musicians institute

10 unsigned pop-punk bands you’ll wish you had discovered sooner

Pop punk‘s not dead. Do we have to say it again? Though the genre’s mostly fallen out of the mainstream spotlight, there are still a number of new bands who are making their contributions. And thanks to the rise of streaming platforms, they don’t need to be signed to a major label to gain traction. […]

Hang with Beartooth, get inside look at music business with free APMAs industry events

The APMAs are pleased to announce the inclusion of two bonus events surrounding the main awards event, both of which are free and open to the public. The Musicians Institute Conversation Series Presents: Beartooth and Creative Live x APMAs Educational Conference will offer attendees an educational look inside the current state of the music industry. […]

Andy Biersack talks about his "autobiographical" new album with John Feldmann

In the final episode of the Andy Biersack and John Feldmann conversation, presented by Musicians Institute, the two talk about songwriting and making new music. Feldmann says that inspiration can strike at any moment. “I always have a recorder by my bed, because a lot of times it'll be four in the morning and I'll wake […]

John Feldmann and Andy Biersack talk about collabs on Andy Black album, including Gerard & Mikey Way

In the second part of our MI Conversation with Andy Biersack and John Feldmann, the two talk about their experiences putting together the upcoming Andy Black album and some of the guests who will appear on it. Biersack talks about how his voice changed through different Black Veil Brides albums, as he improved his vocal […]

"Who the f%&* is Andy Biersack?"—John Feldmann and Andy Black tell us how they met

Welcome to part one of our MI Conversation with Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides, Andy Black) and John Feldmann (producer: The Used, Andy Black, All Time Low)!  APTV host Ryan J. Downey guides us through the history of the artists' meeting—or, rather, the first time Feldmann saw Biersack from afar at a Black Veil Brides […]

Hear Brendon Urie's weirdest fan experience, how ADHD affects his life, more

Brendon Urie answers students' questions in this episode of the APTV Musicians Institute Conversation series, and the answers get pretty interesting. Early on, he talks about growing up with ADHD, and how the disorder has benefitted his music career in Panic! At The Disco. “It definitely affects everything I do,” says Urie. “It now has […]

Brendon Urie talks about jazz music, scariest memory and his writing process

Brendon Urie answers students’ questions in this episode of the APTV Musician’s Institute Conversations series, hosted by Ryan J. Downey. Urie talked about his writing process, and says that he gets inspired from lunch conversations with friends, jokes and other songs he listens to. “I listen to a lot of music, and I haven’t even […]

Watch Brendon Urie hit impossibly high notes, tell the story of his first meeting Pete Wentz

The second part of our Conversation with Panic! At The Disco at the Musician’s Institute kicks off with early discovery of Panic! At The Disco during the days of MySpace and Purevolume. “We had a couple demos on Purevolume, and we emailed a link to someone that we thought, you know, ‘can this person get it […]

Brendon Urie talks about his hardcore roots, going to junkyard shows, avoiding crew brawls

In the latest APTV MI Conversation Series video, hosted by Ryan J. Downey, Brendon Urie talked about growing up in a religious home, playing in high school bands and forming what eventually became Panic! At The Disco. Urie listened to a variety of music growing up, including Weezer, Bush and Alanis Morissette. Later, he got […]

Good Charlotte talk reuniting, growing up at Musicians Institute

The final video of Good Charlotte’s conversation at the Musician’s Institute kicks off with the topic of the music press. Joel Madden describes press being hostile by nature.  “I wonder if this person is going to take this back and harm me with it,” he says. “These words, I wonder how they’re gonna use them. You […]

Good Charlotte and Jessie J share advice on getting into the music industry

In part five of our Good Charlotte Musicians Institute Conversation Series, which features a guest appearance by Jessie J, we open up questions to the audience who inquire about touring, band life and the industry ins-and-outs. The video kicks off with a student’s question about allocating jobs and picking your crew members when going on […]

Good Charlotte answer fans' questions about mainstream music, booking shows and building a fanbase

Fans of Good Charlotte get the opportunity to ask Joel Madden and Dean Butterworth questions in this APTV MI Conversations Series episode, hosted by Ryan J. Downey. When someone asked about mainstream and underground music, Madden had an uplifting answer. “There's the question of authenticity,” he said. “There's no right or wrong… there are people who […]

Good Charlotte reveal thoughts on music industry and their upcoming album

Dean Butterworth and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte give their thoughts on the state of the music industry and what led to their impending, new album in the latest APTV MI Conversation Series episode, hosted by Ryan J. Downey. Both Butterworth and Madden believe it's important to be respectful to new musicians. “You have to […]

Good Charlotte discuss their inspirations, origins and rise to fame

In the latest APTV MI Conversations Series video, hosted by Ryan J. Downey, Dean Butterworth and Joel Madden talk about their musical inspirations, the beginning of Good Charlotte and the band's rise to fame. The two have wildly different backgrounds. While Butterworth grew up in England, Madden and his brother grew up in a rural […]

MI Conversation Series with Sleeping With Sirens

Sleeping With Sirens are the latest artists to participate in our MI Conversation series where AP Senior Editor Ryan J. Downey goes in-depth with the band in front of a live audience. Each member of the band talks about their musical origins: early influences,  introductions to music, how they started playing, first bands, old local scenes […]

The MI Conversation Series continues with an in-depth interview with Falling In Reverse

The third installment in the MI Conversation Series, hosted by AP’s West Coast Editor, Ryan J. Downey, is here!  In this candid, often hilarious, and revealing long form interview in front of a live audience, Ronnie Radke and the rest of the men of Falling In Reverse detail their rise to fame, from fledgling fans […]

Motionless In White join the conversation at Musicians Institute

On March 12, Motionless In White sat down with AP's Ryan J. Downey in front of an audience of Musicians Institute students for AltPress’ second participation in the MI Conversation series. The band discuss their backstory and how each member came to be a musician—among other things. Watch the full interview, and let us know your […]

Watch Black Veil Brides Kick Off Our MI Conversation Series

On January 27, Black Veil Brides sat down with AP West Coast Editor Ryan J. Downey in front of an audience of Musicians Institute students for AltPress’ inaugural participation in the MI Conversation series.  The band delve into their career and the challenges they've faced, explaining how they have overcome hurdles, kept a firm hold on their […]