Kevin Griffin is the frontman of Better Than Ezra, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and Co-founder of a new artist-built AI music platform Soundbreak. Better Than Ezra contributed to the soundtrack of the 90's with hits like "Good" and "In the Blood." Kevin's music has been performed and recorded by artists like Meatloaf, Taylor Swift, and Blondie.

Kevin and I spoke in depth about the art and magic of songwriting , collaborating, and touching peoples' lives with music. We discussed the future of AI music and how his company Soundbreak is helping artists license their musical styles for generative AI music.

This episode is dedicated to (not sponsored by!) Darwin Audio and his awesome vintage soda/beer can microphones: https://darwinaudio.net

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Kevin Griffin's Website - https://www.kevingriffinmusic.com
• Soundbreak AI - https://www.soundbreak.ai
• Better Than Ezra - https://www.betterthanezra.com
• Kevin's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kevinmgriffin/
• SoundBreak AI's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soundbreak.ai/
• Better Than Ezra's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterthanezra/
• The Greatest Song by Kevin Griffin - https://amzn.to/4vqYERG
• Do Schools Kill Creativity by Sir Ken Robinson - https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

David Paul Newell is a musician, producer, and one half of the electronic music duo Midnight Mystery Club. David worked as an audio engineer in Nashville for Brantley Sound Associates. He's been a ghost writer in European House music. Midnight Mystery Club's has a new single "I Only Have Eyes for You" coming out April 3rd.

David and I talked about his experience in music production and developing an authentic, interesting sound. In this episode, you'll hear Midnight Mystery Club's new single and learned about its creation.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Midnight Mystery Club Links - https://linktr.ee/midnightmysteryclub
• "I Only Have Eyes For You" (April 3, 2026) Presave - https://hypeddit.com/midnightmysteryclub/ionlyhaveeyesforyou-1
• MMC YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNF2xW2mMSErV1u-VthISzg
• MMC Bandcamp - https://midnightmysteryclub.bandcamp.com
• MMC Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midnightmysteryclub/
• Toy Synths Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/toysynths
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Amani Roberts is a DJ, Professor, Author, and Artist Coach. Amani teaches music business at Cal State Fullerton and helps artists reach their creative dreams. Amani is the author of DJs Mean Business and The Quiet Storm, a historical look at R&B Groups.

Amani and I discussed the challenges artists face from creating music to releasing and sharing it with the world. Amani has powerful insights that can help musicians develop a strong body of work, while making constant progress and enthusiasm in their craft.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Amani's Website - https://www.amaniexperience.com
• Amani's Coaching - https://www.amaniexperience.com/coaching
• Book a Call with Amani - https://www.amaniexperience.com/call
• Amani's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amaniexperience
• Bird by Bird by Ann Lamont - https://amzn.to/3PGjxIb
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Have you ever felt like the more you learn about music production, the harder it actually gets to finish a song? You aren't alone. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 biggest mental blocks I've faced, from "tutorial paralysis" to the crushing weight of trying to be a "Great Artist," and the practical shifts I used to break through them.

After 6 years of the Jamuary challenge, I've learned that the secret to finishing more music isn't a new plugin or more music theory; it's about moving from a romanticized "Artist" identity to a prolific "Maker" mindset.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Quantity Over Quality" Hack: Why having a routine allows you to fail safely.

The Skills of Finishing: Why completing "bad" music is the only way to prepare for your best work.

Learning by Doing: How to escape the "Tutorial Junkie" cycle and get your hands dirty.

Killing the "Artist" Label: Why viewing your work as a "body of work" is more freeing than chasing a single masterpiece. Stop overthinking, start creating, and let's get those ideas out of your DAW and into the world.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Matt Tinkler is a musician, educator, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He runs a the Aspect Music Academy and makes music as Chronitect. Matt's YouTube channel is a great resource for learning music production and creative workflows.

Matt and I spoke in depth about the creative process and how he makes music. He shared his 5 I's of Ideation workflow, as well as how he helps students turn their ideas into finished tracks. I've been following Matt's work for a long time and it was a lot of fun speaking with him.

Enrollments for Matt's Aspect Music Academy's 24-week structured mentorship program begin February 9, 2026. The program starts March 16, 2026. More information here: https://aspectmusicacademy.com/

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Matt's Website - https://matttinklermusic.com
• Matt's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@matttinklermusic
• Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matttinklermusic/
• Chronitect - https://chronitect.com
• Aspect Music Academy - https://aspectmusicacademy.com/
• Make Awesome Sounds with THIS Underused Ableton Live Feature - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiNtj1eGIs
• Watch THIS if You Can't Finish Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gPHMyOvyHM
• Matthew Dicks on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/matthew-dicks
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Aqeel Aadam is the founder of Aqeel Aadam Sound plug-ins and Tyler Gilmore makes music as Blankfor.ms. Aqeel and Tyler have just released Outgrowth, a sample-based plug-in and iOS app. Outgrowth allows you to manipulate and reimagine samples in playful and unique way.

Aqeel and Tyler spoke to me about their collaboration on the new plug-in, and how they came to work together. We covered the creative process of developing plug-ins and some of the artistic choices and sacrifices made to help create a device that is inspiring and deep without being overwhelming. Tyler discussed the inspiration and creation process of his new album as Blankfor.ms called After the Town Was Swept Away.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Outgrowth - https://aqeelaadamsound.com/b/outgrowth
• Aqeel Aadam Sound - https://aqeelaadamsound.com
• Blankfor.ms - https://www.blankfor-ms.com/
• After the Town Was Swept Away by Blankfor.ms - https://www.blankfor-ms.com/music/after-the-town-was-swept-away
• Aqeel Aadam Sound Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aqeelaadamsound
• Aqeel's Personal Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/aqeel.aadam
• Aqeel's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AqeelAadam
• Aqeel on Bandcamp - https://aqeelaadam.bandcamp.com
• Aqeel Aadam on Music Production Podcast #404 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/aqeel-aadam
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Brad Barr is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and, along with his brother Andrew, is half of the Americana, folk-rock group the Barr Brothers. The Barr Brothers just released their new album, Let it Hiss, which has a more vulnerable, stripped-down sound that embraces human imperfection and spirit.

Brad and I had a great conversation about songwriting and the production of the Barr Brothers' new album Let it Hiss. Brad shared how a minimalist approach, including a 4-string guitar, helped guide the songwriting and production of the new record. Brad even demonstrated his polyester thread trick on the guitar. Please welcome Brad Barr to the Music Production Podcast.

This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio and their Tekno drum synthesizer plug-in.
Save 15% with the code: MPP15 - https://babyaud.io

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• The Barr Brothers - https://thebarrbrothers.com
• Let it Hiss by The Barr Brothers - https://found.ee/letithiss
• Brad's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bradbarr216/
• "Growing Up Sideways" by Brad Barr - https://vyd.co/BradBarrGrowingUpSidewaysInstrumental
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
• This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

It's time for Jamuary, a challenge to create music and share it each day during the month of January.

Jamuary is a powerful way to start your year with a creative bang!

In this episode, I share 7 tips that will help you make the most of Jamuary and maximize your productivity and creativity!

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

• Join the Music Production Club! - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• My free #jamuary2026 Prompts - https://brianfunk.gumroad.com/l/jamuary2026
• My #Jamuary2026 Playlist - https://soundcloud.com/brianfunk/sets/jamuary-2026
• Music Production Club #Jamuary2026 Playlist - https://soundcloud.com/brianfunk/sets/mpc-jamuary-2026
• 31x Your Creativity with Jamuary 2025 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/31x-your-creativity
• Don't Lose Twice and 3 Book Recommendations - https://brianfunk.com/blog/dont-lose-twice
• Jamuary Lessons - https://brianfunk.com/blog/see-your-ideas-through
• My Most Profound Jamuary Insight - https://brianfunk.com/blog/my-most-profound-jamuary-insight-music-production-podcast-203
• Creative Strategies for Jamuary by Spooqs - https://spooqs.space/creative-strategies-for-jamnuary-2026/
• Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com
• Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
• 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
• Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
• Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
• Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store

Thank you for listening.

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk