The Tone Mob Podcast The Tone Mob Podcast
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- Music
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The year was 2015. Show host Blake Wyland intended to start a podcast where he took a deep dive with his guests from the guitar world to explain their rigs. What happened was that, but also a whole lot more. The show quickly evolved into discussions about people's lives. Guitars, pedals, amps, etc. are the central hub of the show, but it really is more about the PEOPLE behind all of it. Both the musicians who use the gear, and the folks that create these magical tools of expression. You can expect chats about songwriting, favorite bands, family, loss, addiction, conspiracy theories, philosophy, and most of all....... food. This podcast goes all over the place. Come take a ride.
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Not An Alvarez! w/ Driftwood Guitars
In this conversation, Blake interviews Chris and Matt from Driftwood Guitars. This is an EXTREMELY YouTube driven episode. (Thanks Rhett Shull!)
As the Driftwood Guitars channel has grown, so has the guitar building business and we talk about their approach, how to balance the guitar building side with the video side, negative troll comments, mental health, and a whole lot more!
Head over to the Driftwood Guitars website HERE! https://www.driftwoodguitars.com/
And their YouTube HERE https://www.youtube.com/@DriftwoodGuitars
Takeaways
Building guitars was a hobby that turned into a business
YouTube played a significant role in growing their business and connecting with customers.
YouTube has revolutionized the guitar world, making it more accessible and exciting.
Balancing marketing/promotion work can be difficult, but it's necessary.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
01:58
Getting Started in Guitar Building
03:01
Transition to YouTube
06:02
The Impact of YouTube on the Business
08:08
The Evolution of YouTube and its Influence
09:31
The Growth of Guitar Podcasts
12:21
The Shift in YouTube's Perception
15:36
The Journey into YouTube
19:46
The Early Days of YouTube
20:45
Creating Quality Content
21:14
Finding Your Voice on YouTube
22:09
Listening to the Audience
23:08
The Power of Momentum
24:18
Discovering Your Niche
25:14
Analyzing Video Performance
26:09
The Importance of Thumbnails and Titles
27:11
The Viewer's Perspective
28:05
The Unpredictability of Video Success
29:24
Balancing Passion and Views
30:27
The Impact on Business
31:09
Expanding Reach and Sales
32:08
Direct Connection with Customers
33:09
Competition and Quality
34:27
The Power of YouTube Algorithms
35:51
The Work Behind the Scenes
38:47
The Balance Between YouTube and Guitar Building
41:27
The Path to Success
44:03
The Role of Luck and Algorithms
45:53
The Power of YouTube Collaborations
46:35
The Importance of YouTube for Creators
47:03
The Evolving Landscape of YouTube
47:55
Balancing YouTube and Guitar Building
48:23
YouTube as a Tool for Business Growth
50:15
Dealing with Negative Comments on YouTube
51:13
Developing Resilience through Online Criticism
52:47
Appreciation for the Online Creator Community
53:32
Final Thoughts and Shoutouts
56:26
Favorite Boss Pedals
59:06
Favorite Kind of Pizza
01:04:02
Closing Remarks
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
SHOCK THE FOX!!!
Tye Tyler (Shock The Fox)shares his journey from the corporate world slinging cell phones to becoming a full time guitar builder. He discusses his background in woodworking and how he got into building guitars. We also go over the importance of sharing the process of guitar building and engaging with folks in a genuine way. He also talks about the joy of opening a guitar and the satisfaction of building for others.
This is a banger of an episode, and you really should check out Tye's work on his webiste HERE: https://shockthefox.com/
Takeaways
Sharing the process of guitar building can engage customers and create a deeper connection.
Trusting the builder's creativity and giving them freedom can lead to a more exciting and satisfying final product.
The joy of receiving a custom guitar is like experiencing Christmas morning as an adult.
Innovative approaches and attention to detail can set a guitar builder apart and create a unique product.
Chapters
00:00
Technical difficulties
01:00
Introduction and background
03:02
From Oil City to the corporate world
04:22
Transition to woodworking and guitar building
05:46
Bartering for guitars
07:15
Transition from corporate world to guitar building
08:14
Building guitars and the quest for expertise
09:37
Sharing the process of guitar building
11:25
The joy of opening a guitar
20:05
The satisfaction of building for others
22:24
Telling the story of the build
23:21
The fascination with the guitar building process
25:38
The importance of engagement and storytelling
27:07
The excitement of receiving a custom guitar
29:17
Trusting the builder's decisions
30:48
The uniqueness of Tye Tyler's guitar building
36:17
Innovative approaches in guitar building
37:24
Attention to detail in guitar building
37:54
Attention to Detail in Guitar Building
39:00
Neck Resets and Guitar Modifications
42:29
Customizing Guitars and Personal Projects
44:06
Critiquing Traditional Guitar Building Methods
46:21
The Importance of Reinforcement in Guitar Design
50:31
Finding Fulfillment in Guitar Building
57:54
The Balance Between Creativity and Efficiency in Business
01:01:31
Favorite Boss Pedal
01:02:46
Favorite Kind of Pizza
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Scott Strange Returns! (Templo Audio Devices)
In this episode, Blake interviews Scott Strange from Templo Audio Devices. They discuss Scott's traveling lifestyle and the challenges of running a business while constantly on the move. Scott shares his approach to finding the right balance and bringing in help to scale his company. They also talk about the importance of specialized skills in business and the human element that is absolutely essential in companies. Finally, Scott introduces some of the new pedals he has been working on and his design process. We also get into the process of translating vintage preamps into pedal form and the importance of embracing imperfections in sound. We also dive into some of Scott's favorite cuisines that are in the town he current resides in.
Check out Scott's wares at his website HERE https://templodevices.com/
Takeaways
Running a business while traveling requires finding the right balance and bringing in help.
Specialized skills are essential for the growth and success of a company.
Maintaining the vision and the human element in a company is crucial for its long-term success.
Scott has been working on new pedals and has been focusing on simplifying the design while still offering flexibility. Translating vintage preamps into pedal form requires creativity and experimentation.
Embracing imperfections in sound can lead to unique and interesting tones.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Living in Mexico
01:40
Scott's Traveling Lifestyle
03:06
Challenges of Running a Business While Traveling
06:41
Finding the Right Balance and Bringing in Help
10:09
The Importance of Specialized Skills in Business
13:06
Managing Growth and Maintaining the Vision
15:49
The Human Element in Companies
20:41
New Pedals and Design Process
28:55
Translating Pedals
30:03
The Outer Limit
32:12
Adding Functionality
34:09
The Real Deal Studio
36:35
Embracing Imperfections
39:00
Vintage Preamps
41:07
The Appeal of Imperfection
43:59
The 2-Track Pedal
47:08
Scaling Production
54:21
Upcoming Products
57:42
The Pocket Studio Comp
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
"I Didn't Fall In Love With Guitar To Teach" w/ Dr. Molly Miller
In this conversation, Molly Miller discusses her early start in a family band and her formal education in guitar. She shares her approach to teaching and the importance of balance in her career, which includes performing, teaching, and session work. Molly also talks about her approach to gear and pedals and the challenges of imposter syndrome in the music industry. She offers tips for traveling musicians and emphasizes the importance of self-care and staying centered while on tour. In this conversation, We also get into the benefits of limitations in creativity, and the all important element of gratitude.
Molly's website is HERE: https://www.mollymillermusic.com/
Takeaways
Molly is intensely focused on guitar, specifically.
Balancing exercise with travel can be challenging, but planning and flexibility can help.
Finding the right gear and equipment is a personal process, and it's important to have setups that work well for individual preferences and situations.
Limitations can foster creativity and lead to new discoveries in music-making.
Gratitude for the opportunities in life and the ability to pursue passions is important for personal fulfillment.
The Molly Miller Trio has an upcoming record release and tours planned for the future.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
01:23
Early Musical Journey
03:02
Formal Education and Academic Approach
06:36
Balancing Different Musical Paths
10:10
Career Goals and Evolution
16:18
Love for Gear and Pedals
19:06
Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
26:06
Famine Mentality in the Music Industry
30:05
Tips for Traveling Musicians
32:44
Maintaining Balance and Centeredness on Tour
33:49
Self-Care and Exercise
34:35
Balancing Exercise and Travel
35:28
Love for Nashville
36:16
Stability During the Pandemic
37:23
The Changing Landscape of Nashville
37:49
Gear and Equipment
38:55
Finding the Right Gear
39:19
Molly's Touring Rig
40:13
Favorite Pedals and Amps
41:13
Favorite Pedal Brands
42:22
The Challenge of Reconfiguring Pedal Boards
43:09
Blake's Vertical Pedal Board Setup
43:33
The Benefits of a Hybrid Digital and Analog Setup
44:38
The Ever-Changing Nature of Pedalboards
45:53
The Importance of Limitations in Creativity
46:38
Making Music for the Love of It
48:16
Reflecting on Childhood Dreams
49:30
Gratitude for the Opportunities in Life
50:11
The Wonder of Everyday Life
51:38
The Humility of Being a Musician
52:41
Upcoming Record Release and Tours
53:29
Favorite Boss Pedal
54:05
Favorite Kind of Pizza
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Is Clickbait OK? w/ Landon Bailey
In this conversation, Blake and Landon discuss their experiences in making that sweet, sweet content. We also talk about our time at Gear Fest and the importance of networking and building relationships in the industry. (Its always good to have buddies!)
We also discuss the evolution of YouTube and the changing landscape of the platform. Landon shares his journey from being in a band to starting his YouTube channel and how he found his niche. (We also get into the unpredictability of the platform, and the difficulties of explaining their work to others and the perception of being a YouTuber/podcaster.)
Landon and I also get into the topic of soundproofing and how we built out our studios for content creation SECOND and loud amps FIRST. We also discuss the misconceptions surrounding soundproofing and the importance of using the right materials.
Finally, they discuss the weird side of doing this for a living and the impact it can have on mental health. In this portion of the chat, Landon and Blake discuss a range of topics, from dark thoughts and serial killers to the permanence of the internet.
We get real weird with it!
Takeaways
Networking and building relationships in the industry is crucial for content creators.
Finding your niche and creating content that resonates with your audience is key to success.
Soundproofing and building a dedicated studio space can greatly improve the quality of your content.
Incorporating and understanding the business side of content creation is important for long-term success.
Many people have misconceptions about soundproofing and believe that certain products or techniques are effective when they are not.
Soundproofing projects can be challenging and require a lot of time, effort, and research.
Soundproofing in apartments can be difficult due to limitations on modifications.
Exploring new technology in music gear can enhance the creation process.
Being a content creator comes with its own set of challenges, including the unpredictability of YouTube algorithms and the outside perception of being a YouTuber or Podcaster.
Subscriber engagement and success on YouTube can be inconsistent and difficult to predict.
A large online presence can have a dark side and impact mental health. The internet never forgets, and everything you say or do online can be permanent.
Having fun should be a priority, even in professional pursuits like music.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Gear Fest
07:15
Getting Started in Content Creation
17:33
Transitioning to Full-Time Content Creation
23:16
Finding Your Niche and What Works
26:11
Soundproofing and Building a Studio
29:37
The Importance of Incorporating and Business Side of Content Creation
31:26
Acoustic Caulk and Soundproofing
32:09
Misconceptions about Soundproofing
35:01
The Uncertainty of First Time Soundproofing Projects
36:15
Challenges of Soundproofing in Apartments
37:21
Exploring New Technology in Music Gear
39:37
Future Projects and Collaborations
43:30
Navigating the Perception of Being a YouTuber
45:11
The Difficulty of Explaining What You Do
49:18
The Challenges of Being a Content Creator
53:11
The Unpredictability of YouTube Success
56:06
The Mystery of YouTube Algorithms
59:35
The Inconsistency of Subscriber Engagement
01:01:11
The Dark Side of Fame and Online Presence
01:02:10
Dark Thoughts and Serial Killers
01:03:00
The Forgetfulness of Live Streams
01:03:47
The Permanence of the Internet
01:04:15
Landon's Channel and Having Fun
01:05:15
Favorite Boss Pedal
01:06:20
Favorite Kind of Pizza
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Dreaming Up Songs. Literally. w/ Justyna Kelley & Eddie Gore
Summary
Justyna Kelley is a "Nashville-by-way of France" recording artist, producer, songwriter, actress, and a whole bunch of other stuff!
In this conversation, Justyna and Blake discuss her background in music, her work as a producer, and her love for different genres. Justyna shares her experiences growing up in Nashville and being surrounded by country music. She also talks about her journey as a musician and how she ended up living in Paris.
Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of putting oneself out there and finding your people. She also shares stories about her guitars.
Later in the conversation, Eddie joins the chat to discuss Steve Cropper's guitars, how Justyna and himself work together, and a whole lot more! including writing from titles and finding sources of inspiration. They also share their experiences with song ideas coming from dreams and the importance of using the mighty voice memo app!
You are going to like this one!
Check out Justyna's website HERE: https://www.justynakelley.com/
Give her a follow on Instagram HERE: https://www.instagram.com/justynakelley
If you'd like to work with Eddie and Justyna check out their website HERE: https://www.eddieandjusty.com/
Takeaways
Writing from titles can be a methodical approach to songwriting.
Song ideas coming from dreams
Having a simple rig and a few versatile electric guitars can be effective for live performances.
Working in TV and film can involve writing music specifically tailored to the project.
Sometimes a change of scenery is what you need.
Cheese pizza and bacon cheeseburger pizza. We'll leave it at that.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
07:25
Working in the Studio
11:19
Understanding the Role of a Producer
13:46
The Joy of Collaborative Music Making
15:11
Early Musical Influences
22:26
Exploring Different Genres
25:37
Living in Paris and the Influence of Travel
30:16
Favorite Guitars and Songwriting
33:25
The Significance of Instruments
34:12
Tom Waits Story
35:16
Personal Writing Process
36:39
Writing from Titles
37:12
Methodical Approach to Songwriting
37:25
Finding Inspiration
38:11
Song Ideas in Dreams
39:33
Using Voice Memos
40:28
The Importance of The Voice Memo App
44:46
Justyna's Personal Rig
45:45
Electric Guitars
52:26
Working in TV and Film
57:03
Justyna's Music and Album
58:54
Favorite Boss Pedal
01:00:46
Favorite Kind of Pizza
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Lots of fascinating stuff.
I’m not really a fan of interview shows so I didn’t expect I’d like this as much as I do. I heard Blake on the Chasing Tone podcast that he also cohosts and he talked about some of the people he interviewed. The one that got me really interested was Tom Cram of Digitech pedals. Once I listened to that episode I kind of got a little hooked. He doesn’t just have musicians on that are trying to climb their way up to whatever is considered the top these days. He talks to a lot of people who do are variety of things. Design and build pedals, build professional studios, people who do research and write books, amp builders and of course boring old musicians who sometimes turn out not be so boring. I liked it enough that I signed on to Patreon to get the extra stuff. I wanted to be one of the cool kids. Give it a chance and you will too.
Informative, funny, inspiring interviews!
The Tonemob Podcast has been getting good answers out of people for awhile now, and I look forward to finding out where the good pizza is, what’s the favorite Boss pedal every week. Keep up the good work!
A must listen every week.
Blake has a ton of amazing artists, creators, and stars on each week and the content never fails to entertain. The patreon episodes get even crazier. He even has been known to do giveaways from time to time and my wife won one. First time we’ve ever legit won anything from a show. So that was awesome. Can’t say enough good things!