In this episode of Music Makers Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon discuss the essential role of metadata in the music industry. From detailing various ways music metadata helps in organizing and crediting songs to exploring how it impacts royalty collection and distribution, they cover a comprehensive range of topics relevant to independent artists. They also dive into nostalgia for older music consumption methods like MP3 players while emphasizing the current importance of accurate metadata. Key takeaways include the significance of ISRC codes, cover art details, and the proper steps for embedding metadata in your music files to ensure professional and financial benefits.00:00 Introduction to Music Makers Cookbook00:13 Favorite Ways to Consume Music01:52 Nostalgia for Old Music Devices04:11 Importance of Metadata in Music08:22 Distributing Music and ISRC Codes10:31 Embedding Metadata in Music Files13:11 Exporting File Types and Client Experiences13:29 Importance of MP3s in Radio Marketing14:47 Metadata Requirements for Audiobooks15:32 Types of Metadata in Music Files16:17 Embedding Metadata and Distribution16:57 ISRC and UPC Codes Explained17:43 Additional Metadata Points22:04 Importance of Crediting in the Music Industry25:49 Self-Promotion and Services26:46 Conclusion and Social Media Engagement

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon discuss techniques for independent artists to enhance their live show experiences and cultivate a deeper connection with their audience. They explore the concept of 'unreasonable hospitality' inspired by the show 'The Bear' and the book 'Unreasonable Hospitality' by Will Guidara. Suggestions range from engaging with fans from ticket purchase to post-concert interactions, including personalized touches like handwritten thank-you notes and exclusive digital content. This comprehensive discussion emphasizes the importance of creating memorable experiences for fans to help artists stand out and build a loyal following.00:00 Introduction and Weekly Comment Question00:28 The Importance of Band Engagement at Concerts01:53 Creating a Memorable Concert Experience03:31 Unreasonable Hospitality for Musicians03:39 Inspiration from 'The Bear' and Unreasonable Hospitality06:04 Enhancing the Concert Experience with Small Touches07:12 The Role of Sound Quality and Audience Interaction17:53 Making Concerts More Accessible and Enjoyable25:16 Enhancing the Concert Experience25:31 Interactive Setlist Selection26:56 Engaging with the Crowd28:38 Memorable Concert Stories32:52 Personal Touches for Fans40:43 Post-Show Engagement44:11 Continuous Improvement and Team Effort51:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon dive into the complexities of the independent music industry, focusing on strategies to build and engage a diverse fanbase. The main topic centers around different types of music fans—casual listeners, dedicated fans, super fans, patrons and supporters, and collectors and archivists—as outlined in David Bruer's book 'Create, Produce, Consume.' The episode also includes practical steps for converting casual listeners into more engaged and supportive fans. Sean and Brandon highlight the importance of adapting to various fan needs while maintaining integrity and providing unique value. Overall, the episode offers a detailed framework for independent artists to navigate their career paths more effectively.00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Catch-Up00:53 Weekly Community Question02:07 Discussion on Spotify's Features and Artist Payments03:04 The Importance of Fan Engagement08:15 Types of Fans: From Casual Listeners to Super Fans17:38 Dedicated Fans: The Backbone of Your Music Career21:51 Super Fans: Building a Loyal Community27:54 Patrons and Supporters: Financial Backbone During Tough Times28:19 The Rise of Patreon for Artists29:15 The Historical Role of Patrons30:27 Exclusive Content and Personal Connection32:14 The Importance of Integrity in Fan Support37:58 Collectors and Archivists: The Ultimate Fans42:55 Building a Sustainable Music Career51:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon delve into the critical topic of stress management for independent musicians. They discuss the various stressors that musicians encounter, such as promotion, songwriting, rehearsals, and performances. The episode covers ten key techniques from the book 'Stress Free for Good,' including deep breathing exercises, practicing gratitude, forgiveness, mindful awareness, positive intentions, acts of kindness, social connection, humor, exercise, and prayer or personal reflection. By incorporating these strategies, musicians can better manage stress, stay creative, and maintain their well-being. Sean and Brandon also share personal anecdotes and practical advice, emphasizing the importance of staying present and maintaining a positive outlook in the music industry.00:00 Introduction to the Music Maker's Cookbook00:07 Understanding Stress in the Music Industry01:33 Community Question: Handling Stress02:03 Brandon's Stress Management Techniques04:43 Sean's Stress Management Techniques09:18 Deep Breathing for Stress Relief14:05 The Power of Gratitude17:44 The Importance of Forgiveness21:20 Mindful Awareness: Staying Present26:12 Positive Intention and Optimism26:49 The Power of Positive Thinking27:02 Overcoming Challenges with Confidence28:39 Reframing Your Mindset31:07 The Importance of Social Connections33:48 Acts of Kindness and Their Impact36:35 Building Meaningful Relationships39:22 The Role of Humor in Stress Management42:50 Exercise and Movement for Stress Relief46:20 Prayer, Spirituality, and Personal Reflection50:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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

In this episode of the Music Makers Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon dive deep into the 80/20 Principle (Pareto Principle) and how it applies to various aspects of an independent artist's career, from songwriting and live performances to mixing and marketing. They discuss the importance of focusing on the 20% of efforts that yield 80% of the results and offer practical tips for leveraging this principle to achieve greater efficiency and success in the music industry. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how the 80/20 Principle has impacted their careers and to think about how they can apply it moving forward. The episode also includes a reminder to subscribe and review the podcast, along with a sneak peek of future content and the benefits of working with the right studio and engineer.00:00 Introduction to the Music Makers Cookbook00:46 Understanding the 80/20 Principle03:09 Applying the 80/20 Principle in Music10:30 Eliminating Low Impact Activities16:09 Focus on High Impact Activities18:56 Releasing and Testing Songs19:28 The 80/20 Principle in Music19:51 Examples from Famous Artists21:10 Quality Control in the Studio23:49 Applying the 80/20 Principle in Life26:58 Morning Routines and Studio Efficiency28:31 Mixing and the 80/20 Principle31:00 Focusing on Effective Platforms33:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts