Category: Season 5 – July

Brian Slagel is the founder and CEO of Metal Blade Records.

ON THIS EPISODE:

2:18 – Running a record label during quarantine

11:44 – How Metal Blade found Igorrr

20:10 – Why there aren’t really “scenes” anymore

36:39 – When does Brian step in to confront band issues?

46:49 – Picking a producer, engineer, and mixer

58:53 – Will heavy music return to the mainstream?

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a 5-star review on iTunes!

Nail The Mix is our online mixing school that gives you REAL multi-tracks from REAL bands, plus a mixing class from the producer who recorded it. Past guests include Periphery, Meshuggah, Gojira, Machine Head, and State Champs. Join now for instant access!

Leave any questions, comments, or feedback in the comment section below.

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Kevin McCombs is a longtime URM Academy student who has leveled up from the local to major label level in the past two years. He works under Colin Brittain and Rick Carson in Los Angeles.

“Relationships are what’s going to carry you through. No individual mix that you work on, no song that you engineered is going to make or break you in the grand scheme of things. Ask yourself, did these people like hanging out with you when they made music? Did they have a positive association with your vibe?” – Kevin McCombs

ON THIS EPISODE:

3:15 – A lot can happen in two years

11:39 – Getting the A Day to Remember gig

22:24 – Studio rules exist for a reason

39:42 – Leaving Florida and going to LA

57:01 – Kevin’s accomplishments since moving to California

1:04:37 – Being from a small town and still succeeding

1:11:41 – What’s next for Kevin?

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a 5-star review on iTunes!

Nail The Mix is our online mixing school that gives you REAL multi-tracks from REAL bands, plus a mixing class from the producer who recorded it. Past guests include Periphery, Meshuggah, Gojira, Machine Head, and State Champs. Join now for instant access!

Leave any questions, comments, or feedback in the comment section below.

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Thom Russo is a 16-time Grammy award-winning producer who has worked with Audioslave, Prince, Juanes, Macy Gray, and many other iconic artists.

ON THIS EPISODE:

2:24 -Not getting lost in the bullshit

8:34 – Is acting a serious career?

23:21 – Holding the line

39:31 – Working for free and earning your worth

55:53 – Thom’s relationship with Latin music and being in the big leagues

1:12:35 – Imposter Syndrome

1:24:05 – Being a problem solver

1:34:07 – Obsession

1:44:56 – Narcissism and the luck factor

2:01:51 – Working with Rick Rubin

2:14:26 – Did Thom come across any cultural barriers when working with Latinx artists?

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a 5-star review on iTunes!

Nail The Mix is our online mixing school that gives you REAL multi-tracks from REAL bands, plus a mixing class from the producer who recorded it. Past guests include Periphery, Meshuggah, Gojira, Machine Head, and State Champs. Join now for instant access!

Leave any questions, comments, or feedback in the comment section below.

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Johnny Minardi is the VP of A&R at Elektra Music Group. He also runs Self Titled Management where he manages the careers of producers such as Will Putney, Steve Evetts, Nolly, and more.

ON THIS EPISODE:

3:33 – The double-edged sword of work travel

21:54 – Responding to adversity

28:57 – All Time Low’s album release

36:26 – Creative marketing in COVID times

51:09 – Why this pandemic is unique

56:39 – Johnny’s research project

1:05:44 – Have emo and pop-punk plateaued?

1:16:57 – People’s negative feelings towards streaming

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a 5-star review on iTunes!

Nail The Mix is our online mixing school that gives you REAL multi-tracks from REAL bands, plus a mixing class from the producer who recorded it. Past guests include Periphery, Meshuggah, Gojira, Machine Head, and State Champs. Join now for instant access!

Leave any questions, comments, or feedback in the comment section below.

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Ben Weinman is the lead guitarist and mastermind behind The Dillinger Escape Plan. He currently plays rhythm guitar in Suicidal Tendencies, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra and runs Party Smasher Inc.

ON THIS EPISODE:

2:35 – Why bands stick with a producer for multiple albums

16:03 – Ben’s entrepreneurial side

28:47 – You need to play the long game, but also know when to quit

43:20 – Artistic freedom

52:35 – Multiple revenue streams

1:12:14 – Taking care of your community

1:27:34 – Teaching kids that life isn’t fair

1:33:18 – Dillinger’s destructive stage presence

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a 5-star review on iTunes!

Nail The Mix is our online mixing school that gives you REAL multi-tracks from REAL bands, plus a mixing class from the producer who recorded it. Past guests include Periphery, Meshuggah, Gojira, Machine Head, and State Champs. Join now for instant access!

Leave any questions, comments, or feedback in the comment section below.

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