The Music Survival Guide Podcast

Demos are undervalued, and worth your time making. This week I discuss: How you should practically make a demo What the use of them is The surprising use you could have after release of the song proper. Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be found at:  www.philthemixengineer.com...

This week I've been chatting again with Did and Grant of Empyre. We discuss what social distanced gigs are like as a performer, trying out newly written songs live and working out your band end goals and working towards them. Empyre can be found on Facebook here Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast P...

This week I've been chatting with Did and Grant of Empyre. We discuss the most intense band try-outs, what happened in Ibiza (and after) and what to do when your gear breaks on you.   Empyre can be found on Facebook here.   Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be found at:  www.p...

Is Rock Dead? It's a simple question without a simple answer. This week I discuss: The impact of the charts on popular music How to push forward and develop the genre Why it doesn't have to be endlessly creative and new to survive Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be found at:...

This week I've been chatting with Julian Holman. We discuss blending musical tastes into the band, collaborative song writing and how to make the band sound unified and what it's been like to be a musician over the last year or so Trouble County can be found on Facebook here . Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival...

Home studios are very much commonplace in 2021, but should you go the whole hog and mix your own music? Join Phil as he discusses: The importance of objectivity when it comes to mixing How a quality listening environment can make or break your mix The reality of limited budgets Joe Gilder is a wonderful Youtuber for learning mixing and he can be found here Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Sur...

This week I've been chatting with Matt Jones from Twisted Illusion. We discuss lots around patreon, collaborating in writing music and building a short feedback loop for increasing your skills Twisted Illusion can be found on Facebook here Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be...

Gigs are on the horizon, it's important to be ready for them! Join Phil as he discusses: Getting your instruments ready for gigs Making sure you know the setlist inside out Downsizing and optimising your live rig to reduce potential points for failure Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page...

This week I've been chatting with Rob Scatchard, singer with Papa Shango. Papa Shango are a unique band so in this interview we discuss Robs approach to theatrics on a small scale, optimising music for live performances and setting up for gigs Papa Shango can be found on Facebook here Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music S...

Your hearing matters, don't let it deteriorate needlessly. Join Phil as he discusses How to best protect your hearing in loud scenarios Why damaging your hearing is bad as a musician What you can do in the rehearsal room to avoid creeping volume Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil c...

This week I've been chatting with Jonathan Craig, owner of Forge Music Group. Jonathan had LOTS of great knowledge to share on the podcast for bands, well worth a listen! For more information on Forge Music Group: Facebook - Forge Music Group theforgemusicgroup.com Scouser and the Scot interviews can be found here: SAS Youtube Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and...

Your gear needs to be good, but how good does it need to be to be in a successful band? Join Phil to discuss: What traits to look for in good music gear Why big brands aren't always best Focusing your gear priorities Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be found at:  www.vortisso...

This week I've been chatting with Joe Montague, a remote session drummer with All You Need Is Drums. This week Joe discusses his approach to session drumming, how he comes up with the parts and how he records them. This is part 2 of a 2 part interview For more information on All You Need Is Drums find Joe at: www.allyouneedisdrums.com All You Need Is Drums - Instagram Joe's podcast can be found he...

This week I've been chatting with Joe Montague, a remote session drummer with All You Need Is Drums. As well as being an amazing session player, Joe is knowledgeable (and passionate) about everything to do with 60s recording and 60s drumming. We cover a lot of ground on this interview - This is part 1 of a 2 part interview! For more information on All You Need Is Drums find Joe at: www.allyouneedi...

Your social media needs to be on point, for engagement and increasing followers it just needs to be good! This week I discuss: Optimising your posting time Putting variety in your posts Making sure your music is quickly findable! Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be found at: ...

This week's interview I've been chatting with Keith Lamley the manager of WDFD Records. Keith has great knowledge about the realities of recording contracts and the modern music industry. This is a particularly great chat if you're considering the benefits (and potential drawbacks) of record contracts. For more information on WDFD Records, find them here on Facebook , or here on their website Join...

Well hello! May I welcome you to my little show. Echoing a previous episode, this week I'm discussing a year on from lockdown starting, what can bands productively do in this time? Making the most of your time by learning new ideas Regular practice Other creative outlets Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide...

This week I've been talking with Stephen Kerrison, a mastering engineer at Tall Trees Audio Mastering. We chat about: The loudness wars and why they happened What a mastering engineer does Communication between mastering engineers and bands Mistakes bands can make when mixing themselves at home. Apple Digital Masters information Find Stephen online at: talltreesaudiomastering.com Facebook Instagra...

Social Media is a funny thing, you NEED it for your band but it can be so damaging. This week I discuss: What topics to avoid when posting Setting a culture within your Facebook Group How to help your mental health when addressing negative comments. Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Ph...

This week's interview I've been chatting with Dox Dochert - the vocalist with Lords Of Ruin We discuss working together as a band, songwriting and working effectively with mix engineers to make your music sound the way you want. For more information on Lords of Ruin, find them on Facebook here. Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are a...

Interviews are a vital tool in getting your band noticed. This week I discuss: How to find interview opportunities How to prepare your answers How to craft a story in sharing your band history Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Guide Podcast Phil's Page Phil can be found at:  www.vortissoundstudios.com Phil can...

This week's conversation is with Katie, Will and Zac of Earl Gray Collective. Join Phil for a chat as we cover: Moving song writing to an online process Using everyone's strengths behind the scenes The disadvantages of showcase gigs The band can be found here: Earl Gray Collective Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survi...

Gigs, everyone's looking forward to their return! This week I discuss: How to prepare yourself for gigs returning (don't be rusty!) How to get ahead of the curve in finding gigs for the end of lockdown What you should do to promote your favourite venues in this current time Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music Survival Gui...

This week's I've been chatting with Luke Short - the vocalist with Ravenbreed. We chat about a variety of subject Luke's unique approach to songwriting How to share musical ideas with the band when seperated How working with a producer can lead to self-discoveries about how you work musically For more information on Ravenbreed, find them on Facebook here. Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Surv...

The revisions process is arguably the most important part of mixing. This week I discuss: How to critically listen for changes you want to make How to make mixing choices together as a band How to provide feedback to a mixing engineer/producer Also mentioned: The Fletcher-Munson Curve Join us on our Facebook Group:  Music Survival Guide Community Come and follow us on Instagram! We are at: Music S...