Behind the Backline

Very few of us know exactly what we want to do when we grow up, regardless of our current age (under 20 and over 80, I’m talking to you too!).  In fact, for most of the human race and society, the expectation to go from …

The music industry is an interesting place to be. A path you might start down might not be the path you end up on. What you think you want to do may not be the thing the industry picks for you. For creative musician …

No one can predict the future. No one can ever know what’s coming next (except me, just kidding). A lot of times we have to roll with what life …

Most people who go into business have an idea they want to try and make a valiant effort and are aware that things are either moving or not moving. Most people need to put in the work to watch the seed they plant grow. …

Let’s face it: online retail store options are pretty cut and dry. Predictable discounts and sales. The same standard website design and layout. The …

DISCLAIMER: No cats were harmed in the making of this episode. But one was seen in the background of our video chat. 

Fuzz War. Cats. Absolute …

First of all, 3 drummers on a podcast don’t make a right.  But they do make the occasional awful pun and have lots of fun! Hell they even rhyme …

DISCLAIMER: YES, this is our one-year anniversary episode! NO, this is not our last episode.  NO, this guest does not kill podcasts! Now back to our …

As a drummer for 25 years, I feel it’s fairly safe to say this: for years, the concept of the bass drum pedal has remained fairly unchanged. Aside from a few variations on the chain drive, such as the bike chain, fabric …

For most of us, we will never be directly involved with the production of a major television production. Sad but true. But that doesn’t mean we can’t …

For most people who come into contact with drums, they have a very basic understanding of the relationship between a drummer and his tools. And the …

How do you make the drummer from Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Jewel drop his jaw? All it takes is three simple steps:   

1.) Work for a legendary drum brand for 5 years 

2.) Observe and see where their process …

Have you ever been to a concert and noticed the sexy, awesome band logo or custom artwork that the drummer has on his front bass drum head?  Have you ever wondered how they do that or where they get it from?
 
You …

Imagine if you were alive 700 years ago and, while hosting a concert that was giving out free rats for every ticket sold, you accidentally caused the …

When you’re a drummer that has made custom furniture for 20 years and your drums age to the point of being unplayable, what options do you have? …

Most companies, new and old, can trace their origins back to a similar story of when their founder had an idea and how it evolved over the years to …

A lot of businesses usually follow a pattern of starting out family-based and traditionally small with a focus on the customer. But as growth …

In an industry that has evolved from making its products by hand to making them via machine in order to ensure consistency, it can be hard to be the …

It seems like everywhere you look these days there’s another music streaming service or music discovery tool that caters only to popular mainstream …

It can be hard for lesser-known bands and musicians to get a foothold in several areas of the music industry without having the right connections or, …

In the good ol’ days, songs and albums were recorded without technology like compression. At that time, it was imperative to find the sweet spot …

Taking online lessons for anything requires a lot of self-discipline, especially since your online instructor can’t necessarily hold you accountable …

What do aviation avionics and guitar pedals have in common? Paul Flattley, of course!
 
Achieving perfection in sound, quality, and personalization can …

Getting a compliment on the way you look can always make your day. But getting a compliment on the way your drum sounds when that person has never even seen the actual product but knows it right away in a crowded, noisy …

Every business on the planet has a story that starts with humble beginnings.  Some companies are created with well-intentioned goals, while some are formed by accident out of a passion or hobby. Some start in fancy …

Musicians love their wireless in-ear monitoring systems. It gives them the freedom to move around the stage without worrying about tripping over extra cables or getting tangled while playing. 
 
But did you ever stop to …

If you’re a guitar player, you already know there is an endless array of available guitar pedals on the market today that seems to provide any sound or tone you are looking for. 
 
But what if there isn’t?  What if you …

These days it seems like there is an early learning process or product for everything, and it keeps targeting children at a younger and younger age. Except for the keyboard and “touch and learn” type educational toys …

As technology and music continue to mesh and evolve, musicians sometimes find themselves in new and awkwardly frustrating situations. For example, …

Writing a song entirely by ear on your guitar and having a robot turn it into sheet music for you: sounds a bit like science fiction right?
 
Now with Frettable, the future is here! Frettable is a new app for your smart …

Every drummer in the world has their own unique way of setting up their drums, tuning their heads, and voicing their opinions on what sounds best and why. From those who love to over-muffle their kits to the purists who …

Are you an audio engineer who’s part of a team that’s responsible for setting up stages night after night, weekend after weekend?  Do you feel like everyone on the team is always repeating themselves and having trouble …

After working for 30 years at one of the biggest names in guitars, it can be hard to accept and adapt to a change like retirement. So what's the alternative to that?  Did you say start a new business, acquire an …

Are you a DJ or lighting technician who is sick of not having "true sound activation mode" on your fixtures? Greg Notaro, co-founder of SN3 Innovations Lighting Entertainment, joins Matt Jacoby of Octave Media …