One of the best parts of living in Boston as a music fan is witnessing musicians’ journeys firsthand. You can see them perform at local bars and later watch them sell out venues like Fenway Park or the TD Garden. Amidst Boston’s vibrant music scene, Brendan Jeannetti has carved out a niche to spotlight emerging artists you should definitely be listening to. What began as a playlist titled “Music You’re Missing,” featuring excellent recommendations from new artists, has evolved into a popular podcast of the same name. Since its inception, Brendan Jeannetti has interviewed numerous artists and continues to do so. Front of House Boston sat down with the podcaster to discuss his journey and insights into the music industry.
With roots in Massachusetts, Brendan had his first encounters with the music industry while pursuing a Communications degree in college. During this time, he decided to apply for a position on iHeart Radio’s street team, an experience he credits as pivotal: “That is 100% what shaped me to want to work in music.” He recounts a humorous story about one of his first assignments at a VIP house party where Demi Lovato was performing. His task was to ensure no one got too close to the singer, an experience that not only serves as a fond memory but also as a cornerstone in shaping his vision for a career in music.
Since his days at iHeart Radio, Brendan felt a calling to become an on-air personality. He was open about his ambitions within iHeart Radio, but as an intern, he couldn’t pursue this role yet. Undeterred, Brendan took matters into his own hands and started the podcast “Music You’re Missing.” His first guest was the band The Brummies, who had garnered significant attention after releasing a song with Kacey Musgraves. Reflecting on this milestone, Brendan shares, “The Brummies let me feature them even though I had no experience. They were my first artist and that was amazing. The episode did really well and charted. My first episode charted. It was so wild. At the time, I didn’t realize how cool that was. Now I understand how hard it is to chart.”
Today, the podcaster’s hard work has led to a partnership with Big Night Media. His podcast is now recorded weekly in a brand-new studio located adjacent to the TD Garden. Fans can catch glimpses of the studio through the TikTok and social media content produced by Music You’re Missing. In the highly competitive podcasting world, Brendan has ensured his show is accessible to fans both audibly and visually. The Music You’re Missing TikTok account, through engaging reels and short content, has now amassed 23,000 followers. The podcaster shares: “You need to do both, so I need to stay in my lane, try my best. Literally give it my all. I’m super confident in the way that I interview people and in the way that I go about my interviews. At the same time, I need to be like a silly guy on my TikTok.” This strategy reflects the current generation’s approach to discovering music news, highlighting how live personalities must go beyond traditional journalism to achieve the greatest reach.
In his pursuit of spotlighting new artists, Brendan Jeannetti has created various opportunities for exposure and built a community around music. He actively participates in local festivals such as Levitate Music & Arts Festival and In Between Days Festival, and recently appeared at the renowned Boston Calling Music Festival in partnership with Happy Valley. At Boston Calling, he presented Happy Valley’s Red Stage and conducted live interviews with notable artists including Divine Sweater, Paper Lady, MARIS, and Beach Weather.
Music You’re Missing has also hosted numerous live music events. It began with Up Next Fest at Sonia in 2022, drawing a large crowd. This was followed by Bedroom Pop Party at Big Night Live, featuring artists like Snow, Maeoko, and Layzi. This year, the series introduced “Acoustic Night Out” at the Cantab Lounge, where Simon Robert French, known for his social media challenge of writing a new song daily, was a standout performer. Following the success of this event, Acoustic Night Out 2 will be held at the Cantab Lounge on August 23, featuring Simon Robert French, Rachel King, and Zach Collester.
Brendan Jeannetti has brought his vision to life through sheer hard work and a deep love for music. He fondly recalls, “When I get a little too in my head, I often think back to being 17 in my 2001 Buick Century. It didn’t have a formal aux because it was a 2001 car, so I used a tape player with a cord connected to my phone. I always think back to listening to music. That’s the love that brought me into it.”
Despite his impressive achievements, Brendan’s journey is far from over. He dreams of having guests on his show who have inspired him, such as Bruno Major, Kesha, and Kacey Musgraves. Reflecting the essence of the Music You’re Missing brand, he shares that he was a fan of Kacey Musgraves when she was an emerging artist. “Obviously, Kacey Musgraves. I’m not going to be that guy, but I knew her before everyone else. I went to her show in 2014 in Boston. She was the opener, and it was like an eight-person show. That’s how I found her. It was incredible to watch her rise to the top”— an experience that seems to foreshadow Brendan’s later calling.
As his project grows, Brendan remains grounded, maintaining an unwavering vision and a great deal of ambition. He constantly considers the best next steps to elevate his project and explore new ways to serve the music community. “It’s cool to be fueled by ambition and not consumed by it. I was working full-time in tech while also doing this, and I was getting paid well in tech. I was comfortable. Now, I no longer work in tech, and my commissions have increased. I’ve been attending shows, working with artists, and I’m now a talent buyer for The Playwright in South Boston. I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m a music guy now.’ This has opened up many opportunities, and I want to keep pushing and see how much bigger it can get.”
Brendan Jeannetti’s aptitude for discovering talent in the music industry is unmistakable. The success of the artists featured on Music You’re Missing is a testament to his keen understanding of the music industry and contemporary pop culture. In the ever-changing music scene, Brendan’s intuition for an artist’s journey and consistent hard work have propelled Music You’re Missing to its current success and continue to open numerous opportunities for him and his projects.
As Music You’re Missing grows, Brendan’s relentless drive and innovative approach ensure that he remains relevant in Boston’s music scene. His vision for the future and commitment to pushing boundaries are what will undoubtedly lead to even greater achievements for him and the artists he supports.
You can listen to Music You’re Missing and follow Brendan Jeannetti’s projects in the links below.
Music You’re Missing online: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube
