Negative Players - Banjo, Beats and Indie Music - The Lorenzo's Music Podcast
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In this episode of Lorenzo’s Music Podcast, I meet Jonathan, the person behind the band Negative Players, a self-proclaimed “hypothetical indie rock band” from southwest Michigan.
Jonathan’s initial vision to create music with family evolved into this solo endeavor. He discusses the creative process behind his music, drawing inspiration from iconic bands like The Beatles and 90s indie rock such as Sonic Youth and Pavement. He talks about songwriting, including his recent forays into banjo and ukulele, and how these instruments have influenced his sound.
Jonathan also tells me about recording in the DAW, Ableton Live, and using his methods for programming drums and arranging tracks. We talk about the challenges of being a solo artist in a band-centric world and the online platforms like Mastodon and its community in promoting his work.
Key Takeaways
- Music production techniques
- Use of unconventional instruments like banjo and ukulele
- Recording process and studio setup
- Music promotion and online community
- Creative inspiration and songwriting process
Links Mentioned
- Ableton Live https://www.ableton.com
- Becoming Led Zeppelin (Documentary) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10365912
Connect with Negative Players
- Negative Players on Mastodon musician.social/@negativeplayers
- Negative Players Website negativeplayers.com
This episode was recorded on June 7, 2026. Special thanks to Jonathan of Negative Players for sharing his insights and experiences with me.
Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video above.