Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin on Songwriting and Ethical AI

Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin on Songwriting and Ethical AI

Author: Brian Funk April 13, 2026 Duration: 1:35:08

Kevin Griffin is the frontman of Better Than Ezra, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and Co-founder of a new artist-built AI music platform Soundbreak. Better Than Ezra contributed to the soundtrack of the 90's with hits like "Good" and "In the Blood." Kevin's music has been performed and recorded by artists like Meatloaf, Taylor Swift, and Blondie. 

Kevin and I spoke in depth about the art and magic of songwriting , collaborating, and touching peoples' lives with music. We discussed the future of AI music and how his company Soundbreak is helping artists license their musical styles for generative AI music. 

This episode is dedicated to (not sponsored by!) Darwin Audio and his awesome vintage soda/beer can microphones: https://darwinaudio.net

Listen on Apple, SpotifyYouTube

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk 


Brian Funk hosts the Music Production Podcast, a space where the technical meets the personal in the world of making music. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of conversations that feel like dropping into a studio with a knowledgeable friend. As a working musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer, Brian approaches each topic with a practitioner's curiosity. Discussions flow naturally from the specifics of a piece of gear or a production technique into broader reflections on creative philosophy and the artistic process. You'll hear about the tools of the trade, but always through the lens of how they serve an idea or unlock a new way of working. The podcast thrives on informal dialogue, whether Brian is sharing his own experiences or talking with guests, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. It’s for anyone who builds songs from the ground up and thinks about the why just as much as the how. Tune in for honest, nuanced talks that go beyond simple tips and tricks, offering a deeper, more human perspective on the craft of music production.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Music Production Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Serato's Nick Maclaren on Music Tech and Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:39
Nick Maclaren is the Chief Strategy Officer for Serato. Nick talked about his experiences as a DJ and how it lead him to become a Serato user. We discuss Serato's new multi-fx plug-in Hex FX. Nick also spoke about the te…
Building Worlds with Music - Landman Composer Andrew Lockington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:41
Andrew Lockington is a film and television composer who composed the scores for many films including blockbuster hits City of Ember, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Sandreas, and Rampage, as well as hit television shows…
Echoes of a New Beginning - Jamuary 1 Prompt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:27
It's time for #Jamuary2025, a challenge to make and share music for as many days as you can during January. I'll be sharing the prompts I am giving to my Music Production Club here on the podcast. Whether you are keeping…
Be 31x More Creative with Jamuary2025! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:02
It's time for Jamuary 2025! These 31 days of creativity will dramatically increase your creativity. Here are some lessons, tips, and takeaways that will help you prepare to make the most of the Jamuary challenge. Listen…
The Threat to New Music - David Rowell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
David Rowell is a veteran music journalist who has worked as an editor and writer at the Washington Post for over 20 years. Stewart Copeland of the Police said "David Rowell is the kind of critic that scares us musicians…
Live Performance and Collaboration with C4RP00L [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
C4RP00L is an alternative hip-hop band that combines hip-hop beats with electric guitar and bass. They've just released new music, Creature Mode: Vicious and Creature Mode: Velocity. I spoke with Danger, Renzo Starr, and…
Tyson Boorman - Getting Industry Standard Mixes for Your Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Tyson Boorman is a mixing and mastering engineer for Nightowl Music Group. He is the author of The Objective Mix - Mix Like a Pro Without Pro Gear or Premium Plug-ins. Tyson teaches music production on his YouTube channe…
STOP Optimizing! Do THIS First!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
Let's get the big things right before we worry about the details. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Links: My First Album Project Nairb - Apple Music - Spotify My Second Album Forest Far - Apple Music - Spotify Music Fro…
Ben Levin - Staying True to Yourself as an Artist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:04
Ben Levin is a musician, visual artist, and educator. He runs the Ben Levin Music School where he hosts courses that help artists find their voice, finish music, and maintain and cultivate their love of music-making. Ben…
David Mash - Musician, Educator, Futurist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:59
David Mash is a musician, composer, educator, technologist, and futurist. David worked at Berklee College of Music for 44 years, first as a teacher of guitar and jazz. Then he started the Music Synthesis department, whic…