The podcast often featuring interviews with music industry insiders who would never take your call!
Episodes
Friday Jun 08, 2018
Friday Jun 08, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Michael and Adam talk about the debate over touring. To tour, or not to tour...That is the question! At least that seems to be the question many people in the indie space are discussing. The two camps, “You must tour to have a viable career” and the “You don’t have to tour anymore with the new age of the internet” are what the Brothers discuss this time…and a little about Hamlet, and what his management team might have said to him.
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You got this, we got your back!
Friday May 25, 2018
Friday May 25, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys are THRILLED to sit down with Legendary songwriting troubadour Ellis Paul! A long overdue catching up and digging into details of his life as a uniquely successful performer and poster child for talent and hard work! Spanning an almost 30-year career there is a lot to unpack. Enjoy this conversation with a true American treasure!
Ellis Paul is a key figure in what has become known as the Boston school of songwriting, a literate, provocative, and urbanely romantic folk-pop style that helped ignite the folk revival of the 1990s. His pop music songs have appeared in movies and on television, bridging the gap between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
Paul grew up in a small Maine town. He attended Boston College on a track scholarship, majoring in English. Injured during his junior year, Paul began playing guitar to help fill his free time and soon began writing songs. After graduating college Paul played at open mic nights in the Boston area while working with inner-city school children. He won a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition and gained national exposure on a Records compilation which helped him choose music as a career.
Paul had released 19 albums by the end of 2014 and received 14 Boston Music Awards, considered the pinnacle of contemporary acoustic music success by some. He has published a book of original lyrics, poems, and drawings and released a DVD that includes a live performance, guitar instruction, and a road-trip documentary. In 2014, his children's CD Hero in You was published as a book by Albert Whitman & Company. Paul plays almost 200 live shows a year.
More information and resources on Ellis can be found at his website:
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday May 18, 2018
Friday May 18, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys are fortunate to be joined by Amy Birnbaum Sr. Director, Artist Relations, Marketing and PR for Round Hill Music in NYC! Proving once again that there are terrific humans roaming the music industry. Our conversation covers her early years dancing, singing and performing all the way up to the present in her position with Round Hill Music…and everything in between! Amy gives us a terrific upbeat look at the world of music Publishing and the necessary hustle to make a career in music work!!
A little about Amy:
After having worked in Broadway production at Jujamcyn Theaters (Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, HAIR, Spring Awakening, American Idiot), Amy had the honor of working in company management and music marketing on the Tony Award winning Broadway production and US National Tour of FELA! Amy has performed, produced events and booked bands at Bonnarroo, SXSW, Calgary Folk Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Summerstage, Lincoln Center’s Songbook Series, Al Sharpton events, Brooklyn Bowl, Joe’s Pub, The Apollo, Bowery Ballroom, The Knitting Factory, The Troubador LA. She was proudly a backup singer and manager for Daptone Records artist Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens and has shared the stage with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Roots, Burning Spear, Langhorne Slim, as well as having recorded with Mark Ronson and Foreigner. Prior to working in Broadway production, Amy had the fortunate opportunity to work with some of the most talented actors, directors and producers: Billy Crudup, Jeremy Piven, Christine Ebersole, Richard Kind, Edie Falco, Mary Louise Parker, Tony Award winning director Michael Mayer, Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowments for the Arts and Jack Viertel, creative director of Encores! at City Center. Amy is a graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Music Vocal Performance and a minor in Communications. She is currently developing an original Broadway Musical with members of the Daptone family. Amy signs talent to the Round Hill Music publishing roster and is proud to develop and maintain relationships between the company and its gifted writers.
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday May 04, 2018
Friday May 04, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Michael and Adam dive into the subject of artist development and its relationship to becoming a successful artist. Specifically, the brothers break down why it is crucial to be as well rounded in your career development as possible if you want to attract positive attention from future fans and industry insiders. As the boys explain in detail but sum up by saying, “Make sure when you’re discovered, they actually like what they find!” Don’t miss the details of this one!
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday Apr 27, 2018
Friday Apr 27, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician Michael and Adam discuss the importance of collaboration in ALL area of your musical career. Focusing especially on dispelling the myth of the “solo songwriter”. While we all know there are certain Artists who thrive writing on their own, for the bulk of the musical world, collaboration is the KEY!Not only should you be open to the idea of co-writing, you should actively pursue opportunities to collaborate as a key growth accelerator!
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday Apr 20, 2018
Friday Apr 20, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the boys dig deep into the diversity of the life and career of a definite mover and shaker of the Latin side of the music industry... Mr.Sonic!!!
Juan Cristobal Losada is a Grammy and Latin Grammy winning Music Producer/Engineer and
Music Executive. He has credits in over 25 Grammyand Latin Grammy nominee recordings and has been awarded multiple Gold and Multi-Platinum RIAA certifications for his work with artists including Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Enrique, Iglesias, Plácido Domingo, Prince Royce, Chayanne, amongst others. His deep understanding of the music Industry and bicultural background allow him to see the business from a global perspective and entrepreneurial mindset. His extensive experience working with major Labels and
Artists while developing Indie Acts gives him a unique understanding of the past and present of the Industry allowing him to look towards the future with an innovative vision.
Producer - A&R (Distributed Label) Sony Music Entertainment
Adjunct Professor, Music Technology Program NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Strap in! This is a great time!!!
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday Apr 06, 2018
Friday Apr 06, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the Scharff Brothers discuss the critical importance of having a plan in place when it comes time to release a project! No project promotes itself - that’s your job!!! It’s never to early or too late to formulate a marketing strategy... Join the boys as they chat up some steps to take when preparing to release an album, EP, song or even an important upcoming performance!!!
Helpful link to get reviews:
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday Mar 30, 2018
Friday Mar 30, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the Scharff Brothers chat about the misconceptions surrounding music streaming and the seemingly tiny royalty payouts for the creative and performing artists. Don’t be fooled by the naysayers!!! There’s $$$ in those spins!!!
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday Mar 23, 2018
Friday Mar 23, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician, the Scharff Brothers dig deep with long time super successful side man, Mark Damon. From his early days as a horn player with Bim Skala Bim, to doing horns for blues legend Mighty Sam McClain, to his current gig as a full-time member and bass player for the badass rock band The Pretty Reckless! (fronted by Taylor Momsen) The boys run the table with this in-depth discussion on the ins and outs of life as an upper echelon working musician. From the undeniable value of respect and research for each artist/employer, to the critical nature of continuous growth as a player! And a bit about the very real challenges and hazards that can accompany a rabid fan base! Join us for this incredibly informative chat, and great hang, with the Rock Star side man!!!
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!
Friday Mar 16, 2018
Friday Mar 16, 2018
In this episode of Mentoring for the Modern Musician the Scharff Brothers explore the perplexing question of why the music industry at large doesn’t put more energy into increasing the value of the fan experience. The boys dissect and discuss in depth the myriad of lost fan building and engagement opportunities most labels, artists and their teams are missing on the daily! It’s astonishing that an industry full of exceptionally bright people continue to ignore the simple tools and practices that could lead to staggering amounts of revenue! Take a listen so you can avoid leaving that Super Fan- and their $$$ - out in the cold!!!
Don’t forget to check out set.fm to learn how to record your live shows for your fans!!!
As always, reach out to us with suggestions for show topics, comments, questions, or just to say hello! Head over to:
Make sure to share this or any episode with all of your music loving friends!
You got this, we got your back!