SmartLess · Podcast summary
"Benny Blanco"
Music producer Benny Blanco joins the SmartLess crew to discuss his unique travel habits, his journey to becoming a hitmaker, and his relationship with Selena Gomez.
Listen on the show ↗Key takeaways
- 🍳Will Arnett enjoys a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich from Leora, a spot he believes is underselling itself by staying in a small location.02:17
- 💪Benny emphasizes that his success is largely due to his work ethic, people skills, and a willingness to learn on the job, rather than just innate talent.08:06
- 🚢Benny Blanco avoids flying due to a past turbulent flight experience and instead travels to Europe by boat, a seven-day journey on the Queen Mary.09:53
- 🎧Benny's early music career involved using two boomboxes to create an eight-track setup, unknowingly layering sounds before formal training.18:19
- 😂Benny's mother once asked Adam Levine of Maroon 5 to "turn down the bass a little" during a performance, highlighting her endearing obliviousness to the music industry.22:08
- 📰Benny's mother only truly believed in his success after he was featured in The New York Times, despite his numerous Grammy nominations and hit songs.29:00
Chapters
- 1:45A Lukewarm Open and a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Revelation
- 3:22Unconventional Travel: Boats, Trains, and Automobiles
- 43:46The Journey to Music Production: From Cold Calls to MySpace
- 50:22Family, Fame, and the "Benny Blanco" Persona
- 1:02:14The Big Breaks: From Hip-Hop Honeys to Dr. Luke
- 1:26:37Selena Gomez: A Love Story Unfolds
- 1:39:59The Philosophy of Success: Hustle, Luck, and People Skills
- 1:45:01Future Endeavors and a Final Farewell
The digest
This episode of SmartLess features an engaging conversation with Benny Blanco, the prolific music producer behind countless chart-topping hits. The discussion spans his unconventional travel methods, his early career struggles, his family's musical influences, and his personal life, offering a candid look into the world of a modern music mogul.
A Lukewarm Open and a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Revelation
The episode kicks off with the hosts, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, in a "lukewarm open," already mid-conversation before the official start. The immediate topic of discussion is a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, which Will confesses to having for breakfast. This leads to a humorous interrogation by Sean and Jason about the sandwich's origin and preparation. Will reveals he ordered it from Leora, a spot he loves so much he believes they're leaving money on the table by staying in a small location. Jason chimes in, expressing his desire for a frozen coffee from Leora, while Sean admits to being in a "puddle of [his] own sweat" after a workout and sauna session, leading to a comical exchange about his post-shower state and the need for another shower.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 5-minute article, 7 more sections, and every new episode from SmartLess and the creators you follow.
- Unconventional Travel: Boats, Trains, and Automobiles
- The Journey to Music Production: From Cold Calls to MySpace
- Family, Fame, and the "Benny Blanco" Persona
- The Big Breaks: From Hip-Hop Honeys to Dr. Luke
- Selena Gomez: A Love Story Unfolds
- The Philosophy of Success: Hustle, Luck, and People Skills
- Future Endeavors and a Final Farewell
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