420. Shevy Smith, A True Artist, An Inspiration, and a Heart of Gold!

Shevy Smith, a Los Angeles-based composer and producer, embarked on her illustrious career by signing a publishing deal as a teenager with Froehlig-Palmer Music/ Famous Music in Nashville.

A recipient of the prestigious ProMax Gold award and an Emmy-nominated producer/composer, Shevy’s influence extends beyond the realm of music.

In 2019, she joined forces with Khalid Jones to establish Elite Shout, a creative firm dedicated to leveraging emerging technology for groundbreaking opportunities in the music industry. Ultimate Playlist, the first-of-its-kind music discovery app, was launched in 2023 in partnership with the Arizona Lottery.

Transitioning from a staff writer and college touring artist, Shevy’s journey led her to the west coast in 2008, where she became the visionary force behind Forte Poesy—a groundbreaking music education program focused on empowering youth through the art of songwriting and musicianship.

Her innovative curriculum reached across the globe, implemented in public and private schools in iconic cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and London.

Simultaneously, Shevy showcased versatility by writing, voicing, producing, and engineering numerous national TV and film campaigns for major networks like ABC, NBC, Soapnet, and ESPN.

Shevy is the Board Co-President for the Afghan Women’s Writing Project and a proud member of the Alliance of Women Film Composers. For more on Shevy’s extraordinary journey, visit www.shevysmith.com.

www.shevysmith.com

https://www.ultimateplaylist.app

 

Please subscribe James Youtube channel here!

https://tinylink.net/XSGqL

Featured song for this episode is “Ride On”, check it out on Spotify here

 https://open.spotify.com/track/5VQzjlHv7qZzyZIOSGkhjU?si=eb0d5a683f2e43d8

For a custom-branded song you can reach James at

james@thejamesoconnoragency.com

If you wish to have an appointment with James about coaching, use this link.

www.calendly.com/dharmic

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Thank you for doing this my friends!

415. Shez Mehra, Taking Us Back To The Present, Which Is All About Appreciating Sound, and Music!

Shez Mehra is an award-winning creative entrepreneur, founder, strategic advisor, producer, and DJ. He specializes in audio branding, partnerships, entertainment, and experience design for some of the most celebrated brands and organizations in the world.

Establishing his career in audio and sound as an open-format DJ, Shez formed his global-facing perspective on the power of music and how the manipulation of sound and experience can alter people’s behaviors.

He traveled the world extensively as an open-format DJ and performed at events for John Legend, The Weeknd, Usher, Lady Gaga, TIFF, Montreal Grand Prix, Paris Fashion Week, and LVMH, to name a few. During this time, Shez also worked as a producer, creating music with artists like Drake and Clipse, and is decorated as one of North America’s top open-format DJs.

Applying his knowledge of events and culture led Shez to establish The 194 Group, a firm that helps organizations produce live experiences, engage audiences and amplify brands.

The 194 Group has helped create many amazing experiences, working alongside brands like Four Seasons, Google, Mastercard, Nike, BMW, Aston Martin, MLS, Rolls Royce, Harley-Davidson, Samsung, Shopify, TEDx, and more.

Songtradr is the world’s largest B2B music company, delivering the only full-stack solution for all business music needs.

We’re on a mission to change the music industry for good through technology, creativity, and transparency. Trusted by global businesses, agencies, and labels, our fully integrated products and services help amplify brands while enabling artists and rights holders to realize the full potential of their catalog.

Whether with a classic song or a trending tune, a global music strategy or a sonic identity, we help translate ideas into powerful, ROI-driven solutions to ensure content always hits the right note.

With the acquisition of Big Sync Music in 2019, Song Zu and MassiveMusic in 2021, and 7Digital in 2023, The Songtradr Group has become the largest network of music specialists for brands and advertising in the world.

Thanks to our combined expertise, we offer a holistic music solution for brands and advertising agencies, ranging from strategizing the use of music and developing sonic identities for brands, to providing music creative, selection, and custom music creation, through to the negotiation and procurement of global hit songs for major advertising campaigns.

Our approach balances the creative process with data-informed decisions providing clients with music-optimized content.

 

Shez’s Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shezmehra/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://www.songtradr.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shezmehra?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B%2FvEIFdW%2BTJGdOu9%2Bscn%2FXg%3D%3D

http://audiobranding.ca/

http://rainamusic.com/

shez.mehra@songtradr.com

 

Please subscribe James Youtube channel here!

https://tinylink.net/XSGqL

 

Featured song for this episode is “Ride On”, check it out on Spotify here

https://open.spotify.com/track/5VQzjlHv7qZzyZIOSGkhjU?si=eb0d5a683f2e43d8

 

For a custom-branded song you can reach James at

james@thejamesoconnoragency.com

 

If you wish to have an appointment with James about coaching, use this link.

www.calendly.com/dharmic

Apple podcast review link

Please leave us a 5 Star review, its easy to do, and really helps us out to grow the show!

https://digitalhealthtoday.com/support/how-to-review-itunes/

Thank you for doing this my friends!

412. Dani Felt, CEO of Music Industry Mastery, TV Show Producer, Author & Artist.

Dani Felt is a Philadelphia-born artist who has adapted her music life in Music City. Her metamorphosis from singer/songwriter genre to the pop genre has exceeded the expectations of many. Felt spins tales of twisted love, dark secrets, and haunted stories. The dark pop sound of her music compliments her powerful and seductive voice.

Felt will release her debut pop single “Queen” in August 2020. She has made a statement with her bold personality and hardcore vibe, a far cry from her early musical upbringings in musical theatre. This fierce woman has taken a daring direction with her new music and emulates the alternative pop sound.

Queen is a representation of what every woman wants to be… and Dani is cheering all the ladies on. “We all want to feel empowered, embrace our sexuality with confidence and I want to show women that they can.” – Dani Felt

Felt’s new single “Queen” is a forthcoming alternative/pop single that pulls no punches in its towering Imagine Dragons-inspired production and empowering message about women taking charge, both in the bedroom and in life. “

‘Queen’ captures my alter-ego. I have always been seen as the nice girl, so I wanted to write a song that explores my own power and sends a message to men that women can be in charge.”

In addition to working on her solo career, Dani has made a name for herself in the music industry as an artist coach along with running one of the most progressive music industry networks for business.

The bold and daring new single is only a taste of what’s to come from the brand new Dani Felt who is about to take the pop world by storm.

Dani Felt

Singer/Songwriter

CEO of music marketing agency: Music Industry Mastery

TV Show Producer, Author, Course Creator, Business Coach

Dani’s Links:

https://instagram.com/danifeltinspires

https://www.instagram.com/danifeltmusic/

https://danifelt.com/

https://musicindustrymastery.com/

https://musicindustryaccess.com/

https://danifeltmusic.com/

 

 

Please subscribe James Youtube channel here!

https://tinylink.net/XSGqL

Featured song for this episode is “Ride On”, check it out on Spotify here

 https://open.spotify.com/track/5VQzjlHv7qZzyZIOSGkhjU?si=eb0d5a683f2e43d8

For a custom-branded song you can reach James at

james@thejamesoconnoragency.com

If you wish to have an appointment with James about coaching, use this link.

www.calendly.com/dharmic

Apple podcast review link

Please leave us a 5 Star review, its easy to do, and really helps us out to grow the show!

https://digitalhealthtoday.com/support/how-to-review-itunes/

Thank you for doing this my friends!

406. Thanksgiving with Gratitude

In this episode James draws parrallells with observing Gratitude, and also playing several iterations of the title track of his 2018 full length album release “Gratitude”

You can check out James and his music at the following locations.

www.jameskevinoconnor.com

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jmOLr0hFpCtTlIlIx6V7p

https://soundcloud.com/user-58326100/tracks

Please subscribe James Youtube channel here!

https://tinylink.net/XSGqL

You can hear the Mastered WAV file of “Gratitude”

right here:

 

For a custom-branded song you can reach James at

james@thejamesoconnoragency.com

 

If you wish to have an appointment with James about coaching, use this link.

www.calendly.com/dharmic

Apple podcast review link

Please leave us a 5 Star review, its easy to do, and really helps us out to grow the show!

https://digitalhealthtoday.com/support/how-to-review-itunes/

Thank you for doing this my friends!

371. Dave Combs Strikes Gold With Rachel’s Song, One Song, One Great Career!

A native of Erwin, Tennessee, Dave Combs grew up in a family that enjoyed making music. Both of his parents and his grandmother Combs played the piano, which began his musical journey that included being a church choir director and pianist.

After college, Dave move to Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he served as Minister of Music at a church while working as a computer programmer at a Fortune 500 company.

His songwriting began with the now popular standard, Rachel’s Song, which was arranged and recorded by Gary Prim in 1986. 

Since then, Dave has written over 120 songs and recorded 15 albums of soft, soothing, and relaxing instrumental music that has touched the lives of millions around the world.

An article written by Dave about how music has changed his life and touched the lives of millions of people appeared in Guideposts magazine. Click here to see the article.

A multitude of inspiring stories about Dave’s lifelong journey with his music can be found in his best-selling biographical book, Touched by the Music: How the Story and Music of “Rachel’s Song” Can Change Your Life.

Dave and his wife, Linda, live in Winston-Salem.

https://www.combsmusic.com/about/

Featured song for this episode is “Ride On”, check it out on Spotify here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5VQzjlHv7qZzyZIOSGkhjU?si=eb0d5a683f2e43d8

To set up an exploratory coaching call with James, reach out at www.calendly.com/dharmic
Only serious coaching candidates please!

Apple podcast review link, please leave us a 5 Star review and a great line or two!

How to leave a rating or review for a podcast from your iPhone or iPad

364. Rosanne Baker Thornley, New Album, “Sorry I’m Late” is a Smash!

Rosanne Baker Thornley Rocks the house on this interview and visits with me to talk about her new song that is the title track for her new album “Sorry I’m Late” 

https://open.spotify.com/track/79nrAnVt6KkTcX143tWr9g?si=268655f97a604caf

We get deep into one of my favorite topics, songwriting, going deep and finding the colors inside of yourself so you can transform them into a beautiful sonic landscape and splash them all over someones heart………

 

“I love that I am able to step behind artists’ eyes and write songs from many perspectives and genres. From singer-songwriter to punk, I have a long history of collaborating, performing and writing. I lean in to understand the hearts of the artists who are sitting in front of me.”

Through listening, Rosanne lifts the artistry of the original artist/songwriters she works with such as – Justin Nozuka, Tyler Shaw, Ryland James, Jordan John, Paul Woida, Julian Taylor, Robb Torres, Mikalyn, Andrew Allen, Shannon Dooks, Ken Yates, Colin MacDonald (Trews), Havelin, Poesy, Vicki Brittle.

340. Elyssa Vulpes, Italy, Scotland, New Zealand, Idealistic & Music follows!

Alyssa Vulpes









Elyssa Vulpes is a globe-trotting multi-instrumentalist indie folk musician with over a dozen albums under her belt. Having cured her anxieties (including stage fright) through a combination of her day job as a mindset, performance and artist coach and writing and performing music, Elyssa hopes to inspire others to release their “scorpion energy” – confronting their fears and regularly shedding skins.

Ellysa Vulpes is meditative yet motivational, with not only a classic singer-songwriter style but elements of Neo-folk, Indie-rock and Americana.

Born in Italy, now based in Scotland and New Zealand her music revolves around themes of life’s suffering, hope and transformation.

 Soaking up the cultural elements of these disparate places, from the Celtic Folk Traditions of Ireland and Scotland to the celebrated Italian singer-songwriters of the 1970s, her music showcases a variety of musical hues that go from sombre to comedic. Influences include Amanda Palmer, Neko Case and Martha Wainwright.

So strap up your seatbelts and let’s take a ride to New Zealand on this episode of the dHarmic Evolution podcast.

As a Preview

Elyssa Vulpes is a captivating and fabulous artist and guest, just listen to the story as we speak to our most eclectic artist ever on the show. Having lived in Italy, Scotland and now New Zealand, you can say so about her. We talk about her experiences in each of these countries, her initial foray into music, how her first marriage helped her discover a new genre of music she loves, her close shot at stardom, coaching, her favorite instrument and a whole lot of others, all here on the dHarmic Evolution Podcast.

 More about Elyssa Vulpes

Find out more about Elyssa and hear her music through different platforms. All the links are provided below! Check out her website, social media pages and music platforms that you can visit.

Quotes

“A home is not  necessarily a country for me but basically wherever I am”-Elyssa.

“The architecture needs to be good because I really have a thing for architecture, I need to live in a place that looks good” -Elyssa.

“Hear yourself! Who is ever going to be interested in a mourning person” -Elyssa.

“Some artists feel nervous, even though the music is going good, because of their nervousness they don’t do well” -Elyssa.

“Voice is my first and always will be my first instrument” -Elyssa.

“Focus on what you want and not what you don’t want” -Elyssa.

Time Stamps

02:42 How does Elyssa have multiple accents

03:57 Elyssa’s Italian roots

05:03 How Elyssa’s first marriage introduced her to electric music

06:01 Elyssa’s dive into comedy

07:13 Elyssa’s collaboration album

07:24 Elyssa’s band

08:26 James’ love for comedy

09:15 Listen to Attrazione by Elyssa

12:46 The background between the Attrazione 

14:50 How did Elyssa get into Celtic music

15:52 Elyssa’s time at Scotland

17:10 Elyssa’s love for Edinburgh

17:22 Why Elyssa’s rejected her admission to study Celtics

18:27 Why Elyssa’s one shot of fame failed

20:10 How did Elyssa choose to relocate to Scotland

21:30 The music scene at New Zealand

24:04 Gigs at New Zealand

25:20 What is Elyssa currently doing

25:45 Listen to Where have all the good guys gone by Elyssa

30:01 The background behind Where have all the good guys gone

31:45 The musical composition behind Where have all the good guys gone

34:30 How Elyssa creatively saved the day while composing where have all the good guys gone

35:25 Elyssa’s new book “Dare to be Seen”

35:40 About Elysaa’s upcoming book

37:32 How Elyssa uses her day job to recondition her mind and become a better musician

39:41 Elyssa’s podcast

41:10 What is Elyssa currently working on?

42:32 What is Elyssa’s favourite instrument

44:10 Where to connect most with Elyssa?

44:48 Elyssa’s parting words

45:50 Listen to “Ride On” from James Kevin O’Connor

Spotify Playlist:

Make sure you’re not missing out on all our “Rising dHarmic Stars Spotify Playlists”. We already have four (4) playlists where you can find over a hundred songs from our very own dHarmic Evolution alumni. Don’t forget to share them with your family and friends as well and let the world support these amazing indie artists! Check out the links here:

dHarmic Rising Stars: Aquila

dHarmic Rising Stars: Orion

dHarmic Rising Stars: Lyra

dHarmic Rising Stars: Scorpius

dHarmic Evolution links:

 Stay up-to-date with our new releases! You just simply need to go to dharmicevolution.com and subscribe to your favorite podcast platform – there are a lot to choose from! Let me know what you think as well by leaving comments or reviews! And if you’re digging this show, please share it with somebody either on social media or just forward it to a friend and let them join the growing community of dHarmic Evolution!

 Hey, do you know someone who is suffering from anxiety and depression? Please help them out by suggesting the book “7 Steps to Mental Freedom.” It will be a great read for them. You can easily find it as well on the main page of the website or you can just send them to 7stepstomentalfreedom.com

 Keep yourself updated with what’s going on with dHarmic evolution; check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dharmicevolution and, if you are an artist, an author, or a keynote speaker, who is trying to find a safe place to post your content to, you can check out our own Facebook community page and let the world support you! Check out the link here: dHarmic Evolution Community. 

Special Links and Mentions

Celtic music

Folk revival of  Music in the 70s

Attrazione Facile by Elyssa

Where have all the good guys gone by Elyssa

The Incredible String Band

Interrail Trip

Edinburgh, Scotland

Ride On by James

Connect with Elyssa

Website

Soundcloud

Spotify

Youtube

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Coaching

Free “Dare to Be Seen” Book