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FMM129 – Why Revisiting Your Back Catalogue Is Riskier Than You Think

If you’ve been writing music for a while, chances are you’ve got a back catalogue of unfinished tracks that are laying to waste…

Or rather than a back catalogue, perhaps it’s a graveyard of unfinished loops.

Either way, when we’ve hit a wall with our music or we’re in need of some inspiration, it can be tempting to return to these tracks to get them finished for good.

And while shifting your focus from your current work to your older work can offer a number of opportunities, it also brings with it a bunch of pitfalls that can seriously derail your creativity…

So in this episode, I’m discussing how to dust off your hard drive the right way and revisit those ideas that never reached the finish line (or never even got out of the blocks!), so that when you dial back the clock on your music, you don’t simultaneously dial back the clock on your progress.

Let’s dive in!

Key takeaways:

  • If you are still growing (less than a year into your creative journey), keep facing forward.
  • Bringing your old way of working up to speed with your current one can be time-consuming, messy and overwhelming.
  • Use old work as a place to grab ideas and samples to kickstart new projects, rather than waste time making the old project ‘better’.
  • “If you spend too long looking in your rearview mirror, you’ll crash.”

Liked this episode? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that help people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

FMM128 – Barry Jamieson & Dave Gardner (Sasha’s Production Team)

Today I’m joined by Barry Jamieson and Dave Gardner, two incredible producers who over the years have quietly had a hand in some of dance music’s biggest tracks, and have a huge list of accolades to prove it…

Barry, aka Mono Electric Orchestra, has worked closely with major artists such as Madonna, New Order, Thom Yorke and Depeche Mode, and was nominated for a Grammy for his work with Seal. 

Dave has produced stunning dance tracks under a number of collaborative projects that include Cosmonauts, Quiet Places and Sentre, and has been involved in reworking and producing the likes of The XX, M83, Pete Tong, Calvin Harris, Maribou State and Moby.

Together, they form a core part of dance music legend Sasha’s production team, helping him to craft the sound of his live performances, albums and EPs.

In this episode, they share with us their behind the scenes experience of working with Sasha for his reFracted live show, how the production team work together to write Sasha’s albums, and what goes into their unique creative processes when working on their solo and collaborative projects.

Plus, we also get an exclusive heads up on a brand new project they’re about to release which will see them pass on the very production techniques they use in the studio to the world!

This episode is stacked with amazing stories, insights and value bombs, so get yourself focused and let’s dive in.

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Key takeaways:

  • Finding good people to work with inspires unique ideas that could never have been thought of individually.
  • Constantly remain open to new ideas and new directions with your music.
  • Being a music producer is a business and you need to be in the right mindset for it. Look after yourself!
  • It’s not about the gear, it’s what you do with it.

Liked this episode? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that helps people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

FMM127 – When Adding New Gear to Your Studio IS the Right Thing to Do

A good workman never blames his tools…or does he?

Today we’re going to be talking about the age old producer dilemma: should you switch DAWs?

In fact, should you be making any major new purchases for your studio at all?

As a music producer, it’s easy to get your sights set on a brand new piece of gear that will seemingly flick the switch for the quality of your music.

And in some cases a major overhaul is the right thing to do, because sometimes taking a pit stop, changing the tires and refueling can help you to make the fastest progress.

But in most cases, any new addition to your studio setup only forces your attention away from your creativity, and onto research, admin and learning instead.

So how do you know when the time is right to bring a new acquisition into the studio? How can you minimize the disruption and make this a record breaking pit stop?

Well in this episode I’ve got a number of perspectives to share with you, plus a ton of experience of times when I succeeded – and when I messed it right up – so you’ve got a strategy for moving forward to getting the results you really want for your music.

Tune into this week’s episode of The Finish More Music Podcast now!

Key takeaways:

  • If you swap DAW or buy a new piece of gear it will disrupt your workflow and productivity – factor this into your decision making.
  • Before making any decision, ask yourself…what is it specifically I’m trying to achieve and what’s holding me back from achieving it?
  • Your DAW will never be the reason why you’re not finishing any music.
  • It’s not about the gear, it’s about what you do with it.

Liked this episode? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that helps people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

FMM126 – Mark Tammo & Sean Harvey: Shared Goals, Challenges and Successes.

Today is the final episode of our very special series in which we’ve been hearing about the journeys and lessons from the producers inside of the FMM community.

Just like you, these producers have BIG ambitions – and here we get to learn how they’ve faced and overcome a variety of challenges to see the amazing results they are seeing today.

In today’s episode I’m joined by Mark Tamsett and Sean Harvey, two gentlemen whose journeys through music have run a very parallel course, having both experienced crippling struggle with the direction and finishing of their tracks.

But after giving it one last roll of the dice and following the same creative process, they’re now PROLIFIC in the studio, regularly releasing their tracks, and getting them played by their idols in their DJ sets.

And stories like these are so powerful because so often all it takes is just that one piece of information to flick the switch on your own progress and see these huge changes and results for yourself.

So in this episode we uncover the value of surrounding yourself with like-minded people, the importance of structure in your music making process, the impact of crafting your vision…

…and what it feels like to go from chasing labels, to having them chasing you.

Let’s get stuck in.

Key takeaways:

  • Your results are a byproduct of the process.
  • Feedback multiplies quality, and multiplies output.
  • Another set of ears will help you level up your music, take advantage of opportunities that you come across, and keep you motivated.
  • The importance of a strong vision to guide your creative journey.

Liked this episode? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that helps people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

FMM125 – You do have time. You’re just avoiding doing the things that matter most.

There’s an old saying that goes “the most precious resource we have is time”…

But in reality, time isn’t the most precious resource we have – attention is.

Because two people with the same amount of time will get wildly different results depending on where they focus their attention, and the quality of that attention.

I see so many people using the excuse that they don’t have enough time to get started with their music…

…or that they don’t have time to get started with sending their tracks out to the labels they love…

…or that they don’t have to get started taking the next step in their creative journey.

And they’re excuses that only serve to hold you back.

So in today’s episode we’ll be busting open the disempowering, time-related excuses, and putting the power back in your hands so you can move the needle forward on the things that matter most to you.

Let’s get stuck in!

Key takeaways:

  • Attention is the most precious resource you have.
  • You’ll see amazing progress in just 15 minutes when you put your focus in the right places.
  • You can have results or excuses, not both.
  • The time to take action and start seeing the progress you really want with your music is right now.

Liked this episode? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that helps people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

FMM124 – Imran Bhaloo: Hold the Vision, Trust the Process

We’re continuing with our very special series in which we’re hearing about the journeys and lessons from the producers inside the Finish More Music community.

So today I’m joined by Imran (1MRN), who struggled to write any music for TEN years.

But after starting to follow a proven creative process just two years ago, he’s completely revolutionized his approach to music…

Fast forward to today, and he’s only missed six days of writing music – even when he’s been knocked off of his feet with illness.

Now he’s releasing music, remixing for other artists, is A&R for an excellent label, won the 2020 Beatport Producer Challenge in the Afro House category, AND has since been tipped by Black Coffee as one to watch…

So in this session we’re diving into the mindset tricks he uses for maintaining a consistent habit and output in the studio, the big change he made to transform his fortunes after ten years of struggling, and the main catalysts he’s used in the last two years to accelerate his growth as a music producer.

If you want to know what it takes to progress from being completely stuck with your music to becoming a prolific artist who’s able to create with ease and consistently level up the quality of your music, you are going to LOVE this episode.

Key takeaways

  • If you miss a session today, what’s stopping you from missing it tomorrow?
  • You build up an arsenal of tracks by learning from the process of finishing.
  • Incorporate reflection into your routine to get into the right mindset for your writing session.
  • Receiving quality feedback on your music is the best way to identify where you need to improve.

Liked this episode? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that helps people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

FMM123 – Is It Time to Finally Give Up?

If you’ve ever found writing music to be a real challenge, you’re not alone.

Maybe you’ve been fighting hard to make progress for years, and it just isn’t happening for you…

Maybe you keep going round in circles with the same old habits, wondering “why on earth do I keep doing this to myself?!”…

Maybe the big question looms large in your mind…”Should I finally give up?”.

If you’re like most struggling producers, I can bet you want to share how music makes you feel – and you have big dreams that you want to fulfill – but the process of trying to write music is killing you.

Well if you can relate to this any way, then this episode for you.

The very fact that you’re reading this means that you love music, you have a passion for it, and you want to share it.

And today, I’m going to share with you one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned when it comes to being completely stuck without a clear way forward, and the solution for it.

Let’s get stuck in!

Key takeaways

  • Have faith in your abilities as a creative.
  • Shift from a problem focus to an opportunity focus
  • The harder the problem, the better the feeling of solving it.
  • Creativity is not a talent, it is a way of operating.


Liked this? Now try these:

Thank you for listening!

I really appreciate you joining me and I hope you’re enjoying the topics and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this episode resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know, please share it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new episode lands: Subscribe here.

One of the things that helps people decide if a podcast is for them, is the review section. If you’re enjoying the episodes and feel they will add value for other music producers, please leave a 60 second review and rating. Thank you 🙂

Remixing Loops

Stuck searching through sample packs or sound design tutorials looking for something that will spark some inspiration?

Chances are you’ve already got thousands of samples lying around in your library, yet I can bet you’re still tempted to get your hands on the next best thing…

So here’s a super quick way to breathe life into and remix your old loops, creating instant inspiration whenever you need it! What did you think about this technique?

Thank you for watching

I really appreciate you tuning in and I hope you’re enjoying the tutorials and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this video resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know,  please share  it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new video lands: Subscribe to the FMM Youtube channel here.

Let me know how you get on with the techniques I showed in the videos and if you have any suggestions for future tutorials, ping me a message on Instagram (@IamKeithMills)

Creating Tension in your Buildups

Do you struggle with building tension in your breakdowns?

Here’s a super quick tip to add that feeling of raw excitement that gets everybody ready for your track to drop and makes the place go crazy!

By borrowing existing elements from your main theme, creating variation and fading new layers in, you can easily build the sort of melodic tension that’s sure to whip up a crowd in a frenzy.

This technique works in so many different ways, by bringing in layers of different octaves, different effects, different synth patches, MIDI variation and so much more.

And while I have demonstrated this technique in Ableton Live, the same concept can easily be applied in any DAW!

Thank you for watching

I really appreciate you tuning in and I hope you’re enjoying the tutorials and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this video resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know,  please share  it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new video lands: Subscribe to the FMM Youtube channel here.

Let me know how you get on with the techniques I showed in the videos and if you have any suggestions for future tutorials, ping me a message on Instagram (@IamKeithMills)

Adding Groove to Boring Drums

Ever find your drums are lacking the kind of groove and swing often heard in your favourite tracks?

Rather than reaching straight for your library’s groove pool, this technique uses the power of the triplet grid to create and experiment with bumpy grooves perfect for house, garage and many other dance genres.

Whilst I’ve used a hat and snare here, you can apply this technique to all sorts of drums like shakers, claps and percussion – the sky is the limit!

Thank you for watching

I really appreciate you tuning in and I hope you’re enjoying the tutorials and taking some real value into your music sessions.

If this video resonated with you and you feel it will have a positive impact on the people you know,  please share  it  by using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this page.

To make sure you are always the first to know when a new video lands: Subscribe to the FMM Youtube channel here.

Let me know how you get on with the techniques I showed in the videos and if you have any suggestions for future tutorials, ping me a message on Instagram (@IamKeithMills)