Sound Thinking with Hooktheory

Join Hooktheory and NYC-based producer, songwriter, mixer, and studio owner Brandon Peralta for an inspiring conversation about songwriting, music production, creativity, and building a career in music.Brandon has worked with artists at every level, from contributing atmospheric mixing work for Chappell Roan projects to collaborating with local NYC bands and independent artists. In this episode of Sound Thinking, we dive into Brandon's journey as a producer, his creative process, his relationship with music theory, and the tools he uses to bring songs to life.Whether you're an aspiring songwriter, music producer, artist, or creative entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights on getting started, developing your craft, and navigating a career in the music industry.Topics covered:- Songwriting techniques and creative workflow- Music production and mixing advice- How music theory can help (or hinder) creativity- Building a career as an independent producer- Working with artists at different stages of their careers- Finding inspiration and overcoming creative blocksSubscribe to Hooktheory's Sound Thinking Podcast for more conversations with songwriters, producers, and music industry professionals.

Join two of our founders, Ryan and Dave, as they chat with Keppie and Benny from @htws, creators of How To Write Songs — a thriving ecosystem of tools, processes, and community for songwriters.We dive into practical ways to get unstuck (like song mapping), how to balance lyrics and music, and how they protect time to write and release their own band project, Names of Birds.

Hooktheory co-founder Ryan sits down with playwright, composer, sound designer, journalist, and YouTube creator ‪@HowardHoMusic‬ to talk about the magic of musicals. They dive into Howard’s self-taught piano journey, his breakthrough Hamilton analysis videos, and why Broadway is one of the most powerful storytelling mediums. They also explore film scores, representation in theater, and Howard’s own creative projects.

Hooktheory co-founder Ryan sits down with composer, sound designer, and YouTube creator ‪@CadenceHira‬ to talk about how we hear music theory. They dive into Cadence’s beginnings arranging Zelda tunes by ear, her journey from Berklee to YouTube, and how the pandemic reshaped her creative path. Together they unpack her “ears-first” philosophy, video game scoring, and her idea of Relative Axis Interchange—a modern way to understand harmony beyond traditional rules.They also explore why theory is “kind of all right, I suppose,” the beauty of constraints in composition, and how to keep learning music theory fun, accessible, and endlessly inspiring.

In our first episode of 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 by Hooktheory, our co-founder Ryan Miyakawa sits down with UK-based composer, pianist, and beloved music theory YouTuber, ‪David Bennett. Join us as we unpack his journey from self-taught pianist to one of the internet’s top music educators, his thoughts on why the Beatles remain untouchable, and how modern pop production is shaping the future of music. 🎶We also dive into David’s own songwriting process, why music theory should start with the music, and his optimistic take on AI’s place in creativity.You can listen to David Bennett's original music on Spotify or download his new EP at Bandcamp