Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris

Leevi Toponen also known as "Leevieemeli" is a viral TikTok star, singer-songwriter, content creator for many well-known Finnish bands, and music video director!

Leevi Toponen also known as "Leevieemili" is a viral TikTok star, singer-songwriter, content creator for many well-known Finnish bands, and music video director! 
We got together with Leevi (Leevieemeli) and our long-time friend producer, songwriter, and well-known vocal coach Tracy Lipp at the Helsinki Records Studios in Helsinki Finland to talk about Leevi's rise to fame in Finland and beyond, the music scene in Finland, and his current focus as a viral artist/creator!
Leevieemeli Social Media 
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/leevieemeli.wav/profilecard/?igsh=a2g2MngweXFkcjE2
 
Spotify 
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0u6OetzHpea8eXuxqM78rA?si=YNVnBVhRSt6DAp77V5vMiA
 
TikTok 
https://www.tiktok.com/@leevieemeli.wav?_t=8rW8PKtHs6h&_r=1
 
Tracy Lipp's social media 
https://www.instagram.com/tracylipp
https://www.Facebook.com/Tracy.Lipp
Music Matters podcast is hosted by pro musician, producer, and Sports Illustrated photographer Darrell Craig Harris who is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The series has reached over 400,000 streams in 40 countries.
MMP receives gear support from Shure Microphones,.Focusrite, and others. Intro and outro voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from www.VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. 
 
Contact us at
inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com
Social:
www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
www.Facebook.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
https://www.Youtube.com/@musicmatterspodcast
https://www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh 
Website
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com 
support our mission by joining us on Patreon!
https://www.Patreon.com/MusicMattersPodcast
 
 
 
 

Singer songwriter Andrew Browning talks about his new Americana styled release “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” in this engaging chat with host Darrell Craig Harris

Andrew Browning and the 9 Pound Hammers dive into the raw, gritty landscapes of California with their upcoming album, Love is a Beautiful Thing, set for release on November 22nd. With a sound steeped in the raw energy of ’70s rock and Americana, and storytelling that echoes the messiness of real life, this album brings listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of love, framed by Browning’s distinctly Californian lens. The lead single, “Econoline,” kicks off this journey with electrifying energy, capturing the untamed spirit of life on the road. It’s a raucous anthem that blends hard-driving guitar riffs with evocative lyrics, telling tales of roaming, survival, and finding moments of warmth and love in the most unexpected places.
Love is a Beautiful Thing the groups latest release stands as a testament to Andrew Browning’s evolution as an artist, bringing together his love for narrative songwriting with his Californian rock influences. Since their inception, Andrew Browning and the 9 Pound Hammers have been known for creating a sound that is uniquely theirs—gritty, narrative-driven, and unapologetically raw. 
Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/9poundhammers
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/30e8Pj1gUJcu2KQvV3Puu0?si=AYqGK-c6RQGBhUhm4HU1Sw 
Music Matters podcast is hosted by pro musician, producer, and Sports Illustrated photographer Darrell Craig Harris who is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The series has reached over 400,000 streams in 40 countries.
MMP receives gear support from Shure Microphones,.Focusrite, and others. Intro and outro voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from www.VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. 
 
Contact us at
inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com
Social:
www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
www.Facebook.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
https://www.Youtube.com/@musicmatterspodcast
https://www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh 
Website
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com 
support our mission by joining us on Patreon!
https://www.Patreon.com/MusicMattersPodcast
 
 
 
 

Music Matter speaks with Alexander Hacke and Danielle De Piccciotto from the unique music group HackedePicciotto about their new album The Best of hackedepicciotto (Live in Napoli)

The Best of HackedePicciotto (Live in Napoli) is Alexander Hacke and Danielle De Pictiotto's newest release showcasing live interpretations of music from across their career. The album includes reinterpretations of tracks from all of their studio albums: Keepsakes (2023), a tender exploration of friendship and loss, The Silver Threshold (2021), their defiant reaction to the pandemic, Perseverantia (2016), which dealt with the artists nomadic lifestyle, Menetekel (2017), which embodies their collective despair at the state of the world, and powerful energy of The Current (2020), recorded by the Irish Sea. For over 20 years Alexander Hacke (Einstürzende Neubauten) and artist, musician and filmmaker Danielle de Picciotto (co-founder of Love Parade) have been developing and evolving a symbiotic working practise together, with a deep intuition of the kind that has distinguished a rare number of creative and romantic partnerships – think of the writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, the artists Lee Miller and Man Ray or heroes of independent filmmaking, Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes – each partnership underlined by a creative equality that allowed both artists freedom to explore and expand. 
 
https://www.Instagrm.com/hackedepicciotto
https://www.Facebook.com/hackepicciotto 
https://www.hackedepicciotto.bandcamp.com 
Website:
https://www.hackedepicciotto.de
 
 
Music Matters podcast is hosted by pro musician, producer, and Sports Illustrated photographer Darrell Craig Harris who is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The series has reached over 400,000 streams in 40 countries.
MMP receives gear support from Shure Microphones,.Focusrite, and others. Intro and outro voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from www.VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. 
 
Contact us at
inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com
Social:
www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
www.Facebook.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
https://www.Youtube.com/@musicmatterspodcast
https://www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh 
Website
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com 
support our mission by joining us on Patreon!
https://www.Patreon.com/MusicMattersPodcast
 
 
 
 

Social impact strategist Paula Park has worked with a long list of well known artists including Demi Lovato, Audrey Nuna, Quavo, along with many large music labels and related management companies!

Paula Park is a dynamic music executive who has made her mark not only managing Korean American artist Audrey Nuna but also leading social impact campaigns for major artists like Demi Lovato and Quavo. Paula’s background as a first-generation Korean Brazilian gives her a unique perspective that she’s using to empower artists and drive meaningful change in the industry. Paula began her career at a major label in Brazil before joining Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, where she quickly rose to lead the company’s Social Impact and Philanthropy department. She was instrumental in creating global campaigns for high-profile artists, including Demi Lovato’s reproductive rights initiative and Quavo’s anti-gun violence project, The Rocket Foundation.
Now, she’s embarking on a new chapter with her new company "Soft Serve" focused on developing artists with a strong sense of mission, purpose, and creative vision. With a degree from Berklee College of Music and additional studies at Harvard Business Online and MIT Sloan, Paula combines industry expertise with a passion for social good.
www.Instagram.com/pepark
Music Matters podcast is hosted by pro musician, producer, and Sports Illustrated photographer Darrell Craig Harris who is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The series has reached over 400,000 streams in 40 countries.
MMP receives gear support from Shure Microphones,.Focusrite, and others. Intro and outro voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from www.VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. 
 
Contact us at
inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com
Social:
www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
www.Facebook.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
https://www.Youtube.com/@musicmatterspodcast
https://www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh 
Website
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com 
support our mission by joining us on Patreon!
https://www.Patreon.com/MusicMattersPodcast
 
 
 
 

Music Matters speaks with globally popular ambient/new-age music artist Kevin Keller on the release of his latest album "Evensong"

Music Matters host Darrell Craig Harris speaks with popular ambient/new-age music artist Kevin Keller about the release of his latest album "Evensong" Darrell and Kevin also cover composing, collaboration, and more in this fun and insightful episode! 
 
More on Kevin Keller and his latest release
 
Evensong is an 8-movement album that not only revives Hildegard’s sacred music but also brings her transcendental visions into the contemporary world, offering an immersive experience that blurs the lines between past and present, mysticism and music. Keller enriches her ancient compositions with layers of modern textures—combining strings, vocals, and analog synthesizers—to transform these chants into vivid soundscapes that feel simultaneously timeless and contemporary. At the heart of Evensong is an ambitious attempt to channel Hildegard’s spiritual visions, offering audiences a way to experience them in a way that wasn’t possible in her time.Kevin has been a leading figure in the new-age music scene for over 30 years, with 14 albums that fuse classical and electronic music in deeply evocative ways. This milestone release represents a significant leap in his artistic journey, and with the GRAMMY’s “New Age” category recently expanding to include ambient and chant music, Evensong is primed to make a powerful impact.
 
www.KevinKeller.com
www.Instagram.com/kevinkellerpro
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1MpofLeuema5D0edeUEoAD?si=vV7MQgcHSSaMBEG_o75CFw
Music Matters podcast is hosted by pro musician, producer, and Sports Illustrated photographer Darrell Craig Harris who is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The series has reached over 400,000 streams in 40 countries.
MMP receives gear support from Shure Microphones,.Focusrite, and others. Intro and outro voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from www.VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. 
 
Contact us at
inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com
Social:
www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
www.Facebook.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial
https://www.Youtube.com/@musicmatterspodcast
https://www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh 
Website
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com 
support our mission by joining us on Patreon!
https://www.Patreon.com/MusicMattersPodcast
 
 
 
 

Eric Hirshberg is an insightful singer songwriter with millions of streams and a new album "Second Hand Smoke"

Singer songwriter Eric Hirshberg's path is anything but typical. He's a former CEO of Activision and Deutsch LA, where he led record-breaking launches for major franchises like Call of Duty and was named one of the 50 Most Creative People in Business by AdAge. Yet throughout his remarkable career, Eric has always remained deeply connected to music. His songs have been featured in major outlets like People Magazine, American Songwriter, and Relix, and his collaboration with Aloe Blacc on "I Love Not Drinking" earned a Grammy nomination this year.
'Second Hand Smoke' his new album (released Sept 13 2024) is a deeply personal and refreshingly unique album that explores themes rarely addressed in mainstream music, like sobriety, aging, meditation, and the complexities of modern relationships. It's filled with a rich blend of introspective lyrics, an Americana-tinged sound, and a mature perspective-songs that dig deep into universal truths while resonating with life experiences. The album's success is a testament to Eric's unique voice and perspective, making it a project well worth checking out! 
https://www.instagram.com/erichirshberg
https://www.youtube.com/@erichirshbergmusic
https://www.erichirshbergmusic.com
on Spotify @erichirshbergmusic 
Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris is sponsored by Shure Microphones, Kathy Ireland, ZOOM Audio. Voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from his studio @VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. A Big Shout and thanks to our friends at  @Shure Contact us at inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com 
Social: www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial 
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com

Multiple award winning Nashville session guitarist Rob McNelley on his new singles and more!

Rob McNelley, the acclaimed Nashville guitarist known for his collaborations with icons like Bob Seger, Dolly Parton, and Luke Combs, has just released his latest single, “The Other Side.” This slow-burning track, built on a growling bass line and featuring McNelley’s signature guitar prowess, is the newest addition to his series of Americana-flavored singles that have been rolling out throughout the year. “The Other Side” follows the release of McNelley’s two previous singles, “Circus Is Leaving Town” and “Right Back To You,” each showcasing the versatility and depth of his songwriting and musicianship.
“The Other Side is a song about learning how to see another point of view and expanding your mind to other possibilities,” McNelley shares. “It’s about leaving the possibility open that you may be wrong about things you’ve always thought, and that that is ok. It’s about evolving around a point of view and getting your ego out of the way so that you can truly see the other side of any subject matter. Plus, there’s some more focus on the guitar playing side of what I do with this one.”
Links
https://www.instagram.com/rmcnelley/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/user/rmcnelley 
www.instagram.com/rmcnelley 
Thanks for listening in, and thanks to our sponsors, and behind the scene crew that makes this podcast happen :)
Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris is sponsored by Shure Microphones, Kathy Ireland, ZOOM Audio. Voice overs provided by Nigel John Farmer from his studio @VoiceWrapStudio.com in France.
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. A Big Shout and thanks to our friends at @AudioGeer @sullenfamily @Shure Contact us at inquiry@darrellcraigharris.com 
Social: www.Instagram.com/musicmatterspodcastofficial 
www.MusicMattersPodcast.com

Weird Al Yankovic’s longtime drummer, cohort, and archivist Bermuda Schwartz on EP12 - S07 of Music Matters Podcast

Bermuda Schwartz Reflects on Four Decades of Drumming with 'Weird Al' Yankovic and the Power of Online Presence" 
Bermuda Schwartz, the long-time drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic, shares his fascinating journey with me from his early days in Chicago to his successful career in Los Angeles. Starting with drum lessons in Phoenix and transitioning from the accordion to drums, Schwartz's career took off after meeting Yankovic in 1980. Their partnership has spanned over four decades, marked by iconic recordings like "Another One Rides the Bus" and numerous live performances. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of networking and maintaining a strong online presence, which he has done since 1993, to navigate the evolving music industry.
Schwartz also discusses the technical and logistical challenges of recording and performing, including securing permissions for parodies. Despite these hurdles, he expresses gratitude for the band's longevity and the joy of working with beloved colleagues. He reflects on the luck and hard work that have contributed to their success, drawing parallels with other enduring bands like U2. Schwartz remains dedicated to engaging with fans through social media and has documented their journey through photography, contributing to various publications. His commitment to accessibility and interaction underscores his appreciation for the community that supports them.
Checkout all things Bermuda Schwartz @
https://www.bermudaschwartz.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/bermudaschwartz
If you want more infor on Weird Al go to: https://www.weirdal.com/
Thanks for listening in, and thanks to our sponsors, and behind the scene crew that makes this podcast happen :)
Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris is sponsored by Kathy Ireland Worldwide & with support from Music Crowns in London, and Nigel John Farmer.~ my co-producer and voice over talent from his studio @VoiceWrapStudio.com ~ in the Southern French countryside ~ nice!
Our thanks to Rodney Hall FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for our intro and outro backing music clip. 
 
A Big Shout and thanks to our friends at #AudioGeer , @sullenfamily and the awesome support! #Shure #MV7 #podcast mic! 
Please check out our Music Matters podcast on @spotifypodcastsHey, also check out the New Music Matters Podcast Website- 
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