MBP #158 Marcus Bell

Summary In this conversation, Marcus Bellringer shares his journey as a musician and the transformative impact of AI on music creation. He discusses the challenges he faced after losing his voice and how he utilized AI tools to clone his voice, leading to the creation of his project, Ravenlight. The discussion delves into the intersection of music, technology, and healing, highlighting collaborations with neuroscientists to explore the therapeutic effects of sound. Marcus emphasizes the importance of mentorship, intentional life design, and the evolving landscape of ownership and intellectual property in the age of AI-generated music. He envisions a future where AI enhances creativity and leads to the best music humanity has ever produced.   BIO: Born and raised in an underserved community in Virginia, Marcus Bell's journey into the world of music and technology began remarkably early. At just two years old, he showed an innate affinity for music—a passion that would soon intertwine with his burgeoning interest in technology. His mother, employed at a local university, brought home one of the first Macintosh computers of the 1980s. This rare access ignited Marcus's fascination with tech, providing a unique playground for his creative and analytical mind. Eager to record the songs he was composing even as a child, Marcus expressed a desire to capture his musical ideas. Recognizing his talent and ambition, his mother gifted him a four-track recorder. This pivotal moment marked the genesis of his dual career path, seamlessly blending the realms of music and technology. Today, Marcus Bell is a visionary force at the intersection of artificial intelligence, music, and digital assets. As the author of "The Bellringer Branding Bible" and "The Unstoppable Workbook," he shares his insights on building resilient brands and navigating the evolving digital landscape. Through his company, Bellringer Productions, Marcus is revolutionizing the music industry by leveraging AI to immortalize musical legacies, ensuring that the artistry of today resonates with generations to come. His latest venture, Timeless Legacies, embodies his mission to perpetuate knowledge and creativity through innovative AI solutions. Join us as we delve into Marcus Bell's inspiring story and explore how he's harnessing technology to transform the future of music. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Marcus Bellringer 06:41 AI and Music: A New Era 11:07 The Science of Sound and Healing 18:18 Navigating AI in Music Creation 26:19 Ownership and Intellectual Property in AI Music 34:12 The Future of Sync Licensing 38:18 Intentional Imbalances: Redefining Work-Life Balance 45:14 Defining Success in the Music Industry 49:34 Finding Purpose Through Mentorship Marcus Bell Links Mr. Bill’s Links   Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo

BIOS is the head of SATURATE! and their Artist Development Program.   SATURATE! is a digital and vinyl label for fresh music. "Bringing you the heat since 2010." Based in Hamburg, Germany, SATURATE! goes beyond being just a label—it’s a pulsating hub for fresh and innovative music. Artists who dare to push boundaries find a home here, curating sonic gems that defy conventions. Their impressive catalog features releases from some of bass music’s biggest names, including Chee, Herobust, G Jones, Zeke Beats, DJ Shadow, Om Unit, and Champagne Drip. These artists push the envelope with mind-bending sounds, creating an electrifying listening experience. But SATURATE! isn’t just about releasing music; they’re passionate about supporting producers who thrive on experimentation. That’s why they’ve established the Artist Development Program. This program, designed by industry professionals, provides personalized guidance to artists at every stage of their careers. Whether it’s honing songwriting skills, perfecting live performances, or navigating the complex music industry landscape, SATURATE!'s team of experts is there to support and elevate artists. To evaluate your struggles as a musician and elevate your journey to the next level you can book a free call here:  https://feedback.aboveandbelow.co/ Over the last decade, SATURATE! has evolved into a fully-fledged media company with multiple labels, millions of plays, and a dedicated fan base. Starting as a collective, the community of artists and fans has always been at the core of SATURATE!, creating a vibrant ecosystem where creativity and vibes thrive. Find them here: https://www.saturaterecords.com/ https://saturaterecords.bandcamp.com/https://soundcloud.com/saturaterecords Mr. Bill’s Links: https://linktr.ee/mrbillstunes   Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo

AyseDeniz was considered a child prodigy in her native Türkiye and made her concerto debut when she was nine, with the Gordion Chamber Orchestra playing J.S. Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 5. At thirteen, she had already performed as a soloist with various orchestras under conductors including Ibrahim Yazici, Fahrettin Kerimov, Antonio Pirolli, Cem Mansur, Engin Sakpinar, Ertug Korkmaz, Rengim Gokmen, Vladimir Sirenko, and Kirill Karabits.  ​ As a young pianist, AyseDeniz attended prestigious summer festivals including the Verbier Academy, Music Academy of the West, Aspen Music Festival and School, PianoTexas, Goslar Konzertarbeitswochen, Tel Hai, and Beijing International Music Festival, studying with renowned piano pedagogues such as Menahem Pressler, Jerome Lowenthal, Arie Vardi, Yoheved Kaplinsky, as well as Lang Lang. In middle school, AyseDeniz moved to Spain for half a year to study with the renowned Bach interpreter Rosalyn Tureck, becoming one of her last students. ​ In 2009, she completed her Bachelor's Degree at Eastman School of Music (Rochester NY) in the studio of Douglas Humpherys with all semesters on Dean's List, and received the Howard Hanson and Clements Scholarships as well as the John Celentano Excellence in Chamber Music Award. In 2011, She completed her Masters in Piano Performance at the Royal Academy of Music in London, under the tutelage of Christopher Elton, and received the Maud Hornsby Award, graduated with Merit, and also completed the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music Teaching Certificate. ​ Throughout her early career, AyseDeniz has given concerts around the world including Cathedral of Christ The Savior Moscow (Russia); L’Eglise Verbier (Switzerland); Duke’s Hall, Steinway Hall, Kings Place London (UK); Bellapais Antique Monastery (Northern Cyprus); Kiev Central Park of Culture Open Air Hall, Lysenko Hall (Ukraine); PepsiCo Hall (TX), Kilbourn Hall (NY), Harris Hall (CO), Pacific Amphitheater (CA) in USA; Teatro Cine Chacabuco (Argentina); Teatro Cine Gouveia, Teatro das Figuras Faro, Centro Cultural de Ãlhavo, Centro Cultural da Gafanha da Nazare, Groove Cascais (Portugal); Galleria d’Arte Moderna, San Fedele Milan, Teatro Dario Fo Venice, and St. Giorgio Cathedral Palermo (Italy); Silent Green Kulturquartier Berlin and Konzertsaal Friedenskapelle Münster (Germany); Sofia Central Military Club (Bulgaria), Ambato City Hall (Ecuador); Afundación and Mar de Vigo (Spain) and in almost all of Türkiye’s most important music halls including Süreyya Opera House, Albert Long Hall, CRR, CKM and Zorlu PSM (Istanbul), State Opera House (Eskisehir); City Hall (Adana); Atatürk Cultural Center & KSÜ Yunus Emre Cultural Center (Antalya); Opera Hall (Mersin); Hikmet Simsek Cultural Center, (Izmir); METU, CSO and MEB Sura (Ankara).  AyseDeniz Links   Mr. Bill’s Links   Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo

Bio: "Grabbitz has never shied away from embracing the totality of his musicality as a hybrid-live electronic artist, continually innovating and pushing his sound forward with each subsequent release." -(Billboard) "An updated version of the heady late-Nineties days when rock and 'electronica' commingled freely."-(Rolling Stone) Grabbitz Links Mr. Bill’s Links Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo

Bio: Opiuo is a genre-bending plethora of auditory and visual masterclasses. Positivity and movement are at the core of the project, and his music is an infectious electronic based blend of funk, soul, psychedelia, and booty-shaking bass. 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. 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 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, he’s performed his music in an unimaginably large array of formats. From his self-built orchestras to symphonic 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 5 full-length albums, 10 EPs, and a myriad of singles and remixes over the last 14 years. His latest album is a live recording from his legendary sold out performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with The Opulent Orchestra, in May 2023. Opiuo Links Mr. Bill Links  

BIO: Automhate is an Italian artist known for his unique blend of electronic music and avant-garde artistry. Emerging from the underground music scene, Automhate has carved a niche with his experimental soundscapes and innovative production techniques. His work often transcends traditional genre boundaries, incorporating elements of techno, ambient, and industrial music. Automhate's performances are renowned for their immersive and energetic nature. With several critically acclaimed releases, he continues to push the boundaries of contemporary electronic music.Automhate is an Italian artist known for his unique blend of electronic music and avant-garde artistry. Emerging from the underground music scene, Automhate has carved a niche with his experimental soundscapes and innovative production techniques. His work often transcends traditional genre boundaries, incorporating elements of techno, ambient, and industrial music. Automhate's performances are renowned for their immersive and energetic nature. With several critically acclaimed releases, he continues to push the boundaries of contemporary electronic music. Chapters: 00:00 Exploring the Artist's Identity 05:12 Music as a Form of Self-Expression 23:35 Unraveling the Source of Creativity in Music 31:01 Exploring the Origins of Art and Music 35:32 The Timeless Nature of Music 40:23 Ethics of Sampling in Electronic Music 49:28 The Ultimate Purpose of Music 51:02 Authenticity in Electronic Music Automhate Links Mr. Bill’s Links Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo

Bio: Nida donned the Green Matter alias in 2019 after several years of cultivating a love of bass music. This fiery passion was first sparked in 2012, when her sister took her to a Skrillex performance. She then dove headfirst into DAWs and dubstep production, finding her creative calling with the Green Matter project. The Latina artist shines unforgettably bright in the Denver, CO, bass music scene. Her sound cross-pollinates the nostalgia of earlier dubstep and the constant innovation of modern bass production. Green Matter Links Mr. Bill’s Links Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:53 Learning Ableton and Music Production 03:52 Green Matter's Creative Process 06:31 Defining Music: Drums, Melody, and Groove 09:25 Working at Meow Wolf 16:02 Goals for 2024 22:00 Overcoming Challenges as a Woman in the Electronic Music Scene 25:48 Navigating Pressure and Burnout in the Music Industry 29:01 Managing Mental Health  31:30 Finding Balance and Recharging with Favorite Activities 41:22 Favorite Venue in Colorado 45:19 Where to Find Green Matter's Music

Bio: "ONHELL" is a phonetic respelling of the Spanish pronunciation of angel and the first name of Los Angeles-based composer, producer, and DJ, Angel Rubio-Hale. ONHELL’s sets are diverse journeys, mostly comprised of original beats. Though no two tunes are the same, all with varying bpms and rhythms, ONHELL masterfully melds them all with distinct cohesion.  He’s completed multiple US tours, a solo tour across Asia, and has played at many notable festivals, including Symbiosis Gathering, Shambhala, Croatia’s Outlook Festival, Wakaan, Northern Nights, Treefort Music Fest, What the Festival, Raindance Campout, Untz Festival, and Emissions. ONHELL Links Mr. Bill’s Links: Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo Chapters: 00:00 Living in the Woods: Finding Inspiration in Nature 02:58 The Challenges of Mixing Music in Different Environments 06:54 Exploring the Potential of AI in Music Production 13:22 Defining Music: From Silence to Birdsong 28:53 The Impact of Legalization on the Weed Industry 28:57 The History and Climate of Weed Cultivation in California 32:19 Exploring Personal Experiences with Substances 39:16 The Underground Party Scene in LA: Themed Parties and Freedom 45:51 Understanding Polyamory: Benefits and Challenges 49:39 Collaboration and Camaraderie in the West Coast Music Scene

Bio Living in Denver, CO, Tom Brennan has been making electronic music of many flavors under the alias Keota for nearly 10 years, and making music for 15+ years. Specializing in many off-shoots of genres popularized in the UK (dubstep, garage, "neurohop", half-time, etc), Keota has played festivals such as Submersion, Wakaan, Sol Fest, Sound Haven, Infrasound, & many more. Keota also has a passion for education, and runs a Patreon with over 130+ videos, as well as a few sample packs, racks, and project files. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:12 Democratizing Pay in the Entertainment Industry 15:34 The Value of Art and Entertainment 27:41 The Impact of Hierarchies in the Industry 43:16 Idealism and Materialism in Capitalism 49:28 Incentives and Innovation in a Socialist Society 58:36 The Impact of Socialism on the Arts and the Environment 01:11:25 The Contradictions and Consequences of Capitalism 01:19:14 The Importance of Critical Thinking and Imagining Alternative Futures Keota Links Mr. Bill’s Links Podcast Produced & Edited by: Robert Fumo

Seppa has been producing beats for over 15 years, always finding new ways to keep the dance floor exciting. After working with a variety of small labels as Duskky, it was Wonk#ay Records (which he now co-runs with Bunkle and Aytch) that really pushed him into becoming what he is today. Playing a variety of parties, big and small, gave him a feel for what really works and that has influenced his productions up to the present. In 2015 he changed his name to Seppa, releasing a single entitled “Trojan/Coriolis” on AutomAte Recordings in February 2016, which was followed up by the EP ‘Homunculus’ in April that year. In November 2016 he released the ‘Displaced’ EP, which covered a variety of atmospheres and speeds whilst keeping a consistently dance floor friendly sound. After co-founding the record label Slug Wife, he turned out a wide variety of material, including his two solo albums to date, 'More' (2018) and 'Split' (2020), both of which were received to great acclaim. He's also put out two albums with collaborator Chalky, entitled 'Bright Spots' (2018) and 'Strange Changes' (2020), exploring instrument driven Jazz flavours and psychedelia. His beat tape, "Whack Lack Vol. 1" (2018), has also become a firm fan favourite alongside numerous Remixes, Singles and EPs. Having now left Slug Wife behind, and after a few years of big life things - namely becoming a father and a husband - Seppa returns in 2024 with his third full length album, ‘See It Through’. Featuring driving boom bap beats and his inimitable taste for otherworldly soundscapes it’s a narrative experience from start to finish, demanding many full listens to unearth all the hidden details. Whilst designed to be a completely enrapturing home listening experience, Seppa’s production really shines on a sound system, and he’s excited to bring his new musical creations to the dancefloor. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:29 The Story of SlugWife 10:56 The Pressure to Release Music Regularly 15:46 Creating Meaningful and Re-listenable Music 23:30 The Emotional Language of Music 28:01 Exploring Minimal Viable Music 32:35 The Subjective Nature of Music 39:24 The Power of Music and Creative Limitations 44:52 Balancing Quality and Quantity in Music Production 52:49 The Role of Mastering in Music Production 58:31 Clippers vs. Limiters in Mastering 01:05:07 Seppa's Upcoming Album: 'See It Through' Seppa Links   Mr. Bill’s Links