 They say that one really can’t be successful until they get their mind, body, and spirit “in tuneâ€. What does that mean exactly? If an instrument is not in tune it is displeasing to the ear. Hell, it evokes hostility in Kelly and me. It induces uncomfortable feelings of dis-ease and horror, plugging of the […]
I really want to share something with y’all. It may sound a bit self-serving but I’m thinking of you (as always) so read through to the end…you’ll get it. Here’s the deal, I’m super excited today. Kelly Schoenfeld and I were chosen to develop an artist who has really got the gift. This artist’s vocal […]
My good friend Wade Sutton sent me a link to a video of the amazing John Cleese (from the Monty Python comedic team) giving a speech on creativity. I was blown away. The video is 36 minutes but I highly recommend watching it because it’s worth it. I thought an article on some creative exercises […]
I get about 3-8 emails every week where people send me music and ask for advice. These artists come from many different genres. I’m generalizing to be sure when I say they mostly suffer from the same issue, they’re derivative. They’re mostly derivative, right? Don’t be derivative. Look, don’t get me wrong, if a derivative […]
Dreams often take a long time to realize. They exist, of course, long before the point of realization but get buried deep within our minds or hearts. Tucked safely away for later, those dreams are sometimes revisited with more experienced eyes or with fuller hearts and brought back into the realm of possibility. That feeling […]
In our podcast episode entitled “What Is Producingâ€, Kelly and I discuss the many hats we find ourselves wearing as artist developers. One hat is that of a psychologist to our artists and writers. Artists are, and should be, constantly uncomfortable. They need guidance, assurance, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a champion, a […]
By Johnny Dwinell I was having coffee yesterday at The Red Bicycle in Germantown (holy crap their crepes are AH-MAZING) with an artist writer friend. We got involved in a passionate discussion about song demos and some different perspectives to consider before recording and pitching them. We were discussing what it means and what it […]
By Johnny Dwinell I entertain so many conversations from artists and songwriters about how difficult it is to build a team and break into the music business. They go on and on about how much they want it, how much they need it, how they were born to do it, and then, ultimately, how they’re […]
By Johnny Dwinell Art is a craft and as a craft, I realize that there are 2 kinds of craftsmen. Some are born with the innate ability to rise above all else with their art; they’re supremely gifted. Most are born with the love and fascination for a particular art form and choose to follow […]
 By Johnny Dwinell I’m always thinking about artists. An artist’s success is quite literally paramount to our success at Daredevil Production, LLC. Last night I was watching Howard Stern’s movie, “Private Partsâ€, for the umpteenth time but with a whole new set of eyes; artistic eyes. It turns out this movie is an awesome […]