Hosts: Amanda Dolin and James Cox

Guest: Fred Mollin

Sponsor: BetterHelp - Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/musicspeaks

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Amanda Dolin and James Cox welcome the legendary music producer Fred Mollin. Fred shares insights from his decades-long career in the music industry, from his early days in Toronto to working with iconic artists like Crosby, Steals and Nash, Art Garfunkel, and Brian Wilson. He discusses the evolution of music production technology, the importance of performance in music, and his experiences producing Disney lullabies and children's music. Fred also talks about his upcoming book, "Unplugged," which chronicles his 50 years in the industry.

Key Topics:

• The role of a music producer and how it compares to a film director
• The evolution of music production technology from analog to digital
• Fred's journey from a singer-songwriter to a renowned music producer
• Working with legendary artists and balancing creativity
• Producing Disney lullabies and children's music
• Fred's upcoming book, "Unplugged," and its significance

Notable Quotes:

• "Singing is extremely good for your soul, and it makes you happier if you sing."
• "I want them to look good. I want them and they make me look good."

Links:

• BetterHelp - Get 10% off your first month
• Fred Mollin's Book: fredmollinunplugged.com

Connect with Us:

• Follow us on social media for updates and more content.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, James Cox interviews Jeff Niebuhr and Heath Cobb from the band Hecojeni. They discuss their musical journey, the formation of their band, and their creative process. The conversation touches on their college band days, their approach to songwriting, and their plans for releasing music. Jeff and Heath share anecdotes about their first concert experiences and their musical influences. They also talk about the challenges and joys of creating music in a home studio and their vision for future collaborations.

Key Topics:

• The origin and pronunciation of the band name Hecojeni
• Jeff and Heath's first concert experience and how they met
• The transition from their college band, The Chill Bumps, to Hecojeni
• Their approach to songwriting and recording in a home studio
• The decision to release singles instead of full albums
• Musical influences and favorite bands
• The role of technology in modern music production
• Open invitation for collaboration with other musicians

Contact and Connect:

• Visit Hecojeni website: https://soundcloud.com/hecojeni
• Follow the podcast for more episodes and updates

Call to Action:

• Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Hecojeni for potential collaborations and to check out their music on SoundCloud.

Description:

In this episode of the When Words Fail Music Speaks Podcast, hosts James Cox, sits down with Benny from Muted Circus. Benny shares his journey through music, the emotional impact of his father's terminal brain cancer diagnosis, and how it influenced his songwriting. He discusses the evolution of his music, the challenges of writing sad songs, and the possibility of revisiting and reworking some of his tracks. Benny also touches on his experiences in the music industry, his thoughts on touring, and his future musical endeavors.

Highlights:

• Benny's background in music and his journey from Berklee College of Music to creating Muted Circus.
• The emotional impact of his father's terminal illness on his music and songwriting.
• The process of creating and releasing multiple EPs, with a focus on themes of sadness and loss.
• Benny's thoughts on revisiting and potentially reworking some of his past songs.
• A discussion on the challenges and rewards of writing music that resonates personally.
• Benny's experiences touring with a well-known musician and his decision to focus on his own music.
• Fun and insightful questions about Benny's musical influences and favorite artists.

Sponsors:

• BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month of therapy at betterhelp.com/musicspeaks.
• Bones Coffee Company: Use code MUSIC SPEAKS for 10% off your order at bonescoffee.com.

Connect with Muted Circus:

• Website: mutedcircus.bandcamp.com
• SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/muted-circus
• Facebook: Muted Circus

Follow Us:

• Instagram: @music_speaks_podcast

Outro:

Thank you for listening to the When Words Fail Music Speaks Podcast. Remember, when words fail, music speaks.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the When Words Fail Music Speaks podcast, hosts James Cox welcomes Andy Gesner, the founder of HIP Video Promo. Andy shares his journey of promoting over 4,800 music videos and discusses the importance of visual storytelling in the music industry. He also talks about his experiences working with renowned artists like Johnny Cash, Maroon 5, and The Lumineers.

Key Topics:

• The role of BetterHelp in supporting mental health
• Introduction to Bones Coffee Company and their unique flavors
• The importance of visual content in music promotion
• Andy Gesner's journey in the music video industry
• The impact of Johnny Cash's "Hurt" video
• The evolution of music videos and the role of technology
• The significance of quality over quantity in music promotion
• Andy's insights on creating compelling music videos
• The influence of AI in music video production

Guest: Andy Gesner, Founder of HIP Video Promo

Sponsors:

• BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/musicspeaks
• Bones Coffee Company: Use code MUSIC SPEAKS for 10% off at checkout

Connect with HIP Video Promo:

• Website: hipvideopromo.com
• Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, TikTok

Music Recommendations:

• Milky Chance
• Susan Akila
• Death Cab for Cutie
• The Rocket Summer

Hosts: James Cox

Guest: Amani Roberts - DJ, Professor, Music Producer, Author

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction:
• James Cox introduces the guest, Amani Roberts, and thanks his manager for connecting them.
• Amani discusses his new book, "The Quiet Storm," which explores the rise and decline of R&B groups.

• Discussion on R&B:
• Amani shares insights on why R&B groups are less prominent today, citing the rise of hip-hop and EDM.
• He emphasizes the importance of resilience in the success of R&B groups, using The Whispers as an example.

• Amani's Music Journey:
• Amani talks about his experiences performing worldwide and his favorite countries to perform in.
• He discusses his music creation process and the inspiration behind his remixes.

• The Quiet Storm Book:
• Amani shares interesting facts from his book, including the surprising Grammy history of the Jackson 5 and En Vogue.
• He hopes the book educates readers on the history and impact of R&B groups.

• Future Projects:
• Amani expresses his desire to turn his book into a documentary and continue coaching in the music industry.

• Personal Insights:
• Amani reflects on his teenage years and the music icons that influenced him.
• He shares his Mount Rushmore of favorite artists, including Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder.

• Closing:
• James encourages listeners to check out Amani's book and take the R&B group quiz on his website.
• Amani invites listeners to connect with him on social media and LinkedIn.

Links:

• Amani Experience Website
• The Quiet Storm Book
• Follow Amani on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Apple Music, Spotify, and LinkedIn.

Sponsors:

• BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/musicspeaks
• Bones Coffee: Use code MUSIC SPEAKS for 10% off at bonescoffee.com

1. Sponsorships and Partnerships: The episode begins with mentions of sponsorships from BetterHelp, an online therapy service, and Bones Coffee Company, highlighting their products and special offers for listeners.
2. Podcast Hosts and Introduction: The hosts, Blake Mosley, James Tice, and Amanda Dolan, introduce themselves and discuss the podcast's focus on the healing power of music and its role in battling depression.
3. Mental Health Discussion: The hosts discuss the importance of mental health, self-care, and finding balance in life. They share personal anecdotes and insights, including the five C's of mental health: connection, compassion, coping, community, and care.
4. Disney and Music: The main topic of the episode revolves around bands that have been banned from performing at Disney-owned House of Blues locations. The hosts discuss various bands, such as Cannibal Corpse, Exodus, and Ice Nine Kills, and the reasons behind their bans, often related to violent imagery or themes.
5. Personal Stories and Experiences: The hosts share personal stories related to Disney, including Blake's upcoming trip to Disney World and his love for the theme park. They also discuss the impact of Disney's strict image policies on music performances.
6. Listener Engagement and Future Plans: The hosts encourage listener engagement through social media and email, inviting independent artists to submit music for their upcoming online radio station. They also mention their YouTube channel and other podcast projects.
7. Acknowledgments: The episode concludes with acknowledgments to their graphic designer, Stanley, and show promoter, Nancy Rose, for their contributions to the podcast.

In this episode, we welcome back Elias Soriano from Nonpoint. We discuss the evolution of their record label, 361 Degrees, and how it supports other bands in achieving independence. Elias shares insights into the creative process behind their album covers and the significance of their iconic frog logo. We also dive into the band's upcoming tours and collaborations, including their work with Lacuna Coil and Seether. Elias talks about the band's connection to wrestling and their openness to collaborations. Plus, we explore Elias's current music recommendations.

Key Topics:

• Nonpoint's record label, 361 Degrees, and its mission
• The creative process behind album covers like "Miracle" and "The Poison Red"
• The significance of Nonpoint's frog logo
• Upcoming tours with Seether, Lacuna Coil, and more
• Nonpoint's connection to wrestling and potential collaborations
• Elias's current music recommendations: Gojira, Dochi, Yacht Rock, and Dayseeker

Guest:

• Elias Soriano: Lead vocalist of Nonpoint

Hosts:

• James Cox

Follow Us:

• Instagram: @when_words_fail_podcast

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in! Remember, when words fail, music speaks.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, James Cox interviews the innovative American composer and performer, Ben Neill, renowned for creating the Mutant Trumpet. This electro-acoustic instrument merges traditional brass with cutting-edge technology, allowing for a unique musical experience. Ben shares his journey from the 1980s to the present, discussing his influences, collaborations, and the evolution of his instrument.

Key Topics:

• Introduction to Ben Neill and the Mutant Trumpet
• Ben's musical influences, including David Bowie and Miles Davis
• The evolution of the Mutant Trumpet from the 1980s to today
• Collaborations with musicians and visual artists
• The intersection of music and technology
• The healing power of music and its cognitive effects
• Ben's experiences with live performances and audience interactions
• Future possibilities for the Mutant Trumpet and its accessibility to the public

Special Mentions:

• BetterHelp: Offering 10% off the first month of therapy with the code

MUSIC SPEAKS

• Bones Coffee Company: Use the code MUSICSPEAKS for 10% off your order
• All Above Landscaping: Special discount for podcast listeners in Sumter

Guest Information:

• Ben Neill's Website: https://benneill.com
• Follow Ben Neill on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (@MutantTrumpet)

Host Information:

• James Cox, host of the "When Words Fail, Music Speaks" podcast

Call to Action:

• Visit Ben Neill's website to explore his music and learn more about the Mutant Trumpet.
• Listen to Ben Neill's music on your preferred streaming platform.

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in to this episode. Remember, when words fail, music speaks.