Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

Today’s guest is Grammy and Oscar nominated mixer Maurizio Borgna.  Based out of Italy, Maurizio has been working throughout Europe as an engineer, mixer, producer, and label manager since 2003.  His credits include tv, film, and music projects such as the oscar nominated film Sicario, the Amazon TV Series Transparent, and artists such as Sebastian Plano and Agnes Obel.  He’s also a long time guitar player, modular synth addict, and cooking enthusiast. We have a great chat about pushing out of your comfort zone, translating emotion, and keeping your ego in check.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Translating emotion through the speakersMusic consumption needs an evolutionFrom Post-Hardcore to Film ScoresRecognizing when you need a refresh to growBandcamp, musical niches, and building fansStudying the rough mixInternet networkingThe delicateness of creativity The dangers of passive playlist listen for artistsHubbing out of a Berlin studio complexDynamics create musicLearn More About Maurizio Borgna...Website - https://www.maurizioborgna.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/maurizioborgna/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mbmixengineerBandcamp - https://trstrecords.bandcamp.com/Listen to a Playlist of his work 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: Maurizio BorgnaHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is London based producer, composer, session musician, and sound designer Will Hatton.  Will’s main focus is producing and releasing music under the moniker Hush Child, but he’s got an array of other things on his plate as well.  He composes for and works with various creative agencies, streams life lo-fi performances,  and curates an educational YouTube series called “Inspired By...”. We have a great conversation about staying focused, scheduling your time, reflecting on your results, and stepping up to the plate for your endeavors.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Reflecting on your processFiercely defending and managing your timeThe dangers of taking feedback too literallyKeeping yourself accountableYouTube and the future of learningThe path of the modern musicianGoing against the dated structure of educationStaying ahead of social media trendsBeing a session musician from a young ageFrom metal to hip hopMultiple streams of income and managing financesAlways learningStructuring your day and schedulingRunning a studio in Brick LaneLearn More About Will Hatton..."Inspired By... " YouTube Channel - https://youtube.com/willhattonInstagram - https://instagram.com/thewillhattonWebsite - www.willhattonmusic.comListen to Hush Child on Spotify 📢 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: Will HattonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Our guest this week is Grammy nominated recording engineer and mixer Martin Cooke. Martin’s resume reads like a who’s who of alternative and rock n roll. He's worked with artists such as Death Cab for Cutie, Of Monsters and Men, Kimbra, At the Drive In, Van Halen, Muse, and Pearl Jam. I’d argue that you’ll have a hard time finding somebody else his age that has a better understanding of the dynamics of a recording session and demeanor required for success in that world. We have a great chat about the future of engineering, having a career arc, how people skills can outweigh technical skills, and the true reason that sharpening pencils is important.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Beginner's MindUnderstanding how to listenFighting your egoPassing on the knowledge of engineeringNot taking things personallyUsing humor to break the iceFollowing your gutWorking 90 days straightThe economics making a recordStarting out at Henson Recording StudiosLearn More About Martin Cooke...Website: https://www.mcooke.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m_cooker/?hl=en📢 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: Martin CookeHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is Detroit based producer, artist, mixer, and mastering engineer Noël Jackson.  Noël has worked with various artists and labels including Warner Records, Superfreq, David Guetta, Kevin Saunderson, and Mr. C.  In addition to music, Noël also works as a computer engineer, user experience designer, and hacker.  He is best known in that realm for his work with Automattic, Gawker Media, and Jeffery Zeldman. We go deep on the early internet, the power of design, living with integrity and how building habits will push you past your goals.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The musical element of surpriseWorking ethicallyThe fearlessness of youthWeb logsPop music as an educational resourceAllowing yourself to be flexibleFinding inspiration in designThe art and science of engineeringOperating Manual for Spaceship EarthLearn More About Noël Jackson...Website: https://noeljackson.com/Check out his music Here!Instagram: https://instagram.com/noeldjacksonTwitter: https://twitter.com/noelNewsletter: https://noel.substack.com📢 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/spotify"Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth" - HereCredits:Guest: Noël JacksonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is Ian Kagey, the Director of Operations for Power Station NYC, a historic and classic recording studio in the heart of NYC now currently run by Berklee College of Music. The mix of skills that Ian learned working as both a studio tech and a traditional engineer set him up for where his career journey would take him later. His career has taken him all the way to Valencia, Spain where he worked as an instructor for Berklee and then back to New York to manage and oversee the update of Power Station. We have a great chat about the importance of problem solving, keeping in touch with your network, knowing when you're the right person for a job, and being thankful to get to work in music everyday.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Rebuilding a classic studioCreating a new business model for recording studiosNot staying past your expiration dateThe importance of problem solvingEtiquette and attention to detailDropping everything and moving to SpainStarting out in NYCWorking as a technician and an assistantLearn More About Ian Kagey and Power Station...Power Station Website: https://powerstation.nyc/Berklee NYC Website: https://nyc.berklee.edu/Ian Kagey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iankagey/Power Station Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerstationatberkleenyc/Berklee NYC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkleenyc/📢 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: Ian KageyHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is film and television composer Andrew Johnson. Andrew started his career as an assistant for composer James S. Levine at Hans Zimmer's Remote Control facility. While there he worked on hit shows such as Glee, American Horror Story, Royal Pains, Major Crimes, and many more. We chat about learning the art of film composing from the greats, getting jobs from the places you don't expect, meeting deadlines by forcing decision making instead of creativity, and the numbers game of library production music.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Impressing your peers vs impressing your audienceWorking at Han Zimmer's Remote ControlScoring your own weddingMaster/Apprentice model of learning a craftGetting a job from a guy that knows a guy that knows a guyGhostwritingTreating looking for work a jobThe numbers game of library musicActing like every job is your big breakDemo seasonAnticipating your notes as a means of inspirationLearn More About Andrew Johnson...Website: https://www.andrewbrickjohnson.com📢 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/spotify"The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy Here"The One Thing" by Gary Keller HereCredits:Guest: Andrew JohnsonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is two time Grammy winning recording engineer and mixer Fernando Lodeiro. Fernando is a New York based engineer who came up through Avatar studios. His credits include Esperanza Spaulding, Vampire Weekend, Lady GaGa, and Sir Paul McCartney. We talk about his passion for working with musicians together in a room, the importance of maintaining relationships, big studio vs small studio vibes, and how learning all the gear in the room got him ahead early in his career.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Building your own vocabulary as an engineerOver delivering for clientsPandemic engineeringGear manualsThe importance of keeping in touchFreelance engineering in New York CityKnowing when it's time to move on to the next thingLearn More About Fernando Lodeiro...Website: https://fernandolodeiro.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ferninthestudio/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ferninthestudio📢 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: Fernando LodeiroHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is Brian Zarlenga, general manager of the revolutionary music software and technology company Output. Brian's career in the music business has taken him from the sales team at a major label to handling licensing at a publisher, and finally to marketing where he would develop his expertise. We chat about staying true to your brand, always pushing for innovation, the challenges of product launches, and how musicians can benefit from embracing marketing.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Not following the playbookIdentifying your goals and setting milestonesSeeing your music as a productOvernight product launchesMarketing as storytellingTaking a chance on a startupWord of mouth as an extension of your brandLearn More About Brian Zarlenga and Output...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bzarlenga/Output Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/output/Website: https://output.com/📢 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/spotifyMalcolm Gladwell "The Tipping Point" - Buy HereCredits:Guest: Brian ZarlengaHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Our guest this week is bass player, producer, songwriter, and artist Corey Britz. In addition to being the bass player for the band Bush, Corey also fronts his own project as well as produces and writes for numerous alternative and rock bands. He’s a close friend and collaborator of mine and this episode is an all round good hang with plenty of great advice mixed in. We cover his early career, breaking into the Los Angeles musician scene, discovering himself as an artist, and his vendetta with the word “luck”.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Music and the art of restraintTouring the world with Bush and The CallingImportance of being a problem solverDon't belittle your victories by calling them luckFive years as a college freshmenManifestationLying to yourselfTravis' Intro: Input vs Output GoalsLearn More About Corey Britz...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreybritz/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreyBritz/Listen to Corey Britz 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/spotifyGary Keller "The One Thing" - HereCredits:Guest: Corey BritzHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Our guest this week is Grammy nominated mixer Jesse Ray Ernster. Jesse has made a splash since his arrival in Los Angeles with quick chart success engineering for Kanye West and mixing for Burna Boy. We have a great chat about his career so far, his unique path to success, the importance of keeping the art and the team first, and using systems to increase your efficiency.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Recording Kanye and traveling the safariBuilding momentumHaving a clear vision of your goals and knowing what drives youSetting yourself apart when applying for gigsMixing via remote control from the beachWaking up earlySending out 100 emails a dayLiving the California dreamSession flow difference between commercial and home studiosLearn More About Jesse Ray Ernster...Website: https://www.jesseraymix.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesseraymix/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesseraymixHear a playlist of Jesse's work 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: Jesse Ray ErnsterHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference