downloads, merchandise, ad revenues from videos, and

sponsorships for podcasts. The members understand

how to capitalize on different opportunities so they can

afford to keep making music.

Even the way the band records music is unusual.

Instead of gathering in a studio, the band members

pass songs around via Dropbox, recording bits and

pieces using Logic Pro, a digital audio workstation for

macOS. This process allows each member to just write

and record ideas as they come. Usually, by the time the

weekly practice session comes around, the arrangement

of a song is set.

“This is a way for us to workshop stuff individually,”

Wiskus said. “We can each try things individually in a Logic

file without someone else in the room. It helps circumvent

grumpiness. Grumpiness is what kills a lot of bands.”

If this all sounds more Silicon Valley than Electric

Lady Studios, that’s because the band members—Wiskus

and Cieplinski in particular—are hardwired to be risk-taking

entrepreneurs with a drive to get things “shipped.”

The crew of Airplane Mode: Joe Cieplinski, Agnes Chan, Dave Wiskus, and Patrick Spencer. PHOTO: Airplane Mode

112

113