In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Simon Repp, a talented software developer focused on creating tools for musicians. We delve into Simon's projects, primarily Faircamp, a static site generator for musicians that allows them to host their music independently, much like Bandcamp but without the platform constraints.

Simon shares the origins of Faircamp, inspired by his own experiences as a musician and his desire for a platform that prioritizes simplicity and independence over commercial competition. We explore the technical aspects of Faircamp, including its foundation on Rust for efficient and bug-free coding, and its innovative use of FFmpeg for audio file conversion. Simon explains the concept of a "soft pay curtain," a unique approach to voluntary payments for music downloads.

We also discuss the challenges and opportunities of self-hosted platforms, the role of static site generators, and Simon's commitment to maintaining Faircamp as a low-maintenance, accessible tool for musicians. Additionally, Simon talks about his other project, Hyper 8, a similar tool for video producers, and his vision for the future of these projects.

Discover more about Simon's work and explore Faircamp at simonrepp.com/faircamp.

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Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of the Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I chat with Honeychild Coleman, a multifaceted musician and visual artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Our conversation kicks off with the unique story of how I first learned about this musician and quickly delves into Honeychild's journey from art school illustrator to street-performing musician. Honeychild shares insights into managing multiple bands, including the blues-punk group The 1865, and discusses her solo projects and collaborations with various artists.

Honeychild also talks about her experience busking in the New York subway, the creative process behind her music, and her involvement in the documentary "Rock Chicks." The discussion touches on her recent foray into writing and her contributions to the anthology "Black Punk Now." Honeychild reflects on the challenges of promoting her work across different platforms and maintaining a distinct voice for each of her creative ventures.

Discover more about Honeychild Coleman and her work at honeychildcoleman.com.

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Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Meljoann, a multidisciplinary artist from Ireland, now based in Brighton, UK. I heard about Meljoann on the federated social platform Mastodon, where I learned about our mutual passion for free and open-source music creation.

We talk about Meljoann's unique music style, "Hyperjack," a term they coined to describe their blend of New Jack Swing influences with modern electronic elements using tools like Reaper and a mix of hardware and software synthesizers.

The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities of releasing music independently in the digital age. Meljoann discusses their use of Fairamp, a self-hosted platform for musicians, and their involvement in the federated music community, including involvement on Radio Free Fedi and Peertube.

Additionally, Meljoann talks about their upcoming album "Status," set for release in March, and their innovative approach to music promotion.

Discover more about Meljoann and their work at meljoann.com.

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Lorenzo's Music Website https://www.lorenzosmusic.com