THE MUSIC MAKERS COOKBOOK
Welcome to The Music Makers Cookbook! The Podcast where we help independent artists craft recipes for success in the music industry! We’re your hosts, Sean of SWS Recordings and Brandon of Studio 222 Recording, and every episode we go over strategies, philosophies, techniques and conversations about creating and building a music career, with the sole focus of helping independent artists like you do what you love and make a living with it!
- In this episode of Newsmakers Cookbook, hosts Brandon and Sean discuss the crucial topic of gain staging. They cover its significance in both the analog and digital domains, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the balance needed to achieve the perfect recording. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or a budding artist, this episode offers valuable[...]
- In this episode of 'The Music Makers Cookbook,' Sean and Brandon discuss 4 different appetizer topics ranging from automation when mixing to knowing when a songs composition is getting to busy. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:40 Weather Talk and Michigan Sniffles 01:48 Podcast Format and Episode Structure 02:54 Appetizer: Is My Mix Too Busy?[...]
- In this solo episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, host Sean dives deep into the motivations behind creating music: vanity, monetary reasons, and therapy. Sean discusses the challenges and rewards associated with each motivation, providing personal insights and reflections on the music industry. Despite being under the weather, Sean offers a thoughtful and sincere discussion[...]
- In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the Music Makers Cookbook podcast, hosts Sean and Brian discuss what they are thankful for in the music industry. They delve into the benefits and potential drawbacks of the lower barrier to entry for new musicians, the importance of internet connectivity for remote collaboration, and the value of cross-technology integration[...]
- In this episode of Music Maker's Cookbook, Sean and Brandon discuss key mistakes often made by independent artists when embarking on DIY recording journeys, including the importance of pre-production planning, acoustical treatment, proper gain staging, effective use of tracks, committing to decisions, and handling file management. They emphasize pragmatic approaches to avoid overloading with effects[...]
- In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook podcast, hosts Sean and Brandon dive into crucial elements of audio recording for independent artists. They start with an 'appetizer' on managing sibilance during recording, offering practical tips like adjusting the microphone angle, choosing different microphones, and using pop filters and de-essers. The main 'dish' focuses on[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook podcast, Sean and Brandon delve into the essential topic of reference tracks in music production. They start with a light-hearted discussion on reverb and delay, sharing their preferences and favorite plugins. The conversation then shifts to the importance of reference tracks, especially when it comes to mixing[...]
- In this episode of Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon delve into mastering project management and task management for independent artists. They discuss the importance of having a structured approach to managing creative projects, sharing their personal techniques for organizing tasks to achieve successful outcomes. The conversation highlights the necessity of differentiating between categories,[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, host Sean delves into the essential role of having fun and staying motivated in the music industry to ensure long-term success. He discusses the importance of enjoying repetitive tasks and suggests gamification and habit-tracking apps as tools to make hard work enjoyable. Sean offers practical tips on[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, Sean and Brandon dive into the intricacies of hardware preferences, including the Mac vs. PC debate, and provide insights on optimizing your computer for music production. From selecting RAM and CPUs to choosing between SSDs and external drives, they offer practical advice for improving workflow efficiency. The[...]
- In this episode of Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Brandon and Sean delve into the intricacies of music production, focusing on the challenges and solutions related to 'fix it in post' practices. They discuss the nuances of pitch correction, noise reduction, and the importance of pre-production planning. The conversation covers common issues faced by independent artists[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon delve into the complex world of music production, offering valuable insights for independent artists. They discuss how to prevent music from going stale through active listening and trying new elements. The duo also covers different production styles, the importance of pre- and post-production,[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, Sean and Brandon dive into the critical topic of mastering in the music industry. They discuss what mastering is, its history, why it's essential, and the various ways artists can get their songs mastered. They explore DIY mastering tools like iZotope's Ozone and Logic's mastering assistant, and[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Brandon and Sean discuss various methods for independent artists to find band members and collaborators, whether locally or internationally. They delve into using social media, online platforms, and local resources to connect with musicians, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision when approaching potential bandmates.[...]
- In this casual podcast episode, hosts Brandon and Sean explore various aspects of audio recording and sound production. They discuss personalized recording and performance strategies, such as continuous takes versus segment recording for vocals. Brandon emphasizes the importance of understanding individual recording preferences to elicit the best performances and the role of maintaining a positive[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon reunite to dive into the challenges and strategies of self-promotion for independent artists. They discuss their struggles with solo podcast episodes, share personal recording mishaps, and emphasize the importance of consistency and authenticity in promoting one's music. The episode also covers practical tips[...]
- In this solo episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, host Sean explores creative and strategic ways for independent artists to collaborate and succeed in the music industry. With co-host Brandon absent, Sean discusses ten unique ideas including song features, joint tours, podcast interviews, live streaming songwriting sessions, playlist collaborations, behind-the-scenes vlogs, music video crossovers, joint[...]
- Join hosts Shawn and Brandon in this episode of The Music Maker’s Cookbook as they discuss six self-promotion strategies crucial for independent artists, word-of-mouth referrals, outbound marketing, affiliate marketing, owned media, paid media, and earned media. The episode also covers the nuances of lead funnels and the importance of both lead types—warm and cold. Additional[...]
- In this solo episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, host Brandon explores the philosophical and practical implications of the question, 'Is it better to be late and perfect or on time and good enough?' Using personal anecdotes and insights, Brandon delves into the significance of meeting deadlines and the potential pitfalls of perfectionism in the[...]
- In this episode of the 'Music Maker's Cookbook,' hosts dive into the importance of creating and maintaining an optimized environment for independent artists. The discussion covers a wide range of topics from minimizing distractions, keeping your creative space tidy, and utilizing proper lighting to enhance productivity and focus. They also explore the significance of separating[...]
- In this episode of 'Music Maker's Cookbook,' Brandon and Sean discuss the importance of effective communication for independent artists. They dive into personal experiences from music festivals, dealing with headliners, recording issues, and the consequences of poor communication in bands and business dealings. Key tips include being upfront, reliable, accountable, listening actively, and maintaining clear[...]
- In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon explore unique and innovative marketing strategies for independent musicians. They discuss a variety of methods, from leveraging social media engagement features to hosting remix competitions and even creating elaborate promotional stunts like scavenger hunts and listening parties. Featuring examples from notable artists like[...]
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, Sean and Brandon delve into the complex role of audio engineers in music production, and how much they suck. They explore the challenges of working with engineers, including cost concerns, blunt feedback, and technical jargon, while emphasizing the critical skills and specialized equipment that engineers bring to[...]
- Hosts Sean and Brandon take you through a comprehensive guide on how to successfully release music. They emphasize the importance of preparation, budgeting, marketing strategies, professional mastering, and metadata optimization. The episode also touches on building anticipation, understanding royalties and copyrights, setting the right release date, preparing high-quality visual content, selecting a distribution platform, and[...]
- In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon discuss the concept of Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) and how it affects independent musicians. They explore the importance of completing tasks and projects to achieve success in the music industry, sharing personal experiences and practical strategies. Key topics include the creation of SMART[...]
- Join hosts Sean and Brandon in 'The Music Makers Cookbook' as they delve into the essential practices of time management for independent artists. This episode focuses on the Eisenhower Matrix, a method to prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, inspired by Eisenhower and promoted by Stephen R. Covey. Discover practical tips and real-life examples on[...]
- In this episode, Brandon and Sean dive into the world of A/B testing and show you how to use it to up your game in music promotions, artwork, and merch. Learn the basics, from setting up tests and collecting data to understanding key metrics and secondary effects. Brandon shares cool examples like testing merch booth[...]
- With how complicated the music industry can be, there are dozens of things that Brandon and Sean wish they knew when they got started. Here are 10 of them, and hopefully they help you get a better start on making a living in music!
- Creating boundaries is easier said than done, which is why in this episode Sean and Brandon do their best to help you with this process!
- Making music on a budget and stopping yourself from falling into the gear acquisition syndrome are two of the hardest struggles when it comes to making music. In this episode, Sean and Brandon go all in on what we personally to combat these issues, as well as what we recommend you do.
- Sean and Brandon have completed the first year milestone! In this episode, we're super casual, so I'll be casual in this description. Let us know what you want us to talk about in this upcoming year, and have a chill time with us reflecting on the past!
- In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook podcast, hosts Sean and Brandon discuss the importance of focusing on lead measures that independent artists can control to make progress towards their goals. They analyze common longer-term goals artists have like "being big" and break down actionable shorter-term goals and strategies artists can prioritize to set[...]
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Is not something that's often talked about in music, at least not between independent Artists. But here at the Music Makers Cookbook, we believe it's one of the most important ingredients to use when cooking up success in the music industry! In this episode, Brandon and Sean break down what SEO[...]
- There are dozens of music distributors out there, but which one is the best for you and your music? In this episode we focus on 4, but the principles we discuss need to be thought of and considered for any distribution platform. Ari's comparison article: https://aristake.com/digital-distribution-comparison/ Interview of songs being removed: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49vreHrXTBN5lmxOGvSv00?si=ff426e76870b4174
- CRM's are an incredibly powerful tool for business, and as an independent artist that's exactly what you are!
- It's that time of year again. Time to go through the closet and do some spring cleaning. But in this episode, we aren't talking about cleaning the closet, but instead we're talking about cleaning up your music career!
- In this episode, Sean and Brandon have an important discussion about why artists need websites. They offer practical tips for creating an effective site on platforms like Wix, Squarespace or WordPress. A key takeaway: get a basic website launched quickly rather than striving for perfection. The hosts recommend including elements like an EPK, tour dates,[...]
- Starting collaborations can be intimating and hard. And even when you're in one, they can quickly become frustrating and not what you expected if not set up properly. So in this episode, Sean and Brandon talk all about how independent artists can collaborate with other independent artists to make killer music! Music Makers Cookbook TikTok:[...]
- Join us in the kitchen as we talk to Gemma Sugrue of True Artist all about songwriting and growing your music career through authenticity! It's time to get creative, do what you love, and have fun while doing it! We talk about how showing up as yourself in music, performance, social media, and content creation[...]
- Welcome to "The Music Makers Cookbook," your go-to spot for making big waves in the music world, especially if you're doing it on your own. In today's chat, we're diving into some cool advice from the book Influence by Robert Cialdini, focusing on how important it is to stick to your goals and stay true[...]
- Welcome to Episode 42 of The Music Makers Cookbook, the podcast that serves up a feast of strategies, insights, and advice to help independent artists cook up success in the music industry. In this episode, titled "Conquering Scarcity In Your Music Career," we dive deep into the concept of scarcity and how it influences both[...]
- In this episode of our multi part series about influence, we talk about Authority, how it works in the music industry, how people use it to take advantage of independent artists, and how you can use it to further your music career!
- Welcome back to The Music Makers Cookbook, your go-to podcast for learning how to rock it in the music world! If you're making music and want to get noticed, you've come to the right place. Each episode is a new recipe that shows you how to stand out and get more fans. Ever wonder why[...]
- In episode 3 of the multi episode series based on the book Influence, Sean and Brandon go over the next influencing factor, which is liking. If you like someone, you're more susceptible to their influence, and vice versa if someone likes you. We go over how Independent Artists can use this principle of liking to[...]
- In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook Sean and Brandon talk about the rule of reciprocity and how independent artists can use it to grow their careers. Friends help friends out, we all know this. A good relationship is built on give and take. This rule highlights the first part, give. Be a go[...]
- This is the first, foundational episode of a multi part series inspired by the book Influence by Robert Cialdini. Sean and Brandon dive deep into the topics and systems of influence, and relate these lessons into example specific towards independent artists looking to make a living in the music industry. This is going to be[...]
- AI is all the rage right now, taking the world by storm. So in this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook, we go over a handful of AI tools that you can use to build your career as an Artist! Many video's focus on AI use in music creation, but that's not what this podcast[...]
- Making it in the music industry is hard work, and many musicians quite before seeing it through. We've seen and worked with several great Artists who unfortunately no longer make music, and while sometimes it's necessary, in most cases it's completely avoidable! So in todays episode, we go through the common reasons most musicians quite,[...]
- Who would have thought making a weekly podcast about Artist development would be time consuming and a little challenging. While it's full of fun, breaks are necessary every now and then. So join Sean and Brandon after hours! No cooking today, no recipes. Just sitting back, relaxing, and vibeing.
- Welcome to the music makers cookbook, the podcast that helps independent Artists cook up recipes for success in the music industry! In this episode Sean flies solo, talking about the 10 ingredients he recommends using in your recipe for success in 2024 1: Develop a Unique Sound 2: Build a Strong Brand 3: Create High[...]
- In this episode we talk to Itsernie about content creation and growth, who has 170k followers on both TikTok and Instagram, the later in less than a year! We dive into the algorithms on these platforms, best practices, what not to do, creating content schedules, combining music creation and content creation, and much more! So[...]
- We here at the music makers cookbook grab a lot of our recipes from, you guessed it, books! So to end off 2023 and set up 2024 to be an amazing year for all independent artists who listen, we've decided to go through 10 amazing books that we highly recommend. As Sean and Brandon are[...]
- In this episode of The Music Makers Cookbook, Sean and Brandon go over the musicians hierarchy of needs. Having a visual can really help with processing todays episode, so linked below is an article with just that! When building a career within the music industry, solid foundations area a necessity for upward growth! But just[...]
- Setting solid deadlines are a HUGE part of any recipe for success in the music industry! Join Brandon and Sean as we dive into the different kinds of deadlines you can set, when to adjust your deadlines, how to keep accountable, and get philosophical about music as a whole! Join us every Tuesday for more[...]
- The internet is full of buying guides for independent artists and music makers, but none as weird as this one! In this episodes recipe, Sean and Brandon go into some of the super useful, unique, but just as important gifts that any musician would be smart to ask for, and happy to receive.
- You're an independent artist looking to make a living in the music industry, doing what you love! but are you happy with it? In today's episode we switch it up from a recipe for success, to making sure you enjoy the music journey you're cooking up in the first place.
- Welcome to episode 26 of the Music Makers Cookbook, where we continue what we started in episode 24. Instead of talking more about technical skills, we go over relationship and business skills that any independent artist could really benefit from.
- Season 1 of the Music Makers Cookbook is complete! Join Brandon and Sean as we review the past 24 episodes of the podcast, and make plans for the future!
- Cooking up success in the music industry takes a lot of skills and know how. Here are a few that Sean and Brandon think could help out a ton, but may not be so obvious. Do you do any of these?? Intro Appetizer Video: https://youtu.be/P9a7CdUrU5o?si=qZJQ_FUSsqUU6EvB
- strap in for a wild ride as Sean and Brandon go over rejection and competition in the music industry (as well as a few side tangents sprinkled in). let's face it, rejection isn't fun. but it happens, and there are ways to take rejection in stride, and even think about it positively! let us know[...]
- so it's time to go into the studio and get your music recorded! as crazy exciting as that is, it can pay dividends in the long run to slow down and take time to prepare beforehand, especially if this is your first time going in. in this episode, we go over some best practices in[...]
- We all have obstacles and limitations to overcome in the pursuit of making a living with music. Be it time, money, transportation, etc. there are things that get in the way. In this episode, we go over some roadblocks that may occur, and ways to get around them. You always have something you can leverage[...]
- There is so much to be done in order to have a successful career in music, and it can get overwhelming very quickly. In this episode we go over the concept of seasons, and how dividing your time into them can help stay focused, creative, and keep everything under control! Have a topic you'd like[...]
- Your music is like a cake. It's more than just the ingredients, it needs to be baked to turn into it's final form! It can be daunting to release your music, and in todays episode we do our best to help inspire you to do just that! If you're sitting on music that you haven't[...]
- It can be hard to stay creative and show up day after day. But consistency is key, and there are ways to build up your discipline and stay motivated! In this episode we go over how we stay consistent, go over clean and dirty fuel, and even dive into building Atomic Habits! So get motivated[...]
- Welcome to the Music Makers Cookbook! In this episode we wrap up our 7 episode series on live music by recapping all of the other episodes, as well as talk about next steps to take. Just because the show is over, that doesn't mean the work is done! If you like this episode and want[...]
- Episode 16 is all about representing yourself on stage. Not bits, and pieces, but everything that makes you as an artist, you! We go over how to visually represent your sound, tips for consistency, and the importance of a cohesive meal, instead of multiple, unrelated appetizers. For more information on how to define the core[...]
- In episode 15 of the music makers cookbook, we talk all about merch! I'm talking about more than just shirts and hats. We go in depth about different kinds of merch, how to be creative with what you sell, different ways to fulfill your fans cravings for goods, and more! So tune in for a[...]
- Welcome to the Music Makers Cookbook! In this episode, Sean and Brandon dive deep into show promotion. Before, during, and after the show, every aspect of live can be promoted. We go over what to do, why to do it, and just have some fun along the way.
- From deciding what shows to take, to hiring gig musicians and having productive rehearsals. In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook we go over everything you need to know to be best prepared for your next live show!
- It's Episode 12 of the Music Makers Cookbook! In this episode, Sean and Brandon break down the ingredients to a successful Electronic Press Kit (EPK). We go over the importance of having all necessary information easily available to those in the industry to help book shows, get interviews, have blogs write about you, and more!
- Get ready to spice up your music career in the latest episode of "The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry" with your lively hosts, Sean Weyers of SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod of Studio 222 Recordings! In this eleventh episode, titled "Ingredients to Avoid so Your Live Show Doesn't Taste Sour,"[...]
- Welcome to another episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry! For our tenth installment, titled "MMC Episode 10 - Don't Burn Your Food! Identifying and Handling Burnout as an Artist", we go over the challenges with burnout artists face and how they can be overcome. Burnout is a real[...]
- Get ready for another electrifying episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry with your hosts, Sean Weyers and Brandon McLeod! In this eighth installment titled "MMC Episode 9 - Turing Followers Into Fans Using Social Media - Part 2," we're diving deeper into the ultimate social media strategies to[...]
- Episode 8 of The Music Makers Cookbook is out! Today we're serving up the first episode of our two part special on social media. Hosted by Sean Weyers of SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod of Studio 222 Recordings, this podcast is your ultimate guide to achieving success in the music industry. In our eighth episode,[...]
- Get ready to spice up your music career with another sizzling episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry! In this episode we serve up a plateful of valuable insights and tips in their seventh episode, "Software Tools Every Independent Artist Should Use." In this delectable discussion, Sean and Brandon[...]
- Get ready to spice up your music journey in the latest mouth-watering episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry! In this sizzling sixth episode, we dive deep into the art of setting goals. Take notes as we unpack the SMART method of goal creation, serving up a delectable dish[...]
- Welcome to another exciting episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry with your hosts, Sean Weyers from SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod from Studio 222 Recordings! In our fifth episode, we delve into a topic of finding the perfect recording, mixing, and mastering engineers. Music is an expression of[...]
- Get ready to spice up your music career as we dive into the fourth sizzling episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry! Join your hosts, the dynamic duo of Sean Weyers from SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod from Studio 222 Recordings, as they serve up a tantalizing discussion on[...]
- Get ready for another exciting episode of "The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry" with your favorite hosts, Sean Weyers from SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod from Studio 222 Recordings! In this episode, we're diving deep into a topic that every musician and aspiring artist needs to know about: audio quality.[...]
- Welcome to another exciting episode of The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry! Join your hosts, the dynamic duo of Sean Weyers from SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod from Studio 222 Recordings, as they dive deep into the fascinating world of music branding. In this episode, we'll uncover the secret ingredient[...]
- Welcome to the very first episode of "The Music Makers Cookbook: Recipes For Success In The Music Industry"! We're your hosts, Sean Weyers from SWS Recordings and Brandon McLeod from Studio 222 Recordings, and we are beyond thrilled to kick off this incredible podcast journey with you! In this introductory episode, we invite you into[...]
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