MBP #180 Rob Talbott

Today's guest on The Mr. Bill Podcast is Rob Talbott of Dodge & Fuski and co-founder of Disciple. Rob's been producing since the early 2000s and came up during the early UK dubstep era, back when scenes were small, MySpace was the main discovery tool, and nothing happened overnight. Dodge & Fuski was a key part of that moment, and Disciple went on to become home to a generation of artists who grew into long-term careers. We talk about when music stopped being a hobby and started feeling like a job, what it was really like coming up before modern social media, and how slow and unglamorous those early years actually were. We also get into the realities of running a label, balancing creativity with business, and the burnout that can come with doing both at once. Rob also opens up about stepping away from music for several years, what caused that disconnect, and what it has been like coming back after a long hiatus. We talk about how his relationship with music has changed and why he is enjoying it again now. This is an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about building things, burning out, and finding your way back to the thing you cared about in the first place. Rob Talbott Links Mr. Bill's Links 

Brad Sweet is the co-founder and CEO of Same Same But Different Music Festival and Same Same Presents. With a background as a musician and producer, Brad's understanding of the industry has fueled the growth of Same Same But Different from a 400-person gathering to 7,500 daily campers in under five years. This achievement was recognized with a nomination for Best Emerging Festival by X-Live and winning Best New Festival by USA Today. Brad's approach to festival organization is rooted in empowering passionate, creative individuals with the tools to build and create with as little restrictions as possible. This has grown and fostered a passionate team around the festival and has led to incredibly rich and meaningful experiences for attendees. The team sets the tone and ethos for any festival and a team built directly from the community means that the attendees and the team become a unified force working together to the benefit of the festival. His personal commitment to create a welcoming, inclusive environment are hallmarks of his leadership style. At the heart of Brad's work is a commitment to building a community that extends beyond the festival grounds, fostering lasting connections and memorable experiences for each attendee. Brad Sweet Links   Mr. Bill's Links 

Simone 'Funi' Fougnier is a visual artist from Northern Italy, built a 15-year career in the music industry, collaborating with icons like Deadmau5 and Anderson Paak as an illustrator, designer, and motion artist. In 2019, Fougnier co-founded Studio Syro to pioneer unexplored artistic mediums. This vision birthed 'Tales from Soda Island,' an award winning VR animated series for Meta, where Fougnier served as writer, designer, and director. As the field of VR evolves, Funi consistently explores its untapped artistic potential with a host of fresh, immersive projects underway. His last project, 'The Art of Change' was selected in the Immersive section at the 81st Venice Immersive Biennale and won the 2024 XR Experience Award. Funi Links   Mr. Bill's Links 

Opiuo is a genre-bending plethora of auditory and visual masterclasses. Born in 1984 in rural New Zealand, his parents provided the land upon which music festivals were held. This extremely formative growth surrounded by the early incarnations of Aotearoa's electronic music scene exposed him to the celebration of life through self-expression, dance, and giant sound systems. These experiences shaped so much of who he is & what he stands for today. Positivity and movement at the core of the project, his music is an infectious electronic based blend of funk, soul, psychedelia, and booty-shaking bass.  Now calling Australia home, Oscar tours his party-starting music throughout the globe. Having spent more than a decade performing at some of the world's most renowned festivals and venues including Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, and Coachella, as well as selling out Colorado's famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre multiple times, he's performed his music in an unimaginably large array of formats. From self-built Orchestras, to collaborating with symphony choirs, touring his own Opiuo Band, and as an immersive solo audio & visual show, his live creativity is limitless. Taking home the New Zealand Music Award for Best Electronic Album in 2014, his catalogue is vast. Having released 6 full-length albums, 10 EPs, and a myriad of singles and remixes over the last 14 years. In his own words, he is still "just getting started!". Opiuo Links   Mr. Bill Links

Justin Frankel is a programmer, musician, and human being. In this conversation, Justin, the creator of Winamp and Reaper, shares his journey through programming, the evolution of his software, and the philosophy behind his work. He discusses the challenges of working under AOL, the artistry involved in software development, and the unique pricing model of Reaper. Justin also reflects on the future of AI in music and the importance of human connection in art. Justin Frankel Links   Mr. Bill Links

In this conversation, this research team discusses their innovative project that combines social cognition, crowd dynamics, and machine learning. They explore how to utilize body tracking technology and infrared cameras to gather data on audience behavior during live performances. The team aims to understand the relationship between crowd dynamics and environmental factors, ultimately seeking to predict crowd behavior and enhance audience engagement. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of extracting data from crowd dynamics, particularly in the context of music performances. They discuss the challenges of video data extraction compared to audio, the inspiration behind their project, and the ethical implications of using technology for crowd surveillance. The conversation also touches on the potential for real-time integration of audience behavior into performances, the future of brain-computer interfaces, and the exploration of life beyond Earth through advanced technology. Michael Schnebly is an Applied Physics PhD student at Harvard University, where he studies the mechanics of proteins. He is also the creator of Stepwise (@stepwise.xyz), an experimental artist project using body-tracking technology to build new musical instruments and ways of performing. His work bridges scientific research, live performance, and social experimentation. Michael is one of the co-creators of "Calibration," a new collaborative research-performance series alongside neuroscientist Landry Bulls and electronic music artist Supertask. Calibration is a scientific study of group synchrony, embodiment, and the neural basis of musical experience through body-tracking in live concert crowds. It launches at Cervantes' Other Side in Denver this summer. Michael Schnelby Links Landry Bulls is a PhD student in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College. As part of the Social Computation, Representation, and Prediction (SCRAP) Lab working with Dr. Mark Thornton, he uses computational methods to study social signaling of human groups and crowds.  Landry Bulls Links For the people who love to experience music, look no further than Supertask. With deep roots in hip-hop and a focus towards immersion, Supertask creates sonic landscapes that dance between the intensity and stillness of the human consciousness. His offerings of musical escapism are consumed by the concept of infinity, and with a background in IT, Supertask often utilizes code and programming in his artistic vision. A vision that his loyal community, the Dev Team, are directly involved in. Blending both analog and digital sound design, his unique approach has proven to be a driving force in the forward progression of electronic music. Through soundscapes that feel sentient, interactive live streams, and mind-bending visuals, Supertask is changing the way that we consume art. Supertask links Mr. Bills Links

Andrew develops some of the world's most advanced analog modelling audio algorithms, releasing these as plugins through his own company Cytomic, and licensing technology to industry leading developers like Ableton (Live, Move, Push), and Xfer Records (Serum). Andrew Simper Links Mr Bill Links Summary In this conversation, Bill Day and Andy Simper delve into the intricacies of audio programming, DSP algorithms, and the evolution of music production tools. They discuss the challenges faced in hardware development, the early days of VST plugins, and the impact of the Glue compressor on Ableton's EQ8. The conversation also explores the technicalities of filters, the transition from bi-quad to state variable filters, and the nuances of summing engines in audio quality. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of efficiency in DSP and the future of audio processing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:02 Early Days of Audio Programming 11:56 The Glue Compressor and Its Impact 18:01 The Transition to Better Algorithms 23:55 The Future of Audio Processing 30:33 Understanding Audio Summing and Its Implications 36:06 The Complexity of DSP Equations 41:18 Optimizing CPU Usage in Audio Plugins 52:12 Challenges in Audio Feature Extraction 59:17 The Complexity of Circuit Simulation 01:06:18 Modeling Analog Gear: The Importance of Realism 01:11:39 Criteria for Meaningful Emulation vs. Mimicry 01:20:40 Imagining Unlimited Computational Power in DSP 01:25:42 Unsolved Problems in Digital Signal Processing  

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, PhaseOne's distinct sound (a unique blend of hard-hitting Bass Music infused with Metal) quickly found him a niche in the hardline EDM landscape. His music has been described as "a symphony of filth", and boy are they not wrong. As a producer, guitarist, and songwriter PhaseOne expertly crafts a "metal meets electronic" sound that not only defies genres but has earned him multiple number 1s, and millions of streams globally. PhaseOne's DJ performances bring unmatched energy to the stage; it's a show he's toured extensively in global markets including North America, South America, Europe, Australia, the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East, and Europe, playing sold-out headline shows and festivals such as Tomorrowland, EDC, Rampage and Lost Lands, with some of the biggest names in electronic music. His music is loved and supported by artists such as Skrillex, Illenium, Slander, and Excision. PhaseOne Links   Mr. Bill's Links

Amidst the kaleidoscopic landscape of electronic music, Skyberak stands as a visionary architect of sound, masterfully weaving vibrant hues of color into the intricate fabric of bass music. With a signature style that defies convention, Skybreak's sonic creations explore the uncharted territories of Color Bass and Future Riddim, giving rise to a symphony of textures, emotions, and boundless creativity. Collaborations are a cornerstone of Skybreak's sonic voyage, serving as gateways to musical exploration and innovation. His creative energy flows seamlessly alongside artists such as Ace Aura, Aethoro, ALLEYCVT, and Azure Spark, to name just a few. With each collaborative endeavor, Skybreak melds his sonic identity with the unique perspectives of his musical counterparts, resulting in tracks that are as diverse as they are captivating. Through a prolific discography, Skybreak's music finds its home on an array of prestigious labels, each one a testament to his ability to traverse the sonic spectrum. From the ethereal landscapes of Seeking Blue to the bass-driven frontiers of Never Say Die and Disciple, his releases resonate with audiences across genres, speaking to his dynamic range as a producer and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of bass music. At the core of Skybreak's sonic identity lies a passion for Color Bass and Future Riddim—a genre that he has nurtured and evolved since his inception in 2017. His tracks are not mere compositions; they're vivid landscapes of sound, each element carefully placed to evoke a kaleidoscope of emotions. The rhythms, melodies, and textures intertwine to create an immersive experience that transcends sound, becoming a canvas for listeners to explore the depths of their imagination. Skybreak's transformative influence extends beyond his own productions. Through a remix of "Blue Eternal" by Said The Sky & Motion City Soundtrack, he infuses his unique touch into existing tracks, breathing new life into familiar melodies. This remix is a testament to his ability to reshape music into his own sonic realm, infusing it with his trademark energy and creativity. As he continues to forge his path through the evolving landscape of electronic music, Skybreak's name becomes synonymous with innovation, audacity, and a relentless pursuit of artistic expression. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of music, showcasing the ability to create immersive worlds through sonic landscapes. With each track, each release, Skybreak invites audiences to experience the beauty of color bass and future riddim—a vivid symphony that transcends the ordinary and propels listeners into realms of uncharted sonic wonder. Skybreak Links Mr. Bill's Links 

Matt Xavier is a full-time psychedelic guide, DJ, and mental health counselor whose remarkable career has spanned more than three decades at the intersection of music, healing, and expanded states of consciousness. In the early 1990s, Matt gained prominence as "Matthew Magic," a pioneering force in New York City's underground electronic music scene. As cofounder of Tsunami Productions, he introduced Psychedelic Trance to the North American East Coast and later founded the influential techno label Railyard Recordings. Throughout his tenure, he held DJ residencies in both New York and Los Angeles, performing at renowned festivals and clubs around the world. Educated at Loyola Marymount University and credentialed in California, Matt has worked as a certified Gestalt therapist and co-occurring addiction counselor, providing evidence-based care at leading treatment centers across Los Angeles. In 2019, he received formal training in psychedelic-assisted therapy and launched Integrated Psychedelics—a private practice offering harm-reduction therapy, integration counseling, and immersive, music-enhanced psychedelic journeys. Through his work with Therapeutic DJing, Matt teaches others how to harness the powerful synergy between music and psilocybin-assisted therapy to support emotional release, healing, and deep personal transformation. Career News: Book release Early June 2025:  The Psychedelic DJ - A Practical Guide to Therapeutic Music Curation and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy DJ Sets @ Psychedelic Science Conference June 2025: Shulgin 100 Year Birthday Celebration @ Psychedelic Science 2025 - Denver, feat. Oona Dahl & Matt Xavier AFTERGLOW: unofficial ambient-techno afterhours for Psychedelic Science 2025 - Denver, feat. Oona Dahl & Matt Xavier Matt's Links Mr. Bill's Links