Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

This week's guest is London based mixer and mastering engineer Manon Grandjean. Manon has spent much of her time lately working with UK chart topping grime and hiphop artists such as Stormzy, Dave, Fredo, and AJ Tracey. Some of her other credits include London Grammar, Craig David, Birdy, and Nao. In 2017 she was named "Breakthrough Engineer of the Year" by the Music Producers Guild and then followed that with "Recording Engineer of the Year" in 2018. We chat about freelancing in London, realizing the power of templates, and how career perfectionism is different from project perfectionism.In this episode, we'll dig in on...How smaller budgets change the way young engineers learn to recordMastering your own mixesCareer spanning perfectionism vs project based perfectionismFreelance engineering and assisting at multiple studios to pay the billsPicking a good manager that is on the same page as youRealizing the power of having a recording templateBeing classically trained on guitar and harp growing upGrowing up interested in science and discovering recording as the combination of music and scienceThe importance of having a setup that is ready to go at all timesWinning Breakthrough Engineer of the YearTransitioning from engineering to mixingAlways pushing yourself and learningLearn More About Manon Grandjean...Website: https://www.manongrandjean.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandjeanmanon/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Manon GrandjeanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is London based producer, engineer, and mixer Guy Massey. Guy is a Grammy and Music Producer Guild award winner that came up through the legendary Abbey Road Studios. He’s worked on projects for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, Ajimal, Ray Davies, Spiritualized, and The Beatles. He's also been involved in movie soundtracks such as "Yesterday" and "Rocket Man" as well as various other projects. We have a chat about the future of immersive audio, the importance of making mistakes on your own time, and why if you want to get great at something you have to enjoy it.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Being inspired to be the best you can by the history of the studio you're working inLocking up multiple tape machines for film sessionsWorking on Beatles RemastersDefining success as having a quiet confidenceComing up through the legendary Abbey RoadU67s on everything!Reamping things in studio to use as ambience for 5.1 Surround mixesDolby Atmos and the future of immersive audioEverything is in service to the songLearning to make things sound as good as possible with a limited paletteCasting your influences wide and listen to A LOT of music.Comparing vintage mics and picking the best parts.Going freelance to work on the opportunities you are passionate aboutLearn More About Guy Massey...Website: www.guymmassey.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yugyessam/Twitter: https://twitter.com/guy_massey📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Guy MasseyHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is Los Angeles based artist Dresage. A blend of genres ranging from dreamy synth wave to indie art pop, Dresage is the artist project of producer, songwriter, and composer Keeley Bumford. In addition to releasing her own music she also co-wrote and was the featured vocalist on Jai Wolf's single "Better Apart". Co-scored as well as wrote and performed all the original songs in the Hulu/Blumhouse film "My Valentine," and was featured on Andrew Huang's "4-Producers One Sample" Youtube series. She also has loads sync placements in various shows and ad spots, including Netflix's The Crown and an Apple Watch trailer. We chat about making her latest EP, and how embracing the idea that it's ok to not know everything can empower you to experiment, learn, and ultimately find your creative voice.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Making her Terror Nights / Terror Days EPKeeping perspective as a self-producing, self-recording artistCommitting to your production because it informs all the decisions that followHow music fits into TV and Film vs Ads and TrailersBeing intentional about the choice to keep your artist voice and not get lost behind the scenesBuilding a community on DiscordDiscovering jazz and the Great American SongbookAttending Berklee College of MusicBuilding relationships and supporting your collaboratorsShazaamTaking advantage of opporunitiesWorking at the Interscope recording studiosTop-lining in the EDM worldTravis' Intro Topic...How all of your gigs and experiences come together to make you a better creative and person.Learn More About Dresage...Check out Terror Nights / Terror Days EP - HERE!Website: https://www.dresage.la/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dresagemusicTwitter: https://twitter.com/dresagemusicYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dresagemusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dresagemusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dresagemusicSupport Dresage on Patreon HERE!Join Dresage's Discord Server HERE!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: DresageHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week is the last bonus re-release episode before Season 2 begins! I've attached another brand new intro to this episode as well. Shoshana is one of my favorite people and her story has a lot of insights for anybody in the music industry so I wanted to share it with y'all again.This week’s guest is the amazingly talented vocalist and broadway veteran Shoshana Bean. Shoshana and I have a great conversation about the progression of her career from being a singing and dancing two year old to holding leading roles on Broadway and releasing chart topping records as an independent artist. She is a truly inspiring person, committed to her artistic integrity and unwavering in her belief that driving towards what you fear is the key to success and growth.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Leaning into your greatest fearsMoving to NYC and breaking into BroadwayBeing your own best brand ambassadorSinging and dancing at two years oldBuilding a career brick by brickManaging your own career and standing by your decisionsHuman connection without an agenda is the best networkingAuthenticity in everything you doLearn More About ...Website: https://www.shoshanabean.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shobean/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Shoshana BeanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Credits in the music industry are a dumpster fire. In this bonus episode I wanted to share my thoughts on credits and how things got to the state they are in today. I also talk about ways we can change our perspective on credits and what I'm going to try to do with the Progressions platform to encourage people to support each other by giving credit. This is the first in a series of bonus episodes focusing on credits in the music industry.Submit your credits to be read on air HERE!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: N/AHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Since I've taken a month break to prepare for season two of the podcast I've reissued this episode with a brand new introduction. I really enjoyed my conversation with Bill and I thought there was a lot of great insight in his story...Today’s guest is multi-platinum awarded producer, mixer, and musician Bill Appleberry. Bill has worked on Republic Records' and NBC's hit TV show The Voice for the last decade. He has produced and mixed the studio recorded versions of every song performed by every artist for every season of the show. Outside of his work with The Voice, Bill's credits as an engineer, producer, and player include names like Stone Temple Pilots, The Wallflowers, Puddle of Mudd, Joe Walsh, Hole, and 311. We have a great chat about his start, playing drums in the Marines, getting a hit early in his career, being prepared, and how your career is defined by what you do between gigs.In this episode, we'll dig in on...10 Years of The VoiceThe 5 P's of PreparationKnowing when to reinventPutting in practiceBuilding a team that you trustHaving a hit early in your careerEnlisting in the MarinesGetting recognized by the labelsLiving in a van with your keyboardsDoing demos with bands and trying to get them signedHow recording schools are commercializing the industryLearn More About ...Website: http://www.billappleberry.com/LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/bill-appleberry-6334561bOur Sponsors:Sign Up for Complete Producer Network HERE!Get on the Waitlist for The Beats Accelerator Process HERE!Other Links:Support the show on Patreon!Gear and Recommended Reading: https://kit.co/travisferenceSign up for the Progressions Mailing List!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProgressionsPod/Learn more about Travis: https://www.travisference.com/Credits:Guest: Bill AppleberryHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

A year and half ago I committed to starting a podcast and releasing a new episode every week for a full year. This week I talk about what I learned from that experience and I share the five biggest take aways that I think will most apply to helping you on your career journey. I also get into how Progressions will change as we enter into the second year of the show.📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: N/AHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is pianist, composer, producer, and musical director David Cook. David is an accomplished jazz pianist, having released two albums and represented the United States internationally through Jazz at Lincoln Center and the US State Department. He's also an adjunct professor for the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University. The majority of his time is spent as a musical director and touring musician working with artists including Taylor Swift, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Lizz Wright, Joshua Bassett, Shoshana Bean, and NSYNC. We chat about ego vs confidence, his jazz roots, and preparing for world tours.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Finding your musical familyChops vs restraintBig budget world toursRespecting the artistMusic "no nos"Self-promotion for musicians, then and nowAccompanying vocalistsLearning from every gigNot leaving any doubt musicallyBuilding synth patchesStudying with your herosJam sessions and meeting musiciansPutting together a bandTranslating a record to a live showLearn More About David Cook...Website: https://davidcookmusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcook88/Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidcookmusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidcookmusic📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: David CookHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Today's guest is Grammy winning mastering engineer Evren Göknar. Evren spent 25 years on staff at Capitol Mastering in Hollywood and now works independently from his own studio, Evren Göknar Mastering. His credits include artists like, KISS, Smashing Pumpkins, Mariah Carey, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, and NBC's The Voice. He's also recently written a book called "Major Label Mastering" which has been released on Routledge. We chat about working for a major label, writing a book and the importance of listening musically.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Working on classic Capitol releasesWriting a book and finding a publisherFinding your nichePlaying in bands around HollywoodClient communicationGoing a different path from your college peersThe importance of understanding musicMastering studio wiring and setupHaving control of your scheduleSorting out your businessWorking a the desk to get into a recording studioKnowing peopleLearn More About Evren Göknar...Get "Major Label Mastering" HERE!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evrengoknar/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evren.goknar/Twitter: https://twitter.com/evrengoknar📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Evren GöknarHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is drummer, percussionist, and manager Nik Hughes. Nik is a member of the band Youngblood Hawke, who burst on the scene with their platinum hit "We Come Running." He's also currently playing drums for Bush and in the past he's recorded or toured with artists such as Andy Grammer, Bishop Briggs, Puddle of Mudd, Emily Osment, and many more. Along with all of his playing experience he's also worked on the business side of music, working in management and also briefly holding a label position at Big Deal Music. We chat about releasing music, the importance of supporting each other, and how to audition.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Being in Youngblood HawkeSafe touringReading between the lines on auditionsPlaying in BushUnderstanding the label side as an artistAlways learning new skillsTransitioning into management and businessRecording drums lastJazz drumming influencing rock drummersLabel servicesPlaylistingBuilding long lasting friendships with other bandsKnowing who you are as an artistPlaying with Bishop BriggsDealing with record labelsLearn More About Nik Hughes...Website: http://www.nikhughesdrum.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhughesdrum/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nik.hughes.7/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVM3MNHWPL3Lf4qMFcdX9pw📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Nik HughesHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference