Shows
Shomee Creators PodcastWhat is the future for young musicians? Interview with Pierce MarengoWhat is the future for young musicians? If they can’t make money from downloads, and very little money from streams, what are their options? Touring is more expensive than ever. Social media is saturated. And during pandemic, everyone and their uncle - including established artists - started their own Youtube channel, in hopes of making some small kickbacks from ad revenue. It’s simply not enough to just be a good at your instrument or at songwriting. You have to be good at something more. My guest in this episode, Pierce Marengo, seems to have a figured this out...
2021-06-1638 min
Shomee Creators PodcastWhat Can The Music Industry Learn From Nashville? Interview with Jeff LysyczynJune 15th is around the corner. California and several others states are planning to fully re-open entertainment venues, and there’s a scramble to book artists for the summer. And the question for artists and venues isn’t whether you’re ready with your new songs, and new haircuts, and freshly stacked bars. It’s what are you going to do differently? What new experience are you going to create to convince people to get off the couch, and spend their money on live entertainment? Don’t just assume that people will come to escape their routine of afternoon Zoom calls...
2021-05-2137 min
Shomee Creators Podcast“Pay To Play” Or “Play To Win”? - Interview With The Gig BossBefore pandemic, my guest in this episode was one of the most successful independent music promoters in Southern California. And when I use those words “successful” and “independent music”, I’m basically saying, he didn’t lose money with local artists, and he didn’t make them to pay to play. Now, if you know anything about the music scene in Southern California, you’ll know that’s virtually unheard of. So what’s his secret?
Honestly, it would be a cliche’ for me to say it was just one thing. In fact, it’s better you about it as a kind of me...
2021-05-1528 min
Shomee Creators PodcastDancing Through Space With Winifred HaunThere’s something I’ve realized after speaking with a number of dance and theater companies on this podcast…. Musicians, like me, probably don’t think enough about the space in which their performance takes place. Sure, they might think about the size the of the stage, and how close they’ll be to the audience, or maybe to the bar. But I have to admit, if I was asked put on a performance outdoors without a stage, and where is almost necessary to incorporate the environment as part of the experience, I’m not sure I’d quite know how to go...
2021-05-0727 min
Shomee Creators PodcastWhat "Working In The Music Biz" Really Means - Interview with Michael HateleyMy guest in this episode is one of these rare success stories of working musician. And by “working”, I don’t mean he’s just able to get paying gigs playing in a cover band, or make a few bucks from youtube streams. I mean someone who’s legitimately credited on albums by artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Tom Petty, Linkin Park, and the list goes on. Michael Hateley is a guy who’s worn a lot of hats. He’s had a record deal and toured as member of the punk band Extra Fancy, he’s worked for War...
2021-04-2844 min
Shomee Creators PodcastIs It Too Late To Take Your Coaching Business Virtual? Interview With Caitlin GillIt’s April, and we hear the news every day that large social gatherings are going to be possible again very soon. So does this mean it’s too late to get into the virtual game? Has the opportunity for offering online classes and events to anyone and anywhere passed you by? Or is there still a chance to get on board and double-down on all the lessons learned from this last year, and do what you’ve always wanted to do? In the case of my guest in this episode, Caitlin Gill, that goal was to elevate her role a...
2021-04-2218 min
Shomee Creators PodcastHow Not To Suck At Livestreams... And Other Performance Matters with John M.Musicians, let’s be honest with ourselves. Most of us suck at doing livestreams. It’s not entirely our fault. Technology isn’t our main medium, and we had no time to prepare for this before pandemic, nor was anyone one around to teach us. But in a good way, it’s forced us to look at what we’re doing well and not well as performers in general. For example, do you know how to read your audience? Do you know why some of your songs go over better with an audience than others? Do you play to the camera...
2021-04-1541 min
Shomee Creators PodcastThe Return Of Music Festivals - Interview with Lance CaubleHere’s an easy, no brainer business plan. Get a couple hundred acres of property out in the country, ideally near a river or a lake, add a couple of porta-pottys, install and few faucets, and throw out some inner-tubes, and now you’ve got a campground. Now, invite event promoters to rent your property to organize their own music festivals or adventure events. Make it a policy that everyone has to leave the grounds just as they found them. Give everyone a colored wristband to signal to others what is the comfort level with distancing. Then, just let them...
2021-04-1325 min
Shomee Creators PodcastS. Robert Morgan: Marvel Hero Turned Community HeroYou’ve probably seen S. Robert Morgan on the hit TV show The Wire, or in the Marvel Universe series Luke Cage. But what you don’t know about him is that he’s the founder and Artistic Director of The Essential Theater in Washington D.C. It’s mission is to use theater as a vehicle to express the African-American experience, and to educate youths about realities outside of theater. For example, teaching kids in D.C.’s economically depressed areas about managing their own finances, and how to achieve positive levels of self-esteem. S. Robert uses the power of s...
2021-04-0825 min
Shomee Creators PodcastJoel Bassin: Post-Pandemic Theater And A Return To BasicsIt’s April of 2021 and theaters and music venues are already staging a full re-opening. There’s news every day about new apps that can help venues and audiences follow health and safety guidelines, and just about everyone you talk to says they have missed seeing live performances more than anything else. But I’ll admit, I’m very skeptical about how soon things will return to the way it was, and whether or not people actually want it to. Aside from being a lot more conscious about health and safety, I’m wondering how our tastes have changed, and what kind...
2021-04-0535 min
Shomee Creators PodcastPaige Brodsky: What Streaming And Social Media Can Never ReplaceIf I think back to this time last year when we were all fighting over toilet paper while we had no idea we wouldn’t get to see live shows for several months, it’s hard to believe we weren’t fighting over vinyl records instead. My guest in this episode is Paige Brodsky of Streetlight Records shop in Santa Cruz, CA. When I first approached Paige to be on the podcast, I had in mind that I would talk to her about how her record store has weathered all the changes of the music industry in the last couple...
2021-04-0135 min
Shomee Creators PodcastPam Victor: How Improv Can Help You Find Your Authentic VoiceStarting today, at the end of the day, write down three positive things that happened to you. Why are you doing this? To train your brain to look for patterns, in this case, positive things in your life. If you do it regularly, it can be very powerful for self-care, and developing tools for communication and for creativity. You might already be thinking is this just another feel-good “mindfulness” practice that you hear at corporate retreats or an Anthony Robbins seminar. But, believe it or not, this is a skill of improvisation, and it’s one of twelve key practi...
2021-03-2929 min
Shomee Creators PodcastFrank Caiati: Art Finds A WayEveryone has a ritual. For some, it’s going to church or temple every week. For some, it’s going to the gym. And for others, like the supporters of Rockaway Theatre Company in Queens, it’s experiencing art in some form or another. My guest today is Frank Caiati, actor and performer, recently turned instructor, talks about his theater company discovered in 2020 exactly what they meant to their community, and what deep connections they had with their audiences. When the pandemic forced entertainment venues into lockdown, the members of Rockaway Theatre opened their windows, and found they could connec...
2021-03-2426 min
Shomee Creators PodcastAlethea Lawton: Building Connection Through Trans-Virtual ExperiencesLet’s just come out and say it. Social media isn’t social anymore. I’m not even sure what part it really plays in our lives today. Luckily video conferencing platforms like Zoom exist, and have finally taken off, and - as Mark Zuckerberg keeps repeating in Senate hearings - have given us a new way of connecting with the people we care about. Just ask my guest in this episode, Alethea Lawton, owner of Neptune’s Daughter, a spiritual retreat center based in the U.K. In the last year, not only was she able to expand her busi...
2021-03-2230 min
Shomee Creators PodcastUpcoming Episodes - Mar 17, 2021Taxes are coming up and I wanted to share this resource about taxes and finances! Personal and Business coach Rose Slam! Johnson is running a coaching group to support small business owners to file their taxes on time and with ease this year. In this program, you'll be supported in improving the overall health and wellbeing of your finances for the indefinite future. If you're procrastinating on getting your 2020 taxes done, this will help. Whether you prefer DIY or work with an accountant, it will help you set up systems and change your thinking so it is easier for...
2021-03-1801 min
Shomee Creators PodcastElaine Finkletaub: Teaching Creative Expression To Children With Mixed AbilitiesWe can already imagine a day when traditional classes might become obsolete. Like live performances, the pandemic forced Education to move online, and be available over any distance. But as simple as it sounds, for organizations like Chickenshed, that that offers programs designed for children and youths with mixed abilities, there are some very unique challenges to address. For example, how to teach movement to a child that has limited mobility, or how to help a child that is non-verbal feel included? My guest in this episode, Elaine Finkletaub, talks about how Chickenshed has remained unbreakable in its mission...
2021-03-1624 min
Shomee Creators PodcastEyal Simko: The Future of Virtual, Live, and Hybrid EventsThe question on everyone’s mind is… What Next? What happens when venues are able to open up again? Will audiences still hunger for live experiences in the same way? And what can everyone in the events industry do until then to keep from going under? My guest in this episode, Eyal Simko, is owner of The One Up Group, a full service events production company with clients like Sony and Virgin Mobile, and he may have a pulse on this. Eyal and I talked about what opportunities every event creator - both large and small - has for changing thei...
2021-03-0524 min
Shomee Creators PodcastAlex Kajumulo: Bringing the Music of Coffee Farmers to the Stages of the WorldMy guest in this episode is Alex Kajumulo, a former international soccer champion from Tanzania, turned musician, writer, soccer club founder, and most recently, a festival organizer. Born to a family of coffee farmers, Alex learned to play music on home made instruments emulating the sounds of wild animals and the and forests that surrounded his village. Now a resident of Seattle, Washington, Alex and I talked about his upbringing, and his latest venture as the producer of a cultural festival which brings the music of farming communities around the world to the stages of America. The proceeds from...
2021-03-0327 minShomee Creators PodcastUpcoming Episodes - week of 3/1/21Coming up on Shomee Creators Podcast...
Musician Alex Kajamulo talks about the cultural music of coffee farmers around the world.
Eyal Simko with VirtualCr8tive gives us a preview of breakthrough technology that could change how audiences interact with artists during live performance.
And Elaine Finkletaub with Chickenshed theater company talks about changing the lives of young adults and children with disabilities through theater, music, and dance.
Stay tuned and don’t forget to share, like, and subscribe on Facebook and Twitter @shomeelife
2021-03-0200 minShomee Creators PodcastShomee Creators Podcast - Show TrailerShomee Creators Podcast brings together artists, educators, and event creators with audiences from around the globe. Join me, Vinay Kumar, as we explore events industry trends, and the creative lives of the people who make life experiences, both live and online. Subscribe now, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @shomeelife.
2021-03-0100 min
Shomee Creators PodcastJason Slavick: First Responders Of The SoulWe are witnessing the birth of a new genre of artistic performance. The pandemic has forced musicians, actors, and creative people of every type to rethink how they deliver performances to audiences, whether it be online or in limited spaces, and with what use of new technology. And to do all of this, without losing sight of the real mission, which is to make people feel better for a couple of hours, and help them process whatever is going on in their lives. As my guest in this episode Jason Slavick likes to put it, "Artists are the first...
2021-02-2640 min
Shomee Creators PodcastAnnie Tunnicliffe with DEFY Wrestling: Community First, Competition SecondIf you think organizing two or three acts for a one night show is tough, try coordinating 50 that are driving and flying in from all over the world. Did I mention that you’ll have to pick some of them from the airport, and some might not speak English? No managers. No handlers. Just 50 athletes coming to perform at your event, and you’ve got to keep them safe, and show your crowd a good time. Meet Annie Tunnicliffe, Producer for DEFY Wrestling, one of the top regional wrestling leagues in the country. Annie and I talked about what DEFY...
2021-02-2423 min
Shomee Creators PodcastDon Gervasi: Community As A Business ModelHow many times have you heard these buzzwords lately? Pivot. Reinvention. Connection. My guest in this episode can tell you exactly what these terms mean because he did it before it was even being talked about it. Dom Gervasi is the owner and operator of Made in Brooklyn Tours, which has earned Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence award nine years in a row. When the pandemic forced small businesses like Don’s to adapt or shut their doors, he chose to double-down and expand by starting a new venture organizing virtual and physical events featuring local Brooklyn artists and...
2021-02-1927 min
Shomee Creators PodcastJulie Soller: The art and performance of Story TellingStory telling is something we do and listen to almost every day. So why isn’t becoming a good story teller something that we think about more? Is this a talent or is it something can be taught? My guest in this episode is Julie Soller from Story Slam Oakland who talks about how she became the host of her own story telling slam, which lead to teaching her own workshops. We’re going to learn what makes a good story, and how audiences react to hearing a true story being re-lived, spontaneously, on stage. Homepage: https://www.storyslamoakland.com...
2021-02-1743 min
Shomee Creators PodcastCorey Cheval: Battling lockdowns to give at-risk youths a place to beCorey Cheval is the owner of Gainesville Circus Center in Florida, which offers classes in aerial silks, flying trapeze, lyra, acro-dance and other styles. An almost equal passion for Corey is working with at-risk youth - those with low socio-economic status, or those facing disadvantages due to race and gender, and who stand to benefit the most from involvement with the arts. Corey and I talked about how she was once a wayward teen, and how she’s incorporated the life lessons that dance taught her into the classes and workshops she teaches today. This became very challenging to do...
2021-02-1125 min
Shomee Creators PodcastRose Slam! Johnson: Is it time to get a personal coach?How many times have you started something new — a new job, a new business venture, a new relationship, or a new chapter in your life — and looked back years later and thought, "I wish I knew better" or "I wish I could have done that differently"? Where do you get help in those times? These could be the times when having a personal coach is right for you. But what does a personal coach actually do? And how do you know if you’ve found the right person? In this episode, Rose Slam! Johnson is going to answer all those...
2021-02-1022 min
Shomee Creators PodcastLes Warner: Drummer of The Cult finds his new grooveLes Warner, best known as Drummer for The Cult, Julian Lennon, and Peter Green, found himself without a gig when lockdowns hit. Like a lot of musicians, he struggled to find his bearings, but ultimately found a way to ignite his creative fire through writing, recording, and collaborating with musicians from all over the world. Are you ready to ROCK? Please welcome Les Warner! Website: https://LesWarner.com
2021-02-0824 min
Shomee Creators PodcastPhil Darius Wallace: The creative process of reinventing one's selfActor, director, writer, and public speaker, Phil Darius Wallace has appeared on Ted Talks, where he spoke about how he had no choice but to reinvent himself after his battles with alcoholism and homelessness. In this episode, Darius recounts these experiences, tracing back to his adolescence; his path to recovery; the struggles artists face with feelings of self worth; and what it is that keeps him motivated and inspired amidst all the change and upheaval that our country is facing right now. Homepage: www.solospire.com || Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Phil-Darius-Wallace-276206971736
2021-02-0724 min
Shomee Creators PodcastStop Motion Plant: Reviving live performance art with social distancingStop Motion Plant is a performance art company based in Chicago, Illinois, that has a unique solution for delivering a socially distant live theater production while attracting audiences to local retail businesses. I spoke with the entire cast about how they developed this idea, and where they think it can go. Tune in to hear what the buzz is about, and how you can support their first production happening this February. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StopMotionPlant || Indiegogo: http://www.igg.me/at/windowplays
2021-02-0728 min
Shomee Creators PodcastAccess Dance Festival: Teaching dance to populations with disabilitiesVirginia Belt and Saras Feijóo, creators of have Access Dance Festival, talk about developing classes on dance and movement for people that have visible and non visible disabilities such as Parkinson’s and blindness. I had a talk with Virginia and Sarasa to learn about their upcoming event, which is designed both for students and for dance instructors to learn how to work these populations. Access Dance Festival is a 501c3 charitable organization that accepts tax free donations at AccessDanceFestival.com. And you can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InclusivityandDance
2021-02-0723 min
Shomee Creators PodcastChris Blackmore: Owning an Indie record label in the age of DIY publishingIn this very first episode of Creators Podcast, we talk with Chris Blackmore, founder of Holy Smokes Records, based in Glasgow, Scotland. At the age of 19, he started his own record label representing regional contemporary Scottish Folk artists. Chris and I talked about what challenges he faced starting his own business with no prior experience in the music industry, and what value his label gives independent artists in the era of DIY publishing. Homepage: http://www.holysmokesrecords.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolySmokesRecords/
2021-02-0726 min