Blog | The Playful Musician

Sarah Belle Reid

Steve — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:31:34 +0000

Sarah Belle Reid

“” – Sarah Belle Reid

Sarah Belle Reid

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

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Alexandra Arrieche

Steve — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 21:33:00 +0000

Alexandra Arrieche

“” – Otis Murphy

Otis Murphy

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

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Otis Murphy

Steve — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 20:51:50 +0000

Otis Murphy

“” – Otis Murphy

Otis Murphy

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

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Brett Detar

Steve — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 16:22:35 +0000

Brett Detar

“The things that you don’t take seriously are the things that end up being awesome.” – Brett Detar

Brett Detar is a Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, film composer, producer and super creative guy. He’s made a name for himself with his band The Juliana Theory which he co-founded when he was just 19. Brett has also made an impact on the big screen, composing for the films The Devil Inside and Wer.

Brett Shares about his start with songwriting at age six, how he approaches creativity, what it’s like to score for a major motion picture and you’ll get to hear a bit of his just released single Playback 99, off the EP, Still The Same Kids Part I!

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

Music scene in Western Pennsylvania [5:29]
Brett Detar’s first musical instrument [6:04]
Musical background of Brett’s family [7:30]
Writing his first song [10:37]
The teacher that inspired Brett to write his own songs [13:34]
You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing [14:41]
Why you have to be flexible when you’re a film composer [17:36]
Analogy between an architect and a song writer [18:12]
Different approaches to song writing [19:16]
When composing for a film, the approach is storytelling [19:29]
Writing your own songs: letting the song tell you where it needs to go [21:52]
Methods of music editing for film [23:26]
How did Brett get started in musical scoring? [26:25]
Meeting William Brent Bell in LA [27:44]
Creating the musical score for the movie “The Devil Inside” [30:56]
Scoring for “Wer” [32:49]
Working with the Juliana Theory [35:41]
The ‘flow state’ [36:20]
Brett’s band signing their first record deal [39:00]
Processes for writing catchy melodies [41:47]
Why you need to match vowel sounds when writing lyrics [44:25]
Musical writing process of popular artists [46:05]
Editing brain vs Creating brain [48:09]
Lockdown = creative time [53:24]
Writing A Dream Away [54:14]
Releasing a series of EPs – staying in touch with your inner child [56:59]
Rapid fire questions [1:05:21]

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Reggie Watkins

Steve — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 18:54:47 +0000

Reggie Watkins

“You’re just a vehicle for the music to come through.” – Reggie Watkins

Reggie Watkins has always had a knack for music. He has come a long way from learning how to play the piano at six. Born and raised in West Virginia and spending years in Pittsburgh, Reggie was exposed to musical influences that would later turn him into an internationally-recognized performer, pianist, arranger, and composer. Leveraging his experience fronting a quarter on a cruise ship, he then served as trombonist and musical director for trumpeter and band leader Maynard Ferguson. From there he went on to tour and record with Jason Mraz from 2008 to 2013. He has shared the stage with many great artists from various genres including Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews, Dianne Shuur, Jose Feliciano, Willie Nelson, Arturo Sandoval, Trombone Shorty, The Temptations, and the O’Jays. He is also a member of the Grammy-nominated Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band.

He joins us in this episode to talk about his epiphany moment with jazz, his music education and influences, his early cruise ship gigs, his years touring with the Maynard Ferguson band and Jason Mraz, his practice routine, and the honor of playing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral.

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

How Reggie and Steve met [3:23]
Reggie on Austin’s local music scene [6:15]
Austin being a country music Mecca [6:57]
Reggie’s epiphany moment with jazz [9:10]
Reggie’s music education [10:30]
Reggie’s musical influences [12:01]
Music running in Reggie’s family [14:36]
Musical gigs on a cruise ship [15:57]
Learning tunes before the internet age [16:50]
Learning to play the piano at six [21:32]
Working with Orrin Evans [25:16]
Cunning Bird from Avid Admirer [28:00]
Getting into the Maynard Ferguson band [29:16]
Indian musical influence [32:23]
Instrumentation at Maynard Ferguson band [34:11]
Touring with the Maynard Ferguson band [37:31]
Maynard’s dedication to his musical passion despite physical limitations [38:36]
How do you respond to a last-minute call for a big gig [41:04]
Moving from Maynard to Mraz [42:01]
Touring with Jason Mraz [43:44]
Going back home to Pittsburgh [48:14]
Pittsburgh Jazz Renaissance [49:41]
Reggie’s practice routine [52:26]
Referencing historical recordings [55:22]
Traditional music and modern music [1:00:39]
Playing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral [1:09:00]

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Alice DiMicele

Steve — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:05:46 +0000

Alice DiMicele

**“I like music that says something and means something – I’m not really into the fluff.” – Alice DiMicele**

Southern Oregon based, singer-songwriter Alice DiMicele joins the Playful Musician to talk about her new upcoming album Every Seed We Plant along with her experience writing and producing during the pandemic. Hear incredible snippets from Every Seed We Plant, which effortlessly communicates emotions and captures the listener’s imagination with thought-provoking lyrics. We also touch on some special high points throughout Alice’s three-decade career, including her performance on stage with Bonnie Raitt, touring, and everything in-between.

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

[03:32] – Alice reveals how she created her 16th album, Every Seed We Plant, during the COVID-19 pandemic
[12:21] – Why Alice chose to be more careful with live performances during the pandemic
[13:20] – What to expect from the learning curve that comes with making music in these times with new technologies and software
[15:24] – Alice talks about her unique song writing process
[23:40] – Listen to a snippet from Alice’s track ‘For Granted’ from her new album
[25:16] – What makes a great album
[29:13] – A peek into Alice’s schedule and the importance of listening to the ‘muse’ when it comes to you
[33:51] – How Alice was influenced by Stevie Wonder’s music and how she got into music at a young age
[38:55] – Alice talks about her family and her mother’s passion for the piano
[41:37] – How Alice and her family made their way to Oregon
[42:51] – How a special dream inspired Alice to quit school and pursue music
[46:01] – How Alice met Bret Levick
[51:32] – Alice shares a few of her current favorite musicians
[54:28] – Listen to a snippet from the track, ‘Every Seed’
[56:03] – Alice reveals the first album she ever bought
[56:57] – Alice’s favorite vocalists of all time
[1:11:32] – What Alice is most looking forward to in 2022

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Barney McAll

Steve — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 15:58:35 +0000

Barney McAll

“” – Barney McAll

Barney McAll

In this episode we touch on the following topics

Lazaro Ross/Smithsonian – Barney said he’d send a link
Dr Chris Somerville’s research

Featured tracks

Sweet Water with Barney McAll and Rita Satch

Sunrays, out February 18th

To hear more from Barney and support his music, follow him on his socials

Barney’s new album, Precious Energy
- Cuban musical tradition and ritual
- Creating music inspired by and in homage to Cuban rhythms
- Barney’s musical process and writing routine
- Audiation and teaching audiation
- Touring with SIA
- Anti-pop
- The power of objectivity
- Unwittingly taking part in Laurie Anderson’s 15-year old art exhibition (yes, really)

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Bobby McFerrin

Baruch Meir

Steve — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 18:13:46 +0000

Baruch Meir

“” – Baruch Meir

Baruch Meir

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

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Bobby McFerrin

Theo Bleckmann

Steve — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 18:53:51 +0000

Theo Bleckmann

“” – Theo Bleckmann

Theo Bleckmann

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

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Bobby McFerrin

Vijay Venkatesh

Steve — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:04:49 +0000

Vijay Venkatesh

“” – Vijay Venkatesh

Vijay Venkatesh

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

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