Creatives Prevail

Getting creative with partnerships has never been more essential. At any stage, you can start developing an authentic relationship with the people that create your favorite products and services. In this panel, a group of industry experts will reveal how you can integrate brands with your passion. Panelists include Mike Zimmerlich (80/20 Records), Gabe Kubanda, Emiko Carlin, and Justin Emord (Love...

HAPPY 100TH EPISODE!!! This is a series of interviews at the Westone Audio booth during The NAMM Show 2022. We discuss what it takes to work for an audio company, how to build relationships with brands, and the importance of hearing protection. Guests include Tal Kocen (Vice President of Consumer Product Development), Dave Friesema (Director of Consumer Audio Products), and artists Daphne Greene (...

Many have day jobs while supporting their passion for music. Marcus, Sean, and Tim are from the group This Modern, a blend of melodic rock, pop and modern hip-hop. In this interview we discuss their experiences self-producing in their own studio and going on tour with Neon Dreams, which got canceled mid-way because of the COVID pandemic. We also talk about how the members have day-jobs and how it’...

How do you prevent a $7 conflict from becoming a $140 one? Liane Davey is the co-founder and principal of 3COze, a consulting firm focused on leadership and team building. In this interview we discuss how to handle conflict, everything from setting expectations with your team or bandmates, whether you should have written agreements, how to approach someone when a conflict arises, and the concepts...

Most often our journey leads us to where we least expect it. Joey Gutos is an Indie Pop artist from Tempe, Arizona, as well as a prior member of the 80/20 Records team. In this interview we discuss what he learned from his band projects leading into his solo career, which he recently teamed up with a coffee company and took a sprinter to record in nature and filmed the entire experience. We also t...

Some believe if you don't start early in music you can't develop a career, which is ludicrous. Sheri and Thom are the duo behind The Frequency Principle. We discuss how each discovered new passions in music later in life, one picking up a new instrument after over 20 years as a musician and the other just starting in music in her 30s. We also get into how they label going to venues as business tri...

What does it take to represent artists? Ami Rogers is the EVP of Operations and Artist Development for 59x Records. We discuss her incredible backstory on teaching, volunteering for Sundance, running a wine bar and art gallery, and starting her own management company. We also delve into representation and what we both look for from artists, setting expectations, and what are the roles of managers...

It can be challenging to figure out what to focus on. Rhys Green is from the Indie/Pop rock band popsiclestickairport. In this interview we cover the differences between self-producing and working with a producer. We also discuss experiences going on tour and how to best prepare to perform. And when is it time to build your team? Instagram Facebook Presented by Bandzoogle Bandzoogle is an all-in-o...

Are competitions toxic or do they push you forward? We chatted with all the members from Summer and the Rain on music education and how two members had prior projects that gave them the opportunity to open for Alice Cooper. We also get into internships as the lead singer Summer was a team member for 80/20 Records, as well as how to hone your performance on stage. Instagram   TikTok Presented...

What’s the point of being an artist if you’re not having fun while doing it? Jackson VanDerPol is the lead singer of the cinematic modern rock band Viper Club. In this interview we discuss how much happier they became after they decided to change their band name after opening for artists such as POD, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and others. We also deep dive into TikTok as Jackson’s personal accoun...

Connecting with others in the music community can be a struggle. Ryan Clark is the founder of Hookworm Records. In this interview we discuss how his passion for live music stemmed from being rebellious during a church mission and how his skills as a writer and English teacher led to a music blog and a fictional novel based on the Arizona music community. We also dive into his latest venture, Hookw...

How can you reverse engineer being a songwriter? Ed Sweet is the founder and front person for the indie dance/pop group Electric Sol. In this interview we discuss how the untimely passing of Michael Jackson re-ignited his passion for music. We also talk about how his profession in copywriting and storytelling developed his skills as a lyricist. Plus we discuss how not being intimidated gave Ed the...

Is it worth it to do open mics and competitions? Sophie and Alex Dorsten are an Indie-Pop songwriting duo. In this interview we discuss their experiences with open mics and competitions and the benefits that come with it. We also talk about recording from their home studio to recording at Abbey Road and RAK Studios, as well as performing in the UK. Instagram   TikTok Facebook Website Presente...

Play to your strengths. Albert Carter is the co-founder of Hip Hop University, founder of the Emirates Music Summit, and founder of the digital music distribution platform AudioSwim. In this interview we cover finding his passion as a hip hop artist to a career as a math teacher, then launching his own mentoring program, and then taking it overseas to Dubai. We also deep dive into event planning,...

It’s difficult to balance your responsibilities with where your passion lies. Andrea and Pete Connolly are from the rock group Birds and Arrows. In this interview we talk about their incredible story of how the two have met, fell in love, formed the band, and eventually what led them to Arizona. We also discuss their works in visual arts and how to sustain a music project for over 15 years. Instag...

Is it a good idea to work with friends? We brought back Daphne Greene and Christopher Price, as we are all good friends and have collaborated together, to talk about the joys and potential pitfalls when working with your best buddies. Presented by Bandzoogle Bandzoogle is an all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a stunning website for artists. Bandzoogle is also offering to all our liste...

It’s a challenge to navigate the ecosystem of playlisting. Matt Jenko is one of the main curators for the playlist platform Musicto. In this interview we discuss his journey from studying psychology and biomedical engineering to creating music as well as curating his own playlists. We also deep dive into how to approach playlisters and how to be a playlist curator. Musicto VIVAELLIPSIS Presented b...

How do you get involved in your local music community? Joe Maier, aka Every Show Joe, is a photographer, podcaster and YouTuber. In this interview we discuss his love for the local music community and how he got into photography as well as podcasting. We also dive into what it takes to have a “good show” as Joe has been to countless concerts over the years. Instagram   Facebook Website Presen...

How many projects have you tried to launch but failed? I brought back Emily and Moira, whom both have interned for 80/20 Records, to discuss a number of failed projects on why we felt they failed and what we have learned from them. Presented by Bandzoogle Bandzoogle is an all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a stunning website for artists. Bandzoogle is also offering to all our listener...

Sometimes you just need the confidence to show that you belong. Chase Warren is a filmmaker and videographer. In this interview, we discuss what he did to end up shooting concert videos for artists such as Rich the Kid, The Band Perry, The Maine, 3OH!3, and Weezer. In addition, we talk about the logistics and preparation behind creating music videos. Instagram Website Presented by Bandzoogle Bandz...

In this special episode, we revisit Dani Cutler to celebrate her fifteen years in radio. We deep dive into her career discussing the challenges she faced along the way as well as some of her favorite memories. Instagram   Facebook Website Presented by Bandzoogle Bandzoogle is an all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a stunning website for artists. Bandzoogle is also offering to all...

What does it take to book shows? Cori Rios is the frontman of the Desert Reggae and RocknRoll collective The Hourglass Cats. In this interview, we discuss how they started going on tour and the crazy stories on the road. We also talk about securing residencies performing covers. Instagram   Facebook Website Presented by Bandzoogle Bandzoogle is an all-in-one platform that makes it easy to bui...

How do you find ways to fund your projects while still being true to yourself? Adam Sears is the founder and frontman of the Progressive Space Opera Rock band Lobate Scarp. In this interview, we discuss how his passion for music and theater has led him to create the band, and how it came to be that members of Spock’s Beard and the band Yes are featured in their upcoming album. We also dive into cr...

Struggle trying to be creative? We’re trying a new format in addition to interviews by having discussions on certain topics. In this discussion with Moira and Brant, both prior guests as well as part of the 80/20 team, we dive into what influences our decisions in the content we create. Presented by Bandzoogle Bandzoogle is an all-in-one platform that makes it easy to build a stunning website for...

Perseverance is key in the music industry. Ben Anderson is a musician and artist that ranges from a solo career to forming a band. In this interview we discuss how his passion for music led to his first experience in the recording studio. We also delve into preparation and execution for music videos and the differences between being a solo artist and being in a band. Instagram   Presented by...