Joaquin Cotler (@ShinyIslands) is a musician based in Brooklyn, NY. In the ten years since finishing his degree in music, Joaquin has discovered the many strange sides of being a working musician, from recording and gigging with bands, to writing and performing solo, to teaching and conducting workshops.

This conversation covers the music industry, the struggle of working musicians, how YouTube is changing the game, and how musicians across the spectrum learn, perform, and produce music.

Catch up with Joaquin via his website, JoaquinCotler.com Check out our episode below, as well as some of his tracks embedded after the jump.

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[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/151760229″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/162494333″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/162494315″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/89964852″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” iframe=”true” /]

Show Notes & Links

“If it's annoying enough, it'll be a huge hit.”

—Joaquin Cotler

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“Wake up early and work hard all day.”

—Philip Glass

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Tools

Techniques

  • Diversify as much as possible; don’t rely on one source of income or type of practice (gigging vs. recording)
  • Learn to speak “Pro Toolsese” with the studio engineers; acquire as much technical prowess as possible
  • Best way to record drums is in a natural room sound. Create a room-within-a-room, and them mic that
  • Connect your social media accounts
  • DON’T conduct your job interviews by asking candidates to record themselves on YouTube
  • Change your routine and creative

Habits

  • Be reliable. Deliver the goods, consistently.
  • Practice on your own. All the time.
  • Wake up early. Drink coffee.
  • Backup your phone; download your recordings and whatnot

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About the author: Prescott Perez-Fox

Prescott Perez-Fox is a graphic designer, brand developer, and educator with 18+ years experience in branding, packaging, graphic design, and web design. He runs The Busy Creator.

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