In this episode of The Artist Breakthrough Podcast, Pete and Cal sit down for a full A&R-focused session, listening to music submitted by producers from the Toolroom Academy community and breaking down exactly what’s working, what could be stronger, and how an A&R actually hears a record for the first time.
Along the way, they dive into one of the hardest skills for any producer to develop: learning how to objectively assess your own music.
They explore arrangement, storytelling, sound selection, identifying the strongest hook in a record, knowing when to add - and when to remove - elements, listening fatigue, reference points, and the importance of stepping away from your music so you can hear it with fresh ears.
You’ll also hear practical A&R techniques you can use on your own productions, including the 30-second test, removing elements to see whether they’re actually contributing, and ways to hear your track more like a DJ, listener or label rather than the person who spent hours producing it.
Whether you’re preparing your first demo or already releasing music, this episode is designed to help you become your own best A&R — recognising what’s working, what isn’t, and when it’s time to stop tweaking and send the record out.
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