Award-winning bassist, composer and arranger Colin Sankey has built a reputation for pushing the limits of what's possible on the bass guitar. Winner of the 2022 Phil Jones Solo Bass Competition and creator of viral bass arrangements with over 15 million views, Colin has become one of Canada's most recognizable modern bass players, performing everywhere from jazz festivals to concert stages across the country.

In this episode, we dive into the pursuit of mastering an instrument, balancing technical ability with musicality, arranging music for solo bass and full band, navigating the highs and lows of social media, and what it really takes to build a career as a professional musician. Colin also shares stories from the road, lessons learned from difficult gigs, and the mindset that's helped shape his career.

• Colin Sankey – https://www.colinsankeybass.com
• Relive the Music – https://relivethemusic.ca
• Canadian Musicians Co-operative – https://canadianmusicians.coop
• Charles Berthound – https://www.charlesberthoud.com
• Victor Wooten – https://www.victorwooten.com

Hosted by Big Red Records

Singer-songwriter Jacob Diamond is an emerging folk artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator based in Toronto. After graduating from York University, Jacob set off on a three-month solo trip across Europe—a journey that challenged the way he thinks about creativity, success, and building a life in music.

In this episode, we dive into Jacob's songwriting process, his approach to creating meaningful music, and the lessons he's learned while navigating the early stages of a creative career. We also explore inspiration, production, teaching, life after university, and what it really means to find your own path as an artist—without feeling like you have everything figured out.

Links & Mentions:

• Jacob Diamond – Linktree

Adam O'Connor has built a career playing drums across Canada and the United States, performing with country artist Kelsi Mayne and internationally recognized Oasis tribute band Supersonic. From Calgary Stampede and CMA Fest to packed theatres and clubs, Adam has learned what it takes to stay busy in the music industry.

In this episode, we talk about getting gigs through word-of-mouth, what makes a great session player, balancing multiple bands, touring, learning songs on the fly, life as a full-time musician, and why being a good hang is often more important than being the best player in the room.

Whether you're a musician looking for more gigs, a drummer trying to level up, or just curious about life on the road, Adam shares practical advice and plenty of stories from behind the kit.

Links & Mentions:
• Adam O'Connor – https://www.instagram.com/ibangstuff
• Kelsi Mayne – https://www.instagram.com/kelsimayne
• Supersonic (Oasis Tribute) – https://www.instagram.com/supersonicoasistribute
• Sean Steinhardt – https://www.instagram.com/seansteinhardtmusic
• CMA Fest – https://cmafest.com
• Calgary Stampede – https://www.calgarystampede.com

Jesse Muldoon has spent decades immersed in music—as a performer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, band member, and high school music teacher shaping the next generation of musicians.

In this episode, we talk about balancing life as a working musician and educator, playing in multiple bands, songwriting, creativity, the future of live music, AI in the arts, and what it really takes to build a life around music.

Whether you're a musician, teacher, student, or simply someone who loves music, Jesse's perspective is packed with stories, wisdom, and hard-earned lessons.

LINKS:
• Tiny Strings – https://tinystrings.bandcamp.com
• Dead Mechanics – https://www.instagram.com/deadmechanics
• Ravenshaven – https://www.instagram.com/ravenshavenband

Always remember, if it sounds good, it sounds good.

Most people see the music industry from the outside.

This conversation lives in the parts nobody talks about.

Farley works in publishing, sync licensing, grants, and film music coordination — and breaks down how careers actually get built behind the scenes. From touring with Merkules in the early days to helping artists navigate the business side of music, this episode is full of the things artists usually learn the hard way.

We also get into mindset, scarcity vs. abundance, visualization, and the way your thinking shapes the opportunities you move toward. Farley opens up about living with CRPS, one of the most painful chronic conditions known to medicine, and how rebuilding his relationship with stress, discipline, and his nervous system changed the direction of his life completely.

If you care about the psychology behind success as much as the music itself, this one will hit.

LINKS:

Follow Ryan

A Matter Of Music (Lunch and Listen)

Books:

Think and Grow Rich

Psycho-Cybernetics

The No BS Guide to Wealth Attraction for Entrepreneurs

Big Red sits down with Francesca Panetta for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a lasting music career as an independent artist. They talk about creative direction, trusting your instincts, and navigating the gap between making music and making a life from it.

Follow along Francesca's Journey:

https://thesinginghippie.com/

Most producers try to fit into a lane.

This episode is about what happens when you don’t.

Dawson breaks down how he went from not playing a single instrument in high school to building a career off his ear — not theory, not technique, just knowing what feels right and pushing songs in that direction. We get into the real path: failed internships, terrible early beats, learning on the fly, and saying yes to whatever work was in front of him.

We also dig into:

• Why “fix it in the mix” is a trap (and what actually matters instead)
• The balance between technical skill and instinct
• Recording vocals that are basically mixed before you touch a fader
• Nashville vs. everywhere else — and how to actually get in rooms
• AI, and why it’s not the threat people think it is

If you’re trying to get better, get work, or just make songs that actually hit — this one matters.

LINKS:

DAWSON on INSTAGRAM

Universal Audio (Apollo & Volt Interfaces, Sphere DLX Mic, Etc)

Follow CARV

Most artists say they want a real career.
Very few are willing to live the life that actually creates one.

Rogan May spent seven years fighting wildfires and jumping out of planes into burning forests before fully committing to music — and somehow that still might be the least interesting part of his story.

This is a conversation about what it actually takes to build a life in music when there are no shortcuts, no guarantees, and no clear path. The years of figuring things out in real time. The moments where identity shifts without you fully noticing it yet.

We get into songwriting, discipline, learning your voice, and what it feels like to slowly move from “trying to be an artist” into actually becoming one. There’s talk about independence, collaboration, and the people and environments that quietly shape the work over time.

If you care about music beyond just releasing it — this one will sit with you for a while.

LINKS:

Podcast Website Page

Follow Rogan Mei