In the first episode of the Music Maker’s Lounge, hosts Brandon and Sean sit down with Aiden and Colin from the band Perfect Strangers. They discuss their musical journey, starting from their beginnings. The conversation covers their genre evolution from alternative rock with funky elements to a heavier sound influenced by metal. They also explore the dynamics of songwriting within a group, the impact of live performances on their music, and the logistical and creative challenges of building a band brand. Topics such as effective use of social media, the importance of merch, navigating cover songs, and more. The episode includes candid stories, practical advice for new bands, and plenty of laughs.00:00 Welcome to the Music Maker's Lounge00:06 Meet the Band: Perfect Strangers00:55 The Journey Begins: Forming the Band01:27 Evolving Sound02:14 Live Performances and Audience Reactions05:55 Songwriting Dynamics and Band Chemistry08:13 Navigating the Music Industry21:45 Merchandise and Marketing Strategies26:34 Engaging Live Shows and Community Building27:35 Making Every Show an Event27:57 Navigating the Local Music Scene28:42 Challenges of Touring29:37 Building Stage Chemistry30:58 The Importance of Playing Live32:16 Practicing and Preparing for Shows37:32 Debating Covers vs. Originals39:51 Evolving Sound and Stage Presence48:08 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts

More about the band:

Instagram: @perfectstrngers

Gmail: perfectstrangersdet@gmail.com

Website: https://prfctstrngers.wixsite.com/perfectstrangers

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/260ZWwou0Ee8fz3DbX1bEV?si=Z-hQuwshRviHqiS-yNK9EQ

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/perfect-strangers/1574570785

Upcoming Show:

7-12-2025 @ Lager House w Silvis & Moravian, 18+, 7pm

Tickets: tickets will be available at Moravianband.com closer to the event

Band Bio:

Perfect Strangers is a 5-piece alternative-rock band based in metro Detroit. Formed in 2021 by guitarist Colin Wilk and vocalist Aidan Thomas, the duo hit the ground running with a debut EP followed by a full length album titled “Young and Selfish” in 2022. Shortly after its release, Antonio Hinojosa stepped in on bass, and Nate Walker joined Wilk on guitar. Following the release of singles, “I feel better alone” and “Aliens”, the band finally landed a drummer, Tyler Evans. Since December 2024, the band has played countless shows across metro Detroit in venues such as The Sanctuary, The Blind Pig, and The Loving Touch, and released three singles along the way.

With influences rooted in punk, rock, blues, funk, and metal, the band likes to experiment in their songwriting and dip their toes in many different styles of music. They are currently working on an EP and anticipate new music as soon as late summer.

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon dive deep into the concept of natural copyright and its implications for independent artists. They discuss the immediate ownership that creators automatically have over their work upon creation and the importance of documenting and timestamping recordings to secure this copyright. The conversation covers various aspects such as the differences between natural and legal copyright, the role of session musicians, and the intricacies of licensing, especially concerning beatmakers and EDM artists. The episode also touches on the hot topic of AI's impact on copyright in the music industry, stressing the evolving legal landscape. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the importance of officially registering copyright to protect one's work effectively.00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Discussion01:10 Natural Copyright Explained02:02 Legal Disclaimers and Practical Advice03:01 What Natural Copyright Covers12:27 Documenting Your Work for Protection15:33 Beat Licensing and Other Considerations17:38 Understanding Copyright Claims and Exclusive Ownership18:10 Navigating Copyright Claims on YouTube and Spotify18:55 The Importance of Official Copyright Documentation19:50 Natural Copyright and Session Musicians21:40 Engineers and Natural Copyright24:25 AI and Natural Copyright: The Current Landscape27:19 The Complexities of Using Samples and Licensing29:26 Final Thoughts32:32 Protecting Your Music with Professional Help34:20 Outro and Contact Information

In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon, along with their guest Joe, delve into the intricacies of live sound monitoring. The discussion covers the pros and cons of using in-ear monitors versus floor wedges, offering valuable insights for independent artists. Joe shares best practices from his extensive experience as a live sound engineer, emphasizing mic placement, handling feedback, and the importance of stage volume control. The episode highlights how in-ear monitors can enhance performance quality and protect hearing, while also addressing the challenges of transitioning from traditional floor wedges. Whether you're a seasoned musician or new to live performance, this episode provides practical advice for optimizing your on-stage audio experience.

00:00 Introduction to the Music Makers Cookbook

00:07 Meet Joe: The Live Sound Engineer

01:20 Discussing Monitor World

01:39 Question of the Week: Wedges vs. In-Ear Monitors

03:21 The Role of a Monitor Engineer

04:35 Challenges and Best Practices in Live Sound

08:43 Understanding Monitor Mixes

16:03 Tips for Musicians: Communicating with Your Engineer

09:47 Enhancing Vocal Clarity with Compression

23:38 Managing Stage Noise and Feedback

25:13 The Benefits of In-Ear Monitors

26:51 Transitioning to In-Ear Monitors

31:41 Hybrid Monitoring Setups

38:27 Customizing Monitor Mixes

42:21 Conclusion and Services