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  • Today, we continue the episode with Blind Guardian frontman Hansi Kürsch. His love of music and fantasy is pretty much evident in how he produces magic through writing songs based on fantasies and epics like The Stormlight Archives and The Lord of the Rings.

    It’s amazing how a lot of albums have this continuity. And he explains how everything in the album should have the same vibe because they can only shine if they’re bound together. Making amazing music for 40 years now, Hansi gives his insights into artistic freedom. He is also involved in The Dark Tower series.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Using artistic freedom in writing a song based on a book series What makes a great colleague and a great musician What inspired him to base his album on The Lord of the Rings The hardest part of being a lead singer without bass How he got involved in The Dark Tower series

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    Supporting Resources:

    www.blind-guardian.com

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

  • It’s just magic when music and fantasy are combined. And magic is what Blind Guardian creates. Today, we’re joined by their lead singer, Hansi Kürsch, who along with his band members, takes inspiration from the great works of fantasy.

    Going strong for 40 years now, Blind Guardian has recently released their newest album, The God Machine. Not only is Hansi a testament to endurance, but he’s also the epitome of a powerful voice. He gives insights into how to build and maintain a four-decade career and how his understanding of vocal technique has evolved over the years.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    From playing bass to singing Learning to become more efficient in singing through education How Hansi’s understanding of breath support has shifted through the years The different types of breathing Using the spine to support your voice Vibrato is one of the most difficult to train. Holding big, high-belt notes

    Subscribe and Review

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    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    Blind Guardian

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

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  • Last week, we began the conversation with some life insights and vocal nerdery with Small Town Titans’ frontman Phil Freeman. This week, we’re going to continue the discussion with more detail on vocal technique.

    Phil reveals the foundation for a good, healthy voice and an excellent performance in the same way that you should breathe in. He also stresses the importance of embracing the depth of your voice and not getting easily swayed by other people’s opinions when it comes to your voice. Plus, he’s going to satisfy our ears with some pretty awesome vocal demonstrations that will blow us away.

    Not only an epitome of vocal excellence, Phil is also an example of savvy businessmanship and a super dad!

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Passagio in opera vs. in choirs What it means to “cry through the note” How the body plays a huge role in your voice Clarity and compression in doing his vocal fry Tests for vocal swelling The three pillars of vocal health

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://smalltowntitans.com/join

    Small Town Titans - "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Official Video
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cUz-zAATNI

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

  • What does it take to get to the next level? In this week’s conversation, we’re joined by Phil Freeman, the lead singer of one of the most underrated rock bands, Small Town Titans. Phil has a massive range coupled with massive technical skills that he can create all kinds of good, aggressive, powerful, and even sweet tones within that range.

    Phil did a cover of You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, and if you haven’t watched it yet, then you’ve got to! He initially sounds like a low-voiced male, but then he keeps going higher and higher and flat-out screams in a way that is sung well. It’s not dangerous for the voice so it definitely deserves a jaw drop. Add to that a delectable enunciation and breath control that leaves the audience breathless – a voice that begs for more attention. After our conversation, I only realized that his rich, powerful, and direct sounds are all truly just an extension of his character.

    Next week we’re going to dive even deeper into vocal technique. We’ll also trade teaching tips, talk about how babies can create better vocalizations than most adults, plus – a demonstration of some awesome high distortion!

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Reaction videos have become one of the main ways for people to discover music. The importance of having an anchor in your life Giving yourself a chance to tour to test your limits How to get to the next level What you want should be quality and something sustainable

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://smalltowntitans.com

    Small Town Titans - "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Official Video
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cUz-zAATNI

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

  • Last week we started to uncover the shy persona underneath Jinjer’s fierce frontwoman, Tatiana Shmayluk. We talked about the artists that piqued her curiosity in harsh vocals and how she developed her monster-esque screams. We also discussed her writing process and how deadlines can be more inspirational than diamonds.

    This week, we’re going to continue the story by taking a look deeper into her growls, to better understand how she delineates between a good growl and a bad growl. We’ll also talk about her practice habits and what Tatiana thinks of the band’s name.
    If you'd like to support both the band and charity at the same time, take an extra moment to consider buying some of their merch.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How she relies on the frequencies of vibration when making a growl Your voice as part of your body and how her voice depends on her mood The meaning behind their song, Perennial Her music influences The origin of the name Jinjer

    Subscribe and Review

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    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    www.jinjer-metal.com

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

  • Tatiana Shmayluk is the lead singer of the Ukrainian metalcore band, Jinjer. But don’t let that trick you into thinking that she’s a gentle performer.

    Tatiana packs a punch with her vocals – both clean and harsh. In fact, she was the first female singer that I’ve ever heard going into full death growl mode. The song started off with a groovy, almost jazzy punk feel, and then dropped into this intensely heavy section. And at that moment out of Tatiana, a boss monster just seemed to spring. It’s insane! It’s also one of the reasons I just nerd out about voice science.

    In this episode, learn about how she visualizes her voice. Also, be sure to tune in to the second part of this series next week as Tatiana shares how she determines if a growl is good or bad. We’ll also talk about touring and how to support the band during these incredibly tough times.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    What makes a good band member The process of writing a song for a band The process of writing lyrics Working well under pressure How she developed the harsh vocals

    Subscribe and Review

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    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    www.jinjer-metal.com

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.


  • This week, we continue the conversation with Peter Hollens, American singer/songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. Known for doing acapella videos of just him – and his multiple voices, Peter is his own engineer and singer. That’s not to say that he hasn’t done any collaborations because Peter has collaborated with other great artists – including one video that he wished could have picked up more audience (on top of its two million views on YouTube.)

    In this episode, Peter talks about his vocal technique, his love for acoustic music, scatting, and some tips on how to become a better creative entrepreneur. He’s also going to give some suggestions for how you can explore and expand the sounds that you make and his thoughts on artistic integrity and how far can you go without losing the essence of the original music.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How acapella singing differs from classical singing How Peter approaches his singing The ONE video he wished could have gained more traction How the pandemic affected him Some tech and plug-in recommendations for great recording sessions The best and worst thing about being a singer Peter’s take on scat singing

    Subscribe and Review

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    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    www.peterhollens.com
    https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterHollens
    https://www.patreon.com/peterhollens

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.


  • If there’s one artist who has inspired my current vocal endeavors more than any other, it’s Peter Hollens – THE GUY who made multiple layering of the same human voice popular on YouTube. Peter now has 400 videos on his channel. Some are elaborate collaborations with well-known artists and some are just him, multiple times.

    While many singers only need to think about singing one line and maybe a few harmonies, Peter has to think about singing tons of lines. Just imagine the additional time it takes for him to create a song because he is the whole band. His songs are also released with music videos of high production value. His channel has been going strong since its debut in 2011, it’s amazing how he’s able to keep up his pace – even with a team in place.

    Now actively taking a role beyond singing, Peter offers consulting and advising services for creators and creative companies. Today, Peters talks about his influences and mentors, how he’s able to release music videos consistently, and his process of producing high-quality videos.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Voice type he prefers in acapella Sound engineering and techniques for layering the voices Peter’s music influences and mentors Educating creators on true value The process of making a video and how he’s able to release videos consistently The power of professional video editing What makes a good collaborator Tips for collaborating with your spouse in music and life

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    www.peterhollens.com

    https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterHollens

    https://www.patreon.com/peterhollens

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • This week, we continue our conversation with Myles Kennedy, the lead singer of Alter Bridge, but also an outstanding songwriter and guitar player who has done many great collaborations.

    Speaking of spreading the great music that Myles creates, Alter Bridge just released their seventh album on October 14 of 2022. He definitely sounds better and better. It’s hard to believe how he can sound like he’s in the prime of his singing career when he’s already been at it professionally for over 30 years. Listen to him sing and you will be so amazed that you will want to come back to this podcast to reabsorb all of his advice once you hear how fresh his voice is on the new album.

    We talk more about technique and balance between different sections of a band or orchestra, and the differences between metal and classical music, among other genres. Get to know Myles’s pre-performance routine, life balance, and the one thing Myles would change about the music industry.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How orchestral symbols are different from rock and metal symbols The challenge of timing in the opera The importance of having an open mind and absorbing as much as you can The importance of ear monitors Pre-performance routines for the voice to be in prime condition Finding a good speaking pitch What makes a good collaborator Singing vs. guitar playing

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.


    Supporting Resources:
    https://myleskennedy.com/
    https://alterbridge.com/
    https://www.futuresong.org/
    Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/officialmyleskennedy/

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • Many people say that having a classical vocal foundation will set any singer up for success. Even as an opera singer, I don’t know if this is always true, but our guest today, Myles Kennedy, has some of the best vocal techniques any metal or rock singer could have. Not only did he study the classical vocal foundation, he still continues to use it.

    Myles is an outstanding songwriter and guitar player who has collaborated with many artists. As the lead singer of Alter Bridge or in his work with Slash and The Conspirators, Myles makes stupid-tough vocal passages sound like a walk in the park.

    In this episode, we delve into all aspects of life, philosophy, philanthropy, and yes, music too! Myles discusses how he applied his jazz education and classical training to rock and metal. Due to his outstanding technique, Myles can navigate the trickiest of vocal circumstances with vocal elegance, which is quite evident in his recently released Alter bridge album called Pawns & Kings.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How singers deal with reflux What led him and his wife to create the Future Song Foundation The importance of readdressing your narrative Vocal techniques: allowing the breath to flow and creating space Singing as a pelvic floor therapy Raising your soft palate and vowel modification as you go higher

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    Future Song Foundation

    https://www.futuresong.org/

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • In this episode, we continue our conversation with Arjen Lucassen. Not just the tallest guitar player in the world, Arjen has consolidated his love of movies, music, and the concept of time travel on his newest project, Star One. Not only that, it’s a collaboration-filled project with other great artists as they make music and magic – together.

    Listen in as Arjen shares his opinion of opera, how to create an inner circle of music advisors, time travel, producing Star One, musical comic books, and much more! It’s amazing how Arjen values interacting with his fans, pretty much evident by the way he makes music as well as his guessing games that add a fun extra dimension to his projects that his fans truly love.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Collaborating with other artists and giving them freedom The power of always looking for challenges Having a circle of trust to give you feedback and help you make decisions The Star One production process The importance of having an interaction with your fans Arjen’s other musical influences

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • What exactly goes into making an opera metal? Or is it the other way around – do you make metal operatic?


    Today’s guest is Arjen Lucassen, the mastermind composer, multi-instrument player, and producer of both Ayreon and Star One. Arjen is known, not only for his massive collaborative projects but also for having a knack for finding the best singers to collaborate with – singers that can handle both metal and opera, and lots in between.


    Arjen has worked with almost every major metal talent that I’ve been introduced to in the last 2 years – and all of them can’t speak highly enough of Arjen. His ability to scout and retain great talent is unparalleled.


    Everyone wants to work with him as well because he makes them sound greater. He coaches them in a way that encourages creativity and excellence. Indeed, he is a master of finding great talent – and even making them greater. Listen in as we try to dig up Arjen’s secret to finding great singers, how he approaches the collaborative process, and how he puts metal and opera together.


    In this episode, you will hear:

    The importance of staying in contact with your community Arjen’s early influences and how he developed his own style of music Electric vs. acoustic guitar What he does as a multi-instrumentalist and the importance of sound production Loudness wars and paying attention to the health of your ears His talent and passion for discovering talents The back-and-forth process of working with a singer

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.


    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.


    Supporting Resources:
    https://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/


    Episode Credits
    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • Last week, we began this interview with two incredible artists Russell Allen and Anette Olzon, who have now released two albums together. Interestingly, this episode is the first time they’re meeting face-to-face. Russell and Anette are having fun talking about their love of music and family, and also joking about growing old in the music industry.

    This week, we're going to continue the story by discussing how sound can heal, which straws are best for singers, and how placement can be helpful for extending your range. They also explain why they don't want to go to shows when not on tour.

    This episode is filled with great energy coming from their first time meeting, making it a fun and light episode to listen to!

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Music as therapy How words in a song resonate more than spoken words Having vocal nodes isn’t the end of your music career How being in a choir increases good hormones The best thing you can do for your voice Placement in singing by feeling the vibrations of your body

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    Army of Dreamers

    https://youtu.be/067e-cLzUPM

    Follow Russell on:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellallen1971/?hl=en

    Follow Anette on:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anetteolzonofficial/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anetteolzon_official/?hl=en

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • Today’s conversation is made twice the fun as we feature two veteran vocalists, Russell Allen and Anette Olzon, who are legends on their own.

    Russell Allen is known for his work with Symphony X and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Anette Olzon is known for her work with Nightwish. Russell and Anette recently collaborated and released their second album together, titled Army of Dreamers. Yet, it’s funny how these two fantastic artists had never met in person and never had a conversation before. And the way that they grow on each other as our tea time progresses is delightful to witness.

    Also, I find it fascinating how fame affects people differently. Both Russell and Anette have toured the world. Although they’ve seen a lot in their career, they both seem to particularly love the moments at home, in peace and quiet, with their family. Russell is also creating a video game and he’s happy to have his kid test it out!

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Russell working as a knight at Medieval Times Dinner Theater Improvising their performance to “save the day” Exposing your kids to music education Their experience collaborating on an album How to approach recording without overtaxing your larynx Using technology to produce something really cool

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    Arrny of Dreamers

    https://youtu.be/067e-cLzUPM

    Follow Russell on:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellallen1971/?hl=en

    Follow Anette on:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anetteolzonofficial/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anetteolzon_official/?hl=en

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • It’s time for yet another episode of healthy screaming with Will Ramos, the lead vocalist of the deathcore band, Lorna Shore.

    Last week, we looked at how Will Ramos nurtured his voice to sound like a Nazgul. Today, we continue the conversation by talking more about how to NOT mess up your voice while screaming. Learn some tips on healthy screaming, relaxing to improve technique, and how scatting can improve deathcore.

    Will values taking care of his voice just as much as an opera singer would. It’s also so much fun to hear him talk about cross-training in Tuvan throat singing as one of the ways that he takes care of his voice.

    Oh, and did I tell you that we actually put a camera down Will’s throat to see what it’s like now after years of heavy screaming? The result might just surprise you!

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How to scream better and avoid damage What it was like getting COVID as a singer The scatting approach Will’s bucket list for collabs His transition to becoming the Lorna Shore frontman The future of extreme metal Tips to get started with metal screaming

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    Here’s the YouTube video of Will’s throat being scoped: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua8SuWNPrLE

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • Imagine a goblin meeting a Nazgul, and together they decided to sing an epic opera using only harsh vocals. That’s what our guest today, Will Ramos sounds like. Will is the lead harsh vocalist of the deathcore band, Lorna Shore – and the sounds he makes are almost unreal!

    Many traditional singing teachers would point to his grunts and gurgles and say that he’s destroying his voice – but he isn’t.

    We actually decided to put a camera down his throat, and surprisingly, it was even more amazing than I had anticipated. Will engaged multiple areas of his vocal tract, from false folds to aryepiglottic. At one point, his throat even constricted so much that it looked like a black hole trying to suck the camera down. Whoa!

    But the most fascinating thing from putting a camera down Will’s throat was the asymmetry we found, where there’s a twisting motion that happens inside his larynx. It’s likely part of what contributes to Will’s unique sound.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How word noises can lead to a career Transitioning from classical studies to metal Singing live is like mixing your vocals Will’s unique sound and vocal technique Vocal effort vs. efficiency Vocal warm-up and exercise for false chord vocals

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    Here’s the YouTube video of Will’s throat being scoped: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua8SuWNPrLE

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • Last week, we started a conversation with Simone Simons, the lead singer of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. We discussed how she got into singing and blending classical and contemporary techniques.

    This week, we continue the conversation as Simone talks about online singing lessons, taking pride in pregnant bellies, what singing felt like after giving birth, and our favorite Disney voices. She also dishes out some singing tips like using eyebrows to get to that high note and how she memorizes ALL THOSE LYRICS.

    This episode also shows so many facets of pregnancy and being a new mom that most people wouldn’t normally consider. This is a truly heart-warming conversation between two moms, about motherhood and our shared passion for singing.

    Epica will be touring in North and South America throughout the rest of 2022, and throughout Europe in early 2023. They also recently released their new album, Omega, available on your regular streaming services, or purchase it online at epica.nl.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Why you shouldn’t be breathing too high The different types of breathing Keeping your shoulders calm, and your chest and belly active Our favorite Disney voices Singing after labor: understanding the changes in your body Epica’s Wall of Death

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://www.epica.nl/

    www.smoonstyle.com

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • Simone Simons may look like a supermodel – she has the blog, photographs and beauty partnerships to back it up – but she is much more than just the face of the Dutch metal band, Epica. Simone has a voice and a lifestyle to be reckoned with.

    Simone’s vocals are widely recognized for both their beauty and power. As the frontwoman of a symphonic metal band with death metal tendencies, Simone brings versatility in singing styles, combining both classical and contemporary technique.

    In this episode, we discuss how she got into singing in the first place, how she blended classical and contemporary techniques, and how she kept her infant son quiet while recording. I also wanted to discuss something I have recently experienced as well – how pregnancy and being a mother actually affected the voice. And so, this is also a bonding conversation between two new moms!

    Epica will be touring in North and South America throughout the rest of 2022, and throughout Europe in early 2023. They also recently released their new album, Omega, available on your regular streaming services or purchase it online at epica.nl.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Navigating pregnancy and motherhood Vocal rest and building endurance Head-banging techniques Getting the right tips and being able to apply them right away Classical singing techniques: body position, breathing, & reaching high notes How young is too young to sing opera? How every note is essentially its own register

    Subscribe and Review

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    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://www.epica.nl/

    www.smoonstyle.com

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • If you’re a fan of the television series, Vikings, then you’ve most likely already heard the beautiful music created by the folk music band, Heilung. This is the second part of my interview with Heilung’s female lead, Maria Franz. She’s also the lead vocal for two other bands, Euzen and Songleikr.

    In this episode, Maria talks about the process of creating her amazing look. Maria is most often seen with Heilung in this white, ceremonial costume, with long antlers emerging from her head, a long, white gown, her hair, beads dangling from her sleeves, and a headband with a white fringe covering her eyes.

    We dive into her pre-performance routine and talk about vocal mentors and development, and how COVID has impacted the band. Maria also shares the best venues to experience their trance-inducing performances. Their upcoming album, Drif, releases on August 19th of 2022.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    Pre-performance routines: mental preparation Focusing on the message you’re bringing to the audience Maria’s favorite performance at Castlefest Her garb, hair, and makeup process Learning the correct way of pronouncing ancient language Does she improvise during live shows? Heilung tech complications

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

  • No one knows what music from the Bronze or Iron Ages sounds like, but the musical group Heilung presents a version of what music in that era could have sounded like. Their music is often described as “amplified history” and it evokes something primal in audiences around the world.

    In this two-part episode, we sit down with Maria Franz, the lead female singer of Heilung, as well as two other bands, Euzen and Songleikr. We shared a cup of tea while chatting about how they’re creating intriguing sounds, fantasy roleplaying, and the banshee wails.

    Maria’s vocal creativity had already blown me away, and I was so eager to ask her about how she had developed such a unique sound and vocal technique. Maria decided to quit smoking to help preserve her voice. It’s incredible how much anything that affects a person’s body will also affect the voice. After all, the voice is IN our bodies, so anything you ingest or do will, in some way, work itself into your vocal folds.

    Allow Heilung’s music to sweep you away into another time and moment in history and grab a copy of their new album, Drif, which releases on August 19.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    How Maria ended up being part of Heilung How Heilung makes their music organically and where they draw inspiration from Capturing professional-level audio outside of the recording studio Getting the audience as part of the ritual Making the banshee wail Maria’s vocal techniques: expanding the rib cage and the back muscle support How everything you do affects your vocal cords

    Subscribe and Review

    Have you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

    We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Supporting Resources:

    https://www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.