MLT and the Music Industry (Part 1) – Q&A
Welcome to a new Q&A Video!
Earlier this week we sat down to answer a lot of the questions you submitted over the last month and a half.
We always pick a “theme” for our Q&A videos, and this time it was all about “MLT and the Music Industry”.
It’s no secret that we go about our “music career” in a rather unconventional way. We know that many of you like and appreciate that, and that it’s partly a reason why some of you decided to support us and join this Club. Our pretty independent approach has never paid off more than in these current strange times, and we are so incredibly glad to be able to continue working and creating and hopefully giving back as much as possible.
You came up with some really interesting questions we never thought of talking about. Thank you to all who participated.
We had to make this a 2-parter so it wouldn’t get too long, so if you don’t find your question answered today, it might still be included in part 2 which is coming soon!
We’ll see you next week and thank you for watching!
Mona & Lisa
It was great listening to you answer some great questions. Thank you for the clarification of some things I was puzzled about as to why you never participated in various venues. Keep staying groovy ladies!!
You have done a lot of covers from great artists. Have you ever considered doing some covers from David Bowie such as Thursday’s Child?
Thank you for such a candid Q&A! I am so thankful that you’ve decided to stay independent and push forward you’re own way! You are so much better off than if you’d been subjected to the tyranny of the labels. No contest. The MLT Club is awesome!
It’s interesting how George Thorogood was prophetic. My big brother Bob (not his real name) is now struggling, and I’m doing fine -you seem to be doing great too 😉
Regarding the YouTube algorithm it’s interesting that over Christmas it suggested your Christmas original song, it was the first time in all the years I’ve been subscribed. Only occasionally I would get suggestions for covers, but never originals. Since, one or two more originals have popped up, like Sweet Lorraine…
Really enjoyed listening to this session. Thank you!
I really love these Q&A sessions. Thanks for taking the time to do them. I think your answers are spot on too.
Thank you for your answers!You look amazing!
Each of your music videos and non-music videos is like a small show worthy of applause.
I wish you good luck and stay the same fun and beautiful!
The very few seconds right after the John Lennon quote showed so much about how you care for each other. It truly took my breath away, I was so impressed. I’m so glad that you didn’t edit it out.
I fully agree with staying away from those “corporate heads” in the music business. From what I’ve read they are only concerned with their own success, and not those they supposedly represent. You and your team are representing your music and endeavors quite well, thank you! For me, when I hear you perform a classic song from my generation, it’s almost as though I’m hearing it for the first time. You have an understanding of what make these songs timeless and it just sort of flows from within you. And your original compositions are just as amazing as any song I grew up with. No corporation could teach you this. This is something you were born and blessed with, and I’m so thankful that you share that blessing with us!
I believe you both are very knowledgeable about the music industry and knowledge is power. It is a very greedy and evil industry of people just waiting to get their claws into the next person or band that they can take advantage of. I admire your decision to stay independent, very smart. Keep doing what makes you happy and you’ll never have to work a day in your life, because if it makes you happy then it’s not work.
Thank you Mona and Lisa!
I so enjoy hearing your thoughts on different subjects and the music industry responses are especially intriguing. I believe you are wise to be as independent as you are. I have heard and seen too many horror stories about contracts and commitments to get a certain number of LPs completed within a certain time frame. Some very well known artists have released final LPs of their contract that are of lower quality because they needed to put something together by the deadline while knowing they were going to a different label as soon as the last LP was completed. Also many musical acts have to fulfill insane touring schedules to make ‘real money’ since most of the LP money was committed to the label. And the touring schedule led to burnout and other things. So, your cottage industry approach seems to fit you well.
Also, I agree with you staying away from The Voice, AGT, and BGT. If the winner is declared by viewer voting, the winner is usually determined by those who can program their phones so well that they vote multiple times for the same person within the allowed period. Often this is not the act with the most talent but the act liked by the ‘super-programmers’. Over the years of AGT it often led to the better act coming in 2nd or 3rd. And, of course, you two should win hands-down.
So, it seems you are doing things the right way and I hope you will stay safe and healthy during these days. Also, I look forward to what is coming next. Mike.
Some great questions and great responses!
I so much admire and respect your passion for artistic freedom and your love of liberty as your move your careers forward. This video strengthened my resolve to support the MLT in your current and future endeavors. Thanks for being so candid and real with your fans!
Ladies, I have been a huge fan since I first heard your music, but what I appreciate more than that is your humility and dedication to your vision. You are well grounded, smart, and I like the fact that you evaluate everything knowing every decision is either going to take you where you want to be or away from it. You connect with people like me in your fan base and make me feel like we are old friends in videos like this. Your authenticity shines through. What is also truly inspiring is that it is all done as a family. In today’s age, a family that isn’t broken is rare, and one that works as well as yours does together, shines like a light in a dark valley. You are a major success in life, and I can only hope your music follows the same path. By the way, I have a friend who was hospitalized this week with COVID. I texted him and asked how he was feeling. He said “Getting Better all the time… sounds like someone could make a song from that!” I sent him a link of your cover on YouTube. His reply was “That was great! They have great energy… thanks for the uplift!” It’s proof that all I just said comes through in the music!
I love these Q&A’s. You two are so charming and hilarious at the same time ????
Those talent shows are for amateurs, not pros like MLT. It would not be fair to the others. ???? Thanks for sharing your true feelings for these shows X-X ????
Don’t you already have a record deal with Woolgoose Records?????
I am glad you have persevered through these shutdowns and continue to do what you do. The quality of your productions exceeds most of the commercial stuff the big labels are producing. But I do feel bad for other musicians who are struggling to find find work. I can not wait to see live concerts again.
It is very endearing how you treat frequently asked questions as if it is the first time you have answered them.
We can not wait for Part 2, but until then enjoy each and every day. I hope you all have a groovy weekend!
JP
Yet another great vid, ladies! You’re so generous to share so much with us, and we can feel the love you obviously have for your fellow human beings each time you do! You both exhibit such grace when dealing with potentially difficult questions, and also when discussing less desirable people like record executives and network tv bigwigs. I feel you’re doing an amazing job with your careers, and trust you to always remain true to yourselves when it would be so easy to”sell out”. You have such good heads on your shoulders, fostered along, I’m sure by your Papa and Michaela. I really admire and appreciate the whole Wagner clan. Thanks soooo much!
I have no ideas to offer, just a compliment on how well balanced you ladies are and so very insightful when needed and fun loving when the situation allows it. After watching the Q and A part 1, I feel that you are reaching for the stars yet keeping well grounded in who you are and what you want to achieve. I hardly know you yet feel so proud and happy for you. I appreciate who you are individually and as part of a team that is pulling in the same direction
for the good of all involved. Your beauty really shines coupled with your intelligence and vision. My compliments and admiration is all I can give that would be of any benefit so I’ll just sit down and enjoy the show. Maybe one small tidbit of advice. If it’s working for you
(and it is) follow your hearts and don’t try to fix what is not broken. It’s also working on this side as well. Oh, so as not to be confusing… Beauty, Real Beauty, goes much deeper than just skin… It runs all the way to the heart and easily shared when in abundance. Keep on being who you are, we love it.
Jack and Linda Noble Please tell Rudolph (aka Dad) he did good…and looked good in the White Tux but the competition in that video was just too strong, two smoking hot ladies
will win every time.
Another really fascinating segment. I am always amazed at all the behind the scene details/decisions that go into these artistic endeavors. I am so impressed (and supportive) of the choices you have made for your careers. Couple your musical talents with the type of endearing values you have as a team and family, and you are truly unique and very special in the creative realm. Best of luck doing it “your way.”
As a bit of an aside, I love your cover of The Easy Beats “Friday on My Mind”. Fil on the Wings of Pegasus YouTube site [British guitarist analyses The Easybeats’ hidden technical mastery! – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTd50EGC1kE ] discuses the ahead of their time complexity of the song. Makes me even more impressed with MLT’s talent and performance of this number! At the end of the segment, he also gives a brief interesting history of the Easy Beats and how at the end of their career they ended up unhappily having to pay back major record labels by touring and songwriting due to their contracts – exactly the kind of misery MLT is so wisely avoiding by staying independent.
The Easybeats, a great Aussie band, though comprised of post WW2 immigrants from Britain, Scotland and Holland. MLT does a fantastic version of Friday on My Mind which reprises the original perfectly. Unlike the Easybeats, MLT as independent artists have “control” over their own destiny. As mentioned in their Q&A, they have a great support team and creative control and management. Reminds me of Dave Clark of the Dave Clarke 5 who unlike many of the 60’s era artists had complete “control” of their music, management and career!
Enjoyed the discussion. I agree that you stay independent. Your music and the videos that you produce are very top notch in my view. Very well done on your videos of not only your own music, but the covers you do of other artists. Keeping it within yourself I feel is the way to go. You know what you want, your style, your sound etc. YouTube can be a blessing, or a curse, but I think a blessing in your case. Your first video that caught me was the one with John Sebastian, ” Did you ever have to make up your mind?” That popped up one day and I was thinking, “Hey, here’s John back” and then when you two sing along I was thinking, “Who are these Ladies?” and I was hooked !!! The talent shows….yeah…FORGET THEM. You are BOTH so very talented, music instruments, voice, personality. I think that is what these Club Members enjoy…at least I do. Keep on doing what you do. Waiting for your next album of your music. Surprise us all won’t you. Thanks Mona and Lisa. As always, Peace, Love and Happiness
Thankyou for this Q& A video, and answering my question… All the answers you gave to the Qs for Part 1 make so much sense for Team MLT and truly coukd not see you approach it any other way than how you have , and I’m sure in which you’ll continue to do, as it’s proven worthwhile and effective to you all.
You’ve also have educated us with your replies in that we’re all learning firsthand from your perspective as a whole, the how/up/down/crazy, etc road that your music career journey has taken upon, etc.
Looking forward to Part 2, again Kudos to a #MLTBuzzLuvGroovified Q&A video Session, truly and immensely enjoyed and learned loads from????
Thank you so much for this beautiful part of club. I feel this is as close as we can get to you both during this crazy time in our world. I for one can not thank you both so much for doing what your doing with your careers. In seeing over the years how some groups come and go and in some cases an over night success and a one it wonder, it is refreshing to see you and pa pa and Michelle go against that pattern and to say , Hey we got this and this is how “WE” want to handle our path of music. To me? Your taking us on a wonderful and blessed journey that I feel so honored to be a part of and to enjoy what you both bring to the table each and every week. I do appreciate the questions on The Voice, etc…but you both have passed the audition ( thanks to John Lennon for that quote ) and now we just sit and wait for what is coming from your corner of the world to make us feel good and to know that this music ( covers and originals ) are here to stay. I know I may go over the top from time to time but I can not help to express how I feel about the Mona Lisa Twins and the music that you send to us. I know when the time comes for live shows? I will be there and to hear Mona say ….Go Lisa when she tears into a solo or hear Lisa say …Go Mona take it away ….when she goes into a solo will be heaven to my ears and eyes knowing that this music is coming from the love and heart and not just putting it out there. I just viewed Sunshine Superman and to hear Moan say …Go Lisa right before the lead is so awesome to me and it lifts me out of my seat and as a drummer? I am playing my air drums right with you Lisa on that song!!!!
Wow! Some great questions asked, and lots more insight into your perspective on the music business. Learned a lot. You both are so wonderfully grounded in good common sense and wisdom with the way you approach your art and business.
The Eurovision and talent show questions reminded me of some of the lively discussions on that topic in the forums early on. As always enjoyed the Q and A much. Thanks so much for this and looking forward to the next one. 🙂
I really enjoyed being able to hear you speak so candidly about your careers so far. Yes, it is your fierce commitment to staying true to your heartfelt values, artistic sensibilities and independent natures’ that make you so attractive and loved by so many of us fans. These characteristics, along with your incomparable talent, have produced the incredible music and entertainment that we have enjoyed immensly up to now. That’s why we’re so interested in wanting you to be successful in both a personally rewarding and financially sustainable way. The message I get listening to you is that your business model is working so far, thank god.
Its refreshing in so many ways that you go about your careers the way you do. I totally get why you are independent and do things your own way. I mean you have your own Manager and Financial Officer in one person. You have your own Producer, and Mixer in one. You have 3 amazing song writers. You have an amazing computer preson that can do anything. You have an amazing finisher that pays attention to all the details. Plus a Quality Control Person that listens to everything when its done and picks up little details that amy need to be changed. All under one roof. Team MLT ????
The AGT show here, yes the winner wins a million $, but tax is 40% up front, and payments are spread out over 20 years. You are expected to make appearances at certain times for the next few years, and to return to the show once a year for a few years.
Being Independent gives you the freedom to do what you want to do and how you want to do it.
I certainly enjoyed today’s segment of Q&A. There really isn’t anything in the first half that I didn’t already know.
Thanks Ladies and Team MLT ????♀️????????????????????
Well done ladies and keep going the way you have been. You don’t need to be on any talent shows or the Eurovision song contest and I totally agree with your reasons for shunning them. You have the perfect business model and the perfect team for achieving the goals you have set yourself. You continue to make this world we live in a better place through the joy you bring with your music and other endeavours. ????❤️
I’m continually impressed by your savvy, your business acumen, and your confident and educated decisions. Of course it helps that Rudy’s got a lot of experience, whether first-hand or anecdotal, about a lot of these things that you can draw on. I am so pleased with your standards and approach to everything. And as always, you make me laugh so hard! Keep up the good work!
Hey Mona and Lisa!
I think that you have made all the right decisions! Unless someone has to or just wants to, I would never recommend taking on a partner which is really what you do when you sign with a music company or publisher. You have none of the major headaches that come with being bound to others by contracts. Independence is a wonderful thing. There’s an old saying that “a partnership is the only ship that won’t float “. Keep doing things your way. Team MLT is doing things the way that most artists probably wish they could. Congratulations!