Producer Points

Hazey Eyes, a producer and artist known for his lush, cinematic sound, shares insights from his collaborations with Jeremy Zucker and Suki Waterhouse. He discusses the emotional landscapes he creates using innovative techniques, from minimalistic elements to textured instrument layers. The conversation highlights the art of balancing reverb and vocal production while sharing favorite plugins that inspire creativity. Hazey also dives into the production process behind memorable tracks, showcasing how emotional depth is achieved through sound design and collaboration.

Join Sarcastic Sounds, a Canadian producer known for his unique blend of lo-fi aesthetics and hi-fi precision, as he shares insights from his collaborations with hip-hop legends like Lil Wayne and pop sensation David Kushner. He discusses crafting moody beats and the art of balancing rawness with polish in tracks like "Loafers." Dive into his techniques for building anthemic yet intimate productions, and learn how trusting instincts can lead to creative breakthroughs. Plus, get tips on blending imperfections into hit records!

Unlike Pluto, a prolific genre-bending artist, shares his insights alongside rising indie star Kat Kennedy and producer Nate Flaks of Sleeping Lion. They dive into the evolving strategies for self-releasing music in 2025, discussing the importance of authentic fan connections and the shift from traditional promotions to digital tactics. The trio also addresses the challenges of music distribution, the significance of fair financial practices, and when it might be beneficial for artists to choose independence over signing with a label.

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with producer and songwriter Joe Pepe — a creative force behind hits for mgk, Travis Barker, Kiana Lede, and more. Known for his hard-hitting drums and biting guitar tones, Joe breaks down the process behind his signature sound. From his East Coast roots to Los Angeles studios, he shares insights into his workflow, building trust in the studio, and how he captures the perfect day-of bounce.🔊 They dive into the stories behind Chloe Lilac’s “Supermoon” and Sam Short’s “Aphrodite,” revealing Joe’s favorite production tricks, vocal chains, and mixing hacks. Plus, Joe shares lessons from collaborating with MGK, Travis Barker, Kiana Lede, and others — and why finding the right balance between organic and modern sounds is key to a killer record.🛠️ Plug-in talk, gear favorites, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is trust your gut.If you’re into modern pop, alternative production, or just want to learn how to make drums hit like they mean it, this episode is a must-listen.🔗 Follow & Listen:Producer Points Playlist: Spotify PlaylistInstagram: Producer PointsTikTok: Producer PointsSpotify: PodcastApple Podcasts: Podcast

In this episode of Producer Points, we continue our deep dive into the plugin rabbit hole with some of the best minds in music production. Host Justin Gammella is joined once again by DJ Kyriakides (Daylight), Scott Robinson, and David Arkwright to unpack how our favorite plugins can sometimes sabotage a mix—without us even realizing it.This week, the crew tackles the dangers of Fresh Air on vocals, the power (and pitfalls) of Soothe 2, the deceptive shine of Valhalla Vintage Verb, and why OTT can be both a secret weapon and a sonic wrecking ball. From the placebo effect of plugin defaults to the case for analog alternatives, this conversation is a must-listen for any producer serious about taking their mixes to the next level.🔥 Highlights:When Fresh Air is your friend—and when it’s your foe.The unexpected impact of phase issues with certain plugins.Why default settings might be your worst enemy.How to build taste and trust your ears over the hype.Listener questions on analog vs. in-the-box processing.Whether you’re a plugin junkie or an analog purist, this episode will challenge how you think about your tools—and inspire you to make every mix a masterpiece.🎧 Listen now and follow Producer Points on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to check out our official Spotify playlist featuring songs from this episode!

Ryan Hunter on Sync, Cinematic Production & His Evolution from Envy on the Coast to 1st VowsIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with artist, songwriter, and producer Ryan Hunter — best known for fronting the iconic band Envy on the Coast and for his deeply atmospheric solo project, 1st Vows. From the alternative rock scene to film scoring, Ryan’s genre-defying career is a testament to reinvention and honesty in artistry.🎙️ We dive into the emotional and sonic layers of 1st Vows’ “Never Learnt to Pray” and how Ryan builds intimacy and scale in the same breath.💭 Hear how “Was It a Dream” with MARIS came together, including vocal production tips and experimental textures.🎬 Ryan shares his journey into film and sync work — the mindset shift, musical demands, and how storytelling plays a central role.🎛️ Plus: plugin preferences, favorite gear (Highland Park BG2, Eventide H3000, API preamps), and how he dials in a perfect day-of bounce.If you're looking for insight into cinematic pop production and emotionally charged songwriting, this episode is a must.Follow Ryan: @1stvowsFollow & Listen:🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39LcUbNHdc7kssfUZ0wB5a🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/producer-points/id1745600859📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/producer_points/🎵 Producer Points Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqD4l6js2moC7r1DxqAR9

In this special Roundtable episode of Producer Points, host Justin Gammella is joined by three of his closest friends in the industry—DJ Kyriakides (Daylight), Scott Robinson, and David Arkwright—to tackle the age-old question: Is your favorite plugin actually holding your mix back? From overused presets to modern AI tools, this episode dives deep into the habits, crutches, and comfort zones that might be sabotaging your productions.🎧 Topics include:• Why your favorite plugin might be killing your creativity• The rise of "intelligent" plugins like Soothe 2 and Gullfoss—help or hindrance?• The loudness trap: chasing punch at the cost of emotion• Presets vs. originality• The placebo effect of plugins• Our go-to plugin chains—and the ones we should probably ditch🔥 Plus, a heated debate on BB Tubes, OTT, God Particle, CLA Vocals, and more.This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Stay tuned for the continuation in Part 2 next week!🔗 Follow & Listen:Producer Points Playlist: Spotify PlaylistInstagram: Producer PointsTikTok: Producer Points

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with producer, songwriter, vocalist, and mixer Daylight (DJ Kyriakides) — a true 100-percenter known for crafting records that balance timeless emotion with bold sonic choices. From his Grammy-nominated work with Shawn Mendes to collaborations with Sabrina Carpenter, GAYLE, Maroon 5, Mon Rovia, and K.Flay, DJ brings intention and integrity to every project he touches.🎧 We break down the making of “Stitches” — from the iconic stomp-clap groove to the raw vocal takes that made it a global hit. Learn how DJ layered acoustic textures, processed gang vocals, and kept ad libs exciting without overcrowding the mix.🔊 DJ opens up about studio design, production mindset, and gear favorites — including AudioScape hardware, Goodhertz plugins, and why simple choices often win.🌌 We also dive into Mon Rovia’s “To Watch the World Spin Without You”, how DJ balances emotional weight with mix clarity, and the difference between producing for pop stars vs. emerging indie acts.Whether you’re a producer, artist, or creative of any kind, this episode is a blueprint for staying passionate, collaborative, and grounded in the long game.🎧 Follow & Listen:InstagramTikTokSpotify (Podcast)Apple PodcastsProducer Points Playlist

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with producer and songwriter Nevin Sastry — the creative force behind Shaboozey’s chart-dominating “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, as well as tracks with JoJo, Noah Cyrus, phem, Upsahl, and more. With a background that spans classical guitar, medical school, and genre-bending production, Nevin brings a rare combination of discipline and intuition to the studio.🎧 We dive into “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — from reimagining J-Kwon’s classic into a country anthem to co-producing the viral hit with Sean Cook and building a vocal chain that cuts through any mix.🎸 He breaks down his approach to acoustic tone, crowd layering, whistle tracking, and why the simplest parts often hit the hardest when they’re recorded with care.🎚️ Production talk from “Winning Streak” and Lady Wrangler — how he crafted Shaboozey’s debut album sound, created cinematic moments with minimal ingredients, and found his signature guitar tone.🔌 A deep “Plug or Unplug” segment covering Omnisphere, Superior Drummer 3, CLA Vocals, Kramer Tape, Guitar Rig, and more — plus, why trusting your gut matters more than your gear.Nevin’s story is equal parts risk and reward — and a must-listen for anyone chasing longevity in today’s fast-moving music landscape.Follow & Listen:InstagramTikTok

Falconry Breaks Down ‘numb little bug’ and the Power of Performance-Based ProductionOn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with producer, songwriter, and guitarist Falconry (aka Dru DeCaro), whose work spans from electrifying live performances with Miguel and Machine Gun Kelly to studio productions for Em Beihold, Christian French, One OK Rock, Clean Bandit, Fletcher, jxdn, and more.We dig into:🎸 Falconry’s evolution from shredding in Baltimore bands to producing radio hits in LA🎧 The story behind Em Beihold’s viral breakout “numb little bug” — how it came together in one day and sparked a global moment🎛️ His philosophy of “performance-based production” — how guitar chops, live energy, and studio creativity all blend together🔥 Deep dive on Christian French’s “love ride” and the art of blending guitars with digital sound design🎸 His favorite pedals, outboard gear, and the rare Dookie amp mod he uses in the studio👀 What producers can learn from being on stage — and how to build emotion into every noteWhether you're a guitar-forward producer or just obsessed with gear, tone, and songwriting instinct, this episode is packed with knowledge, stories, and real talk from one of the most versatile talents in music today.🎶 Check out songs from this episode on the Producer Points Playlist