Show Notes
In this episode of The Music Production Podcast, I sit down with musician and songwriter Jean-Paul Vest, the driving force behind Last Charge of the Light Horse. We talk about the evolution of songwriting, the impact of place and sound on music, and the delicate balance between control and spontaneity in the creative process. Jean-Paul shares his approach to writing, how his songs take shape over time, and the unexpected ways music resonates with listeners. We also dive into the role of nostalgia, the value of quiet spaces, and why playing music with friends is one of the greatest joys of being a musician. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Main Topics Discussed: Songwriting and Identity – How artists evolve over time and whether they should brand themselves or stay fluid in their musical identity. Letting Creativity Flow – The challenge of balancing technical skill with raw inspiration and why stepping back can lead to better songs. Sound and Place – How environments, from noisy cities to quiet deserts, influence musical perception and creativity. The Role of Collaboration – Learning to trust bandmates and fellow musicians rather than dictating every detail. Reinvention in Music – How artists like Beck and XTC reinvent themselves and what we can learn from their approach. Music as a Personal Archive – Songs as layered stories, much like a "palimpsest," revealing new meaning over time. Field Recording and Natural Soundscapes – Using organic sounds in music and the impact of noise pollution on creativity. Key Takeaways: Step Back and Let the Song Lead – Trying too hard to control the songwriting process can stifle creativity. Let ideas develop naturally. Your Environment Shapes Your Sound – Whether it's a reverb-heavy church or the silent stillness of a desert, soundscapes influence the way music is made. Not Every Song is an Autobiography – Just because a song is personal doesn't mean it's literally about the songwriter. Sometimes, music is a character study. The Right Audience Makes a Difference – Playing in an intimate setting vs. a bar can completely change how a song is received. Music is a Long Game – Success isn't just about radio play; it's about the relationships and experiences built through music-making. Links: Last Charge of the Light Horse - https://lastcharge.com In the Wind by Last Charge of the Light Horse - https://lastcharge.com/music/in-the-wind/ "Imaginary Friend" by Last Charge of the Light Horse - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdBHlirBKtE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lastchargeofthelighthorse/ Bandcamp: https://lastcharge.bandcamp.com/ The Sound Book: The Science of the Sonic Wonders of the World by Trevor Cox https://amzn.to/3XGP4ei The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig - https://amzn.to/3XL75rR Some Good Evil - https://somegoodevil.com Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
More from Music Production Podcast
Beau McLeod is a music producer and educator, who makes music as Bohemyth. Beau runs Low End Candy, where he designs plug-ins and Ableton Live tools. His newest plug-ins are Preverb for easily creating reversed reverb, and Slingshot for creating reversed delays. Beau spoke about his journey learning how to make plug-ins and tools for producers. We discussed how he came up in the music production world by working with some of his favorite producers. Beau shared some of his insights on how to develop a unique sound and stand out from the crowd. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: Low End Candy - https://lowendcandy.com Preverb - https://lowendcandy.com/preverb/ Slingshot - https://lowendcandy.com/slingshot Premix - https://lowendcandy.com/premix Low End Candy YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lowendcandy Bohemyth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_bohemyth_/ Bohemyth's SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/boheymth Beau's Ableton Extensions Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WrXO7jIwX4 Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
Anthony Marinelli is a legendary composer, performer, and synthesist. He worked with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones on Thriller, James Brown, Kenny Loggins, Van Halen, and many more. He worked on the scores for over 90 original film score soundtracks including War Games, Stand by Me, and one of my favorites Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. He shares his knowledge on his YouTube channels and his in-depth courses Think Like a Synth and Bass DNA. I spoke with Anthony about how he breaks down sounds for synthesis and visualizes his sounds in his imagination rather than in technical terms. Anthony spoke about getting his start working as a synthesizer player and programmer as a teenage, and what it was like working with legends Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: Anthony's Website - https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/ Think Like a Synth course - https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/products/think-like-a-synth Bass DNA course - https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/collections/courses/products/bass-dna Anthony's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@anthonymarinellimusic Anthony on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anthonymarinellimusic/ Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
Ben Burnes is a musician, producer, and game developer. He is the author of the new book How to Write a Song in Two Hours, based off his experience writing over 400 songs in weekly two-hour sprints. Ben is back for his fifth conversation! We spoke about his new book and some of the wisdom he picked up writing songs in two hours. We covered practical techniques and philosophical approaches, and we also got to meet a few of his five cats. Get How to Write a Song in Two Hours by Ben Burnes: Payhip - https://payhip.com/b/FfV4x Itch - https://tallbeard.itch.io/write-a-song-in-two-hours Gumroad - https://ben-burnes.gumroad.com/l/write-a-song-in-two-hours Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: Ben's Website - https://www.abstractionmusic.com "If I Had a Hi-Fi" by Ben Burnes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=764uUMKuHTE Artifacts - Sunset Frequencies by Ben Burnes - https://abstractionmusic.bandcamp.com/album/artifacts-sunset-frequencies "Back at it Again" by Ben Burnes and Devin Henderson - https://abstractionmusic.bandcamp.com/album/back-at-it-again Frozen - Two Hour Track Challenge Album - https://2hac.bandcamp.com/album/frozen-2hac-volume-35 SoopurKul - https://www.twitch.tv/soopurkul On Writing Well by William Zinsser - https://amzn.to/46F0gfP Getting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/46F0gfP The Four Agreements - https://amzn.to/3Vqqhga Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - https://amzn.to/4cI8AyN Elastic Stage Vinyl Pressing - https://elasticstage.com Struthless - https://www.youtube.com/struthless The Troubadeck by Charlie McCarron - https://troubadeck.com Charlie McCarron on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/charlie-mccarron Ben's First Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2017/3/28/9-ben-burnes Ben's Second Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2019/10/9/ben-burnes-wisdom-on-200-2-hour-track-challenges-music-production-podcast-131 Ben's Third Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ben-burnes-3 Ben's Fourth Appearance on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ben-burnes-4 Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
Howard Benson is a Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum producer. With 15 platinum records, 10 gold records, and over 150 billion streams, Howard has shaped the sound of modern rock and alternative music. Howard has worked with Hoobastank, POD, My Chemical Romance, The All-American Rejects, Daughtry, and many more. He is also the co-founder of Judge and Jury Records. Howard spoke to me about his work with some of the biggest names in modern rock, and the importance of songwriting and vocal performance and production. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: Howard's Website - https://www.howardbenson.com Howard's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hbenson Howard's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/howardbenson/ Judge & Jury Records - https://judgeandjuryrecords.com Howard Benson Vocal Plug-in - https://joeysturgistones.com/products/howard-benson-vocals Howard Benson Vocal Multiplier Plug-in - https://joeysturgistones.com/collections/vocal-plugins/products/howard-benson-vocal-multiplier Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
Dennis DeSantis is a composer, percussionist, sound designer, author, and educator. He is a professor of Music and Technology at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where he is developing an all new BM in Music Creation and Technology. Dennis worked as Head of Music Learning at Ableton, and wrote Making Music 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers. Dennis and I spoke in depth about his work at Eastman School of Music. We shared thoughts on finishing projects and overcoming creative challenges. Dennis reflected on his work at Ableton and how it has prepared him for his newest chapter in cutting edge music education. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: Dennis's Website - https://dennisdesantis.com University of Rochester's Music Creation and Technology Program - https://www.esm.rochester.edu/go/soundarts/music-technology/ Making Music 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producters by Dennis DeSantis - https://makingmusic.ableton.com Learning Music - https://learningmusic.ableton.com Learning Synths - https://learningsynths.ableton.com Dennis's Max for Live Devices - https://dennisdesantis.com/max-for-live-devices Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk