Episode 021 Mike Shinoda

Summary

• Mike Shinoda is a musician, record producer, and artist best known as the rapper, principle songwriter, keyboardist, rhythm guitarist, and one of the two vocalists of the rock band Linkin Park.
• He is also a solo rapper in his side project Fort Minor and has collaborated with Jay Z and Depeche Mode.
• He has provided artwork, production, and mixing for all of his projects.
• He studied illustration at Art Center College of Design and has done his own art installations.
• He started the band as a hobby after high school and has a unique perspective on being a celebrity.
• He founded Musicforrelief.org, a nonprofit that has raised millions of dollars for survivors of natural disasters.
• Linkin Park was formed out of a love for music, not with the intention of becoming famous or rich.
• Mike Shinoda felt disconnected from the people who were there for fame and celebrity when attending awards shows.
• The band's new album, "The Hunting Party," was inspired by a lack of edgy, aggressive rock music on the radio.
• The band members were friends from high school and college, and Chester was found through a mutual friend.
• Warner Brothers signed the band after they convinced them to do a demo deal.
• The record company wanted to give the band a gimmick, such as dressing the DJ in a lab coat and cowboy hat.
• Chester and Mike resisted the record company's attempts to change the band's sound and direction.
• Mike Shinoda and Linkin Park faced a record label that wanted to change their sound and image to fit a certain mold.
• The band stood up to the label and demanded to make the album they wanted to make, or the label would put them in record label limbo.
• When the single “One Step Closer” was released, the label tested it by seeing if radio stations would play it and gauging the response.
• The band also worked hard to build a connection with their fans by touring and talking to them in person.
• When they met with the label, they were 19 and presented an instruction manual on how to work with their band.
• Mike Shinoda advises new musicians to be aware of subtle changes that partners may suggest that are not in line with the artist’s goals.
• Mike Shinoda discusses how editors can change the tone of a piece of writing with subtle word changes.
• He also talks about how social media can help to correct any misinterpretations of what was said.
• He explains the differences between the songwriting processes of rock and hip hop.
• He talks about how some songs can be written in a matter of weeks, while others take months.
• He also talks about how the arrangement of a song can be a make or break element.
• Mike Shinoda has experimented with technology and activities outside of music to make his music stand out.
• He has read books such as The Tipping Point and Blink, as well as Category of One by Joe Calloway.
• He has recently been getting into 3D printing and drone quadcopters.
• He is currently rehearsing for a U.S. tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars and AFI.
• He has a routine of not responding to emails unless he has something substantive to say.
• His rehearsal format starts with the most basic people needed on certain tracks and then adds more members as needed.
• Mike Shinoda and Tim Ferriss discuss music performance technology and how it has allowed Linkin Park to be a better live band.
• Mike Shinoda uses Ableton Live to track out instrumentals from studio recordings and play them back during rehearsals.
• Technology can be used to slow down, speed up, pitch, and modulate music on the fly.
• Joe Hahn, Linkin Park's DJ, runs his rig off a Windows tablet.
• Mike Shinoda's favorite movies include The Godfather, The Usual Suspects, Fight Club, Seven, Akira, WallE, and Princess Mononoke.
• Mike Shinoda recommends The Tipping Point, Blink, Four Hour Work Week, and his wife's book Learning Not to Drown as books he has given as gifts.
• Rick Rubin is the first person that comes to Mike's mind when he hears the word successful.
• Mike works on not expecting other people to do things the way he would do them.
• Mike's most frequently played music is heavier rock stuff, including Mongol Hoard, Doom Riders, and Royal Blood.
• Mike's advice to his 20yearold self is to stick with his gut and believe in himself enough to put himself on the line.
• Mike Shinoda is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known for his work with the band Linkin Park.
• He discussed his creative process and how he approaches his work.
• He believes that it is important to take risks and to be willing to put yourself on the line for something you believe in.
• He also believes that if you create something for yourself, you will always have an audience of one.
• People can find out more about Mike and his work on Linkinpark.com, Mickshinoda.com, and on social media under the same name.