Keppie Coutts and Benny Romalis are professional songwriters who run the website and YouTube Channel How to Write Songs. Both have released numerous albums, written songs for many artists, and teach songwriting. Their YouTube channel is one of my personal favorites and their courses have helped thousands of songwriters.

Keppie, Benny, and I had a great discussion about writing music and their new course on Udemy: The 5 Most Powerful Songwriting Exercises... Revealed. Keppie and Bennie generously shared 2 of those exercises, complete with music demonstrations and performances. 

Edit: Keppie mentioned "The River" by Bruce Springsteen but she said afterwards that she meant "Devils and Dust."

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• How to Write Songs - https://howtowritesongs.org/
• How to Write Songs YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@htws
• The 5 Most Powerful Songwriting Exercises... Revealed - https://www.udemy.com/course/the-5-most-powerful-songwriting-exercises-revealed/
• How to Write Songs Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/howtowrite.songs/
• Keppie's First Appearance on the podcast #248 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/keppie-coutts
• Keppie's Second Appearance on the podcast #262 -https://brianfunk.com/blog/keppie-coutts-2
• Matthew Dicks on the Music Production Podcast #314 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/matthew-dicks
• "The River" by Bruce Springsteen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7BUXRsTbvI
• "Devils and Dust" by Bruce Springsteen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm-DcnhrMkY
• Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song - https://amzn.to/41S5i3S
• Bayles and Orland's Art and Fear - https://amzn.to/41Oz8WX
• Song Exploder Podcast - https://songexploder.net/
• And the Writer Is... Podcast - https://www.andthewriteris.com/
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Matthew Patrei is a music producer and teacher who releases music under the name Yasei Mare, which means "Wild Ocean." Matt just released his new album, EP Two. He teaches music at the Steeple Street Music Academy in Massachusetts.

Matt and I had a great conversation about the creation of his new Yasei Mare album, EP Two. We discussed his songwriting methods, vocal production, and sound design. Matt shared how he manages to overcome creative challenges in himself and his students.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Yasei Mare - https://yaseimaremusic.com/
• EP Two by Yasei Mare - https://yaseimare.bandcamp.com/album/ep-two
• Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matthewsounds/?hl=en
• Steeple Street Music Academy - https://steeplestreetmusic.com/
• Matt's Other Musical Projects - https://matthewpatrei.bandcamp.com/
• Adam Rokhsar - https://www.instagram.com/aesthetic_candy/
• Brain Candy Max for Live Device - https://aestheticcandyshop.gumroad.com/l/braincandy
• Jeff Tweedy How to Write One Song - https://amzn.to/3UoywVv
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Rob Kovacs is a classical trained pianist, singer/songwriter, and composer. He recently released the soundtrack for the game Straylight. Rob performs classic video game soundtracks on piano as 88-Bit, and he also writes and records indie rock music under his own name. 

I met Rob at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo last summer where he performed as 88-Bit, playing piano renditions of classic video game soundtracks. On this episode, we had a great conversation about his work as 88-bit, his indie rock music, and his new soundtrack for the game Straylight. Rob spoke about composing for video games and how the limitations of the early sound chips resulted in inventive and creative approaches to composition.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Rob Kovacs - https://www.robkovacsmusic.com/
• Straylight Soundtrack - https://lnk.to/straylight
• 88-Bit - https://88bitmusic.com/
• Rob's Bandcamp - https://robkovacs.bandcamp.com/
• Rob YouTube's - https://www.youtube.com/@robkovacsmusic/videos
• Rob's Twitch - https://twitch.tv/robkovacs
• Famictracker - http://famitracker.com/
• Megaran Insane in the Rain - https://insaneintherainmusic.bandcamp.com/album/insane-in-the-rain
• Long Island Retro Gaming Expo - https://liretro.com/
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Ben Burnes is a musician, producer, and game developer. Every week for years, and nearly 400 times, Ben has live streamed his production of a new song in two hours. He is a prolific creator and also has a large collection of sample packs to help fellow producers create their music. 

This is my fourth conversation with Ben on the podcast! We covered a wide range of topics, including how to finish songs, creating a discipline around music production, and how to find a artistic balance that is right for you.

Be part of Ben's next Two Hour Album Challenge, April 12-16, 2023! Go to Two Hour Album Challenge for more information.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Official Site - https://www.abstractionmusic.com/
• Ben's Twitter - https://twitter.com/ben_burnes
• Ben's Gumroad -https://gumroad.com/ben_burnes
• Ben's Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/ben_burnes
• Ben's Patreon - https://patreon.com/ben_burnes
• Ben's YouTube - http://youtube.com/ben_burnes
• Ben's Spotify - http://abstraction.rocks/
• Playlist of all Two Hour Track Challenge (finished songs) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW08UHPY2AEr3wGlMfheNxj_Kri3h8HJy
• Playlist of all Two Hour Track Challenge (full production) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW08UHPY2AEq9MvNNqOSpRTP4Cx92ZNId
• Two Hour Album Challenge Info - http://2hac.abstractionmusic.com/
• Two Hour Album Challenge Music - https://2hac.bandcamp.com/
• Jalapeno Hot Chocolate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yicGnzyst4s&list=PLW08UHPY2AEr3wGlMfheNxj_Kri3h8HJy&index=4
• Geomorphology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Y7uYJ5sMw&list=PLW08UHPY2AEr3wGlMfheNxj_Kri3h8HJy&index=3
• Petrified Wood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvmgNsO8yxM&list=PLW08UHPY2AEr3wGlMfheNxj_Kri3h8HJy&index=25
• The Moon Seems Unaffected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnRhMYlN3Q&list=PLW08UHPY2AEolvJeORMO1jAcUFy3gRuXk
• Ben's First Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2017/3/28/9-ben-burnes
• Ben's Second Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2019/10/9/ben-burnes-wisdom-on-200-2-hour-track-challenges-music-production-podcast-131
• Ben's Third Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ben-burnes-3
• Composer Quest - https://www.charliemccarron.com/composer-quest/
• Disasterpeace - http://disasterpeace.com/
• Tom Cosm - https://www.cosm.co.nz/
• Mr. Bill - https://mrbillstunes.com/
• Adam Rokhsar's Aesthetic Candy - https://www.instagram.com/aesthetic_candy/?hl=en
• Brain Candy Max for Live Video Device - https://aestheticcandyshop.gumroad.com/l/braincandy
• Alex Walker / Human Synthetics on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/alex-walker
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Matthew Dicks is a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction, including two books I immediately started reading again when I finished them, Storyworthy and Someday is Today. He is the 56-time Moth Story Slam Champion and 9-time Grand Slam Champion. He also wrote a rock opera.

Matthew Dicks is a master storyteller and discussed how good story-telling can help make us better songwriters and conversationalists. He shared specific techniques and practices that will help artists of all kinds become more productive and express themselves more effectively.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Matthew Dicks Website - https://matthewdicks.com/
• Someday is Today - https://matthewdicks.com/someday-is-today/
• Storyworthy - https://matthewdicks.com/storyworthy/
• Matthew's Blog - https://matthewdicks.com/blog/
• Matthew's Coaching and Consulting - https://matthewdicks.com/coaching-consulting/
• Homework for Life - https://matthewdicks.com/homework-for-life/
• "This is Going to Suck" -https://themoth.org/stories/this-is-going-to-suck
• TED Talk "You Are Your Best Audience" - https://matthewdicks.com/tedx-cornell-university-you-are-your-best-audience/
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Cameron of Venus Theory is a musician, sound designer, and YouTuber. He works for many companies producing music, presets, and videos. Cameron shares his musical adventures and artistic philosophy on his YouTube channel, where he inspires fellow artists to "create something awesome."

Cameron and I discussed his work and how he has forged a career as an independent artist. He explains how staying true to his beliefs and curiosities is at the core of his success. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Venus Theory - https://venustheory.com/home
• Venus Theory YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VenusTheory
• Venus Theory Bandcamp - https://venustheory.bandcamp.com/
• Venus Theory Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venustheory/
• Gig Gab Podcast - https://www.giggabpodcast.com/
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

John Matthias and Jay Auborn are a British duo that takes their experiments with sound to new levels, catapulting their work into unexplored territories of human-robotic collaboration. John is a violinist and composer, Jay is a musician, producer, and sound artist. Their new album Ghost Notes utilizes their unique combination of skills to create mini electronic symphonies.

John and Jay spoke about their forthcoming album, Ghost Notes, and their work on the video game soundtrack for The Kraken Wakes. The pair discussed their inventive recording techniques and their work together. They detailed how they lean on each other's strengths to form a healthy and fruitful collaboration.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• John and Jay's Bandcamp - auborn.bandcamp.com/">https://matthias-auborn.bandcamp.com/
• The Kraken Wakes - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2100380/The_Kraken_Wakes/
• Creating the Music for The Kraken Wakes - https://www.thekrakenwakes.com/blog/kraken-music
• "Dive into This" Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtRg0fZc8wI
• "Vodka & Coke" Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lH1iNeNtV4
• Photo Credits Alice Hendy - https://www.instagram.com/alicehendyphotography/?hl=en
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Kevin Breuner is the SVP of Artist Engagement & Education at CD Baby. He and his team produce educational content to help independent artists move their careers forward in a rapidly changing industry. Kevin plays guitar in Smalltown Poets, who recently released their 10th album NWxSE.

Kevin and I spoke about the changes happening in the music industry. Whether it's AI, social media, or changing trends, Kevin looks for ways to help independent artists navigate their careers.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Kevin Breuner Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kbreuner/
• DIY Musician - https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/
• DIY Musician Podcast - https://podcast.cdbaby.com/
• Smalltown Poets - https://smalltownpoets.tv/home
• CDBaby - https://cdbaby.com/
• JVKE and Tik Tok - https://youtu.be/S1m-KgEpoow
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Evan Price is the CEO of Artist collective where he coaches musicians helping them generate revenue to have the financial freedom they need to pursue the lives they’ve always wanted. Evan is a lifelong musician who hopes to help artists with the business side of the music business.

Evan and I spoke about how artists can build their careers. We discussed some of the new technological developments that artists face and how they can brace themselves to succeed in everchanging music climate.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Artist Collective - https://www.artistcollect.com/
• Artist Collective on Instagram - Http://Instagram.com/artistcollect
• Evan's Instagram - Http://Instagram.com/ac_evan
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Ebonie Smith is an award-winning music producer, audio engineer, and singer-songwriter. She is a 10-year in-house engineer at Atlantic Records, and the founder and President of Gender Amplified Inc., a camp experience that supports women and gender non-binary in music production and audio engineering. Smith has received numerous awards and worked with artists like Charlie Puth, Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Kodak Black, Zoe Kravitz, and many more. 

Ebonie spoke about her work and experience. She shared how she meticulously recreates hit songs in order to understand what makes them work. Ebonie explained how the most successful artists see every aspect, from songwriting to album release, as a chance for artistic expression.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

• Ebonie's Website - http://eboniesmith.com/
• Gender Amplified - https://genderamplified.org/
• Ebonie's Credits - https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ebonie-smith-mn0002719799/credits
• Ebonie's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/eboniesmithmusic/
• Ebonie's Ableton Loop Feature - https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/start-here-start-here-how-one-sample-spawned-800-tracks-12-hours/
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk