Barn Banter is a podcast for kid's musicians, by a kid's musician.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Travis Yost, legend in my neck of the woods, has done a great job helping local musicians get online and start streaming. Whether as a way to connect with fans, generate revenue, or simply have fun, online or "live" streaming from your living room has become a new reality. In this podcast Travis and I chat about some of the basic tips and tricks for getting the best quality out of your gear, creating an attractive frame on with your hand-held device, mics you might want to invest in, and different platforms for letting your fans tip you.
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
For those (of us?) musicians who record album and secretly desire to see our band/brand elevated to the "next level", few brass rings seem as shiny and within reach as a Grammy. This time we chat with Jack Forman about how the chase for a nomination, eventual nomination, and post ceremony reflection impacted his perspective on awards programs and cheese. Wait, we didn't talk about cheese, but I know he likes cheese. I like cheese. We don't mention cheese. As usual the very bestest bits are at the end so get comfy, and prepare to have your cheese stolen. What? Again with the cheese?
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
We return to England to chat with Marisa of the Young Folkies (an ex-Pat from Boston) about the children's music scene in London. Pop-ups, selling tickets via an online app, similarities, influences and what to expect when you are expecting to play "over there"!
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
When they play for an adult crowd they are Ratboy. When they play a family friendly gig they are Ratboy Jr (brilliant!). But all around Tim and Mattie are just darn fun and funny to listen to! Here is the second installment of the series Split Personalities where we look at performer's of kid's music who also perform for older audiences. Music samples included. This time I sent out the questions and let the guests record their answers, so less gabby-gabby from me and more straight up chat from the guests! And yes, Kasey, actually, I WOULD like another round of either an adult or kid friendly beverage...
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
I was curious to chat with a children's musician in the UK to see if there were any great differences in approach, venues or whatnot, so I tracked down Dr. Liam Maloy of Johnny and The Raindrops! Wow what a chat! Although we do cover the basic scene in each country, to my great delight the conversation was more about his new academic tomb called "Spinning the Child" which offers a historical perspective on recorded music for children. Great stuff in this episode about Woody Guthrie, George Martin, the BBC, Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, Jim Henson, oh and I may have insulted the guest by my reaction to teaching 4 year-olds Shakespeare. Hmm.... the interview ends with a great song by Johnny and The Raindrops and no international incidents.
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
My goal as a performer is to make sure everyone (crowd, band, dude randomly walking by, client) has a great time! This time we chat with Kathy Sherman about playing music for folks with special needs and being thoughtful about including everyone in your performance! Wonderful suggestions, a really cool song, and Greek food! Oh and I embarrass myself on mandolin at the end, so you know, a basic Barn Banter experience...
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Can you be a musician who entertains children AND a musician who entertains adults? How is that balancing act going for you? This time we chat with Esther Crow who has several "adult" bands including an all-female Devo cover band called Diva (brilliant!) and internationally touring funky rock group - The Electric Mess. But, Esther also fronts the band Thunder and Sunshine and (AND!) is releasing a solo album for kids and families under her own name! Holy Cats! This conversation is about managing several projects, leveraging the benefits and marketing when possible, and staying relatively sane in the process!
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Insurance, the thing you get and hope to never use. But as a musician, specifically a children's musician, we are increasingly asked to get it in order to play at schools and public events. Plus, we scoot around quite a bit with gear and occasionally band mates which opens up all sorts of liability issues, and chances for gear to be swiped! Yikes! This time we chat with broker Toby Hansen about the different types of insurance best suited for our line of work, how to think about the cost/benefit analysis of plans, and how to get a good nights sleep!
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Let's work together and make music! No, seriously, this is a thing, a good thing, a thing we should do! Don't know how? Well you need to listen to our good pal Mista Cookie Jar because they really really knows how to do it! This is a fun conversation about gear, file types, inspiration, legal agreements and the beauty of turning your car into recording studio (yes it is a good thing!).
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Story time! No wait, not like that! Time to learn HOW to tell stories! The magnificent Donna Washington drops by to chat with us about how to incorporate stories into your performances, be they small, medium, or WOW YOU'RE PLAYING THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL? Tune in and there will be giggling, there will be stories, and there are some really great tips and tricks from one of the best in the business to help you learn how to craft stories, engage your crowd and keep them engaged.