The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

Welcome to the Indie Playbook presented by Focused Noise, where we highlight independent music bosses, hustlers, and entrepreneurs, and break down their successes, failures, and life lessons. No gimmicks, just hopefully some beneficial tips and reminders that will help you along your way.

A3C Music Business Discussion: Getting on Tours, Festivals, and Shows 10/18/2018

A3C Music Business Discussion: Getting on Tours, Festivals, and Shows This is a special episode from the A3C Festival and Conference in Atlanta, where I was invited to speak on a panel about touring, festivals, and shows. We also gave some helpful tips on how to grow a fanbase organically and how to build an artist's overall brand. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/7237595

Media Mastermind Justin Hunte- Create Your Own Path 03/27/2018

Media Mastermind Justin Hunte- Create Your Own Path Justin Hunte is the Head of Video Production & Development for Ambrosia For Heads, and Director of Content and Strategic Marketing at Empire Distribution. Hunte is also a weekly contributor to Shade45's All Out Show on SiriusXM. He sacrificed a profitable investment banking career with the goal of becoming the greatest Hip-Hop writer on the planet. Hunte is a great example for anyone who has a dream and a vision, but is hesitant to take the necessary leap of faith. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/6412641

KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)- Winning Through Hard Work and Creativity 01/25/2018

KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)- Winning Through Hard Work and Creativity KXNG Crooked AKA Crooked I is one of Hip-Hop's all-time great lyricists. Suge Knight once hailed him as the next Tupac Shakur, and years later Eminem signed his group Slaughterhouse to Shady Records. But that doesn't even begin to explain Crooked's foresight and brilliance. Crooked built one of Hip-Hop's first online followings with the release of his Hip-Hop Weekly Series, releasing a new track every week for a year, and creating a trend that was later implemented by a number of successful artists. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/6186635

Film Producer Gary Ousdahl- The Making of Warren G's "G-Funk" Documentary 12/20/2017

Film Producer Gary Ousdahl- The Making of Warren G's "G-Funk" Documentary Gary Ousdahl is the Owner and Manager of Advanced Management. He recently produced the upcoming Warren G documentary “G-Funk”, which will be released in early 2018. Previously, Gary worked as an agent at William Morris. He also worked side by side with the prolific Tyler Perry almost every day from 2008-2010. Gary is a master networker and dot connector, and he shares some of the methods that have helped him succeed as a film producer, manager, and business owner. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/6075429

A&R Michael Chehadé- Realizing the Value in Yourself 12/14/2017

A&R Michael Chehadé- Realizing the Value in Yourself Michael Chehadé is currently the Director of A&R and Creative Director with the Adler Music Group. Previously, he managed radio/ TV personality DJ Skee as well as Dash Radio. Chehadé was also a producer at Skee TV, which aired on Access and Fuse TV. Additionally, Michael is a known tastemaker, championing and promoting many of your favorite artists before the general public becomes aware of their music. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/6047506

Musician Adam Hamilton- From L.A. Guns to Vanilla Ice to William Shatner 12/07/2017

Musician Adam Hamilton- From L.A. Guns to Vanilla Ice to William Shatner Adam Hamilton is an accomplished musician who was discovered by C.C. Deville from Poison, and was the former bass guitarist for L.A. Guns. He's worked with everyone from Angie Stone to Vanilla Ice to William Shatner, who he continues to work with on a regular basis. Adam's music has also appeared everywhere from The Bourne Identity to Saturday Night Live to The Simpsons. We delve deep into publishing and Adam breaks down the benefits of placing your music in film, TV, commercials, and more. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/6020255

Music Entrepreneur Dame Ritter- Always Focus on Your Fans 11/28/2017

Music Entrepreneur Dame Ritter- Always Focus on Your Fans Dame Ritter is best known as the co-founder of the successful Indie Hip-Hop label Funk Volume (Hopsin, Dizzy Wright, Jerren Benton). After the dissolution of the label, Dame founded the Music Entrepreneur Club, a music business educational platform. Dame also continues to work with Dizzy Wright and their Still Movin' Movement. After all of his accomplishments, Dame continues to keep striving for more success, and both his persistence and business acumen are on display throughout the interview. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5986457

Tastemaker Jen Deleon- Sacrificing Money for Your Own Happiness 11/21/2017

Tastemaker Jen Deleon- Sacrificing Money for Your Own Happiness Jen Deleon is a perfect example of the Indie Playbook lifestyle. She has proven her willingness to sacrifice money for her happiness in order to follow her dreams. She inspires a number of people daily through video content that allows her fans honest access into her personal and professional life. Jen has also accomplished a great deal in the music industry, as an interviewer, personality, publicist, consultant, agent, and tastemaker, and it's obvious that she is only beginning. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5969124

Agent Jamie Adler- The Importance of Taking Risks and Helping Others 11/15/2017

Agent Jamie Adler- The Importance of Taking Risks and Helping Others Born into a rock n’ roll family as the younger brother of Guns n’ Roses co-founder and original drummer Steven Adler, Jamie followed his brother into the music industry. He has served as the agent for Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Motorhead, Danzig, Tyrese, Bobby Brown, ODB, and Guru from Gangstarr among others. Adler is perhaps best known as the agent/manager for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, DJ Quik, and Dennis Quaid & The Sharks. In this episode, Jamie balances unbelievable stories with expert advice. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5946878

Artist/ DJ Hanif Wondir- Have Faith in Your Own Perspective 11/09/2017

Artist/ DJ Hanif Wondir- Have Faith in Your Own Perspective Hanif Wondir is a multi-talented artist, DJ, and graphic designer. He was voted “Best Club DJ” by readers of the Monterey County Weekly six times out of the last seven years. He is also the official DJ of the prestigious Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. Hanif has toured the country and regularly performs up and down the west coast. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5927102

Stance Socks's Albie Rosario- Just Be Good to People 11/02/2017

Stance Socks's Albie Rosario- Just Be Good to People Albie Rosario is the Men’s Lifestyle Marketing Director at Stance Socks, which is currently one of the most cutting edge, forward thinking clothing brands in the game. You’ve probably seen a number of their incredible artist collaborations, including Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and many more. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5901939

Entrepreneur Josh Levine- Finding Your Own Style of Leadership 10/26/2017

Entrepreneur Josh Levine- Finding Your Own Style of Leadership Josh Levine is a marketing wizard with a wide range of experience in the music industry. Beginning as a journalist at the Source, XXL, Vibe, and URB among others, Josh went on to manage WC from The Westside Connection. Levine eventually created his own lane in the exciting world of culture-marketing, creating memorable campaigns for Scion, 7UP, Mazda, and more. He's currently the CEO of Rebel Industries and hosts his own podcast entitled Rebel Radio. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5878889

Talent Buyer and Manager Thomas Cussins- Why Mistakes are Crucial to your Success 10/19/2017

Talent Buyer and Manager Thomas Cussins- Why Mistakes are Crucial to your Success Thomas Cussins is the co-founder of Ineffable Music Group, which manages the careers of Collie Buddz, Hieroglyphics, Stick Figure, and many more. Cussins is also the Head Talent Buyer for the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, CA, The Cornerstone in Berkeley, and Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, CA. He also produces the Levitate Music festival just outside of Boston. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5855615

Creed Bratton- Never Stop Believing in Yourself 10/11/2017

Creed Bratton- Never Stop Believing in Yourself Creed Bratton is known as the lovable enigmatic old man from the hit TV show "The Office", known for some of the show's funniest one-liners. Creed also co-founded the band The Grass Roots, and was a huge rock star in the late sixties and early seventies. I’ve been fortunate enough to work closely with Creed, and I wanted to give listeners a rare glimpse into the real Creed, a passionate, caring, hilarious, and brilliant artist, father (and now grandfather), and friend. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5830714

Journalist Soren Baker- A Love for Hip-Hop Created a Lifetime of Opportunities 10/05/2017

Journalist Soren Baker- A Love for Hip-Hop Created a Lifetime of Opportunities Soren Baker is an incredibly respected journalist in the world of Hip-Hop. After years of writing and interviewing numerous rap legends, he went on to become the editor at The Source magazine. More recently, his online channel Unique Access Entertainment has surpassed one million views on YouTube. Find out how Soren’s love for Hip-Hop culture and rap music has led to amazing opportunities to pen books and write for television and films. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5811913

Artist Slimkid3- How Clarity and Creativity can Help you go the Distance (Part 1) 09/19/2017

Artist Slimkid3- How Clarity and Creativity can Help you go the Distance (Part 1) Tre Hardson AKA Slimkid3 is an MC, DJ, and Producer, best known for his work as a founding member of the groundbreaking Hip-Hop group The Pharcyde (Passin' Me By, Drop, Runnin). Tre is also a black belt in Taekwondo, and teacher of meditation and hip-hop. Tre discusses the legacy of The Pharcyde, and the important role of creativity in establishing their identity. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5755522

Promoter Sean Healy- Can Artists Benefit from Paying to Play Shows? 09/12/2017

Promoter Sean Healy- Can Artists Benefit from Paying to Play Shows? Episode 2 features special guest Sean Healy, owner of Sean Healy Presents, one of the largest independent concert promotions companies in the country. SHP operates out of Los Angeles, and the company promotes shows all over the west coast, as well as Chicago, NYC, and more. Healy has also been a controversial figure, due to his use of the pay to play method, or as he prefers to call it "pre-sale tickets". /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5730053

Manager Steve Lobel - Part 2 - How loyalty, integrity and hard work leads to longevity in the music business 09/02/2017

Manager Steve Lobel - Part 2 - How loyalty, integrity and hard work leads to longevity in the music business Steve Lobel blesses us with a ton of great stories and advice, including lessons learned from Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, and others. He prides himself on honesty, and he does not back down from any questions, sharing very personal details and great business guidance. This is a great episode for any aspiring artist, producer, or future executive looking for more insight on advancing his or her career. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5700386

Manager Steve Lobel - Part 1 - How loyalty, integrity and hard work leads to longevity in the music business 09/02/2017

Manager Steve Lobel - Part 1 - How loyalty, integrity and hard work leads to longevity in the music business Steve Lobel is a legend in the hip-hop game. After getting introduced to the music business by the late great Jam Master Jay from Run-DMC, Steve went on to become one of hip-hop’s most recognizable managers. Currently, Lobel manages the legendary group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and super producer Scott Storch, who has worked with The Roots, Dr. Dre, Fat Joe, and many more. /episode/index/show/focusednoise/id/5700316

The Indie Playbook Presented by Focused Noise

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