DROPPED Note #1: On Creativity

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of maintaining the podcast amidst busy lives and the evolving music industry landscape. We discuss the difficulties of balancing creative pursuits with the demands of social media marketing, reflecting on their past experiences and the pressures of online engagement. The conversation shifts to the impact of AI on music creation, with both of us contemplating the ethical implications and potential benefits of using AI tools in songwriting. We propose a challenge to the listeners, inviting you to suggest song concepts for a collaborative songwriting experiment that pits our human creativity against AI-generated compositions. Hope you enjoy this one! - Matt & Greg --------------------- More from Dropped: If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' then please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg DROPPED on Instagram Email us at [email protected]

In this special New Year episode, we ask one of our all time favourite former DROPPED guests - artist, producer, songwriter and entrepreneur TommyD - to share some wisdom for the year ahead. With over 9 billion streams to his name, work with top artists “from Kylie to Kanye,” and multiple successful business ventures, Tommy has learned a thing or two. This episode is adapted from a piece on his Substack and he recorded it especially for you. Go show him some love and give his Substack a follow to say thanks and receive regular wisdom from TommyD. Happy New Year! Much love, Matt & Greg Follow TommyD on Substack ------------------------------ More from TommyD: TommyD on Instagram TommyD on X TommyD Website More from Dropped: If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' then please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg DROPPED on Instagram Email us

Human thoughts on AI generated music. Matt pondering what it's all for, what it all means and most of all just... why? This DROPPED notes podcast was made entirely by a human. Imagine that? Let us know what you think about hearing from us more regularly with these shorter musings between the full length episodes at [email protected] --------------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast More from Dropped: instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]

This week on DROPPED we hung out with the brilliant Garrison Starr, Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and artist. The conversation starts with a wide ranging catch up and many anecdotes (Her and Greg have been close friends for a long time!) before getting into the story of how she has shaped a long, meaningful career in this tough industry and how she (and we) believe that artists should stand up and speak up for the things they believe in. We hear about Garrison's early experiences of rejection in her community and how they forced her to toughen up far sooner than most artists have to; She talks openly about the impact that had on her and why it made her almost impossible to knock off course. We also learn how she is building real community now through regular Patreon livestreams which she calls her "Church of broken healing souls". Garrison is staying consistently present with her supporters and recently even fully embracing social media, reframing it to serve her goals. This conversation is a rare, grounded look at how an artist can build something sustainable through raw honesty, direct connection and a lot of stubborn resilience. Hope you enjoy this conversation with the one and only Garrison Starr - an artist that we think everyone should hear about! ---------------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to DROPPED please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast on Our PATREON. Thanks! - Matt & Greg 🦩🦩 More from Garrison Starr: https://instagram.com/GarrisonStarr https://www.garrisonstarr.com More from Dropped: https://instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]

Greg launches our new short segment with some late night/early morning musings around creativity! Let us know what you think about hearing from us more regularly with these shorter musings between the full length episodes at [email protected] --------------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast More from Dropped: instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]

After a summer of building (literally and figuratively) in the dark, seemingly non-existent real music world outside of social media, we’re back! We catch up on our breaks, swap a few stories, and ease into a conversation about one of the murkier corners of the music industry: PR 📰 This week we’re joined by Nicole Poulos, founder and CEO of Sideways Media, whose work behind the scenes has helped countless artists actually get heard. We talk about how PR has changed in the streaming and social media era, what still matters, and whether it’s even worth it for indie artists trying to do it all themselves. We might just swallow some of our words, as it hits home just how important telling your own story can be!   If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg   More from Nicole Poulos: https://instagram.com/sidewaysmediainc https://sideways-media.com/ More from Dropped: instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]

After an unplanned break, we’re back and catching up on everything from tech to timber. We dive into how the latest wave of AI music tools are already making their impact on music (and lately even inspiring Greg), and Matt shares what he’s learned building a cabin studio from the ground up - because apparently being an indie musician now means also becoming a part-time builder. Don't forget Greg’s new protest anthem ‘Off With Their Heads’ - will it get him arrested, deported, or just more shadow banned than he is already? --------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast More from Dropped: instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]

In this episode we talk to Terry Cole, a public school teacher turned indie label head, producer, artist and co-founder of Plaid Room Records, a brick and mortar record store in Loveland, OH. Terry started selling records out of his car a decade ago and now runs two successful independent record labels; Colemine Records and Karma Chief Records, as well as his popular record store. Terry gives us much insight into the inner workings of indie labels, as well as what to do (and what not to do) if you’re an artist trying to approach indie labels and record stores alike. In our opinion, he embodies authenticity and talking to him was a real treat for both of us. His approach to the music industry is refreshing and we learned so much from him. We know you will too.   DISCLAIMER: This episode contains A LOT of profanity even for us, so maybe don't show this one to your kids.    Tracklist of Terry's songs used in this episode: 1. Snowcat - Leroi Conroy 2. If I Called You - Kendra Morris 3. Dreaming - Taylor Williams   ---------------------------------   If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg More from Terry Cole: instagram.com/leroiconroy instagram.com/plaidroomrecords instagram.com/coleminerecords   More from Dropped: instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]

In this week’s episode, Greg and Matt sit down with legendary music producer TommyD, whose near-endless list of credits includes Tom Jones, Beyoncé, Catatonia, Noel Gallagher and even Right Said Fred. We trace Tommy’s rise from South London’s music shops and clubs to the global stage, including some brilliant Tom Jones anecdotes and the story of how a demo tape exchange with Right Said Fred catapulted him into the big leagues. Tommy shares the philosophies and hard-won lessons that have guided his journey through multiple careers, from hitmaker to entrepreneur to industry changemaker. We also dive into what’s next in music, touching on Web3, AI and how indie skills may just give us all the edge. Let us know your thoughts on this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with TommyD - Head over to our Instagram or drop us an email! ------------------------------------ More from TommyD: TommyD on Instagram TommyD on X TommyD Website   More from Dropped: If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg DROPPED on Instagram Email DROPPED

In this episode we talk with Grammy-winning songwriter and artist Amy Wadge. At 37, Amy was a struggling artist and songwriter, like so many of us searching for some kind of meaning. Enter fresh-faced unknown singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The rest as they say is history... Sheeran's 2010 EP 'Songs I Wrote With Amy' is exactly what it sounds like: songs he wrote with Amy. In 2014 the two of them co-wrote "Thinking Out Loud", a humongous worldwide hit and the subject of an 8-year plagiarism lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed. Amy has written with many great artists including Alicia Keys, Camilla Cabello, Keith Urban, John Legend, Kylie Minogue, our very own Greg Holden, and so many more. She tells us what it was like for her in the early days, what it felt like to have a huge hit, then get sued and then bounce back. We discuss her passion for music theatre and talk about the difficulties we face in our industry today. Please enjoy this inspiring conversation with the incredible Amy Wadge. --------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg   More from Amy Wadge: instagram.com/wadge1975   More from Dropped: instagram.com/droppedpodcast [email protected]