Where are you based?
Los Angeles
Where do you work? What do you do?
Label Logic co-founder, digital strategy, analytics, creative. Guest speaker at UCLA, USC, Columbia University, University of Washington, Los Angeles College of Music, and Portland State Music Business Programs. Voting member of the Recording Academy
What are you listening to?
My business partner recently made me a playlist of seventies soul hits. It’s fantastic.
How do you discover new music?
I typically discover new music via word of mouth, Spotify’s Discover Weekly, Apple Music’s “New Music Mix” and by checking out “Fans Also Like” recommendations.
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?
I listen primarily via streaming services. I subscribe to them all. For my favorite artists and releases it’s vinyl. I still have a CD player for testing production disks etc. I like the ease of use when it comes to streaming. For well-recorded albums I like higher quality streaming like Qobuz, Tidal and Amazon.
“I listen primarily via streaming services. I subscribe to them all. For my favorite artists and releases it’s vinyl.”
Where do you do most of your music listening?
My office is in my home and that’s where I do a majority of my listening. But that’s more about work. For pleasure, my car and iPhone (exercise) are best. I have the Amazon Studio “smart speaker.” It sounds amazing. I have a Music Hall USB-1 turntable with reference speakers for vinyl and for checking test pressing quality.
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?
A lot of pre-released music goes across my desk each week. Much of it from clients or prospective clients. I watch for premiers, live streams and listening parties.
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?
I do receive a lot of links. I’m not a fan of receiving downloads or links to downloads. It’s like they just gave you an errand to run.
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?
I still love my iTunes library because I spent so many years building it. For client demos and advance music, I still use iTunes.
I have a “Heavy Rotation” playlist in my Spotify library where I keep my latest discoveries. They don’t have to be new. For example, I just added a track that’s been out since 2017, Joy Williams cover of “Ordinary World.”
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?
I shout it from the social media rooftops! I also have a network of like minded colleagues and friends to share with. I’m fortunate to have a newsletter with over 10,000 subscribers (Your Morning Coffee). Occasionally I’ll promote new music there.
Anything you want to “promote”?
Brett James – (after writing 500 + songs for other artists – including 25 #1 hits, he’s finally stepped out of the shadows). Check out his “I Am Now” EP.
The Accidentals – Female-fronted multi-instrumentalists. Great songwriting and lyrics. Check out their artist page on your favorite DSP.
The Lickerish Quartet – (Three former members of Jellyfish). Super catchy songs.
Emma Charles – Listen to her latest track “25.” You’ll see what I mean.
Dauzat St. Marie – I can’t believe that much sound comes from just two people!
Stephie James – The real deal. Listen to “Sin City.”
