Beach Break Sessions, the brainchild of The Music Company (TMC), is shaking up San Diego’s music scene with its vibrant live-performance series. Drawing inspiration from iconic series like NPR Tiny Desk Concerts and KEXP Sessions, Beach Break Sessions offers a killer platform for both local and national artists to showcase their jams through slick, professional-grade multimedia EPs. This initiative doesn’t just help artists expand their reach—it puts a spotlight on San Diego’s unique sonic landscape.
Beach Break Sessions sprang from a desire to carve out a San Diego-flavored version of the beloved live performance series. Ted Pawela, one of the masterminds behind TMC, shares, “We’ve always been fans of live session formats like NPR Tiny Desk and KEXP Sessions. We wanted to bring that concept here and give it a local twist. It’s been amazing to see how it’s evolved and the attention it’s brought to the artists and to TMC.”
The mission? To give artists a top-tier platform where they can record, produce, and release high-quality content for free. This lets bands focus on what they do best—creating music—while TMC handles the nitty-gritty of production, helping them reach new fans and gain the spotlight they deserve.
TMC was created by a dynamic father-son duo, Ted and Jack Pawela. Ted, the father, brings his business acumen to the table, ensuring that TMC runs smoothly and sustainably. Jack, the son, runs the production side, channeling his passion for music and technical expertise to create top-notch content. Their combined efforts and complementary skills make Beach Break Sessions a standout success.
Beach Break Sessions has been a game-changer for the local music scene. By offering a professional setting and top-notch production quality, TMC helps artists create standout content that gets noticed. Bands often report a surge in gig bookings and fan base growth after their sessions drop.
Many of the bands we’ve featured tell us that they’ve gotten more gigs and better gigs as a result of booking agents seeing their Beach Break Session,” says Ted Pawela. “They also tell us it has helped them grow their fan base as new people discover their music. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the tangible benefits our sessions provide.”
Picking bands for Beach Break Sessions is a mix of personal recommendations, local show scouting, and artist referrals. Each session is a big investment for TMC, so they ensure bands are ready by catching their shows or rehearsals. This careful selection process keeps the sessions fresh and diverse, true to TMC’s commitment to quality.
“We’re all musicians here, so we go to a lot of shows and listen to a lot of music,” Pawela explains. “We also ask every Beach Break artist who they’re listening to, which helps us discover new talent. Our goal is to support a diverse range of artists and introduce our audience to music they might not have heard before.”
Notable Sessions and Success Stories
Beach Break Sessions often capture those magical moments where everything clicks—lighting, energy, cinematography, and music. These sessions create unforgettable experiences for artists and audiences alike.
“There have been so many notable moments that it’s hard to pick out just one or two,” says Pawela. “Sometimes the lighting, performance energy, cinematography, and the music itself all find some sort of synchronicity that really embodies the magic of artistic creation. It’s not something that you can create a formula for; it’s kind of the music version of being ‘in the zone.’”
TMC isn’t just about killer sessions and amazing music. It’s a nonprofit with a mission to foster an inclusive community for musicians and aspiring music industry professionals. TMC offers a recording studio, music community center, and coworking space—all designed to be accessible and affordable. This unique setup provides a resource-rich environment where local creatives can connect, learn, and grow.
Ted Pawela elaborates, “Our ultimate goal is to level the playing field for those with limited resources and help build San Diego’s reputation as a world-class music destination. We measure success by the impact we’re able to make—whether it’s through providing affordable studio time, hosting educational workshops, or our community-building events.”
Looking ahead, TMC is planning to take Beach Break Sessions out of the studio and into some of San Diego’s iconic locations, adding even more local flavor to their productions. This move aims to offer even more unique and engaging content for their audience. “I’m particularly excited about taking Beach Break Sessions out of the studio and into some iconic San Diego locations,” says Pawela. “We’re in talks with local businesses and I’m optimist.”
