Music Production Podcast

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