Author: eastmainstudios@gmail.com

Piers Plaskitt, Pt 3: Stella’s Blue Sky Diner, Milkshakes, Loyalty in Business, and working with Ringo Starr

Piers Plaskitt speaks with Brian Brodeur

Part Three of Brian Brodeur’s 90-minute conversation with pro-audio executive and milkshake aficionado, Piers Plaskitt.

This episode features Part Three of Brian Brodeur’s 90-minute conversation with pro-audio executive and milkshake aficionado, Piers Plaskitt.

They discuss Piers’ interactions with The Beatles; the difference between working at recording studios in New York versus London; Piers’ experience operating Stella’s Blue Sky Diner in Iowa – including valuable input on making a great milkshake; and the importance of integrity, customer service and loyalty when operating a business.

Piers applies the philosophy that there’s “no such thing as a bad idea,” to both the restaurant and recording business, and discusses how the Chinese character for ‘crisis’ contains the symbols for both ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity’.

For more information about Piers, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piers-plaskitt/

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Piers Plaskitt, Pt 2: Be The Blue Duck, Mentoring, Paying it Forward and The Beatles’ Apple Studios in London

Piers Plaskitt Conversation Part 2

Piers Plaskitt on Mentoring, Paying it Forward and Apple Studios

This episode features Part Two of my 90-minute conversation with pro-audio executive, Piers Plaskitt.

We discuss mentoring, and the importance of paying it forward – which goes back to one of Piers’ earliest jobs as chief engineer at The Beatles’ Apple Studios at 3 Saville Row in London. The episode starts off with Piers’ explanation of his “be the blue duck” philosophy, which is part of his mentoring presentation to students.

For more information about Piers, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piers-plaskitt/

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Piers Plaskitt, Pt 1: Solid State Logic, Pro Audio Industry, Mentoring, Peter Gabriel, and American Citizenship

Piers Plaskitt

Former CEO of Solid State Logic: Piers Plaskitt

This episode features Part One of Brian Brodeur’s 90-minute conversation with Piers Plaskitt – former CEO of Solid State Logic.

SSL is one of the world’s leading recording console manufacturers, and their equipment can be found in major studios across the globe. Whether you know it or not, you have heard music recorded or mixed on an SSL console.

Originally from England, Piers recently became an American citizen and is now based in Iowa. We spoke via Zoom about the history of SSL and specifically about his years at the company which included working for SSL’s latest owner, Peter Gabriel.

Piers shares a number of insider anecdotes and we talk about the passion that recording professionals have about working in the industry…

For more information about Piers, visit his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piers-plaskitt/

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Interview with Musician, Composer, Producer: Mike Keneally – Part 2

Mike Keneally

Mike Keneally Ripping People’s Heads Off On Stage – Photo: Per Sviggum

Welcome back to the East Main Podcast, and thank you for listening. This episode is part two of my conversation with musician, composer, producer, Mike Keneally.

The music playing under the podcast introduction is called “Liquid and Fumes” – which is the opening track on the debut album from MFTJ – the super unique collaboration of Mike Keneally and Scott Schorr.

Brian Brodeur first met Mike several years after he was a member of Frank Zappa’s last touring band.. If you’re not familiar with that band, check out Zappa releases such as Broadway the Hard Way, Make a Jazz Noise Here, or The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life. Amazing stuff. Definitely worth checking out.

After his time with Zappa, Mike has worked with a who’s who of high-level musicians, including Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and more.. but along with his own substantial body of solo work (which we strongly recommend you check out), he is a prolific collaborator… working with notable artists including Todd Rundren, Devin Townsend, Kevin Gilbert, and Andy Partridge of XTC. His latest collaboration is a duo project with Producer/Musician Scott Schorr of Lazy Bones Recordings – called MFTJ.

Mike and Scott released the first eponymously titled MFTJ album in March of 2020 – and have recently released their second MFTJ effort, entitled “My Mom’s Getting a Horse”

Brodeur spoke to Mike Keneally about the debut MFTJ collaboration in April of 2020, and here is that conversation…

For more information about MFTJ: mftj.bandcamp.com

For more information about Mike Keneally, visit www.keneally.com

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Interview with Musician, Composer, Producer: Mike Keneally – Part 1

Mike Keneally

Musician, Composer, Producer Mike Keneally

Well, for people who work in and around the recording industry, the third weekend of January each year could only mean one thing: the annual pilgrimage to Anaheim California for the NAMM Show. NAMM stands for National Association of Music Merchants, and their annual trade show brings together music equipment manufacturers, publishers and music professionals to meet up, hang out and check out all the latest gear and releases for the coming year. With the COVID19 pandemic, like many other trade shows, NAMM has gone virtual in 2021 – but, eventually.. it will be back, better than ever.

So, in celebration of the NAMM show, this episode of the East Main podcast features part of Brian Brodeur’s conversation with musician, composer, producer – Mike Keneally.

Mike is known for his work with Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Andy Partridge (XTC), Kevin Gilbert, Scott Schorr (MFTJ), Devin Townsend and more. Mike’s a great guy and a fabulous musician, and the the NAMM show has always been an annual opportunity for Brian to hang with Mike, see him perform, and catch up on all of his latest projects ~ but that won’t be happening this year, so this episode of the East Main Podcast features a portion of Brian’s conversation from April of 2020 with Mike Keneally.

For more information about Mike Keneally, visit www.keneally.com

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The Five Ws of Content Creation: What Who Why Where and When

The 5 Ws

In previous episodes of this podcast, I’ve talked about how media has evolved From the 20th century to the 21st century..

It’s my opinion that regarding media, the 21st century really began with the arrival of the COVID19 pandemic. This idea is framed by where, when and how we produce and consume media content. Video conferencing has become commonplace – and content is much more targeted to specific audiences on specific platforms – rather than distributed via widespread broadcasts on limited outlets.

So, in this episode, I’d like to share an idea to think about when you’re preparing to create content

The Five W’s of Content Creation: WHO WHAT WHY WHERE and WHEN

Please Subscribe, share with friends and colleagues.. and leave a good rating!

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1+1=3: Teamwork, Music and the Art in Business Management

One Plus One Equals Three
From puzzle pieces to the music history of The Who, The Beatles, symphony orchestras and more, Brian Brodeur discusses the musical lessons that informed how East Main Media built an incredible team and achieved successful growth over the last 20 years.

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“If you look at the coffee mugs in our studio kitchen at East Main Media, you’ll see many of them printed with a simple math equation: 1+1=3.

Of course, that addition equation is wrong, but it refers to a fundamental philosophy of how I recruit team members, how I’ve staffed my company, and how I manage projects at East Main Media. It’s about Teamwork… about working together. About the sum being greater than the parts.

Simply put: I want team members – the people that I work with, directly – to not just bring a set of skills or talents to the table individually – but I need team members that “compliment” me and each other within the work we do together. Think of it this way – team members, or people in general, as like puzzle pieces – each with individualized shapes, or unique characteristics – and the team, or business as a whole, is the puzzle. Each piece of the puzzle is unique unto itself, but only when all pieces are brought together – does it create the complete picture…”

Please Subscribe, share with friends and colleagues.. and leave a good rating!

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Welcome to the 21st Century: Podcast Reboot – Through The Looking Glass

We are through the looking glass.... Welcome to the 21st Century.

Alice in Wonderland: Central Park NYC

Welcome back to the East Main Media podcast – I’m your host, Brian Brodeur – Well, we made it through 2020 – and we’ve had the podcast on hiatus… BUT, it’s 2021 and we’ve got to catch up on some things… so there’s no better time than NOW to bring back the POD!

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Jeff Friedman | Director, Producer, Philanthropist

East Main Media Podcast host, Brian Brodeur, spoke with award-winning television producer and director, Jeff Friedman, at Jeff’s home in Maine during the summer of 2019. Their conversation highlights Jeff’s work with the Livingston Philanthropies Inc, and how people can volunteer or donate to make a real difference during the 2019 holiday season.

To find more information, please visit Livingston Philanthropies’ website, their Facebook page, or you can donate directly >>> HERE.

This episode was brought to you by JLC Accounting and TAPintoTV.

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Francesco Nuzzi | Actor – Producer

Guest host Alex Aldea sits down this week with actor and producer Francesco Nuzzi to discuss his production company Open Iris Entertainment and some of the films he’s produced – including his modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, Star Crossed Lovers.

This episode was brought to you by JLC Accounting and TAPintoTV.

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