Podcasts can be a great way for you to learn/find inspiration when you are away from your creative space. I listen to podcasts at the gym, in the car, when I can’t fall asleep, or while cleaning the house. It makes any chore go by much more pleasantly IMHO. Here are my favorites
Songwriting/production
Switched on Pop
What I like about it
Co-hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter/producer Charlie Harding, this podcast gives interesting insights into pop music by drawing comparisons between today’s hits with music from all eras/genres, noting interesting ways today’s songs create prosody in the music, lyrics and production. Unlike most music podcast, it is not just a review, but a more analytical approach. Thanks to this podcast, I know think of downbeat deceptions, pop overtures, and declamation when writing and producing new songs.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or switchedonpop.com.
And the writer is…
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Hosted by hit writer Ross Golan, this show interviews the songwriters who wrote all your favorite Top 40 songs. The format usually follows their journey from their (mostly) humble beginnings to their first cuts/hits, to where they are now. If you like trivia on how songs came about, what inspired those songs, and how people become professional songwriters, and some insights about the industry today, you’ll enjoy this show.
Navigating the music business
DIY Musician Podcast by CDBaby
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Many of the episodes have very practical advice for musicians. Topics range from “how to make the best of your photoshoot” to latest industry news and marketing advice. If you’re just starting out clueless, this should help.
Break the Business with Ryan Kairalla
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Ryan is an experienced entertainment lawyer and a great podcast host. In his book and his show, he talks about the legal aspects of running your own music business, as well as interviews successful musicians who are willing to share what has worked for them.
Disclaimer: Our duo 23rd Hour was also featured on this podcast.
The Brassy Broadcast
EPISODES I REALLY ENJOYED
Madalyn Sklar: Maximizing Your Music Industry Conference Experience
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
The host Jen Edds is a fantastic podcaster and podcast editor. Although the podcast is no longer about music, I truly listened to every single music-related episode because she brought on such wonderful guests and does a marvelous job editing it down to the best parts.
Disclaimer: I was also featured on this podcast.
Female Entrepreneur Musician
EPISODES I REALLY ENJOYED
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Host Bree Noble has cultivated a growing community of female musicians supporting each other on Facebook. Bree interviews female musicians who are willing to share their strategies with the rest of the community in her FEM podcast. If, like me, you aren’t a fan of chatter, you might want to skip “Indie Interactive” episodes, which repurpose FB Live sessions and include more chatter than I prefer. Nonetheless, FEM has many stellar interviews to help you get your business mojo back. Bree is also the founder of Women of Substance Radio.
Disclaimer: I was also featured on this podcast.
Sync Licensing Podcasts
Synch Stories
EPISODES I REALLY ENJOYED
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
A podcast by the movers and shakers of the licensing industry, it’s a great resource to learn about licensing. If you are new to sync, you will find some episodes dedicated to the nuts and bolts of sync licensing which should be helpful to get you started.
The Sync Exchange Podcast by Mark Frieser
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Hosted by Sync Summit organizer, these are interviews with influencers in the sync business. This is a great resource if you want to do research on particular supervisors/publishers interviewed during a long commute (hello LA traffic!)
Big Picture Music Industry/ Technology
Water & Music by Cherie Hu
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
Cherie’s podcast is as fantastic as her writing. Her focus is on the broader industry trends. She addresses the over-arching questions of our ever-evolving landscape as music and technology keep tugging each other in different directions.
Others
This isn’t an exhaustive list by a long shot. These are just a few that I’ve listened to and enjoyed. There are many others that have rave reviews that I just haven’t gotten to. There’s only so much time in a day!
Song Exploder – Songwriting
Taxi TV – Sync Licensing
(or watch it on YouTube Live every Monday 4pm PST like I usually do)
Music Tectonics – Music & Tech
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Sherry-Lynn Lee 