Developing a Unique Sound & Social Media Presence w/ James Berkeley

What makes someone stop and really listen when you talk about your music?In today’s episode, I am dropping into a highlight from a recent live Q&A inside our Club, featuring none other than Allie Silver, world music artist manager and founder of Free Radical Productions.Over the past decade, Allie has managed and produced more than 50 international tours across 37 countries, bringing artists to some of the most iconic venues and festivals on the planet. Through her acclaimed Band Therapy program, she’s helped countless artists and industry pros build strong, sustainable global careers. In our conversation,Allie gets right into how to present yourself in a way that stands out, starting with one of the most powerful tools you have: your elevator pitch. She shares super actionable tips on how to weave your story and uniqueness into a pitch that truly grabs attention.Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] in learning more about our membership community for serious DIY artists?Join our Club with a 14-day free trial 👉🏻 BECOME A MEMBERWant the inside scoop on Europe’s most exciting music events + expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 SIGN UP

How do you find the right creative partners? How do you build a thriving music community around you? To break it all down, I’m sitting down with Alexander Flood—one of Australia’s most forward-thinking and versatile drummers.His sound is a fusion of nu-jazz, deep house, broken beat, DnB, funk, and experimental vibes—completely his own. Back in 2020, just a few years after topping his jazz program, he signed with US label Stretch Music and dropped his debut album, Heartbeat.Two years later, he followed it up with The Space Between—an album that wasn’t just about the music but about connection, featuring heavy-hitters like Christian Scott and Vivian Sessoms.And that’s exactly what we’re diving into today.In this episode, Alexander breaks down what it really takes to collaborate as an artist—how he finds creative partners, builds an artistic community, and brings people together to make meaningful music. We’re also talking about the evolution of contemporary jazz and getting an exclusive look at his upcoming album, Artifactual Rhythm. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!Check out the Table of Contents 👉🏻 HERE.Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] the inside scoop on Europe’s most exciting music events + expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 HERE!

I love the music and energy that emerge from artists who make their multi-creative sides shine together contagiously. One such artist is James Berkeley.As an instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer, James has established himself in the UK jazz, soul, and R&B scenes through a wide range of musical projects.Whether delivering electrifying live performances with his band Yakul or working behind the scenes producing and writing for other artists, he’s built an impressive reputation.He’s worked extensively with legendary jazz outfit Incognito, and his collaboration with R&B powerhouse Mereba has racked up over a million streams, all leading up to Yakul’s acclaimed 2021 debut, Rise Indigo.Now, James is stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist—plus, his debut album drops this year!Beyond his music, James is passionate about sharing his journey. He offers insights and advice to fellow musicians on social media. With over a decade in the industry, he uses his experience to help others carve their paths.That’s exactly why I wanted to interview him—to learn about his creative process, deep connection to jazz, soul, and R&B, and how he’s crafted such a unique sound. We also get into the art of building an authentic online presence in today’s music world.Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one. Enjoy the conversation!Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] to stay in the loop on Europe’s most exciting music events and get expert music marketing tips?Subscribe to the MTG Newsletter 👉🏻 HERE!

If there's one musician who truly embodies resilience, it's Lakecia Benjamin.Just a couple of weeks ago, at the 60th Jazzfest Berlin, I had the privilege of sitting down with powerhouse saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin for an inspiring conversation. Throughout her career, she's played alongside legends like Anita Baker, the Count Basie Orchestra, Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, the Roots, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, and so many more. After a serious car accident in 2021, Lakecia didn't just bounce back—she wrote new music that would become her latest album, Phoenix, earning three Grammy nominations. Her journey shows just how far small steps forward can go. Lakecia opened up about her roots growing up in Washington Heights, New York, a predominantly Dominican neighbourhood pulsing with Latin music.She shared insights into her 2020 album Pursuance: The Coltranes, her triple Grammy-nominated 2023 Phoenix, the influence of Alice and John Coltrane, and the courage it takes to reveal your authentic self to an online audience as an independent artist. I saw Lakecia in an incredible concert at Quasimodo.What impressed me the most was her attitude. I had to think of what Miles Davis once said: "Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the motherfucker who plays it is 80 percent." The concert wasn't just music, it was a party with all of us - we all celebrated life and women in music.I love her story, her truth and her drive. Enjoy listening! 🎧 Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

If you’ve ever found yourself relaxing on the couch with a warm cup of tea, lost in thought about your day, Cecily’s beautiful music is exactly what you need to enhance those moments. Cecily is an amazing vocalist and songwriter based in DC, known for her soothing and rich voice. She describes her music as a blend of soul with strong influences from jazz, 90’s R&B, and a touch of folk.She’s shared the stage with some incredible talent, opening for award-winning artists like Gregory Porter and Jose James, as well as R&B stars like Johnny Gill, Kenny Lattimore, and Elle Varner. She’s even performed alongside folk artist Becca Stevens and alternative soul pioneer Bilal. Just this past June, she released Awakening Pt. II, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2019 project Awakening Pt. I. I had the pleasure of chatting with her virtually on Zoom, and it was truly inspiring. We explored her musical influences, reminisced about her experiences at the Umbria Jazz Festival, and discussed her connection to Gil Scott-Heron. We also delved into the messages and creative process behind Awakening Pt. II. We wrapped up our conversation by talking about her approach to songwriting and the challenges of releasing an album independently. It was such a delightful exchange, and I really hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed our conversation! 🎧Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected]

Etuk Ubong is without a doubt one of the most electrifying trumpet players in Africa.Seun Kuti himself called him ‘one of the best things to come out of Lagos,’ and it’s easy to see why. Etuk picked up the trumpet at 14 and hasn’t looked back since.What sets him apart is his fusion of Afrobeat, Highlife, Jazz, and the traditional drumming of the Ekombi, creating his signature sound, 'Earth Music.' It’s a captivating mix of spiritual, high-energy, and deeply moving rhythms.I had the chance to sit down with Etuk before his set at the Dürchluften Festival 2024 and our conversation was nothing short of inspiring.We dove into his musical influences, deep connection to Fela Kuti, jazz studies at the University of Cape Town, and how he crafted his unique genre: Earth Music.We also touched on the importance of documenting your journey online, and Etuk had some incredible insights to share on that. Chatting with him was a spiritual experience, and I hope you'll feel the same listening to the episode. 🎧What stood out to you most?Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] our Online Music Networking Event on Tuesday, September 24 at 7 pm CET!I'd love to invite you to our Music Networking Event! The event is the perfect opportunity for you to connect with other artists &musicians worldwide. It's a chance to share your ideas and discuss various aspects of your musical realm, such as upcoming releases or shows, exciting music discoveries, ongoing projects, seeking feedback/discussing your major challenges.Get ready for a session filled with great exchanges. 🙂To join the session, access the Zoom link 👉🏻 HERE. PS. Make sure to add the event to your calendar.I can't wait to see you!

Bia Ferreira, a Brazilian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, stands out for her innovative approach to combining Afrodiasporic rhythms – like soul, R&B, reggae and rap – with Brazilian music – such as samba and repente. She is known for her straightforward lyrics addressing important topics like necropolitics, racial quotas, anti-racism, women's rights, LGBTQIAP+ rights, and affection. She's been also one of the strongest "voices" against Jair Bolsonaro inside and outside Brazil. Her shows are full of music, love and speeches.I catch up with Bia before her show at Dürchluften Festival 2024.In our conversation, we talked about her musical influences, why she focuses on making political music, her debut album Igreja Lesbiteriana, Um Chamado, and all things sharing powerful messages through music.Absolutely a spiritual time chatting with her!I hope you will enjoy the experience. 🎧What was your biggest takeaway from today's episode?Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] our upcoming Online Q&A Session w/ Skyline Sun! I want to extend an invitation for you to join us in an exciting live Q&A session on August 27 at 7 pm (CEST) with Australian-born, Berlin-based guitarist, musician and producer Jarrah Dhyan aka Skyline Sun. During this session, Jarrah will discuss all the aspects and respond to your questions on Getting Featured on Spotify Playlists and Media Coverage through his experience releasing his very first album Dichotomy.Get ready for a session filled with inspiration and exchange!To join the session, sign up for our Club Membership today 👉🏻 HERE.

Natalie Greffel is a versatile Mozambican-Danish singer, bassist, composer, and passionate advocate for the arts.In addition to his work as a musician, she serves as a curator for XJAZZ! FESTIVAL, curating an eclectic lineup of performances, workshops, and special events showcasing contemporary jazz while honouring its rich cultural heritage.In our conversation, we talked about her multicultural background influencing her musical journey, the music and the politics and the culture behind Jazz addressing social and political issues and her role at XJAZZ! sharing useful advice and personal reflections about getting booked at Festivals.Getting the chance to meet Natalie was a fantastic opportunity for me to delve into the importance of understanding more about the true nature of jazz. Specifically, I learned about its African roots that continue to shape its music in the present day.Natalie, being a passionate individual dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, shared her passion for all things Jazz music with great enthusiasm.I hope you will enjoy it the same way I did! 🎧What was your biggest takeaway from today's episode?Let's talk about today's episode: 👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram 👉🏻 Drop me a note at [email protected] our upcoming Online Q&A Session w/ Skyline Sun! I want to extend an invitation for you to join us in an exciting live Q&A session on August 27 at 7 pm (CEST) with Australian-born, Berlin-based guitarist, musician and producer Jarrah Dhyan aka Skyline Sun. During this session, Jarrah will discuss all the aspects and respond to your questions on Getting Featured on Spotify Playlists and Media Coverage through his experience releasing his very first album Dichotomy.Get ready for a session filled with inspiration and exchange!To join the session, sign up for our Club Membership today 👉🏻 HERE.

EXCERPT - I've made public a snippet of our recent live Q&A session within our Club Membership with Berlin-based Hungarian musician and producer Szabolcs Bognar aka Àbáse.In this excerpt, Àbáse discussed the behind-the-scenes process and inspirations of his new album 'Awakening', as well as his personal views and experience in promoting the album release.I am grateful for this lively and deep exchange we had with Szabolcs as he shared such important topics including cultivating a growth mindset in the age of social media and clearing your mind of worries before performing live.What was your most valuable takeaway from today's episode?👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram I love hearing from you!Want to hear the full discussion?The conversation is now available on-demand in our Club Membership online platform. If you're interested, sign up for our Club Membership today HERE.

EXCERPT - I've made public a snippet of our recent live Q&A session within our Club Membership with drummer, percussionist and producer from São Paulo, Brazil, Vitor Cabral.In this session, we covered a wide range of topics including Samba rhythms from Brazil, shining a spotlight on talented Brazilian artists who deserve more recognition, and all things the creative process.One particular highlight that stood out to me was when Vitor stressed the importance of studying different musical traditions as a means to uncover fresh ideas that can ignite creativity in your work. What are your thoughts on this? How do you personally stay creative as an artist?👉🏻 Let's connect on Instagram I love hearing from you!Interested in hearing the full conversation?The full conversation is now available on-demand in our Club Membership online platform. If you're interested, sign up for our Club Membership today HERE.Join our upcoming Online Music Networking Event!Mark your calendars for May 28 at 7 pm (CET).I'd like to extend an invitation to you for a Music Networking Event. The event is the perfect opportunity for you to connect with other artists and enthusiasts worldwide.It's a chance to share your ideas and discuss various aspects of your musical realm, such as upcoming music releases or shows, exciting music discoveries, ongoing projects, seeking feedback/discussing your major challenges.To join, click here to get the Zoom link.I can't wait to meet you!