IDIOTS WITH INSTRUMENTS is a podcast that follows RED HOT REBELLION as they write, record, and release new music while interviewing musicians, producers, songwriters, and music industry professionals to gain insight into their own unique processes. Each episode is an insider peek into one band's manic creation process as they go from simple guitar riffs and chord progressions to epic rock n roll anthems. The interviews are conversations with industry pros geared towards musicians of all leve ...
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1
Demystifying the Dark Arts of Audio Mastering. Interview with DAN COUTANT!
50:09
50:09
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50:09
Joining us today is Dan Coutant, owner of Sun Room Audio, a world-class audio mastering studio located in New Windsor, NY. For over a decade Dan has worked with band and labels from around the world to produce amazing polished music. His studio is purpose-built specifically for mastering and critical listening and his focus on excellence and custom…
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How (Not) To Conduct Yourself at Band Practice
1:18:36
1:18:36
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1:18:36
Today is a very special episode. We are airing an uncut practice session to show you how easy it is to get distracted and spend your time working on nonsense. But, don't "get it twisted" as the kids say...Do they still say that? Who cares. The main message here is is: IF IT AIN'T FUN, DON'T DO IT.
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How to Become a 6-Figure Song Writer. Interview with SONNET SIMMONS!
29:58
29:58
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29:58
Today we have the extreme pleasure of talking with Sonnet Simmons, award-winning singer/songwriter, vocal coach and Vice President of CATCH THE MOON MUSIC LLC. She also runs 6FigureSongWriter.com, an extensive training suite where you can learn everything there is to know about writing music for sync and licensing!…
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How to Use a Music Licensing Agency to Make More Money. Interview with CHRIS ALBRIGHT!
33:57
33:57
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33:57
Joining us today is Chris Albright, Licensing and Supervision dude at Audiosocket. For those of you unfamiliar, Audiosocket is a music licensing company that gives media creators a way to quickly discover and license music. Before working at Audiosocket, Chris worked for the infamous record label, Victory Records as the music licensing and publishi…
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How to Make a Living as a Musician. Interview with Chris Aiken of STRUNG OUT!
1:15:59
1:15:59
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1:15:59
Andris is Poom-less as we speak to Chris Aiken, our new bestest pal, and bass-player of STRUNG OUT! Chris is super awesome and talks at length about his love for music, his career, and how he's found a fulfilling side hustle while on tour: giving lessons to fans! It's endlessly fascinating and a super good idea! You should do it too!…
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How To Pivot Your Band Strategy and Rock Out With Your Corporate Buzzwords Out
46:10
46:10
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46:10
This episode starts with some crazy news: Andris shaved his poom and is now the co-bassist of Strung Out. Crazy, right? We do some more jamming then, we talk about THE GREAT PIVOT. Much like a nimble Silicon Valley startup, Red Hot Rebellion prides itself on being able to change strategies when the market and the mood strikes us. Paradigm shifts, s…
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VINNIE FIORELLO Thinks We're Sellouts. How Less Than Jake Went From DIY to Global Domination.
43:24
43:24
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43:24
Joining us today is Vinnie Fiorello of the legendary band Less Than Jake! Vinnie is a god damn Renaissance man of punk rock and cool shit. He is the co-founder of Fueled by Ramen Records, founder of Paper and Plastick Records, an author, a toy-maker, a tattoo shop owner and the drummer of Less Than Jake (the only band to rival Kiss in the sheer vol…
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Let The Bass Set the Pace! Interview with DINO MONOXELOS, the "Ampeg Guy."
35:25
35:25
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35:25
Dino Monoxelos has shared the stage with countless household names, recorded numerous sessions and performed in the pit orchestras of many Broadway shows. He is the author of four books with the legendary music educator Mel Bay and has written instructional columns for Bass Guitar Magazine and Bass Frontiers Magazine. Currently, he is an active edu…
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The Importance of Music in Advertising. Interview with JOSH RABINOWITZ.
33:30
33:30
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33:30
Joining us today is Josh Rabinowitz, executive vice president and Director of Music at Grey Townhouse WPP where he heads up the United States’ largest in-house music team and services major international advertising clientele. Josh is widely recognized as an industry leader in Music Supervision, Content Production and Programming and is considered …
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How to Use Spotify Playlists to Launch Your Career in Music. Interview with GEORGE GOODRICH!
50:28
50:28
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50:28
Ever wonder how to get your music onto a Spotify Playlist? Us too! In this action-packed episode, we interview George Goodrich, CEO Playlist Push, a service that helps of musicians get their music on Spotify playlists. George offers advice on how to gain millions of streams, make money and gain attention from labels and talent buyers. Become a patr…
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Songwriting 101 (Doug Wants a Sweater Tech)
24:59
24:59
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24:59
We start out talking about Doug’s sweet rock n roll sweater vest and how he hurt his finger and is now horribly disfigured. Then, we get to work on writing 6 new songs. OK, that’s an over exaggeration. We start ONE new song called, “Come Out Swinging.” But, for some reason, we spell it weird on the whiteboard as, “Cum Oot Swanging.” Don’t mock our …
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1
Why Record in a Professional Recording Studio?
38:27
38:27
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38:27
Doug storms out at the beginning of the episode so Jim and Andris carry on chatting. We recounted our recent experience recording at Encore Studio and talk about Jim and Andris’s two-piece punk side project, Fifty Dollar Famous.
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How to Get Music Licensed for TV, Movies, and the Web. Interview with Music Supervisor BEN HOCHSTEIN
52:32
52:32
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52:32
Have you ever wondered how songs get placed in movies, TV and Web shows? Well, you’re in luck. In this exciting episode, we talk with our good friend, music supervisor, BEN HOCHSTEIN. Ben has extensive experience in music placement and clearance for scripted, reality, and live programming. Some of his career highlights include work on shows for Net…
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If you’ve ever been interested in how we arrange songs, this is a good example. We take different riffs and chord progressions and, through trial and error, put it all together into something that actually sounds like a solid start to a song. After working everything out, we descend into complete insanity and by the end of the episode, we not only …
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Running a 21st Century Rock Label: Interview with NICK TIEDER of Frontiers Music
53:44
53:44
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53:44
We talk to Nick Tieder, the General Manager of Frontiers Music North America. Frontiers Music was born in Italy in the mid-90s and quickly became synonymous with high-quality rock and metal. While Frontiers has been busy mining the wealth of rock n roll talent in the UK and Scandinavian scenes, signing, developing, and nurturing US bands has become…
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Holistic Songwriting: Interview With Friedemann Findeisen
31:59
31:59
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31:59
Jim conducts an in-depth interview with Songwriter/Producer Friedemann Findeisen, creator of the Holistic Songwriting methodology. Friedemann is a best-selling author and a Bachelor of Music. He has written over 1000 pieces of music in a wide variety of styles (listen to the showreel here). He is a frequent guest speaker at conservatories all over …
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The Subtle Art of Songwriting and Breaking Things
29:35
29:35
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29:35
We start out again by saying we have no agenda for the episode. Imagine that! Us not being prepared! But then we decide to play all the new songs we’ve been working on. We have a series of have serious technical problems that cause us to get completely slap happy. Shit keeps breaking and then the episodes ends in a dramatic finish.…
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How a Song Goes from Idea to Reality: Back To The Woodshed
36:35
36:35
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36:35
We go back to the woodshed and start working on a brand ass new song. This is a good example of taking different parts and slapping them together, seeing what works, what doesn’t, changing tempos, keys, etc. to make something out of nothing. Then, everything falls the F apart. Good times!
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How To Be a Master of DIY Music Making: Interview with ANDREW WK!
49:51
49:51
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49:51
We play some music and then, we talk to the King of Partying, Andrew W.K.! Andrew talks about the mystery and majesty of songwriting. Philosophical musings abound! Andrew's new album, You're Not Alone, is a powerhouse of life-affirming party rock anthems. Andrew played almost the entire thing himself! Holy shit! Indeed he is The One Man Party Machi…
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The Importance of Flow: Interview with Reggae Super Star, SNOW!
54:39
54:39
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54:39
This is definitely one of the wildest episodes we've recorded to date. We had the extreme pleasure to talk to Snow, you know, the Informer guy. He's a super nice guy and has an INCREDIBLE story. Snow is a Guinness Book World Record Holder, a former prison inmate (twice!), a Kiss fan, and a gifted musician. Our conversation covers all of these point…
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Despite All Doug's Rage, He Still Hates Headphones (Interview with MARK IGNOFFO!)
45:16
45:16
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45:16
We start this fine episode by reflecting on (and playing) the two new songs we have in the works. Doug gets pissy. Jim makes fun of him. Andris is awkward. Next, we interview Mark Ignoffo, recording engineer to the stars. Mark got his start in Chicago and recorded some amazing bands, including a very young Smashing Pumpkins. He also played on a few…
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Is This Song Working? Sorry, I’m Very Fat and I Don't Look At My Hands
32:37
32:37
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32:37
We start out chitty chatting about nonsense then get down to work on two new songs: “Sweaty Betty” and “Holdin’ It Down.” Jim has trouble remembering his parts, as usual. And accidentally identifies this episode as episode 7. It’s not. It’s episode 8 (or 9 if you count episode zero as episode 1...nevermind). Doug accidentally spits out some music t…
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How To Survive as an Indie Artist: Interview with RYAN MALOTT (a total snack!)
36:12
36:12
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36:12
Today we talk to our friend and brochacho, Ryan Malott of 500 MILES TO MEMPHIS. Ryan takes us through his songwriting and recording process and offers some insight on what it's like being in a hardworking independent band slugging it out on the highways and bi-ways of America. Ryan's work ethic is second to none, and his music is goddamn fantastic.…
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Preproduction and Recording Tips from World Famous Producer, JOHN FRYER!
30:18
30:18
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30:18
“Who’s the idiot and who’s got the instruments?” -John Fryer In this episode, we interview the world-famous producer, John Fryer and ask him how we can possibly make songs one tenth as good as the ones he’s helped create. John is most well known for his production work for bands like Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, White Zombie, Cocteau Twins, Jesus…
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Tips for Playing Live: A Sack of Wet Hair Being Hit with a Rusty Hammer
40:23
40:23
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40:23
We have an arrangement for another new song that we're tentatively calling, "All Teef (F the F)." Jim forgot his "order up" bell but magically some bell-like sound effects show up anyway. Some advice for the studio and live environment are shared. When you tune your instrument, MUTE YOUR INSTRUMENT. No one wants to hear that stuff. It's a sign of a…
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How to Be a Prolific Songwriter: Interview With STOLAR, Our New Pal and Life Coach
53:07
53:07
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53:07
We have the extreme pleasure to talk to singer/songwriter, Stolar, who in the past four years has written over 1,000 songs. Stolar shares with us some of his songwriting philosophy and techniques and boggles our minds with his organization and life skills. After the interview, we decompress and discuss our thoughts on rockin’ music and what we’re t…
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When You Record, Keep an Open Mind: Interview with Producer, CHRIS SUTTLE
46:10
46:10
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46:10
On this exciting episode, we welcome our first guest, producer, engineer and damn fine human being, Chris Suttle. Chris talks about how he got his start in recording as well as the importance of working with a producer or engineer that fits with the bands' personality. We all give some "what not to do" tips for the studio.…
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How to Start a Song: Doug Comes With Riffs
28:23
28:23
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28:23
In the last episode, we gave Doug some homework and boy, did he deliver. Doug brings 38 starts to songs -- different riffs and chord progressions he has recorded while writing at home. This episode is an excellent example of exploring the possibilities of a new song and letting the music try to lead you in the right direction. We go in a lot of dif…
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Ridiculous Songwriting Tips: Andris Rebellion Hates Mozart
53:13
53:13
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53:13
We talk at length about writing music. Then, lo and behold! we actually write some new music! But it happens waaay at the end of the episode. Jim brings an article about “ridiculous songwriting tips” that he found on the Internet. After initially critiquing the article, the lads find some helpful gems to help spark creativity. Also found in the art…
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How to Cope with the Stress of the Studio. Learn From Our Mistakes.
55:07
55:07
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55:07
Doug goes into an in-depth conversation about his new amplifier. He also swears this is the last amp he will ever buy, which we know is bullshit, but we humor him and let him gush about this amazing gush-worthy amplifier. Then it gets a little weird, as Doug and Andris start objectifying music gear. Then, we shift gears and talk at length about pre…
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Dealing with Impostor Syndrome. Play in Time. Play in Tune.
45:25
45:25
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45:25
We play an older song, a new song and then the conversation devolves into a therapy session for struggling with perfection and imposter syndrome. Jim has a minor meltdown about how his voice is out of shape and how writing vocal melodies is difficult due to his singing style. Also discussed are the differences between playing live and when recordin…
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In this episode, Jim, Doug, and Andris take fall ass-backward into a quest to make the most magnificent rock n roll record in history. The lads lay the foundation for what's to come on the Idiots With Instruments as well as take a trip down memory lane to discover Red Hot Rebellion is a little older of a band than some of them thought. And in true …
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