Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Podcast

• From Mafia Threats to Live Nation’s Courtroom | Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Ep. 602

  What happens when a teenage house party promoter takes on one of the biggest forces in live music?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with Tommy Dorfman, a veteran club promoter and founder of Juice Entertainment. Tommy shares how he built a powerhouse promotion empire from scratch, packed out venues across New Jersey and New York, pioneered the East Coast house music scene, and went head-to-head with Live Nation. His story dives deep into the grind of promotion, the mafia encounters, and a David-versus-Goliath lawsuit that could reshape the live music industry. If you've ever wondered how the live music machine really works, this one is unmissable.Key Takeaways:• How Tommy started promoting events at age 15 to pay his own rent• Why house parties were the gateway to building a nightlife empire• The moment Tommy packed 1,500 people into a club on a Wednesday night• Inside the gritty hustle of street-level promotion before social media• How Tommy ran Myspace’s live events division on the East Coast• A firsthand account of mafia threats and how he stood his ground• How Live Nation allegedly forced him out of a major festival deal• The 15-year legal fight against Live Nation and what’s at stake• Why ticket prices are skyrocketing—and who’s really to blame• What Tommy hopes to change for fans, artists, and independent promotersBest Moments:00:00:07. “I started off throwing parties because of a necessity. We lived in houses of my own. At 15 or 16 years old.”00:01:02. “People were like, yeah, this is awesome, man. You just get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to chill with celebrities and drink champagne. Nah. You work your ass off for it.”00:02:52. “I do my first successful solo party in New Jersey, like in 1997. Packed it out with over 1,500 people. On a Wednesday night.”00:03:35. “Then I started on a Thursday party packing that was one of the most successful parties in New Jersey history.”00:04:14. “We started promotingExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

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• Building Authentic Brand Connections in Music Industry | Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Ep. 601

  What makes a brand partnership truly authentic in music today?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with Katie Nowak, VP of Marketing and Partnerships at TBA Agency, to explore how meaningful collaborations are redefining success for artists. Katie shares behind-the-scenes stories about building the “Here and There” festival with Courtney Barnett, partnering with brands like Microsoft and Levi’s, and using creative strategy to connect niche artists with deeply engaged audiences.Whether you're an artist, marketer, or industry insider, this episode reveals the power of authenticity, community, and strategy in today’s evolving music business.KEY TAKEAWAYS: • The origin and mission of the “Here and There” festival with Courtney Barnett • How TBA Agency built brand partnerships with Microsoft, Levi’s, and more • The role of AI in enhancing, not replacing, artistic expression • Why niche artists can offer deeper engagement than mainstream acts • How to pitch brand partnerships around authenticity and connection • Insights into building private and corporate event activations for artists • Katie’s personal journey through major industry roles and companies • The evolution of her role from tour marketing to strategic leadership • Why social media and PR require constant experimentation and community input • How being nice and staying true to yourself drives long-term career successBEST MOMENTS: 00:02:49. “Levi’s created custom denim jackets for all of the artists that participated in the festival.” 00:03:42. “We uploaded all of Courtney’s drawings into Microsoft’s AI tools... it was a love letter to each city.” 00:05:12. “This was a way to show that humans using AI can still make something creative with human hands.” 00:06:51. “Microsoft was very open to any and all ideas... they trust your creative mind.” 00:08:06. “These are niche artists... they bring a certain edginess that makes the brand feel coolExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

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• What 600 Episodes Reveal About Mastery | Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Ep. 600

  Is high-end studio gear still worth it today?For this milestone 600th episode, Bobby welcomes back fan-favorite Dennis Moody, a world-renowned studio and live mixer who’s appeared on every 100th episode since the podcast’s launch. In this revealing conversation, Dennis opens up about the biggest shifts he’s seen over the last decade in music production, gear, touring, and what truly matters when it comes to crafting a great sound. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just gear-curious, this episode will change how you think about tools, tone, and tech.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Vintage mics aren’t essential anymore• Knockoff gear quality has drastically improved• MP3s still don’t match WAV file quality• Touring travel strategies for pros• Studio vs live mixing philosophies• Managing loudness requests from artists• Smart tech choices can rival big-budget gear• Why stage volume is lower than ever• The power of mixing through preamp adjustments• Why Dennis is choosing creativity over moneyBEST MOMENTS00:02:26. “Yes. Because I wanted to be, but... hoping to be even a little more level up, which seems to be now.”00:03:16. “I'm seeing a lot of really, call them knock off companies, like, my favorite warm audio.”00:07:26. “That's amazing. The difference. But people, that's just the way it is now.”00:10:18. “Thing's been around, circumnavigated the globe at least 12, 14 times.”00:15:29. “Once the show started, it just was the most fun ever.”00:21:25. “It turned out perfect. There were 8500 people there, and it was just absolutely amazing.”00:27:31. “I would have done more of that for me. More for my stuff, you know.”00:33:50. “If you want to have an interesting life, you have to make it interesting.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

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• The HIDDEN Reason K-Pop Groups Succeed Today | Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Ep. 599

  What can a nightclub DJ teach you about running a business?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, we sit down with DJ, author, professor, and speaker Amani Roberts - also known as DJ AMRo - to unpack how his pivot from corporate America to the turntables led to a purpose-driven creative career. Amani shares insights from his book DJ’s Mean Business, his work teaching music business at Cal State Fullerton, and what DJing can reveal about reading a room, adapting under pressure, and staying relevant in the age of AI. This conversation is packed with wisdom for artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the modern music industry.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Why R&B groups disappeared from the mainstream• The connection between DJ sets and business growth• What every artist should know about music publishing• The biggest misconceptions about gear and DJing• How AI fails to match human connection on the dance floor• Why the imperfections in music are what make it timeless• The reality of teaching Gen Z students post-pandemic• How to protect your business and brand as a creative• Essential advice for aspiring music industry professionals• The #1 mindset shift that helps creatives actually finish thingsBEST MOMENTS:00:04:01. “It was my thesis in grad school. I was deciding between this and why there are no longer any saxophone solos.”00:05:01. “There was a week in July 1997 where 14 out of 20 songs on Billboard’s Top 20 were R&B groups.”00:08:23. “You gotta figure out how you’re going to market yourself. Grow your email list. Learn the business.”00:12:36. “Each 15 minutes of a DJ set relates to growing a business.”00:14:27. “Reading a crowd is only acquired through being in person and being around people.”00:18:32. “They said I might have 12 students. First class? 34. We've been running like that ever since.”00:24:36. “AI will never know heartbreak. That’s why it can’t replace artists.”00:31:02. “Done is better than perfecExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

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• How a $44M Game Show Works | Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Ep. 598

  What does a $44 million video game sound like?This week on Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, game composer Tim Larkin breaks down the high-stakes world of e-sports music. From scoring Dota 2 tournaments with 100-piece orchestras to building adaptive music systems that respond to gameplay, Tim reveals what it takes to create soundtracks that elevate the gaming experience. If you’ve ever wondered how music in games works or how orchestras fit into digital worlds, this episode is a must-listen.KEY TAKEAWAYS• How Tim Larkin scored the $44M Dota 2 International tournament• The structure of dynamic, reactive video game music• Why game concerts feel like rock shows• The shift from writing jingles to scoring blockbuster games• Real orchestras vs samples in game scoring• How Valve supports creativity in music production• Recording with orchestras across Seattle, Utah, Budapest• The realities of composing for long vs short dev cycles• Tim’s transition from live trumpet gigs to game soundtracks• Advice for aspiring game composers in today’s flooded marketBEST MOMENTS00:01:52. “Every year we put on what's called The International, which is kind of like the Super Bowl of e-sports.”00:02:12. “We peaked out at a prize pool of about $44 million for a video game.”00:03:44. “The audience knows the music. So it's like doing a rock concert in a way.”00:04:27. “The first company that came up was Broderbund… they hired us basically on the spot.”00:05:06. “In video games, the music is reactive. It’s dynamic.”00:06:06. “With Dota, as the action intensifies, so does the music based on layers.”00:07:40. “You're talking $20 to $40,000 maybe for an orchestra. It's a small part of a multimillion-dollar event.”00:14:15. “My goal in college was to be a session player. I tried to learn every type of music possible.”00:27:17. “You’ve got to listen to good music. If you can’t reach that bar, don’t try to approach it.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

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