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This Music Composer Played At NPR TINY DESK, His Life Changed Forever | The Sagnik Show

Author
Sagnik
Published
Sun 08 Oct 2023
Episode Link
None

Steel pannist and composer Jonathan Scales joined me to talk about his journey in the music world, playing at NPR Tiny Desk, record labels, streaming platforms, and much more.

Show Notes:

0:00 Playing at NPR Tiny Desk

01:36 The Steel Pan

03:24 Classically Trained in Music

06:55 Inspiration, Taste Of Success

09:07 Jonathan's Band

13:05 How to start a band

16:31 The business of a band

20:41 Booking your first venue

23:52 Day in the life of a tour manager

25:07 Revenue share within a band

29:27 Working for free

34:50 How does a record label work?

43:40 Is Spotify stealing from artists?

49:15 How Jonathan makes money

51:01 Reacting to success

53:53 Reacting to failure

57:42 One day at a time



Welcome to The Sagnik Show — where politics, media, and identity collide.

Over the past decade, I’ve worked across legacy and new media, from FOX to independent platforms alongside people like Tucker Carlson, Saagar Enjeti, and Krystal Ball.

I didn’t come to the U.S. to cover politics—I just happened to fall into it. What followed was an unexpected crash course in the American political machine, taught by some of the sharpest (and most polarizing) voices in the business.

This show is my attempt to process what I’ve learned—and unlearned.

I also speak with creators and entrepreneurs building media on their own terms—people forging new paths outside the traditional gatekeepers.

I’m not here to sell you anything. None of this is monetized. I’m just grateful you’re listening.


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