PlusMusic Podcast - Conversations with musicians, for musicians

Welcome to another captivating episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast! In this installment, we delve into the cutting-edge realm of AI-generated music with our esteemed guests, Robin Jo and Ben Lee, hailing from the innovative Korean AI music powerhouse, PozaLabs. As pioneers in the field, PozaLabs has revolutionized the art of crafting soundtracks for various media through via artificial intelligence. Join us as we engage in a thought-provoking conversation about the ethical dimensions of training AI music models, where PozaLabs uniquely employs compositions crafted in-house rather than relying on existing musical works. We also delve into the evolving landscape of AI-generated music within the music industry, exploring responses from traditional labels and the regulatory landscape that seeks to govern this transformative technology. Discover exciting insights into PozaLabs' upcoming music composition software, a groundbreaking tool that empowers users to create their own AI-infused musical masterpieces by adjusting parameters ranging from genres and instruments to the inclusion of the human voice. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website. Follow PlusMusic on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Welcome to another intriguing episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast, hosted by Brian Karscig and Nick Venti. In this installment, we have the pleasure of conversing with the brilliant Dr. Ahmed Elgammal, a true trailblazer in the fusion of art and AI. As the founder of Playform, Dr. Elgammal is at the forefront of making AI art tools accessible to artists, sparking a creative revolution. Alongside his role as a professor at Rutgers University, he pioneers the Art and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, seamlessly bridging technology and artistic expression. A multifaceted artist himself, Dr. Elgammal's exploration of AI's potential to augment creativity and expand artistic horizons unveils new frontiers. Tune in as we delve into a spirited debate on the evolving essence of an artist in the era of AI music—examining the intricate balance between human ingenuity and the artistry of AI programming. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website. Follow PlusMusic on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

In this episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast, hosts Brian Karscig and Nick Venti sit down with a true industry innovator, Ken Kobori, the brilliant mind behind SURF Music. As CEO, Ken Kobori has revolutionized the digital marketplace, providing a dynamic platform for creators to globally distribute and sell their music. With an impressive background as the renowned songwriter and producer 2SOUL in Japan, Ken brings a unique perspective to the conversation. Tune in as we delve into how SURF Music empowers artists with exclusive global placements through the synergy of AI technology. Join us for an enlightening discussion on the challenges of curating and managing an extensive music library in the AI era, as we explore the intricacies of discerning genuine submissions in this rapidly evolving landscape. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website. Follow PlusMusic on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Step into the latest episode of the Music 3.0 Podcast as Brian Karscig and Nick Venti engage in an illuminating conversation with the seasoned music industry virtuoso, Drew Thurlow. With a remarkable journey that spans from being a session musician to the Head of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment, Drew's trajectory led him to establish Opening Ceremony Media, a dynamic music consulting enterprise. Delve into Drew's rich experiences as he shares insights into the evolving landscape of music discovery, intricately comparing today's digital age, AI, and algorithm-driven exploration with the bygone era of radio, TV, and magazines. In this captivating episode, the trio also delves into the fascinating realm of AI artists, contemplating their potential to ascend into stardom. Join us as we navigate the crossroads of music evolution, dissecting the intricate harmony between human intuition and technological innovation. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website. Follow PlusMusic on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

In this episode, Brian and Nick sit down with Bruno Guez, the ingenious founder of Revelator⁠, your All-in-One Music 3.0 platform. Revelator stands tall as a pioneer in the realm of IP rights management, firmly rooted in the ever-evolving landscape of Music 3.0. Bruno Guez has led his company on a transformative journey, paving the way for artists and creators to assert their rights in the digital age. They also explore the concept of multiple blockchains and the tantalizing possibilities they bring forth. Could we be witnessing the emergence of a multi-chain future, where innovation and decentralization thrive hand in hand? Bruno Guez shares his insights, inviting us to contemplate the potential implications for the music industry and beyond. Tune in to gain an exclusive glimpse into the future of music, where innovation, creativity, and rights management converge in the fascinating realm of Music 3.0. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website. Follow PlusMusic on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

Join us for an exhilarating episode as we dive into the boundless world of music with renowned Digital Music expert, Aram Sinnreich. With a career spanning decades, Aram has been at the forefront of understanding and deciphering the ever-evolving landscape of music. As we explore the current state of the industry, we uncover fascinating insights into its transformation in today's times. From AI-generated compositions to its intermingling within the gaming realm, we embark on a thought-provoking journey into the future of music. Aram's profound knowledge and unique perspective offers us a glimpse into the innovative ways technology is shaping the musical landscape. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how music is evolving in the 21st century, and discover the profound implications of AI's involvement in this creative realm. Check out Adam's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Piracy-Crusade-Industrys-Liberties-Technology/dp/1625340524 For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plusmusic-ai/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusmusic.ai/ Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlusMusicTech

Join us on an extraordinary episode as we sit down with the brilliant mind behind SongVest, Founder and CEO Sean Peace. In this exhilarating conversation, we delve deep into the realm of music investment and the groundbreaking concept of fractional song royalties. Discover how SongVest empowers fans to not only support their favorite artists, but also earn a share of the revenue and join in on their success. Sean explains what happens to those profits when an artist blows up, and talks about the dynamic relationship between fractional song royalties and common performing rights organizations. To top it off, we open up a discussion on the future impact AI may have on the direction SongVest is heading in. Get ready to reimagine the way you connect with the music you love! Check out SongVest here: https://www.songvest.com/ For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plusmusic-ai/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusmusic.ai/ Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlusMusicTech

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jay Stolar, the Chief Artist Officer of Hume, a WEB3 record label that is breaking new ground in the world of music creation and virtual artists. In this episode, we explore the potential of AI in music creation and songwriting, and discuss the ethical considerations that come with using this technology. Jay brings a wealth of experience, having worked with top artists such as John Legend, Selena Gomez, and G-Eazy. We delve into the exciting possibilities of virtual artists and the role they may play in the future of music. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of AI and music, with Jay Stolar. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plusmusic-ai/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusmusic.ai/ Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlusMusicTech

In today's episode, we are joined by Toa Dunn, former head of Riot Games Music, to explore the exciting future of game music and the role of AI in its development. With nearly a decade of experience working with Riot Games, Toa shares his insights on integrating original music into gaming properties and the challenges he faced. He also discusses his collaborations with artists like Crystal Method and how they influenced his work. Tune in to discover how AI is shaping the future of game music and what it takes to create memorable soundtracks that enhance the gaming experience. For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plusmusic-ai/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusmusic.ai/ Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlusMusicTech

Welcome to today's episode of the Music 3.0 podcast. Our guest is Vasja Veber, Co-Founder of Viberate, an intelligent music data analytics company that offers services to music industry professionals. Vasja was previously a manager for 12 years, managing the career of Slovenian techno legend DJ Umek. In this episode, we will discuss the Metaverse, Viberate's evolution from a global booking system to an analytics company, and the lack of standardization across the music industry. Check out Vasja's company Viberate here: https://analytics.viberate.com/about/ For more exciting news and insightful podcasts, check out our website here: https://www.plusmusic.ai/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plusmusic-ai/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusmusic.ai/ Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlusMusicTech

Welcome to Music 3.0, listeners! Our guest today is Michael Jacob, CEO and founder of Lemonade.ai. Lemonade is a music creation software that uses AI algorithms to generate chord progressions and melodies for songwriters. While some artists may find that notion frightening, Michael sees Lemonade as a tool for inspiration and hopes to provide a service that empowers producers around the world. We chat with Michael about his journey from rising hip-hop star to tech visionary, and what generative AI means for musicians everywhere. Stay with us today on Music 3.0

Welcome to Music 3.0! Today we have a special guest, Soundation CEO Adam Hasslert, who is revolutionizing the way we collaborate, create, and network in the world of Music 3.0. Soundation is a leading company in the webification of at-home music production, offering a unique web-based software that enables multiple creators to work together in real time from any location worldwide. This reimagines the process of editing, producing, and recording music. In this interview, Adam will discuss how Soundation is bringing Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) to the internet and what alternatives this offers to industry staples like Logic Pro, Ableton, and Pro Tools. We will explore the potential changes that we can expect to see in music production as it continues to evolve. Join us for an insightful conversation on Music 3.0! Follow Soundation on Twitter Soundation Website

Hello musicians gamers and friends. Welcome to the PlusMusic Podcast! Today we're sitting down with Sam Gribben, the CEO of Melodics. After leaving his position as the CEO of world famous DJ software company Serato, Sam decided to use his knowledge of music production and software to pioneer a new education tool for musicians of all skill levels. His new venture Melodics is designed to lower the bar of entry for musicians using one of a kind, gamified software design to teach basic skills through fun challenges. Leading the charge on this new approach to online interactive education, Melodics aims to make the dream learning an instrument or producing a track a reality for any and everyone. We chat with Sam from his home base in Auckland, New Zealand about all things Music 3.0, and the gamification of music education. All this and more, today on the PlusMusic Podcast. Visit the Melodics Website Follow Melodics on Twitter

Hello musicians, gamers and friends. Welcome to Season 2 of the PlusMusic Podcast. First off we want to say Happy New Year to all of our listeners! We hope the holidays treated you well, and we're so excited for what's to come this year. Our guest today is the CEO of Atlas Creative Studios Michael Herriger. At over 3 billion total plays and over 75 games developed, Atlas Creative has cemented itself as one of the premier developers for meta verse experiences within the Fortnite engine. From high level partnerships with Microsoft, Time Magazine and The NBA, to one of a kind meta verse events with I Heart Radio like their recent mega-concert with Charlie Puth, Atlas are at the forefront of Web 3 interactive experiences. So sit back, relax and join us as we pick Michael's brain on all things gaming. Right here on the PlusMusic Podcast. Atlas Creative Website Atlas Creative Twitter PlusMusic Website

Hello gamers, musicians and friends! The PlusMusic Podcast is gearing up for a brand new and exciting new season. While we normally keep the focus of our show entirely on our guests, we wanted to give our listeners a chance to get to know our hosts before things get going. Join Nick Venti and Brian Karscig for a quick chat on who we are as a company and where we plan to take season 2. New episodes begin January 2023! Stay tuned. Visit our website Contact our A&R Team Support PlusMusic on socials! Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin

Welcome to the 100th episode of the PlusMusic Podcast with Brian Karscig and Nick Venti. For our 100th guest there was no one we'd rather talk to than our friend and collaborator, Yaprak DeCarmine - CEO of Game Jolt. Game Jolt is a one of a kind social media platform with a focus on games: from players and developers, to artists and fans. With over 60,000 unique communities and counting Game Jolt is poised to pave the way for the future of social gaming. Yaprak chats with us about their story, strategies and Game Jolt's brand new Summer Concert Series that we at PlusMusic had the pleasure to co-host. Check out Gamejolt.com! Follow Gamejolt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gamejolt

Welcome to the PlusMusic podcast with Brian Karscig and Nick Venti! Today we're sitting down with Jack Spallone, Head of Crypto at HiFi Labs. HiFi is an incubator for up and coming artists that focuses on live streams and met averse concerts, NFT minting for new music, and other online experiences that return the power to the artist from the music industry. We touch on the consumer experience for music fans in 2022 and how new technologies are improving our relationship to art on a global scale. Check out HiFi Labs: https://www.hifilabs.co/ Follow Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackspallone?lang=en

This week Brian and Nick are joined by Zac Tiessen, a Berklee trained composer making waves in the gaming world. Zac has had a hand in many exciting gaming projects, from Ubisoft's Watch Dogs franchise to fan-funded Starcraft II campaign UED: First Light. His passion for the craft is contagious and his knowledge of the business is sure to help any aspiring composers in the industry. Tune in to hear him walk through the actual process of how game scores are made, the hierarchies within large companies, and what to do with cryptic briefs and off-the-wall advice from superiors. Check out Zac's most recent score, Streams From The Wasteland on Spotify Zac's Website Follow Zac on Instagram

This week on the PlusMusic Podcast Nick and Brian are joined from London by Musiio CEO Hazel Savage. After years of working in the music industry, Hazel noticed major inefficiencies in the way companies listened to and catalogued their music. She set out to create a solution to this problem and founded Musiio - an AI music listening service designed to make curation dramatically easier. Nick and Brian chat with her about the company's story, their resent acquisition by SoundCloud, and Hazel's journey from punk rock musician to rising industry star. Learn more about Musiio Support Hazel's band Gintinka! Follow Hazel on Twitter

Devon Thome is on the forefront of the next wave of gaming tech. The young CEO and CO-Founder of MELON, a metaverse on the Roblox platform, is re-imagining everything from social game experiences to live performances and one of a kind brand collaborations. Devon joins Nick and Brian on the PlusMusic Podcast to breakdown the metaverse to core components. Ever wanted to understand more about these new virtual worlds? Let Devon walk you through the basics and explain how he and his team of developers are dreaming up new ways to experience digital media and connect with others on a global scale. Check out MELON for yourself Follow Devon on Twitter

This week Nick and Brian chat with Los Angeles based composer, musician and educator Shevy Smith. An Emmy nominated producer and winner of the esteemed ProMax Gold Award, Shevy is also the founder of Forte Poesy, a youth-focused music education program teaching empowerment through songwriting and musicianship. Her curriculum has been implemented in public and private schools across NYC, LA, and London. She has served as Board Co-President for the Afghan Women's Writing Project and is a member of the Alliance of Women Film Composers. She stops by to discuss her latest project The Ultimate Playlist: a free-to-play mobile app, raffle game, music discovery tool created in collaboration with the Arizona Lottery. Follow Shevy on Twitter Check out the Ultimate Playlist App

Austin Webster, a lifelong super fan of music, saw a flaw in the way digital art is consumed. Too often the producers, musicians and co-writers of classic songs are left out of the spotlight, creating a disconnect between audiences and the teams of people that make records. Austin created Deepr, a music listening tool called "Shazam on steroids," which delivers users detailed information on the teams behind their favorite records. Want to know who played bass on your favorite track? Or where a sample comes from? Deepr provides that insight and more. The Atlanta based company is poised to change the way we think about music discovery in the modern age, and hopefully return some well deserved recognition to the unsung heroes of popular music. Check out the Deepr App Find Austin on Twitter

To say George Howard is experienced in the music industry would be a massive understatement. Howard has been behind some of the most influential companies in the world. He is a co-founder of Tunecore, which has paid out over one billion dollars to artists for their streams, former president of Rykodisc, once the largest independent record label on the planet, and the mastermind behind the Music Audience Exchange (MAX). In his spare time he is a columnist for Forbes and a frequent contributor to the New York Times. Now a professor at the Berklee College of Music, Howard is educating the next generation of artists and moguls to make the right decisions for their careers and for the industry as a whole. He chats with Nick and Brian about distribution, record deals, artists rights, blockchain, and so much more! Follow George on Twitter

This week we're welcoming the prolific Joel Corelitz to the PlusMusic Podcast. Developing an interest for sounds and electronic music at the age of five, Joel grew up to attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music pursuing a Major in Technology in Music and Related Arts. Before his transitioning into video game scoring, Joel had worked on various commercials with composition studio, Steve Ford Music. He later set up his own studio, Waveplant Studios, dedicated to creating soundscapes and music for visual mediums and installations. Titles under his belt include Halo: Infinite, Death Stranding and cult classic The Unfinished Swan. Joel chats with Nick and Brian about his journey as a musician, his knowledge of game development, and his personal method for marrying music to gameplay. SHOW NOTES [1:04 - 2:14] Getting his start [2:50 - 4:56] The function of sacred music [6:12 - 9:07 ] The Unfinished Swan [10:00 - 12:22] Game composing as a part of a team [14:46 -18:13] Audio Branding [20:24 - 22:46] Starting Waveplant Studios [23”27 -27:34 ] Working on Halo Infinite [29:00 - 31:47] Advice for indie composers [32:06 -33:20 ] Gaming influences Follow Joel on Twitter

Paul Leonard-Morgan is in his own lane. The Scottish-born composer has built a prolific career, mixing electronic and orchestral styles into a musical concoction all his own. He's worked extensively in film on projects like Dredd and Limitless, on TV with projects like Amazon's Tales from the Loop and Netflix's Wormwood, and more recently on video games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Warhammer III and Cyberpunk 2077. Paul joins Nick and Brian to share his journey as a composer, and to take a deep dive into his process for adding music to media. SHOW NOTES [6:26 - 7:58] Getting the call to score Despicable Me 2 [8:13 - 9:13] Collaborating with a director on a film score [9:32 - 11:12] Personal influences [12:00 - 13:34] Writing music for video games [21:54 - 22:45] Finding the right DAW [23:05 - 26:14] Advice for young composers [33:52 - 36:37] Immersion and Interactivity Paul's Socials: Instagram Twitter YouTube

P.T. Adamczyk expressed interest in music from a young age. He started out working as a session and performing drummer, eventually hitting his stride as a composer and producer. He graduated from the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program at the University of Southern California, and landed himself a job as Senior Composer for the renowned Polish studio behind the Witcher games: CD Projekt Red. Their most recent title, Cyberpunk 2077, was a massive undertaking many years in the making. P.T. shares his personal journey during the development of the game, as well his inspirations and challenges. He chats with Nick and Brian about his techniques for building a game score, as well as some of his favorite ways to record music. SHOW NOTES [1:34 - 4:28] - Getting hired at CD Project Red [7:55 - 11:22] - Behind the licensed music of Cyperpunk 2077 [12:45 - 14:00] - The composing team of Cyberpunk 2077 [15:46 - 19:44] - Design philosophy behind the music [23:18] - 24:00] - Deciding on a genre for the music of Cyberpunk [27:34 - 28:35] - Troubled Cyberpunk rollout [30:06 - 31:32] - Working sessions in Abelton [34:34 - 36:28] - Personal inspirations P.T.'s socials: Twitter, Instagram, Spotify

Jonny Altepeter has music in his bones. Starting out as a musician and vinyl collector he eventually transitioned into music supervision for marketing teams in Hollywood, scoring trailers for huge movies. Recently he found a home for his talents at gaming giant Riot. He's played a large creative role in the marketing for Riot's hit team shooter Valorant and acts a liaison between artists and the gaming industry. Jonny joins the PlusMusic podcast to share his journey, his struggles, and what he's learned over the years as a music supervisor in the worlds of film and gaming. Show Notes: (3:16) Jonny discusses the role of music in his projects at Riot Games (5:13): Adding Neon to Valiant (10:26): Marketing for games vs marketing for film (14:36): Time as a musician (16:44): Sound design for Esports (19:50): Personal thoughts on the Metaverse (24:46): Advice for game scoring (30:32): Love of jazz music (34:26): Future Projects Follow Jonny on Linkedin

Founder and CEO of the NUE Agency, Jesse Kirshbaum has a lot of experience in both the music space as well as tech innovation. NUE Agency's roster includes popular musicians like Solange, J. Cole, Pusha T, Big Sean, Action Bronson, Meek Mill and Logic. Currently as the Chief Marketing Officer of livestreaming company Dreamstage, Jesse has positioned himself at the cross section of the old and new worlds of entertainment, with a passion for designing unforgettable live and digital experiences. He sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss his time working as a booking agent, his advice for upcoming artists looking for an agency, as well as thoughts on innovations of Web 3.0. Show Notes: [2:50] Jesse discusses his time at Gizmondo and what he learned there. [9:32] How Jesse went from being a promoter to an agent. [12:06] What an agent is looking for when they sign an artist, and who Jesse is currently working with. [20:23] The huge potential upsides for artists of Web 3.0, and how much things have already changed with Web 2.0. [29:39] Exciting developments Jesse has seen at the Solana Conference in Miami. Follow Jesse on Twitter, and subscribe to NUE Agency's Beats+Bytes newsletter.

Former Chief Economist at Spotify Will Page joins the podcast and shares his expertise. As a prolific public speaker, music communicator, and author of Tarzan Economics, Will's writings are regularly featured in Billboard, The Economist and the Financial Times. He sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the various issues surrounding Performance Rights Organizations, as well as the music industry's problem with diminishing engagement. Show Notes: [1:16] - How Will got involved with Spotify. [4:23] - A deep dive discussion of Performance Rights Organizations. [20:50] - Will's proposed solution to these issues. [24:39] - Will's thoughts on blockchain and Smart Contracts. [31:53] - How the music industry is missing out on the opportunities posed by the gaming world. [36:15] - Why Will thinks simplifying copyright and collection is the only path forward for the music industry. Find Will on LinkedIn and check out Tarzan Economics.

Music industry analyst, consultant, and reporter, Tatiana Cirisano joins the podcast this week to discuss current industry trends found at MIDia research. Formerly an award winning music journalist at Billboard, Tatiana wrote cover stories on influential artists like Tame Impala, Travis Scott, and Alicia Keys. On the show, Tatiana gets into a deep discussion with Brian and Nick on the future of the music industry and the opportunities posed by the Metaverse. Show Notes: [1:23] - How Tatiana got her start in music journalism. [5:08] - A deep dive discussion of the various applications of music in the Metaverse. [10:50] - What a virtual concert could provide vs. IRL. [25:33] - Incentives for artists to do virtual concerts. [26:45] - A discussion of social media and the difficulties it poses for introverted artists. [31:44] - What brought Tatiana to MiDia research and a look at how they approach entertainment industry analysis. [32:57] - MIDia has found data to back up a shift in goals among most artists. [35:43] - A shift in how younger generations want to interact with music vs passive listening. Follow Tatiana on Twitter and check out her website.

Described in the press as “thrilling,” “inspirational,” and “world-class,” Portuguese-American conductor, producer, and podcast host Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of orchestral music by fusing genres and instrumentation, providing a modern take on what an orchestra can do. As the co-founder and artistic director of the Nu Deco Ensemble, Jacomo has found ways to challenge and inspire his audience, which has led to collaborations with notable musicians like Wyclef Jean, Tune-Yards, Jacob Collier, and Ben Folds. Jacomo sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss his path towards becoming a conductor, what a conductor's role is, and how he is working to keep orchestral music vibrant and relevant in the 21st century. Show Notes: [2:06] Jacomo describes his musical background, starting with learning the tuba in middle school, and eventually leading to touring the world and leading Nu Deco Ensemble. [13:33] How a conductor leads and inspires an orchestra, and tastefully chooses and arranges music. [18:15] How Nu Deco is working to combine traditional forms with 21st century instrumentation and interpretations. [24:28] The pressure of a recording session on orchestral players. [26:24] Audience reaction to Nu Deco's initial genre-bending concerts, and how that led to a dedicated social media following. [32:00] Jacomo's belief in the importance of authentic and intimate interactions and engagement in the age of YouTube and social media, as well as incorporating modern technology in their own performances. [39:24] What's next for Nu Deco Ensemble. [41:38] Listen to Nu Deco Ensemble's version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. Follow Jacomo and Nu Deco Ensemble on Instagram and Spotify.

Gar Ragland is a producer, musician, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Citizen Vinyl, a record pressing plant, recording studio, and record shop located in Asheville, North Carolina. Together with entrepreneur and software engineer Sean Moore, they have started a new venture that combines LP's with uniquely ID'd and smartphone-scannable NFT chips - Vinylkey. In linking physical LPs with NFTs on the blockchain, Vinylkey hopes to bridge the gap between the traditional and digital marketplaces as never before. Brian and Nick sit down with Gar and Sean to discuss this exciting new venture and the future of record collecting. Show Notes: [1:38] How Gar Ragland founded Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, NC, got connected with Sean Moore, and combined their talents to form Vinylkey. [4:43] Sean explains how Vinylkey has combined vinyl pressing with NFT minting using NFC chips. [8:51] How NFTs could be used in the future of consumer markets both in the music space and beyond. [17:00] What's next for Vinylkey and what they're currently working on. [22:40] Other practical applications of NFTs, including digital performances in the Metaverse. [26:18] NFT projects that Sean recommends checking out. [32:45] Hear “Whiplash” by Citizen Vinyl artist Jobi Riccio, produced by Gar Ragland. Follow Gar Ragland on Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more about Citizen Vinyl and Vinylkey.

Veteran tech entrepreneur Pascal Pilon knew the incredible potential of machine learning technology and wanted to apply it to music production as early as 2013. As the CEO of LANDR, Pascal helped the company grow to become the world's leader in music post-production and digital content management. He joins the podcast to discuss the origins of LANDR, what makes his approach to business startups different, and the challenges along the way. Show Notes: [1:50] Pascal's software and business background, how he started LANDR, and how LANDR fosters a music community. [10:39] Why Pascal likes to focus on the DIY creators instead of bigger established artists. [14:03] The types of musicians that have used LANDR the most. [15:43] The challenges that Pascal ran into when LANDR first started. [20:39] How LANDR used a content blog to generate buzz for their service. [24:38] The biggest lessons Pascal learned from previous entrepreneurial endeavors. [29:44] Pascal's thoughts on blockchain technology. [33:25] What's next for LANDR. Follow Pascal on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ralph Sutton is a seasoned podcast and pop culture commentator with two decades of experience in front of the mic as a TV and radio host. Currently he hosts the hit comedy podcast The SDR Show and in 2016 founded the GaS Digital Network, which reaches 2 million listeners a week across 22 shows. Brian and Nick speak to Ralph about his insider knowledge of the radio and music industries, the death of the old music business, and his transition to digital formats. Show Notes: [2:07] How radio could have been viable at the dawn of the Internet age if they had stayed "live and local" instead of attempting to appeal to a national audience. [7:58] Ralph's thoughts on the decline of radio during his time on the show The Tour Bus, as well as the initial excitement around the first Napster piracy wave. [17:58] What Ralph believes could have slowed the death of the Compact Disc. [20:00] The difficulties of the streaming age for musicians, especially during the pandemic. [22:00] How Ralph started the GaS Digital Network for podcasts. [28:16] Ralph's podcast business strategy, including using live-streaming to boost engagement. [31:25] Why musicians, especially new and unestablished, need to embrace social media and new digital avenues. [39:21] What's next for the GaS Digital Network. Follow Ralph on Instagram and Twitter.

Obie Fernandez has been working at the intersection of music and tech for most of his career. A prolific remixer, writer, DJ, and most recently CEO of the curated NFT platform, RCRDSHP, Obie sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the potential of NFTs to bring back the culture of music ownership that has dramatically declined in the 21st century. Show Notes: [1:44] The origins of RCRDSHP, and why they use the Flow chain instead of other blockchain technologies. [5:09] The opportunity and possibilities that NFTs represent for musicians. [11:25] Obie expresses his skepticism about VR and other new technologies, while still advocating for musicians to be flexible and jump on new opportunities that new technology can provide. [17:59] How RCRDSHP deals with rights management in their NFT market. [22:17] Why fans would want an NFT and how NFTs can unlock access to an artist. [29:25] How RCRDSHP is working to build a community of curated high quality artists, and how that makes it stand out from other NFT marketplaces. [34:46] Fan interaction with NFTs. [38:42] Digitally native items in the Metaverse and the potential of new forms of music consumption and collaboration. [48:00] Hear “Have a Nice Day” by Obie Fernandez. Follow Obie on Twitter and LinkedIn.

At just 29 years old, entertainment attorney Karl Fowlkes already has a vast client roster, including rising star rapper, singer, songwriter and producer Blxst, who just signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappel. Karl also represents Section 8, the super producer behind Lil Baby's highest charting singles “The Bigger Picture” and We Paid”. On this episode Karl joins Brian and Nick to discuss his legal expertise in the world of music sampling, as well as his advice to emerging artists on when to seek legal counsel, and how to handle rights management issues. Show Notes: [1:39] Karl's thoughts on when a musician needs a lawyer. [5:40] Should an artist use the sync services from big online distributors? Karl believes there's a better strategy. [8:42] What blockchain can do for the music industry. [12:14] A discussion of sampling and rights issues for producers and artists. [19:51] Karl's skepticism of NFT's and their usefulness for emerging artists. [29:47] The areas in which artists should be more educated and prepared when entering the music industry. [32:02] How Karl got interested in entertainment law. [36:54] Hear “WYA?” by Joony. Find Karl Fowlkes on LinkedIn and Instagram, and check out The Fowlkes Firm.

After self-recording their debut album, Good to See You, New York indie rockers Meyru supported the album's release with a series of sold-out shows all over New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, DC, and Charlotte. The album's single "She" found breakaway success on streaming platforms, allowing Meyru to reach a truly global fanbase. Lead singer Nic Grunewald sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the band's future plans and new single "I'd Ask... But I Know You're Alright", as well as the strategies that are working for an indie band in a post-Covid world. Show Notes: [0:55] Nic tells us about moving to New York City as a musician starting out, and the difficulties of dealing with the pandemic in 2020. [4:34] How the band got in touch with legendary sound engineer Dan Millis. [6:58] Nic discusses the digital avenues and strategies that are working for Meyru, and how to hold onto fans and keep them engaged. [15:40] How Meyru manages their social media and figured out what works and feels authentic for them. [19:07] Meyru's approach to live-streaming. [24:00] How digital media like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok is changing the way artists release and write songs. [34:33] The genesis of Meyru's new single "I'd Ask... But I Know You're Alright," and what makes something a pop song. [38:52] Hear "I'd Ask... But I Know You're Alright" Follow Meyru on Instagram and Spotify.

CEO of boutique consulting and advisory firm CrossBorderWorks, Vickie Nauman joins the pod to discuss the current state of the music industry and how independent artists should think about utilizing the newest technologies and platforms. With her expertise in the intersection of technology and music, Vickie shares some forward-thinking strategies and explains some more complex elements of today's music industry. Show notes: [1:36] Vickie tells us how she got involved with the hit game Beatsaber, and shares her thoughts on how the music industry can intersect more with gaming. [11:10] What makes the music industry slower to react despite being so affected by technical innovations. [18:05] The complications of sync licensing. [22:20] How the new creator economy gives artists a larger degree of freedom and control over their art, and how an administrative partner can be helpful. [30:49] Why independent artists need a team. [32:23] New and exciting prospects of Web 3.0 and an “artist-centric” world. [37:33] A discussion of what it would take to change the more constrictive elements of the major label business. [41:56] What's next for Vickie in 2022. Find Vickie Nauman on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Fred Beteille is an industry veteran with 20+ years of experience in media and technology. Currently, as Meta's Head of Strategy – Audio Initiatives, he is responsible for the company's Studio and Central Product investments for Music and Audio. Prior to his involvement with Facebook, Fred was a Product Lead at Google / YouTube where he led and worked on initiatives ranging from Content ID, Monetization, Rights Management, Music Apps, and more. He has spearheaded the launch of many products that, in sum, are used by billions of people around the world, generate billions of dollars in revenue, and are designed to help solve the most complex business and user problems. Brian and Nick sit down with Fred to discuss where the music industry is going, and future opportunities for music in the Metaverse. Show Notes: [1:19] Fred explains how the music industry has changed, and the difficulty of processing the sheer scale of reach with the advent of the Internet. [7:04] How Blockchain technology can impact the music space [11:16] The technical challenges of creating the Metaverse [15:21] What musicians need to consider in the future, how they want their music to be used in new digital experiences. [23:40] Fred talks about his time at Harry Fox Agency and YouTube. [29:56] What musicians need to prepare for from a legal perspective. [35:24] Opportunities for music and musicians in virtual spaces. [40:11] Fred discusses the genesis of TrackTribe and it's connection to YouTube. [44:05] Hear “Reset” from TrackTribe's Otis McDonald Find more from Fred on LinkedIn.

Singer-songwriter Ryan Egan began his music career in New York City and has garnered acclaim from Billboard, Indie Shuffle, and Apple Beats 1 for his debut EP and subsequent singles, which found their way onto Spotify's Fresh Finds and New Music Friday playlists. Prior to the worldwide lock down and in the middle of writing his debut full-length album, Ryan left NYC for Paris and re-directed his career path towards European markets. Ryan speaks with Brian and Nick about his life during this period, his creative philosophies, as well as his recent return to the US to work with Kevin Basko (Foxygen, Rubber Band Gun) on his debut LP, Soft Power. Show Notes: [0:49] Ryan discusses the differences between the Paris and NYC music scenes. [4:19] What it's like to be back in NYC promoting the new single. [7:09] How Ryan kept busy during the pandemic lockdowns. [9:28] Ryan's do's and don'ts for maintaining creative habits. [17:00] Some of Ryan's favorite influences and a discussion of songwriting methods. [25:55] How Ryan connects with fans, as well as release strategies for the new album. [41:22] Hear Ryan's new single “Alone For The Last Time”. You can find more from Ryan Egan on Spotify and Instagram.

Christine Osazuwa has managed to combine her various passions into roles consulting and working with music startups, venues, festivals, radio stations and labels, bridging the gap between music, data & business. She spent 2 years in Stockholm most recently as the Head of Data & Insights for Universal Music Sweden before calling London home working as the Global Marketing Director for Data & Insights at Warner Music Group. In October 2021, Christine joined the live music & travel tech startup, Pollen, where she helps to curate one-of-a-kind music experiences. Christine sits down with Brian and Nick to share her various insights into what works and what doesn't in today's music industry. Show Notes: [2:12] How music data points have changed from the pre-digital era to now. [6:53] Why you shouldn't buy likes, plays or followers. [8:40] Christine discusses her background in marketing and web development. [11:08] What is and is not working for the industry in terms of data collection. [16:22] An intro to Pollen and what they do, plus a discussion of trends in live music experiences and streaming. [29:30] Christine's advice for up and coming artists. [39:40] Smaller strategies to develop a Minimum Viable Product. [41:40] Christine tells us about the Measure Of Music conference. Follow Christine on LinkedIn, and check out Measure of Music and Always Wanting More.

Manhattan native Miles Francis is already known amongst musicians as one of the best kept secrets of the NYC music scene. As a working musician, Miles has collaborated and performed with Sharon Jones, Allen Toussaint, Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio) and many others; toured the world with Win Butler (of Arcade Fire), and appeared on shows like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with David Letterman. Following 2018's Swimmers EP, Francis has released two new singles in 2021 - “Service” & “Popular” - from a new solo project. Miles sits down with Brian and Nick to talk about the life of a working musician, coping with the pandemic, becoming a solo artist, and some successful networking methods. Show Notes [1:20] Miles' background coming from a family of musicians, and transitioning from a touring drummer to a singer-songwriter. [6:32] How Miles' solo project began, turning demos into final versions of songs. [9:11] Advantages of being an independent artist with no label. [15:00] The Importance of visuals to Miles' process. [18:19] Being proactive and following up with people in one's network. [22:31] Miles tells a story about synchronicity with a member of the Roots and the Jimmy Fallon Show. [25:58] Miles' experience during the COVID-19 lockdowns. [31:03] Miles shares thoughts on NYC reopening and playing shows again. [34:10] Hear the new single from Miles Francis, “Good Man”. For more from Miles Francis, follow them on Instagram and Spotify.

Chicago-born, LA-based artist R E L has garnered notable praise for her soulful ethereal music, which she describes as “EVOCA-POP." Her music has been featured in Wonderland, Atwood, EARMILK, The 405, Popdust, Huffington Post, and has been played on KCRW & MTV Iggy, among other outlets and stations. More recently, her song “Night City” has been featured as one of the main themes for the hit video game Cyberpunk 2077. Brian and Nick sit down with this young artist to discuss how she landed those placements, her relationship with technology and social media, and her strategies when it comes to getting her music heard in 2021. Show Notes [1:10] R E L's singing and family background. [4:26] How “Night City” came together for Cyberpunk 2077. [8:43] R E L discusses her relationship with technology and social media. [14:45] Live shows and livestream quirks. [22:33] R E L's love of collaboration and strategy. [25:23] Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic as a young musician, new release strategies. [30:36] Advice for new musicians in today's climate. [34:23] R E L shares her thoughts on touring. [36:20] Hear “Stumbling” by R E L. Keep up with R E L on Spotify and Instagram.

Joining us from Bordeaux, France, composer Yoann Laulan discusses his work on the hit game Dead Cells. He talks about his working relationship with game studio Motion Twin, his early love of game design and rock music, as well as his reaction to the massive success of one of his first major projects. You can hear his work on Spotify, or check out his bandcamp page. Show Notes [1:31] - How Yoann met Motion Twin and got involved with Dead Cells. [3:20] - A discussion of game jams and how they work. [7:10] - Yoann's young aspirations. [10:22] - Who owns the music rights to a video game soundtrack? [20:23] - The music scene growing up in France. [23:05] - The current music scene in Bordeaux and how it has changed over time. [29:20] - Hear “Prisoner's Awakening” from Dead Cells

If you're a musician you don't want to miss this one! Moody Jones grew up in Saudi Arabia and didn't see his first concert until 2005, after his family had emigrated to Canada. Now the Senior Vice President of Digital & Creative at EMPIRE, Moody oversees marketing campaigns for artists, and has an impressive track record of working with top acts such as Iggy Azalea, Carnage, Snoop Dogg and Tyga. He helped Tyga's "Taste" reach a billion views on YouTube, and is currently working on bringing Aaliyah's catalog to streaming services. His deep knowledge of digital ad campaigns and best practices on communication and marketing makes this one of our most valuable episodes for any artist that wants their music heard. Show Notes [1:35] Moody's general thoughts on music release strategies. [5:51] His music and cultural background. [11:12] Ad advice, which platform is right for you, the importance of finding out which platforms your demographic uses. [20:12] Moody's experience growing up in Saudi Arabia where most music was illegal. [25:12] What Moody sees on the horizon in music and tech. [35:12] Moody discusses his role at EMPIRE and the general philosophy and goals of the company. [41:45] Warnings and more advice! [44:05] A story about Fireboy DML before we get to hear his track, "Peru" Follow Moody on Instagram at @moodyjones.

Lazaro Raposo is a lover of both music and video games. As the CEO of the Azores-based indie game studio Cereal Games, Lazaro oversaw the development of their pixel-noir action RPG, Pecaminosa. Lazaro chats with Brian and Nick about his musical background, his early gaming experiences with the Sega Megadrive, and his love of collaboration. Show Notes [1:30] Inspiration for Pecaminosa's film noir style [4:40] Lazaro's gaming & computer science background [8:22] Lazaro discusses a surprising choice for one of his favorite games [10:25] Lazaro's musical background [15:28] A discussion of cross-platforming and the future of gaming [23:18] More details about Cereal Games and gameplay mechanics [31:10] Info on Portugal's tech and gaming scene [37:00] The music of Pecaminosa, how dynamic soundtracks work [42:46] Hear “Take That You Dirty Rat” from Pecaminosa Follow Cereal Games on Game Jolt and Twitter.

Rich Vreeland, also known as Disasterpeace, is an American composer and musician. With over 50 albums released under Disasterpeace, Vreeland is known for scoring and programming sound and music in multiple mediums including film, television, and theater. Among those works are the acclaimed horror film It Follows, and 2D action-RPG Hyper Light Drifter. Vreeland chats with Brian and Nick about his musical background, how he broke into the video game and film industries, and how his initial love of graphic design and wrestling became the catalyst for his career. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter. Show Notes [1:04] An intro to the Chiptune genre [7:37] Rich discusses his musical background [12:44] Rich tells the story of his first break [17:11] Origins of the name Disasterpeace [23:15] Scoring It Follows and subsequent films and TV [25:00] A discussion of audio revenue shares and royalties [33:47] What's next for Disasterpeace [38:00] Musical influences [42:42] Hear an unreleased track that Rich originally pitched for Minecraft

Will Tenney is a music industry executive, entrepreneur, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Currently, as Head of Streaming Strategy & Promotion at Crush Music, he oversees campaigns for Lorde, Sia, Panic! At the Disco, and Green Day, among other artists. In this role, Tenney manages relationships with DSPs, studies algorithms, and finds streaming opportunities online and out of home. Tenney sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the recent changes in the music industry, 20-year pop culture cycles, and his own musical inspirations. Currently, Tenney's band Exit recently released their song "Overdramatic", which you can listen to here.

Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson are both daughters of world famous musicians, but remain incredibly down to earth. They formed their comedy songwriting duo Folk Uke in 1996, and have frequently toured in support of Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson, in addition to garnering their own unique success. Folk Uke was actually on tour right when the pandemic hit in March 2020, and have stayed fairly active despite having all their remaining shows cancelled. Longtime friends of our host Brian, Amy and Cathy catch up with us as they discuss their current music-making plans, and a scheme to postpone shows in order to keep getting mentioned on local media outlets in Austin, TX. Hear them on Spotify, and follow them on Instagram. For everything Folk Uke, head to folkuke.com.

Lead guitarist of The Killers Dave Keuning returns to the podcast to talk about his new solo music and the changes in the Killers' sound on their most recent record. Keuning also discusses the uncertainty of booking future shows and tours considering the current state of the pandemic, and even gets into the nitty gritty of... Fantasy Football? Check out his new record A Mild Case Of Everything, and Pressure Machine by The Killers

Dmitri Vietze is the Founder and CEO of Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. It was his crazy idea to transform a global music PR firm into what has become a predominant music tech PR firm. Vietze is a regular presenter at SXSW Music, SF MusicTech, Music Biz, APAP, and WOMEX. He is also the director of the annual Music Tectonics conference, and host of the Music Tectonics podcast. Brian and Nick chat with Vietze about new and exciting tech companies in the world of music, and important strategies for musicians to get their music heard.