Talking Up Music Education is a podcast from The NAMM Foundation about music education. Download and listen to episodes featuring artists and their innovative use of technology.
Featured Tech Episodes
Hunger to Do Something Amazing: From N.W.A. to Open Labs—Arabian Prince Gets Futuristic
Arabian Prince got his start in Compton where his mother was a piano teacher and his father was a radio talk show host. He developed an affinity for technology at a young age and began paying around with synthesizers, echo boxes, and computers to make new sounds. His career took off when he co-founded N.W.A. and he continues to write songs, produce, and DJ—in addition to his big philanthropic project, Open Labs.
“Remember stereos and that whole psychedelic-trip thing? That's what sparked me into getting into music and getting into technology, and look at where I'm at now. I want to teach the next generation… and give them the tools early to open their minds. That's how we get innovation.” - Arabian Prince
Violinist Laura Escudé chats with Mary Luehrsen about her early beginnings as a music student playing in orchestras and her career creating and designing live shows for herself as well as other artists like Kayne West, The Weeknd, Demi Lovato and many more.
“I play violin, and I'm also a music producer. I call myself a controllerist. So I use MIDI controllers to control my violin. It's all electric: amplified, mixing, and effects and original music and live looping—so looping my violin in real time—and vocals. And it's just very fun.” - Laura Escudé
The Intersection of Technology and Music with J. Dash
J. Dash discusses his musical career, the fellowship of musicians, and advocacy for music education. He plays an original composition, and talks about his virality. J. is active on Facebook, and enjoys sharing his music and enthusiasms with his audience. J. Dash also talks about his education in computer science and scoring movies and television.
“There's a strong connection between technology and music. It's something about the orchestration of taking something that doesn't exist, and may just exist in your mind, and making it a reality. There's a dopamine high that comes from that.” - J. Dash
Len Horowitz and The Physics of Sound
Len Horowitz from History of Recorded Sound in Culver City, California devoted his professional recording engineering career to analog restoration. He talks about recording technology through the years, and the changes that have revolutionized the industry. The History of Recorded Sound teaches or helps young people listen to music again as an audio-only format and how to appreciate music and audio. The language of the recording industry is discussed in detail and is a riveting learning experience.
“[Records live] more in the art world than the technical world. You can own it. You can open it. You can touch it. You can sell it. You can have it autographed.” - Len Horowitz
Subscribe to Talking Up Music Education
Where to subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify
Talking Up Music Education is a podcast produced by The NAMM Foundation about music education. Host Mary Luehrsen chats with teachers, parents, students and community leaders who share stories about what they are doing to create music learning opportunities. Please download, share and subscribe to keep up with the stories that make a difference in music education advocacy.