In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Johannes Ernst, who is involved with the Unconference FediForum. Johannes is deeply involved in the Fediverse. We delve into the concept of unconferences and how they foster open discussions about technology, and I want to learn how something like this could be created for music.

Johannes talks to me about his history in classical music and his involvement with community management, and how he founded the FediForum, a platform for people passionate about decentralized social media to connect and collaborate.

We explore the unique structure of unconferences, emphasizing their interactive nature, where participants create the agenda based on their interests. Johannes explains the challenges and opportunities of organizing these events online, especially in a global community. We discuss ways of creating a supportive environment like this for musicians to connect and share ideas in a non-traditional setting.

To learn more about the FediForum and upcoming events, visit https://fediforum.org

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Brandon Lucas Green, creator of the new site for musicians called Unstream. Brandon tells me about being a musician and also a product builder, specifically his latest project, Unstream. This app helps music lovers discover where to support their favorite artists beyond mainstream streaming services, aiming to help independent musicians financially by sharing their non-streaming platform info.

We discuss Brandon's musical background, from classical piano training to alternative rock and experimental genres. Brandon also tells me about his experiences in the tech industry and the importance of transparency in building community-driven projects like this.

To learn more about it, visit https://unstream.stream

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Cory Casciato, also known as Ether Diver. Cory talks about starting out as a music journalist to becoming a musician and also a creator of sample packs and presets for synthesizers. We discuss sound design and the tools he uses to make music for both digital and physical synthesizers.

We talk about music interests, from his early influences and what inspires him creatively today, along with his recent music project "Mechanics of Mysticism". We also talk about his community music review project, "Other People's Music," where he reviews independent artists' tracks, to hear new music and connect with the people who make it.

For more about Ether Diver's music and projects, visit https://etherdiver.com

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Jay, who runs the music calendar website mkeshows.com, a community calendar dedicated to showcasing live music events in Milwaukee. Jay talks about becoming involved in the DIY music scene and connecting local artists and audiences through this centralized calendar. We discuss the challenges of show promotions and the innovative use of Gancio, the open-source federated calendar software that powers his site.

Jay tells me about his history in the music scene over the years, including his work with various bands like Milorganaut and his involvement in the now-defunct Borg Ward venue. He also shares insights into his new project, Fall Tragedy, and his upcoming tour in Japan. We mention the importance of grassroots efforts in promoting local music and the potential for mkeshows.com to become a great resource for both artists and fans.

For more information about Jay's projects and to check out the community calendar, visit https://mkeshows.com

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Gregory Davis, also known as Tha Silent Partner. Gregory describes himself as a "noisemaker" and talks about his music creation and how he produces.We discuss his latest album, "Platters: The Final Act, The Lost Plates of Egads," and its theatrical elements and compositions. Gregory shares how he crafts his music, using samples from vinyl records, old movies, and TV.Check out Tha Silent Partners releases on Blocsonic - https://blocsonic.com/releases/tha-silent-partner/platters-tha-final-act-tha-lost-plates-of-egadz/Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Michał Seta and Dirk Stromberg, of Telepaesants. The project is an innovative way for musicians to collaborate across continents. Michal joins us from Canada and has a background in music and technology, and develops open-source products and services at lab148.xyz, while Dirk shares his experiences as an audio engineer based in Singapore. Together, they tell me about the concept of telepresence in music, how they leverage technology to perform and create art remotely.

We discuss their unique instruments, as well as the challenges of collaborating in real-time across different time zones. They share their creative process, including how they utilize open-source software and virtual spaces to enhance their performances. With a mix of improvisation and collaboration.

To check out their work and learn more about their projects, visit their website at https://telepeasants.space and their YouTube channel, Telepeasants.

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Andy Piper, the head of communications for Mastodon, to talk about his involvement with Oggcamp, a unique unconference that runs on collaboration and creativity.

We discuss the origins of Oggcamp, its roots in the Ogg Vorbis audio format, and how it has evolved into an event for tech enthusiasts and creators. Andy explains the unconference format, where attendees can propose topics and engage in discussions that spark new ideas and collaborations. I wanted to ask him about the potential for a similar model in the music industry, where musicians can connect, share, and innovate together.

Andy also talks about his work at Mastodon, and the platform's commitment to decentralization and community-driven content in a federated social network.

For more information about Oggcamp, visit https://www.oggcamp.orgYou can also follow Andy on his blog at https://andypiper.co.uk

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com

In this episode of Lorenzo's Music Podcast, I meet Randy, a musician known as Lime Bar. We talk about how he got back into music after a long hiatus. Based in Indianapolis, Randy discusses how the pandemic reignited his passion for music creation, diving into digital tools and collaborating with other artists on the Fediverse.

He tells me his experiences with MIDI and Cakewalk, reflecting on how technology has transformed music production since the 80s. Randy covers his approach to blending video and audio for his projects. We also cover his involvement with Indie Beat TV, a platform he helped build to showcase indie music videos to support other artists through community engagement.

Check out Lime Bar's music on his website https://limebar.space

And watch videos and more on the Indie Beat TV self-hosted stream https://tv.theindiebeat.fm

Lorenzo's Music Website - https://www.lorenzosmusic.com