The Enclosed Instruction Book

We speak to Jess and Gregory of The Rightly So, a Buffalo-based acoustic duo finishing up a months-long tour of the United States. Topics include organizing and undertaking a DIY tour, songwriting, making connections, and structuring setlists to make a good first impression, as well as The Rightly So's musical influences and future goals.

The Rightly So
https://www.therightlyso.com

Jess Chizuk
https://jesschizukmusic.com

Zeis and t...

A conversation between Martin and co-hosts Hannah Landsberger and Dylan Hares about how the way we consume music over the past twenty years has changed, and how that has affected the way the music industry works. Topics discussed include distribution platforms, means of revenue generation, the growing importance of touring, the threat of piracy, and the implications of music ownership becoming ephemeral in the era of streaming and ...

This week we speak to Shawn Hatfield, owner of Groove Music Studio and Appalachian Groove Records, based out of Leesburg, VA. A far-ranging conversation ensued touching on the state of music venues in Leesburg, starting a music business, advice for first-time audio engineers and music entrepreneurs, and how Groove got off the ground.

Groove Studio:

https://groovemusiclessonsrecording.com

Appalachian Groove Records:

https://appa...

This week we spoke with Bryan Fountain, a rapper, singer-songwriter, and electronic producer currently in Richmond, VA. We talked about his evolving songwriting style and his more recent exploration into melodic synthpop, his collaborators (including his other project Sweater Boyz), experiences in his life that influenced his music, his use of different online music platforms, and how he reconciles his evolving aesthetic and increa...

This week we spoke to Kate Brunotts, a local singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer in Ashburn, VA. Kate has been playing at local venues for the past few years, and also has a presence on YouTube. Kate discusses starting a musical career on an online platform, as well as the kind of all-inclusive shows she performs in Leesburg, her musical influences, her recent branching out into electronic music, and future aspi...

This week we spoke to Viral Dalal, a writer and software engineer in Loudoun County. Earlier this year, Viral released his first book; a personal account of his experience as a survivor of the historic 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Bhuj, India, on January 26, 2001. We discussed some of his life leading up to the event, the means by which he survived the disaster and coped with the aftermath, and the process of writing, edit...

This week we spoke to graphic artist Kelley Wills, a prolific creator of logos, flyers through her design firm Brain Flower Designs. We discussed the arts community of her home base of Harper's Ferry, WV, as well as the beginnings of her career in Charleston, SC. We also touched on the financial side of being a graphic artist, the tools she uses to create her flyers, and working with farms.

Brain Flower Designs:

http://www.kelleyw...

This week we met up with Leesburg indie-rock band Kid Brother outside their rehearsal space. We discussed the band's history, the changing roles of the arts community in Leesburg and Ashburn, Christian's experience growing up as a musician in Baltimore, handling press contacts (including recently being featured in the Loudoun Times-Mirror), booking, and their forthcoming tour. They also performed an acoustic rendition of their song...

This week, we're joined by Jimmy Romero, a prolific DIY artist from Sterling, frontman of solo projects Redephant and Broken Cartridge and member of bands Cazador and SCARY MERCEDES. We discussed recording equipment, the effect of using different tools on the artistic process, our experiences self-producing recordings, and influences.

Jimmy's projects:

https://redephant.bandcamp.com

https://brokencartridge.bandcamp.com

https://sc...

This week we met up with indie rock band Milo In The Doldrums at their Fairfax City rehearsal space, and discussed their studio work, history and shifting lineups, the importance of fast-paced recording and releases, lessons learned from working at music venues, the decision-making process behind releasing music on streaming platforms, and long-term career goals. Present was Rob Mays, Reis Debruyne, Richard Smith, new drummer Ryan ...

This week we spoke to theatre artist Rebecca Wahls, a director in the DC area who most recently directed Dark Times at Grimesville High as part of the 2016 Capitol Fringe Festival. We discussed her upcoming effort We Found the Wild Things, the debut production from the Who What Where Theater Company, of which she is a founding member. Also discussed: her work with the Acting For Young People organization, the ability of theater com...

This week we spoke with Jason Thompson, a double bass player currently playing in the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. We discussed the business aspects of working as a classical musician, including freelancing, auditioning, and moving from orchestra to orchestra, as well as logistical challenges of rehearsing and instrument care. We also touched on the crossover between progressive metal and symphonic music, the social aspect of bei...

This week we spoke to Melanie Shark, a DC-area singer-songwriter who also records, produces, and distributes her own material both as a solo artist and a member of the duo Paradeux. We discussed her approach to songwriting, arranging, and DIY recording, as well as music distribution and ways to monetize music. 

Songs included:

Melanie Shark - Shine

Paradeux - Just as Ours

Melanie Shark - Everything You Said

Paradeux - Reveuse Cou...

This week we spoke to Kevin Knight, a prolific singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer based out of northern Virginia. We discussed his approach to songwriting and production, experiments with tape and studio technology, musical influences (both traditional and avant garde), and dogs. 

Songs included:

Affirmations

Listening

Forgotten World/Some Kind of Bird

Lonesome Howl

Kevin Knight's bandcamp:

https://nevink...

For this week's episode, we travel to Richmond, VA to meet returning guest Devon Jones and longtime collaborator first-time guest Brett Berman. We discuss playing and recording in Richmond, ways to focus on creative work, shifting between different genres, personal motivations behind songs, and Brett's amazing house.

We also debut previously-unreleased material from Brett and Devon.

Songs included:

Pain Points - Little Nothing

...

This week's episode features Loudoun County artist Alison Kurtz, the featured artist this March at King Street Coffee in Leesburg. She discusses the evolving arts community in western Northern Virginia, the challenges faced by professional painters, the divide between the visual and musical arts communities, and the goal of making art as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Alison Kurtz's work can be found at:

https://www.instag...

This week's episode features Jared Hall of the self-styled "Paxil Pop" music project Woodgrove, ouwoodgrove.bandcamp.comt of Western Loudoun. Jared discusses the transition from his previous group, Atoka Chase, as well as his creative process as a solo artist, challenges he faces working in Loudoun, and the tools he uses as a DIY musician.

Songs included:

Woodgrove - Broken Glass (Oracular Rhythm: Repetitive Hymn)

Woodgrove - Somet...

On March 5, 2016, a concert took place at Epicure Cafe in the city of Fairfax, Virginia, presented by Sarah A. Foote and Ryan Durbin, featuring original music performed by intelligient, creative, and reflective young women.

This week's episode features highlights of the show, recorded by Martin and hos...