Musical Direction 101 w/ Kris Pooley
Welcome back to Cloud Machine, a weekly music business video podcast hosted by Mat Landry and industry insiders. In this milestone seventieth episode, Kris Pooley, a celebrated musical director, composer, and arranger, joins Mat to discuss the ins and outs of Musical Directing. Kris shares his journey, insights from working with top artists, the difference between composing and arranging, and how to secure and sustain gigs in the competitive music industry. We also dive into his influences, career highlights, and more. Plus, Kris takes on the Producer’s Game!
Episode Highlights
Musical Direction Deep Dive: What it takes to be a successful musical director in the modern industry.
American Idol & Beyond: Kris’s role as Musical Director for American Idol and highlights from his career.
Working with Top Artists: Stories from collaborations with Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, and more.
Composing vs. Arranging: Kris explains the nuanced differences and how they shape his work.
Keeping the Gig: Advice on not only landing gigs but maintaining long-term success.
Producer’s Game: Kris’s vision for a dream production scenario.
Key Takeaways
Musical Direction: A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead in this field.
Career Evolution: Kris’s professional journey from Detroit to global stages and TV.
Staying Relevant: Insights into thriving in the competitive music business.
Composing vs. Arranging: Key distinctions that every music professional should understand.
Gig Longevity: Practical advice on building a sustainable career in music.
Guest Spotlight
Kris Pooley is a renowned musical director, composer, and arranger from Detroit, Michigan. He has been the Musical Director for American Idol since 2018 and has worked with a roster of legendary artists, including Katy Perry, Kesha, Adam Lambert, and the Smashing Pumpkins. His work has been featured in iconic TV shows like Glee and American Horror Story and the 2015 Super Bowl.
Follow Kris on Instagram @krispooley, and explore more of his work at Pooley Music.
About Cloud Machine
Produced by Eights Creative, Cloud Machine is your go-to podcast for music industry insights. Each episode blends education and entertainment to inspire and inform musicians, creators, and fans.
