Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

Today’s guest is musician and music business entrepreneur Mark Miller. Mark is the co-founder and CEO of Labelcoin, a revolutionary Web 3.0 based song exchange that allows fans to invest in the next big song. Mark and his team are working to usher in a new era for the music industry in which artists’ future revenues are brought forward to the present day with the ultimate goal of stamping out artistic poverty. Prior to his work with Labelcoin, Mark spent a decade as a touring recording artist before starting several businesses designed to help artists build their careers, including a national booking agency and a video and photography production company. We have a great chat about creating a blockchain based music investment platform, the importance of marketing for musicians, the difference between an amateur and a professional, and what one of the biggest things holding artists back is.In this episode we'll dig in on...Utilizing blockchain technology to support musiciansHumility is always the best way forwardMaking $120k a year playing college shows and touringWhy most musicians and artists give upHow to value a catalog's future earningsHow blockchain backed song shares could replace producer and mixer pointsThe importance of welcoming people into your creative processThe difference between an amateur and a professionalA fan's money should go to the artists that they listen toBranding and marketing for independent artistsPracticing your stage banterNot living and dying by the numbers"Free to Focus" by Michael Hyatt (here)Travis' Intro: Excuses, Procrastination, and AvoidanceLearn More About Mark Miller and Labelcoin...Website: https://labelcoin.io/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labelcoin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicallymarkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-miller-563bb512/📢 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: Mark MillerHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is musician, composer, recording engineer, and educator Yuri Lysoivanov. Yuri is currently a product expert and marketing development specialist at Shure Microphones. Prior to that he was an instructor and the Chair of the Recording Arts Department at Flashpoint Chicago as well as a staff composer for an advertising agency. Along with all of that he actively records, specializing in acoustic ensembles both in studio and on location. We have a great conversation about weighing the cost of higher education in the arts, classical ensemble recording techniques, microphone polar patterns, and what it’s like to work for Shure Microphones. In this episode we'll dig in on...Working for ShureStarting out as a classically trained pianistThe importance of talking to the musicians about their musicRecording techniques for small ensemble recordingWorking in the advertising world as an in house composerThe cost of higher educationMusic licensing vs custom jinglesBeing recruited to become an educator during the 2008 recessionConvolution vs Algorithmic reverbsMicrophone polar patterns and frequency responseEmbracing being a video creatorThe entrepreneurial nature of being a musicianTravis' Intro: The Death of Expertise?!?Mentioned in the Episode:Shure MV7Learn More About Yuri Lysoivanov...Website: https://www.yurimusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yurimusic/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurichicago/📢 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: Yuri LysoivanovHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is manager and independent record label owner Tal Oz. Tal began his career on the engineering side, working at Interscope, where he would eventually transition into A&R. He continued his A&R path at Mom+Pop Music before moving into producer, mixer, and artist management. Some of his current management clients include Doug Schadt, Evan Sutton, and Rob Cohen. He’s also recently co-founded a boutique independent label called Hundred Days. We have a great chat about switching from the recording studio to the record label, 100 hour work weeks, assisting Jimmy Iovine, and the importance of finding the the next thing that excites you.In this episode we'll dig in on...Working in a hotbed of amazing major label artistsThe recording studio is a service businessSeeing the writing on the wall of the future of engineeringSwitching into the label side and working as Jimmy Iovine's AssistantLinn Drum SamplesUnderstanding record deals, what you get and what you give upManagement for producers and engineersLearning to read the dataFinding a unique element to define a soundScaling as an independent artistCreating a brand as an engineer or mixer... it's about valueLeaving college to attend Musician's InstituteEngineering for Ron FairStephen Pressfield "The Art of War"Tiago Forte "Building a Second Brain"The Defiant Ones documentaryTravis' Intro: Planning for CreativityLearn More About Tal Oz...Website: https://talozz.me/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talozz/Twitter: https://twitter.com/talozz📢 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: Tal OzHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is mixing and recording engineer Pedro Calloni. Pedro has recently done mixes for artists such as Gayle, LANY, Sasha Alex Sloan, Chappell Roan, and Joy Oladokun. As well as worked with some of the top music producers in the industry right now such as Dan Nigro and Finneas. We have a great chat about his quick progression from studio runner to label mixer, learning to read a room, the inefficiencies of the record industry, and why it’s more important to aid someone in their musical journey than it is to tell them how it should be done.Travis' Intro: Navigating Social MediaIn this episode we'll dig in on...How "being a fly on the wall" can go too farHow going on tour to play drums led to getting a mixing breakIdentifying what is happening and what needs to happen in order to take something up a notchThe importance of reading a roomWorking at The Village in Los AngelesThe various states that a song might be in when it comes to mixThe Mixer's career path vs the Producer's career pathAttending Berklee College of MusicHow management brings legitimacy to a mixerMixing songs that blew up on TikTok and had to be done immediatelyKnowing when it's the time to learn new tools and when it's notNot being starstruckWorking fast to follow your instinctLearn More About Pedro Calloni...Website: https://www.pedrocalloni.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedrocalloni/Listen to 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: Pedro CalloniHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is recording studio owner, mixer, podcast host, and entrepreneur Dee Kei Waddell. Not only has he worked with artists such as Kanye West and The Game, but his podcast Mixing Music, is one of the top shows in the industry. His interests don’t stop with music though. He is also a co-author of three children’s books and a co-founder of LaunchPod Media, a podcast marketing and analytics firm. We have a great chat about the importance of setting boundaries, why he mixes bass first, how to build a personal brand, and why you should make a career out of the things you’d do for free.In this episode we'll dig in on...Finding the entrepreneurial spiritMixing 1000 songs in a yearHating inefficiencyMusic as a form of therapyApplying the general principles of economics to your music careerThere's no such thing as emergencies, people can waitThe importance of giving back and how that can help you growBuilding a personal brandShadow testing and advertisingHacking the algorithm with SEO to increase discoverabilityBeing a plug-in hipsterThe Go Giver4 Hour Work WeekAtomic HabitsLearn More About Dee Kei Waddell...Dee Kei Website: https://deekeimixes.comMixing Music Podcast: https://mixingmusicpodcast.comChildren's Books: https://deekeiandkayoko.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/deekeimixes/📢 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: Dee Kei WaddellHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is music producer and mixing engineer Andrew Maury. Andrew started his career running front of house for Ra Ra Riot before moving full time into the studio. Since then he’s done mixes for artists such as Shawn Mendes, Lizzo, Post Malone, Jeremy Zucker, Coin, and Madi Diaz. As well as production work with Kimbra, Lewis Del Mar, and CRUISR. We have a great chat about how live sound can influence making records, feeling the low end when you mix, how learning can make you worse before it makes you better, and why you should view your career as the long game.In this episode we'll dig in on...The importance of collaborating with people you resonate withCo-Producing and mixing Shawn Mendes "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back"Latency when mixing with controllers and plug-insRemote mixing and working with notesAttending Mix with the Masters and studying with Michael BrauerHow the beginner's mind lets you work on instinctWorking with a managerFeeling the how the low end of a mix hits youLive Sound vs Studio SoundNavigating additional production from the mixer's chairMixing your own productionsASC Tube Traps Attack WallSoundflow (Affiliate Link)Learn More About Andrew Maury...Website: http://andrewmaury.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aemaury/📢 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: Andrew MauryHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is Los Angeles based musician, producer, engineer, and mixer Alex Crescioni. Alex currently works out of his studio, Stygian Sound, which is located in the legendary Sound City Center complex. Focusing on heavy and dark genres in the metal world, Alex has worked with artists on Cleopatra Records, Pavement Music, Metal Assault Records, and Nuclear Blast Records as well as collaborated with Meegs Rascon, Chris Collier, and Tim Palmer. We have a great chat about the subgenres of metal, the strategy behind creating a selected discography, niching down to focus on music that you are passionate about, and how being a prepared client brings the best out of everybody involved.In this episode we'll dig in on...Learning from your failuresStudio etiquetteHaving a studio in the Sound City complexThe importance of finding people that will give you their honest opinionPutting technical metal riffs under the studio microscopeNiching down to make music you loveStudying guitar and recording at Musicians InstituteClassical piano and The Suzuki MethodThe art navigating of Los Angeles trafficGetting a loan and jumping head first into owning a studioWord of mouth referralsHow marketing can lead to transaction temporary clientsSeparation of work and lifeDSP guitar amp simulators vs real tube ampsGuitar string guageLearn More About Alex Crescioni...Website: https://www.alexcrescioni.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexcrescioni/Stygian Sound IG: https://www.instagram.com/stygiansound/📢 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: Alex CrescioniHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is Brooklyn based Grammy nominated producer and mixer Chris Tabron. Chris’ credits include names such as The Strokes, Common, Robert Glasper, Battles, Die Antwoord, and Beyonce. He also does remix work under the moniker Madison Avenue Girls, has produced a documentary, and has also recently started a YouTube channel. We chat about how DJing shaped his approach to production, focusing on the “why” behind what you’re doing, and the importance of recognizing when being comfortable might be keeping you from your goals.In this episode we'll dig in on...DJing and seeing the effect music has on peopleKeeping a "Beginner's Mind"Technology as a touchstone of access, not a barrier to accessReading gear manualsPushing your assistants to "out grow the job"Big Studio vs Apprenticing/MentoringThe was of working with amazing musiciansUnderestimating the power of networking early in your careerGoing to studios to hang out with friendsThinking of a discography as a calling card and legacyEvery person is a body of knowledge worth tapping intoWorking for Tony MaseratiGuerrilla recording indie bandsRecognizing when opportunities aren't what you expected, but making them what you need.Learn More About ...Linktree: https://christabron.com/links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabnetic/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrp6Va-4r5RkaIF0ARYFS8g📢 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: Chris TabronHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Today’s guest is Madelynn Eylse, an LA-based musician and the founder of the boutique label services company Shark Attack. Madelynn founded Shark Attack to empower indie artists and to help them navigate the landscape of today’s new and ever changing music industry. Since 2016, Madelynn has coached over 100 artists along their path to being truly independent as well as worked with the major labels. We cover topics like activating the Spotify algorithm, how to grow using TikTok, what a successful ad campaign looks like, and release strategies for new music in 2022.In this episode we'll dig in on...The do's and don'ts of playlistingRelease strategies for new music in 2022Getting a record deal offer and turning it downSync licensing as a source of incomePassive streams vs gaining fansWhat a good Call to Action looks likeWhat to spend music marketing dollars on and howOrganic growth metrics to look out for in 2022Pre-Save vs Pre-OrderBuilding fans through Tik TokUnderstanding Spotify for ArtistsPlaylist bottingSocial media engagement targetsDisco: Music Management and Sharing Platform (https://disco.ac/)Learn More About ...Website: https://www.thisissharkattack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThisIsSharkAttack/Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisissharkattkMedium: https://madelynnelyse.medium.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/spotifyCredits:Guest: Madelynn ElyseHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

In this is a special bonus episode, I sit down with Noël Jackson to discuss the world of blockchain, NFTs, Web 3.0 and the potential impact these things could have on music and the arts. Noël is an artist, music producer, and mastering engineer, as well as a computer engineer, UX designer, and hacker. We chat through the basics of what blockchain, smart contracts and cryptocurrencies are and then work into the implications they could have on music royalties, ownership, and how transparency leads to the sustainability of the arts.In this episode we'll dig in on...DecentralizationHow blockchain can reinvent the record storeMining Bitcoin with volcanosSmart contracts implications in music and artThe importance of understanding the technology you are usingDigital assetsThe need for transparency in the music industryProof of Work vs Proof of StakeData tracking purposes vs Monetary PurposesLearn More About ...Website: https://noeljackson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noelndj/Twitter: https://twitter.com/noelProduct Strategy Firm: https://necessary.vision/📢 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: Noël JacksonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference