Episode 113 - Jon Castelli
Live with Matt Rad - Episode 113
Oct 26, 2023
w/ Jon Castelli - Week 89
Show notes by: Bradley Will
Matt:
I get a lot out of these discussions, but the time spent doing them also keeps us away from making the records.
Jon:
I think this has done positive things for our community, but I think it may have exacted a toll on me in the process.
I spent a lot of time discussing what I was doing and processing it out loud, instead of doing what I do best which is sitting between the speakers and practicing.
Discussing my ideas and philosophy out loud may have had a negative influence on the sound of some records that I do.
There's something about mixing as if you don't know what you're doing that makes you unique. Something that is often lost once you become a seasoned professional.
The fearlessness of a veteran but the curiosity of a beginner.
Matt:
Recently I made 5 beats a day for 20 days in a row, which was very challenging and illuminating. It was a lot of work, but it was invigorating to get back into such a focused creative practice.
Jon:
Let the record show. Everything that I've said in the past on this podcast about my process I am now doing the opposite of it.
All of my previous statements about my process are null and void.
I like working with 20 years-olds on records. I like being challenged by them, but I also want to work on records with the greatest artist in the world who have been around for a long time.
I feel like I missed out on my 20's and teens because I spent so much time in the studio. The only socializing that happened would occur in that setting.
Now I feel like I'm in my 20’s and making up for it and prioritizing things that other people were doing when they were younger.
Matt:
I want to continue to do these podcasts, but it can't take up all of my time because I want to continue making records.
I want to wake up thinking about the records that I'm making.
I want to be in a zone where I don't feel the pressures to do anything but focus on the record.
Jon:
I haven't been excited about much music that I've been hearing lately.
The impression I have is that releases this year haven't been that exciting. Not to knock music in a broader sense - because I'm sure there's great stuff happening - but that's been my impression.
What I'm looking for in music and art right now is someone showing me someone that's truly cracked open. As if the person has no choice but to show us who they are and express that.
Our purpose is to connect through music. To exist within records that get to touch people.
Matt:
Whatever the state of music may be (good or bad), people still have an appetite for finding music that connects with them.
Great artists still exist and are out there, but they exist today among a field with significantly more artists, which make them harder to locate.
There is more noise out there these days. The trick is to have good filtering mechanisms that allow you to find it.
Jon:
Being a great artist requires true courage.
Courage isn't not being afraid. It's being afraid and doing it anyways.
Matt:
If I were a new artist with no following, I would never sign to a major label immediately, because (building and developing a career) isn't what major labels are good for.
If you're a shy, introverted, artist, your life is going to be harder than a charismatic outgoing artist.
If that's not you then you need to find other ways to build your audience
If you aren't inclined to participate in TikTok, you're closing yourself to a large channel for connecting with an audience and you will have to find an alternate way in
Major labels are good at breaking artists, but less good at developing artists.
If the artist already has a thing then labels have a better time breaking an artist.
Jon:
These days I want to play. I'm so good at playing.
Matt:
As we get further in our careers it's easy to rely on the things that we already know how to do and that prevents us from playing, experimenting, or taking risks. We need to keep taking risks. These are important things to do.
