Why Every Musician Should Learn Production (Orphan Prodigy)
Ian and Danielle of Orphan Prodigy dive into building a band from the ground up, from overcoming burnout and mental health struggles to creating a full scale project through production, live streaming, and touring.
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Transcript:
Mike: Hey Ian, hey Danielle, how are you guys doing?
Ian: Good, how are you?
Danielle: Good, good.
Mike: Doing fantastic. Thank you so much for being on the show, really appreciate it. I was having so much fun because we were talking just before. I like to do a little bit of an icebreaker with guests and get to know you.
The first question I was going to ask you was about the importance of music production and sound engineering, but I also want to talk about the fact that you went to the conservatory, which is basically in Phoenix, Arizona, where I’m based.
Ian: Yeah, it’s crazy. Small world, especially in music.
I’ve been doing this a long time. I had a band for almost two decades. Started really young, at like nine years old. We did several EPs, a couple of records, toured for like 15 years professionally.
Then right before the pandemic, I hit an agoraphobic phase. We got back from the second album tour and I just couldn’t leave my apartment. Total meltdown, nervous breakdown.
It took about six months to heal and figure out what I wanted to do in music, because it’s all I ever knew. So I found the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona.
At the same time, I met Danielle. We started hanging out, talking music, playing a lot of Call of Duty.
When I got there, they introduced us to Logic and Pro Tools. Logic really resonated with me because I come from a MIDI background. Every song I write starts that way.
So I started importing ideas, and the first one became what would turn into “Getaway,” the opener of the album.
Mike: Do you feel like every musician should understand sound engineering and production?
Ian: I think knowledge is power. Even if it’s just to have empathy for the engineer.
I’ve been in the booth not knowing what signal flow is or how to get a microphone working through an SSL console. That stuff is complicated.
The conservatory was hard, but I wouldn’t be where I am without it.
Danielle: It also puts power in your hands. You don’t have to rely on other people as much.
I’ve seen that transition for Ian. When he started doing it himself, it just sounded better to me, and it gave him confidence.
Mike: Even if you don’t do it yourself, understanding the process helps you communicate with producers and engineers.
Ian: Exactly.
Mike: Plus, for context, you’ve been doing this now for over 20 years, and you put in the work to get to this point.
I will say though, I want to go back to that for a second. Nine years old. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone starting a band at that age. I’ve heard of people getting into music young, but starting a band at nine is wild. I give you a lot of credit for knowing what you wanted and sticking with it.
Ian: I have to credit my upbringing. One of my dads has German heritage, and we went to Germany when I was about six or seven.
My older cousin had a single from The Offspring, “Why Don’t You Get a Job.” I heard that first line, and that was it. There weren’t even guitars yet, just vocals.
I knew immediately, that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to shock people, get a reaction. I think part of that comes from being adopted. There’s always a part of me that wants to prove something and stand my ground.
Mike: That makes sense. Danielle, I have to ask, did you start a band at nine years old?
Danielle: No, I did not.
Music was a little different for me. I played clarinet when I was younger, learned sheet music, was part of the school band, but I didn’t stick with it.
Music has always been part of my life though. My dad is a huge Deadhead, so I grew up listening to great music and going to concerts.
Being part of Orphan Prodigy now is very cool. It’s not something I saw myself doing, but I’m loving it.
Mike: Is Orphan Prodigy your first project?
Danielle: Yes, it is.
I learned guitar in college, and now I’m doing sampling, backup vocals, percussion, triggering lights. A little bit of everything. If something goes wrong, I’m fixing it on stage.
He kind of threw me into the fire, but that’s how I learn best.
Ian: We launched the album last year, April 5th, on my birthday. About a week before the show, I said, “You’re going to be on stage.”
Danielle: I don’t even know if he asked.
Ian: No, I did ask. It was consensual.
You’re my best friend. How could you not be part of this? She was already part of Orphan Prodigy behind the scenes, helping with decisions, videos, everything.
Danielle: Yeah, I’ve been part of it from the beginning. It was born during the pandemic in our home studio. I was always involved, but now I’m more in the forefront.
Mike: I love that dynamic. Two completely different perspectives. Danielle, was there something you didn’t realize would be part of the project?
Danielle: One thing we didn’t talk about earlier was how we reached fans during the pandemic.
We built everything virtually. Live streaming, connecting with people online. That was new, but it really took off. People had time, and they wanted to connect.
I’m also a licensed clinical psychologist, so during that time we were both working from home. It was amazing to see music still reach people and give them an escape.
Mike: When you say virtual platform, you mean live streaming?
Ian: Yeah. It started with me and an acoustic guitar, then backing tracks, then talking with fans on Facebook and YouTube.
Then we got into gaming, streaming things like Call of Duty and Battlefield.
It became this whole ecosystem. I always tell people Orphan Prodigy is a band, but it’s also a brand.
If you want to make a living in 2026, you have to diversify and find your niche audience.
For us, that includes mental health, music, and gaming. It all connects.
Mike: That hybrid approach is really interesting, especially post-pandemic. Did you have to adapt?
Ian: Absolutely. This is a business at the end of the day. It’s how we pay our bills.
This year, we’re focusing more on touring in person. But our online audience is still there. We have really passionate fans.
A lot of them are introverted, just like us. Seeing them show up in chat, slowly getting the courage to engage, that’s incredible.
Mike: I’m definitely an introvert too. I’d rather stay home and binge shows like The Boys or Invincible.
Ian: We actually just got back into The Boys. Somehow we missed a whole season.
Mike: Yeah, and it’s the final season now.
Ian: Oh no, really? That’s such a brilliant show.
Mike: I want to talk about mental health. It seems like a central theme in your album.
Ian: Yeah. “Getaway” is my favorite song to play live.
I wrote it during a really dark time when I couldn’t leave my apartment. The first line is “I don’t like your face.”
That line represents confidence. Realizing I don’t have to rise to the occasion for everyone. I can choose my own path.
Danielle: The album really takes you on a journey. Connection, rejection, acceptance, self-identity.
It’s about figuring out who you are in this new world.
We want to create a space where people feel comfortable being themselves.
Mike: I really appreciate how open you both are about mental health. It feels like society has become more open about these conversations.
Danielle: We grew up in a time where you just pushed through things.
Now people have the language, the resources, and the ability to say, “I’m not okay.”
That’s so important.
Mike: I want to go back to your release strategy. You released music videos before the songs were fully out.
Ian: It wasn’t really a calculated decision. Orphan Prodigy started as a passion project.
We made the first video just because we wanted to. It was during the pandemic, just us and a cinematographer in a studio.
Then it became, “Let’s do an EP.” Then it turned into, “Let’s do an album.”
As the audience grew, we saw what songs resonated and built from there.
Eventually, we did a full release with all the songs and videos.
Mike: That makes sense. It feels very organic.
Mike: And I think that’s the interesting part, right? There’s always that conversation of singles versus albums. What’s the right way to release music?
Personally, I don’t think there’s one right answer. I think it has to make creative sense first.
If it feels like an album, do an album. If it feels like singles, do that. The business should follow the creative.
Ian: Absolutely. That’s always been the ethos for me.
I was never raised to think business first. Even now, if someone hands me five hundred dollars, I’m taking everybody out. It’s about sharing experiences.
For me, it’s always art first, fun first. I know that’s probably terrible business advice, but it’s what makes me happy.
Mike: Honestly, I think that’s the right approach.
I’ve been in the music industry for over 16 years, and I’ve seen it both ways. It has to come from the creative first.
Even when you have a team, the artist is still the one setting the direction.
There was a guest I had on recently, Randy Nichols, who said something I love. He compared it to a company.
The artist is the board of directors, and the team is the CEO executing that vision.
Ian: That’s a great analogy.
Mike: And the reason that matters is because if you push an artist into something they don’t believe in, they’ll resent it. They won’t be excited about it.
Even if something might not work, it’s better to let them try.
Ian: Yeah, that reminds me of when Instagram first came out. I hated it.
I didn’t get it at all. It was just pictures.
But now, it’s my most active platform. That’s where I connect with fans the most.
It’s interesting how technology evolves. It’s not inherently good or bad. It’s how you use it.
Mike: Exactly. Technology is just a tool.
Ian: Right. And we use a lot of tech in Orphan Prodigy, especially with our live shows and content.
We don’t use AI in our music or anything, but tech is still a huge part of what we do.
Mike: Speaking of content, I wanted to talk about your miniseries, Outliers. That’s a really interesting concept.
Ian: That started as a passion idea too.
We were watching a series by Primus called the Interstellar Drum Derby, where they were auditioning drummers in a reality-style format.
It was so cool. You got to hear all the nuances of each drummer.
So I thought, what if we did something like that?
At first, it didn’t come together. But then we realized we had so much content from 2025.
We were like, it would be stupid not to use this.
So we turned it into Outliers. The first episode just came out.
It’s kind of a prelude. It starts lighter, but it’s going to get darker in the middle. There are definitely some heavy moments.
Mike: I love that idea, especially from a storytelling perspective.
And from a business perspective too, repurposing content in a new way is really smart.
Ian: Thanks, man. Yeah, we experimented with the tone a lot. Tried slowing things down, different edits, but it didn’t work.
What we ended up with feels right.
Mike: Danielle, what’s next for Orphan Prodigy?
Danielle: We actually have something this weekend, but we can’t fully say what it is.
If you watch Outliers, there’s an Easter egg that hints at it.
Mike: That’s perfect. By the time this episode comes out, people will know anyway.
What about touring?
Ian: Yeah, we’re focusing a lot more on touring this year.
I can handle it now, mentally. I’ve built up that strength.
We just played New York City for Bridging the Music Minifest, and it was incredible.
I love being on stage again.
Danielle: It’s been really fun. Meeting fans, performing, just getting back into it.
We’re planning more shows, probably California in the summer and Vegas in the fall.
Mike: Very cool. Definitely let me know if you come through Arizona.
All right, I’ve got a couple fun questions before we wrap up.
Danielle, what was your first concert?
Danielle: Oh my gosh… Spice Girls.
Mike: That’s a great first concert.
Danielle: Apparently I told my aunt, “I’m going to faint,” because I was so starstruck.
Mike: That’s amazing.
Ian, what about you?
Ian: The Offspring at Roseland Ballroom.
Mike: That tracks perfectly.
Next question. What’s your favorite pizza place that is not from New York?
Ian: That’s tough.
I’ll say Sally’s Apizza, just because it’s the closest thing to a New York slice.
Danielle: Honestly… Domino's.
Mike: Hey, sometimes Domino’s hits.
All right, last question.
If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
Danielle: Be true to yourself.
Especially now with social media, it’s easy to lose that. But you have to celebrate who you are.
Life is hard enough. We don’t need to make it harder on ourselves or others.
Mike: Ian?
Ian: Just look after each other.
Mike: I love that.
Thank you both so much for your time. This was a great conversation. We’ll make sure everything is in the show notes so people can check out Orphan Prodigy.
Good luck with everything coming up, especially the tour.
Ian: Thank you, man.
Danielle: Thank you so much.
Mike: This was great.