This is the free episode — the full conversation is available exclusively for Producer Pal subscribers on Patreon: patreon.com/producerpoints🛒 Production templates & more: SoundBetter | Patreon TemplatesIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Alexis Kesselman, aka Idarose — an artist, producer, and songwriter based in New York whose credits span pop, film, and K-pop. She co-wrote "Glimpse of Us" by Joji, a record that went number one globally. She wrote and produced "Death of Me" for Naomi Scott's character in Smile 2. And right now, her production on Bella Kay's "IloveitIloveitIloveit" is everywhere. Every time it comes up in a playlist, you feel it immediately — that intimacy, that restraint, that room sound. This is how she's doing it.🎶 Song deep dives:"Death of Me" by Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) — writing for a character in a film, building the production, vocal chain, sidechain choices, and what she's most proud of in the record"IloveitIloveitIloveit" by Bella Kay — origin of the song, the recording technique behind that in-the-room intimacy, vocal layering, and why there are no drums (full deep dive on Patreon)🎛️ We explore:Growing up in South Florida, studying film scoring at the University of Miami, and finding her way into pop songwritingCo-writing "Glimpse of Us" in 2019, then taking LSAT practice tests during the pandemic before the song came out and changed everythingSigning to Warner/Chappell, moving to New York, and doing a year of musical theater writing at Berklee's NYC programWhy New York works for her as a producer in a way it wouldn't if she were only a songwriterHer approach to vocal production, arrangement, and building sonic spacePlug or Unplug: Output Portal, Weiss DS1-MK3, Keyscape, UADx Studer A800, Tube-Tech CL 1B, CLA Vocals, UAD 1176 Rev A🔗 Follow & Listen:Idarose: @idarosemusicJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist

This is the free episode — the full conversation is available exclusively for Producer Pal subscribers on Patreon: patreon.com/producerpointsIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Collin Pastore and Jake Finch — a Nashville-based producer-writer duo quietly behind some of the best-sounding indie and alternative records of the last few years. From boygenius and Lucy Dacus to Ashe, Julien Baker, and Suki Waterhouse, their productions share a rawness and honesty that feels live, human, and never overcooked. Two studios, one shared vision, and a philosophy built around capturing real performances.🎶 Song deep dives:"Lost Time" by Lucy Dacus — vocal layering, dry mic choices, drum recording and processing, and the production decisions behind one of the most honest-sounding records in recent memory"I Wanna Love You (But I Don't)" by Ashe — main guitar, synths, real drums vs. samples, and the writing and production techniques that shape the track (full deep dive on Patreon)🎛️ We explore:How Collin and Jake linked up at Berklee, landed in Nashville, and tricked Sony into letting them co-produce their first EPTheir philosophy on raw-sounding records — minimal processing, unprecious mic choices, and letting performances breatheHow they built two complementary studios and why bouncing between a live room and a dead mix room works in their favorDrum samples, compression, and why audio school got it wrongMix bus approach, go-to plugins, and their vintage 414 vocal chainPlug or Unplug: UADx Sound City Studios, LA-2A, Waves R-Vox, Space Echo RE-201, AEA R88, UAD 1176 Rev A, and CLA Vocals🔗 Follow & Listen:Collin Pastore: @collinpastoreJake Finch: @jakelfishJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist🛒 SoundBetter | Patreon Templates

Got it — here it is:🎧 Gian Stone on Vocal Production, "Stuck with U," and Making Pop at the Highest Level🎙️ This is the free episode — the full conversation is available exclusively for Producer Pal subscribers on Patreon: patreon.com/producerpointsIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Gian Stone — a Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, and vocal producer whose sharp ears and instinctive taste have helped shape some of the biggest pop records of the last decade. From topping the Billboard Hot 100 Producer Chart in 2020 to crafting hits for Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, the Jonas Brothers, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, Meghan Trainor, Le Sserafim, and more, Gian has built a reputation as one of pop's most trusted and versatile creative voices.🎶 Song deep dives:"Like It's Christmas" by Jonas Brothers — the origin of the track, making it more "Jonas Brothers-y," and how a piano demo became a guitar-driven holiday staple"Stuck with U" by Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber — how the song went from a session with Scooter to Ariana to Bieber in a week, and the production choices behind a #1 hit🎛️ We explore:Gian's journey from drumming in NYC bands to sleeping on studio floors in LA to working at the highest level of popHow his partnership with producer Jason Evigan shaped his careerHis philosophy on vocal production — coaching artists, getting the best take, and knowing when less is moreBalancing production, songwriting, and vocal production as equal craftsGear and go-to tools: Neumann U87, SSL 4000 G+, Valhalla Vintage Verb, Omnisphere, and morePlug or Unplug: Apulsoft splitS, Goodhertz Lossy, CLA Vocals, and his plugin cheat code🔗 Follow & Listen:Gian Stone: @gianstoneJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist

🎙️ Season 3 of Producer Points starts May 20th — and this one's different.Full episodes this season are exclusive to our Producer Pal community on Patreon. And we're not just talking episodes — Producer Pals get preset drops with real files and the philosophy behind them, AMA threads where you can ask Justin directly, extended cuts with the stuff that doesn't make the main edit, process breakdowns covering everything from vocal stacks to session organization, and early access to guest question submissions. It's the behind-the-curtain layer for people who are serious about making records.We've been working hard behind the scenes, and we're bringing you a stacked lineup of guests, deep conversations, and something new: roundtables. Got a topic you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments.Huge love to Nathan Rebello and Elijah Sheppard for helping make this happen. Make sure to check out their artist projects.Season 3 drops May 20th. See you there.🔗 Become a Producer Pal: Patreon📺 YouTube: @ProducerPoints📸 Instagram: @producer_points | @justin_gammella

🎧 Roundtable: The Future of Indie Plugin Design with Purafied & Nudist AudioThere’s a new wave of plugin makers changing the landscape of modern music production. From boutique developers to full-fledged software houses, indie creators are building tools that rival the biggest names in the game — and often do it with more innovation, personality, and passion.In this roundtable, Justin sits down with two of the most exciting independent developers shaping that movement:Sam from Purafied Audio — known for forward-thinking mixing and mastering tools used by pros worldwide.Caleb from Nudist Audio — a rising developer pushing creative boundaries with analog-inspired plugins that bring warmth, imperfection, and vibe.🎛️ We explore:How indie plugin companies are competing with giants like Waves and UADThe art and business of pricing plugins fairlyOversampling, sound quality, and performance trade-offsAI’s role in the next wave of music production toolsWhat it takes to turn a coding idea into a creative tool musicians love💡 Plus: behind-the-scenes stories of what it’s really like building a plugin company from scratch — from sound design to customer feedback to surviving as a small business.🔗 Follow & Listen:Purafied Audio: Website | @purafiedaudioNudist Audio: Website | @nudist_audioJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🎧 Jon Buscema on Building Devon Again’s Sound & Chasing What Inspires HimIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Jon Buscema — a producer and songwriter whose sharp instincts and trend-leading style have helped shape the next wave of alt-pop. From his early days fronting KNGDAVD to now producing for Devon Again, UPSAHL, King Mala, Emei, and more, Jon has built a reputation for bold, left-of-center productions that push boundaries while staying rooted in taste.🎶 Song deep dives:“Deep” by Devon Again — intimate yet playful production, acoustic guitar layering, vocal treatment, and ear-candy choices that define her sound“Cherry Cola” by Devon Again — groove, quirky sound design, guitar tones, and how he built the track’s playful punch🎛️ We explore:How Jon transitioned from frontman to full-time producerBuilding creative trust with artists like Devon Again & UPSAHLGear talk: guitars, drum sounds, and go-to pluginsWhy chasing inspiration (not trends) has fueled his career growthAdvice for producers on trusting taste and taking creative risks🔗 Follow & Listen:Jon Buscema: @jonbuscemaJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🎧 Gavin Chops on Live Drumming, Love Language & Running Pack RecordsIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Gavin Chops — a drummer, DJ, artist, and entrepreneur whose versatility has made him one of the most dynamic forces in today’s music scene. From touring as a live drummer to DJing clubs, co-founding Pack Records & Pack Publishing, and launching the artist project Love Language, Gavin has built a career that bridges performance, artistry, and business.He’s also currently leading Artist Relations at Vault.fm, a fast-rising music tech startup building new opportunities for creators.🎶 Song deep dive:“Midnight” by Love Language ft. Holiday87 & JONES — the collaboration, production layers, and sonic choices that shaped the track🎛️ We explore:Gavin’s journey from live drumming to DJing to artist/producerBuilding Pack Records & Pack Publishing from the ground upThe evolution of Love Language and its collaborationsGear favorites: Moog Subsequent 37, Fender Jaguar, Strymon Timeline & moreWhy versatility is key to building a lasting career in music🔗 Follow & Listen:Gavin Chops: @gavinchopsLove Language: @lovelanguage.musicPack Records: @pack.recsVault.fm: @vaultdotfmJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🎧 How Andrew J. Gomez Made Guitars Slam for Knox & Drums Smack for John HarvieIn this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Andrew J. Gomez — a producer, songwriter, and member of the band LOYALS whose work has been shaping the sound of modern alt-pop and rock. From gritty guitars to punchy drums, Andrew’s productions bring edge and immediacy to every record. His credits include Knox, John Harvie, Games We Play, girlfriends, Caroline Romano, Spencer Jordan, and more.🎶 Song deep dives:“Bleach (On The Rocks)” by John Harvie — raw vocal grit, dynamic guitar tones, and blending real drums with trap elements“Lost Cause” by John Harvie — pocket-driven grooves, sonic shifts, and balancing emotion with big production moves🎛️ We explore:How Andrew adapts his production to different artist identitiesGuitar layering, tones, and the art of making them slamDrum programming and mixing choices that cut throughGear and plugins from Neural DSP to Chase Bliss pedalsThe balance between producer life and band life with LOYALS🔗 Follow & Listen:Andrew J. Gomez: LinkJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

The Sync Episode! — Producer Points Roundtable on Licensing for Film, TV & AdsSync licensing has become one of the most powerful ways for artists, songwriters, and producers to get their music heard. A single placement on a hit show, movie trailer, or national ad campaign can change a career overnight — but breaking into that world isn’t easy.In this roundtable, Justin brings together three guests with deep experience in sync to break down how it really works:Lowen (Emily Kopp) ( @earthtolowen ) — artist, songwriter, and producer with placements on HBO, Disney, and HuluJeremy Silver ( @iamjeremysilver ) — songwriter/producer with cuts for Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé, and a long track record of major syncsDaniel Dávila ( @itsdanieldavila ) — Grammy-nominated engineer, producer, and songwriter with credits for TXT, Katy Perry, and Robert Glasper, plus extensive sync work for TV and brands🎛️ We explore:How to read a sync brief (and know when not to send)Building connections with music supervisors, publishers, and agenciesThe business side — splits, fees, and red flags in contractsBalancing sync writing with artist identityTrends in sync placements for 2025 and beyond💡 Plus: listener questions on pitching, catalog strategy, and what makes music truly sync-friendly.🔗 Follow & Listen:Justin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🎧 Unlike Pluto on “Everything Black,” Finding His Voice & Releasing 11 Albums Since 2019In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Unlike Pluto (Armond Arabshahi) — a producer-turned-artist whose creative evolution has made him one of the most prolific and boundary-pushing voices in modern music. After his breakout hit “Everything Black” with Mike Taylor, Unlike Pluto stepped out from behind the boards to become the vocalist and driving force of his own project. Since 2019, he’s released 11 albums and countless singles, proving that relentless creativity can reshape an artist’s identity.🎶 Song deep dives:​“Everything Black” (Unlike Pluto ft. Mike Taylor) — the origin story, bass and drop design, production choices, and how the song has aged over time​“Boom” (Unlike Pluto) — messy clean guitars, bold vocal layers, and sonic risks that made the track hit hard🎛️ We explore:​The transition from EDM producer with features to full-fledged artist​How he’s built systems to release music at an incredible pace​Favorite gear and plugins (from Soothe2 to Pigments to ShaperBox)​Balancing quality and quantity while staying emotionally connected to the work​Why community, fans, and live performance fuel his creative drive🔗 Follow & Listen:Unlike Pluto: @unlikeplutoJustin Gammella: @justin_gammellaProducer Points: @producer_pointsTikTok: @producer.points🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts