Andy Lykens

Innovating and operating through growth

Podcast

Music Lessons: #003 Community and AI with Alan Wilkis (aka Big Data)

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Music Lessons is a podcast where we explore the analogous principles of music and growth by interviewing top musicians. In this episode, my guest is Alan Wilkis, otherwise known as Big Data:

Alan Wilkis, otherwise known as “Big Data,” is an accomplished artist, producer, and composer. His hit single, “Dangerous (feat. Joywave),” reached #1 on the 2014 Billboard Alternative chart and has since been RIAA-certified platinum. His work as Big Data is beat-driven and technology-themed, featuring collaborations with the likes of Kimbra, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Dragonette, and Jamie Lidell, and he has performed across the globe.

As a songwriter and producer, Wilkis has worked with a broad range of artists, including Channel Tres, NomBe, Atlas Genius, MNDR (pronounce?), and Moontower. In recent years, he has pivoted his unique hybrid sound into composing for film, TV, and advertising, including his score for the 2020 breakout comedy, “Drunk Bus,” multiple campaigns for Apple, and a reworking of the theme for NCIS:LA. He is currently scoring a documentary called, “Left Behind,” about dyslexia in the NYC public school system.

Big Data (Alan Wilkis)

In this episode, Alan and I talk about AI and music, creating music for a community, and how pizza-making and music creation are similar. I had a great time asking Alan about how he thinks about his work as a composer and artist, and speculating on where AI is going.

Please enjoy!

You can also listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, Amazon Music, and on other podcast platforms.

Or subscribe to the podcast here

Have a favorite quote? Let me know on Twitter!

See the show notes by clicking “read more” below…

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Music Lessons: Playlist from #002 Gretchen Parlato

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In addition to her own music, Gretchen Parlato has performed with a lot of amazing artists. In fact, listening to Gretchen led me to some of my other current favorite listens.

We mentioned a lot of artists and music in our conversation including Lionel Loueke, Wayne Shorter, Leon Mobley and many more.

I created a playlist of all of the artists mentioned, choosing the corresponding tracks in most cases. You can listen to the playlist on the following platforms:

Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music

You can see the show notes if you want to see a list of all the topics and music that came up.

Music Lessons: #002 Active Listening with Gretchen Parlato

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Music Lessons is my podcast where we explore the analogous principles of music and growth by interviewing top musicians. In this episode, my guest is Gretchen Parlato:

Gretchen Parlato has been described as having a voice like honey, with a captivating style that fuses elements of jazz, Brazilian, and African rhythms, and a touch of pop and electronic influences that create a sound that is entirely her own. Personally, she is one of my favorite vocalists to listen to with her impeccable phrasing, emotive storytelling, and collaborative spirit. Parlato has become a visionary in the contemporary jazz scene. Her 2021 album Flor hit #1 on the iTunes Jazz chart and received a Grammy nomination, was #3 in the Jazzwise Critics Poll, #5 for best album from Jazzwise in 2021, and #5 on The Guardian’s Top 10 jazz albums for 2021. She has worked with some of the biggest names in jazz, like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding, and many, many more. You can find all things about Gretchen at GretchenParlato.com.

Gretchen’s newest album Lean In, a collaboration with her long-time friend Lionel Loueke, comes out May 19th.

Find Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke’s NEW album Lean In here (vinyl too), or listen on:

In this episode, Gretchen and I talk about her background, where inspiration strikes and her way of getting her work into the world, and a great deep dive on musicology. Plus, we hear about her new album Lean In with long-time friend & collaborator Lionel Loueke.

Please enjoy!

You can also listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, Amazon Music, Stitcher and other podcast platforms.

Have a favorite snippet? Let me know on Twitter!

Show Notes: Music Lessons: #002 Active Listening with Gretchen Parlato [Read more…] about Music Lessons: #002 Active Listening with Gretchen Parlato

Music Lessons: #001 Curiosity & Craft with Ben O’Neill

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Music Lessons is my new podcast where we explore the analogous principles of music and growth by interviewing top musicians. In this first episode, my guest is Ben O’Neill:

Grammy nominated artist, Ben O’Neill (@BenOneillGuitar on Instagram) (guitarist, singer-songwriter, teacher), has played with some of the best known names in Pop, Hip Hop and R&B including John Legend, Jill Scott, Common, Sting, Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, Kid Cudi, and more. He has performed and co-written songs with Tye Tribbett and his “Soundcheck” band which redefined gospel music. Ben has contributed to many RnB, Gospel and Pop recordings and served as a governor of the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy. He is currently a member of the guitar faculty at The University of The Arts where he teaches lessons, ensembles and recording. His artistic releases range from eponymous singer/songwriter works to solo guitar compositions to his band of 20 years, the soul jazz organ trio, The Mini Q’s.

Ben O'Neill
Ben O’Neill

In this episode Ben and I discuss his framework for the 3 avenues of music in his life, the importance of cultivating curiosity, what he learned from hall-of-fame baseball player Chase Utley, consistency and touring, and so much more.

Please enjoy!

You can also listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, Amazon Music, and on other podcast platforms.

Have a favorite quote? Let me know on Twitter!

[Read more…] about Music Lessons: #001 Curiosity & Craft with Ben O’Neill