Of Music and Men

Kayona Ebony Brown

Meet Kenya Shaw, a single, young entrepreneur struggling to build an independent record label, while navigating the country's worst city for bachelorettes and an unlikely place for music success: Washington, DC. read less
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Episodes

Series Preview
Sep 27 2023
Series Preview
Of Music and Men is a scripted drama-comedy series presented to you in a weekly storytelling podcast format.You thought it was a book, or a short film, or a TV show?Well, all of that is true. Somewhat. Let me explain. Back in 2012, I set out to create a TV show about my life as a single young entrepreneur trying to establish an indie record company in Wash DC. I developed it, wrote the pilot, then made a short film...The thing is, tv shows, even those no budget YouTube ones, still require lots of resources and people. I know exactly what I want the tv show to be, but I believe that timing is everything, and trying to move forward before it’s time would be a disservice to what I know will be a great series someday.So I went another route. The pilot script was recognized in a few reputable industry contests, so knowing that it’s a more than solid story worth telling, I made a short film, then I turned that full season I wrote, 12 episodes of tv scripts, into novellas (little booklets).This podcast is a production, a reading (sometimes dramatic or comedic), of those episodes, sectioned out into easily digestible weekly stories.We follow a 20-something named Kenya Shaw as she works to build a record label while also (as a bachelorette) navigating perhaps the worst city in the country for single women (and not exactly the place you’d expect when it comes to entertainment) -- Washington, DC.Tune in every single week for these stories of music… and men.Music: "Keep on Going" X Khalil IsmailJazz Club by Kriss (Italy) - No.mad EP - copyright 2008 - Licensed by Undercut Records for official use to Of Music and MenTrail by Nobara Hayakawa (Japan) - copyright 2009 - Licensed by Nobara and Intervall-Audio for official use to Of Music and Men
Episode 1.2: Victims. Perps. And Me [REWIND]
Jul 1 2022
Episode 1.2: Victims. Perps. And Me [REWIND]
As we prepare for more, let's rewind, shall we?Kenya's life is about more than just helping to nourish the music careers of her artists and building her fledgling company. Her longtime friends, Ty and J, help reveal more to you about the young entrepreneur's personal life, and how they all manage to navigate DC as single millennial women.Not only is this a story of music, but it's also a music experience. So sit back, put on your headphones, and enjoy the show...For full credits and sources on this episode, go to:https://ofmusicandmen.com/episode1-2-victims-perps-meCREDITSEpisode narrated by Kayona Ebony BrownWritten, recorded, and produced by Kayona Ebony Brown at Siingle Studios in Washington, DCMUSIC LISTED IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE IN THE EPISODEA.L.O.N.E. by Mike Leite Licensed by CC — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Filmstro- music arranged for this episode by KayonaReady Set Swing by Michael Nickolaus- Licensed by Audioworks - Copyright 2018Sometimes by Khalil Ismail. Licensed by KI Creatives - Copyright 2009Words by Khalil Ismail. Licensed by KI Creatives -Copyright 2016Improvised Jazz guitar by Valentin Sosnitskiy. Licensed by CC — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Filmstro - music arranged for this episode by KayonaSelf Driving by Sro copyright 2019 Licensed by CC-SAScars by Khalil Ismail, The Hoping LP copyright 2016To have your music considered for placement in the show, send us a link where it can be streamed and downloaded. Soundcloud and Bandcamp are two great sites to do so. Click here for more info.
Episode 1.1: Funny Stories Blueprint [REWIND]
Jun 29 2022
Episode 1.1: Funny Stories Blueprint [REWIND]
As we prepare for more, let's rewind back to the beginning, shall we?Meet Kenya Shaw, a single 20-something from DC working to build an independent record label while also navigating the worst city in the country for single women and not exactly the place you’d expect when it comes to entertainment -- Washington, DC.Not only is this a story of music, but it's also a music experience. So sit back, put on your headphones, and enjoy the show...For full credits and sources on this episode, go to:https://ofmusicandmen.com/episode1-1-funny-storiesCREDITSEpisode narrated by Kayona Ebony BrownWritten, recorded, and produced by Kayona Ebony Brown at Siingle Studios in Washington, DCMUSIC LISTED IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE IN THE EPISODEMusic in ads and promos provided by Khalil Ismail.Strangers by Le Gang (Sweden) https://soundcloud.com/thisislegangI Knew a Guy by Kevin MacLeod (USA) http://incompetech.com/Lightness by Nomyn (France) https://soundcloud.com/nomynSnowfall by Scott Buckley (Australia) https://www.scottbuckley.com.au -Jazz Club by Kriss (Italy)Trail by Nobara Hayakawa (Columbia/Japan) - https://soundcloud.com/nobaraSupreme by JayJen Music (India) https://soundcloud.com/jayjenmusicFinally by Loxbeats (Greece) https://soundcloud.com/loxbeatsSound effects: Story Blocks AudioTo have your music considered for placement in the show, send us a link where it can be streamed and downloaded. Soundcloud and Bancamp are two great sites to do so. Click here for more info.EPISODE SPONSORThis episode was brought to you by Doctors To You, DC’s most trusted house call medical service provider. What are you sitting in an emergency room for? That’s so old school. You get your food delivered. You order everything from Amazon. Why not have your doctor come to you? No rush, plus you’re in the comfort of your own home, dorm, or hotel room, no waiting room.Go to doctorstoyou.com to book your house call today.
Bonus - Personality types (male-identifying characters)
Nov 25 2020
Bonus - Personality types (male-identifying characters)
Back on one of our bonus episodes in May 2020, we explored the personality types of all the female-identifying characters. It was a really fun episode and you seemed to like it; it got a really great response. In this BONUS episode, I have some fun revealing the male characters' personality types using 16personalities.com as reference. Also, visit our Pinterest for more on their style.So this episode, I’m going to give you the personality types of all the male characters that we’ve met thus far.Stax: Brandon Stacovski is Kenya’s friend from growing up; she’s known him the longest and their friendship has had (and will have) several different identities. He’s described as a white boy in the books and podcast with a cool “Brad Pitt/Tyler Durdan (Fight Club)” type of personality. He’s one of those people who knows everybody, very outgoing and good-looking, and a player (like Sam Malone from Cheers). So he gives Kenya real, unfiltered insight into men. He works in the financial industry and only loves his job because of the life/lifestyle it provides, but that will change in season 1 - ESFJSoloman: Solomon Dyal is also one of Kenya’s close male friends; she met him during her stint in college (he finished at the fictional Prince Hall U). He’s that guy who wants to be married. It could be a mixture of culture/religion (Indian) that brings about an expectation of marriage or it could be his personality; some people are just the relationship type. He generally seeks Kenya’s insight. He’s a nice guy who seems to always attract women who don’t want anything serious, so there’s that constant conversation about what women want. He’s an entrepreneur too; he runs a start-up that helps concierge doctors. - ISFJLucas: Lucas is Kenya’s artist; she’s only known him for about four years but he’s become like a little brother. He’s young, only 20, and he’s one of those cute, guitar-playing types who’s super talented, so it’ll prove hard for her to wrangle his impatience (Beiber type). Because of popularity on social media, he wants success now. This relationship will prove to be Kenya’s most challenging as she balances having to play almost a mother-type role to him despite this being a professional relationship. - ISFPDerek St. Cyr: Kenya’s primary love interest. Derek is very enigmatic, but not intentionally. We only see him through Kenya’s eyes, so we are force to see only what she sees (and in some cases, we don’t even get that much), and because she’s self-conscious and a little inexperienced, she’s a little intimidated by Derek in the beginning. He comes across very much like Mr. Big on SATC, where we are forced to believe he’s great, but only because Kenya tells us he is. We find that he’s very mature for 27; he has some growing success in whatever it is he does for a living, but he’s grounded so this obvious increase in money and popularity doesn’t seem to be really affecting him. But it takes a while to learn all we, and Kenya, want to...
Post-Ep3 Update: #1
Oct 20 2020
Post-Ep3 Update: #1
I’ve been busy with Roadmap Writers stuff (pitching), my own writing (short film and new TV pilot), and the podcast. I’m ready to start really focusing on growth with this project. So although episodes are written, I may not publish new podcasts for the story for a while. It’s hard to balance the art and the other stuff. I’m an artist; the other stuff sucks me dry, but I need to focus on the other stuff for a little while.For starters: please go to ofmusicandmen.com/audience-survey. I just finished a short film (excited): It was an honor to cast and work with two phenomenal Latinx actors, and tell a story with and through them that didn’t focus on trauma or stereotypical narratives we see about people from their native countries: Mexico and Cuba. Heroes aren’t born; they are made. Inspired by the work and story of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the storytelling style of Alejandro González Iñárritu, this story is a journey of a young educated woman, filled with cynicism about her America. But we experience her transition from insecure skeptic... to confident candidate.I hope this will inspire people of all races and backgrounds to be the heroes they want to see.We’ve moved to Captivate (for podcast hosting). We’re excited to work with Captivate because of their commitment to growth, their beautiful platform, and the flexibility.OM&M questionsI’ve changed the numbering for the podcast? Why?Books/TV episodes are considered seasons in podcast feeds now.Episode 3 is inspired by my love of sports, especially football. All of the motivational quotes were from famous athletes and coaches, and the storylines for each section used sports jargon to help move it along.Was Kenneth Gold inspired by a real person? Episode 3.3: Fourth and LongPaul Carrick Brunson and David Wygant (who inspired WIll Smith’s Hitch). Are there music signatures for characters?I unconsciously went into this with signatures or sounds for all of them, but it actually became more clear with each character’s appearance and arch.Kenya is Ambient/Urban, which can sound like a blend of Pop, Hip Hop, and R&B, (Top 40) but at the same time, it may not be definitively any of those. The kind of music you might hear any of your favorite popular artists on.J is definitely more of a social girl, so you might hear more EDM, House, and electronic music, usually something with high energyTy is Jazz and R&B. She actually is a fan of Classical too but I use Classical music with the cold opening, so I don’t usually use it again within the episodes. But she’s a big fan of the opera so it wouldn’t be out of the question to use it during some of her scenes.Tk is a Hip Hop artist so hers is the easiest. The same with Lucas, who’s a singer-songwriter, so his sound is more acoustic and soft Rock.Derek St. Cyr (aka Dream Guy) has a signature...
Episode 3.8: Any Given Sunday [ep.3 FINALE]
Sep 30 2020
Episode 3.8: Any Given Sunday [ep.3 FINALE]
This is the season 3 finale! (Technically, it's the finale of episode three)...Take a moment to give your opinion in our survey: https://ofmusicandmen.com/audience-surveyKenya learns that life and football are not all that different. J decides to create a literal playbook for sex to ensure that the next time they decide to play, Cam reaches the goal. And Ty finally admits that things will no longer simply come to her because she wants them, neither in work nor in dating. Kenya gets Lucas to see how the plays she’s drawing up for him are the best ones for his skillset, and she decides to find a way to make Tk's activism work for them. Kenya gets the call that will change her romantic life forever.This is a story--Of Music and Men--so it's best to start at Episode One: Omampodcast – Ep-1-blueprintFor full credits and sources on this episode, go to:https://ofmusicandmen.com/episode3-8-any-given-sundayCREDITSNarrationEpisode narrated by Kayona Ebony BrownEpisodeWritten, recorded, and produced by Kayona Ebony Brown at Siingle Studios in Washington, DCMUSIC LISTED IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE IN THE EPISODEFilmstroAnita Latina by Le GangLe Gang - "Lo-Fi Beats & Chill" (Album) on Spotify & Apple Music.Le Gang on SoundCloud:@thisislegangLe Gang on Spotify:spoti.fi/2Nqx1E1Le Gang on Apple Music:apple.co/2tCxx8MLe Gang on YouTube:bit.ly/2Th5V7E"Himalayas" by Mona Wonderlick — bit.ly/youtube-monawonderlickCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free download: bit.ly/himalayas-downloadMellow by Ghostrifter➤ Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1mIePRs1ixMW0gTaTSbX2p➤ Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/GhostrifterOfficial➤ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ghostrifterofficial➤ Facebook: www.facebook.com/GhostrifterOfficial➤ Bandcamp: ghostrifterofficial.bandcamp.com● Help support Ghostrifter!➤ Donate: www.paypal.com/paypalme2/ghostrifter➤ Bandcamp: ghostrifterofficial.bandcamp.com/Maarif — Soyb & Amine Maxwell [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch:
Episode 3.3: Fourth and Long
Aug 19 2020
Episode 3.3: Fourth and Long
Kenya meets Kenneth Gold, a renowned dating coach, to help her understand the rules of the game and give some insider perspective into why she’s having problems scoring.This is a story--Of Music and Men--so it's best to start at Episode One: https://soundcloud.com/omampodcast/ep-1-blueprintFor full credits and sources on this episode, go to:https://ofmusicandmen.com/episode3-3-fourth-and-longCREDITSNarrationEpisode narrated by Kayona Ebony BrownEpisodeWritten, recorded, and produced by Kayona Ebony Brown at Siingle Studios in Washington, DCMUSIC LISTED IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE IN THE EPISODEMusic in this episode is provided by FilmstroSong: DayFox - Lioness (Instrumental)https://soundcloud.com/dayfox/dayfox-lioness-instrumental-vlog-versionCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 — CC BY 3.0Free Download: https://musiclib.net/2Mck2GOMusic promoted by Music Library –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkGASPkDpGEDale (Drumstep) by Le GangLe Gang :https://soundcloud.com/thisisleganghttps://www.instagram.com/thisislegang/https://www.facebook.com/thisislegangThe Blackest Bouquet x Leonell CassioYoutube: bit.ly/LeonellCassio-YoutubeFacebook: bit.ly/LeonellCassio-FacebookTwitter: bit.ly/LeonellCassio-TwitterInstagram: bit.ly/LeonellCassio-InstagramSnapchat: LeonellCassioMidnight Stroll by Ghostrifterghostrifterofficial.bandcamp.com/album/lo…llection● Social Media:➤ Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1mIePRs1ixMW0gTaTSbX2p➤ Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/GhostrifterOfficial➤ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ghostrifterofficial➤ Facebook: www.facebook.com/GhostrifterOfficial➤ Bandcamp: ghostrifterofficial.bandcamp.com/Word of the episode: Soar by Scott BuckleyEdited with Adobe Creative CloudTo have your music considered for placement in the show, send us a link where it can be streamed and downloaded. Soundcloud and Bandcamp are two great sites to do so. Go to ofmusicandmen.com to submit your music.