In this episode of The Conduit, we have a wonderful interview with Danny Holloway! Danny has had an amazing and winding road through the world of music, and during our conversation, he shares many stories about industry legends, his personal evolution, and the turning points he encountered. Danny is a former employee of Island Records, he also wrote for NME and is a DJ and record collector extraordinaire. For the most part, Danny has allowed his passion for music and creativity to guide his choices.

After being born on the West Coast, Danny chose to move to the UK and pursue his dreams of working in the music industry. He connected with Island Records head Chris Blackwell, and the rest was history, as he went on to work with Bob Marley, make multiple trips to Jamaica, and help bring reggae to a transatlantic audience. Danny then tells us about the journalism work that kickstarted things for him, and how and why he decided to return to the US with his family.

Our guest explains that from a young age, he knew that he wanted to be a part of the world of music, even when his days in bands didn’t seem to lead anywhere in particular, and his story is a great example of using a passion and tenacity to find the right space to inhabit. We also spend some time musing on the changes in the world over the last decades, with Danny commenting on materialism and fame, and how he compares today's stars with the icons of the '60s and '70s. So if you want to hear all about an incredible career in the creative world, be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Danny talks about his early years, family life, and first memories of falling in love with music.

• Moving to the UK, music journalism, and finding a home at Island Records.

• Time in the studio, learning about mastering, and working with Bob Marley.

• Danny unpacks his role at Island Records and the challenges of working with different artists.

• Interesting interviews and assignments that Danny had while in Jamaica in the 1970s.

• Bringing reggae to the American market; Danny talks about some of the goals at Island Records.

• The story of the Witchseason Productions label and some of the folk artists around that time.

• Leaving Island Records, returning to LA, and starting afresh.

• Danny's DJing career and his work with Dublab radio.

• Putting out compilations and rare and varied records that people haven't heard!

• Some thoughts on money, materialism, and the idolization of certain historical figures.

• Soul music and popularity; how the mainstream found the roots of emotive music again.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Danny Holloway

NME

Island Records

Chris Blackwell

Ximeno Records

Capitol

Witchseason

In the intricate realm of music recording, small labels are not merely entities; they are hubs of ingenuity and resilience. Running an independent music recording label can be both challenging and rewarding. Building a strong brand, nurturing relationships, and staying innovative are keys to success for smaller music recording labels.

In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Hall, Founder of RidingEasy Records, to discuss the formation of the company through the lens of his experiences in the industry. RidingEasy Records is more than a label; it's a passion-turned-phenomenon. Their catalog compasses heavy psych, doom, metal, and rock but also serves as a haven for classic rock enthusiasts. Their tracks have found homes in commercials, films, TV shows, and online content, making them an indomitable force in the industry. Daniel is more than a seasoned professional in music marketing; he's a trailblazer in the industry. From artist to promoter, his journey through the music world has been a tapestry woven with relationships and a profound understanding of what drives success.

In our conversation, we unpack the roots of RidingEasy Records and how a low-key band ignited its formation. We discuss what shaped his belief in the power of music, the role of a strong graphic as the backbone of a marketing campaign, and how the music landscape has evolved. We delve into the album art and labels that ignited Daniel's passion during his formative years, his contemporary marketing approach, how his DJ background helped shape his career, the difference between working for a big and independent label, and much more. Tune in and get your backstage pass to the intricate workings of an independent record label with Daniel Hall!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Reminiscing about Slayer and their impact on the metal and rock scene.
• RidingEasy Records and how the band Salem's Pot led to its formation.
• The record labels and art that inspired Daniel when he was growing up.
• His refreshing approach to creating album art, branding, and marketing.
• How the marketing aspect for record labels has changed over time.
• Thinking out of the box and building trust with consumers.
• Challenges of marketing and selling as a smaller record label.
• He shares his experience working for American Recordings.
• An overview of his career journey into the world of record labels.
• Why he decided not to pursue a career at a big record label.
• Discover the difference between working for a major label and an indie label.
• Learn about his background working as a DJ and how it influenced his career.
• Insights into the nuts and bolts of running an independent record label.
• Details about Sabbath by the Sea and how it started.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Daniel Hall on LinkedIn

RidingEasy Records

RidingEasy Records on Instagram

Sabbath by the Sea

Slayer

Salem's Pot on Instagram

Interscope Records

Rolling Heavy Magazine

Where you grow up can have a huge influence on you, from the friends you make to the schools you attend. And while it’s not always recognized as such, Montreal is a uniquely vibrant and diverse city, with exceptionally high rates of integration that set it apart from other cosmopolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, both of which are home to diverse communities, but still contend with high levels of segregation.

Today we are joined by Ric'key Pageot, an accomplished LA-based musician and Steinway Artist who has played piano and accordion for the likes of Diana Ross, Madonna, Cher, Dr. John, and many more. In this conversation, we talk with Ric'key about his upbringing in Montreal, how it exposed him to different cultures, why he was set on attending McGill University, and how his career has unfolded since. He describes what it was like growing up in a family filled with talented musicians — and the various concerts they held — before reflecting on his time at McGill and how it prepared him for life as a performer. We also talk about Parlor Social, the band that he started with his wife, Dessy Di Lauro, and how their music pays homage to Harlem Renaissance culture while also moving it forward.

Ric’key’s life as a musician has led him down some incredible paths, and in today’s show he reflects on his journey, the many lessons he’s learned, and some of the amazing people he’s met along the way. So sit back, relax, and tune in to this fascinating conversation with Ric'key Pageot!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Ric’key’s upbringing in Montreal and what it was like being part of a musical household.
• How he discovered the piano and the jam sessions he had with his family.
• Ric’key’s Haitian heritage and how it influenced his career as a musician.
• The story of how he would sometimes bump into Justin Trudeau as a child.
• Some facts about the professional art school Ric’key attended as a teenager.
• The music that inspired Ric’key growing up: classical music, R&B, and hip-hop.
• Why Ric’key decided to earn his BA in jazz performance at McGill University in Montreal.
• How combo class prepared Ric’key to become a professional jazz musician.
• An overview of the traditional jazz musicians that have had the biggest influence on Ric’key.
• Ric’key’s first tour with Madonna and how he met Herbie Hancock.
• What it was like being a touring musician while still studying at McGill.
• Ric’key’s experience with Dr. John and his band.
• The diversity of Montreal, why it's uniquely well-integrated, and the positive impact this had on Ric’key.
• What it was like working for Cirque du Soleil.
• Why he learned to play the accordion and how that helped him get a job with Madonna.
• Ric’key and his wife Dessy Di Lauro’s group, Parlor Social, and how their music pays homage to Harlem Renaissance culture while also moving it forward.
• How the COVID-19 pandemic affected Parlor Social.
• Hear about their upcoming performance at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ric'key Pageot on LinkedIn

Ric'key Pageot on Instagram

Ric'key Pageot - Steinway & Sons

Madonna

Christina Aguilera

Diana...