#carlasacco | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

waalm · 6 years ago

Text

KEEPING THE SOUL OF THE SONG INTACT

WAALM Tribune has the pleasure of interviewing ‘Peter Linseman’, owner of Music Mentor Productions (MMP), a CCMA nominated recording studio & Independent Record Label.

WT: For our readers who get to know you for the first time, please tell us how did it all start, how you entered the world of music and music productions?

PL: I have always been interested in literature and poetry as a youngster and then started playing the drums in my teens. I played for my first band called The Acrylics when I was 14 or 15 and I remember having to sneak into the bars to play the gigs! It was a punk rock band and I just remember playing as fast and hard as I could, just trying to keep up with the super energetic tempos. I started writing songs on my drums but my lyric sheet was on my tom-tom and I keep poking holes in it! So I started on the guitar, in order to have chords to accompany my songs and melodies. Next, it was finding a way to record the songs and a reasonable way was creating my home studio. And then releasing our songs and also learning how to do that ourselves, same with marketing, etc. etc. Music Mentor Productions started when I created the first Songwriting and Music Business Courses offered in Canada at the continuing education program for the Toronto District School Board in the mid ‘90’s. I registered MMP as a production company and music publisher at that time.

WT: You have several artists under your management, how do you balance this on top of producing, co-writing or even performing?

PL: It's a juggling act at the best of times and I have a few mantras that help me. The mantra I say the most lately is "there is always enough time for everything". Aside from creating a two year and five year career plan, the label and artist have an unending stream of tasks and staying on top of social media is a full time job in itself. So my mantras are "what is the next most important thing to do" and "go as far as you can and from there you can see further". My favourite artists/projects are the ones I get to do it all, especially writing and producing, like my new artist Dr Ally K. I'm so proud of Ally, my long time friend, music collaborator and actual GP Doctor!

WT: What was your biggest challenge as a producer? Could you overcome that challenge? If so, how?

PL: I had an epiphany when I was commissioned to co-write and produce a ten song musical way back! Actually, it was a project that Dr Ally K brought to me – a full-length musical about the world of gene splicing, playing God, letting nature take its course, etc. I'm a ‘hands on’ person and have learned everything by doing it, and with the guidance of some great mentors along the way.

I remember the moment, when I was a couple of songs into the musical and I stopped with a realization that I'm in over my head. The pop opera type songs were fine but the more classically based musical numbers were brand new to me. I thought about the music deeply and remember thinking to myself - there are only 12 notes on a scale and songs/production have similarities across the board, like counter melodies, harmonies, beats, shots, etc. I have never looked back! I finished Orchids with Ally and this musical was attended by thousands including a thousand health-care professionals in the Canada-wide performances of ‘Orchids’.

WT: What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a producer as well as a manager?

PL: Creating music out of nothing has always had the greatest appeal to me personally. The next most appealing aspect is seeing an artist successful in any realm of the entertainment industry, especially getting them 'signed' or helping them up to the top level of the game. A recent and very rewarding occurrence is when Mosi calls me Maestro!

youtube

WT: How do you see the role of music in the society today?

PL: I'd like to think that my role is to create and produce music that can touch as many people as possible. I've always tried to keep the soul of the song intact and simply enhance it with production. My favourite creations have a positive emotional impact whether it's being moved physically, emotionally or spiritually.

WT: In your view, what are the characteristics of a responsible artist/musician/songwriter?

PL: A responsible songwriter/musician needs to be sensitive to the music and its life in the music industry, as well as to the artist and their vision. A responsible artist should realize their position as a highly visible role model/idol and also the ages of their demographics. I believe the best artists in the world are great role models especially for the impressionable demographics.

WT: It is more than five years now that you are collaborating with Mosi Dorbayani and WAALM and during all these years, many notable projects were released. Which ones are among your most favourite, name three?

They have all been memorable and it's hard to pick three! But if I must choose, it would be the songs where I not only get to work with Mosi, but I also have the pleasure of working with Kate Todd and Carla Sacco. These are amongst my favourite people on the planet!

WT: You’ve just co-produced a new EP album ‘Sealed with A Kiss’, with Carla Sacco, who also voiced the project. What is your anticipation?

PL: Carla and I are anticipating a great reception to these wonderful selections of songs, which are all about love and joy. They are each unique and the production has its own little universe for each of them. But as we've always experienced with Mosi's creations, they all have a great commercial appeal and pop sensibility to touch the most amount of hearts. We will also promote these songs that we are also very proud of, starting on the relaunch of my website as well as our social media and anticipate a quick response bringing awareness to WAALM as well as Carla Sacco.

WT: Recently, in his social media, Mosi Dorbayani wrote the following about you:

“ In my view, 'Peter Linseman' is a superstar musician in his own right. He has many slashes (/) after his name but yet humble and friendly. Wearing several hats contributing to Canadian music, he is a dedicated professional, who mentors and promotes young talents. His facilitation to boost artistic career of those who are new to the world of music is exemplary. What I personally admire about Peter is that he does not necessarily produce just for the industry, but for the quality music. Hence, his productions score continuance success.” – How do you see yourself in context of music ? 😊

PL: Mosi is a brilliant man! Wow! What flattering and humbling words from Mosi...it’s a rare feeling in this business but Mosi seems to create this feeling constantly amongst myself and my artists. To answer the question: what he said! Mosi has said it all and as I mentioned earlier, I protect the soul of the creation and at the same time support it with production that has a very wide audience and appeal, which is a lot like what Mosi creates.

WT: What music enthusiasts should expect from you in 2019? Tell us about your other forthcoming projects and events.

PL: There are many great projects being released internationally including this EP, ‘Sealed With A Kiss’ with Carla Sacco, which I am very excited about. As I mentioned previously, I am re-launching my new website and also a new Facebook page for my independent label Music Mentor Productions.

We are releasing a six song EP for my new artist Dr Ally K as we speak. I am so proud of the work that Ally and I have done together and have mentioned some of our previous collaborations in this interview. Every track on this EP is cutting edge urban pop production with a great lyrical message. Up, Up & Away - EP by Dr Ally K on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1aArMYujAxVAz1he5K24cY

We will be launching an album that has been in the works for a few years called ‘Out Of The Wreckage’ by a brilliant artist name Melanie Joy. We have gone over the songs meticulously in the production stages and Melanie is an English major and uses it to write lyrics that make you stop and think!

We will be releasing some original music from Carla Sacco this year and it will be the launch of a new chapter in her solo artist career. Carla is super talented on all levels, the greatest vocalist and performer I’ve had the pleasure of working with, an angel on this earth with a heart of gold...I’ve stopped searching Neil Young! Carla is also the chosen voice to represent and incredible songwriter from Oregon, Mina Whitesides and we will release an EP with a collection of songs sung by Carla, initiated by Mina.

We've already released the single ‘Dance Children Dance’ and we released an inspiring video, with most of it being shot at Carla’s performance at Youth Day in 2018.

youtube

We have just released John Chris Ford’s heart breaking new single called ‘Break It’. http://www.musicmentorproductions.com/john-chris-ford.html

JC is a very talented country artist whom I am proud to get the opportunity to produce and manage. There is a lot more to come in 2019, so keep in touch!

WT: Thank you for taking time attending this interview.

PL: My pleasure.