Two Composers, Two Continents

During a recent recording session in Nashville, we were reminded just how small the music world really is! In an industry that can often feel remote, and at times pretty lonely, community matters more than ever. From village choirs to Facebook groups and organisations like the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), there are endless ways to connect with like-minded musicians/composers, find collaborators, and build lasting relationships.The truth is, the best networking rarely feels like networking. We talk about how real opportunities come from simply showing up, contributing to a community, and letting connections grow over time.#musiccommunities #musicindustry #networking #musicnetworking #composernetworking

In the first half of this sit-down, we’re joined by musical polymath Jay Weigel, a Grammy-winning composer, producer, conductor, arranger, orchestrater, and contractor with a career spanning over 40 years!We start back at the beginning with New Orleans Catholic school bands, early gigs with unlimited beer taps on the wall, Jay’s teenage transformation into the world of prog rock and the ultimate spiral into a world of classical giants like Stravinsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, fuelled by under-the-desk vinyl deals!Along the way we talk about musical lineage, aural teaching traditions tracing back to Beethoven, and what it really means to switch ‘musical languages’ across genres.Plus, a refreshing reminder that even Beethoven wrote bad music, so it’s not the end of the world if you do too! Chapters:00:51 Jay’s early musical background5:07 Jay’s transition into classical music12:28 Switching ‘musical languages’ across genres and Beethoven’s musical lineage17:08 Making bad music 21:44 Teaching maths and musicPart 2 out now!#musicindustry #composer #producer #grammywinningcomposer #musicproducer #conductor #musicpodcast #beethoven #classicalmusic

Missed the first half of our conversation? Check out Part 1 first!We’re back for Part 2 with Grammy-winning composer and producer Jay Weigel, and this time we’re tackling the missing piece in film school education: the often-neglected collaboration between directors and composers!We explore the struggles of communication, learning to speak the shared language of film music, and the key to long-lasting working relationships in the film industry.Along the way we look at the evolution of music tech over the years, from composing on a Commodore 64 to using modern DAWs;If you’ve ever felt the struggle of communicating between filmmakers and composers, stick around!Chapters:1:33 The missing piece in filmmakers education5:15 Communication between directors and film composers10:28 The evolution of music tech16:52 The difference between recording in different cities#filmmaker #composer #director #composerdirectorrelationship #musictech #filmmusic #filmcomposer #composers #filmindustry #musicindustry #cubase 

After having such a blast creating our NOLA vinyl last year, we couldn’t resist spinning up another one… this time with a festive twist!In this episode, we delve into over a decade of Christmas Big Band production music. Join us on a trip down memory lane as we revisit the process behind these albums, share stories from recording sessions and make tough decisions as we narrow it all down to just two sides of a vinyl.Which tracks will make the cut? Which ones get left in the snow? And just how many versions of ‘Jingle Bells’ is too many versions of ‘Jingle Bells’…? (Spoiler, three and a half might be pushing it)#christmasmusic #bigband #productionmusic #composer #vinyl #doublevinyl #composing #filmcomposer #tvcomposer #filmmusic #tvmusic 

Part 2 of our Classical Favourites deep dive is here, and this time we’re taking you inside the recording and editing process!Imagine spending 4 days in the legendary Studio One at Abbey Road, squeezing in 36 hours of recording sessions witg a 65-piece orchestra and choir. No pressure, right? In Part 1 we talked about the concept, choosing the repertoire, and recomposing famous classical music into editor-friendly versions for TV and Film. In Part 2 we move onto the recording stage. Working in one of the most famous rooms in the world, navigating union rules around how much music you can record in a day, and the nerdy world of editing, mixing, versioning and plugins.We also share some slightly ridiculous stories that happened along the way, including the time we decided to record a cannon shooting for the 1812 Overture. You can’t say we composers don’t commit to our art!Whether you’re a film composer, classical music enthusiast, or curious about the world of production music, this one’s for you!#composer #classicalmusic #productionmusic #abbeyroad #recordingsession #orchestra #filmmusic #productionmusic #composing #audionetwork #syncmusic #librarymusic #classicalcomposer #filmcomposer #funnycomposingstories #abbeyroadstudioone 

Part 1 of our deep dive into the Classical Collection is here - and yes, we may have upset a few ghosts along the way…In this episode, we unpack the crazy task of reimagining 181 classical favourites for media use with Audio Network! 🎻From navigating the complexities of public domain to reshaping the world’s most recognisable melodies into editor-friendly production music, we talk about what it takes to make iconic classical pieces work for a modern audience.We talk through the whole process from selecting the repertoire, to adding new lyrics and writing entirely new sections, all while wondering just how far can we push Beethoven and Vivaldi before they start turning in they graves.Plus, hear the unforgettable story of Day 1 at Abbey Road Studios, recording Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, when after just two bars, the entire orchestra collapsed in laughter!(And keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 coming soon!)Watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube, Two Composers Two Continents.Don't forget to leave a review and follow us Instagram @2composers2continents for sneak peaks of new episodes!#classicalmusic #productionmusic #syncmusic #composer #filmmusic #librarymusic #audionetwork #classicalcomposer #filmcomposer #abbeyroad #recordingsession

In this episode we welcome the multifaceted Debi Derryberry!Debi Derryberry is one of Hollywood's most sought-after voice-over actors, best knowing for voicing characters such as Jimmy Neutron, Draculuara in Monster High and the Aliens in Toy Story. Debi's talents also extend far beyond the booth into the music industry, where she is an award-winning children's music singer-songwriter, and country musician in the trio Honey Pig.From starting out in community theatre to being a stunt double riding a whale in Free Willy and voicing some of the world's most beloved characters, Debi shares the journey of her remarkable career with us.We talk about the art of improvising and why your audition comes down to the first 10 seconds, why she avoids loud restaurants to protect her voice, and the surprising way in which studying Pre-Med at UCLA helped her prepare for the role of Jimmy Neutron...Whether you're an aspiring voice actor, looking for a portfolio career in the music industry or just a fan of the characters that defined your childhood, this episode is for you!Check out Debi's YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAM6ZbvWAFQNRchmhO1GvXg Or visit her website here: https://debiderryberry.com Chapters:0:00 Intro2:34 What came first, music or acting?6:08 The move to voice acting8:25 What does an audition look like?11:32 Improv14:08 How voice acting works17:44 Country trio ‘Honey Pig’21:32 Writing children’s music29:48 Voice-Over 10133:48 Protecting your instrument36:03 Picking sustainable voices38:00 Acting lessons39:45 Debi’s characters!42:30 Wrap up#composer #musicindustry #musicpodcast #voiceoverartist #voiceactor

We’re back in New Orleans for round three, recording two more albums of production music for Audio Network. 🎺In a rare miracle, we started the writing process together in the same place (instead of on different continents!), recording voice memos whilst walking Jeff’s dogs round the block!We then head to Esplanade Studios to bring the tracks to life, we talk about how the music evolved once our incredible musicians got their hands on it, moments of doubt, moments of trust…and how a mysterious washboard hanging on the wall turned out to be the key to marketing!#productionmusic #composer #musicindustry #composingprocess #filmmusic

In this episode we welcome our first guest, Chad Birmingham, a two-time Golden Reel award-winning Music Editor! (Song Sung Blue, Materialists, The Penguin, Past Lives, Emily in Paris)Chad joins us to break down what a music editor actually does, his journey into the music industry, and what composers need to know when working with music editors. We dig into the love-hate relationships with temp tracks, and where AI might (or might not!) fit into the future of film scoring.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review!Follow us on Instagram @2composers2continents for sneak peeks of future episodes...#podcast #musicpodcast #composerpodcast #musiceditor #filmcomposer #productionmusic #librarymusic #filmmusicpodcast #musicindustrypodcast #filmmusic #musicindustry

It's now 2018 and we travelled back to New Orleans for a 2nd time to record a new collection of songs for Audio Network. Part 2 of the series sees us  creating 3 great new albums covering New Orleans songs and brass band material.  Find out how Jeff won a 10$ bet by writing a song about a sandwich, how we coaxed a bandful of musicians into singing one of our songs and how we cope with loud police officers in New York City..... If you haven't heard Part 1 of the series and want to catch up first, here's the link.https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526612/episodes/18085214#podcast #musicpodcast #composerpodcast #productionmusic #librarymusic #musicindustrypodcast #filmmusic #jazz #neworleansjazz #musicindustry #filmcomposer

This episode we’re stepping into a time machine to the 1940s! Join us as we dive into our Vintage Vocal Swing album, a collaboration with internationally renowned composer and vocalist Joanna Forbes L’Estrange. We walk through the whole process, from getting the brief to recording at Abbey Road studios while dressed up in full vintage gear.Stick around until the end to see the brilliant 40s-style music video for ‘You Are’, featuring our fabulous costumes and Jeff’s even more fabulous dancing!#podcast #musicpodcast #composerpodcast #productionmusic #librarymusic #musicindustrypodcast #filmmusic #vocals #vintagevocals #swingvocals #musicindustry #filmcomposer

The Year is 2012. We pitched 30 production music tracks to our publisher Audio Network, across 6 genres. We expected them to accept a few., then they said yes to everything!Where to even start?This is the first of our series documenting our adventures recording in New Orleans. Part 1 takes us back to our first trip in 2012/2013 - looking at the writing, and recording process and the fun we had along the way!  From Jazz through Blues and Cajun, to an explanation of how we wrote a piece in 10 minutes at the end of a session...#podcast #musicpodcast #composerpodcast #productionmusic #librarymusic #musicindustrypodcast #filmmusic #jazz #neworleansjazz #musicindustry

The 3rd and final podcast in our series documenting the start to finish process in writing, recording and producing “Who’d Have Believed” from our new big band album “Keep on Movin’”In this episode we cover the post production process!Click link to stream Who'd have Believed:https://linktr.ee/MeeganTobin#musicpodcast #composer #composerpodcast #librarymusic #productionmusic #bigband #jazzmusic #filmmusic #tvmusic #filmcomposer #musicindustry

The second in a 3 part podcast, documenting the start to finish process in writing, recording and producing “Who’d Have Believed” from our new big band album “Keep on Movin’”In this episode we cover recording the band at Abbey Road and going to L.A to record the vocals.Click link to stream Who'd have Believed:https://linktr.ee/MeeganTobin#musicpodcast #composer #composerpodcast #librarymusic #productionmusic #bigband #jazzmusic #filmmusic #tvmusic #filmcomposer #musicindustry

The first in a 3 part podcast, documenting the start to finish process in writing, recording and producing “Who’d Have Believed” from our new big band album “Keep on Movin’”In this episode we cover the brief we were given, the writing process, and how we created the demo.Click link to stream Who'd have Believed:https://linktr.ee/MeeganTobin#musicpodcast #composer #composerpodcast #librarymusic #productionmusic #bigband #jazzmusic #filmmusic #tvmusic #filmcomposer #musicindustry

This time around we discuss all things collaboration in the music indsutry, including why we even collaborate in the first place.We talk about other collaborations we’ve had (or still have), the advantages of widening your network and how much stuff we have to do in a day!We look at different types of collaborations and how to mesh different skillsets together.Hear the story of how we recorded a full symphonic work for sync in 3 mins flat (no exaggeration)...As always, if you want to check more of our stuff, find us at www.meegan-tobin.com#musicpodcast #composer #composerpodcast #librarymusic #productionmusic #filmmusic #filmcomposer #tvcomposer #musicindustry

Welcome to the world of Jeff Meegan and David Tobin. We are Two Composers - Two continents.Jeff was born and raised in the Windy City (Chicago if you’re British).David is a Londoner that moved out as a kid and now lives in the rural bliss of West Yorkshire, UK.This episode introduces you to who we are, what we do in the music industry from production music to film scoring, how we met, and the names of our first 4 track recorders…If you want to check out more about us, find us at www.meegan-tobin.com.If you’d like to check out our current “For Your Consideration” campaign, here’s the link:https://play.reelcrafter.com/Meegan-Tobin/KeepOnMovin-FYCCheck out our latest album KEEP ON MOVIN’ here!#musicpodcast #composer #composerpodcast #librarymusic #productionmusic #filmmusic #filmcomposer #tvcomposer #musicindustry

Coming soon - Two Composers - two continents. Jeff Meegan and David Tobin guide you through their lives and work as composers for film and TV.. if they can work out which camera to speak into!!