The Charismatic Voice

It's just magic when music and fantasy are combined. And magic is what Blind Guardian creates. Today, we're joined by their lead singer, Hansi Kürsch, who along with his band members, takes inspiration from the great works of fantasy. Going strong for 40 years now, Blind Guardian has recently released their newest album, The God Machine. Not only is Hansi a testament to endurance, but he's also the epitome of a powerful voice. He gives insights into how to build and maintain a four-decade career and how his understanding of vocal technique has evolved over the years. In this episode, you will hear: From playing bass to singing Learning to become more efficient in singing through education How Hansi's understanding of breath support has shifted through the years The different types of breathing Using the spine to support your voice Vibrato is one of the most difficult to train. Holding big, high-belt notes Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Blind Guardian Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

What does it take to get to the next level? In this week's conversation, we're joined by Phil Freeman, the lead singer of one of the most underrated rock bands, Small Town Titans. Phil has a massive range coupled with massive technical skills that he can create all kinds of good, aggressive, powerful, and even sweet tones within that range. Phil did a cover of You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, and if you haven't watched it yet, then you've got to! He initially sounds like a low-voiced male, but then he keeps going higher and higher and flat-out screams in a way that is sung well. It's not dangerous for the voice so it definitely deserves a jaw drop. Add to that a delectable enunciation and breath control that leaves the audience breathless – a voice that begs for more attention. After our conversation, I only realized that his rich, powerful, and direct sounds are all truly just an extension of his character. Next week we're going to dive even deeper into vocal technique. We'll also trade teaching tips, talk about how babies can create better vocalizations than most adults, plus – a demonstration of some awesome high distortion! In this episode, you will hear: Reaction videos have become one of the main ways for people to discover music. The importance of having an anchor in your life Giving yourself a chance to tour to test your limits How to get to the next level What you want should be quality and something sustainable Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://smalltowntitans.com Small Town Titans - "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Official Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cUz-zAATNI Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

Tatiana Shmayluk is the lead singer of the Ukrainian metalcore band, Jinjer. But don't let that trick you into thinking that she's a gentle performer. Tatiana packs a punch with her vocals – both clean and harsh. In fact, she was the first female singer that I've ever heard going into full death growl mode. The song started off with a groovy, almost jazzy punk feel, and then dropped into this intensely heavy section. And at that moment out of Tatiana, a boss monster just seemed to spring. It's insane! It's also one of the reasons I just nerd out about voice science. In this episode, learn about how she visualizes her voice. Also, be sure to tune in to the second part of this series next week as Tatiana shares how she determines if a growl is good or bad. We'll also talk about touring and how to support the band during these incredibly tough times. In this episode, you will hear: What makes a good band member The process of writing a song for a band The process of writing lyrics Working well under pressure How she developed the harsh vocals Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: www.jinjer-metal.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

If there's one artist who has inspired my current vocal endeavors more than any other, it's Peter Hollens – THE GUY who made multiple layering of the same human voice popular on YouTube. Peter now has 400 videos on his channel. Some are elaborate collaborations with well-known artists and some are just him, multiple times. While many singers only need to think about singing one line and maybe a few harmonies, Peter has to think about singing tons of lines. Just imagine the additional time it takes for him to create a song because he is the whole band. His songs are also released with music videos of high production value. His channel has been going strong since its debut in 2011, it's amazing how he's able to keep up his pace – even with a team in place. Now actively taking a role beyond singing, Peter offers consulting and advising services for creators and creative companies. Today, Peters talks about his influences and mentors, how he's able to release music videos consistently, and his process of producing high-quality videos. In this episode, you will hear: Voice type he prefers in acapella Sound engineering and techniques for layering the voices Peter's music influences and mentors Educating creators on true value The process of making a video and how he's able to release videos consistently The power of professional video editing What makes a good collaborator Tips for collaborating with your spouse in music and life Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: www.peterhollens.com https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterHollens https://www.patreon.com/peterhollens Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Many people say that having a classical vocal foundation will set any singer up for success. Even as an opera singer, I don't know if this is always true, but our guest today, Myles Kennedy, has some of the best vocal techniques any metal or rock singer could have. Not only did he study the classical vocal foundation, he still continues to use it. Myles is an outstanding songwriter and guitar player who has collaborated with many artists. As the lead singer of Alter Bridge or in his work with Slash and The Conspirators, Myles makes stupid-tough vocal passages sound like a walk in the park. In this episode, we delve into all aspects of life, philosophy, philanthropy, and yes, music too! Myles discusses how he applied his jazz education and classical training to rock and metal. Due to his outstanding technique, Myles can navigate the trickiest of vocal circumstances with vocal elegance, which is quite evident in his recently released Alter bridge album called Pawns & Kings. In this episode, you will hear: How singers deal with reflux What led him and his wife to create the Future Song Foundation The importance of readdressing your narrative Vocal techniques: allowing the breath to flow and creating space Singing as a pelvic floor therapy Raising your soft palate and vowel modification as you go higher Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Future Song Foundation https://www.futuresong.org/ Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

What exactly goes into making an opera metal? Or is it the other way around – do you make metal operatic? Today's guest is Arjen Lucassen, the mastermind composer, multi-instrument player, and producer of both Ayreon and Star One. Arjen is known, not only for his massive collaborative projects but also for having a knack for finding the best singers to collaborate with – singers that can handle both metal and opera, and lots in between. Arjen has worked with almost every major metal talent that I've been introduced to in the last 2 years – and all of them can't speak highly enough of Arjen. His ability to scout and retain great talent is unparalleled. Everyone wants to work with him as well because he makes them sound greater. He coaches them in a way that encourages creativity and excellence. Indeed, he is a master of finding great talent – and even making them greater. Listen in as we try to dig up Arjen's secret to finding great singers, how he approaches the collaborative process, and how he puts metal and opera together. In this episode, you will hear: The importance of staying in contact with your community Arjen's early influences and how he developed his own style of music Electric vs. acoustic guitar What he does as a multi-instrumentalist and the importance of sound production Loudness wars and paying attention to the health of your ears His talent and passion for discovering talents The back-and-forth process of working with a singer Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/ Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Today's conversation is made twice the fun as we feature two veteran vocalists, Russell Allen and Anette Olzon, who are legends on their own. Russell Allen is known for his work with Symphony X and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Anette Olzon is known for her work with Nightwish. Russell and Anette recently collaborated and released their second album together, titled Army of Dreamers. Yet, it's funny how these two fantastic artists had never met in person and never had a conversation before. And the way that they grow on each other as our tea time progresses is delightful to witness. Also, I find it fascinating how fame affects people differently. Both Russell and Anette have toured the world. Although they've seen a lot in their career, they both seem to particularly love the moments at home, in peace and quiet, with their family. Russell is also creating a video game and he's happy to have his kid test it out! In this episode, you will hear: Russell working as a knight at Medieval Times Dinner Theater Improvising their performance to "save the day" Exposing your kids to music education Their experience collaborating on an album How to approach recording without overtaxing your larynx Using technology to produce something really cool Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Arrny of Dreamers https://youtu.be/067e-cLzUPM Follow Russell on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellallen1971/?hl=en Follow Anette on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anetteolzonofficial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anetteolzon_official/?hl=en Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Imagine a goblin meeting a Nazgul, and together they decided to sing an epic opera using only harsh vocals. That's what our guest today, Will Ramos sounds like. Will is the lead harsh vocalist of the deathcore band, Lorna Shore – and the sounds he makes are almost unreal! Many traditional singing teachers would point to his grunts and gurgles and say that he's destroying his voice – but he isn't. We actually decided to put a camera down his throat, and surprisingly, it was even more amazing than I had anticipated. Will engaged multiple areas of his vocal tract, from false folds to aryepiglottic. At one point, his throat even constricted so much that it looked like a black hole trying to suck the camera down. Whoa! But the most fascinating thing from putting a camera down Will's throat was the asymmetry we found, where there's a twisting motion that happens inside his larynx. It's likely part of what contributes to Will's unique sound. In this episode, you will hear: How word noises can lead to a career Transitioning from classical studies to metal Singing live is like mixing your vocals Will's unique sound and vocal technique Vocal effort vs. efficiency Vocal warm-up and exercise for false chord vocals Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Here's the YouTube video of Will's throat being scoped: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua8SuWNPrLE Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Simone Simons may look like a supermodel – she has the blog, photographs and beauty partnerships to back it up – but she is much more than just the face of the Dutch metal band, Epica. Simone has a voice and a lifestyle to be reckoned with. Simone's vocals are widely recognized for both their beauty and power. As the frontwoman of a symphonic metal band with death metal tendencies, Simone brings versatility in singing styles, combining both classical and contemporary technique. In this episode, we discuss how she got into singing in the first place, how she blended classical and contemporary techniques, and how she kept her infant son quiet while recording. I also wanted to discuss something I have recently experienced as well – how pregnancy and being a mother actually affected the voice. And so, this is also a bonding conversation between two new moms! Epica will be touring in North and South America throughout the rest of 2022, and throughout Europe in early 2023. They also recently released their new album, Omega, available on your regular streaming services or purchase it online at epica.nl. In this episode, you will hear: Navigating pregnancy and motherhood Vocal rest and building endurance Head-banging techniques Getting the right tips and being able to apply them right away Classical singing techniques: body position, breathing, & reaching high notes How young is too young to sing opera? How every note is essentially its own register Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://www.epica.nl/ www.smoonstyle.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

No one knows what music from the Bronze or Iron Ages sounds like, but the musical group Heilung presents a version of what music in that era could have sounded like. Their music is often described as "amplified history" and it evokes something primal in audiences around the world. In this two-part episode, we sit down with Maria Franz, the lead female singer of Heilung, as well as two other bands, Euzen and Songleikr. We shared a cup of tea while chatting about how they're creating intriguing sounds, fantasy roleplaying, and the banshee wails. Maria's vocal creativity had already blown me away, and I was so eager to ask her about how she had developed such a unique sound and vocal technique. Maria decided to quit smoking to help preserve her voice. It's incredible how much anything that affects a person's body will also affect the voice. After all, the voice is IN our bodies, so anything you ingest or do will, in some way, work itself into your vocal folds. Allow Heilung's music to sweep you away into another time and moment in history and grab a copy of their new album, Drif, which releases on August 19. In this episode, you will hear: How Maria ended up being part of Heilung How Heilung makes their music organically and where they draw inspiration from Capturing professional-level audio outside of the recording studio Getting the audience as part of the ritual Making the banshee wail Maria's vocal techniques: expanding the rib cage and the back muscle support How everything you do affects your vocal cords Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Imagine the powerful and practically magical presence of Elsa combined with the animal-loving nature of Snow White. That's Alissa White-Glutz, the lead vocalist of the death metal band Arch Enemy. Known for harsh, distorted, aggressive, and intense tones, Alissa takes pride in a healthy lifestyle, practicing veganism, and nurturing positivity all around. Alissa has a scary video game character called "Queen Beast" modeled after her. She also is an adept clean vocal singer, talented not only at creating beautiful lyrics and melodies but also adept at harmonizing and producing her own music. Her music video outfits are some of the most extremely creative I've seen – evoking power, darkness, and aggression altogether in flashy sophistication. It's amazing the influence that Patreon and Patrons can have on an artist. Patrons are the reason I initially heard Alissa's music and that eventually led to this interview. In this episode, you will hear: Alissa's career background Metal music considered as Western culture How intergenerational trauma is rooted in epigenetics The best way to try out microphones How preconceived notions can affect a person's opinions Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Twitter: @AWhiteGluz Instagram: @alissawhitegluz Audio Test Kitchen Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

How does one growl and scream with so much passion, yet also make these vocalizations without hurting anything? Well, it turns out that our guest today, Lzzy Hale, is extremely technically proficient when it comes to using those techniques. Lzzy Hale is the lead singer and guitar player of the Grammy Award-winning rock band and my heavy music idol, Halestorm. Gifted with powerful and aggressive yet effortless vocals, Lzzy indeed embodies what it means to be a strong rocker chic. Being so nervous and excited going into this interview, I already had immense respect for this awesome chic, not to mention how I was fangirling over Lzzy's achievements and the female empowerment that she represents, sharing her love with the world. Listen in as we take a deep dive into how Lzzy Hale creates powerful, passionate, and aggressive vocal lines with deliberate attention to vocal technique, making her singing in actuality feel effortless. There are innumerable ways that you can use your voice, and we will touch on a few of them today! In this episode, you will hear: The perks of Nashville aside from the music scene How #raiseyourhorns has become synonymous with mental health awareness Singing straw options available Vocal techniques to improve mobility and fluidity How the female voice evolves through life shifts Subscribe and Review Have you subscribed to our podcast? We'd love for you to subscribe if you haven't yet. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALLZZYHALE Singing Through Change by Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman, and Cate Frazier-Neely https://www.amazon.com/Singing-Through-Change-Midlife-Menopause-ebook/dp/B08659YNSG Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.