Hanging Out With Chops

Episode 34 - Why Every Musician Should Learn to Produce Their Own Music

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/fan_mail/new] Most people think becoming a music producer is about gear, plugins, or making beats. That’s not what this is about. In this episode, I break down why my goal for you isn’t just to make music…  it’s to learn how to produce it — because that’s how you take control of everything. Control over: *  your sound  *  your sessions  *  your time  *  your money  *  and ultimately, your future as an artist  I’ve seen what happens when bands don’t have that control: *  sessions turn into chaos  *  money gets wasted  *  decisions don’t get made  *  and eventually… the band falls apart  We get into: *  what a producer actually does inside a real studio  *  why indecision is the most expensive thing in music  *  the difference between prepared artists and unprepared ones  *  why hiring a producer is like paying for another album  *  and what real growth looks like from one record to the next  This isn’t about becoming a producer as a job… It’s about learning how to think like the person who runs the room. Because if you don’t learn how to create direction for yourself…  you’ll always be waiting for someone else to give it to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/support] 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.  🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.  💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [choppiechops@yahoo.com].  📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination. Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon.  buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                 https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Episode 33 - If Machines Make the Music… What Happens to Us?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/fan_mail/new] I remember the first time I figured out MIDI… I thought I had it all solved. Not long after that, I walked into a producer’s room and saw 15–20 keyboards lined up against the wall… and nobody playing them. Every sound was being triggered. That moment stuck with me. In this episode, I’m thinking out loud about how we got from playing music… to controlling it… to building it piece by piece—and what we might’ve lost along the way. We can make everything perfect now. Timing, pitch, performance… all of it. But at what point does perfect stop meaning something? This one’s a little more reflective… but if you’ve ever felt like music today sounds incredible but something’s missing—you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/support] 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.  🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.  💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [choppiechops@yahoo.com].  📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination. Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon.  buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                 https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Episode 32 - Mentors - Learn From Them… or Learn the Hard Way

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Hanging Out With Chops, we’re talking about something that shapes all of us—whether we realize it or not: mentorship. The mentors you recognize…  the ones you don’t…  the ones who help you…  and even the ones who push you the wrong way. Chops shares real stories from his life in and out of the studio—from learning hard lessons early on, to being guided by people who saw further down the road, to becoming a mentor himself without even realizing it. This episode dives into: *  Why a smart person learns from their mistakes—but a wise one learns from others  *  The advice we hear but don’t always follow  *  How struggle can build confidence you can’t fake  *  The difference between people who want it and people who work for it *  Why mentorship isn’t always comfortable—but it’s always teaching you something  *  And how helping others actually makes you better  Whether you’re just starting out or years into your journey, this episode will make you think about who’s pouring into you… …and who you’re pouring into next. 🎧 Press play, and don’t wait to learn the hard way. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/support] 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.  🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.  💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [choppiechops@yahoo.com].  📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination. Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon.  buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                 https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Episode 31 – The Biggest Mistakes Bands Make After Finishing a Record

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/fan_mail/new] After you finish a record, it feels like the job is done… but that’s actually where most bands lose everything. In this episode, I break down the biggest mistakes I’ve seen bands make right after releasing a record—mistakes that quietly kill momentum, waste great music, and leave projects dead before they ever had a chance. From disappearing after release, to having no rollout plan, to playing the entire new album live before fans even know the songs… this is the stuff nobody talks about. I also get into something a lot of bands overlook—capturing the process. Recording footage, documenting sessions, and creating vlogs isn’t optional anymore. It’s one of the most powerful ways to connect with fans. Even I find myself watching band vlogs all the time—it pulls you into their world in a way the music alone can’t. And we talk about the part nobody wants to admit… sometimes the process of making that first record is too much. Lineups change, session players step in, songs get cut, and emotions run high. I’ve seen bands fall apart right as they’re getting started—right when they should be building. If you’re making music, about to release, or wondering why your last project didn’t go nowhere… this episode is for you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/support] 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.  🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.  💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [choppiechops@yahoo.com].  📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination. Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon.  buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                 https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Episode 30 - So You Wanna Make a Record? (Part 5 - Everything Else) Releasing, Touring & The Business of a Record

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/fan_mail/new] In Part 5 of the So You Wanna Make a Record? series, we step outside the studio and into the real world of what happens after the album is finished. Because making the record is only part of the journey. In this episode, we break down everything that surrounds a release—from choosing the album name and building a visual identity, to designing a tour, creating merch, and preparing backing tracks for live shows. We also talk about distribution, vinyl releases, and how music actually reaches listeners today. Beyond the creative side, we get into the realities most bands overlook: archiving your sessions, handling finances, tracking expenses, and understanding that once money is involved, the band becomes a business. We also touch on real-world experiences from the studio, including why some bands actually perform better when they’re exhausted after a show, and how overthinking can sometimes get in the way of great performances. And most importantly, we close with a mindset shift—successful artists never leave the recording cycle. They finish one record and start the next. Because in the end, you’re not just making songs… You’re building something that can last. This is the final part of the series. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502451/support] 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.  🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.  💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [choppiechops@yahoo.com].  📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination. Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon.  buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                 https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e