The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Joe Lim, founder and CEO of Floodify, a marketing technology company that has distributed over 2 million short-form videos for major labels including Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music.

Joe pulls back the curtain on the rapidly evolving world of music marketing, explaining how burner accounts, clipping networks, AI-generated content, fan pages, influencer campaigns, and algorithm-driven distribution are shaping the careers of artists today. We explore the ethics behind these tactics, the concept of the “dead internet,” how major labels and marketers use social media at scale, and what independent artists can learn from these strategies.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joelimmmmm

Floodify: https://www.floodify.io/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

04:42 – Welcome & State of Modern Music Marketing

07:06 – Why Music Marketing is Behind Other Industries

08:42 – What Are Burners, Fan Pages, and Clipping?

13:29 – Commercialized Clipping & Platforms Like WHOP

17:19 – Phone Farms and Managing Accounts at Scale

21:21 – Using AI to Find and Generate Viral Clips

29:56 – Modern Marketing Strategies for Independent Artists

31:19 – The Evolution of Floodify (Floodify 2.0)

40:41 – Dead Internet Theory, Bots, and Comment Farming

44:25 – Is Authenticity Dead? Playing the Game to Make a Career

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Toni Nelson, artist manager, business manager, and co-founder of 1990 Records.

Toni Nelson is an artist manager and co-founder of 1990 Records with a background in retail fashion and mental health clinical work. Combining expertise in behavioral science with music industry operations, Nelson specializes in sustainable artist development, data analytics, and guiding independent artists like Adrian Daniel, to build long-term, monetizable careers while protecting their intellectual property.

Follow Toni Nelson:

https://www.instagram.com/1990records19/

https://1990records.org/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

04:01 - What it Means to Build a Creative & Fan Community

09:00 - Protecting IP & Using Split Sheets in the Studio

13:14 - Navigating Producer Credits, Writer Splits & Work for Hire

18:18 - Release Strategies & Tracking Data with Music Analytics

23:27 - How Independent Artists Can Monetize Their Audience

27:38 - Staying Independent vs. Label Licensing Deals

32:45 - When is an Emerging Artist Ready to Tour?

36:22 - Case Study: Developing Adrian Daniel's Career

43:17 - Mental Health & What It Means to Make It in Music

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Alexis Lanternier, the CEO of global music streaming platform Deezer. Together, they break down the massive influx of AI-generated music flooding streaming services, Deezer’s pioneering efforts in AI detection and fraud removal, and the future of fair artist payouts through user-centric royalty systems.

Follow Alexis Lanternier:

https://www.instagram.com/deezer/

https://www.deezer.com/us/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

05:45 - The Reality of AI Music Flooding Streaming Services

10:23 - How Deezer Detects Streaming Fraud & Purges AI Bots

13:42 - Tagging AI Music & Algorithmic Recommendation Rules

18:32 - Generative AI: Creative Assistive Tool vs. Fully AI Music

24:40 - In-App Fan Remix Tools & Licensing Fair Payouts

33:36 - The Flaw in Market-Centric Payouts vs. User-Centric Payouts

42:15 - Major Label Licensing Deals & Independent Artist Royalty Rates

50:37 - Powering Winamp & What It Means to "Make It" in Music Today

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Patrick Laird, cellist and co-founder of the classical cover duo, Brooklyn Duo. Patrick breaks down how he and his wife built a music career without traditional touring. He discusses their journey from viral YouTube videos to building an evergreen passive income model, navigating revenue streams across Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube, the intricacies of sheet music publishing, catalog acquisition offers, and why creating utility-based music enabled the creative freedom to pursue personal projects.

Follow Patrick Laird:

https://www.patricklaird.com/

https://www.instagram.com/brooklynduo/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

03:55 - Brooklyn Duo’s Origins & Moving Beyond Classical

07:16 - Early Viral Success & Going Full Time

12:50 - Monetization: Pandora, YouTube, and SoundExchange

22:20 - Sheet Music Licensing & Publishing via Musicnotes

30:20 - Arranging Process & Delegation Between Patrick & Marnie

38:50 - Strategic Pivot to High Production Location Videos

52:45 - Building an Evergreen "Utility" Model for Streaming

58:30 - Retaining Masters & Rejecting Catalog Buyouts

01:10:20 - What It Means to "Make It" in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jared Benjamin. Jared broke down how he went from picking up a guitar during the pandemic to earning over 100 million streams, selling out headline tours, and building an intensely loyal community across TikTok and Discord. They discuss his creation process, content strategy, delegating production, leveraging pre-save ad campaigns, and releasing his debut album, Icarus Too Close to the Sun.

Follow Jared Benjamin:

https://www.instagram.com/jaredbenjaminofficial/

http://tiktok.com/@jaredbenjaminofficial

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

4:05 Interview Begins: Welcome & Icarus Debut Album Announcement

5:06 Transitioning from Fast Singles to a Cohesive Debut Album

9:43 Early Short-Form Visual Strategy & Writing Skits

17:25 Lessons from Bad Industry Deals & Going DIY

20:15 Learning Production on YouTube & Collaborating with Producers

25:20 Writing "Three Steps Ahead" at AntiSocial Writing Camp

28:35 Building a Social Following & Meeting His Manager

32:50 The Daily Grind: Posting 2 to 4 Videos a Day & Managing Burnout

35:55 First Headline Tour Experiences: From Empty Rooms to Sold-Out Venues

41:59 Managing Online Communities: Grouped vs. Discord Strategy

50:20 Tapping into BookTok & Author Playlist Marketing

01:01:35 Leveraging Feature.fm Pre-Save Ads to Funnel Fans into Discord

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Laurie Lee Boutet, artist manager at Wednesday Management and manager of the chart-topping Canadian rock band The Beaches.

Laurie shares the incredible story behind The Beaches' explosive rise following their breakout sync placement in Off Campus, why viral TikToks aren't enough anymore, and how artists can build lasting careers by creating cultural moments and not just chasing algorithms.

Follow Laurie Lee:

https://www.instagram.com/laurieleeboutet/

https://www.wednesdaymgmt.com/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

05:21 Why Viral TikToks Don't Work Like They Used To 

08:00 The Sync That Changed Everything 

12:50 From 18,000 to 1 Million Streams a Day 

18:42 TikTok vs. Instagram: Where Artists Should Focus 

24:44 Should Indie Artists Skip Music Videos? 

28:33 The New Era of Music Marketing 

35:19 How to Create True Superfans 

43:13 Stop Wasting Money on Content 

52:08 The Future of Artist Growth 

59:53 Laurie's Biggest Career Lesson

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Andreas Schuller, hit songwriter, producer, and co-founder of music publishing company Honua Music. Andreas has written and produced songs for artists including The Weeknd, Jason Derulo, Madison Beer, and many more, accumulating billions of streams and numerous gold and platinum records.

Andreas breaks down how hit songs are actually created, how publishing companies develop songwriters, and why today's music industry is more relationship-driven than ever. He shares the story behind Jason Derulo's smash hit "Wiggle," explains how songwriting camps work, discusses the evolution of professional songwriting, and offers practical advice for aspiring songwriters trying to break into the industry.

Follow Andreas Schuller:

https://honuamusic.com/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

03:48 - Meet Andreas Schuller: Hitmaker Turned Publisher

12:19 - Music Publishing Explained: How Songwriters Make Money

18:39 - The Story Behind Jason Derulo's "Wiggle"

22:02 - Songwriting Splits, Credits, and Industry Politics

30:37 - How Professional Songwriting Has Changed Since 2010

34:46 - Breaking Into the Music Industry as a Songwriter

39:03 - Originality vs. Trend Chasing: What Actually Works?

49:37 - Building Great Writing Rooms and Finding Creative Chemistry

52:39 - AI, the Future of Music, and What's Next for Songwriters

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with legendary A&R executive, publisher, and educator Pete Ganbarg.

With more than three decades in the music industry, Pete has helped shape the careers of artists, songwriters, and hit records across multiple generations. In this conversation, he breaks down how A&R has evolved from the days of artist showcases and long-term development deals to today's algorithm-driven landscape. Pete explains why great A&R is still about connecting great artists with great songs, even as technology and discovery platforms continue to change.

Follow Pete Ganbarg:

https://substack.com/@peteganbarg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peteganbarg/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

04:21 – The True Role of A&R: What Has Changed and What Hasn't

09:00 – Artist Development vs. Chasing Quick Hits

13:20 – Why Live Performance Still Matters to Labels

16:05 – TikTok Stars, Viral Songs, and Building Careers

20:50 – The Difference Between a Song, an Artist, and a Career

25:55 – How Pete Discovers and Develops Songwriters

30:10 – Michael Pollack's Journey to Writing "Flowers."

35:15 – Songwriting by Committee, Sampling, and Publishing Trends

40:50 – AI, Songwriting, and the Future of Music Creation

48:15 – What Excites Pete Most About the Future of Music

54:07 – What It Means to "Make It" in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dee Diaz, Vice President of Marketing at Reach Records.

At Indie Week 2026, Dee shares the innovative marketing strategies behind Lecrae’s Reconstruction album campaign, which helped propel the project to a Billboard Top 10 debut. From sending exclusive mailers to the label’s most loyal fans. To building a gamified direct-to-fan platform called The Workshop, Dee reveals how Reach Records prioritized community, superfans, and authentic artist engagement over chasing algorithms.

Find Dee Diaz:

https://www.instagram.com/deediaz_/

https://www.instagram.com/reachrecords/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

05:06 - Meet Dee Diaz and Reach Records

08:47 - The History of Reach Records and Lecrae

12:31 - Building the Reconstruction Campaign

15:07 - The 1,000 Fan Mailer Strategy

16:19 - Creating The Workshop Fan Community

19:37 - Turning Superfans Into Brand Ambassadors

29:09 - Community Service as Music Marketing

37:39 - The Story Behind “Coming In Hot”

43:29 - Why TikTok Doesn't Convert Like It Used To

46:17 - What It Means to Make It in the New Music Business

47:00 - Audience Q&A

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nicole Abea, Director of Influencer & UGC Promotions at Hopeless Records.

Over the last decade, Nicole has helped evolve Hopeless Records’ marketing strategy from traditional social media campaigns to modern influencer marketing, user-generated content (UGC), and TikTok-driven discovery. Starting as an intern and rising to lead influencer and UGC promotions, Nicole has worked with artists including Scene Queen, THXSoMCH, Neck Deep, Melrose Avenue, Autumn Kings, and more.

Nicole pulls back the curtain on how music marketing actually works in 2026. They discuss influencer campaigns, fan accounts, micro-budget marketing strategies, TikTok trends, BookTok, DSP pitching, and how artists can build communities that translate into real fandom.

Follow Nicole Abea:

https://www.instagram.com/nicolethedesigner/

https://www.instagram.com/hopelessrecords/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

03:57 Nicole Abea on Influencer & UGC Marketing at Hopeless Records

08:44 The Reality of TikTok Seeding, Fan Accounts & Music Promotion

15:20 How to Market a Song with a $2,000 Budget

18:25 BookTok, Online Communities & Finding Your Audience

23:29 What Spotify and DSPs Want from Artists

26:26 Why Record Labels Are Signing Influencers

33:21 Scene Over Genre: How Modern Fandom Has Changed

42:41 How All Time Low's “Dear Maria, Count Me In” Went Viral Again

45:22 Rage Bait, Algorithms & The Future of Music Marketing

51:00 Closing Thoughts

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Molly Neuman, President of CD Baby, one of the largest independent music distributors in the world. Molly has spent decades advocating for independent artists and labels, helping shape the modern music industry through leadership roles at CD Baby, Downtown Music Holdings, and the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).

In this conversation, Ari and Molly dive into some of the most pressing issues facing musicians today, including artificial intelligence, streaming fraud, artist compensation, customer support, and the evolving role of music distribution. They discuss whether AI-generated music should exist, how streaming platforms are responding to generative AI, why artists are increasingly being affected by fraudulent streams, and what distributors like CD Baby are doing to protect independent musicians. Molly also shares her perspective on artist ownership, independence, and what success in the music business looks like in 2026.

Follow Molly Neuman:

https://www.instagram.com/mollydneuman/

https://cdbaby.com/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

03:45 – Molly Neuman's Journey to Becoming CD Baby President

11:32 – Is CD Baby Still Independent?

18:04 – Universal Music's Acquisition & What It Means for Artists

27:41 – The State of Independent Music Distribution in 2026

39:18 – What Artists Get Wrong About Distribution

49:07 – AI Customer Support: Does It Matter if It's Human?

52:11 – Should AI-Generated Music Exist?

1:03:47 – Streaming Fraud, Bot Plays & How Artists Get Penalized

1:12:56 – What "Making It" Really Means in Today's Music Industry

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Adam Gross, the president of Ineffable Records. Adam founded Ineffable Records in 2019 and later became a co-owner of Ineffable Music Group, now Billboard’s top independent reggae label for six consecutive years. Ineffable works with artists such as Stick Figure, Collie Buddz, Protoje, The Elovaters, and O.A.R., and many more.

In this episode, they discuss the recent unauthorized viral AI remixes of Stick Figure’s song “Angels Above Me.” At its peak, the unauthorized remix was #2 on the global Shazam charts and reached #1 on several different iTunes charts across Europe. They discuss the legal challenges of unauthorized AI remixes, the ethical considerations, and how the story led to a David Guetta x Alok version surfacing. Adam discusses the operational reality of dealing with this in real time, and how strategy to combat unauthorized AI remixes changes everyday.

Follow Adam Gross:

https://www.instagram.com/adam.g.r.o.s.s/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgross2018/

Check out Stick Figure:

https://stickfigure.com/

https://www.instagram.com/stickfiguremusic/

Chapters

05:07 Navigating Copyright in the Age of AI

10:03 The Bootleg Remix Phenomenon

14:58 The Role of Labels and Distributors

19:59 Ethics and Future of AI in Music

25:07 Navigating Major Label Deals

28:24 The Impact of Viral Trends on Music

30:43 Whack-a-Mole: The Challenge of Unauthorized Remixes

32:30 Collaborating with Major Artists

36:51 Ethics and AI in Music Production

39:35 The Future of Derivative Works

42:36 User-Centric Payment Models in Streaming

50:52 Building Timeless Music and Community

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Joseph Pepin, artist manager, producer manager, and founder of a boutique management company that has helped artists like GoldFord build massive audiences while remaining independent.

Joseph has spent nearly two decades in the music industry, working across artist management, producer and songwriter representation, touring, marketing, and fan development. His roster includes artists, producers, and songwriters spanning multiple genres, and he's become known for his innovative approach to audience building, fan data collection, and sustainable artist growth.

Follow Joseph Pepin:

https://pepin.works/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe_pepin

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

00:06:14 - Intro & How Goldford Broke Through

00:08:56 - Why Most Artists Fail to Keep Their Viral Fans

00:12:28 - Understanding the Marketing Funnel for Musicians

00:16:09 - Social Media Strategy: Hooks vs. Deep Content

00:19:25 - Building a Fanbase Without Chasing Trends

00:39:42 - The B-Side Touring Model vs. Ticketmaster

00:43:09 - Why Artists Need Emails, Phone Numbers & Fan Data

00:47:20 - Goldford’s Viral Growth Strategy Revealed

00:58:57 - Songwriting Camps, Producers & Building Opportunities

01:06:18 - What It Means to Make It in the New Music Business 

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud. Eliah breaks down how SoundCloud is evolving beyond streaming into a creator-first platform focused on fan relationships, monetization, and artist discovery.

Why “streaming is not enough” for artists, how fan-powered royalties work, the future of direct-to-fan monetization, and why creator tools are becoming more important in the AI era. Eliah also explains SoundCloud’s approach to generative AI music, ethically trained AI models, and why the platform refuses to monetize fully AI-generated songs.

Follow Eliah Seton and SoundCloud:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliahseton/

https://soundcloud.com/

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

08:27 - Eliah Seton on the Future of SoundCloud

13:41 - Why “Streaming Is Not Enough” for Artists

18:15 - Fan Monetization, Merch, and Direct-to-Artist Revenue

22:03 - How SoundCloud Helps Artists Get Heard and Build Fans

27:14 - Creator Subscriptions and Fan-Powered Features

31:24 - Wallets, Tipping, and the Future of Fan Transactions

36:01 - AI Tools for Music Creation and Artist Discovery

40:48 - SoundCloud’s Approach to Ethically Trained AI

47:17 - AI Music, Royalties, and Streaming Economics

52:08 - The Future of Human Artistry in the AI Era

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ash Avildsen, founder of Sumerian Records. Ash shares the story of building one of the most influential independent labels in modern rock and metal, from booking DIY tours in the MySpace era to helping artists break into arenas.

During this episode, Ari and Ash dive into artist development, the evolution of touring, music video economics, social media virality, the ethics of tour buy-ons, and why building an artist brand matters more than ever. Ash also opens up about expanding Sumerian into film, the future of entertainment brands, and why he believes music videos deserve a better business model.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sumerianrecords/

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@sumerianrecords

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

04:21 - Ash’s Journey from Touring Musician to Founding Sumerian Records

08:04 - Why Ash Left Booking to Focus Fully on the Label

12:00 - MySpace, TikTok, and How Artists Break Today

17:30 - Scenes, Community, and the Evolution of Heavy Music

22:16 - Artist Development and Getting Bands to Their First 500 Tickets

25:22 - The Ethics and Reality of Tour Buy-Ons

31:49 - Discovering Artists in the Streaming Era

35:15 - Why Music Videos Still Matter

49:00 - Building Sumerian Beyond Music Into Film and Media

56:00 - Ticketing, Industry Frustrations, and What It Means to “Make It”

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Red Leather, the anonymous artist who turned viral TikTok videos into sold-out tours around the world. Known for his signature red hat, Red Leather first started his career by busking on Hollywood Boulevard before exploding online with viral covers and original songs like “The Only Time It Rains in Hollywood.” 

In this episode, Red Leather breaks down how he used social media to grow his audience from scratch, why he posted 5 videos a day for 100 straight days, how smashing guitars outside Capitol Records landed him a record deal (that he turned down), and why ticket sales matter more than streams or viral moments. He also opens up about sobriety, surviving addiction, touring independently, and eventually partnering with Empire after years of doing everything DIY.

Follow Red Leather:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/redleather/

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@redleather

Check out Ari’s Take:

https://aristake.com

00:04:02 - Intro

00:04:36 - The Origin of Red Leather

00:06:39 - Sobriety, Addiction & Artistic Vulnerability

00:10:11 - Posting 5 Videos a Day for 100 Days

00:14:11 - The Viral TikTok That Changed Everything

00:20:00 - Smashing Guitars Outside Capitol Records

00:25:12 - Why He Turned Down Major Label Deals

00:33:28 - Booking Tours Through Instagram DMs

00:47:23 - Virality vs Real Fans & Ticket Sales

01:01:58 - What “Making It” Means Today

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business:https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Oskar Med K, a breakout Norwegian EDM producer. Oskar breaks down the "overnight" success that was actually years in the making—from the days of sending 500 cold emails to labels with no response.

In this episode, Ari and Oskar talk about the marketing strategies that helped him scale from 40k monthly listeners to 11 million, why "simple" content often outperforms high-production on TikTok, and the surreal feeling of playing Coachella as his first-ever music festival.

https://www.instagram.com/_oskarmedk/

03:54 – Intro: The Release of Oskar’s Debut Album Feel

05:24 – Albums vs. Singles: Building a Body of Work in the Streaming Era

09:12 – The Remix Story: How Khalid Ended Up on a Remix

12:52 – Behind the Tracks: Songwriting and Collaborating Remotely

17:19 – The Early Grind: From iPad Beats to Music School in Norway

19:00 – From 0 to 1: The "Hustle" of Emailing 500 Record Labels

20:17 – Breaking Through: Finding the Right Label via LabelRadar

25:12 – Marketing Strategy: Simple Content vs. High-Production TikToks

33:42 – Moving to the Stage: Transitioning from Studio Producer to Live Act

40:40 – The Coachella Milestone: Playing Your First-Ever Festival

44:29 – The Future of Music: Addressing the AI Debate and "Making It"

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ethan Berlin and Skully Kaplan of ROAM Artists for an inside look at the realities of booking and touring in today’s music industry. They unpack how booking agencies build and manage their rosters, what it really takes to develop artists on the road, and how deals—from guarantees to ticket splits—actually come together. If you’re an artist planning your next tour or trying to understand the live side of the business, this episode gives a clear, candid breakdown of how it all works.

https://www.instagram.com/roam.artists/

https://roamartists.com/

Chapters

05:03 – Intro & ROAM Agency Origin Story

08:26 – From Partnership to Global Agency

11:32 – Why Artists Need Different Agents by Region

14:59 – Breaking Into International Markets (Asia & Beyond)

19:52 – Why Artists Blow Up in Some Countries First

25:20 – Genre & Market Differences Worldwide

34:48 – The Real Cost of Touring Today

40:16 – How Artists Cut Costs on Tour

44:48 – How Artists Actually Make Money Touring

48:16 – Tour Deals & Promoter Strategy Explained

52:11 – Marketing Tours & Selling Tickets

Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Mark Orr, the founder of Lab Records, to explore how independent labels are evolving in today’s music industry. 

From deal structures and artist ownership to marketing strategies and physical releases, Mark shares a transparent look into how his label has operated and adapted over nearly two decades. They dive into how indie deals have shifted to become more artist-friendly, how Lab approaches partnerships like distribution with ADA, and why physical products like vinyl and limited editions are more important now than ever. Mark also breaks down how to build a lean team, when to outsource, and how to create meaningful fan engagement in a crowded digital landscape. Whether you’re on the artist or label side of the business, you won’t want to miss this episode.

https://www.instagram.com/labrecords

https://labrecs.com/ 

Chapters

00:00 - Lab Records Origin

05:00 - Building a Lean Team

09:25 - Streaming & Fan Engagement

13:23 - Pitching Artists vs Majors

16:07 - Modern Deal Structures

21:19 - Artist Power Shift

26:19 - Marketing in 2020s

31:42 - Physical Sales Comeback

36:21 - Touring Builds Fanbase

45:50 - Tools, Teams, Future

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Brian Hobbs and Dev Sherlock from South by Southwest (SXSW). Brian, VP of Music, has been at SXSW since 2012, helping shape the festival’s music programming and expand its sound, especially in hip hop and global scenes. Dev is the Director of Music at the festival. He plays a key role in building the lineup and working directly with artists, managers, and industry teams navigating the SXSW landscape.

In this episode, we break down what SXSW actually is, and whether it makes sense for you and your career. Dev and Brian discuss how this year is massively different than years past, what the real purpose of “South By” is, and how to approach it with a smart strategy (instead of just showing up and hoping for the best). We get real about networking—what that actually looks like at SXSW—and how artists, managers, and other industry folks can make the most of their experience. For those thinking about applying to official showcases, Brian and Dev walk through the submission process, and what their team is really looking for when they book artists. If you’re going to SXSW (or even thinking about it) listen to this episode first.

https://sxsw.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hobbs-155759164/ 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to South by Southwest

02:14 Changes in the Festival Structure

05:43 The Overlap of Music and Tech

08:46 The Role of Live Music Discovery

11:22 Business Opportunities at South by Southwest

19:05 Navigating Official and Unofficial Showcases

23:18 Monetizing Opportunities for Artists

27:58 The Global Impact of the Irish Diaspora

29:48 Travel Concerns for International Artists

30:41 Booking Artists for South by Southwest

34:55 The Application Process Explained

37:57 The Fluid Nature of Artist Bookings

41:42 Understanding Compensation Models

43:52 The Conference Experience at South by Southwest

45:52 Networking Tips for Artists

50:57 Defining Success in the Music Industry

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Aaron Greene and Neal O’Connor of Slush Management, the artist-first team behind Porter Robinson, Eden, Jai Wolf, and more. Slush has helped their artists generate billions of streams, sell millions of tickets, and craft long-term careers rooted in creativity rather than quick wins. With 15 years of experience across touring, branding, and global fan development, they’ve become leaders in sustainable artist strategy and innovative experiential storytelling.

In this episode, Ari Neal and Aaron dive into what modern artist development truly looks like. From building immersive worlds to cultivating real, lasting fan communities beyond vanity metrics, Neal and Aaron share how managers decide when an artist is ready for representation, why social media isn’t the only path to growth, and how long-term strategy beats short-term virality every time. The conversation also covers label paths (self-release, indie, major), when to tour, how support slots actually happen, and the importance of meaningful experiences. Hint: music videos might be more important than most folks realize. 

https://www.instagram.com/slushmgmt/

05:58 – What “world-building” means for modern artists

08:12 – How Porter Robinson developed his immersive universe

12:00 – Building an entire festival world with Disney-level partners

16:00 – Artist development: when an artist is ready for management

18:20 – Why immediacy is a trap & long-term growth matters

20:35 – Deepening 100 true fans vs. chasing viral moments

27:45 – Majors vs. indies vs. self-releasing: what actually works

31:55 – The real purpose of music videos in 2025

36:50 – Touring strategy: when to headline, when to support

39:20 – How artists actually get support slots

42:55 – What “making it” means in the new music business

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business, Ari sits down with powerhouse managers Gordan Dillard and Josh Kaplan, the team behind global superstar Doja Cat. Together, they break down how they helped build one of the most influential, multi-hyphenate artists of the decade. Gordan and Josh share early viral moments of Doja Cat's diversified empire spanning music, brand partnerships, and new business ventures.

Other topics discussed here include: how features really work, how producers differ from beatmakers, what modern record deals look like at the highest level, and why short-form content has completely reshaped the career-building playbook. Gordan and Josh offer candid, unfiltered advice for emerging artists and managers on finding the right partnership, building a fanbase from scratch, and creating leverage in today’s industry.

https://www.instagram.com/dojacat/

https://www.agood-day.com/

04:16 – Why Good Day Management only represents one artist

07:19 – Diversifying Doja Cat’s revenue beyond music

10:18 – How Gordon & Josh first joined Doja’s team

15:40 – The “Juicy” era and early visual strategy

17:31 – Doja Cat’s rise during the pandemic

20:42 – Long-form videos vs short-form content today

24:54 – Balancing artists’ vision with budget and label support

29:10 – How label deals and funding have evolved

36:28 – How features actually get made (creatively & financially)

44:25 – Beatmakers vs producers: what’s the difference?

48:37 – Why songs sometimes have 7 writers & 6 producers

58:54 – Advice for emerging artists & managers today

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Tema Siegel and Zach Blankstein of the band Couch. Tema is the singer and Zach is the guitarist/manager of this seven-piece soul-pop band from Boston. Their explosive live shows and fully DIY approach have helped them sell out major venues across the country. Formed from lifelong friendships and built during the pandemic, Couch has grown into a globally touring act while self-producing their acclaimed debut album 'Big Talk'.

In this episode, Tema and Zach break down how they built an engaged fanbase without label support, the logistics of touring as a seven-member group, and the creative and vulnerable writing process behind 'Big Talk'. Ari dives into their ad strategy, their partnership with the Salt Lick Incubator, how they secured major support tours with Lake Street Dive and Cory Wong, and what it takes to balance musicianship, management, and sustainable growth as an independent band in 2025. 

http://instagram.com/couch.theband

07:16 – Adding the seventh member & early chemistry

09:15 – Touring as an introvert and finding group balance

12:19 – Managing a 12-person touring party

16:34 – How fans are reacting to the new songs live

18:22 – How the band uses VIP sections to build superfans

19:40 – Collaborative songwriting process & Temma’s Notes app

22:19 – “Middleman” and the band’s unexpected EDM influence

26:22 – Self-producing the entire album & working with mixers

27:15 – Living in Boston and breaking out beyond the local scene

32:56 – Growing during the pandemic while in separate cities

36:32 – Early viral video & their online strategy

40:07 – How Couch finances the band with day jobs

41:24 – Why Zach became their in-house manager

55:52 – Opening for Cory Wong & Lake Street Dive

58:44 – Deep dive into their ad strategy

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari hops on for a solo episode to talk about Brassroots District—a decade-long passion project fusing immersive theater, hard-grooving funk, and 1970s world-building. He shares how the project grew from DIY LA shows into a scripted parking-lot production during COVID, and how it’s finally taking over a premier LA venue. If you're in LA, come catch Brassroots District LA ’74, opening February 7th at Catch One in Koreatown. Check out the trailer and grab your tickets here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Bay Area rapper, LaRussell. Known for his backyard shows, revolutionary ticketing and release practices, and motivational freestyling, LaRussell has become a blueprint for modern DIY artistry. His business, Good Compenny, is a multi-media brand that puts on shows, sells merch, and empowers independent artists.

In this episode, Ari and LaRussell discuss when and why it’s important to stay independent as an artist. LaRussell tells Ari how he continues to find joy in making music, even after releasing over 700 songs. He also breaks down his offer-based ticketing model—a game-changing approach that could change the entire live concert industry. Tune in to hear LaRussell’s secrets to community-building, his artistic approach to social media, and loads of inspiration heading into 2026.

https://www.instagram.com/larussell

06:20 – LaRussell explains “out the trunk” direct bookings

08:10 – Origin of the backyard concerts

12:21 – Full backyard experience (hospitality, free food, bounce house)

16:45 – How offer-based ticketing works (“What is this worth to you?”)

18:23 – His $1,000 birthday show that made $250K

20:12 – Full breakdown of all revenue streams

27:02 – Why he stays independent + label philosophy

43:48 – What “Good Compenny” really is (a community)

54:38 – Spending $120K on ads to make $800K back

01:02:01 – Full-circle moment: how the book changed his life

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with recent GRAMMY Award winners Matt B and Angela Benson. Matt B is a GRAMMY-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and global recording artist whose career spans over a decade. His most recent project, ‘Alkebulan II’, earned him and Angela a GRAMMY Award, following years of DIY artistry. Over the course of this album, Matt and Angela recorded across Africa, collaborated with artists like Eddie Kenzo and Oxlade, and worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. As a label owner, producer on ‘Alkebulan II’, and longtime Recording Academy member, Angela has been instrumental in shaping Matt’s artistic direction, visual world-building, and global strategy.

In this episode, Matt B and Angela Benson walk through their incredible DIY journey and how they found themselves on the GRAMMY-winning path. They discuss the challenges of writing and recording in multiple African languages, shooting a full visual album across multiple countries, and balancing the creative workload between artist and manager. The pair break down how independent artists can navigate the GRAMMY process, the importance of joining the Recording Academy, the role of networking and bartering in major creative endeavors, and most importantly, the communication and patience required to run a music career as a married team.

https://www.instagram.com/mattbworld

https://www.instagram.com/angelavbenson

01:40 – Home Studio & Recent Travels

02:10 – Returning to His Alma Mater After the Grammy Win

03:00 – Life & Opportunities After Winning a Grammy

04:15 – Performing in Uganda & Global Breakthrough Moments

05:20 – Inception of the Akebulan Concept

09:00 – Connecting With Oxlade & Eddie Kenzo

11:00 – Creating the “Gimme Love” Music Video

13:00 – Building a Full Visual Album DIY

17:40 – Finding Producers & Collaborators Worldwide

20:00 – Incorporating the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

30:00 – Navigating Grammy Nominations & Recording Academy Membership

47:00 – Working as a Husband-and-Wife Artist/Manager Team

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Matt Jones, the CEO and co-founder of Medallion, a platform helping artists own their fan relationships and build new revenue models. Matt was previously CEO of Songkick, another direct-to-fan platform that was acquired by Warner Music Group. He’s now developing new economic models for artists to own their fan relationships.

In this episode, Matt and Ari discuss the direct-to-fan experience and why it’s beneficial to give artists full ownership of their data. Matt explains why traditional models like Patreon and Substack don’t fit the creative rhythms of most musicians. They also dig into the shortcomings of streaming and the need for transparency in artist payments. Tune in to learn more about how major labels might adapt, what lessons can be learned from Bandcamp, and why the next decade of music will be defined by artist ownership and sustainability.

https://medallion.app/

0:00 - Intro

10:45 – Why the term “superfan” has taken over the industry

13:20 – The challenges artists face relying on third-party platforms

15:50 – How Medallion lets artists own their data and build communities

18:30 – Why streaming’s economic model is outdated and unsustainable

21:50 – Why Patreon and Substack rarely work for most musicians

24:15 – The three main artist revenue streams: live, recordings, and merch

28:30 – How Bandcamp paved the way—but why it isn’t enough

31:40 – Handling rights, licensing, and label relationships on Medallion

38:00 – The future of transparency and fan-to-artist payment models

49:50 – Why blockchain and NFTs weren’t the right fit for Medallion

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with acclaimed pianist and composer, Chloe Flower. Born in Pennsylvania, Chloe began playing piano at age two, later studying at the Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege and London’s Royal Academy of Music. A classically trained pianist turned genre-bender, she calls her unique style “popsical” (a fusion of classical, pop, and hip-hop). She has collaborated with major artists like Céline Dion, Babyface, Nas, and Cardi B (whose 2019 GRAMMY performance she helped elevate). Beyond performing, Chloe is a passionate advocate for music education.

In this episode, Ari and Chloe dive deep into Chloe’s artistic journey. They discuss everything from her rigorous classical training to the lessons she’s learned from merging two distinct musical worlds. In this episode, you’ll learn about label strategy, collaboration with big-name artists and producers, and maintaining authenticity while scaling. Chloe shares invaluable insights on building a personal brand (both musically and visually), empowering women in the industry, and how she sees the future of genre-fluid music.

https://www.instagram.com/misschloeflower

05:00 – The Holiday Album and Women Composers

10:30 – Understanding Public Domain and Classical Music Rights

15:45 – YouTube Covers, Metadata, and Going Independent

19:00 – Meeting Babyface and Blending Genres

25:00 – The Viral Grammy Performance with Cardi B

29:30 – Evolving Sound and the Role of Collaboration

33:00 – Running an Independent Label and Revenue Streams

36:00 – Pros and Cons of Major vs. Indie Labels

47:00 – Music Education and Inspiring the Next Generation

54:00 – Performing with Orchestras and Conductors

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Daniel Rowland, a rare combination of audio engineer, producer, tech executive, and educator. The music he’s worked on has amassed over 15 billion streams, earning Emmy and Oscar wins, Grammy nominations, and multiple platinum certifications. His credits span an eclectic range of artists and projects, including Nina Simone, Nine Inch Nails, Thundercat, Star Wars, Pixar, and John Wick. Beyond the studio, Daniel serves as VP of Strategy and Partnerships at LANDR Audio and a longtime professor at MTSU, where he champions ethical, AI-driven tools that empower creators.

In this episode, Ari and Daniel explore the ever-evolving intersection of music, technology, and creativity. They dive deep into the art and science of mastering for different formats, the rise of AI in music production, and how to maintain authenticity in an increasingly automated world. Daniel also shares his personal journey from musician to educator and innovator, offering invaluable insights for artists navigating the future of sound and creation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowlanddaniel

https://www.landr.com/

00:00 – Mixing vs. Mastering & the Role of AI in Quality Control

02:30 – Introducing Daniel Rowland & His Career Overview

06:45 – Daniel’s Journey from Musician to Engineer & Educator

09:45 – Dolby Atmos & Spatial Audio: Fad or Future?

19:00 – What Mastering Really Is (and Isn’t)

26:00 – The “Curmudgeon” Era of Mastering Engineers

29:00 – Loudness, LUFS, and the Streaming Revolution

36:45 – The Vinyl Comeback: Problems and Pitfalls

47:45 – Automated Mastering & LANDR’s Evolution

54:00 – The Future of AI and Creativity in Music

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ralph Torrefranca, Executive Director of A&R at Angry Mob Music. With nearly two decades of experience, Ralph has championed emerging songwriters, artists, and producers, working with talents like Jake Scott, Bailey Bryan, and Joe Pepe. He is also the founder of Angry Mob’s New Normal Writing Camp, a diversity-driven initiative, and a respected voice on equity in the music industry. Beyond his A&R work, Ralph fronts the post-punk band Cuffed Up and is an award-winning filmmaker.

In this episode, Ralph offers a candid look at the realities of A&R and independent publishing. He and Ari discuss signing and developing new talent, navigating the politics of song splits, and the growing importance of diversity in writers’ rooms. Ralph also sheds light on the challenges songwriters face in today’s industry and the ongoing fight for fair representation, making this conversation invaluable for anyone seeking an inside perspective on the business of songwriting and publishing.

https://www.instagram.com/rhymeswithralph

https://www.instagram.com/angrymobmusic

00:00:00 Introduction to A&R and Publishing

00:03:00 The Role of A&R in Independent Publishing

00:09:00 Challenges in Signing New Talent

00:15:00 The Politics of Song Splits

00:21:00 Diversity in Writers' Rooms

00:27:00 Advocating for Songwriters' Rights

00:33:00 The Evolving Music Industry Landscape

00:39:00 Songwriting Camps and Collaboration

00:45:00 Defining Success in the Music Business

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nicole Zuraitis, a GRAMMY-winning New York-based jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger. Her 2023 album, How Love Begins, won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024. She has performed all over the world from Birdland and Dizzy's Club to Lincoln Center China. She first earned GRAMMY attention in 2019 for her arrangement of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals. She most recently won a GRAMMY in 2025 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

In this episode, Nicole traces her path from early days hustling in the New York jazz scene, collaborating with Christian McBridge, touring in China, and navigating the realities of indie artistry. She digs into the power of networking in her community, the pandemic's impact on NYC venues, why physical release formats still matter, and how grants and private donors help fund albums.

https://www.nicolezmusic.com/

4:53 - Introduction and Nicole's new live album

9:23 - The decision to record live at VIXX

15:53 - Collaborating with Christian McBride

22:38 - Touring in China and working with Jazz at Lincoln Center

29:08 - The Grammy experience and independent artist challenges

36:33 - The role of networking in New York's music scene

44:13 - The impact of the pandemic on jazz clubs

51:43 - The importance of physical music products in the digital age

59:23 - Funding albums through grants and private donors

1:05:53 - Nicole's upcoming projects and future plans

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Sol Rising, a producer and DJ whose eclectic blend of electronic, downtempo, and lo-fi has inspired millions. Born in Vancouver and raised in Iowa, he went from a childhood rooted in meditation to becoming one of America’s top scratch DJs before evolving into a prolific producer. With over 20 albums, 225M+ streams, and international tours across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Sol Rising shares his journey of artistry and growth.

Sol shares his journey from a turntablist to a successful artist with millions of streams, discussing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the music world independently. They delve into the impact of streaming platforms, the role of AI in music, and the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the evolving landscape of the music business.

05:40 – Introduction and Niche

11:10 – Early Journey

17:40 – Shift to Yoga Music

24:25 – Streaming Platforms

30:55 – AI in Music

37:40 – Creativity and Motivation

45:40 – Future Plans

53:10 – Reflections and Advice

https://www.instagram.com/solrising

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Top Music Attorney, Miss Krystle. Miss Krystle is an entertainment attorney, independent artist, musician, and CEO of Delgado Entertainment Law. She hosts the Top Music Attorney podcast and popular YouTube channel, and has sold tens of millions of dollars in music catalogs. As leader of the class action lawsuit against A.I. generative companies Suno and Udio on behalf of independent artist, producers, & songwriters; she continues to champion creators’ rights while teaching artists how to think like major labels and build six-figure careers on their own terms.

In this insightful episode, Ari and Krystle, delve into the complexities of the music industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in music creation. They discuss the ongoing legal battles against AI music platforms, the importance of copyright registration, and the evolving landscape of music licensing. Tune in to learn how independent artists can navigate these changes and protect their creative rights.

https://www.instagram.com/misskrystlelive

00:00 - Introduction and AI's Impact on Music

03:00 - Legal Challenges and Copyright Issues

06:00 - Class Action Lawsuits Against AI Platforms

09:00 - Independent Artists and AI

12:00 - The Role of Copyright Registration

15:00 - Spotify's Approach to AI Music

18:00 - Fair Use in AI Music

21:00 - Future of the Music Industry

24:00 - Strategies for Artists to Protect Their Work

27:00 - Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment for Ari’s Take Academy CLOSING SOON: https://aristakeacademy.com (use code NMB for 10% off!)

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business here: https://book.aristake.com

This week on the New Music Business, Ari is joined by the founder of Purple Bite PR, Mikel Corrente. In the last few years Corrente adapted a “Zero-Risk” guaranteed or money back system that is very uncommon in the PR industry but it’s more transparent and fairer than the traditional PR system. Some examples of artists and companies that Corrente has worked with are: Sony Music, Kat Graham, Red Light Management, Mix Master Mike, Elohim, Jesse Jo Stark, Lauren Ruth Ward, BIIANCO, and many more.

05:52 Welcome / background

10:20 PR model ten years ago, shifting from publications to playlists

15:55 What PR is and what a publicist does

25:21 Evolution of press rates and artist feedback

31:24 Relationship with fashion and music publication Lady Gun

41:58 Pay-to-play PR model

47:03 What is the point of music press right now?

53:21 Purple Bite’s business model

01:05:03 How Purple Bite guarantees placements

01:09:50 What it means to make it in the New Music Business

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/nmb

Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa

Connect with Ari’s Take:

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Connect with Ari Herstand:

Website: https://ariherstand.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand

Connect with Mikel Corrente:

Website: http://purplebite.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikelcorrente

TikTok: https://.tiktok.com/@mikelcorrente

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikelCorrente

Edited and mixed by Maxton Hunter

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

#MusicPR #MusicPress #MusicMarketing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which represents over 1,500 venues nationwide. Together, they discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which alleges deceptive pricing practices that have enabled scalpers to exploit both artists and fans for billions of dollars.

Ari and Stephen break down the logistics of the case, its potential impact on the future of ticketed events, and the incriminating evidence pointing to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s complicity. They also explore the broader issue of monopoly power in the live music industry, the push to separate the two companies, and the policy and legal strategies that could protect venues, artists, and consumers moving forward.

https://www.nivassoc.org/

https://www.nivassoc.org/fixthetix/model-legislation

5:10 Introduction and Overview of Live Nation's Situation

10:10 FTC Lawsuit Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

15:10 History of Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger

20:10 Role of NIVA and Its Advocacy Efforts

25:10 Impact of Ticket Scalping and Resale Practices

30:10 Discussion on Ticketing Reform and Legislative Efforts

35:10 Challenges Faced by Independent Venues

40:10 Artists' Perspectives on Ticketing Issues

45:10 Future of Ticketing and Live Events

50:10 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Seamus Menihane, CEO and Co-Founder of the merch company, Downright Merch (now known as Armada). This merch company has paid out over $30 million to clients and they currently manage over 250 merch stores for artists including Thrice, Tom Morello and Death Row Records, as well as clients such as Grillo’s Pickles, Every Day Astronaut and Matty Matheson. 

In this episode, Ari and Seamus dig into all things merch. They discuss online versus touring merch sales, fanclubs, pre-sale campaigns, and large-scale transparency issues that come up between venues and promoters. Seamus and Ari also discuss which merch platforms work best for musicians, how to ‘merchandize’ your audience, and the importance of superfans. You’ll also get the inside scoop on Downright’s recent merger with Overcast to create their new brand Armada, and the exciting new ways they plan to operate. 

https://www.poweredbyarmada.com/about

04:14 – Intro

05:29 – Indie Merch Merger

09:44 – Impact of Merger

15:59 – Brand Management

19:14 – Case Examples

24:44 – Online vs. In-Person

29:14 – Online Strategies

35:59 – Tech in Merch

39:14 – Future of D2C

44:14 – Closing

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with sisters Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf of the groundbreaking electronic duo, Krewella. Krewella has earned billions of streams, a devoted global fanbase, and a place among the first women in EDM to reach major milestones. Featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and performing at Coachella, Lollapalooza, EDC, Tomorrowland, and beyond, Krewella has left an undeniable mark on the scene. After time with Columbia Records and a brief hiatus, they’ve returned with a new single, “Crying on the Dancefloor.”

Jahan and Yasmine dive deep into the business of music—covering collaborations, royalty splits, AI tools, and the ever-changing industry landscape. They reflect on how much has shifted over the past nine years, offering candid insights on balancing algorithm demands with authentic artistry. Most importantly, they share their perspective on staying true to yourself as an artist—creatively, spiritually, and personally—in an era of constant external pressure.

https://www.instagram.com/krewella/

04:37 – Intro

06:31 – Slower, intentional process

11:18 – Indie team setup

13:49 – Indie vs. major

19:35 – Grow vs. nurture fans, algorithms

31:09 – song death/rebirth, reviving old songs 

35:11 – Collabs & producer roles; splits

45:05 – Remixes/AI/Splice; self-sampling

1:01:05 – Live show: safe, sober, caring

1:08:13 – Making it

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save the Music Foundation which focuses to provide equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide. They do so by donating instruments and music technology to schools, providing resources for music educators and advocating for them on a national level.  

In this episode, Ari and Henry explore the future of music education in 2025 and how to support Save the Music Foundation. Henry shares the history of the J. Dilla Music Technology Grant—launched with Pharrell’s support—and its impact in classrooms nationwide. They discuss the shift from band and theory toward production and technology, the inequities faced by schools of different socio-economic backgrounds, and how we can all help ensure students have access to music today and in the future

https://www.savethemusic.org/

3:19 Introduction

4:19 Role of Music Education in the Industry

8:19 Ari & Henry’s Personal Journeys

13:19 Save the Music Foundation Mission & impact

23:19 Issues in schools

33:19 Cultural Influence: Local culture’s role

43:19 Modern Trends in Tech & Production

53:19 Future: Where music education is headed

58:19 Wrap-up & Call to Action

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, co-founders of Amber Health, an organization dedicated to improving mental health in the music industry. Zack and Dr. Chayim discuss their experience supporting tours for artists like Billie Eilish, Green Day, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, and more. Their work is reshaping the way the music industry supports the well-being of artists, crew members, and even label teams.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Chayim, Zack, and Ari explore the mental health challenges that come with life on the road, the pressures of performance, and the lack of traditional support systems in music. They also share how Amber Health is working to change that—embedding mental health professionals directly into tours and collaborating with labels to build long-term wellness infrastructure. Dr. Chayim and Zack discuss the specific services offered by Amber Health, their impactful work on Olivia Rodrigo's tour, and the broader implications of mental health support in the industry. This conversation underscores the need for sustainable practices and proactive mental health care to ensure the well-being of everyone in the music business.

www.amber.health

3:34 Introduction and Welcome

4:04 Importance of Mental Health in the Music Industry

8:34 Dr. Chayim Newman's Background and Journey

13:34 Zack Borer's Experience and Transition to Therapy

18:34 Founding and Mission of Amber Health

23:34 Challenges and Mental Health Issues in the Music Industry

28:34 Amber Health's Approach and Services

33:34 Case Study: Olivia Rodrigo's Tour

38:34 Future of Mental Health Support in Music

43:34 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by Matthew Ramsey, lead singer of Old Dominion, to discuss songwriting, touring, and artistic integrity. Old Dominion’s skyscraping anthems and electrifying live shows have put the multi-platinum-selling band at the forefront of country music, with nine No. 1 singles, over five billion streams, and multiple platinum certifications. They are the reigning 8X ACM and 7X CMA “Group of the Year,” holding the record for most consecutive CMA Vocal Group wins. In 2025, they earned their historic 8th consecutive ACM Group of the Year award, breaking all-time records. Their highly anticipated sixth album Barbara (August 22) and the How Good Is That World Tour will take them nationwide in 2025. 

In this episode, Ari and Matthew explore Old Dominion's creative journey and the stories behind their latest album. They delve into the inspiration for the iconic album cover, the songwriting process, and the balance between being a cover band and original artists. Matthew shares insights on the importance of staying true to one's art and offers valuable advice for aspiring musicians. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about music, creativity, and the evolving landscape of the music industry.

https://www.instagram.com/mtramsey

https://www.instagram.com/olddominionmusic

3:40 - Introduction and Tour Discussion

5:55 - Who's Barbara?

9:10 - Album Concept and Humor

14:25 - Songwriting Process and "Miss You Man"

21:40 - The Journey to Nashville

29:10 - Balancing Cover Bands and Original Music

36:25 - Choosing Singles and Label Dynamics

43:40 - The Importance of Staying True to Your Art

50:55 - Advice for Young Artists

58:40 - Closing Thoughts on Success in Music

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Tersha Willis, co-founder and CEO of terrible*, a UK-based merch company known for its artist-first approach. With a background in fashion, Tersha brings a fresh and progressive perspective to the merch game. terrible* runs merch for artists of all levels including Japanese Breakfast, The xx, CMAT, King Krule, Fever Ray, and more. She’s been recognized on the AIM Altpower100 Music List and has spoken at events like BBC Introducing, SXSW, and AIM, as well as being featured in outlets including BBC, C4, Wallpaper Magazine, Vox, and MusicAlly for her innovative work in the music merch industry.

Tersha and Ari discuss the challenges artists face in turning fan support into income—especially in an era dominated by streaming and large conglomerates taking cuts from merch sales. Tersha explains how terrible*’s unique approach, including a merch operating system, helps artists create sustainable income through high-quality, data-informed campaigns. The conversation also covers the nuances of live versus online sales, the power of pre-orders, and innovative direct-to-fan strategies that can turn merch into a vital piece of an artist’s long-term success.

https://www.instagram.com/terriblegrp

https://www.instagram.com/tersha_willis/

03:40 – Introduction: Ari welcomes Tersha Willis.

05:41 – The Digital Landscape: Streaming and social media metrics.

09:11 – Terrible Merch: Tersha’s company and approach to merch.

13:41 – Merchandising Operations: How merch companies work.

18:41 – Revenue Models: Ways artists profit from merch.

23:41 – Tips and Merch Sellers: The tipping debate at merch tables.

28:41 – Online and Live Operations: Blending online and live sales.

33:41 – Pre-order Campaigns: Why pre-orders help artists.

38:41 – Creative Merchandising: Engaging fans through merch.

43:41 – Marketing Strategies: Selling artist merchandise.

48:41 – Genre Differences: How genre impacts merch sales.

53:41 – Final Thoughts: Tersha’s view of success.

58:41 – Closing Remarks: Ari wraps up the episode.

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Naethan Apollo, an independent artist known for blending immersive storytelling with genre-bending songwriting. With over 1.4 million followers on TikTok and more than 500K monthly listeners on Spotify, Naethan has built a loyal fanbase through a mix of creative world-building, DIY ethos, and direct fan engagement. His latest project, Tales From Cazilor: Wyldflowers, an ambitious fusion of concept album, musical, and animated series that showcases his unique narrative vision.

In this conversation, Naethan opens up about the intersection of storytelling and songwriting in his work, and how his creative influences shaped his latest release. He also offers a surprisingly hopeful take on AI in music and reflects on how social media played a major role in his rise. The conversation digs into how he built a dedicated community around his work, the importance of setting boundaries for mental health, and how he’s redefining success on his own terms. Looking ahead, Naethan shares what’s next for his career and what motivates him to keep creating.

https://www.instagram.com/naethan_apollo/

00:00 - Introduction and Naethan's arrival

02:15 - Discussing "Tales from Casalor: Wildflowers"

10:30 - The inspiration behind combining music and storytelling

18:45 - Naethan's creative process and influences

25:00 - Navigating social media and building a fanbase

35:20 - The role of community and fan engagement

45:00 - Challenges of mental health and setting boundaries

55:30 - Future plans and aspirations for Naethan's music and storytelling

01:05:00 - Closing thoughts and Naethan's definition of success in the music industry

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dave and JJ Heller to discuss building a completely independent music business for a niche audience of moms. JJ Heller is a Nashville-based Christian folk-pop singer-songwriter known for her gentle voice, heartfelt lyrics, and monthly single releases that have earned her over a billion streams. Rising to prominence with the 2008 hit “Your Hands,” Heller has since built a devoted fanbase through her lullaby-themed I Dream of You album series and relatable songs about faith, family, and mental health. Alongside her husband and creative partner Dave Heller, she continues to blend sincerity with soothing melodies, making her a comforting presence for listeners of all ages.

In this episode, Ari, JJ, and Dave dive into the Hellers’ journey from college bandmates to full-time independent artists. They explore the ups and downs of DIY success, the shift from physical albums to streaming, and how their lullaby project became a thriving cornerstone of their business. The conversation also touches on viral growth through social media, the role of AI in music, and what it truly means to “make it” in today’s ever-evolving music industry.

04:12 Ari introduces Dave and JJ Heller and sets up their story.

06:27 How they got started as a college band and grew into full-time musicians.

14:42 Their DIY strategy, self-releasing music, and staying independent.

24:57 Shifting from physical sales to finding success in streaming.

34:12 How their lullaby albums took off and became a cornerstone of their business.

44:32 Navigating viral moments and the unpredictability of social media.

54:22 Their thoughts on AI’s impact on music and the value of human connection.

01:04:12 Reflecting on what it really means to “make it” in today’s music industry.

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Rick Farman. Farman is an experienced entrepreneur, co-founder, and executive at Superfly, the event production company behind Bonnaroo and San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. With roots dating back to Superfly’s founding in 1996, Farman has overseen event operations, business development, and strategic partnerships that have shaped some of the country’s most iconic festivals . As a key architect of Outside Lands since its launch in 2008, he helped build the festival’s signature blend of music, sustainability, and Bay Area culture, emphasizing local food, art, and ecological responsibility. A holder of a BA in anthropology from Tulane University, Farman splits his time between overseeing Superfly’s expanding portfolio and investing in emerging companies across wellness, tech, and entertainment.

Ari and Rick delve into the intricacies of festival creation, exploring everything from the art of booking talent to designing immersive, multidimensional experiences that go far beyond the music. Rick shares valuable insights into the business side of running large-scale events, including sponsorship, logistics, and long-term brand building. He also emphasizes the importance of fostering community, highlighting how festivals can serve as cultural touchstones. Throughout the conversation, Rick reflects on how the festival landscape has evolved over the years, shaped by shifts in technology, audience expectations, and the growing demand for authenticity and purpose-driven programming.

00:00 Introduction – Ari introduces Rick Farman and his festival background.

02:15 Origins of Outside Lands – Rick shares how the festival began and its San Francisco roots.

10:30Booking Artists – How lineups are built and talent is curated.

20:45Festival Business – The economics of festivals and artist compensation.

30:00Immersive Experiences – Rick on designing interactive festival environments.

40:15Bonnaroo’s Evolution – The rise of Bonnaroo and its industry impact

50:00Music & Community – Why building community is essential in music today.

55:30 Conclusion – Final thoughts on success in the modern music business.

https://sfoutsidelands.com/

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Jess Furman—a creative executive, Emmy-nominated composer, and music industry leader whose work spans TV, film, Web3, and beyond. Named one of Billboard’s Top 40 Industry-Shaping Executives, Jess blends creative vision with business savvy. She founded Sound Revolver (now part of Big Noise Music Group), where she led award-winning music campaigns and earned Tellys, Clios, and RIAA Gold certifications. Her credits include Moonlight, Westworld, My Little Pony: Pony Life, Littlest Pet Shop, and campaigns for brands like Ralph Lauren. As a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Jess’s music has been featured on Sesame Street, MTV, Drop Dead Diva, Sundance, and SXSW.

In this episode, we follow Jess’s journey from New York singer-songwriter to a leading force in the world of sync licensing in Los Angeles. She shares what it takes to write custom music for film, TV, and branded content—and breaks down the creative and business challenges that come with it. In the second half, things get lively as she and Ari debate the future of AI in music. Jess previews her next project: an AI-generated artist built to test a blockchain-driven brand model. The music is created by AI, refined by humans, and designed to support real artists through tech. Jess sees promise in it. Ari isn’t so sure—and questions the ethics and long-term effects of AI-generated content on platforms already flooded with music.

https://www.instagram.com/jessfurmanmuse

05:45 Introduction and History

11:16 Journey to Sync Licensing

21:31 Founding Sound Revolver

31:06 Custom Music for TV and Film

45:56 AI in Music Creation

1:01:16 Debating The Future of the Music Industry

1:15:46 Final Thoughts and Making It in Music

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Matt Graham, founding manager partner of Range Media Partners and head of Range Music. Range Music represents artists like Jack Harlow, Shaboozey, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Pentatonix, Rita Ora, Saweetie, Noah Cyrus, Midland, and Dylan Gossett—as well as emerging talent. Originally launched as a management company, Range has grown into a multi-division operation spanning music, film, TV, publishing, composing, and sports. Matt was named to Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list and recently recognized as one of Billboard's Country Power Players.

In this conversation, Ari and Matt take a big-picture look at how Range is structured, how the music team works together internally, and how artist management continues to evolve. They touch on deal structures—both traditional and emerging—and discuss how representation models are shifting across the industry. Matt also shares insights into his work in country music and how he’s thinking about developing both established names and new talent. They also touch on generative AI music and where we’re heading with all of it. If you're interested in the business of management, this conversation offers a thoughtful look behind the scenes.

https://www.instagram.com/itsmattgraham/

https://rangemusic.com/

00:00 - Introduction to Matt Graham and Range

03:05 - Building Range Media Partners’ collaborative management model  

08:14 - Partnering with Big Loud and Mercury on Dylan Gossett  

13:20 - The role of management in structuring label partnerships  

17:45 - Global strategy for country and genre-fluid artists  

21:55 - How Range Media supports career development beyond music  

26:10 - Composer division and expansion into scoring and sync  

31:05 - Why AI music is disrupting the music industry  

35:45 - Labeling and regulation for AI-generated content  

40:28 - How AI could reduce artist costs for visuals and production  

45:50 - Blockchain’s missed opportunity in music  

48:15 - What it means to "make it" in today’s music business  

51:00 - Final thoughts and Matt’s outlook on the industry 

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with indie artist Michael Seyer, who’s spent the last decade shaping his artistic identity through nostalgic albums like Ugly Boy and Bad Bonez. His latest release, Boylife, blends dream pop and indie-folk into a heartfelt coming-of-age soundtrack, written between LA and tour stops across Asia and North America. Self-released through his new label, Seyerland Records, Boylife marks a new chapter—one where Seyer deepens his artistry while uplifting fellow independent musicians.

Ari and Michael dive into the making of Boylife, collaborating with a young producer, shooting music videos guerrilla-style in Japan, and staying fully independent—from DIY vinyl runs to self-funded tours. Seyer also shares how he’s building worlds around his music, launching his label, and navigating the tricky balance between art and promotion.

https://www.instagram.com/michaelseyer/

Chapters

05:20 – Getting Started with Internet Music & Early DIY Releases  

08:15 – Collaborating with Producer Christian Taylor on Boylife  

12:10 – How Making Boylife Reignited His Passion for Music  

14:45 – Staying Fully Independent in a Label-Dominated Industry  

16:50 – Seyer’s Licensing Deal with Virgin Records Explained  

22:05 – Pressing Vinyl & Distributing Music Through DistroKid  

25:50 – Behind the Scenes of Filming “Fiend” on the Streets of Japan  

35:40 – Launching Seyerland Records to Support Local Artists  

42:30 – What Artist Development Means & How He Approaches It  

52:30 – Navigating Social Media, Burnout, and Self-Promotion  

57:10 – Defining Success & What It Means to “Make It” in Music

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Justin Gammella, a hit songwriter, producer, top liner, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. With over a billion streams to his name and more than 100 released cuts, Justin’s catalog includes Bella Poarch’s viral hit “Build a Bitch” and collaborations with artists like Benson Boone, Lennon Stella, Steve Aoki, and FINNEAS. A true “working class” pop songwriter, Justin brings a decade of professional songwriting experience to the table and is also the host of the Producer Points podcast.

In this episode, Ari and Justin dive into the realities of professional songwriting in today’s music industry. They explore how songwriters get paid, how publishing works, and the controversy around non-writing artists receiving songwriting credit. They also touch on newer developments like songwriters earning master points and how the industry continues to evolve in the streaming era. This episode also takes on the growing role of AI in music—how Justin uses it in his workflow, the ethical questions it raises, and the need for safeguards across the industry.

https://instagram.com/justin_gammella

http://instagram.com/producer_points 

Chapters

00:00 The Role of Songwriters in the Music Industry

05:12 Journey to Becoming a Professional Songwriter

10:04 Understanding Publishing Deals

17:30 Monetization in the Streaming Era

23:15 The Songwriting Process and Collaboration

31:54 Vocal Production: The Heart of Music Creation

39:08 The Art of Pitch Songs: Collaboration and Emotion

42:17 Navigating the Modern Music Landscape: Major Labels vs. Indie Artists

45:57 Songwriting Credits: The Controversy of Co-Writing

50:11 The Evolving Role of Songwriters in the Streaming Era

54:56 AI in Music: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations

01:01:36 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Oscar Höglund, the co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound. Epidemic Sound is a leading music and soundtracking platform for content creators. They have garnered attention for its digital rights model and soundtracking tools that help creators to elevate their content with music, while simultaneously supporting artists financially. Oscar shares insights from his journey launching Epidemic after working with Sweden’s renowned Zodiak Television.

In their episode, Ari and Oscar unpack critical issues impacting independent artists, including royalty structures, streaming economics, and the evolving landscape of music licensing. They explore Epidemic Sound’s unique approach to artist compensation, discuss how digital streaming has pushed music toward playlist-driven consumption, and tackle the creative tension artists face when making commercially viable music. This episode offers an in-depth look at one of the industry's most influential platforms shaping the future of music in content creation.

Chapters

00:00 The Changing Landscape of Music Royalties

06:00 Epidemic Sound: A New Model for Music Distribution

12:14 Artist Compensation and Ownership Rights

17:46 Innovative Approaches to Music Licensing

24:09 The Impact of Epidemic Sound on Independent Artists

29:53 Future of Music in the Digital Age

42:16 The Evolution of Music Consumption

46:21 Negotiating with DSPs and Licensing Rates

49:52 The Rise of Epidemic Sound

55:31 The Artist's Identity Crisis

01:08:01 Future Innovations and AI in Music

01:21:12 Becoming a Full-Service Music Platform

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Jaclyn O’Connell, a digital marketer, creative strategist, artist manager, and founder of Bittersweet Media and Good Grief Management. Jaclyn has provided creative marketing solutions and hands-on artist management for artists and labels of all scales and sizes—from emerging artists to well-established acts and both indie and major labels. They have supported gold and platinum records and worked with artists including Wild Rivers, Cavetown, Julian Baker, and Cold War Kids. Drawing on experience in both marketing and artist management, Jaclyn offers a sharp, insider perspective on what it truly takes to build a sustainable career in today’s music industry.

In this episode, Ari and Jaclyn dive deep into the realities of modern music marketing — from navigating ever-shifting social media algorithms to building effective fan funnels that turn casual listeners into ticket buyers and lifelong fans. They also unpack the current touring landscape, direct support deals, and the hot-button issue of tour buy-ons. Whether you're an artist, manager, or just curious about how fan engagement really works, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

http://instagram.com/jaclyn_oconnell

Chapters

00:00 Building Direct Relationships with Fans

03:09 Navigating the Social Media Landscape

05:49 The Importance of Mental Health in Artist Management

09:05 Innovative Monetization Strategies for Artists

11:55 The Role of Community in Artist Growth

14:58 Understanding the Fan Journey

18:05 Challenges in Touring for Emerging Artists

21:03 The Evolution of the Live Music Industry

36:21 The Ethics of Tour Buy-Ons

39:09 Navigating the Challenges of Touring

43:05 Building Artist Relationships and Mental Health

46:04 Defining Success in Artist Campaigns

48:02 The Role of Social Media in Driving Streams

51:01 The Nuances of Going Viral

55:29 The Fragmentation of Viral Success

57:23 Conversations with Labels and Ownership

01:01:23 Balancing Management and Business

01:10:25 Setting Boundaries in Artist Management

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Danny Ross, a producer/songwriter, columnist at Forbes, professor at Berklee NYC, and the founder of the largest songwriting camp in the world, Anti Social Camp. Now in its 5th year, Anti Social Camp brings together over 250 songwriters, producers, and artists, including Cigarettes After Sex, Beach Bunny, Bryce Vine, Walk the Moon, Taja Kumari, Evan Giia, and Louis Cato, for 200 recording sessions across 40 studios in 5 days.

If you are a songwriter or producer who’s ever wondered what goes down at songwriting camps or how to get involved, you’re going to learn all about that and more in this episode with Danny Ross.

Get $100 your Anti Social Camp Badge by using the code: ARIANTISOCIALVIPatantisocialcamp.com

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Reputation in the Music Industry

03:02 Understanding Songwriting Camps

05:48 The Structure and Dynamics of Songwriting Sessions

08:47 The Evolution of the Anti Social Camp

12:01 Building Community in New York's Music Scene

14:54 The Anti Social Camp Experience

17:54 Diverse Genres and Collaboration

20:54 The Future of Songwriting Camps

31:11 Creative Collaborations in Music Production

32:26 Success Stories from the Camp

33:44 Understanding Major vs. Indie vs. Self-Releasing Artists

38:33 The Financial Landscape of Music Production

44:53 Navigating Splits and Royalties in Music

47:01 The Ethics of Publishing in the Music Industry

52:39 Teaching the Next Generation of Music Creators

56:40 The Importance of Community in Music Creation

59:01 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dan Melnick, the General Manager of Bandcamp. One of the earliest direct-to-fan platforms, Bandcamp empowers listeners to support artists they love directly. They have enabled fans to pay over 1.49 billion dollars and 193 million dollars directly to artists last year. Over 75k records get sold on this superfan platform every day and over half a million fans buy at least one thing on Bandcamp each month. 

In this episode, Dan explains to Ari how and why Bandcamp is still growing after 17 years. He shares where the company’s headed, and why its download model has continued to thrive, despite the fall of downloads on platforms like iTunes. Dan also highlights how artists can use Bandcamp to bolster their release strategies, and Ari shares some of his favorite, lesser-known features of the site. Take a listen to find out how Bandcamp’s direct-to-fan platform can help you connect with fans and monetize your fan relationships.

https://bandcamp.com/ 

Chapters

00:00 Building a Sustainable Music Career

05:00 The Power of Bandcamp

09:59 Understanding Bandcamp's Growth

15:06 Direct-to-Fan Relationships

19:53 Innovations in Bandcamp

24:45 Community and Engagement on Bandcamp

30:03 Best Practices for Artists on Bandcamp

36:25 Merchandising Beyond Music: The Power of T-Shirts

39:28 Navigating the Streaming Landscape: Bandcamp vs. Spotify

48:25 Building a Sustainable Career: Strategies for Artists

56:11 Understanding Bandcamp's Business Model: Fair Trade Music

01:02:36 The Evolution of Curation: Bandcamp's Editorial Approach

01:05:20 The Future of Bandcamp: Building Sustainable Careers

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of the New Music Business podcast, Ari untangles the complexities of royalties, registration, and publishing. After his social media video with the same message (“Don’t cut your drummer into publishing”) went viral for the wrong reasons, Ari wanted to come on the show and break down the nuances of this advice. Tune in to get clear on the differences between publishing royalties and master royalties, which royalties session musicians are legally due, the importance of one-stop agreements, and how to fairly (or, more so, generously) compensate your session musicians.

Read the article on Ari’s Take: https://aristake.com/publishing-royalties/

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Music Publishing and Royalties

02:55 The Role of Session Musicians in Music Creation

05:55 Differentiating Between Master Royalties and Publishing

09:09 The Importance of One-Stop Agreements

11:59 Fair Compensation for Session Musicians

15:12 Changing Industry Standards

17:46 How Publishing Royalties Work Within Bands

20:13 Why Session Musicians Are Not Considered Co-Writers

22:20 Legally Entitled Radio Royalties for Session Musicians

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Jacob Paul, the VP of Platform Growth & Brand Strategy at Kobalt and KOSIGN. Jacob has been one of the leaders behind Kobalt’s new admin publishing platform, KOSIGN, since its public launch in February 2025. Kobalt has been disrupting the traditional publishing model for years. Now their application-based platform, KOSIGN, is doing the same in the admin publishing space.

In this episode, Jacob explains how Kobalt and KOSIGN approach publishing differently than traditional publishers and admin publishers. Along the way, he and Ari completely break down how music publishing works. They touch on: how songwriters get paid, the difference between “artists” and “songwriters,” the difference between publishers and admin publishers, and how creators can be sure they’re not leaving any money on the table. Jacob also shares why it’s advantageous to have a publisher or an admin publisher instead of just working with a PRO or MRO. If you have questions about music publishing (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?), this episode’s got you covered. 

https://www.kosignmusic.com/

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Music Publishing and Royalties

05:07 The Role of Kobalt in Music Publishing

10:10 Distinguishing Between Artists and Songwriters

14:51 The Importance of Publishing for Songwriters

19:53 Kobalt's Innovative Approach to Publishing

25:03 Exploring Traditional vs. Admin Publishing Deals

29:56 The Launch of KOSIGN and Its Impact on Indie Songwriters

35:43 The Rise of Independent Artists

40:23 Understanding Publishing and Royalties

45:35 Navigating the Complexities of Publishing Administration

51:10 The Role of KOSIGN in Empowering Songwriters

56:25 The Future of Music Publishing and Artist Ownership

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Mag Rodriguez, the founder and CEO of the direct-to-fan platform EVEN. Throughout his career, Mag has helped artists generate over 1 billion streams—but now, he’s focused on building a parallel music economy where artists sell directly to fans before streaming. “Superfan” platforms like EVEN are redefining how artists monetize their work.

Through EVEN, Mag has partnered with J. Cole, 6LACK, LaRussell, Lauren Jauregui, Fariana, Smino, Ryan Leslie, and thousands of other artists of all levels, empowering them to take ownership of their fan relationships and unlock new revenue streams. They’re essentially putting control and earnings back into the hands of artists.

In this episode, Mag tells Ari about artists who don’t have many followers or monthly listeners, but are making significant revenue from their fans on EVEN. They discuss the previous eras of direct-to-fan platforms (like Bandcamp, Patreon, Kickstarter) and how EVEN’s music-centric model differs from these prior iterations. Superfan platforms are truly taking the industry by storm—Mag tells Ari that EVEN, alone, onboards about 8,000 artists each day. If you’re interested in exploring superfan platforms, this episode is a great place to start. 

Check out EVEN at: get.even.biz

Chapters

00:00 The Challenge of Monetizing Music for Emerging Artists

02:57 The Rise of Direct-to-Fan Platforms

05:58 Understanding Even: A Direct-to-Fan Platform

08:55 Windowing and the Shift in Music Distribution

11:54 The Economics of Music Sales vs. Streaming

15:12 Selling Access: The Community Aspect of Even

18:00 Building Community: The Even Triangle

21:04 Real Success Stories: Emerging Artists on Even

24:00 Emotional Commerce: Connecting with Fans

26:57 The Future of Music Monetization

35:10 The $1,000 Album Phenomenon

38:36 Sustainable Revenue Models for Artists

40:16 Data-Driven Insights for Artists

44:27 The Journey to Building Even

51:12 Navigating Major Labels and Independent Artists

54:23 Operational Framework for Artists and Labels

01:00:07 Community Engagement and Fan Interaction

01:04:24 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by Lyor Cohen, the Global Head of Music at YouTube. Earlier in his career, Lyor led Def Jam Recordings, where he worked with artists such as Jay-Z, Ja Rule, and Ludacris. He eventually sold Def Jam to Universal and helped create the Island Def Jam Music Group. After Def Jam, Lyor became Chairman and CEO of Recorded Music at Warner Music Group. He went on to co-found 300 Entertainment (repping artists like Fetty Wap and Young Thug) before landing at YouTube in 2016.

In this episode, Lyor and Ari discuss artist development, the state of the industry, and music’s digital revolution. Lyor shares what it was like to lead Warner Music at a time when both Spotify and YouTube launched. If you’re curious about the trajectory of tech in music, how generative AI can bring artists and fans together, or how you can use YouTube to build momentum in your career, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 The Pursuit of Artist Success

05:23 Navigating the Music Industry Landscape

12:11 User-Centric Approach in Music

20:34 Building Artist Communities

27:14 The Evolution of Music Consumption

33:30 Embracing Generative AI in Music

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Victoria Canal, the rising singer-songwriter known for her deeply moving and introspective music. Victoria has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Later… with Jools Holland, and onstage with Coldplay at Glastonbury. She has won two Ivor Novello awards (including the Rising Star award) and recently released a new album, Slowly, It Dawns.

After ten hard-won years as a DIY artist, Victoria’s now signed with a major label, Parlophone Records (under Warner Music Group). In this episode, Victoria opens up about her journey as an artist and the varying pressures faced by both indie and label-repped musicians. Tune in to learn more about headlining the Troubadour, life as a touring artist, managing the pressures of social media, and how to attract the right kinds of fans. 

https://www.victoriacanal.com/ 

Chapters

00:00 From Glastonbury to Stardom

03:11 The Journey of Victoria’s Career

05:49 Creating Intimate Connections Through Music

08:50 The Reality of Touring Economics

11:56 Balancing Artistry and Business

14:58 The Emotional Journey of Songwriting

18:07 Evolving Through Performance

20:55 The Impact of Social Media on Artists

24:09 Navigating Vulnerability in Performance

27:14 The New Album: Slowly, It Dawns

30:05 Reflections on Growth and Authenticity

36:23 The Inner Journey of Self-Acceptance

39:50 Meeting Idols: Reality vs. Expectation

40:45 A Dream Come True: Performing with Coldplay

45:04 The Importance of Energy in Performance

46:06 Navigating the Artist Lifestyle and People Management

49:03 The Weight of Fan Interactions

54:06 Social Media Pressures and Authenticity

01:01:19 Taking a Stand: Performing at the Kennedy Center

01:05:39 Defining Success in the Music Industry

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Sarah McTaggart from the hit alt-pop band Transviolet. Transviolet exploded onto the scene in 2015 with their breakout single “Girls Your Age” with Epic Records. The band moved between a couple labels throughout their career, but they’re now independent. Transviolet has played Late Shows with Colbert and James Corden; they’ve had notable syncs including the Pretty Little Liars theme song; they’ve played huge festivals like SXSW, Governor’s Ball and Firefly; and they recently released their fourth studio album, Softcore.

Sarah tells Ari about Transviolet’s experiences working with a major label and how things have changed since going independent. They talk about the ins-and-outs of touring (including Transviolet’s upcoming US tour), how the band got started, and a brilliant guerrilla marketing technique they used to promote one of their early releases. Transviolet also had the surprising experience of finding out they were big in China (hot tip: you might be too). Tune in to find out how they discovered they were big over there and how you can check for yourself, too.

https://transviolet.com/

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of the Music Business

02:53 Transviolet's Journey to Independence

06:02 The Creative Process Behind 'Softcore'

08:54 Exploring Vulnerability in Music

12:12 The Duality of Persona

15:09 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth

17:50 Marketing Innovations in the Music Industry

21:11 The Impact of Major Labels vs. Independence

36:13 Redefining the Artist's Team

39:34 The Evolution of Digital Marketing in Music

44:14 Navigating Social Media's Impact on Music

51:07 Exploring International Touring Experiences

57:21 The Dynamics of Touring and Band Changes

01:08:28 Creating Art: The Journey of Songwriting and Production

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode highlights star music supervisor Jen Malone. She has placed music and worked on Euphoria, Atlanta, Creed 2, The Resident, Boomerang, Baskets, Shelter, Lady Dynamite, Step Up, and more. Jen has over a decade of highly esteemed experience in the industry.

In this episode, Jen goes into depth about what music supervisors do and the business of sync licensing. She gives great advice on how independent artists can get their music synced and things to look out for in contracts and fee negotiations. If you want to know how to pitch your music to supervisors with the best chance of striking a deal, this is the episode for you.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Music Supervision

02:55 Navigating the Music Supervision Landscape

05:59 The Role of a Music Supervisor

08:55 The Evolution of Music Syncing

12:00 Tools of the Trade

14:59 Finding and Pitching Music

18:00 Understanding Music Ownership

21:08 The Process of Music Supervision in TV and Film

24:05 Collaboration with Composers

27:09 The Differences Between Film and TV Music Supervision

33:40 Managing Multiple Projects

35:21 The Role of Personal Taste in Music Supervision

37:22 Juxtaposition in Music Placement

42:26 Impact of Music Placements on Independent Artists

46:04 The Evolution of Sync Licensing

50:19 Workflow and Project Management in Music Supervision

51:59 Differences in Working with Streaming Platforms vs. Traditional Networks

54:30 The Importance of Fair Compensation for Artists

58:03 Protecting Artist Rights in Sync Licensing

01:03:42 Advice for Independent Artists in Sync Licensing

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode highlights award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer, Imogen Heap. Imogen Heap has released five solo albums, an album as one half of Frou Frou, and has collaborated with countless other stars including Taylor Swift, Nitin Sawhney, Deadmau5, Eric Whitacre, Jeff Beck and Jon Hopkins. Heap, recognized as an artist’s artist, has won two Grammys and an Ivor Novello award. She holds three honorary doctorates for her work on ‘MI.MU gloves’ and ’The Creative Passport’—two prominent music tech companies that work to empower creatives. 

In this episode, Ari and Imogen discuss NFTs, metadata and payment transparency and how to properly credit (and pay) creators using the blockchain. Overall, how to make the future of music more equitable for musicians.

Chapters

00:00 The Fragmented Music Industry

02:52 Imogen Heap: A Pioneer in Music and Technology

05:55 The Creative Passport: Empowering Artists

09:11 Data Transparency and Royalty Distribution

12:04 The Role of DSPs and Data Integrity

14:52 The Future of Music Royalties

17:55 Building a Better Music Ecosystem

21:02 Blockchain and the Future of Music

23:46 Interoperability and Charitable Contributions

29:06 Navigating NFTs and Environmental Concerns

34:23 The Future of NFTs in Art

37:12 Building a Community Through Technology

46:58 AI as a Creative Partner

54:36 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode spotlights Grammy-nominated, hit singer and songwriter Bonnie McKee. Since the early 2000s, McKee has written 10 singles that have reached #1 in the US and UK, which have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide combined.

McKee is particularly known for collaborating with Katy Perry, co-writing hits such as “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream”, “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)“, “Part of Me,” “Wide Awake” and “Roar” together. She also co-wrote “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz, which became the second-best-selling song by a British artist in the digital era. Additional artists who she has worked with include Britney Spears, Kesha, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Mike Tompkins. Last year, she released her album Hot City featuring the hit single “American Girl.”

Chapters

00:00 The Art of Songwriting: Balancing Familiarity and Creativity

03:02 Bonnie McKee: A Journey Through Songwriting and Independence

06:06 Exploring the World of Film: From Music to Directing

08:59 The Dynamics of Songwriting Sessions: Collaboration and Creativity

11:52 Navigating the Music Industry: The Role of Songwriters

14:47 Contrasting Nashville and LA: Different Approaches to Songwriting

17:47 The Challenges of Being a Female Songwriter and Producer

21:31 Gender Dynamics in Music Production

24:44 Navigating Songwriting and Royalties

27:46 The Art of Songwriting: Balancing Authenticity and Popularity

30:48 Song Doctoring: The Business Side of Refining Songs

32:57 The Controversy of Song Credits

34:05 Creating 'Roar': A Triumph Over Misogyny

37:42 Shifts in the Music Industry: A Personal Perspective

40:32 Advice for Aspiring Songwriters

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Simon Tikhman, the co-founder of The Core Entertainment and The Core Records. The Core Entertainment first made waves as an artist management company, guiding the careers of major country stars like Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith. After demonstrated success in management, The Core Entertainment partnered with Universal Music Group to launch The Core Records.

During this episode, Simon and Ari discuss the careers of The Core Entertainment’s breakout artists, Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith. Simon explains how both artists achieved success in drastically different ways—Nate landed his record deal at age 36 after grinding for many years in Nashville, while Bailey broke out on TikTok in his early 20s. Simon outlines the value in each of these paths and explains how Nashville treats artists differently if they have found success the traditional way versus through social media. This episode also goes into detail about what the Nashville country music scene looks like today, the nuances between Nashville labels and coastal labels, and the ins and outs of artist management. If you’re curious about how to break as a country artist in 2025, this episode is for you.

https://www.instagram.com/thecoreent/

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Country Radio

04:58 Simon Tikhman's Journey to Artist Management

16:19 Building The Core Entertainment and Nashville Connections

24:12 Nate Smith's Breakthrough in Country Music

33:53 Bailey Zimmerman's Rise as a New Artist

35:21 The Rise of Bailey Zimmerman

41:10 Navigating the Music Industry

44:47 The Importance of Labels in Country Music

52:08 The New Paradigm for Country Artists

56:51 Social Media's Role in Artist Development

01:06:42 Defining Success in the Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Marc Caruso, the CEO and co-founder of Angry Mob Music, an independent music publisher based in LA. Aside from being an advocate for independent artists in the publishing world, Marc is a composer, producer, and Emmy-nominated music editor himself. He is also a board member and former President of the LA chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a member of The Recording Academy, and a member of The Motion Picture Editors Guild.

In this episode, Marc describes the evolving landscape of music publishing, particularly in the context of our streaming economy. He breaks down essential terms, like ‘music publishing’ itself, ‘copyright’, and ‘royalties’, before diving into the deeper complexities of the publishing world. Marc is incredibly transparent about how the money gets made at his publishing company—giving detailed accounts of how much sync licenses pay these days and what royalties look like for microsyncs on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Rounding out a more global view, Marc and Ari discuss Universal’s deal with Spotify, the MLC’s failed lawsuit against Spotify and what all this means for independent publishers and independent songwriters. 

https://www.instagram.com/angrymobmusic/

Chapters

00:00 The Shift from Sales to Streaming Economy

04:07 Understanding Music Publishing

12:50 The Role of Angry Mob Music

16:55 Revenue Streams in Music Publishing

21:30 The Importance of Sync Licensing

22:00 Sync Fees and Their Variability

29:44 Sync in Film and Advertising

34:34 Micro Sync and Social Media Platforms

39:41 Navigating Music Licensing for Creators

45:24 The Complexities of Music Rights on Social Media

49:11 The Role of Music Publishers and Advocacy

57:02 Inequities in the Music Industry

01:10:30 Empowering Independent Artists and Publishers

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Liz Pelly, a prominent music journalist and author of the new book Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist. Liz’s journalism has appeared in NPR, The Guardian, and Pitchfork among other prestigious publications. Preceded by an exposé in Harper’s Magazine, Pelly’s latest work, Mood Machine,pulls back the curtain on Spotify’s exploitative practices and uncovers how those practices impact artists and listeners. 

In this episode, Liz gives the low down on research she conducted for the book and explains how Spotify has unfairly conspired with major labels since its launch. As she does in Mood Machine, Liz calls out Spotify’s Perfect Fit Content (PFC) program and explains how its use of ghost artists degrades the integrity of their model for all. Ari and Liz discuss the value of music and how that can differ in the eyes of major corporations and individuals. Whether you’re an artist, label, or listener who uses Spotify, this episode will help you understand the impact Spotify’s model has on your relationship to music.

https://www.instagram.com/lizpelly 

Harper’s article: https://harpers.org/archive/2025/01/the-ghosts-in-the-machine-liz-pelly-spotify-musicians/

Chapters

00:00 The Inner Workings of Spotify

12:48 Ghost Artists and the PFC Program

37:50 Spotify's Launch and Major Label Relationships

41:26 The Evolution of Streaming Contracts

44:14 Valuing Music: A Cultural Perspective

49:43 The Impact of Streaming on Music Value

56:10 Algorithms and the Personalization of Music

01:01:20 The Role of Music in Society

01:07:23 Future Solutions for Musicians

01:19:38 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Luis Navarro and Joel Niño Jr. of the duo Twin Tribes. This dark wave band out of Brownsville, TX has been gaining impressive momentum on the gothic scene—and they’re doing it entirely DIY. Twin Tribes releases their music through DistroKid and has over 30 million streams with nearly a million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. They have toured the world and managed their growing success completely independently.

In this episode, Twin Tribes tells Ari all about how they’ve built their DIY operation from the ground up. They share about how they’ve partnered with record labels to utilize their physical product offerings (CDs, cassette tapes, vinyls, etc) while still maintaining full independence as artists. Luis and Joel also break down the potent visuals behind the Twin Tribes brand and how they developed their aesthetic. This conversation is an inspiring example of how finding your niche and building a DIY community can help catapult your career. 

https://www.instagram.com/twin_tribes/

Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of Twin Tribes

02:53 Building a DIY Community

06:03 The Role of Aesthetics in Music

08:51 Discovering the Gothic Scene

12:13 The Cassette Era and Initial Releases

15:10 Growing Through Live Performances

17:58 Transitioning to Full-Time Musicians

20:51 Strategic Partnerships and Touring

24:04 The Evolution of Their Sound and Success

28:21 Navigating DIY Music Partnerships

30:42 Building a Digital Strategy for Streaming Success

36:24 Creating Ambitious Music Videos

44:23 Crafting a Cohesive Aesthetic and Vision

50:36 Engaging with Fans and Community

53:04 Looking Ahead: Future Plans for Twin Tribes

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Alex Taggart, an expert on the Chinese music market. Alex spent 10 years in China overseeing local strategy for clients such as Dua Lipa, Diplo, Lauv, John Legend and so many more. He now works independently, managing artists through his own company, Isle of Management. Alex’s main focus is bringing globally-minded talent to local audiences worldwide.

This conversation gives a comprehensive introduction to the Chinese music industry. Whether you’re well-versed in this market or know virtually nothing about it, you will learn a ton from this episode. Alex highlights various DSPs used in China (i.e. their versions of Spotify/Apple music) and explains the inner workings of Chinese social platforms. If you’re an artist looking to break into China, Alex offers actionable steps to get your music on their radar. In fact, you might already be big in China and not even realize it! Alex shares important info about how to check your music’s traction in China. If you’re interested in booking shows or touring through the country, this episode is for you, too. Enjoy this breakdown of the multifaceted Chinese music market!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-taggart-music/ 

Chapters

00:00 Collaborating for Success in China

01:51 Understanding the Chinese Music Market

07:55 Music Consumption and Streaming Platforms in China

15:59 Checking Your Traction in China

20:38 Revenue Streams for Artists

23:57 Monetization in the Chinese Music Industry

35:41 Navigating Publishing and Rights Management

37:07 Understanding China's Music Publishing Landscape

40:01 Navigating the Challenges of Music Rights in China

44:27 Exploring Touring Opportunities in China

49:50 Strategies for Artists to Break into the Chinese Market

54:12 The Role of Competition Shows in Artist Development

01:01:19 Leveraging Collaborations for Market Entry

01:12:01 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Tor Hermansen, half of the production/songwriter duo Stargate. Stargate has written and produced major hit songs for artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, and Coldplay, to name a few. Tor has billions of streams, has written and produced 10 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles in the US and 11 in the UK. He has won 2 Grammy Awards and received the ASCAP songwriter of the year award twice. Stargate’s writer and producer credits include Beyoncé’s global hit “Irreplaceable,” Beyoncé and Shakira’s “Beautiful Liar,” extensive work with Rihanna including “Rude Boy,” “Don’t Stop The Music,” “Only Girl (In the World),” What’s My Name, “S&M, “Diamonds,” Selena Gomez’ “Come & Get It” and “Same Old Love,” Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Most recently, the team produced Coldplay’s album A Head Full of Dreams, co-wrote and produced Julia Michael’s current hit “Issues.”

Tor talks about the process of songwriting and producing, working with artists and topliners. He shares great advice on how to write and work in the room with other songwriters, producers, and topliners. Tor also shares valuable insight on demoing, writing, re-writing, scaling up a musical production, and more. Ari and Tor dive deep into the business end of songwriting and producing as well; they discuss the 9-month intensive LAAMP program (Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Producers) Tor and his Stargate partner Mikkel Eriksen created for aspiring artists, songwriters, and producers in LA and how to get involved. If you’re interested in how songwriting and producing works at the hit level, this episode is for you!

https://www.instagram.com/stargate/

https://www.laampmusic.com/

Chapters

00:00 No Compromising in Music Creation

00:33 Introduction to Tora Hermanson and Stargate

02:51 Songwriting and Production Process Insights

04:41 The Evolution of Music Production

10:19 The Pitch Game: Is It Dead?

13:14 Identifying a Hit: The Unpredictable Nature

16:03 The Role of Social Media in Music Success

18:52 Adapting to New Mediums: TikTok and Streaming

21:27 The Creation of 'Issues' with Julia Michaels

24:41 Evolving Production Techniques

27:51 Collaboration and Song Development

30:33 Creative Freedom in the Final Product

32:11 The Art of Collaboration in Songwriting

37:01 Navigating the Songwriting Process

46:59 The Business of Songwriting and Representation

49:16 Building a Career as a Songwriter

56:45 Creating a Nurturing Environment for Artists

01:04:50 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with George Karalexis & Donna Budica, the co-founders and CEO/COO (respectively) of TEN2 Media, a content distribution and marketing company that helps artists and labels maximize revenue and growth on YouTube. TEN2 Media partners with Warner Music Group, UnitedMasters, Travis Barker, Benson Boone, Brent Faiyaz, and more. They specialize in marketing, monetization, and collection on the YouTube platform, all of which you’ll hear about in this episode. 

This entire episode is dedicated to YouTube for music—artists and labels in particular. Donna and George share stats about how listeners interact with YouTube, how people discover new music on the platform, and what it means that YouTube is the #1 music discovery platform right now. They break down the components of YouTube monetization and do a deep dive into companies that help artists manage their YouTube channels and revenue. If you’re wondering how to up your YouTube game, the most effective ways to use YouTube these days, and all the various tools that exist on the platform (shorts, music videos, vlog content, lyric videos, playlists, storytelling, UGC [user-generated content], etc.), this is the episode for you.

https://www.ten2.media/

Kristin Robinson Billboard Article: How Did Two Unknown Latin Music Operators Make $23 Million From YouTube? The IRS Says They Stole It

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of YouTube in Music

03:13 Understanding YouTube's Unique Role

06:02 Strategies for Artists on YouTube

08:49 The Power of YouTube Analytics

12:07 Monetization Mechanics on YouTube

15:00 Navigating YouTube's Revenue Streams

37:12 Understanding YouTube's Viewer Demographics

40:09 The Evolution of Cover Videos and UGC

42:55 The Long Game: YouTube vs. TikTok

43:51 Strategies for Emerging Artists

48:03 Navigating YouTube's Complex Revenue System

56:13 The Future of Distribution for Indie Artists

01:01:25 Filling the Void for Emerging Artists

01:09:01 When to Start Taking YouTube Seriously

01:12:07 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Cody Fry, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and orchestral arranger known for his symphonic arrangements of his own music and other artists’ songs. Cody has been nominated for two grammys for arranging: this year for his adaptation of “The Sound of Silence” and previously for “Eleanor Rigby.” An incredible musician all around, Cody has found his niche fronting orchestras in a way that appeals to pop music lovers around the world.

Cody has played Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Kennedy Center, and has hundreds of millions of streams online. In 2021, his song “I Hear a Symphony” (which had already been out for five years) went viral on TikTok and landed Cody a major record deal. In this episode, Cody talks about what it was like working with a major label and the specifics of his record deal. He also tells Ari why he decided to eventually leave the label and go independent once again. 

https://www.codyfry.com/

Chapters

00:00 The Artist's Journey: From Aspiration to Independence

02:50 Cody Fry: The Orchestral Innovator

06:02 Crafting Sound: The Art of Orchestration

08:52 Finding Your Unique Sound as an Artist

11:58 The Viral Breakthrough: TikTok and Its Impact

15:08 Navigating Record Deals: Insights and Experiences

18:02 The Transition to Independence: A New Chapter

20:52 Performing with Orchestras: A Unique Experience

23:55 The Future of Music: Independence and Innovation

39:54 Navigating the Music Business Without a Manager

42:44 The Importance of Team Members in Music

43:14 Non-Traditional Team Members and Their Roles

46:07 Managing Sheet Music and Publishing Rights

54:35 Exploring Alternative Revenue Streams for Artists

01:01:09 Creating Engaging Content for a Niche Audience

01:04:02 Future Aspirations and New Music Projects

01:08:13 Understanding the Value of Record Deals

01:19:37 The Evolving Landscape of the Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Katie Tucker, a double-platinum songwriter, vocal producer, studio owner, and the visionary behind Sharp Edges Records with its accompanying recording studio. As a songwriter, Katie has crafted hit songs for renowned artists like Namie Amuro, BoA, and Jota Quest. She has amassed millions of streams as a recording artist and her music has been featured on major platforms including ABC, USA, VH1, Fox, Disney, Peacock, and Hulu. A defining moment in her career came with "Do It For Love," featured on Namie Amuro's album Finally, cementing her status as a double-platinum songwriter.

These days, however, Katie spends most of her time in advocacy and running Sharp Edges Records. One of the main reasons Katie started her record label/studio was to create a safe space for her clients within the industry. Katie started No Creeps!,an event and movement advocating for mental health, safety, and inclusivity in the music industry as a further expression of her advocacy. This conversation goes deep into safety and inclusion in music and recording. In this conversation, Katie offers tangible resources for how we can all participate in making this industry a safer and more supportive place for everyone. 

Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiesharpedges/

Women In Music Safe(r) Spaces Resource Directory: https://www.womeninmusic.org/saferspaces

No Creeps! Digital Resource Zine: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uk87S0hmxSsHaEXCTieSuz3AiwcaKs-x/view?usp=drivesdk

Chapters:

00:00 Creating Safe Spaces in the Music Industry

03:08 The Journey to Sharp Edges Records

05:56 The Importance of Vulnerability in Music Creation

09:06 Navigating Safety and Inclusivity in Recording Studios

11:52 Concrete Steps for a Safer Music Environment

15:11 Understanding the Spectrum of Safety Concerns

18:00 Educating for Change: The Role of Communication

20:50 Empowering Artists Through Advocacy

30:20 Addressing Abuse of Power in the Music Industry

32:11 The No Creeps! Initiative: Creating Safe Spaces

36:19 Empowering Voices: Sharing Experiences and Education

41:11 The Importance of Allyship and Advocacy

46:24 Navigating Imperfection: Learning from Experiences

52:35 Resources for Safety and Support in the Industry

56:21 Redefining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by the band DOUBLECAMP to discuss how they built such a successful independent career.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Heather Vassar, the Senior Vice President at EMPIRE—a fully independent record label, publishing company, and distributor. Heather’s career began at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she developed digital strategy for renowned artists such as George Strait, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban. In 2019, Heather joined EMPIRE where she now plays a pivotal role in operations, marketing, and strategy for a diverse roster of artists including Shaboozey, Wyatt Flores, Niko Moon, Sophia Scott, Don Louis, Reyna Roberts, Tenille Arts, and Randy Houser.

Heather and Ari discuss the incredible success of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” which has been number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for 19 weeks straight—the longest any song has held that position. Heather reveals how this hit (released on an indie label) became the biggest song in the world and how they have sustained its momentum. She shares the entire journey from signing Shaboozey, to putting out his initial singles, releasing his album, collaborating with Beyonce, all the way to his massive global success today. Thanks to her extensive experience at both major and independent labels, Heather has sharp insights to share about deal structures, ownership models, artist development, and how the industry has shifted (in the majors and the indies) over the last five years, all of which you’ll hear about in this episode.

https://www.instagram.com/hvassar/

00:00 The Hustle Behind Success

02:49 Empire Records: A New Era in Music

06:07 Shaboozey’s Journey to Stardom

09:12 Navigating the Independent Label Landscape

12:01 The Creative Process: From Songwriting to Release

14:50 Breaking Through: The Success of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

18:07 The Role of Radio in Today's Music Industry

20:49 Building a Fanbase: The Digital Approach

24:02 The Importance of Flexibility in Music Releases

33:56 Navigating Legalities in Music Production

39:08 Strategic Album Rollout and Market Timing

45:51 Building a Global Music Infrastructure

50:02 Maintaining Momentum After a Hit Release

55:04 Balancing Art and Market Trends

01:00:10 Educating Artists in the Digital Age

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with AFSHEEN, an electronic artist, producer, songwriter, and DJ. Initially, AFSHEEN became well-known for producing music by Madonna, Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, Sia and other big-name artists. AFSHEEN was nominated for a Latin Grammy for his work on Natalia Jiménez's album Creo en Mi. He wrote "All We Have Is Love" with Sabrina Carpenter, wrote and produced "Sunny Days" with Armin van Buuren and Toby Gad, and has worked with other notable artists like Rebecca Ferguson and Lindsay Stirling. A song AFSHEEN wrote for Korean artist Taeyeon reached number one on the K-Pop Billboard charts for two consecutive weeks. 

AFSHEEN has had an incredibly successful career as a songwriter/producer, but he also recently released a new album, SMALL WORLD, under his namesake solo project. An Iranian refugee himself, AFSHEEN worked with artists from all over the world to bring this record to life. SMALL WORLD features prominent artists from Indian, Romania, Jamaica, Japan, Amsterdam, and beyond. 

AFSHEEN talks with Ari about transitioning from being the go-to producer/songwriter for superstars into being a self-released artist who releases his own music through DistroKid. AFSHEEN is also starting his own label, SOUNDISH. He shares insights about the process of building a label and his vision for the label’s future.

https://www.instagram.com/afsheenmusic/

00:00 Exploring Global Sounds: AFSHEEN’s Journey

09:55 The Power of Collaboration: Building a Diverse Album

20:07 Cultural Roots and Personal Stories: Music as a Reflection

30:03 The Indie Artist Journey: From Producer to Self-Released

32:00 Vision for the SOUNDISH label: A New Era in Music Production

38:24 Transitioning from Behind the Scenes to Artist

42:46 Expanding Global Reach through Collaboration

51:22 Breaking into the Music Industry

01:02:08 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with alt-pop singer, rapper & multi-hyphenate, Noga Erez. Her breakout album Off The Radar earned worldwide acclaim and her sophomore project KIDS brought even greater success. She recently released a new record THE VANDALIST, which has further cemented her place as a one-of-a-kind artist of the modern era. 

Noga Erez has garnered fans across the world, including superstars like Billie Eilish, Missy Elliott (who Noga collaborated with on her 2022 single “Nails”), Gal Gadot, and Finneas. She has sold out the Bowery Ballroom in NY, El Rey Theatre in LA, and Menora Arena in Tel Aviv on her headlining tours. Erez has performed at Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as well as The Kelly Clarkson Show.

In this episode, Ari and Noga talk about the creation process and the craft of songwriting. They also delve into themes from her latest record, including: how social media has affected society and the ways releasing music has changed in recent years. THE VANDALIST is Noga’s first record on a major label, so she shares details of what that experience has been like for her. Noga also talks about what it means to be an Israeli artist in a larger global context, and how that has impacted her life and work.

https://www.nogaerez.com/

00:00 The Meaning of Music in Life

01:05 Introducing Noga Erez and Her New Album

02:42 Navigating the Music Industry Chaos

03:36 Being an Israeli Artist in Today's World

04:36 The Creation Process of 'THE VANDLIST'

06:31 Collaborating with Real Musicians

11:35 Exploring Themes of PC Culture in Music

16:55 The Impact of Social Media on Society

24:41 The Sad Generation and Its Challenges

30:00 The Role of Music in Finding Purpose

34:43 Songwriting Process and Collaboration

37:26 The Creative Process Behind Songwriting

42:07 Navigating Major Label Dynamics

46:40 The Impact of Social Media on Artists

55:18 The Challenges of Being an Israeli Artist

01:10:48 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Zena White, the chief operating officer at Partisan Records. Partisan is an internationally renowned independent record label headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Zena has overseen global strategy for #1 charting, Grammy-nominated, Mercury Prize-winning album campaigns across Partisan’s diverse roster that includes IDLES, PJ Harvey, Cigarettes After Sex, Blondshell, the Fela Kuti estate and many more. Zena is also on the board of organizations like World Independent Network, A2IM, RIAA, and is a Recording Academy Member. Prior to Partisan, Zena was Managing Director at The Other Hand marketing services company in London, where she worked with artists such as Run The Jewels, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley, and more.

Zena tells Ari about ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts) a nonprofit she’s involved with that uses research to demonstrate the economic, social, and cultural value of music. Then later, she takes us behind the scenes of Partisan Records, explaining where they spend their marketing money, how much they spend, and more. Ari and Zena discuss ‘old-school’ marketing tactics like radio, PR, print media, digital and TV, and Zena sheds light on how artists get on Late Night shows… along with how much that costs. Yep—it costs. Ari and Zena also dive deep into the world of ‘new media’ and discuss how Partisan spends its money in the new age of social media. Tune in to hear stories about how Cigarettes After Sex got off the ground and to get a glimpse into the inner workings of indie labels!

https://partisanrecords.com/ 

https://www.orcaformusic.com/

00:00 Investing in Artists: The New Music Business

04:48 Inside Partisan Records: A Label's Journey

10:00 Cigarettes After Sex: A Case Study in Success

24:42 The Balance of Data and Creativity in A&R

34:06 Marketing Strategies for Independent Artists

40:50 The Evolving Landscape of Music Marketing

46:28 Public Relations and Its Impact on Artist Development

52:13 Navigating Television Appearances and Their Costs

55:30 The Role of Local Press in Ticket Sales

01:02:26 Influencer Marketing and New Media Strategies

01:08:58 The Formation and Purpose of Orca

01:19:05 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by Jason Lipshutz, the Executive Director of Music at Billboard. Jason has written about music for over a decade and has penned cover stories on Taylor Swift, U2, Blink-182, Lorde, Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, among many others. He was formerly a deputy editor at Fuse Media and has contributed to VIBE, The Hollywood Reporter, Spinner, and Popjustice. Jason recently released a book about Linkin Park called It Starts With One.

In this illuminating interview, Jason shares his perspective on the state of music journalism, how he approaches conducting interviews, who decides what gets reviewed and who goes on the cover at major music publications. Ari and Jason also trade stories about their experiences with publicists and managers trying to squash stories to protect client images. If you're interested in the inner workings of the music journalism industry, this episode is for you!

Check out Jason’s new audiobook: https://aristake.io/ul1wx7 

00:00 The Balance of Music Journalism

03:10 Writing a Book vs. Cover Stories

05:56 The Evolution of Linkin Park

13:02 The Art of Interviewing Artists

18:09 The Changing Landscape of Music Journalism

29:19 Navigating the Pressures of Music Journalism

36:05 The Editorial Process at Billboard

41:44 Balancing Traffic and Storytelling

45:04 Personal Fandom in Journalism

48:14 Writing a Book on Linkin Park

56:33 Championing Creativity in the Music Industry

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Lucas Keller, the Founder & President of Milk & Honey, an entertainment management company that represents some of the world’s biggest songwriters, artists, and producers. Established in 2014, Milk & Honey is a hybrid agency that works in both the music and sports industries and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Dallas and London. On the music side, Milk & Honey represents world-class creators including the writers behind Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” BTS’s “Butter,” Justin Beiber/Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” and many other international hits. Lucas and Ari talk about the state of music publishing and go deep into the ethics of royalties and producer points. Lucas explains how publishing and record deals work these days and gives his inside scoop on major catalog sales. Lucas also shares Milk & Honey’s process for setting up hit songwriting sessions.

If you’re a songwriter, artist, producer, or anyone in the industry who wants to learn more about the ins and outs of music publishing, this episode is for you. 

https://www.milkhoneyla.com/

00:00 The Art of Songwriting: A Daily Grind

04:51 Understanding Music Publishing Terminology

10:04 The Financial Landscape for Songwriters

15:11 The Impact of Collaboration on Songwriting

19:50 Navigating the Complexities of Publishing and Royalties

24:52 The Future of Songwriting: Challenges and Opportunities

26:20 The Evolution of Songwriting and Collaboration

34:04 Understanding Publishing Deals in Today's Market

48:07 The Growing Importance of Catalog Sales

51:56 Defining Success in the New Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with John Summit, one of the most sought-after DJ/producers in the global dance world. John is a superstar DJ, producer, and owner of his own label, Experts Only. He has nearly a billion all-time global streams across his own catalog, two number 1 US dance radio hits, and two top 10 tracks on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Summit has sold out iconic venues such as BMO Stadium, MSG, the Forum, Coachella, EDC, Tomorrowland and other major festivals all across the globe.

John tells Ari all about how he got his start (making music with a day job, producing songs in his parents' basement), and how those humble beginnings led to him touring the world as a celebrated artist. He talks about how he got his career “break,” and gives practical advice to aspiring DJ/producers. John also talks about running Experts Only and how he hopes to develop the label.

Keep up with John Summit at: https://www.instagram.com/johnsummit/

00:00 Breaking Out of the Local Scene

06:07 Creating an Album vs Singles

08:59 Staying Inspired Creatively

12:12 The Evolution of Live Performances

14:53 Navigating the Pandemic: A Turning Point

17:47 The Power of Persistence

24:00 Collaborating Remotely

33:16 Designing Arena Shows vs Festival Shows vs Clubs

38:46 Behind The Curtain of Experts Only Label

47:20 Experts Only Party Nights and Community Building

51:14 Marketing Support for Artists on Experts Only

53:04 Advice for Aspiring DJ/Producers

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Tony Kiewel, the President of Sub Pop Records and co-founder of ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts). Sub Pop has repped iconic artists like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Beach House, The Postal Service, Flight of the Conchords, Iron & Wine, Father John Misty, and many more. Tony’s organization, ORCA, is a “think tank comprised of international independent music labels committed to increasing music’s economic, social, and cultural value.” ORCA has done incredible research to demonstrate the tangible value of music in our society. ORCA also works with numerous record labels to increase financial and contractual transparency between labels and artists. 

In this episode, Tony shares the inner-workings of his experience at Sub Pop. He breaks down how independent record labels function in 2024 and how exactly his label invests in the future of their artists. Ari and Tony discuss how ORCA’s research could help influence law and policy changes for the music industry and how the organization helps people outside of the industry understand how things work. Tony talks about what Sub Pop looks for when it comes to signing new artists, how they develop current artists on their roster, and how they go about working with undiscovered artists vs. artist on the cusp of stardom. If you’re interested in the inner workings of indie labels, you won’t want to miss this episode!

ORCA: https://www.orcaformusic.com/ 

“Setting the Stage: How Music Works” study by ORCA: https://aristake.io/orca

00:00 Understanding the New Music Business

05:26 The Formation of ORCA and Its Goals

10:16 The Importance of Transparency in the Music Industry

16:07 The Challenges Facing Independent Artists

22:42 The Role of Indie Labels in Artist Development

33:56 Artist Development Strategies at Sub Pop

42:58 Investments in Emerging Artists

51:15 Revenue Streams and Financial Models

01:00:19 Marketing and Tour Support Budgets

01:10:36 Trends in Physical vs. Digital Sales

01:17:26 Mutually Beneficial Artist-Label Relationships

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Dorian Perron, the co-founder of Groover, a platform that connects artists who want to promote their music with media outlets, radio stations, record labels, playlist curators and industry professionals seeking emerging talents. Ari and Dorian go in depth about how artists can safely pitch their music and receive constructive feedback from industry professionals. They discuss the current state of playlisting—specifically how to avoid botted playlists and streaming fraud while promoting your music. You’ll also get to hear Ari’s unfiltered thoughts about Groover and other playlisting platforms in this deep-dive conversation. If you’re an artist who self-promotes their music, this episode is for you.  

Get 15% off your first campaign with Groover with the code ARISTAKE

Website: Groover.co 

Variety Article (Streaming Fraud): https://variety.com/2024/music/news/spotify-artists-streaming-fraud-1235965379/ 

00:00 Artists' Goals and Varying Needs

01:18 Introduction to Groover

02:08 Streaming Fraud and Shady Companies

03:35 The Ecosystem of Playlist Curators

05:28 What is Groover?

09:41 Evolution of Playlists and Curators

12:26 Starting Groover in California

13:21 The Rise of Playlists

14:17 Types of Playlists on Spotify

17:05 Groover's Focus on User-Generated Playlists

18:28 The Impact of Playlists on Artists' Careers

19:26 Nourishing Different Types of Playlists

22:38 Pitching Songs to Playlist Curators on Groover

26:53 Paying for Consideration, Not Placement

28:21 The Streaming Fraud Issue

35:42 Verifying Legitimacy of Playlists

40:26 Factors Affecting Success on Groover

44:46 Defining Success in the New Music Business

50:42 Tailoring Music to Please Curators

56:26 Quality vs. Tailoring in Groover Campaigns

01:05:39 Varied Results on Groover

01:09:18 Finding Your Own Pace in the Music Business

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari sits down with AyseDeniz, a classical pianist and composer with a Bachelor's from Eastman School and a Master's from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2022, she was listed as one of the 20 under 40 Young Shapers of the Future of Music by Encyclopaedia Britannica, alongside notable artists such as Adele, Lil Nas, and Lorde. In this episode, AyseDeniz talks about how she collaborates with AI to compose new works of music. AI tools have changed AyseDeniz’s career trajectory as an independent artist, even though she’s an incredibly skilled classical musician. Ari and AyseDeniz discuss the ethics of composing and collaborating with AI and how she has used these tools to propel her career forward. Check out AyseDeniz at: https://www.adpianist.com/

00:00 Exploring the Classical Music Industry and AyseDeniz's Background

02:14 Using AI to Create Classical Piano Compositions

03:43 The Emotional Component of AI-Generated Music

04:11 The Ethics of AI in Music Creation

05:06 AyseDeniz's Journey in Scoring for Film and TV

06:32 The Future of AyseDeniz's Music Career

47:35 Creating AI-Generated Compositions

50:07 Authenticity in Music Performance

51:06 Ethical Considerations in AI Music Generation

57:49 The Need for Regulations and Laws

01:13:25 The Future of Music with AI

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with Louis Marks and Fabian Brown of Ropeadope Records, a label that’s been around in the jazz world for 25 years and has worked with Snarky Puppy, Christian Scott, Greg Spero, Terrace Martin, Questlove, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Taj Majal, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and so many more. In this episode, Louis and Fabian talk about how most of their artists cannot make a living just from streaming revenue. They share the ways they’ve been evolving, as a label, to elevate and lift their artists in the ever changing landscape of the new music industry. This conversation discusses the ins and outs of streaming, social media, physical sales, downloads, bandcamp, touring, patronage, community, and so much more. 

00:00 - Introduction

04:55 - The Mission of Ropeadope Records

18:43 - Rethinking the Value of Music

24:22 - Preserving Contemporary Music

31:32 - Re-Educating Fans and Focusing on the Connection

44:44 - The Limitations of Streaming Platforms

53:29 - Exploring Alternative Models for Artist Support 

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa

Connect with Ari’s Take:

Website:https://aristake.com

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aristake_

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take

X:https://twitter.com/ArisTake

Threads:https://www.threads.net/@aristake_

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1

Connect with Ari Herstand:

Website: https://ariherstand.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand

X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand

Connect with Ropeadope Records:

Website: https://ropeadope.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ropeadope/

Bandcamp: https://ropeadope.bandcamp.com/

X: https://x.com/ropeadope

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ropeadope99

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, Ari sits down with Jaylon Ashaun, a talented R&B artist currently based in LA via Atlanta and Houston. Jaylon found success by regularly releasing music and building a direct artist-to-fans community online. His song “Strawberries and Wine” took the digital music world by storm, with over 25 million streams of its various versions. Last year, Jaylon toured the US with major R&B acts Xavier Omar and Hojean. Ari and Jaylon discuss the importance of connecting with fans directly, how to capitalize on and move past viral moments to build a sustainable career, and how Jaylon has built his superfan community, Global Nomads, online.

Chapters:

00:00 Taking Risks and Putting Out Music

14:24 The Power of Regularly Releasing Music

19:37 Developing a Super Fan Community

27:52 Perseverance, Collaboration, and Artistic Identity

28:22 Building a Community and World Around Your Music

31:16 Engaging with Fans and Nurturing Your Community

33:06 The Power of Physical Merchandise

40:18 The Evolving Music Industry and the Importance of Adaptability

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa

Connect with Ari’s Take:

Website:https://aristake.com

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aristake_

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take

X:https://twitter.com/ArisTake

Threads:https://www.threads.net/@aristake_

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1

Connect with Ari Herstand:

Website: https://ariherstand.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand

X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand

Connect with Jaylon Ashaun:

Website: https://www.jaylonashaun.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylonashaun

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaylonashaun

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dhseP7KiICmkxT5waM1Md

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, Ari sits down with Ni/Co, the musical duo of LA-based couple Dani Brillhart and Colton Jones. Their most recent song “On Purpose” has taken the internet by storm with over 6.2 million streams on Spotify and YouTube. Ni/Co built their early career by releasing covers on YouTube and placing their songs in sync. They have garnered over 75 million views on YouTube and have landed 6-figure sync deals with their music. However, as their covers became more popular and they wrote under various monikers for sync, Dani and Colton had to make a decision: did they want to prioritize these paths or re-center their career around original music? This conversation dives into the details of publishing and label deals, Ni/Co’s journey through sync, their experience going viral on TikTok, and how they clarified their artist identity to stay true to their vision along the way.

00:00 - Introduction and Background

10:39 - The On Purpose Journey and Release

15:47 - Meeting and Starting as a Couple

26:23 - Signing a Publishing Deal and Sync Placements

30:11 - Separating Covers and Originals

42:52 - The Success of 'On Purpose'

49:05 - Influencer Campaigns, Viral Songs, and the Importance of Diversifying Revenue Streams

1:13:20 - Challenges and Scams in Revenue Collection

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Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Ni/Co:

Website: https://nicomusicofficial.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ni.co_official

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ni.co_official

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2IR0GSCHsTo7gSw8HHLBnr

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ankit Desai is the founder and CEO of Snafu Records, the world's first AI-enabled artist services company. Snafu's algorithms identify talented artists from all over the world, which the company then invests in growing and supporting. Before starting Snafu, Ankit was at Universal Music, where he worked with artists like Tove Lo, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, and Shawn Mendes. For his work at Snafu and Universal, Ankit was recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 Europe, and Nordic Music Business' 20 under 30.

Mira Howard currently serves as the head of Snafu's Song Fund. While she has an education in physics and economics and an MBA from Cambridge, she also has had a lifelong love for music and writes and plays music in her own time. In her career Mira has worked scaling creative startups, and is passionate about bringing Snafu to the artists of the world.

This week, Ari is joined by Ankit Desai and Mira Howard of SNAFU records, to discuss how they built a completely new type of record label from the ground up. They aim to change the way artists think about their music as a business asset, encouraging artists to invest in their catalogs and not just focus on new releases. Ankit and Mira explain how SNAFU aims to change the game and create a win-win situation for all of its artists, maximizing success and longevity all while keeping the rights in the hands of the artists.

00:00 - Discovering and Investing in Unsigned Artists

13:05 - Improving and Increasing Artists' Listenership

29:34 - Don't Give Up on Your Catalog: The Value of Old Songs

39:29 - Social Media Strategies: Coaching Artists for Success

44:53 - Playlist Power: Investing in Catalogs

51:48 - Snafu's Business Model: Partnering with Undervalued Artists

56:31 - Supporting Female Creators: The Snafu Women's Creator Fund

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Website: https://www.snafurecords.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snafurecords/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snafurecords

X: https://x.com/snafu_records

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/snafu-records/

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Fly by Midnight is comprised of Justin Bryte and Justin Slavo, two best friends who honed their craft in New York and are now making waves in Los Angeles, creating and self-distributing emotive pop music.

In the episode, they discuss their journey as independent artists, starting with cover videos on YouTube and transitioning to original music. They talk about the intentional decision to release covers alongside their original music to maintain their existing fan base. The duo reflects on the importance of DIY and the value of creating high-quality content on a low budget. They also discuss the challenges of gaining industry recognition and label interest, as well as the changing landscape of virality on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Fly By Midnight discusses their approach to creating viral videos and their experimentation with different types of content. They also talk about their experiences with booking agents and their plans for future releases.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:53 The Thrill Tour

08:17 From Covers to Originals

19:10 Content on a Budget

28:50 Label Involvement

37:59 Balancing Virality and Authenticity

44:46 Animation and Video

52:42 Keeping Content Fresh

1:00:21 Distribution

1:11:12 Making it in the New Music Business

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Fly by Midnight:

Website: https://www.flybymidnight.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rQTEdG6hDVOlDUFKs9EjZ?si=fsDqg7-6RbiEWV5diJGkTA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flybymidnight/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flybymidnight

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJDQtPgwh6oV5MbPmclqIAg

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, Ari is joined by Henry Vargas and Jose Corona of the band “The Red Pears,” an indie band who has seen recent success particularly in the live performance scene, coming hot off the heels of their Coachella performance. They discuss their journey in the music industry, from playing backyard concerts to opening for bands like Interpol and performing at iconic venues like The Greek and The Forum. They share their insight on the importance of building relationships, treating people with respect, and staying true to themselves, attributing their success to their hard work, determination, and the support of their dedicated fan base. 

The Red Pears also highlight the significance of live shows and the impact they have on their audience, sharing their experiences of connecting with fans and the importance of showing gratitude for their support.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome

03:38 - From backyard concerts to Coachella

13:43 - On their recording process

24:45 - Balancing your career and booking shows

33:09 - How did they start touring?

38:25 - Building a fanbase from word of mouth

48:25 - Finding your booking and management team

1:01:27 - Meeting your idols

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Connect with The Red Pears:

Website: https://theredpears.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FRYBFCNEBWMjk6kvwjHQT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theredpears/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theredpears_626

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Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, Ari is joined by sisters Caitlin & Sid Powell, the artists behind the hit group Neoni, to discuss the shift in the industry towards video content, and how they were able to capitalize on their own TikTok virality. Additionally they explain why they chose to stay independent despite being approached by numerous labels, and how staying DIY has helped their career. They also discuss their release strategy and how they go about maximizing attention on various platforms despite not yet touring. To wrap up the interview, they provide insight into how other artists can find success while remaining independent. 

Caitlin and Sid blend Alternative Pop with electronic music, creating a unique sound as Neoni. Since 2020, they have steadily built a substantial catalog, releasing their breakout debut album, Wars in a Wonderland, in the fall of 2021, followed by All My Favorite Monsters in 2022. With two viral TikTok hits, "Darkside" and "Royalty," amassing over 2 billion views, and a rapidly growing social media presence, Neoni continues to gain organic traction with each new release.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:35 New project releases, live shows, and YouTube covers

09:22 Neoni’s journey and evolution

16:33 How DJs influenced their sound

21:03 From 20k to 250k streams a day

28:42 What taking meetings with major labels is like

36:02 How they convert listeners into fans

43:27 Leaning into social media for promotion

49:36 Why they still release horizontal videos

56:06 On live performing and touring

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa

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Connect with Neoni:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/38wxcfNEqMwuPniHvplin5?si=NYWsV7e1TdCSFD9bqdu_yw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareneoni/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareneoni

Website: https://weareneoni.com/

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Haley Joelle is a 24-year-old songwriter and artist from outside of Portland, OR, currently based in LA. Haley is known for her unique and specific approach to storytelling in her songs that have resonated with millions of people around the world. Her lyrics touch on family dynamics, the complications of growing up, grief, and heartbreak - all lending themselves to help her listeners feel less alone. 

Haley’s songs have been discovered on popular playlists including Spotify’s Chilled Hits, Chill Pop, Fresh & Chill, Sad Hour, Sad Songs, Today’s Singer-Songwriters, Morning Commute, Mellow Evening, and Apple Music’s Breaking Pop, In My Room, Acoustic Chill, Today’s Acoustic, Acoustic Memories, and New Music Daily. Her songs have been streamed more than 100 million times, and featured in Amazon Prime Video’s #1 most watched non-English language original movie, ‘Culpa Mía’ as well as the popular TV shows ‘Love Island USA’ and ‘Love Island Games.’ 

After a couple tour support slots, and with 450k+ engaged fans around the world, she embarked on her first mini headline tour in December 2023 after the release of her album ‘Me And My Past.’ Haley’s next album is due September 2024.

00:00 - Intro

03:55 - Haley’s songwriting and album process

15:52 - Alternative music programs and networking

21:50 - How did Haley find other collaborators?

29:29 - Haley on music videos

34:07 - On staying independent and talking to labels

43:07 - Pitching for playlist inclusions

55:23 - Where does the money go?

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Haley Joelle :

Website: https://haley-joelle-merch.myshopify.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4pZOG8ump4odtJJA4Cy7S8

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itshaleyjoelle/

X: https://x.com/itshaleyjoelle

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Claude Brooks started his career as an actor with notable success, having starred in a few series and acted in over 300 episodes. His production company has Executive Produced and created over 500 episodes of television across a vast range of genres. 

In the children’s arena, Claude Brooks created and produced The Discovery Kids’ Emmy Nominated children’s show, “Hip Hop Harry”, for which new content is currently being produced for over 15 digital platforms, and has spawned a live touring show and successful merchandising program. Most recently, Claude co-created with Snoop Dogg “Doggyland,” an innovative music based 3D animated children’s show on YouTube, HappyKids.tv and Kidoodle. “Doggyland” is a NAACP Image Award winner for “Outstanding Best Short Form” 2024.

This week, Ari and Claude discuss his hit kids show co-created with Snoop Dogg, “Doggyland.” Claude discusses his journey of building a successful show and the importance of perseverance and consistency. They also touch on how he got to collaborate with Snoop Dogg on the show, as well as the impact of social media platforms and how it has grown the show. He also shares his insight on the virality of the song “Go Go Go, Who’s Next?” and how he leverages TikTok to build a fanbase. 

Claude shares his experience working with DistroKid as a music distributor and the benefits of payment splitting. They conclude by discussing future plans for Doggyland, including potential collaborations and a movie.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:09 Success of Children's Music Shows

10:30 Building a Hit Kids Show

28:18 Business Model of YouTube Kids Shows

30:42 The Power of Persistence and Activity in Achieving Success

35:42 The Growth and Success of Doggyland

48:34 Challenges of Content Creation and Distribution

58:22 The Role of DistroKid in the Music Industry

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Claude Brooks:

Website: https://ctotheb.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doggyland_kids/

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Deva Anderson is an award-winning Music Supervisor and Executive with unparalleled range and depth. Over the course of her career, she has worked on more than 40 feature films with some of the most esteemed filmmakers in the industry, as well as more than 30 original series for television. Deva excels at facilitating collaboration and envisioning music that brings a director’s vision to life.

She is the Head of Music for Tom Hanks's production company, Playtone, where she has overseen music for all their productions for 25+ years, including the Oscar-nominated film Greyhound, Band of Brothers, and The Pacific.

Outside of her work at Playtone, Deva has worked with some of Hollywood's most prolific directors, including Denis Villeneuve (Dune) and Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs). She's also a music consultant and music-supervised Columbia Pictures' Blade Runner 2049, and Netflix's upcoming 2024 film The Piano Lesson.

Ari and Deva discuss the role of supervisors in film and TV, her approach to finding and obtaining music for productions, the process of clearing said music, and discusses the variety of projects she has worked on at Playtone, Tom Hanks’ production company.

Deva Anderson also highlights the role of music representatives in ensuring that all rights are cleared and that the business side of music is properly understood. She touches on the changing landscape of streaming networks and the budgets and fees associated with music placements. Finally, she concludes by discussing the use of library music and the potential impact of AI on music creation and production.

Chapters

00:00 The Path to Becoming a Music Supervisor

08:02 Spotting Sessions: Collaborating with Composers and Directors

13:58 Public Domain Music: Using Historical Songs

28:41 The Role of Indie Artists in Music Licensing

34:19 Music Supervision and Playtone

48:20 The Value of Library Music

50:42 The Influence of AI in Music Creation and Production

54:26 Breaking into the Music Supervision Field

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Deva Anderson :

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026620/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deva-anderson-b385a6283

Edited and mixed by Mikey Evans

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, Ari is joined by David Rishty, the President of Palm Tree Records. They discuss Palm Tree’s partnership with Sony, the value of radio and satellite platforms like SiriusXM, and the many ways labels can help with artist development. Palm Tree Records is a joint venture with Sony Music, co-founded by Kygo and his manager, Miles. It operates as an indie label with major label resources, providing a small, tight-knit team and the support of a major label when needed.

David Rishty's journey in the music industry began as a writer, penning features for a variety of publications including Billboard. During his tenure there, he launched the Billboard Dance 100 artist ranking and partnered with top brands including SiriusXM and Apple Music. His passion for building a brand crossed over to artist development early on in his rise with the founding of Exchange Management. In the seven years since its inception, Rishty’s artist roster has collectively earned more than 600 million streams and performed at over 400 shows. He has since brought this management mindset to Palm Tree Records, providing a holistic approach to artist development and creating a boutique label experience. Palm Tree’s roster remains select at less than a dozen artists, yet has amassed over 750 million total streams to date.

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of Dance Music and DJ Culture

05:14 The Role of Major Label Resources in Artist Development

09:04 The Importance of Radio Promotion and Other Revenue Verticals

11:24 Building a Brand and Fan Base with Palm Tree Records

24:00 Releasing Music and Establishing a Presence During the Pandemic

28:49 The Impact of SiriusXM and the Different Radio Landscape

35:18 The Power of Short-Form Video Content

47:21 The Importance of Trust in Label-Artist Relationships

55:28 Defining Success in the Music Industry

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with David Rishty:

Website: https://www.palmtreerecords.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rishty/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daverishty/

X: https://twitter.com/DaveRishty

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

This week, Ari is joined by Laura Jones, a producer manager and founder of Little Underground Management. They discuss negotiating contracts, signing up and coming producers, and navigating royalty splits. Little Underground Management represents producers and helps connect them with artists, with her role being 50% creative and 50% business administration. On the creative side, she acts as a musical matchmaker, connecting producers with artists, songwriters, and engineers. On the business side, she negotiates fees, contracts, and schedules, and oversees the entire recording process. In this conversation, Ari and Laura discuss the complexities of songwriting and publishing splits in the music industry. They explore how songwriting credits are determined, the challenges of splitting royalties, and the politics involved in negotiating publishing deals. Laura shares insights into how deals are structured, the importance of contracts, and the challenges of getting paid in a timely manner. 

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Contracts for Producers

02:23 Understanding Master Royalties and Publishing

09:39 The Role of Producer Managers in Connecting Producers with Artists

23:33 How Producer Deals Work: Fees and Royalties

34:01 Navigating Different Genres and Deal Structures

36:28 The Complexities of Publishing Rights

49:40 Challenges of Getting Paid in the Music Industry

53:49 The Importance of Contracts for Producers and Songwriters

01:02:19 Finding a Manager as a Producer

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Laura Jones:

Website: https://www.littleundergroundmanagement.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_underground_mgmt/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-jones-876240a

X: https://twitter.com/LittleUmgmt

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Serona Elton serves as Head of Educational Partnerships for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC). In this role, Elton directs The MLC’s efforts to engage future members of the music industry currently studying music business and related subjects at colleges and universities across the country and around the world. 

With extensive experience as a music industry professional and educator, Elton is also a professor and Director of the Music Industry Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. In 2023, she was named Music Business Educator of the Year by the Music Business Association. She is also a Yamaha Master Educator.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:30 Changes in Mechanical Licensing

21:21 Releasing Co-Written Songs

25:06 Introduction to the MLC

29:33 Calculating Royalties for Streams

40:40 Relationship Between the MLC and PROs

49:32 International Mechanical Royalties

54:21 The Role of Legislation in the Music Industry

01:00:41 Calculating Mechanical Royalties

01:07:38 Defining Success in the Music Business

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with The MLC and Serona Elton:

Website: https://www.themlc.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMLC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlc_us/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serona

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Beginning his tenth year in the music industry today, Will Runzel is co-founder of Prodigy Artists. He got his start throwing Hip-Hop concerts (Big Sean, Jeremih, Mike Posner, Twista) in college towns in the midwest, Steve Aoki brought him to LA to head up Dim Mak Live for a year before heading up React Presents West Coast division and another year with LED Presents / Goldenvoice (booking Jamie XX, M83, Calvin Harris). Around that time he started what is now known as Collectiv Presents with Chris Den Uijl, as well as his management company Prodigy Artists alongside Steven Haddad. Today, Runzel is the CEO of Prodigy Artists who represent SLANDER, Deorro, NGHTMRE, Guy Gerber, Audien as well as Grammy-nominated producers Bekon & The Donuts.

This week, Ari and Will discuss various aspects of the dance music industry, including revenue streams, remixes, and the role of managers. He emphasizes the importance of touring for bass music artists and the unique nature of their merchandise sales. Will also explains the business model of remixes and additionally highlights the need for data collection and retargeting in the new music business.

Chapters

00:00 Remixes and Original Music

10:12 SLANDER, NGHTMRE, and Deorro

29:07 Revenue and Profitability of Shows

36:16 Revenue Breakdown for Bass Music Artists

41:53 Reselling Records

50:21 Managing Record Producers

57:43 The Challenges of Playing at the Sphere

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-runzel-884456112

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willrunzel/

X: https://www.prodigyartists.com/

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment closes soon for Ari's Take Academy! Save 10% with code NMB and enroll:https://aristakeacademy.com/

Moody Jones is an entrepreneurial entertainment executive and artist who thrives on creating new rules and executing unique concepts. Currently, he’s the GM of Dance at EMPIRE – an independent distribution company and record label pioneering the future generation of the music business.

This week, Ari is joined by GM of Dance at EMPIRE, Moody Jones, to discuss Empire's business model, the dance music industry, and the role of an executive in supporting artists. They discuss various aspects of the music industry, including consumer behavior on social media, the impact of UMG on artists, advice for aspiring producers and DJs, the importance of art in everything you do, discovering and signing new artists, release frequency, and what it means to make it in the new music business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Empire

05:09 The Dance Division and the Dance Market

15:02 Measuring Success and Revenue Streams

23:02 Consumer Behavior on Social Media

26:00 Advice for Aspiring Producers and DJs

30:23 Building Relationships with Artists

37:38 Release Frequency and Removing Songs from DSPs

44:30 What It Means to Make It in the New Music Business

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Moody Jones:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moodyjones/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moodyjones/

X: https://twitter.com/moodyjones

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moodyjones

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment closes soon for Ari's Take Academy! Save 10% with code NMB and enroll:https://aristakeacademy.com/

A Los Angeles native and UCLA alumni, Michele Harrison commenced her career as a legal assistant at the Law Offices of Fischbach, Perlstein and Lieberman. Following gigs at Virgin Records and Hollywood Records, she spent 15 years at Ian Montone’s Monotone, Inc., working with the likes of Broken Bells, The Shins, Vampire Weekend, and Academy® Award winner Jamie Foxx. In 2018, she became Co-Head of Management at Friends At Work, managing Alanis Morissette and Raphael Saadiq. 2021 saw her join Range Music as a Partner, overseeing the careers of Healy, KaiGoinKrazy, Tkay Maidza, Justin Tranter, and UMI. With MPH Collective, she has now built a haven for artists, visionaries, and storytellers to shine without compromise.

In this interview, Ari and Michele discuss the role of autonomy and control in management, the impact of TikTok on artists' careers, and the changing landscape of record deals. She shares insights into the profitability of different venue sizes and the revenue streams from touring, including VIP experiences and merchandise sales. Michele also discusses the role of producers and the process of creating beat packs to pitch to artists and songwriters. She highlights the importance of getting in the room with other producers and songwriters to create music.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of MPH Collective

03:06 The Impact of TikTok and Challenges in the Music Industry

06:53 The Shifting Landscape of Record Deals

11:52 The Importance of Authenticity in Social Media

30:26 Building a Collaborative Team

35:15 The Importance of Booking Agents and Touring

41:09 Profitability and Revenue Streams

46:09 The Role of Producers

57:01 The Goal in the New Music Business

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

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Connect with Michele Harrison:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-harrison-88315a18/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mphcollective/

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment closes soon for Ari's Take Academy! Save 10% with code NMB and enroll:https://aristakeacademy.com/

Glenn McDonald was Spotify’s data alchemist and the creator of the music exploration site Every Noise at Once. He writes things for people about how humanity and technology co-exist, and things for computers about how to cope with not being human. He wrote a weekly music review column called The War Against Silence for ten years, tabulated the Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop music critics’ poll for several years, and was part of the music-intelligence start-up The Echo Nest, which was eventually acquired by Spotify.

He believes that music is the thing humans do best, and that bringing all the world’s music together online is one of the greatest cultural achievements of his lifetime. His book explaining why is being published by Canbury Press in 2024.

This week, Ari and Glenn McDonald discuss his role as a data alchemist and his work on the Every Noise at Once genre map. McDonald shares insights into the creation and maintenance of the Every Noise genre map, which categorizes over 6,000 genres and subgenres. He also discusses the evolution of Spotify playlists, from editorial to personalized, and the impact of algorithmic programming. They explore the impact of algorithmic recommendations on artists and fans, as well as the challenges of detecting fraud and bot attacks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:30 Creating the Every Noise Genre Map

19:54 Personalized Playlists and Algorithmic Programming

32:25 Fans Also Like and its Evolution

37:06 The Challenges of Algorithmic Recommendations

41:30 The Limitations of Detecting Fraud

47:56 The Mystery of Sudden Streaming Spikes

01:00:19 Glenn McDonald's Book and Future Plans

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

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Connect with Glenn McDonald :

Every Noise: everynoise.com

Furia: furia.com

X: https://twitter.com/glenn_mcdonald

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-mcdonald-ab3b36/

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment closes soon for Ari's Take Academy! Save 10% with code NMB and enroll:https://aristakeacademy.com/

This week, Ari is joined by Benn Jordan, musician, youtuber and entrepreneur, to discuss the many challenges of the modern streaming focused music industry. They discuss the recent issue around artists getting their music removed from streaming services due to fraudulent streaming activity and the impact on artists’ careers. The conversation also touches on the recent zero tolerance policy of distributors. The conversation covers topics such as the financial challenges of being an independent musician, the future of sustaining a music career, the ethics of AI in music, creating ethical AI models, and the role of artists in shaping the future of music and AI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:35 Challenges of Streaming Platforms

11:10 The Problem with Subsidized Streaming

15:26 The Success Story of Independent Artists

22:43 Introduction to VoiceSwap

36:21 The financial challenges of being an independent musician

44:02 The future of sustaining a music career

49:43 The ethics of AI in music

01:00:02 The role of artists in shaping the future of music and AI

01:01:52 Defining success in the new music business

Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa

Connect with Ari’s Take:

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Connect with Ari Herstand:

Website: https://ariherstand.com

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X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

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Connect with Benn Jordan:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BennJordan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennjordan/

X: https://twitter.com/bennjordan

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.