The MikeDrop Podcast

The MikeDrop Podcast

Mike C. and Mike T. banter on things musical, percussive, artistic, perceptual, conceptual and beyond. Join us!

Episodes

September 21, 2025 77 mins

Could listening to this podcast possibly be a good use of your time?  Only one way to find out!

Mark as Played

Mike T. just released a great video with George Nickson (guest on episode 30), featuring the work of FourTen Media (guest on Episode 18) and Ryan Streber (guest on Episode 8). 

Mike C. plays the role of Barbara Walters and interviews Mike T. about the genesis of the project, the recording process and making arrangements.  

 

Feel free to check out the video at https://youtu.be/po-qXEgDYOk?si=DvtCyCuCxNKcfOnX

Mark as Played
September 4, 2025 81 mins

Have you ever been excited about working with a composer? The Mikes talk to a real one...and she wasn't that scary! Fabulous insights and thoughts from one of the truly great minds in composition today. This is not an episode to be missed!

Mark as Played
August 28, 2025 63 mins

Festivals, Conferences, Sessions, oh my!

 

What are the benefits of a summer festival? How do you maximize your time there? It seems overwhelming, but the Mikes are here to help!

Mark as Played
July 31, 2025 48 mins

Have you ever felt like the Mikes don't say enough puns? Thenn this is the episode for you!  

The Mikes discuss kinds of practicing, offer some person tips to maximize your time in that claustrophobic joy box, and maybe make some friends along the way.  

Mark as Played
July 24, 2025 65 mins

Everyone loves Keith Aleo!  Here he is diving into his life story (since birth...) along with wonderful charm, helpful advice and a solid train of thought (pun).  

Mark as Played
July 19, 2025 88 mins

The Mikes held captive a wonderful person/percussionist/musician George Nickson. George has his fingers in many pies (yum!), so the Mikes try to get to the bottom of the pan on how George maintains his sanity, skills, and joie de vivre!

Mark as Played
June 5, 2025 77 mins

The Mikes reflect on concertizing, teaching, planning, and productivity, and make a plan for the future.

 

Episode recorded January 2025.

Mark as Played
February 14, 2025 42 mins

Mike T. thought we were talking about Timpani mutes, but together we talk about timpani concepts and basics also, which is a better topic.   What's the difference between "dampening" and "muting"?  We don't know and confuse these words the whole episode.   Overall, we don't solve anything and get to the bottom of nothing, but at least it uses an hour of your precious time!  Happy listening!

 

 

Mark as Played
February 7, 2025 73 mins

The Mikes attempt to remember each others' names and it proves difficult.  Mike T. gets quite animated and goes on a lengthy monologue.  He should have been sedated but wasn't.  Overall, a great discussion of the reasons and techniques of memory and music, in our humble opinions.

Mark as Played
February 1, 2025 68 mins

The Mikes enter into a battle royale over the best etudes in this iconic text. Blood is shed, but feelings are not hurt.  How to prepare these? Which ones should I play for an audition? Are they etudes or solos? Do they still matter?

 

Also, we originally recorded this with a video in mind but scrapped it. You'll understand once you listen.  We hope you enjoy!

Mark as Played
January 26, 2025 61 mins

The Mikes discuss one of the warhorses of 20th-century music: Iannis Xenakis. Fun debate, pieces we never knew, and of course, loud sounds!

Mark as Played
August 22, 2024 27 mins

http://www.mikedropduo.com

 

The Mikes discuss our summer reads, postulate about future reads, and fill in the cracks with the usual banter. Maybe one of these books will interest you!

Mark as Played
August 8, 2024 91 mins

http://www.mikedropduo.com

 

As Mike C.  once wonderfully mentioned, “you gotta show up for training camp in shape!” But how do you get in shape? The Mikes talk it out and offer some specific pieces, thoughts and tips!

 

 

00:00 - Three cool updates!

 

8:35 - It’s okay to have taken a break

 

12:00 - Breaks - do we need them? How to use them?

 

16:08 - Why do I have to be in shape?

 

 21:34 - What does it take to get in shape?

 

30...

Mark as Played
August 1, 2024 48 mins

The Mikes try to unpack a touchy subject: musical taste!  What is it? How do you get it? How do you develop it? and more!

Mark as Played
July 25, 2024 69 mins

The Mikes just recorded a few pieces (to be released…sometime)! Have you ever completed a recording session and thought “Did I do this right? Does anyone else feel the same way as I did?” 

 

The Mikes break down their session and get into some deep philosophical topics about the recording process.  

Mark as Played
July 18, 2024 90 mins

The Mikes really like talking big pictures with the occasional fun detail. If you’re like the Mikes, this episode is for you! We get into the nitty-gritty about organizing all those pesky sticks, mallets and music (both physical and digital). 

 

Have you ever questioned your organization? Compare yours against the Mikes. YouTube provides the bonus of some beneficial visual aids!

 

 

 

3:45 - How did you acquire all your sticks?

 

6...

Mark as Played
July 11, 2024 99 mins

The Mikes lead up to a rousing discussion of their favorite recordings, starting in classical music and reaching far beyond. Enjoy the ride!

 

MikeDrop is Mikes Compitello and Truesdell

Mark as Played

In this episode, the Mikes talk with Four/Ten Media about their favorite past projects, filming techniques, how to be a great client, nostalgic memories, and of course, what is up with that sound in TENET??

 

MikeDrop is Mikes Compitello and Truesdell

Four/Ten Media is Kevin Eikenberg and Evan Chapman

www.fourtenmedia.net

Mark as Played

Aphasia is by Mark Applebaum

 

Mark Applebaum is a musical inventor whose music combines the unrelenting rigor of post-war European Modernism with ridiculousness and whimsy borne of zooming obsessively and exactingly close to the mundane. Mike and Mike break down how they learned Mark Applebaum’s iconic solo work *Aphasia.* “Eat sandwich,” “smell grapefruit,” “open beer,” “close window,” “fasten seatbelt”!

 

Topics include:

- Prior...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Ruthie's Table 4

    For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.