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There’s one obvious way to fix live audio education, and Darryn De La Soul figured it out.

In this episode of the Sound Design Live Podcast I talk to the owner of SoulSound, Darryn De La Soul, about her life’s mission to help sound engineers improve employability and find work. We also discuss emotional intelligence for audio engineers, the difference between a career ladder and a career web, why universities don’t provide work experience for their students, how labor buying and subcontracting work, and how Darryn built one of the biggest contact lists in the pro audio industry.

What we’re offering is the opportunity to improve employability. I want my people to be working, otherwise, what’s the point?

Details from the podcast:

1. All music in this episode by The Blackfires
2. Looking for the SoulSound membership discount? Make sure to sign up for my mailing list; I’ll send it out on April 30th.
3. SoulSound on Twitter
4. SoulSound will launch on April 30, 2014 at PLASA Focus.
5. The Getting A Foot In The Door eBook.
6. Sound Engineers: Paul Epworth (Adele), Marcel van Limbeek (Tori Amos), Justin Grealy (The White Stripes), Jon Burton (Prodigy), Tony Andrews, Bob Heil
7. Ears = IEM
8. The Power Of Habit by Charles Duhigg
9. Alchemea private college for audio, SSR
10. How to protect yourself at a gig:
    1. Grow a thick skin.
    2. Be aware of what’s your fault and what’s not (i.e. take responsibility). Never feel bad about something that is outside your control.
    3. There are times when you are allowed to stand up for yourself and say, “Look, this isn’t helping.”
11. Quotes:
    1. “Nothing is ever advertised. Most of it word of mouth.”
    2. “The only way to make money is in the live industry.”
    3. “It’s a people business. A band has to trust you before they will take you on tour.”
    4. “If you take that chance, make sure you are sober.”
    5. “It’s a very lonely job. You’re on your own.”
    6. “People management is a massive part of this job. If you struggle with that, you will struggle with the job.”
    7. “I made it my mission to never walk past a venue without demanding work experience for my students.”
    8. “Over 80% of our students were working [after finishing the course].”
    9. “In this business, no one [hires you] off of a CV. You need someone to say, this guy’s OK.”
    10. “Most of the degrees out there don’t really mean much because they haven’t taught you how to push the boxes and load the truck and be awake for 15 hours and still have a smile on your face.”