Pioneers Podcast

Caleb “Bones” Owens has had an interesting journey in the music industry. We were labelmates in the late 2000’s when his band, The Becoming, opened for P86. He has since written songs with Bon Jovi, played guitar with Yellawolf, launched a successful clothing brand, and is now buzzing as a solo artist. We talk determination and much more in this episode. Bonus content gets personal on his Yellawolf years and specific on his songwriting experiences. Subscribe and get episodes before the general public, plus a phone call to say thanks, and more than twenty hours of bonus content here.

Is it a long-held belief of mine that times of trial and tribulation produce great creative works. In this episode, I take a look at the connection of pain and art, and how darker leaning art can actually serve to heal us (both as a consumer and creative) when we are in a difficult place. In our subscriber-only segments I go deeper. For $10 subscribers and up (Private Segment), I look at the connection between addiction and artists, giving some of my personal experiences as examples. And in the third segment (Breakdown), for $20 subscribers and up, I look at the songs “Sad Machines” and “Necktie Remedy” from the Project 86 catalogue as examples of the principles of the episode. To subscribe, visit the Pioneers Patreon page!

Dustin and I discuss how he stays inspired as a creative on a daily basis from a ritual and routine standpoint.  We talk songwriting, books, and tips to stay in the proper mindset for optimum output. This was a unique episode because we actually recorded in person at Dustin’s house in Irvine, California. He makes a mean Espresso. In the bonus content (two segments, sixty minutes total), we discuss belief and art, as well as a breakdown of the new Thrice album, Palms. To subscribe and receive access to the bonus content, please visit Pioneers Podcast on Patreon here. I will also give you a phone call to say thanks and talk all things creative!

Do you have a book project you are trying to find the motivation to start or finish? Are you an aspiring writer who wants to improve?  I share some tips, tricks, and insights from my own experience writing seven books. For deeper insight and more practical advice, consider subscribing to the Podcast via Patreon and get access to over 40 minutes of bonus content on this episode! It’s a great value and I will give you a personal phone call to say thanks. Visit Pioneers on Patreon here.

My guest for Episode 16 is one of my favorite digital illustrators on the entire planet, none other than Luke Preece from the UK.  Luke in addition to being a creative director for a well-known gaming company, has developed a successful illustratio career as a side hustle.  Luke has worked with Metallica, Marvel, Lucas Film, Topps and many many more.  Do you like to draw, sketch or have a hankering for design?  Do you love the visual element of heavy music, comics, and skate culture?  Do you want to know more about how to take your love of these things and turn it into a side gig or more?  Then stay with me, as Luke shares the motivations to how he got started, the lessons he has learned along the way, and grips of advice of for aspiring creatives.  Stay tuned to the end of the episode and I will tell you how you can also listen to over sixty minutes of bonus content where Luke goes deeper into the how to’s of his process and walks us through, in great detail, his design process for the Metallica …And Justice For All screen printed poster he created recently for the band.  Visit Luke at LukePreece.com and visit Pioneers Podcast to subscribe and receive bonus content and more here.

Aaron Sprinkle is one of the most talented, prolific producers in rock music over the last two decades plus, having worked with Eisley, New found Glory, Demon Hunter, Abberlin, MxPx, Acceptance, and The Almost, among many others.  In this episode, Aaron discusses the inception of his creative journey and how he built his production career, and to be honest, I attempted to fill as little space in this episode with my own words as possible, as the amount of wisdom and knowledge Aaron shared had me hinging on every word, waiting to hear more.  In Patreon subscriber-only segments, Aaron gets personal and reveals his battles with addiction and mental health, as well as his role as a parent to as uber-talented son, who deals with Autism.  He also discusses burnout and his current haiatus from making records. And in our Breakdown segment, Aaron discusses secret tricks and recording techniques, and reveals the stories behind his Opus, Acceptance’s 2006 release Phantoms.  It’s an episode worth every moment of your time.   To become a co-creator of the Podcast (for which I will call you personally to say thanks), get access to up to 15 hours of bonus content, receive the upgrade pack ($10 new subscribers and above – seven P86 demos, my 2013 interview with Dustin Kensrue of Thrice regarding worship, and rare p86 pics and vids), visit my Patreon page here.  I’m throwing the farm at you guys…there’s no podcast out there that offers a greater value for a subscription…

Episode 14: Patron Questions

A journey into the humble beginnings and foundation for one of the most recognized frontmen in heavy music today. We discuss the ascent of Matty’s career with Memphis Mayfire and the lessons he learned along the way which led to his growth as a songwriter, frontman, and public persona. For creatives, this is an important look at intention as it relates to career growth. In our subscriber-only segments, Matty gives us a more personal look at his various career endeavors, his personal battles with anxiety, and we go in deep on the new MMF record, Broken…the fan reactions, the lyrics, the sonic shift and why sticking to your guns as an artist is vital for the big picture of your a career. Each segment goes deeper, and each episode has three segments. Subscribers at Private level receive another twenty-five minutes of content, and subscribers at Sergeant and General level receive a total of sixty minutes of bonus content for this episode. Also, if you subscribe on Patreon, depending on the level of your subscription, you receive a total of up to fifteen hours of bonus content, plus a phone call from Andrew Schwab to chat, say thanks, and begin your journey as a co-creator and community member of Pioneers! To subscribe visit here.

How do you find motivation to get past the blank page staring back at you? How do you not just start, but finish the work before you? Here are five practical tips on how to push past your moments of lethargy and mental blocks. Want to hear more? Get over sixty minutes of bonus content which includes the true story behind the Purple Door mud riot and a breakdown of the Project 86 song “PS” by subscribing here.

Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice is a metal legend. He opens up to me about his motivations to begin his journey with Living Sacrifice. We share some laughs, stories, and Bruce walks us through some important history. We also discuss the various ways we have crossed paths, including that one time he managed my band in 2004. We discuss the band’s breakup the digital evolution of the music industry, and their resurgence since. He gives a few pieces of timely advice for creatives, and explains why love for the work should be your motivation no matter your endeavor. Overall this was a fantastic convo with a good (and loyal) friend with some great practical takeaways.

Personal stories and practical advice aplenty on dealing with the five most common areas of disappointment creators and innovators deal with.  How do you respond to harsh critics?  What about about picking yourself up when you lose a great opportunity?  How should creators react to regret with their own work?  Subscribe at get access to over 10 hours of content from the first nine episodes, plus a phone call to say thanks, and much more: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13435186

We share stories of tour together in 2006, and Matt shares the process of hazing/vetting/pledging to the ABR fraternity frontman Jake Luhrs.  What is a “Barn Band?”  Matt tells us.  Major laughs, major insight, major advice.  Massive episode. Subscribe for the bonus content here, it’s even better!  Phone call to all new subscribers!  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13435186

A look at the motivation, writing, recording, and aftermath of the sophomore release from Project 86.  Told for the first time by me, Andrew Schwab.  Subscribe here, and receive a phone call to say thanks, plus hours of bonus content!  Subscribers also help speak ito the creation of the podcast, and on higher levels receive free merch, meetups, private episodes, and executive producer credit.  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13435186

How did I get into writing lyrics?  I define the purpose and function of lyric writing, plus define what makes a good lyric for me.  I also look at lyrics from a few artists who have inspired me over the years, including Refused, Portishead, and many others.  In subscriber-only content I look deeper at how to craft lyrics from scratch and fit them into songs.  I break down the Project 86 song “The Spy Hunter” from a story and lyrical standpoint (It’s a fantastic story).  Subscribe and receive a PHONE CALL TO SAY THANKS here plus hours of bonus content, and more.  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13435186

Did you know that Cory Brandan couldn’t sing AT ALL when he Joined Norma Jean? Did you know at one point he was set to replace Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice? Did you know at one point I almost had to clock a couple club employees to defend him? This is the story of Cory Brandan, frontman for Norma Jean. We discuss career longevity and breakdown the crucial album Norma Jean vs. the Anti Mother. In our subscriber segments, we discuss losing our voices and taking vocal lessons with famous vocal coach Ron Anderson (Jonathan Davis, Maynard James Keenan, Chris Cornell) Corey shares some incredible moments in his journey and inspires us all with his honesty in this episode.  Subscribe for bonus content here AND RECEIVE A PHONE CALL TO SAY THANKS: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13435186