Behind The Soundcheck

Season 2, Episode 2 | I Built The Sky | 30-05-22

Built on a sturdy foundation of virtuosic guitarwork and instrumental heavy bliss, the journey for Rohan Stevenson, aka Ro and his project I Built The Sky has been one lined with immersive releases and resounding critical acclaim, from the project being declared "prog titans" by Guitar World Magazine to being described as one of the best albums of 2019 for the scintillating full-length The Zenith Rise. It was back in 2019 that The Soundcheck first caught up with Stevenson about the goings-on for I Built The Sky At The Time, unknowingly right on the doorstep of the COVID-19 pandemic taking its choking grip worldwide and right before I Built The Sky's EP Coalesce, in conjunction with Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini, The Helix Nebula), and also just before Stevenson unknowingly embarked on one of his last tours for a long while alongside Monuments in Europe and the UK.And while 2020 also saw a new track The Fire Inside, featuring guest vocalist Andy Cizek from Monuments, it's in 2022 that the most ambitious and jaw-dropping I Built The Sky chapter yet will fully take flight with an impending new album The Quiet Place - but on this new endeavour, things are not all what they seem. Promising a reimagined take on an entirely acoustic album, The Quiet Place is acoustic done entirely I Built The Sky-style, traversing ten tracks that weld plenty of progressive brilliance alongside dazzling soundscapes, guest musicians and still plenty of familiar riffy goodness that fans have come to expect from Stevenson over the years. Also with a brand new single out today and the new album dropping this Friday, what better time to catch up with Rohan himself, and today he joins Tiana Speter on Season 2, Episode 2 of the Behind The Soundcheck podcast to chat bringing literal dreams to life, sonic exploration and where his love (and prodigy-like skill) for the guitar first began. Grab a listen below!For more I Built The Sky information, visit: https://www.ibuiltthesky.com/#home-section For more info about The Soundcheck, visit: https://www.thesoundcheck.org/

Season 2, Episode 1 | Jacob Lee | 29-03-22

As one of the hardest-working humans in the Australian music industry right now, Gold Coast-based singer-songwriter Jacob Lee is a formidable combination of sheer talent, innovation and a commitment to ongoing evolution beyond the studio. Currently in command of hundreds of millions of streams and views while helming his own record label Philosophical Records and trailblazing the world of music NFTs, Lee's enigmatic success story stems not just from an ingrained knack for weaving immersive songs packed with creamy vocals and swooning charm, but rather from a dedication to relentlessly challenge and enhance his own skillset and creativity. With a ravenous following online and establishing himself more recently as one of the first creators of music NFTs in the world, Lee's authentic and genuine love for his craft and his fans underpins every surge forward; this is not an artist in it purely for the "likes", and it's this very fact that sees his influence and reach grow to eye-watering heights - and all done minus record label or booking agent backing over the years.Following a string of international tour cancellations and some eventful moments throughout the past few years of the pandemic, Lee has certainly not taken any hurdles lying down, recently busting out some surprise acoustic songs at the end of 2021, and now, most imminently, building towards the release of a brand new single this week: the official version of Break My Heart Again, which will usher in a brand new sonic aesthetic for Lee as he forges on into 2022.Immersed in the world of Web3 and the NFT sphere at large, Lee's time is undeniably rare and precious, but he joins host Tiana Speter today to welcome in Season 2 of The Soundcheck's podcast Behind The Soundcheck to chat new tunes, evolution, heavy music and beyond.For more info, head to www.thesoundcheck.org

Season 1, Episode 10 | Access All Areas - Jack Venables

We have somehow made it to the end of season one for Behind The Soundcheck today, and what better way to go out in style than with a jaunt into the world of one of the most dynamic entertainers in the biz (and one of The Soundcheck's favourite humans): Jack Venables.Leading the charge for Brisbane's prog chameleons Osaka Punch, it's an understatement to say that music and copious amounts of creativity run deep in the veins of Jack 'Muzack' Venables. An in-demand photographer by day and mythical muso by night, there's nothing quite like witnessing a man clad in sequins charm your ears and shred your soul like a rogue Backstreet Boy filling in for Slipknot at a high school formal. But while his renowned theatrics and musical prowess precedes him, there's a measured and passionate diligence in Jack's professional world that has seen him realise his creative dreams, while also earning him a reputation as a formidable frontman alongside his equally talented band-mates in the Aussie scene.This series started off looking into life on the road with Jack's bassist/band-mum Brenton 'Reggie' Page so it seems only fitting we come full circle today and return to the real reason this crazy music industry even exists: the musicians, of course. So come jump behind the scenes as Jack and Tiana Speter chat all things band life, creativity and surviving the music world

Season 1, Episode 9 | Music & The Everyday - Dale Prinsse

For the second last episode for season one of Behind The Soundcheck, come dive deep into the rabbit hole as we today venture far beyond the stage and studio, joining Caligula's Horse bass-man and musicology wizard Dale Prinsse on a look into how we use music on a day-to-day basis in this modern, digital era. As adept brawling his bass onstage as he is exploring the intricate and incidental aspects of the music world, Dale's creative pursuits have seen him tour the country and beyond while actively researching and challenging the ever-evolving social and technological realities of music and the broader industry. From why music is so important to the effects of incessant background tunes, today is definitely one for those who like a little knowledge spice in their podcast listening. So come join Tiana Speter as she wrangles Dale's wisdom for an in-depth look into music and its everyday implications.

Season 1, Episode 8 | Words of Steele - Mimm Steele

It's Episode 8 today for Behind The Soundcheck, and today we're taking you into the land of music media with an actual industry superhero; boss lady and editor of the Queensland-based site Music Is My Muse, Mimm Steele weaves her love for music and her local QLD scene into a unique and dynamic platform, encouraging and showcasing artists at every stage of their career while maintaining a burgeoning community of music lovers since 2015.With a background in publicity and lifetime of devouring music, there's a refreshing sense of equality and positivity in everything Mimm sets out to achieve - plus this gal can write like nobody's business while fighting to bring more eyes and ears to some of the extraordinary local talent bubbling away. From insights into the future of Aussie music journalism to pointers on how to approach media outlets, come spend some time as Tiana Speter chats shop with this amazing woman.

Season 1, Episode 7 | Lights, Management, Action - Will Hunter

Today for Episode 7 of the Behind The Soundcheck podcast we're taking a trip into production and management territory, grabbing some time with lighting wizard and manager extraordinaire (and just all-round lovely human) Will Hunter.Currently flexing his skills on lighting and TM duties for Brisbane prog behemoths Caligula's Horse, Will also balances his family life with his significant love of music and professional pursuits, striking equally with his powerful creativity and jaw-dropping organisational skills. From visually enhancing the dulcet, heavy tones of the C-Horse lads onstage to being all-powerful band dad on the road, this inspiring individual does it all with fluent finesse, and today he's chatting with Tiana Speter about the realities of production, life as a tour manager and how he found himself immersed in the music industry. Podcast episode below!

Season 1, Episode 6 | Brains, Fame and Musical Feels - Dr Tania McMahon

This week it's Episode 6 for Behind The Soundcheck, and we're jumping head-first into the brain, chatting with clinical psychologist Dr Tania McMahon about music as an emotional regulator, fan adoration and some of the cold hard facts about our brains and heavy music. Working by day as psychologist dedicated to helping teens and adults with a wide range of mental health concerns (in particular behavioural and process addictions), Tania's also no stranger to chucking on her best black ensemble and throwing down in the mosh or busting out a song or two at home. Metalhead, mental health megastar and absolute music lover; there are many colourful strings to Tania's musical bow, and today she's joining Tiana Speter for an in-depth and insightful journey through how and why music affects our psyches and the siren call of the rockstar.

Season 1, Episode 5 | Pimp My Brand - Chad Ellis

For Episode 5 of Behind The Soundcheck it's business time as guitarist, label king and social media heavyweight Chad Ellis shares his experience and extensive knowledge about all things marketing, social media and actively developing bands in the current music industry.A veteran of the Aussie music scene, Chad currently spends his time cleaving riffs for Byron Bay extreme metal lords From Crisis To Collapse while also working alongside the legendary dw Norton from Superheist, running heavy music label Black Mountain Music as its marketing, publicity and artist liaison. A man whose passion has permeated his own career and that of many others, Chad's reluctant move into the social media world is the result of determined evolution and the pursuit of authenticity, and for Episode 5 Tiana Speter grabbed some time with Sir Ellis to chat mentors, marketing and what it really takes to elevate your band and your brand.