The Live Music Industry Podcast

(Chapters below intro)In this episode, we sit down with Graham Williams, founder of Resound Presents — the legendary indie promoter behind over 600 shows a year across Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas. We dive into the macroeconomics of the live music industry, surviving today's challenging business environment, and the pros and cons of having a massive venue like The Moody Center in town.Graham shares what makes Resound's brand stand out and reflects on how booking in Austin has evolved over the last 30 years. We explore his festival era, from Fun Fun Fun Fest through Sound on Sound, including magical moments, clashes with corporate culture, and the hard lessons learned organizing festivals through unpredictable weather and city bureaucracy.We also talk about the risk involved in booking shows and the innovative solution Prism launched called Insights, which is now helping promoters save tens of thousands of dollars every month.Finally, Graham answers a series of fastball questions covering the art of building an iconic indie brand, fostering a melting pot of genres, sustaining success for three decades, putting on shows at haunted western towns and laser tag arenas, staying connected to new bands, and a nod to the classic comedy Blazing Saddles.(00:11) The story of Resound Presents, a legendary indie promoter that books over 600 shows a year in Austin, San Antonio, and other Central Texas markets(10:51) Macroeconomics of the industry, surviving the current business environment, and dealing with competition — the pros and cons of having a massive venue like The Moody Center in town(21:41) What makes Resound's brand special, and how booking in Austin has evolved over the last 30 years(36:56) Graham's festival era, from Fun Fun Fun Fest through Sound on Sound — reflecting on magical moments, clashes with corporate culture, challenges managing the city parks department, inclement weather, and other hard lessons in organizing festivals(59:38) Reflecting on the risk of booking shows, and the innovative solution Prism launched called Insights, which is helping promoters save tens of thousands of dollars monthly on offers(01:12:53) Fastball questions: what goes into curating an iconic indie brand, the melting pot of genres covered by Resound, keys to success after 30 years of putting on concerts, building a scene by hosting shows at haunted western towns and laser tag arenas, keeping up with new bands, and a nod to Blazing SaddlesPlease share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism:Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More on ⁠ResoundMore on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)

In this conversation, Kym (the venue owner) walks us through Pinhook's 16‑year journey from start‑up to beloved cultural anchor in downtown Durham, NC. They open by explaining how Prism's booking and settlement tools have tightened operations enough for a small, 200‑capacity room to pay fair wages—including their own—without sacrificing the club's community‑first ethos.Kym then rewinds to Pinhook's 2008 founding, sharing how a queer‑owned, radically inclusive space was forged to welcome every walk of life while amplifying Durham's DIY music roots. They dive into the economics of surviving (and thriving) as a micro‑venue: offsetting inflation and shifting drinking habits with inventive revenue streams—non‑alcoholic options, staggered early and late shows, and relentless programming creativity.Mid‑episode, we hear the dramatic story of Pinhook's brush with closure and the grassroots campaign (boosted by hometown heroes Sylvan Esso) that kept its doors open. Kym pulls back the curtain on the hard math of a 200‑cap business, stressing why community goodwill and eventually owning the building “dirt” matter as much as bar sales.We wrap with a round of fastballs: their playbook for sustaining a tiny venue over decades, hopes for a fairer, more inclusive music ecosystem, and practical advice for fellow operators—chief among them, “Control your real estate, stay agile, and stay true to the people you serve.(00:20) - Kym reflecting on how helpful Prism is to their 200 capacity community venue and pay them and their employees more(3:24) - Kym's story and the founding of Pinhook, a queer owned and ran club in Durham NC, and their unique ethos to truly embody inclusion while creating a safe space for everyone(13:26) – the shifting landscape of drinking preferences, inflation and Kym's success offering NAs, doing early shows & late night shows, and overall how Kym gets creative to make their venue work(22:33) – The economics of making a 200 cap community centric club work, staying in business for 16 years + the heroic story of Kym and the community saving Pinhook early on–in part thanks to incredible local bands like Sylvan Esso (32:07) – Fastballs: how do you make a 200 cap sustain for 16 years, the importance of owning the dirt under your venue, hopes for the music industry for the futurePlease share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism:Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More on The PinhookMore on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠ (Prism engineer!)

Avant Gardner, home of The Brooklyn Mirage, is truly one of the most spectacular venues in the world, and the innovation isn't done yet. In this episode, we dive deep into the wild transformation Brooklyn Mirage is undergoing—possibly on the level of an East Coast Sphere (while still being its own thing). The new CEO joins my podcast to share plans for the future and to reflect on some harrowing mistakes made at the last Electric Zoo festival. I loved Josh's approach: take feedback head-on, make peace, commit to changes, follow through, and keep going.(00:17) – Josh reflects on his first season as CEO of Avant Gardner and Brooklyn Mirage, and on the background that led him to this incredible opportunity(04:18) – A breakdown of the executive team, the origin story, and the vision behind one of the most otherworldly music venues in Brooklyn(13:35) – Pushing the boundaries of what a venue can be: the grand vision of the new Brooklyn Mirage, potentially the “Sphere of the East Coast” or something totally unique—kicking off with two sold-out Sara Landry shows(23:57) – Learning from failures and facing criticism and bad press head-on: what happened with Electric Zoo, reaching a settlement with vendors and fans, and how the company plans to rebuild for the future.(39:30) – Fastball questions: the staffing required to run Avant Gardner and Brooklyn Mirage, the software tools used to ensure smooth operations, acquiring Made Events, and the ultimate goal of becoming the most innovative, forward-thinking live electronic venue in the United States.Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism:Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More on ⁠Avant Gardner & Brooklyn MirageMore on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Banana Bread - Layton.rx (Prism engineer!)

TikTok (and social media as a whole) has transformed the music industry, perhaps on the same level as the evolution of digital streaming—from enabling once-unrecognized artists like Chappell Roan to build massive online followings & successful careers overnight, to revolutionizing the way we market and promote live concerts and record releases. The industry has arguably changed for the better thanks to these tools, but the plot thickens with TikTok—perhaps the stickiest of all social media platforms, which also happens to be fully owned and operated by a Chinese company.Is TikTok a massive psyop for the CCP to gather security intel? The greatest propaganda tool ever invented (broadcasting straight into the minds of hundreds of millions of Americans)? Or is it simply a fun place to share videos? These questions have drawn the attention of everyone from presidents and executives of the world's largest companies, to the Supreme Court—all weighing in on what should happen.Through this conversation, Joseph Perla helps us make sense of what's happening and shares his vision for the second coming of Turntable.fm, called Hangout.fm. Hangout.fm is an exciting new social media platform that relies on HI (Human Intelligence) instead of AI, enabling friends to connect and share music in a fresh, engaging way. I was a user of Turntable.fm back in 2011 and loved the platform—I remember when record labels effectively shut it down. Now, Joseph has partnered with those same labels to refresh the service with a modern take.All this and more in the latest episode.(00:15) – The scoop: Is TikTok banned? Did Congress make it illegal? How are Trump's policies playing into this? Can people still use it now? Will it be sold?(7:25) – Is the TikTok ban beyond Trump? What does the letter of the law say? Could Apple and Google be fined for new downloads of TikTok?(11:22) – What is the secret sauce of the TikTok algorithm? Will they ever sell it?(16:44) – The role Meta's lobbyists and other tech giants have played in the TikTok ban.(19:05) – Unpacking the theory that TikTok is a security issue for the U.S.(31:45) – The argument that allowing TikTok is part of operating in the free world.(37:47) – How this impacts the music industry, Joseph's solution with Hangout, and the distinction between HI and AI (Human Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence).(38:50) – The evolution of Turntable.fm, how it was shut down by record labels, and how that eventually led to the launch of Hangout in a post-Spotify era. Plus, the overall evolution of the industry, from cassettes to digital MP3s to VR and AR.(51:50) – A new solution for using social media to market live showsPlease share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism:Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join us in Prism's ⁠Hangout⁠ More on HangoutMore on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Papooz - The Garde⁠⁠⁠⁠

This was a truly fun podcast with my good friend Aly, who makes me feel deeply confident about the emerging generation carrying the torch for producing psych rock events and booking fantastic live music.We explore the world of psychedelic rock festivals with Aly, one of the creators behind Austin Psych Fest and Levitation. In this episode, we'll hear how he went from booking small clubs like Hole in the Wall to producing cutting-edge events across Austin, discover his process for choosing the perfect bands, and get an inside look at the new format for Levitation 25. We'll also discuss the rise of Chappell Roan, the power of technology in booking, and the future of psych music. Stick around for our lineup add-on, where we reveal this year's Psych Fest roster and throw a few “fastballs” at the lineup!(00:18) – Aly's story of producing Psych Fest, Levitation, and his start booking local legendary clubs like Hole in the Wall(02:24) – The process of picking bands for Levitation and Psych Fest(07:25) – Organizing decentralized music festivals at venues around Austin(09:35) – Innovative new format & venue for Levitation 25(24:28) – The art of booking festivals and booking in general during the social media era(33:18) – Legendary ascent of Chappell Roan, in one tour going from not selling out Parish to headlining ACL(37:48) – Aly's story from his childhood in Egypt to booking bands at UT & Hole in the Wall(49:24) – How Aly has used Prism & technology at various parts of his journey(53:47) – The future of the industry, the future of Psych, Psych Fest Cairo/Pyramid stage?(57:02) – The power of live music and world peace(58:35) – Psych Fest's absolutely incredible lineup(1:03:40) – Creative process for booking this year's Psych Fest(1:14:42) – Psych Fest fastballs: most innovative in their approach to psych, most likely to show up on Dark Side of the Moon, and morePlease share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism:Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Resound Presents,Levitation,Psych FestMore on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Papooz - The Garde⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sean & Kendall lay out the what, why, and vision of the State of Live initiative, which will provide music venues with an essential tool for local, regional, and national advocacy. If you run any kind of performance stage, please take the time to fill out the survey. In addition to discussing why this is the most important initiative since SVOG, we also explored an important philosophical discussion on the challenges live music venues face and envisioned a future where the entire industry can thrive beyond the challenges with tools like Prism Insights (link to page we are setting up).

In today's episode, we talk with Daniel with someone who's been at the heart of D.C.'s live music scene for over two decades. From starting out as artists to building and running Union Stage Presents, which now operates six venues and hosts thousands of shows each year, they've seen it all. We'll discuss the challenges of running small venues, how to keep a schedule packed with hundreds of shows, the realities of growing a business in a competitive market, and what it's like to manage a multi-venue operation. We'll also explore what makes D.C.'s music scene so unique and how the city's culture and politics shape the way live music thrives here. It's a conversation about the long road to success, the energy it takes to keep a venue alive, and what the future of live music might look like. Let's get into it. —---- (00:13) - “Overnight” Success (23 years of pushing), Union Stage Presents has grown to an operation of 6 venues doing thousands of shows a year (01:56) - Going from artists to starting their own venue, Jammin Java 10 miles away from the Pentagon on 9/11, and eventually sustaining their 200 cap room for over 20 years (13:10) - The art and science of keeping a venue booked + the sheer energy and resources required to do 300+ events a year at a small club (23:12) - Growing beyond one venue, promoting at other venues, and building Union Stage (29:00) - Surviving in DC, a robust live music market with tons of competition (35:38) - The unique culture of DC that makes it a thriving live music market + how politics naturally shapes the landscape (43:56) - Expanding to adding another venue, Capital Turnaround + manages the stresses and challenges of a growing business, and eventually expanding to owning/managing 6 venues (52:05) - A zoomed out perspective of the flow of artists across the country, and how to create a pipeline of artists and shows (59:15) - Fastball Questions - how to keep 200+ employees happy and engaged, how Prism and other tech platforms can help with scale, building their own ticketing system/the ticketing ecosystem as a whole, excitement for the future (potentially a large space coming?!) Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠⁠Prism⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠) Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠ Meet Daniel Union Stage Presents new website Opening Music - ⁠⁠⁠Papooz - The Garde⁠⁠ Elsewhere - ⁠⁠ https://www.elsewhere.club/

In this episode, we dive into the journey of PopGun Presents and the iconic Brooklyn venue Elsewhere, with founder Rami. From his early days as an agent to becoming a cornerstone in NYC's live music scene, Rami shares insights into building a thriving venue in a competitive market. We explore the hustle behind booking in NYC, the impressive $3.5M raise for Elsewhere's launch, and the successes and challenges. Rami also shares his perspective on the future of music venues amidst rising costs and industry consolidation. A must-listen for anyone curious about the business and soul of NYC's music scene! Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠Prism⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram (⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠) Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠⁠here⁠⁠) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠ Rami's LinkedIn Opening Music - ⁠⁠Papooz - The Garde⁠ Elsewhere - ⁠ https://www.elsewhere.club/

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Bruce Finkelman, Managing Partner of 16 on Center, to uncover the secrets behind building an independent music venue empire in Chicago. From the founding story of 16 On Center to expanding multiple venues, we explore the economics of owning your own venue space, the evolution of running a venue from 1995 to 2024, and the challenges of staying independent in an industry dominated by giants like Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Bruce also shares insights into building a sustainable team, creating iconic venues like The Salt Shed, and his vision for the future of the music industry.   Chapters(00:10) -Bruce's story and the founding story of 16 On Center(09:53) - The first empty bottle(13:38) - Expanding to multiple venues(27:14) - Economics: Owning the dirt at your venue + The evolution of running a venue from 1995 to 2024(35:31) -Attracting to talent and Building a company that employs and sustains 600 people(41:30) - The creation story of The Salt Shed(48:00) - Making the jump to book larger rooms(52:00) - Fastball questions - Using Prism and the tech stack to organize a massive amount of concerts, Secrets to building a succesful operation, the battle to stay independent, Live Nation, Ticketmaster and the DOJ.(1:00:10) - Plans for the future (or lack thereof), the future of the industry Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠here⁠ More on ⁠Prism⁠ Follow us on Instagram (⁠@prismfm⁠) Follow us on LinkedIn (⁠here⁠) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠Matt Ford⁠ Opening Music - ⁠Papooz - The Garde 16 on Centerhttps://www.16oncenterchicago.com/ 

In this episode we dive into the evolution of Hive, from its roots as a ticketing company to its current role as a key player in marketing automation. We explore the challenges in the industry, and the company's rapid team growth. Looking ahead, we discuss Hive's aspirations, the potential of AI, and the intricacies of software design. The convo wrapped with some exciting fastball topics like the DOJ, Live Nation VS Independents, AI, VR/AR, and the booming live entertainment scene. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe here More on Prism Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) Follow us on LinkedIn (here) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - Matt Ford Hive Hive Discount Opening Music - Papooz - The Garden Chapters (00:09)Hive's story from starting a ticketing company to pivoting and becoming one of the most important marketing automation companies in the industry (14:46) Choosing to not be a ticketing company/challenges in the ticketing industry (23:30) team size growth over the year (26:06) AI + Aspirations for the future of Hive (36:20) complexity of software design + a shoutout to the competition?!!? (44:30) coolest industry on planet earth / hopes for the future (46:40) Hive/Prism integration + Hive discount (www.hive.com/prism) (48:34) Fastballs to end - DOJ, LiveNation, TicketMaster, Independents, acquisitions, private equity, AI, VR/AR, 10x shows, booming industry, The Sphere

In this episode, we chat with Fabrice Sergent, co-founder and CEO of Bandsintown which has grown to become one of the largest most impressive platforms in all of Live Music. In the pod, Fabrice reveals the origin story, showcasing the company's impressive growth. Emphasizing the importance of supporting local musicians and venues, Fabrice discusses how this fosters diversity and vibrancy in the music industry. Wrapping up, he explores the role of AI and shares his visionary outlook on the future of live music. Fabrice Sergent is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Bandsintown. With over 85 million registered fans and partnerships with Spotify, Apple, Shazam, Google, and more, Bandsintown has 1.5 billion monthly active users and delivers more than 5 billion personalized concert recommendations annually. In addition to helping 600K registered artists and 65K venues, festivals, and promoters share concerts with the world, Bandsintown Promoter, and the new automated marketing solution Bandsintown PRO empower them to bypass algorithms, build their audience, and sell more tickets. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe www.prism.fm/podcast/ More on Prism www.prism.fm Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) www.instagram.com/prismfm Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3 Bandsintown https://www.bandsintown.com/ Timestamps (01:45) Concert discovery platform (06:35) Different from streaming apps (09:45) Bandsintown artist platform (14:15) Venue and promoter platform (15:45) Integrations and partnerships (17:30) The origin story (20:10) Bandsintown acquisition history (22:55) Business growth trajectory (25:00) Fabrice's entrepreneurial history (27:00) Live music market equilibrium (33:15) Market diversity and vibrancy (35:25) Supporting local venues and acts (36:45) Increased concert attendance (39:15) Leaning in even more  to AI (43:10) Vision for the future of the industry

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Bradley, founder and CEO of Eventric, to explore the company's journey from inception to industry leader. Discover the origin story behind Eventric and their flagship product, Master Tour, designed to streamline tour management. Paul shares the fundraising challenges they faced, recounts an [almost] acquisition, and dives into their turbulent journey through covid. Paul also provides insights into the company's current initiatives and his visionary outlook for the future of the live music industry. Tune in to learn about the resilience and innovation driving Eventric's success.   What is Eventric? With a deep understanding of tour management, Eventric has developed Master Tour, an innovative software that simplifies logistics for bands and artists. Master Tour focuses on making the complexities of touring more manageable, allowing artists to concentrate on their music.    (01:50) The Eventric origin story(09:20) What is Master Tour?(11:05) Shifting to modern technology(12:25) Fundraising challenges(16:40) Master Tour [almost] acquired(25:50) Surviving the COVID pandemic(32:00) Current times at Master Tour(34:30) Post-COVID mental health services(40:00) New product features coming(43:30) Pricing the product(50:45) Incorporating AI(55:25) Shifts in the industry(60:00) Vision for the future of the industry(67:05) Tech in the live music industry

In this episode, we are joined by JR, the visionary CEO and Founder of Prekindle and Space Colonel Management. We delve into the recently dropped antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation by the DOJ and explore JR's inspiring journey in founding Prekindle. Discover how his company stands out by refusing to lock clients into contracts, their seamless integration with Prism, and JR's remarkable approach to maintaining authenticity in business. Additionally, we discuss the transformative potential of AI in the music industry and what the future holds. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that blends entrepreneurial insights with the cutting edge of technology. After signing with Atlantic Records as a singer-songwriter and touring for years, J.R. quickly went the entrepreneurial route and helped start Prekindle where he's currently CEO. Prekindle is an event ticketing and marketing platform started in Texas which now hosts 50,000 events a year across the US - including concerts, festivals, food & drink events, classes, attractions and everything in between. Denson has also built a career as an artist manager, having first discovered Charley Crockett and helped him to build a global touring and recording business. J.R. went on to cofound Space Colonel which now manages 14 music clients in the Country/Americana/Folk space including Shooter Jennings, Jason Boland and The Stragglers, Benjamin Tod, Lost Dog Street Band, The Lone Bellow, Kat Hasty, Beau Bedford. Via Space Colonel, J.R. also runs a publishing joint venture with Warner Chappell where they represent a growing roster of songwriters. His original mission to bring communities together through events and music has turned into a career that now spans 15+ years - over that time, J.R. has played a part in 10 million attendee experiences and counting.  (00:25) - DOJ suing Live Nation & Ticketmaster(05:10) - Government intervention in businesses(08:10) - Monopolistic practices(11:45) - The Prekindle origin story(14:50) - Prekindle's growth trajectory(16:30) - Prekindle's model differentiation(19:20) - How Prekindle competes(21:25) - Prekindle's bootstrapped operation(25:10) - Space Kernel origin story(28:15) - Discovering Charley Crockett(29:50) - SaveLive Prekindle partnership(35:20) - Prekindle's biggest challenge(37:45) - Unique approach to business(41:00) - Seamless Prism+Prekindle integration(44:05) - Incorporating AI into business(46:15) - Vision for the future

I had a fascinating conversation with Mark Williamson, the co-founder and CEO of ROSTR, Inc - a tech startup building tools for artists and music industry professionals. During our chat I learned about his wild decade-long ride at Spotify, its growth and success, and how it led to the inception of ROSTR. We dove into the origins of ROSTR, the value the product is providing to the music industry, the challenges faced while building the business, what tactics the team took to gain traction, and where ROSTR is headed next. No conversation would be complete without a discussion around the role of AI in the music industry, how ROSTR plans to incorporate it into the business, and what impact we foresee AI having on the industry & the world as a whole. ROSTR is a music industry directory and data platform that helps artists and music industry professionals build their network, discover artists and save time. The site tracks relationships, signings, artist data, tours, festivals and more; it's like having an all-knowing assistant. In 2023, ROSTR launched Jobs by ROSTR - a music industry job board that doesn't suck. Jobs by ROSTR is already one of the leading places to find jobs and hire talent in the music industry, with 500+ employers, 1k+ job postings and 35k+ applications so far.  Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe www.prism.fm/podcast/ More on Prism www.prism.fm Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) www.instagram.com/prismfm Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3 ROSTR https://hq.rostr.cc/ (00:50) - What is ROSTR? (02:50) - Experience at Spotify (05:20) - The ROSTR idea is born (13:05) - Spotify becomes industry leader (21:55) - Why Spotify and not others? (25:35) - Spotify moving into live music/ticketing (38:45) - Building ROSTR (45:30) - Overcoming resistance and objections (49:10) - Where does the data come from?  (51:25) - How ROSTRs growth took off (64:35) - Extracting value and creating a sustainable business model (78:45) - Role of AI in the the business and industry (92:25) - Building software to improve the industry (96:05) - Optimistic outlook on the future (99:20) - Music industry job directory in ROSTR

The independent live music industry can rest soundly at night knowing it has NIVA and incredible leaders behind it like Dayna and Stephen fighting with will, resources, and creativity. My mind was blown to learn about the complexity of the problem in ticketing and that NIVA is back taking the fight to Congress and making progress. This was truly a special conversation that shined a light on important issues, such as the complexity and scale of tech in the secondary, progress on getting bills passed to levy fines on so much fraud that is happening every day, and Steve Balmer's take on technology playing a role in solving the problem. We rounded the podcast out on a sweet and inspiring note about the Future of NIVA, leadership, and what inspires us all so deeply about keeping live music alive and independent. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe www.prism.fm/podcast/ More on Prism www.prism.fm Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) www.instagram.com/prismfm Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3 National Independent Venue Association www.nivassoc.org (00:44): What is Fix The Ticks? (03:30): Ticket scalping high tech and Espionage:) (05:40): Spec tickets & fraud (10:00): Making this mess illegal, rallying congress, 15k fines per ticket (22:29): Steve Balmer, anti scalping tech, and dynamic ticketing (26:17): Progress and wins (34:00): Stephen Parker's story (38:40): Dayna Frank's story / sneaking into First Ave shows as a kid (43:20): The Why behind live music & leadership (50:10): NIVA con (53:30): The Future

I had a brilliant conversation with Andrew (Senior Talent Agent Rocky Road Touring) that spanned his perspective on booking shows internationally, macroeconomics, the advantages boutique independent agencies have on larger corporations, and more. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe www.prism.fm/podcast/ More on Prism www.prism.fm Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) www.instagram.com/prismfm Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3 Rocky Road Touring www.rockyroadtouring.com (01:48) - Growing and scaling Rocky Road Touring (06:50) - Booking shows internationally  (08:50 ) - Live Music in China, Israel and Russia (13:36) - Roger Waters asking bands to Boycott Israel (17:00) - Russia, Eastern Europe and Ukraine  (29:11 ) - Shows in South America, FIAT Currencies & Bitcoin (34:49) - Booking shows in bitcoin, Macroeconomics of currency exchange  (45:05) - The advantage of boutique and independent agencies (54:13) - Strong-manning the perspective of working with bigger agencies  (58:35) - Can boutique agencies cultivate the same level of relationships  (01:05:00) - Powering an agency with technology (01:13:00) - The beauty and joy of a true Mom and Pop Shop (01:19:07) - Hopes for the future of the music industry

Jessie and Adam Hartke truly embody the tenacity of the broader industry. In this podcast, we ventured through a medley of topics — the live music and entrepreneurial spirit of Wichita, the Hartkes' involvement in 5+ business ventures, the industry's response to macroeconomic trends, DIY infrastructure and so much more. Enlightening and engaging, this conversation spotlights the Hartkes' brilliance and expansive industry knowledge, and gives us hope that the industry has a very bright future. The Live Music Podcast is hosted by Matt Ford, the CEO and Founder of Prism.fm

“NIVA successfully advocated for 16.25B dollars, the single largest arts grant in the history of the country” This is one conversation that you do not want to miss. Our inspiring, yet practical and informative chat with Cody digs into the roots of his love for music through snapshots of the rebellious Austin Punk Rock scene of the 90's. Cody maps his mind boggling journey from being that punk rock kid, playing in DIY hardcore bands, to running Mohawk (one of the most iconic clubs in the world), graduating to advocating for all Austin venues, and eventually landing as the COO of NIVA–where he will advocate for all independent venues across the country. “This is one of the underlying challenges for the fate of our civilization” (00:10) - Introduction NIVA hangs with Biden at the Whitehouse to discuss ticketing fees (15:05) - Survival of the fittest, venues need to adapt and survive (17:02) - Cody's story on how he got started in this industry / Historical moment in Austin music scene (23:53) - Tips to make it as a creative (26:17) - Cody's reflections at fighting the good fight for Mohawk and Red River Cultural District (46:39) - The Founding story of NIVA (Music Industry Shutdown trigger warning) (01:02:39) - Future of NIVA / NIVA Conference preview (01:19:10) - Where will NIVA Con be held in the future?  (01:22:00)- Concluding hopes, ambitions, and an extremely optimistic message for the future 

With over 20 years of experience in the Live Music Industry, Cobb is a true expert who deeply cares about the industry's success. As the former owner and operator of several venues, including Exit/In, and the current booker for The Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Cobb has a wealth of knowledge to share.In this episode, we delve into various topics such as the essential qualities needed to run a successful live music venue, the challenges facing the industry, and innovative solutions to revive the live music market. Cobb also discusses his involvement with D Tour and NIVA, shedding light on the crucial work these organizations are doing to support live music venues.If you're a music lover, a venue owner, or anyone interested in the live music industry, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready to be inspired by Cobb's passion and wisdom as he shares his insights on what it takes to succeed in this exciting yet challenging field. (00:37) Exit/In lowdown (05:40) Trademark battle (07:10) The capitalist challenge in Nashville (and other music communities) (11:30) Solutions and a message of hope (21:00) Life after Exit/In and what's next — Niva, Chattanooga, Booking, and more! (24:00) Music inside the Amazon tower downtown (31:15) The future of NIVA (34:55) Incredible advice for opening venues (39:27) Headliners of the Riverbend festival (43:55) What is D tour + the future (56:00) What is Cobb's why?

It's conversations like this that inspire me to be a better human and believe in a beautiful future. Join us for a beautiful conversation with Ryan Honey, the executive director of TACAW, the world's first all electric Net Zero Carbon PAC. In this convo we unpacked the nuances of sustainability, explored the cutting edges of energy production technology (including nuclear, fusion, Geo hydro engineering & space-time bending UFOs), and talked about what's it like to run an incredible community venue. Ryan ended by painting a beautiful picture of his vision for Net Zero Tours and a greener healthier world. (00:14) The first All Electric, Net Zero (carbon emission) live music venue (03:44) Net Zero from the ground up (05:44) Shoveling snow off the solar panels (06:59) Using people energy to heat the building (10:29) Cold Colorado nights vs hot summer nights (13:54) Myth-busting sustainability questions: it costs too much to be Net Zero / Carbon Payoff (18:44) Why go Net Zero (22:14) Sustainable communities (25:04) New construction vs existing buildings moving to sustainable (27:14) Artists can make a change — Jack Johnson's impact (28:36) Geothermal, fusion, windmills, other sustainability technologies (33:34) Nuclear powered music venues (36:34) Gravity bending UFOs and Star Trek (38:54) Lessons learned in creating the venue for sustainability, gardens, compostable cups, single use plastic & locally sourced food (46:14)The secrets of successful programming at TACAW (48:29) Utilizing technology in running a successful, sustainable, efficient operation (54:04) The future & vision of TACAW and a more sustainable industry: Net Zero Tours! (01:00:14) Ryan's path into this mission (anyone can do it!) (01:04:14) Music Industry Sustainability Conference! (01:05:54) False end… we had to hear the Star Trek story!!

He's a President, CEO, and an all around-fascinating human being – Ty Sutton is what's known in the industry and by Prism's casting directors as a ‘Triple Threat.' Get a backstage look at what goes into leading Dayton Live, the primary host and presenter of the Performing Arts in the region, and running 5 incredible venues, including the historic 150 year old Victoria Theater, and the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Ty shares his incredible story and career that have taken him across 5 different states, working for the Olympics, and eventually finding himself in Dayton, Ohio, at the helm of one of the most significant and efficiently run operations in the entire country. Take your seat for this intriguing lesson on PAC economics, the keys to Ty's success, the breakdown of donor basses, and everything in between. (00:50) What is Dayton Live (01:20) Ty's journey into the industry, law school? Singer? (04:00) University gig (07:00) Working for the olympics (09:50) Booking an enormous resort (18:30) The value of seeing great leadership in action (22:00) Pacs outside of SF / using technology to stay organized (26:00) Ty's first gig running the show (31:00) Lessons and failings of a new venue operator (35:00) PACs in Oil country, Midland Texas (39:00) How to 10x your goals (46:50) Building Dayton Live (48:46) The economics of Dayton Live and PACS in-general. (54:00) Breakdown of donor base (58:20) The value of booking your own shows (01:01:22) Technology as a key to running a great business (01:09:30) The big question, what is the future of the Performing Arts Industry

In this podcast we explore Hilary's founding story, and how she's helping bring mental health services to The Live Music Industry. (00:00) - Mission, vision & story of Backline - creating better support networks for the industry (06:11) - FREE mental health services, and how they work (08:09) - Struggles in the live music industry / why service this industry? (11:22) - Who is Backline helping? Artists, industry, agents, family members… (14:00) - Men reaching out for help, event planning is one of the most stressful jobs (15:40) - Demographics of bands receiving help (18:30) - What's it like to safe lives? (20:00) - REACH OUT when you need help (22:00) - Friday the 13th - when the music industry shut down - collective trauma (29:40) - How to get help, and who help is for (35:00) - Resources for everyone (not just hitting rock bottom) (42:50) - How does Backline keep operating (46:50) - Industry leaders that are a part of Backline (55:30) - Get Backline in your green room!

Matt helped start Pabst Theatre Group with Gary Witt over 18 years ago. PTG owns, operates and books incredible venues across Milwaukee, including The Pabst Theatre, The Riverside Theatre, and The Fiserv Forum. In this episode, Matt 1 and Matt 2 shine a spotlight on a wide range of topics: theater life in the 1800's, consolidation across the industry, potential legislation around All-In ticketing, and so much more. Matt Beringer shares some incredible advice about how he's modernizing and building an extraordinary operation through the use of technology.

Jason was an Agent at Paradigm & Monterey Peninsula Artists before founding Goldengate Talent Agency. Jason represents an intentionally intimate roster of his favorite artists including Big Gigantic, Ripe, The Floozies, Mobley and more. www.goldengateagency.com Timestamps: (00:20) starting Goldman after Paradigm, during the pandemic (04:10) drive in concerts and how we made it through (06:00) back in the pit without masks (10:30) concerts inside of the digital world post covid (14:53) Inflation (17:00) The post roaring 20's live music industry (23:00) Economics of the industry with everyone on tour at once, supply chain (27:00) Tick Toc is not a silver bullet for marketing (31:20) Bo Burnham's strategy to success (38:00) “There's no better indication of a music fan than a ticket buyer” (40:00) A Key to Bill Strings success and their great team (43:32) Big roster vs small roster agents (47:30) Family/work/life balance (53:00) Kup's experience with Prism