the Highway” but by Del McCoury and Leftover Salmon. So without further ado, please welcome – the only man I’ve ever met to have a date mishap land them in another country – THE celebrity bus driver, JR Robinson. 

Today's friend of the podcast returns to Made for Music three years removed from his initial appearance and with an entirely new aesthetic and moniker. A producer and sound-design extraordinaire, he's taken the trap-metal music by storm - collaborating with the likes of ghostofblu, and Downwxlf, Johnny Gash, and more. We chat about the emerging trap metal scene, operating within a niche market, learning new types of screams, and pushing the boundaries of genre.  So without further ado, please say hello to my creative confidant and one of the most versatile producers in the game - Xstitch. 

Today’s friend of the podcast made his foyer into the music world about 20 years ago, kickstarting his talent buying ventures straight out of college for local clubs in Southeast Texas. Starting at 500-1000 cap rooms, he booked shows for the likes of Puddle of Mudd, Sevendust, and Halestorm. Over the years, he’s gone on to work with acts from Willie Nelson and Rascal Flats to Five Finger Death Punch, to the Steve Millar Band.    Operating as a boutique firm, his company (pre-pandemic) books upward of 500 shows per year. In recent years, he and his agency have moved into artists management as well due to their strengths in artist development, touring, negotiations, and much more.    So without further ado, please welcome the co-founder and managing partner of “Rise Up Agency” – a self-proclaimed “unapologetic gear snob” and coffee bean connoisseur – Richard Gandy. 

From Harvard to Broadway.  Today’s friend of the podcast is LITERALLY teaching me the music game. Graduating from Harvard with a degree in Computer Science, she went on to work at Next Big Sound – a platform acquired by Pandora to provide social media, streaming service, and radio analytics.    Hailing from the Bay Area she started playing piano when she was four years old. Next? Did nothing short of taking the music world by storm. Some highlights along the way include HADESTOWN on Broadway to a recent streaming production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS from Out of the Box. Next up: a secret movie project.

Today's friend of the podcast delivers a wonderful blend of raw, singer-songwriter blues with the epic soundscapes of the classics. About a year ago she pulled a Hail Mary and jumped coasts to Nashville. Over the course of 12 days she brought her latest album “Alligator” to life – which is truly one of the strongest albums I’ve heard front-to-back in some time.    So without further ado, please welcome – one of my favorite songwriters out of Seattle and fellow lyric hoarder – Katie Kuffel.  The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜

Today’s friend of the podcast was a triple threat from a young age, heavily involved with dance, piano, and musical theatre – pretty much living and breathing performance. Inspired by the likes of Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, George Harrison, and other greats she founded Vaudeville Etiquette - a band that expertly blending western grooves with intricate vocal work and evocative lyrics. They have released 2 full length albums, 2 EPs, generating millions of plays on Spotify alone, and touring the US and Europe. So, without further ado, please welcome, a DIY touring guru, phenomenal vocalist, and songwriter - Tayler Lynn! The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers (link below) 💜  ————————————————————————  Song: “Fever Dream” by Vaudeville Etiquette ————————————————————————

Today’s friend of the podcast hails from Nashville, Tennessee by way of Troy, Michigan. She may be one of the most well-rounded guests we’ve ever had – starting piano by the age of five, orchestra by elementary school, professionally trained as a vocalist in high school and was the lead in the WORLD PREMIERE of “EMMA! A Pop Musical”.    She went on to study Commercial Voice at Belmont University, interned for Haley & Michaels, and is now pursuing her Masters of Music Business at the Berklee College of Music.    So, without further ado, please welcome an extremely talented musician, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman – the latest addition to Grit & Magic Entertainment – Tegan McCormick!   The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜 ———————————————————————— Song: “Fake Reality” by Life in a Tree ————————————————————————

Today’s friend of the podcast is an insane vocalist, singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Inspired by her desire to help others explore their emotions and a love for singing, she dove head-first into the music realm.    Halfway through her journey to a math degree, she pivoted to a Bachelors in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music. I could go on-and-on about her musical prowess, but really you owe it to yourself to check out the string of covers she’s been rolling out – which demonstrate her uncanny ability to deliver a real, lived sound in her vocal delivery and production.    So, please welcome a world traveler, true one-woman production team (from the music to the art), the frontwoman of Turtlnck – Brittany Rogers.    The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers (link below)  ———————————————————————— Song: “Worthwhile” by Turtlnck ————————————————————————

Today's friend of the podcast hails from the Bay Area, but has taken his music career across the country: from Berklee College of Music in Boston, a tenure in Nashville, and now San Francisco. To my excitement, we had a lot in common from our songwriting approach to our need to sneeze after looking into direct sunlight.  He blends blues rock vocals, insane guitar work, and pristine pop production into each one of his songs - which you can hear for yourself on his new single "Dead of Night".  So, please welcome the man with golden guitar, vocals, and fashion chops – Christopher Kenji! The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜 ———————————————————————— Song: “Dead of Night” by Christopher Kenji ————————————————————————

Today’s friend of the podcast dove into the music world via Fruity Loops at the age of 15. Lucky for us, that evolved into songwriting a few years later. Inspired by the likes of Frank Ocean and Pharrell, you can hear their finesse in his delivery as he cruises over some of the vibiest tracks coming out of the Northwest.    So, without further ado, fresh off the release of Sus’s new single Mt. Olympus, please welcome one of the smoothest front-man in the Seattle scene – Jesse Desean! The episode is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast providers 💜 ———————————————————————— Song: “Mt. Olympus” by Sus ————————————————————————