Music Production Podcast

Have you ever felt like the more you learn about music production, the harder it actually gets to finish a song? You aren't alone. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 biggest mental blocks I've faced, from "tutorial paralysis" to the crushing weight of trying to be a "Great Artist," and the practical shifts I used to break through them.
After 6 years of the Jamuary challenge, I've learned that the secret to finishing more music isn't a new plugin or more music theory; it's about moving from a romanticized "Artist" identity to a prolific "Maker" mindset.
In this episode, we discuss: 
The "Quantity Over Quality" Hack: Why having a routine allows you to fail safely.
The Skills of Finishing: Why completing "bad" music is the only way to prepare for your best work.
Learning by Doing: How to escape the "Tutorial Junkie" cycle and get your hands dirty.
Killing the "Artist" Label: Why viewing your work as a "body of work" is more freeing than chasing a single masterpiece. Stop overthinking, start creating, and let's get those ideas out of your DAW and into the world. 
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Links:
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
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

Matt Tinkler is a musician, educator, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He runs a the Aspect Music Academy and makes music as Chronitect. Matt's YouTube channel is a great resource for learning music production and creative workflows.
Matt and I spoke in depth about the creative process and how he makes music. He shared his 5 I's of Ideation workflow, as well as how he helps students turn their ideas into finished tracks. I've been following Matt's work for a long time and it was a lot of fun speaking with him. 
Enrollments for Matt's Aspect Music Academy's 24-week structured mentorship program begin February 9, 2026. The program starts March 16, 2026. More information here: https://aspectmusicacademy.com/
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Links:
Matt's Website - https://matttinklermusic.com
Matt's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@matttinklermusic
Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matttinklermusic/
Chronitect - https://chronitect.com
Aspect Music Academy - https://aspectmusicacademy.com/
Make Awesome Sounds with THIS Underused Ableton Live Feature - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiNtj1eGIs
Watch THIS if You Can't Finish Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gPHMyOvyHM
Matthew Dicks on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/matthew-dicks
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

Aqeel Aadam is the founder of Aqeel Aadam Sound plug-ins and Tyler Gilmore makes music as Blankfor.ms. Aqeel and Tyler have just released Outgrowth, a sample-based plug-in and iOS app. Outgrowth allows you to manipulate and reimagine samples in playful and unique way.
Aqeel and Tyler spoke to me about their collaboration on the new plug-in, and how they came to work together. We covered the creative process of developing plug-ins and some of the artistic choices and sacrifices made to help create a device that is inspiring and deep without being overwhelming. Tyler discussed the inspiration and creation process of his new album as Blankfor.ms called After the Town Was Swept Away. 
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Links:
Outgrowth - https://aqeelaadamsound.com/b/outgrowth
Aqeel Aadam Sound - https://aqeelaadamsound.com
Blankfor.ms - https://www.blankfor-ms.com/
After the Town Was Swept Away by Blankfor.ms - https://www.blankfor-ms.com/music/after-the-town-was-swept-away
Aqeel Aadam Sound Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aqeelaadamsound
Aqeel's Personal Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/aqeel.aadam
Aqeel's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AqeelAadam
Aqeel on Bandcamp - https://aqeelaadam.bandcamp.com
Aqeel Aadam on Music Production Podcast #404 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/aqeel-aadam
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

Brad Barr is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and, along with his brother Andrew, is half of the Americana, folk-rock group the Barr Brothers. The Barr Brothers just released their new album, Let it Hiss, which has a more vulnerable, stripped-down sound that embraces human imperfection and spirit. 
Brad and I had a great conversation about songwriting and the production of the Barr Brothers' new album Let it Hiss. Brad shared how a minimalist approach, including a 4-string guitar, helped guide the songwriting and production of the new record. Brad even demonstrated his polyester thread trick on the guitar. Please welcome Brad Barr to the Music Production Podcast.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio and their Tekno drum synthesizer plug-in.  
Save 15% with the code: MPP15 - https://babyaud.io 
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Links:
The Barr Brothers - https://thebarrbrothers.com
Let it Hiss by The Barr Brothers - https://found.ee/letithiss
Brad's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bradbarr216/
"Growing Up Sideways" by Brad Barr - https://vyd.co/BradBarrGrowingUpSidewaysInstrumental
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

It's time for Jamuary, a challenge to create music and share it each day during the month of January. 
Jamuary is a powerful way to start your year with a creative bang!
In this episode, I share 7 tips that will help you make the most of Jamuary and maximize your productivity and creativity!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Links:
Join the Music Production Club! - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
My free #jamuary2026 Prompts - https://brianfunk.gumroad.com/l/jamuary2026
My #Jamuary2026 Playlist - https://soundcloud.com/brianfunk/sets/jamuary-2026
Music Production Club #Jamuary2026 Playlist - https://soundcloud.com/brianfunk/sets/mpc-jamuary-2026
31x Your Creativity with Jamuary 2025 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/31x-your-creativity
Don't Lose Twice and 3 Book Recommendations - https://brianfunk.com/blog/dont-lose-twice
Jamuary Lessons - https://brianfunk.com/blog/see-your-ideas-through
My Most Profound Jamuary Insight - https://brianfunk.com/blog/my-most-profound-jamuary-insight-music-production-podcast-203
Creative Strategies for Jamuary by Spooqs - https://spooqs.space/creative-strategies-for-jamnuary-2026/
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
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