for The Johnsonian
Two senior mass communication students create a podcast showcasing their love of music The album Dirty Projectors and songs about cars are just some of the topics covered in the first episode of the new music commentary podcast made by Winthrop Mass Communication seniors Adam Matonic and Brandon Byron. The podcast, entitled The Low Down Beat, is posted on soundcloud and is described as “a bite-size music commentary that deconstructs, raves, rants and lampoons new releases.” “We definitely try to cover music that we like and that other people will like, we try to offer some new music out there for people that may be in their own little bubble and want to expand and have that commentary, that voice, that tells them why they might like it,” Byron said. Matonic said that the purpose behind this podcast is to be a positive commentary on music. “We aren't telling people what to like, as much as how to appreciate it. So we only talk about things we like, we don’t want it to be like a negative music criticism show,” said Matonic. As far as the genres that are covered, the pair said that they like to be eclectic with the music they chose to listen to and share with their audience. “So far we’ve done a pretty broad range, we are planning on covering this rock band from charlotte Junior Astronomers, we are hoping to have them on the show soon. We've covered rap music and we've covered dance music,” said Byron. The Low Down Beat came to be through a shared senior portfolio class and a whimsical idea from Byron. “It was Brandon’s idea. I remember distinctly, Brandon walking up to me after Aimee Meader’s senior portfolio class and he was like ‘we should start a podcast about music.’ I came up with the name, but it was his idea,” said Matonic. Despite the idea being mentioned in passing, the two went full speed ahead, making social media accounts, spotify playlists to go along with each episode and getting other people involved. “We commissioned one of our friends-Alexis Howard- to design the logo. We've been utilizing our friends who are artists. We've really been trying to make this a collaborative effort, not just between Brandon and me, but between others in the art community in Rock Hill,” said Matonic. JUMP HERE The work does not stop at the collaboration, recording and research about music. Loads of time goes into the producing of the podcast before it is ready to be published as the unique layering of sounds that the listener hears behind Byron and Matonic’s commentary. “Recording takes... I’d say an hour and a half to two hours. I do the editing of the show and if i'm really getting into it, it might take one day or two days… it's a really rigorous process, Byron said. The pairing was not a random one, the two friends originally bonded over music and continue to do so through the show. “Since we've become friends all we talked about is music in the first place. We both seem to have very versatile yet close cut taste in music,” said Byron of their friendship, and of their collaborative efforts. “He also has a lot more insight than I would on my own so I’m glad to have him along. We make a great team, I think. He’s also amazing with social media and with branding and marketing.” Byron said. Matonic said that he feels the same way about Byron. “He is a talented producer and I'm happy to be working with him. It’s not always easy to collaborate with your friends, but i think Brandon and I kind of come from the same mindset,” said Matonic. Byron said that the main goal of the podcast is to have fun and learn. “I really want to explore our expertise in media and in communications, via editing or media marketing and I think it's coming together well and we are just teaching ourselves a little more on how to create something that others will enjoy,” Byron said. The pair said that what they are doing with the podcast aligns with what they would like to do with their careers. “I definitely would like to see myself do some audio engineering. I have really grown to love and be proud of the work I've done on this first and the second episode. Its nice to see your friends give such genuine compliments on your work,” said Byron. Matonic said this podcast will help him with his career goals as well. “I wanted to be like a music critic or a theatre critic or a culture critic for a while, so it's exciting to have a platform to do that,” said Matonic. Although both Matonic and Byron are graduating next month, and Matonic is moving to Greensboro to work in public relations for Elsewhere Museum - a “living museum”, the pair plan to continue on with their podcast. “I'm excited to see where this goes. Even if we go in different directions or move to different places there's still a way to make this podcast work,” said Byron.
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