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Interview with
DAVID RESNIK, NIKO BOLAS,
JOHNNY ASHBY
from
CINEMA MUSIC GROUP (CMG)

(25th May, 2025)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Watch and listen to the whole interview below

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Boom boom, it’s Dave from Amnplify here, and today I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with three incredible creative minds behind a project that’s part music, part mission, and completely meaningful.

I’m talking about Cinema Music Group – or CMG – a collective venture led by David Resnik, Niko Bolas, and Johnny Ashby, that has quietly and sincerely built something beautiful. Not just a label or a production house – this is a movement rooted in legacy, philanthropy, and pure musical authenticity.

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David Resnik at the helm

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So who are these guys?

Let’s start with Niko Bolas. The man has been making records for nearly 50 years. His roots? “Started as a gopher in a studio and never went home,” he says. But dig deeper and you find a history with legends. His most well-known collaboration is with Neil Young, a partnership spanning four decades. “I’ve been fired three times and left twice,” Niko jokes. But the chemistry is undeniable.

Then there’s David Resnik, who might humbly refer to himself as a member of a “one-hit wonder” Aussie band (Sonya Dada, for those in the know), but his contribution as executive producer and creative engine within CMG is anything but modest. His passion is infectious, and he’s the one that got this whole thing rolling.

And rounding out the trio is Johnny Ashby, the baby of the family as they call him. A modern composer with 15 years in the music-for-sync game, Johnny brings a contemporary lens to a group that thrives on vintage soul. “Watching Dave and Niko work is a masterclass,” he says. “It’s real. It’s raw. It’s something you rarely see these days.”

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Niko Bolas

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So What Is Cinema Music Group (CMG)?

Born during the pandemic from the rekindled friendship between Dave and Niko, CMG began as a shared love for music done right – real instruments, no autotune, no click tracks, no plastic polish. “We wanted it to breathe,” says Resnik. “Let the heart of the song shine through – mistakes and all.”

The spark that lit the fire was a conversation about cover versions – a way to both honour legendary music and offer new revenue streams to copyright holders in today’s rapidly changing music economy. But what started as a business idea turned into something much more powerful.

One day, mid-session, Dave floated the idea: What if we made a record of Neil Young covers and gave all the money to the Bridge School?

What’s the Bridge School?

Founded by Neil Young and his then-wife Peggy Young, the Bridge School was created to provide innovative, technology-assisted education for children with severe physical and speech impairments. Their mission? Enable non-verbal communication, motorised independence, and alternative learning through groundbreaking tech and compassionate education.

Each year, the Bridge School Benefit Concert would bring together top-tier musicians for a two-day fundraiser at the Shoreline Amphitheater. These concerts became legendary – a who’s who of the industry giving back.

When Resnik asked Neil if he’d bless the CMG project, the answer was immediate: “Of course. As long as you guys do it, it’s fine.”

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Niko Bolas and Dave Palmer comparing notes

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From a Spark to a Flame

From there, it grew. What began with just five or six artists – including Brandi Carlile, Draco Rosa, and Chris Pierce – snowballed into a full-blown movement with 28 tracks and counting. The draw? Pure heart.

“This isn’t about joining CMG,” Niko says. “It’s not about selling records. It’s about helping the kids. It’s real.”

And the results speak for themselves. Over $100,000 USD has already been donated to the Bridge School, and CMG has recouped enough of its costs to validate the model. But for Resnik, Ashby, and Bolas, it’s not about commercial success.

“We’re not looking for Grammys,” says Dave. “We’re looking to do things that matter. And if it opens the door for other legacy artists to reimagine their work, while giving something back – then that’s the real win.”

The CMG Method

Johnny described it best: “There’s a magic to the way they work. It’s intimidating at first – full takes, early takes – but what comes through is the truth. The energy in the room. The humanity in the sound.”

There’s no room for ego. The goal is honesty. “You’ve got to get them naked,” Niko says of artists in the studio. “Get past the fear. Otherwise, why are we here?”

The sessions run like a jazz trio on instinct. Sometimes Niko’s in the control room while Dave’s laying down a guitar track. Other times it’s flipped. But always, there’s safety. There’s support. And there’s soul.

Why It Matters

The music world doesn’t always make room for projects like this. The industry machine chases metrics. But CMG? It chases meaning.

“This is like Live Aid,” I said during the chat. “The ripple effects go far beyond the songs. Artists walk away changed. Listeners get something real. And the kids at Bridge School? They get a future.”

CMG was founded in 2021, but its roots stretch far beyond that. And its future? Well, let’s just say they’re already in talks with other legacy artists. More covers. More collaborations. More giving.

Because when music meets purpose, magic happens.

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David Resnik

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A Project Fueled by Purpose, Not Process

At the core of the Bridge School project lies a simple idea: the song and the artist come first. As Niko explained, “This wasn’t a new record. This was Neil [Young] saying, ‘Go make it great.’” And so they did, collaborating with a constellation of talent like Eddie Vedder, Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile, Lucinda Williams, and Courtney Barnett—all without ego, all with intent.

The recording process was refreshingly organic. “Some artists sent in a finished track,” said David, “like The Lumineers from Brazil. Others, like Fiona Apple, did vocals in Vermont and sent them back. Lucinda Williams came into the studio, changed the song choice on the spot, and nailed it. That’s what the spirit of this project is all about—being present and responsive.”

For the team, it wasn’t about retakes or perfection. It was about authenticity and energy. From single takes with Latin rock icon Draco Rosa to reworking arrangements around last-minute decisions, the CMG team followed the lead of the music itself.

The Process Behind the Scenes

In today’s content-driven world, one might assume CMG meticulously planned behind-the-scenes documentation. Not quite. “We shot some studio footage,” Niko shared, “but it’s not concept video stuff. It’s us in the room, capturing the moment.” There’s been talk of assembling a “making of” feature, and CMG is exploring short-form content ideas—though that’s not where their hearts naturally lie.

“We’re not pumping ourselves through TikTok,” Johnny admitted. “But we get it. People want to see how it’s made. There’s a story here that’s not just about the artist or the song. It’s about the people behind the music—and the cause we’re doing it for.”

That cause is the Bridge School, a project that continues to resonate emotionally and creatively with the trio. And while many are distracted by numbers and algorithms, CMG remains steadfast in its mission: to create work that moves people—body, mind, and soul.

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David Resnik and Jimmy Johnson – Muscle-Shoals

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Music As A Collective, Experiential Journey

As the conversation flowed, the artists began to reflect—not just on music, but on life itself. “We’re educators in a sense,” David mused. “People want experience. That’s what live music gave back to people after COVID. Not just sound, but feeling.”

The studio, as they describe, is sacred but chaotic. It’s long hours, broken strings, lost moments, and unexpected breakthroughs. “It’s just a day that ends in Y to me,” Niko shrugged.

Still, there’s joy. “We love each other,” said Johnny, “and there’s real respect. Even when we’re not working on this project, I’ll call Dave to just be in the room. Because the vibe matters. The energy matters.”

Final Reflections: Motorcycles, Mozart, and Bowie

To wrap things up, I posed a few light-hearted but revealing questions. When asked who they’d love to work with—living or dead—their answers showed the diversity of their inspirations:

David Resnik: Mozart
Niko Bolas: Jerry Garcia
Johnny Ashby: David Bowie (with an honorable mention for Damon Albarn)

And the craziest thing they’ve ever done? Almost unanimously: getting into the music business—and partnering with each other.

Despite decades in studios, CMG’s heart is still wide open. “What do I like most about myself?” David pondered. “My heart.” And that says everything about the spirit behind CMG.

More Than a Record

Cinema Music Group isn’t here for the charts, the trends, or the glory. They’re here for the song, the experience, and the service of something greater. Whether you’re listening to their work for the first time or diving deep into the stories behind each track, know this: it’s not just music—it’s soul translated into sound.

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Now, let’s finish with some quickfire questions:

FAVOURITE ALBUM?
David Resnik: Blood on the Tracks – Bob Dylan
Niko Bolas: The White Album – The Beatles
Johnny Ashby: Led Zeppelin II

David reflected on the significance of Led Zeppelin II, gifted to him in 1969 alongside Abbey Road. The impact was so profound, he said, “I’m probably here because of that.” A reminder that for many, music is more than entertainment – it’s a life path.

FAVOURITE ARTIST?
Ashby: A tie between Dylan and Bowie.
Bolas: AC/DC, hands down.
Resnik: “Dylan. So will we!”

The conversation morphed into an ode to Bon Scott-era AC/DC and the raw power of“If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”. Niko, ever the storyteller, explained how that track alone could win over any crowd – “Every fucking moment of that song…” – a Rock 101 lesson, if ever there was one.

ON LEGENDS STILL GIGGING INTO THEIR 70s AND 80s
From Bob Dylan reinventing his own songs live, to McCartney and Neil Young still drawing crowds, there was deep admiration across the board. But as Niko put it: “You have to temper your expectations… if you accept that, you can have a great time.”

FAVOURITE MOVIE?
Niko: Wizard of Oz
David: Chinatown
Johnny: The Electric Horseman

It was a mix of childhood wonder and grown-up depth. And yes, Trump = Oz did come up… for better or worse.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO VISIT?
All three: Wherever’s next!
Johnny: New York and London
David: Paris is next on the list

For seasoned travellers and creators, it’s all about staying curious. The next adventure is always the most exciting.

FAVOURITE VENUE OR STUDIO?
Bolas & Ashby: Blackbird Studio A, Nashville
Resnik: Mid-size venues like Selina’s in Sydney, and legendary rooms like Winterland

FAVOURITE FOOD?
Resnik: Greek
Ashby: Italian
Bolas: Italian

(“I suppose we invented Italian,” David joked.)

A cheeky aside followed about using Greek pickup lines – wrong translations and all. Icebreaker or not, it made for a hilarious moment.

FAVOURITE DRINK?
All three: Coffee. Always coffee.
(And we couldn’t agree more.)

FAVOURITE PERSON IN HISTORY?
David: Gandhi
Johnny: The Wright Brothers
Niko: Thomas Jefferson – flaws and all

They weren’t just naming names. Each response came with a reflection. Imperfection was embraced. It wasn’t about idolising – it was about understanding impact and context.

FAVOURITE TATTOO?
Turns out… not many tattoos in this crew.
Bolas: “The one I didn’t get.”
Resnik: Admitted he has his ex-wife’s name tattooed on him. Oops.
(But don’t worry – his current wife sleeps on the other side.)

ADVICE FOR ARTISTS?

David shared this gem: “If you’re a performer, perform. Don’t worry about anything else. Just perform – build your audience.”
Johnny added: “Enjoy the day and the moment. That’s it.”

Simple. Honest. True.

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PARTING WORDS… AND A LITTLE POLITICS

As the clock ticked down to a dinner reservation, the mood turned a little heavier.

Niko left us with this: “We’ve been playing checkers while the other side’s playing chess.” A nod to the polarized political landscape in the U.S., and how media empires like Murdoch’s have redefined the narrative.

And yes – we also mused on California potentially doing a Quebec and seceding from the U.S.

“We could. We need you.”

THANK YOU, CMG

To David, Niko, and Johnny – thank you for your time, honesty, humour and humanity. Whether it was waxing lyrical about Led Zeppelin, sipping coffee while reflecting on Dylan, or imagining a better future over tattoos and Parisian plans – this was a real conversation with real people.

Until next time.

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David Resnik, Niko Bolas and Alisse Laymac Creating at Village Recorders

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Follow CINEMA MUSIC GROUP
Website – Instagram

Follow DAVE RESNIK
Instagram

Follow NIKO BOLAS
Instagram

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Watch and listen to the whole interview below

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AMNPLIFY – DB