Beneath the Nexus

Welcome to the first episode of Beneath the Nexus! Starting things off I thought I'd feature Mike Kurtz. Mike has been one of my long time friends with a talent of multiple artistic endeavers. From graphic design, to all aspects of video production, to even making music knowing how to play guitar, bass, vocals, producing, and drums! We learn about his journey from Pittsburgh to how he made it to Arizona and everything in between. Timecode Table of Contents:6:00: Blue Yeti7:03: AI music mimicking voices, Rick Astley, Michael Jackson, Smash Mouth, Japanese8:18: Are you surprised Mike is the first person to be on an episode?, Undependable friends9:03: What are the rules of the podcast?9:44: Why I picked Mike first11:56: Mike growing up: Life in Pittsburgh14:46: My past places I lived + people from west coast vs east coast20:16: Mike’s Experience at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the 90s vs My Experience at The Art Institute of Phoenix in the 2010s43:14: What lead to both of us picking The Art Institute51:30: The flaws of The Art Institutes’ educational system, economic structure, and how it’s different in the real world1:03:01: People not wanting to work with me because I don’t like Star Wars1:05:11: Talking about Mike’s major that didn’t exist later on1:06:47: Mike’s band Burgundy Jurk, LIneup changes from 90s to 2023 (Making it all solo vs with others), and the routine of working with others1:16:56: Start of part 21:17:17: Unethical behaviors that was happening at The Art Institute of Phoenix1:26:22: The audio project I did at Art Institute of Phoenix that went really well1:27:02: Learning from past social mistakes, evolving from it, and ending friendships because of it1:37:54: What’s changed now in my 30s vs. my 20s and how that affects you internally and socially1:52:45: How did Mike form Burgundy Jurk1:58:47: Making money and the behind the scenes of the music industry2:05:39: How the music industry worked in the 90s vs. in the 2020s2:12:37: Why Burgundy Jurk never signed to a record label2:15:21: What genre Burgundy Jurk is, how rock and metal fits into society, and how Mike writes his music2:23:54: What got Mike and Burgundy Jurk to migrate from Pennsylvania to Arizona?2:27:20: Why these episodes are long2:31:26: Mike’s early life in Arizona2:34:45: How did the job environment change in Arizona versus in Pittsburgh?2:36:25: How Mike started working at my high school, getting involved with the TV show we both worked on, working at the Palomino LIbrary, and being involved music/video production events/classes at my high school2:40:04: The musical talent at Desert Mountain and how big some of them got (Alec Benjamin, Nick Rossi [Born of Osiris], Adam Friedman [Songland, Black Eyed Peas], Michael Longfellow [Saturday Night Live])2:44:21: Life at Desert Mountain after losing the job at the library & the demise of the music events2:46:51: Legacy of Desert Mountain High School alumni vs. The Art Institute of Phoenix alumni and the industry standards2:50:40: How computers enhanced the video production/visual effects industry over time2:53:53: Bring back Rock Rev for a 2031 high school reunion2:56:02: Mike’s freelance side gig to forming his own company3:01:10: Talking more about the medical company Mike and his wife started3:02:59: What medical classes are being taught at this company?3:06:20: Why should people in the medical field go to you guys to learn?3:08:41: Why should people go to you for graphic design work, to record music, or for video production?3:11:20: Different styles of mixing in metal music and how it’s evolved over time3:17:18: Talking about the How Anti-Vaxxer Thinks videos in 2022; what I loved and what I regretted3:26:42: How my view on the Covid vaccines has changed over the years3:39:45: Why Mike and I work so well both professionally and personally + How people can get a hold of you
Songs throughout Episode:6:00: Burgundy Jurk: Knifebreaker8:49: Burgundy Jurk: California12:02: Burgundy Jurk: Marshmallow16:21: Burgundy Jurk: Paid (Thank You)20:27: Burgundy Jurk: Asphalt22:59: Burgundy Jurk: Truth in Advertising29:22: Burgundy Jurk: Sorrow31:36: Burgundy Jurk: That Thing37:00: Burgundy Jurk: Dude, Don’t Stand in Front of Me38:34: Burgundy Jurk: psuedonym41:41: Burgundy Jurk: 5245:00: Burgundy Jurk: After Me48:07: Burgundy Jurk: Abreaction49:47: Burgundy Jurk: Cherry Kryptonite52:41: Burgundy Jurk: Duo55:42: Burgundy Jurk: Muddlehead58:15: Burgundy Jurk: Bend Back and Squeeze1:02:43: Burgundy Jurk: Shmuck1:07:00: Burgundy Jurk: Dancing Monkey1:10:47: Burgundy Jurk: Bavarian1:14:25: Burgundy Jurk: Cookies1:17:24: Burgundy Jurk: Otayvia1:20:38: Simino: I Am The Bass (feat. Mike Kurtz)1:26:35: Simino: Romance on Fire (feat. Dean Wilson, Mike Kurtz, CZYK) (2022 Demo)1:31:23: Simino: Romance on Fire (Zach Erfort Solo) (feat. Zach Erfort, Mike Kurtz, CZYK) (2022 Demo)1:36:11: Simino: Reflecting Upon My Life1:37:54: Simino: The Peaceful Sun1:43:55: Simino: Your Inner Demons Will Be Brought to Light1:49:43: Simino: Dark Aura (feat. Julian Sanchez)1:56:44: Simino: 京都のマジカルラブ (The Magical Love of Kyoto)2:01:43: Simino: Gorilla Kid of the Woods2:07:58: Simino: Game Boy Rave2:11:17: Simino: Guitar Guru2:16:17: Simino: Drunk at the Supermarket2:20:25: Simino: Dark Meditation Ritual2:26:34: Simino: Taylor’s Snow Dance2:30:12: Simino: Sky of Justice2:33:03: Simino: Thalia’s Moon Dance (Guitar Version)2:38:19: Simino: Trapped in the Studio (Instrumental)2:38:20: Simino: The Ultimate Showdown2:45:46: Simino: Drumsin Noise2:48:10: Simino: Progressive Percussions2:50:35: Simino: Progressive Percussions 32:55:58: Simino: Rave it Like a Rockstar2:59:57: Simino: Realm of the Pure Hearts3:04:54: Simino: The Ultimate Techno Experience3:08:12: Simino: Universal War 13:11:45: Simino: Your Love Will Be Brought to Justice3:16:25: Simino: Metaljuana Part 2: The Stonercalypse3:19:20: Hi-Fi: Sex in Space (Extended)3:23:21: Hi-Fi: Breaking Space3:27:47: Hi-Fi: With Fire, Please3:31:30: Hi-Fi: Bazinga3:34:45: Hi-Fi: China is Calling3:36:31: Hi-fi: Tangents