The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

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This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Justin Gammella, a hit songwriter, producer, top liner, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. With over a billion streams to his name and more than 100 released cuts, Justin's catalog includes Bella Poarch's viral hit “Build a Bitch” and collaborations with artists like Benson Boone, Lennon Stella, Steve Aoki, and FINNEAS. A true “working class” pop songwriter, Justin brings a decade of professional songwriting experience to the table and is also the host of the Producer Points podcast.In this episode, Ari and Justin dive into the realities of professional songwriting in today's music industry. They explore how songwriters get paid, how publishing works, and the controversy around non-writing artists receiving songwriting credit. They also touch on newer developments like songwriters earning master points and how the industry continues to evolve in the streaming era. This episode also takes on the growing role of AI in music—how Justin uses it in his workflow, the ethical questions it raises, and the need for safeguards across the industry.https://instagram.com/justin_gammellahttp://instagram.com/producer_points Chapters00:00 The Role of Songwriters in the Music Industry05:12 Journey to Becoming a Professional Songwriter10:04 Understanding Publishing Deals17:30 Monetization in the Streaming Era23:15 The Songwriting Process and Collaboration31:54 Vocal Production: The Heart of Music Creation39:08 The Art of Pitch Songs: Collaboration and Emotion42:17 Navigating the Modern Music Landscape: Major Labels vs. Indie Artists45:57 Songwriting Credits: The Controversy of Co-Writing50:11 The Evolving Role of Songwriters in the Streaming Era54:56 AI in Music: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations01:01:36 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Oscar Höglund, the co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound. Epidemic Sound is a leading music and soundtracking platform for content creators. They have garnered attention for its digital rights model and soundtracking tools that help creators to elevate their content with music, while simultaneously supporting artists financially. Oscar shares insights from his journey launching Epidemic after working with Sweden's renowned Zodiak Television.In their episode, Ari and Oscar unpack critical issues impacting independent artists, including royalty structures, streaming economics, and the evolving landscape of music licensing. They explore Epidemic Sound's unique approach to artist compensation, discuss how digital streaming has pushed music toward playlist-driven consumption, and tackle the creative tension artists face when making commercially viable music. This episode offers an in-depth look at one of the industry's most influential platforms shaping the future of music in content creation.Chapters00:00 The Changing Landscape of Music Royalties06:00 Epidemic Sound: A New Model for Music Distribution12:14 Artist Compensation and Ownership Rights17:46 Innovative Approaches to Music Licensing24:09 The Impact of Epidemic Sound on Independent Artists29:53 Future of Music in the Digital Age42:16 The Evolution of Music Consumption46:21 Negotiating with DSPs and Licensing Rates49:52 The Rise of Epidemic Sound55:31 The Artist's Identity Crisis01:08:01 Future Innovations and AI in Music01:21:12 Becoming a Full-Service Music PlatformEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Jaclyn O'Connell, a digital marketer, creative strategist, artist manager, and founder of Bittersweet Media and Good Grief Management. Jaclyn has provided creative marketing solutions and hands-on artist management for artists and labels of all scales and sizes—from emerging artists to well-established acts and both indie and major labels. They have supported gold and platinum records and worked with artists including Wild Rivers, Cavetown, Julian Baker, and Cold War Kids. Drawing on experience in both marketing and artist management, Jaclyn offers a sharp, insider perspective on what it truly takes to build a sustainable career in today's music industry.In this episode, Ari and Jaclyn dive deep into the realities of modern music marketing — from navigating ever-shifting social media algorithms to building effective fan funnels that turn casual listeners into ticket buyers and lifelong fans. They also unpack the current touring landscape, direct support deals, and the hot-button issue of tour buy-ons. Whether you're an artist, manager, or just curious about how fan engagement really works, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.http://instagram.com/jaclyn_oconnellChapters00:00 Building Direct Relationships with Fans03:09 Navigating the Social Media Landscape05:49 The Importance of Mental Health in Artist Management09:05 Innovative Monetization Strategies for Artists11:55 The Role of Community in Artist Growth14:58 Understanding the Fan Journey18:05 Challenges in Touring for Emerging Artists21:03 The Evolution of the Live Music Industry36:21 The Ethics of Tour Buy-Ons39:09 Navigating the Challenges of Touring43:05 Building Artist Relationships and Mental Health46:04 Defining Success in Artist Campaigns48:02 The Role of Social Media in Driving Streams51:01 The Nuances of Going Viral55:29 The Fragmentation of Viral Success57:23 Conversations with Labels and Ownership01:01:23 Balancing Management and Business01:10:25 Setting Boundaries in Artist ManagementEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Danny Ross, a producer and songwriter based in NYC, a columnist at Forbes, and founder of the largest songwriting camp in the world, Anti Social Camp. Danny's Anti Social Camp brings together over 250 songwriters, producers, and artists to collaborate amongst themselves and with major artists every summer in NYC. Past Anti Social Camp attendees have worked with artists including Jacob Collier, Miranda Lambert, Moby, Nile Rodgers, Kimbra, Andy Grammer, JP Saxe, and Rob Thomas. Brands like TikTok, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, TIDAL, The Recording Academy, Republic Records, DistroKid, and The MLC are also intricately involved in the Anti Social Camp experience.If you are a songwriter or producer who's ever wondered what goes down at songwriting camps or how to get involved, you're going to learn all about that and more in this episode with Danny Ross. https://www.instagram.com/antisocialcamp/ Get $100 your Anti Social Camp Badge by using the code: ARIANTISOCIALVIP at antisocialcamp.comChapters00:00 The Importance of Reputation in the Music Industry03:02 Understanding Songwriting Camps05:48 The Structure and Dynamics of Songwriting Sessions08:47 The Evolution of the Anti Social Camp12:01 Building Community in New York's Music Scene14:54 The Anti Social Camp Experience17:54 Diverse Genres and Collaboration20:54 The Future of Songwriting Camps31:11 Creative Collaborations in Music Production32:26 Success Stories from the Camp33:44 Understanding Major vs. Indie vs. Self-Releasing Artists38:33 The Financial Landscape of Music Production44:53 Navigating Splits and Royalties in Music47:01 The Ethics of Publishing in the Music Industry52:39 Teaching the Next Generation of Music Creators56:40 The Importance of Community in Music Creation59:01 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dan Melnick, the General Manager of Bandcamp. One of the earliest direct-to-fan platforms, Bandcamp empowers listeners to support artists they love directly. They have enabled fans to pay over 1.49 billion dollars and 193 million dollars directly to artists last year. Over 75k records get sold on this superfan platform every day and over half a million fans buy at least one thing on Bandcamp each month. In this episode, Dan explains to Ari how and why Bandcamp is still growing after 17 years. He shares where the company's headed, and why its download model has continued to thrive, despite the fall of downloads on platforms like iTunes. Dan also highlights how artists can use Bandcamp to bolster their release strategies, and Ari shares some of his favorite, lesser-known features of the site. Take a listen to find out how Bandcamp's direct-to-fan platform can help you connect with fans and monetize your fan relationships.https://bandcamp.com/ Chapters00:00 Building a Sustainable Music Career05:00 The Power of Bandcamp09:59 Understanding Bandcamp's Growth15:06 Direct-to-Fan Relationships19:53 Innovations in Bandcamp24:45 Community and Engagement on Bandcamp30:03 Best Practices for Artists on Bandcamp36:25 Merchandising Beyond Music: The Power of T-Shirts39:28 Navigating the Streaming Landscape: Bandcamp vs. Spotify48:25 Building a Sustainable Career: Strategies for Artists56:11 Understanding Bandcamp's Business Model: Fair Trade Music01:02:36 The Evolution of Curation: Bandcamp's Editorial Approach01:05:20 The Future of Bandcamp: Building Sustainable CareersEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of the New Music Business podcast, Ari untangles the complexities of royalties, registration, and publishing. After his social media video with the same message (“Don't cut your drummer into publishing”) went viral for the wrong reasons, Ari wanted to come on the show and break down the nuances of this advice. Tune in to get clear on the differences between publishing royalties and master royalties, which royalties session musicians are legally due, the importance of one-stop agreements, and how to fairly (or, more so, generously) compensate your session musicians.Read the article on Ari's Take: https://aristake.com/publishing-royalties/Chapters00:00 Understanding Music Publishing and Royalties02:55 The Role of Session Musicians in Music Creation05:55 Differentiating Between Master Royalties and Publishing09:09 The Importance of One-Stop Agreements11:59 Fair Compensation for Session Musicians15:12 Changing Industry Standards17:46 How Publishing Royalties Work Within Bands20:13 Why Session Musicians Are Not Considered Co-Writers22:20 Legally Entitled Radio Royalties for Session MusiciansEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Jacob Paul, the VP of Platform Growth & Brand Strategy at Kobalt and KOSIGN. Jacob has been one of the leaders behind Kobalt's new admin publishing platform, KOSIGN, since its public launch in February 2025. Kobalt has been disrupting the traditional publishing model for years. Now their application-based platform, KOSIGN, is doing the same in the admin publishing space.In this episode, Jacob explains how Kobalt and KOSIGN approach publishing differently than traditional publishers and admin publishers. Along the way, he and Ari completely break down how music publishing works. They touch on: how songwriters get paid, the difference between “artists” and “songwriters,” the difference between publishers and admin publishers, and how creators can be sure they're not leaving any money on the table. Jacob also shares why it's advantageous to have a publisher or an admin publisher instead of just working with a PRO or MRO. If you have questions about music publishing (and let's be real, who doesn't?), this episode's got you covered. https://www.kosignmusic.com/ Chapters00:00 Understanding Music Publishing and Royalties05:07 The Role of Kobalt in Music Publishing10:10 Distinguishing Between Artists and Songwriters14:51 The Importance of Publishing for Songwriters19:53 Kobalt's Innovative Approach to Publishing25:03 Exploring Traditional vs. Admin Publishing Deals29:56 The Launch of KOSIGN and Its Impact on Indie Songwriters35:43 The Rise of Independent Artists40:23 Understanding Publishing and Royalties45:35 Navigating the Complexities of Publishing Administration51:10 The Role of KOSIGN in Empowering Songwriters56:25 The Future of Music Publishing and Artist OwnershipEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Mag Rodriguez, the founder and CEO of the direct-to-fan platform EVEN. Throughout his career, Mag has helped artists generate over 1 billion streams—but now, he's focused on building a parallel music economy where artists sell directly to fans before streaming. “Superfan” platforms like EVEN are redefining how artists monetize their work.Through EVEN, Mag has partnered with J. Cole, 6LACK, LaRussell, Lauren Jauregui, Fariana, Smino, Ryan Leslie, and thousands of other artists of all levels, empowering them to take ownership of their fan relationships and unlock new revenue streams. They're essentially putting control and earnings back into the hands of artists.In this episode, Mag tells Ari about artists who don't have many followers or monthly listeners, but are making significant revenue from their fans on EVEN. They discuss the previous eras of direct-to-fan platforms (like Bandcamp, Patreon, Kickstarter) and how EVEN's music-centric model differs from these prior iterations. Superfan platforms are truly taking the industry by storm—Mag tells Ari that EVEN, alone, onboards about 8,000 artists each day. If you're interested in exploring superfan platforms, this episode is a great place to start. Check out EVEN at: get.even.bizChapters00:00 The Challenge of Monetizing Music for Emerging Artists02:57 The Rise of Direct-to-Fan Platforms05:58 Understanding Even: A Direct-to-Fan Platform08:55 Windowing and the Shift in Music Distribution11:54 The Economics of Music Sales vs. Streaming15:12 Selling Access: The Community Aspect of Even18:00 Building Community: The Even Triangle21:04 Real Success Stories: Emerging Artists on Even24:00 Emotional Commerce: Connecting with Fans26:57 The Future of Music Monetization35:10 The $1,000 Album Phenomenon38:36 Sustainable Revenue Models for Artists40:16 Data-Driven Insights for Artists44:27 The Journey to Building Even51:12 Navigating Major Labels and Independent Artists54:23 Operational Framework for Artists and Labels01:00:07 Community Engagement and Fan Interaction01:04:24 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by Lyor Cohen, the Global Head of Music at YouTube. Earlier in his career, Lyor led Def Jam Recordings, where he worked with artists such as Jay-Z, Ja Rule, and Ludacris. He eventually sold Def Jam to Universal and helped create the Island Def Jam Music Group. After Def Jam, Lyor became Chairman and CEO of Recorded Music at Warner Music Group. He went on to co-found 300 Entertainment (repping artists like Fetty Wap and Young Thug) before landing at YouTube in 2016.In this episode, Lyor and Ari discuss artist development, the state of the industry, and music's digital revolution. Lyor shares what it was like to lead Warner Music at a time when both Spotify and YouTube launched. If you're curious about the trajectory of tech in music, how generative AI can bring artists and fans together, or how you can use YouTube to build momentum in your career, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 The Pursuit of Artist Success05:23 Navigating the Music Industry Landscape12:11 User-Centric Approach in Music20:34 Building Artist Communities27:14 The Evolution of Music Consumption33:30 Embracing Generative AI in MusicEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Victoria Canal, a trailblazing singer-songwriter based in London. Victoria has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Later… with Jools Holland, and onstage with Coldplay at Glastonbury. She has won two Ivor Novello awards (including the Rising Star award) and recently released a new album, Slowly, It Dawns.After ten hard-won years as a DIY artist, Victoria's now signed with a major label, Parlophone Records (under Warner Music Group). In this episode, Victoria opens up about her journey as an artist and the varying pressures faced by both indie and label-repped musicians. Tune in to learn more about headlining the Troubadour, life as a touring artist, managing the pressures of social media, and how to attract the right kinds of fans. https://www.victoriacanal.com/ Chapters00:00 From Glastonbury to Stardom03:11 The Journey of Victoria's Career05:49 Creating Intimate Connections Through Music08:50 The Reality of Touring Economics11:56 Balancing Artistry and Business14:58 The Emotional Journey of Songwriting18:07 Evolving Through Performance20:55 The Impact of Social Media on Artists24:09 Navigating Vulnerability in Performance27:14 The New Album: Slowly, It Dawns30:05 Reflections on Growth and Authenticity36:23 The Inner Journey of Self-Acceptance39:50 Meeting Idols: Reality vs. Expectation40:45 A Dream Come True: Performing with Coldplay45:04 The Importance of Energy in Performance46:06 Navigating the Artist Lifestyle and People Management49:03 The Weight of Fan Interactions54:06 Social Media Pressures and Authenticity01:01:19 Taking a Stand: Performing at the Kennedy Center01:05:39 Defining Success in the Music IndustryEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Sarah McTaggart from the band Transviolet, an alternative pop-rock band that's been popping off on the international scene. Transviolet started out by signing with Epic Records in 2015 after their debut single, "Girls Your Age," went viral. The band moved between several major labels at the start of their career, but they're now completely self-represented. Transviolet has played Late Shows with Colbert and James Corden; they've had notable syncs including the Pretty little Liars theme song; they've played huge festivals like SXSW, Governor's Ball and Firefly; and they recently released their fourth studio album, Softcore.Sarah tells Ari about Transviolet's experiences working with a label and how things have changed since going independent. They talk about the ins-and-outs of touring (including Transviolet's upcoming US tour), how the band got started, and a brilliant guerilla marketing technique they used to promote one of their early releases. Transviolet also had the surprising experience of finding out they were big in China (hot tip: you might be too!). In this episode, you'll learn about how they discovered they were big over there and how you can check for yourself, too. https://transviolet.com/Chapters00:00 The Evolution of the Music Business02:53 Transviolet's Journey to Independence06:02 The Creative Process Behind 'Softcore'08:54 Exploring Vulnerability in Music12:12 The Duality of Persona15:09 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth17:50 Marketing Innovations in the Music Industry21:11 The Impact of Major Labels vs. Independence36:13 Redefining the Artist's Team39:34 The Evolution of Digital Marketing in Music44:14 Navigating Social Media's Impact on Music51:07 Exploring International Touring Experiences57:21 The Dynamics of Touring and Band Changes01:08:28 Creating Art: The Journey of Songwriting and ProductionEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode highlights star music supervisor Jen Malone. She has placed music and worked on Euphoria, Atlanta, Creed 2, The Resident, Boomerang, Baskets, Shelter, Lady Dynamite, Step Up, and more. Jen has over a decade of highly esteemed experience in the industry.In this episode, Jen goes into depth about what music supervisors do and the business of sync licensing. She gives great advice on how independent artists can get their music synced and things to look out for in contracts and fee negotiations. If you want to know how to pitch your music to supervisors with the best chance of striking a deal, this is the episode for you.Chapters00:00 The Journey to Music Supervision02:55 Navigating the Music Supervision Landscape05:59 The Role of a Music Supervisor08:55 The Evolution of Music Syncing12:00 Tools of the Trade14:59 Finding and Pitching Music18:00 Understanding Music Ownership21:08 The Process of Music Supervision in TV and Film24:05 Collaboration with Composers27:09 The Differences Between Film and TV Music Supervision33:40 Managing Multiple Projects35:21 The Role of Personal Taste in Music Supervision37:22 Juxtaposition in Music Placement42:26 Impact of Music Placements on Independent Artists46:04 The Evolution of Sync Licensing50:19 Workflow and Project Management in Music Supervision51:59 Differences in Working with Streaming Platforms vs. Traditional Networks54:30 The Importance of Fair Compensation for Artists58:03 Protecting Artist Rights in Sync Licensing01:03:42 Advice for Independent Artists in Sync LicensingEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode highlights award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer, Imogen Heap. Imogen Heap has released five solo albums, an album as one half of Frou Frou, and has collaborated with countless other stars including Taylor Swift, Nitin Sawhney, Deadmau5, Eric Whitacre, Jeff Beck and Jon Hopkins. Heap, recognized as an artist's artist, has won two Grammys and an Ivor Novello award. She holds three honorary doctorates for her work on ‘MI.MU gloves' and 'The Creative Passport'—two prominent music tech companies that work to empower creatives. In this episode, Ari and Imogen discuss NFTs, metadata and payment transparency and how to properly credit (and pay) creators using the blockchain. Overall, how to make the future of music more equitable for musicians.Chapters00:00 The Fragmented Music Industry02:52 Imogen Heap: A Pioneer in Music and Technology05:55 The Creative Passport: Empowering Artists09:11 Data Transparency and Royalty Distribution12:04 The Role of DSPs and Data Integrity14:52 The Future of Music Royalties17:55 Building a Better Music Ecosystem21:02 Blockchain and the Future of Music23:46 Interoperability and Charitable Contributions29:06 Navigating NFTs and Environmental Concerns34:23 The Future of NFTs in Art37:12 Building a Community Through Technology46:58 AI as a Creative Partner54:36 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode spotlights hit songwriter and producer, Bonnie McKee. Since the early 2000s, McKee has written 10 singles that have reached #1 in the US and UK, which have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide combined. McKee is particularly known for collaborating with pop singer Katy Perry, and the duo have written hits such as "California Gurls,” "Teenage Dream", "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)", "Part of Me,” "Wide Awake” and "Roar" together. She has also co-wrote "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz, which became the second-best selling song by a British artist in the digital era. Additional artists who she has worked with include Britney Spears, Kesha, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Mike Tompkins.Chapters00:00 The Art of Songwriting: Balancing Familiarity and Creativity03:02 Bonnie McKee: A Journey Through Songwriting and Independence06:06 Exploring the World of Film: From Music to Directing08:59 The Dynamics of Songwriting Sessions: Collaboration and Creativity11:52 Navigating the Music Industry: The Role of Songwriters14:47 Contrasting Nashville and LA: Different Approaches to Songwriting17:47 The Challenges of Being a Female Songwriter and Producer21:31 Gender Dynamics in Music Production24:44 Navigating Songwriting and Royalties27:46 The Art of Songwriting: Balancing Authenticity and Popularity30:48 Song Doctoring: The Business Side of Refining Songs32:57 The Controversy of Song Credits34:05 Creating 'Roar': A Triumph Over Misogyny37:42 Shifts in the Music Industry: A Personal Perspective40:32 Advice for Aspiring SongwritersEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Simon Tikhman, the co-founder of The Core Entertainment and The Core Records. Core Entertainment first made waves as an artist management company, guiding the careers of major country stars like Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith. After demonstrated success in management, The Core partnered with Universal Music Group to launch The Core Records.During this episode, Simon and Ari discuss the careers of The Core's breakout artists, Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith. Simon explains how both artists achieved success in drastically different ways—Nate landed his record deal at age 36 after grinding for many years in Nashville, while Bailey broke out on TikTok in his early 20s. Simon outlines the value in each of these paths and explains how Nashville treats artists differently if they have found success the traditional way versus through social media. This episode also goes into detail about what the Nashville country music scene looks like today, the nuances between Nashville labels and coastal labels, and the ins and outs of artist management. If you're curious about how to break as a country artist in 2025, this episode is for you.https://www.instagram.com/thecoreent/Chapters00:00 The Importance of Country Radio04:58 Simon Tikhman's Journey to Artist Management16:19 Building Core Entertainment and Nashville Connections24:12 Nate Smith's Breakthrough in Country Music33:53 Bailey Zimmerman's Rise as a New Artist35:21 The Rise of Bailey Zimmerman41:10 Navigating the Music Industry44:47 The Importance of Labels in Country Music52:08 The New Paradigm for Country Artists56:51 Social Media's Role in Artist Development01:06:42 Defining Success in the Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Marc Caruso, the CEO and co-founder of Angry Mob Music, an independent music publisher based in LA. Aside from being an advocate for independent artists in the publishing world, Marc is a composer, producer, and Emmy-nominated music editor himself. He is also the President of the LA chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a member of The Recording Academy, and a member of The Motion Picture Editors Guild.In this episode, Marc describes the evolving landscape of music publishing, particularly in the context of our streaming economy. He breaks down essential terms, like ‘music publishing' itself, ‘copyright', and ‘royalties', before diving into the deeper complexities of the publishing world. Marc is incredibly transparent about how the money gets made at his publishing company—giving detailed accounts of how much sync licenses pay these days and what royalties look like for microsyncs on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Rounding out a more global view, Marc and Ari discuss Universal's deal with Spotify, the MLC's failed lawsuit against Spotify and what all this means for independent publishers and independent songwriters. https://www.instagram.com/angrymobmusic/ Chapters00:00 The Shift from Sales to Streaming Economy04:07 Understanding Music Publishing12:50 The Role of Angry Mob Music16:55 Revenue Streams in Music Publishing21:30 The Importance of Sync Licensing22:00 Sync Fees and Their Variability29:44 Sync in Film and Advertising34:34 Micro Sync and Social Media Platforms39:41 Navigating Music Licensing for Creators45:24 The Complexities of Music Rights on Social Media49:11 The Role of Music Publishers and Advocacy57:02 Inequities in the Music Industry01:10:30 Empowering Independent Artists and PublishersEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Liz Pelly, a prominent music journalist and author of the new book Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist. Liz's journalism has appeared in NPR, The Guardian, and Pitchfork among other prestigious publications. Preceded by an exposé in Harper's Magazine, Pelly's latest work, Mood Machine, pulls back the curtain on Spotify's exploitative practices and uncovers how those practices impact artists and listeners. In this episode, Liz gives the low down on research she conducted for the book and explains how Spotify has unfairly conspired with major labels since its launch. As she does in Mood Machine, Liz calls out Spotify's Perfect Fit Content (PFC) program and explains how its use of ghost artists degrades the integrity of their model for all. Ari and Liz discuss the value of music and how that can differ in the eyes of major corporations and individuals. Whether you're an artist, label, or listener who uses Spotify, this episode will help you understand the impact Spotify's model has on your relationship to music.https://www.instagram.com/lizpelly Harper's article: https://harpers.org/archive/2025/01/the-ghosts-in-the-machine-liz-pelly-spotify-musicians/Chapters00:00 The Inner Workings of Spotify12:48 Ghost Artists and the PFC Program37:50 Spotify's Launch and Major Label Relationships41:26 The Evolution of Streaming Contracts44:14 Valuing Music: A Cultural Perspective49:43 The Impact of Streaming on Music Value56:10 Algorithms and the Personalization of Music01:01:20 The Role of Music in Society01:07:23 Future Solutions for Musicians01:19:38 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Luis Navarro and Joel Niño Jr. of the duo Twin Tribes. This dark wave band out of Brownsville, TX has been gaining impressive momentum on the gothic scene—and they're doing it entirely DIY. Twin Tribes releases their music through DistroKid and has over 30 million streams with nearly a million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. They have toured the world and managed their growing success completely independently.In this episode, Twin Tribes tells Ari all about how they've built their DIY operation from the ground up. They share about how they've partnered with record labels to utilize their physical product offerings (CDs, cassette tapes, vinyls, etc) while still maintaining full independence as artists. Luis and Joel also break down the potent visuals behind the Twin Tribes brand and how they developed their aesthetic. This conversation is an inspiring example of how finding your niche and building a DIY community can help catapult your career. https://www.instagram.com/twin_tribes/Chapters00:00 The Genesis of Twin Tribes02:53 Building a DIY Community06:03 The Role of Aesthetics in Music08:51 Discovering the Gothic Scene12:13 The Cassette Era and Initial Releases15:10 Growing Through Live Performances17:58 Transitioning to Full-Time Musicians20:51 Strategic Partnerships and Touring24:04 The Evolution of Their Sound and Success28:21 Navigating DIY Music Partnerships30:42 Building a Digital Strategy for Streaming Success36:24 Creating Ambitious Music Videos44:23 Crafting a Cohesive Aesthetic and Vision50:36 Engaging with Fans and Community53:04 Looking Ahead: Future Plans for Twin TribesEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Alex Taggart, an expert on the Chinese music market. Alex spent 10 years in China overseeing local strategy for clients such as Dua Lipa, Diplo, Lauv, John Legend and so many more. He now works independently, managing artists through his own company, Isle of Management. Alex's main focus is bringing globally-minded talent to local audiences worldwide.This conversation gives a comprehensive introduction to the Chinese music industry. Whether you're well-versed in this market or know virtually nothing about it, you will learn a ton from this episode. Alex highlights various DSPs used in China (i.e. their versions of Spotify/Apple music) and explains the inner workings of Chinese social platforms. If you're an artist looking to break into China, Alex offers actionable steps to get your music on their radar. In fact, you might already be big in China and not even realize it! Alex shares important info about how to check your music's traction in China. If you're interested in booking shows or touring through the country, this episode is for you, too. Enjoy this breakdown of the multifaceted Chinese music market!https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-taggart-music/ Chapters00:00 Collaborating for Success in China01:51 Understanding the Chinese Music Market07:55 Music Consumption and Streaming Platforms in China15:59 Checking Your Traction in China20:38 Revenue Streams for Artists23:57 Monetization in the Chinese Music Industry35:41 Navigating Publishing and Rights Management37:07 Understanding China's Music Publishing Landscape40:01 Navigating the Challenges of Music Rights in China44:27 Exploring Touring Opportunities in China49:50 Strategies for Artists to Break into the Chinese Market54:12 The Role of Competition Shows in Artist Development01:01:19 Leveraging Collaborations for Market Entry01:12:01 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Tor Hermansen, half of the production/songwriter duo Stargate. Stargate has written and produced major hit songs for artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, and Coldplay, to name a few. Tor has billions of streams, has written and produced 10 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles in the US and 11 in the UK. He has won 2 Grammy Awards and received the ASCAP songwriter of the year award twice. Stargate's writer and producer credits include Beyoncé's global hit “Irreplaceable,” Beyoncé and Shakira's “Beautiful Liar,” extensive work with Rihanna including “Rude Boy,” “Don't Stop The Music,” “Only Girl (In the World),” What's My Name, “S&M, “Diamonds,” Selena Gomez' “Come & Get It” and “Same Old Love,” Fifth Harmony's “Worth It” and Katy Perry's “Firework.” Most recently, the team produced Coldplay's album A Head Full of Dreams, co-wrote and produced Julia Michael's current hit “Issues.”Tor talks about the process of songwriting and producing, working with artists and topliners. He shares great advice on how to write and work in the room with other songwriters, producers, and topliners. Tor also shares valuable insight on demoing, writing, re-writing, scaling up a musical production, and more. Ari and Tor dive deep into the business end of songwriting and producing as well; they discuss the 9-month intensive LAAMP program (Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Producers) Tor and his Stargate partner Mikkel Eriksen created for aspiring artists, songwriters, and producers in LA and how to get involved. If you're interested in how songwriting and producing works at the hit level, this episode is for you!https://www.instagram.com/stargate/https://www.laampmusic.com/Chapters00:00 No Compromising in Music Creation00:33 Introduction to Tora Hermanson and Stargate02:51 Songwriting and Production Process Insights04:41 The Evolution of Music Production10:19 The Pitch Game: Is It Dead?13:14 Identifying a Hit: The Unpredictable Nature16:03 The Role of Social Media in Music Success18:52 Adapting to New Mediums: TikTok and Streaming21:27 The Creation of 'Issues' with Julia Michaels24:41 Evolving Production Techniques27:51 Collaboration and Song Development30:33 Creative Freedom in the Final Product32:11 The Art of Collaboration in Songwriting37:01 Navigating the Songwriting Process46:59 The Business of Songwriting and Representation49:16 Building a Career as a Songwriter56:45 Creating a Nurturing Environment for Artists01:04:50 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with George Karalexis & Donna Budica, the co-founders and CEO/COO (respectively) of TEN2 Media, a content distribution and marketing company that helps artists and labels maximize revenue and growth on YouTube. TEN2 Media partners with Warner Music Group, UnitedMasters, Travis Barker, Benson Boone, Brent Faiyaz, and more. They specialize in marketing, monetization, and collection on the YouTube platform, all of which you'll hear about in this episode. This entire episode is dedicated to YouTube for music—artists and labels in particular. Donna and George share stats about how listeners interact with YouTube, how people discover new music on the platform, and what it means that YouTube is the #1 music discovery platform right now. They break down the components of YouTube monetization and do a deep dive into companies that help artists manage their YouTube channels and revenue. If you're wondering how to up your YouTube game, the most effective ways to use YouTube these days, and all the various tools that exist on the platform (shorts, music videos, vlog content, lyric videos, playlists, storytelling, UGC [user-generated content], etc.), this is the episode for you.https://www.ten2.media/Kristin Robinson Billboard Article: How Did Two Unknown Latin Music Operators Make $23 Million From YouTube? The IRS Says They Stole ItChapters00:00 The Evolution of YouTube in Music03:13 Understanding YouTube's Unique Role06:02 Strategies for Artists on YouTube08:49 The Power of YouTube Analytics12:07 Monetization Mechanics on YouTube15:00 Navigating YouTube's Revenue Streams37:12 Understanding YouTube's Viewer Demographics40:09 The Evolution of Cover Videos and UGC42:55 The Long Game: YouTube vs. TikTok43:51 Strategies for Emerging Artists48:03 Navigating YouTube's Complex Revenue System56:13 The Future of Distribution for Indie Artists01:01:25 Filling the Void for Emerging Artists01:09:01 When to Start Taking YouTube Seriously01:12:07 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Cody Fry, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and orchestral arranger known for his symphonic arrangements of his own music and other artists' songs. Cody has been nominated for two grammys for arranging: this year for his adaptation of “The Sound of Silence” and previously for “Eleanor Rigby.” An incredible musician all around, Cody has found his niche fronting orchestras in a way that appeals to pop music lovers around the world.Cody has played Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Kennedy Center, and has hundreds of millions of streams online. In 2021, his song “I Hear a Symphony” (which had already been out for five years) went viral on TikTok and landed Cody a major record deal. In this episode, Cody talks about what it was like working with a major label and the specifics of his record deal. He also tells Ari why he decided to eventually leave the label and go independent once again. https://www.codyfry.com/Chapters00:00 The Artist's Journey: From Aspiration to Independence02:50 Cody Fry: The Orchestral Innovator06:02 Crafting Sound: The Art of Orchestration08:52 Finding Your Unique Sound as an Artist11:58 The Viral Breakthrough: TikTok and Its Impact15:08 Navigating Record Deals: Insights and Experiences18:02 The Transition to Independence: A New Chapter20:52 Performing with Orchestras: A Unique Experience23:55 The Future of Music: Independence and Innovation39:54 Navigating the Music Business Without a Manager42:44 The Importance of Team Members in Music43:14 Non-Traditional Team Members and Their Roles46:07 Managing Sheet Music and Publishing Rights54:35 Exploring Alternative Revenue Streams for Artists01:01:09 Creating Engaging Content for a Niche Audience01:04:02 Future Aspirations and New Music Projects01:08:13 Understanding the Value of Record Deals01:19:37 The Evolving Landscape of the Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Katie Tucker, a double-platinum songwriter, vocal producer, studio owner, and the visionary behind Sharp Edges Records with its accompanying recording studio. As a songwriter, Katie has crafted hit songs for renowned artists like Namie Amuro, BoA, and Jota Quest. She has amassed millions of streams as a recording artist and her music has been featured on major platforms including ABC, USA, VH1, Fox, Disney, Peacock, and Hulu. A defining moment in her career came with "Do It For Love," featured on Namie Amuro's album Finally, cementing her status as a double-platinum songwriter.These days, however, Katie spends most of her time in advocacy and running Sharp Edges Records. One of the main reasons Katie started her record label/studio was to create a safe space for her clients within the industry. Katie started No Creeps!, an event and movement advocating for mental health, safety, and inclusivity in the music industry as a further expression of her advocacy. This conversation goes deep into safety and inclusion in music and recording. In this conversation, Katie offers tangible resources for how we can all participate in making this industry a safer and more supportive place for everyone. Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiesharpedges/Women In Music Safe(r) Spaces Resource Directory: https://www.womeninmusic.org/saferspacesNo Creeps! Digital Resource Zine: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uk87S0hmxSsHaEXCTieSuz3AiwcaKs-x/view?usp=drivesdkChapters:00:00 Creating Safe Spaces in the Music Industry03:08 The Journey to Sharp Edges Records05:56 The Importance of Vulnerability in Music Creation09:06 Navigating Safety and Inclusivity in Recording Studios11:52 Concrete Steps for a Safer Music Environment15:11 Understanding the Spectrum of Safety Concerns18:00 Educating for Change: The Role of Communication20:50 Empowering Artists Through Advocacy30:20 Addressing Abuse of Power in the Music Industry32:11 The No Creeps! Initiative: Creating Safe Spaces36:19 Empowering Voices: Sharing Experiences and Education41:11 The Importance of Allyship and Advocacy46:24 Navigating Imperfection: Learning from Experiences52:35 Resources for Safety and Support in the Industry56:21 Redefining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by the band DOUBLECAMP to discuss how they built such a successful independent career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Heather Vassar, the Senior Vice President at EMPIRE—a fully independent record label, publishing company, and distributor. Heather's career began at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she developed digital strategy for renowned artists such as George Strait, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban. In 2019, Heather joined EMPIRE where she now plays a pivotal role in operations, marketing, and strategy for a diverse roster of artists including Shaboozey, Wyatt Flores, Niko Moon, Sophia Scott, Don Louis, Reyna Roberts, Tenille Arts, and Randy Houser.Heather and Ari discuss the incredible success of Shaboozey's “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” which has been number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for 19 weeks straight—the longest any song has held that position. Heather reveals how this hit (released on an indie label) became the biggest song in the world and how they have sustained its momentum. She shares the entire journey from signing Shaboozey, to putting out his initial singles, releasing his album, collaborating with Beyonce, all the way to his massive global success today. Thanks to her extensive experience at both major and independent labels, Heather has sharp insights to share about deal structures, ownership models, artist development, and how the industry has shifted (in the majors and the indies) over the last five years, all of which you'll hear about in this episode.https://www.instagram.com/hvassar/00:00 The Hustle Behind Success02:49 Empire Records: A New Era in Music06:07 Shaboozey's Journey to Stardom09:12 Navigating the Independent Label Landscape12:01 The Creative Process: From Songwriting to Release14:50 Breaking Through: The Success of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”18:07 The Role of Radio in Today's Music Industry20:49 Building a Fanbase: The Digital Approach24:02 The Importance of Flexibility in Music Releases33:56 Navigating Legalities in Music Production39:08 Strategic Album Rollout and Market Timing45:51 Building a Global Music Infrastructure50:02 Maintaining Momentum After a Hit Release55:04 Balancing Art and Market Trends01:00:10 Educating Artists in the Digital AgeEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with AFSHEEN, an electronic artist, producer, songwriter, and DJ. Initially, AFSHEEN became well-known for producing music by Madonna, Janet Jackson, Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, Sia and other big-name artists. AFSHEEN was nominated for a Latin Grammy for his work on Natalia Jiménez's album Creo en Mi. He wrote "All We Have Is Love" with Sabrina Carpenter, wrote and produced "Sunny Days" with Armin van Buuren and Toby Gad, and has worked with other notable artists like Rebecca Ferguson and Lindsay Stirling. A song AFSHEEN wrote for Korean artist Taeyeon reached number one on the K-Pop Billboard charts for two consecutive weeks. AFSHEEN has had an incredibly successful career as a songwriter/producer, but he also recently released a new album, SMALL WORLD, under his namesake solo project. An Iranian refugee himself, AFSHEEN worked with artists from all over the world to bring this record to life. SMALL WORLD features prominent artists from Indian, Romania, Jamaica, Japan, Amsterdam, and beyond. AFSHEEN talks with Ari about transitioning from being the go-to producer/songwriter for superstars into being a self-released artist who releases his own music through DistroKid. AFSHEEN is also starting his own label, SOUNDISH. He shares insights about the process of building a label and his vision for the label's future.https://www.instagram.com/afsheenmusic/00:00 Exploring Global Sounds: AFSHEEN's Journey09:55 The Power of Collaboration: Building a Diverse Album20:07 Cultural Roots and Personal Stories: Music as a Reflection30:03 The Indie Artist Journey: From Producer to Self-Released32:00 Vision for the SOUNDISH label: A New Era in Music Production38:24 Transitioning from Behind the Scenes to Artist42:46 Expanding Global Reach through Collaboration51:22 Breaking into the Music Industry01:02:08 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with alt-pop singer, rapper & multi-hyphenate, Noga Erez. Her breakout album Off The Radar earned worldwide acclaim and her sophomore project KIDS brought even greater success. She recently released a new record THE VANDALIST, which has further cemented her place as a one-of-a-kind artist of the modern era. Noga Erez has garnered fans across the world, including superstars like Billie Eilish, Missy Elliott (who Noga collaborated with on her 2022 single “Nails”), Gal Gadot, and Finneas. She has sold out the Bowery Ballroom in NY, El Rey Theatre in LA, and Menora Arena in Tel Aviv on her headlining tours. Erez has performed at Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as well as The Kelly Clarkson Show.In this episode, Ari and Noga talk about the creation process and the craft of songwriting. They also delve into themes from her latest record, including: how social media has affected society and the ways releasing music has changed in recent years. THE VANDALIST is Noga's first record on a major label, so she shares details of what that experience has been like for her. Noga also talks about what it means to be an Israeli artist in a larger global context, and how that has impacted her life and work.https://www.nogaerez.com/00:00 The Meaning of Music in Life01:05 Introducing Noga Erez and Her New Album02:42 Navigating the Music Industry Chaos03:36 Being an Israeli Artist in Today's World04:36 The Creation Process of 'THE VANDLIST'06:31 Collaborating with Real Musicians11:35 Exploring Themes of PC Culture in Music16:55 The Impact of Social Media on Society24:41 The Sad Generation and Its Challenges30:00 The Role of Music in Finding Purpose34:43 Songwriting Process and Collaboration37:26 The Creative Process Behind Songwriting42:07 Navigating Major Label Dynamics46:40 The Impact of Social Media on Artists55:18 The Challenges of Being an Israeli Artist01:10:48 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Zena White, the chief operating officer at Partisan Records. Partisan is an internationally renowned independent record label headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Zena has overseen global strategy for #1 charting, Grammy-nominated, Mercury Prize-winning album campaigns across Partisan's diverse roster that includes IDLES, PJ Harvey, Cigarettes After Sex, Blondshell, the Fela Kuti estate and many more. Zena is also on the board of organizations like World Independent Network, A2IM, RIAA, and is a Recording Academy Member. Prior to Partisan, Zena was Managing Director at The Other Hand marketing services company in London, where she worked with artists such as Run The Jewels, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley, and more.Zena tells Ari about ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts) a nonprofit she's involved with that uses research to demonstrate the economic, social, and cultural value of music. Then later, she takes us behind the scenes of Partisan Records, explaining where they spend their marketing money, how much they spend, and more. Ari and Zena discuss ‘old-school' marketing tactics like radio, PR, print media, digital and TV, and Zena sheds light on how artists get on Late Night shows… along with how much that costs. Yep—it costs. Ari and Zena also dive deep into the world of ‘new media' and discuss how Partisan spends its money in the new age of social media. Tune in to hear stories about how Cigarettes After Sex got off the ground and to get a glimpse into the inner workings of indie labels!https://partisanrecords.com/ https://www.orcaformusic.com/ 00:00 Investing in Artists: The New Music Business04:48 Inside Partisan Records: A Label's Journey10:00 Cigarettes After Sex: A Case Study in Success24:42 The Balance of Data and Creativity in A&R34:06 Marketing Strategies for Independent Artists40:50 The Evolving Landscape of Music Marketing46:28 Public Relations and Its Impact on Artist Development52:13 Navigating Television Appearances and Their Costs55:30 The Role of Local Press in Ticket Sales01:02:26 Influencer Marketing and New Media Strategies01:08:58 The Formation and Purpose of Orca01:19:05 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by Jason Lipshutz, the Executive Director of Music at Billboard. Jason has written about music for over a decade and has penned cover stories on Taylor Swift, U2, Blink-182, Lorde, Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, among many others. He was formerly a deputy editor at Fuse Media and has contributed to VIBE, The Hollywood Reporter, Spinner, and Popjustice. Jason recently released a book about Linkin Park called It Starts With One.In this illuminating interview, Jason shares his perspective on the state of music journalism, how he approaches conducting interviews, who decides what gets reviewed and who goes on the cover at major music publications. Ari and Jason also trade stories about their experiences with publicists and managers trying to squash stories to protect client images. If you're interested in the inner workings of the music journalism industry, this episode is for you!Check out Jason's new audiobook: https://aristake.io/ul1wx7 00:00 The Balance of Music Journalism03:10 Writing a Book vs. Cover Stories05:56 The Evolution of Linkin Park13:02 The Art of Interviewing Artists18:09 The Changing Landscape of Music Journalism29:19 Navigating the Pressures of Music Journalism36:05 The Editorial Process at Billboard41:44 Balancing Traffic and Storytelling45:04 Personal Fandom in Journalism48:14 Writing a Book on Linkin Park56:33 Championing Creativity in the Music IndustryEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Lucas Keller, the Founder & President of Milk & Honey, an entertainment management company that represents some of the world's biggest songwriters, artists, and producers. Established in 2014, Milk & Honey is a hybrid agency that works in both the music and sports industries and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Dallas and London. On the music side, Milk & Honey represents world-class creators including the writers behind Dua Lipa's “Levitating,” BTS's “Butter,” Justin Beiber/Luis Fonsi's “Despacito” and many other international hits. Lucas and Ari talk about the state of music publishing and go deep into the ethics of royalties and producer points. Lucas explains how publishing and record deals work these days and gives his inside scoop on major catalog sales. Lucas also shares Milk & Honey's process for setting up hit songwriting sessions.If you're a songwriter, artist, producer, or anyone in the industry who wants to learn more about the ins and outs of music publishing, this episode is for you. https://www.milkhoneyla.com/00:00 The Art of Songwriting: A Daily Grind04:51 Understanding Music Publishing Terminology10:04 The Financial Landscape for Songwriters15:11 The Impact of Collaboration on Songwriting19:50 Navigating the Complexities of Publishing and Royalties24:52 The Future of Songwriting: Challenges and Opportunities26:20 The Evolution of Songwriting and Collaboration34:04 Understanding Publishing Deals in Today's Market48:07 The Growing Importance of Catalog Sales51:56 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with John Summit, one of the most sought-after DJ/producers in the global dance world. John is a superstar DJ, producer, and owner of his own label, Experts Only. He has nearly a billion all-time global streams across his own catalog, two number 1 US dance radio hits, and two top 10 tracks on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Summit has sold out iconic venues such as BMO Stadium, MSG, the Forum, Coachella, EDC, Tomorrowland and other major festivals all across the globe.John tells Ari all about how he got his start (making music with a day job, producing songs in his parents' basement), and how those humble beginnings led to him touring the world as a celebrated artist. He talks about how he got his career “break,” and gives practical advice to aspiring DJ/producers. John also talks about running Experts Only and how he hopes to develop the label.Keep up with John Summit at: https://www.instagram.com/johnsummit/00:00 Breaking Out of the Local Scene06:07 Creating an Album vs Singles08:59 Staying Inspired Creatively12:12 The Evolution of Live Performances14:53 Navigating the Pandemic: A Turning Point17:47 The Power of Persistence24:00 Collaborating Remotely33:16 Designing Arena Shows vs Festival Shows vs Clubs38:46 Behind The Curtain of Experts Only Label47:20 Experts Only Party Nights and Community Building51:14 Marketing Support for Artists on Experts Only53:04 Advice for Aspiring DJ/ProducersEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Tony Kiewel, the President of Sub Pop Records and co-founder of ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts). Sub Pop has repped iconic artists like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Beach House, The Postal Service, Flight of the Conchords, Iron & Wine, Father John Misty, and many more. Tony's organization, ORCA, is a “think tank comprised of international independent music labels committed to increasing music's economic, social, and cultural value.” ORCA has done incredible research to demonstrate the tangible value of music in our society. ORCA also works with numerous record labels to increase financial and contractual transparency between labels and artists. In this episode, Tony shares the inner-workings of his experience at Sub Pop. He breaks down how independent record labels function in 2024 and how exactly his label invests in the future of their artists. Ari and Tony discuss how ORCA's research could help influence law and policy changes for the music industry and how the organization helps people outside of the industry understand how things work. Tony talks about what Sub Pop looks for when it comes to signing new artists, how they develop current artists on their roster, and how they go about working with undiscovered artists vs. artist on the cusp of stardom. If you're interested in the inner workings of indie labels, you won't want to miss this episode!ORCA: https://www.orcaformusic.com/ “Setting the Stage: How Music Works” study by ORCA: https://aristake.io/orca00:00 Understanding the New Music Business05:26 The Formation of ORCA and Its Goals10:16 The Importance of Transparency in the Music Industry16:07 The Challenges Facing Independent Artists22:42 The Role of Indie Labels in Artist Development33:56 Artist Development Strategies at Sub Pop42:58 Investments in Emerging Artists51:15 Revenue Streams and Financial Models01:00:19 The Future of Music Distribution and TouringEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ari sits down with Dorian Perron, the co-founder of Groover, a platform that connects artists who want to promote their music with media outlets, radio stations, record labels, playlist curators and industry professionals seeking emerging talents. Ari and Dorian go in depth about how artists can safely pitch their music and receive constructive feedback from industry professionals. They discuss the current state of playlisting—specifically how to avoid botted playlists and streaming fraud while promoting your music. You'll also get to hear Ari's unfiltered thoughts about Groover and other playlisting platforms in this deep-dive conversation. If you're an artist who self-promotes their music, this episode is for you. Get 15% off your first campaign with Groover with the code ARISTAKEWebsite: Groover.co Variety Article (Streaming Fraud): https://variety.com/2024/music/news/spotify-artists-streaming-fraud-1235965379/ 00:00 Artists' Goals and Varying Needs01:18 Introduction to Groover02:08 Streaming Fraud and Shady Companies03:35 The Ecosystem of Playlist Curators05:28 What is Groover?09:41 Evolution of Playlists and Curators12:26 Starting Groover in California13:21 The Rise of Playlists14:17 Types of Playlists on Spotify17:05 Groover's Focus on User-Generated Playlists18:28 The Impact of Playlists on Artists' Careers19:26 Nourishing Different Types of Playlists22:38 Pitching Songs to Playlist Curators on Groover26:53 Paying for Consideration, Not Placement28:21 The Streaming Fraud Issue35:42 Verifying Legitimacy of Playlists40:26 Factors Affecting Success on Groover44:46 Defining Success in the New Music Business50:42 Tailoring Music to Please Curators56:26 Quality vs. Tailoring in Groover Campaigns01:05:39 Varied Results on Groover01:09:18 Finding Your Own Pace in the Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari sits down with AyseDeniz, a classical pianist and composer with a Bachelor's from Eastman School and a Master's from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2022, she was listed as one of the 20 under 40 Young Shapers of the Future of Music by Encyclopaedia Britannica, alongside notable artists such as Adele, Lil Nas, and Lorde. In this episode, AyseDeniz talks about how she collaborates with AI to compose new works of music. AI tools have changed AyseDeniz's career trajectory as an independent artist, even though she's an incredibly skilled classical musician. Ari and AyseDeniz discuss the ethics of composing and collaborating with AI and how she has used these tools to propel her career forward. Check out AyseDeniz at: https://www.adpianist.com/00:00 Exploring the Classical Music Industry and Aisha Denise's Background02:14 Using AI to Create Classical Piano Compositions03:43 The Emotional Component of AI-Generated Music04:11 The Ethics of AI in Music Creation05:06 Aisha Denise's Journey in Scoring for Film and TV06:32 The Future of Aisha Denise's Music Career47:35 Creating AI-Generated Compositions50:07 Authenticity in Music Performance51:06 Ethical Considerations in AI Music Generation57:49 The Need for Regulations and Laws01:13:25 The Future of Music with AISubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with Louis Marks and Fabian Brown of Ropeadope Records, a label that's been around in the jazz world for 25 years and has worked with Christian Scott, Greg Spiro, Terrace Martin, Questlove, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Taj Majal, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and so many more. In this episode, Louis and Fabian talk about how most of their artists cannot make a living just from streaming revenue. They share the ways they've been evolving, as a label, to elevate and lift their artists in the ever changing landscape of the new music industry. This conversation discusses the ins and outs of streaming, social media, physical sales, downloads, bandcamp, touring, patronage, community, and so much more. 00:00 - Introduction04:55 - The Mission of Ropeadope Records18:43 - Rethinking the Value of Music24:22 - Preserving Contemporary Music31:32 - Re-Educating Fans and Focusing on the Connection44:44 - The Limitations of Streaming Platforms53:29 - Exploring Alternative Models for Artist Support Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Ropeadope Records:Website: https://ropeadope.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ropeadope/Bandcamp: https://ropeadope.bandcamp.com/X: https://x.com/ropeadopeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ropeadope99Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari sits down with Jaylon Ashaun, a talented R&B artist currently based in LA via Atlanta and Houston. Jaylon found success by regularly releasing music and building a direct artist-to-fans community online. His song “Strawberries and Wine” took the digital music world by storm, with over 25 million streams of its various versions. Last year, Jaylon toured the US with major R&B acts Xavier Omar and Hojean. Ari and Jaylon discuss the importance of connecting with fans directly, how to capitalize on and move past viral moments to build a sustainable career, and how Jaylon has built his superfan community, Global Nomads, online.Chapters:00:00 Taking Risks and Putting Out Music14:24 The Power of Regularly Releasing Music19:37 Developing a Super Fan Community27:52 Perseverance, Collaboration, and Artistic Identity28:22 Building a Community and World Around Your Music31:16 Engaging with Fans and Nurturing Your Community33:06 The Power of Physical Merchandise40:18 The Evolving Music Industry and the Importance of AdaptabilitySubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Jaylon Ashaun:Website: https://www.jaylonashaun.me/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylonashaunTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaylonashaunSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dhseP7KiICmkxT5waM1MdEdited and mixed by Ari Davids-ErgasMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari sits down with Ni/Co, the musical duo of LA-based couple Dani Brillhart and Colton Jones. Their most recent song “On Purpose” has taken the internet by storm with over 6.2 million streams on Spotify and YouTube. Ni/Co built their early career by releasing covers on YouTube and placing their songs in sync. They have garnered over 75 million views on YouTube and have landed 6-figure sync deals with their music. However, as their covers became more popular and they wrote under various monikers for sync, Dani and Colton had to make a decision: did they want to prioritize these paths or re-center their career around original music? This conversation dives into the details of publishing and label deals, Ni/Co's journey through sync, their experience going viral on TikTok, and how they clarified their artist identity to stay true to their vision along the way.00:00 - Introduction and Background10:39 - The On Purpose Journey and Release15:47 - Meeting and Starting as a Couple26:23 - Signing a Publishing Deal and Sync Placements30:11 - Separating Covers and Originals42:52 - The Success of 'On Purpose'49:05 - Influencer Campaigns, Viral Songs, and the Importance of Diversifying Revenue Streams1:13:20 - Challenges and Scams in Revenue CollectionSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Ni/Co:Website: https://nicomusicofficial.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ni.co_officialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ni.co_officialSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2IR0GSCHsTo7gSw8HHLBnrEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comAnkit Desai is the founder and CEO of Snafu Records, the world's first AI-enabled artist services company. Snafu's algorithms identify talented artists from all over the world, which the company then invests in growing and supporting. Before starting Snafu, Ankit was at Universal Music, where he worked with artists like Tove Lo, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, and Shawn Mendes. For his work at Snafu and Universal, Ankit was recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 Europe, and Nordic Music Business' 20 under 30.Mira Howard currently serves as the head of Snafu's Song Fund. While she has an education in physics and economics and an MBA from Cambridge, she also has had a lifelong love for music and writes and plays music in her own time. In her career Mira has worked scaling creative startups, and is passionate about bringing Snafu to the artists of the world.This week, Ari is joined by Ankit Desai and Mira Howard of SNAFU records, to discuss how they built a completely new type of record label from the ground up. They aim to change the way artists think about their music as a business asset, encouraging artists to invest in their catalogs and not just focus on new releases. Ankit and Mira explain how SNAFU aims to change the game and create a win-win situation for all of its artists, maximizing success and longevity all while keeping the rights in the hands of the artists.00:00 - Discovering and Investing in Unsigned Artists13:05 - Improving and Increasing Artists' Listenership29:34 - Don't Give Up on Your Catalog: The Value of Old Songs39:29 - Social Media Strategies: Coaching Artists for Success44:53 - Playlist Power: Investing in Catalogs51:48 - Snafu's Business Model: Partnering with Undervalued Artists56:31 - Supporting Female Creators: The Snafu Women's Creator FundSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Snafu Records :Website: https://www.snafurecords.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snafurecords/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@snafurecordsX: https://x.com/snafu_recordsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/snafu-records/Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comFly by Midnight is comprised of Justin Bryte and Justin Slavo, two best friends who honed their craft in New York and are now making waves in Los Angeles, creating and self-distributing emotive pop music.In the episode, they discuss their journey as independent artists, starting with cover videos on YouTube and transitioning to original music. They talk about the intentional decision to release covers alongside their original music to maintain their existing fan base. The duo reflects on the importance of DIY and the value of creating high-quality content on a low budget. They also discuss the challenges of gaining industry recognition and label interest, as well as the changing landscape of virality on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Fly By Midnight discusses their approach to creating viral videos and their experimentation with different types of content. They also talk about their experiences with booking agents and their plans for future releases.Chapters00:00 Intro04:53 The Thrill Tour08:17 From Covers to Originals19:10 Content on a Budget28:50 Label Involvement37:59 Balancing Virality and Authenticity44:46 Animation and Video52:42 Keeping Content Fresh1:00:21 Distribution1:11:12 Making it in the New Music BusinessSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Fly by Midnight:Website: https://www.flybymidnight.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rQTEdG6hDVOlDUFKs9EjZ?si=fsDqg7-6RbiEWV5diJGkTAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flybymidnight/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flybymidnightYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJDQtPgwh6oV5MbPmclqIAgEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari is joined by Henry Vargas and Jose Corona of the band “The Red Pears,” an indie band who has seen recent success particularly in the live performance scene, coming hot off the heels of their Coachella performance. They discuss their journey in the music industry, from playing backyard concerts to opening for bands like Interpol and performing at iconic venues like The Greek and The Forum. They share their insight on the importance of building relationships, treating people with respect, and staying true to themselves, attributing their success to their hard work, determination, and the support of their dedicated fan base. The Red Pears also highlight the significance of live shows and the impact they have on their audience, sharing their experiences of connecting with fans and the importance of showing gratitude for their support.Chapters00:00 - Welcome03:38 - From backyard concerts to Coachella13:43 - On their recording process24:45 - Balancing your career and booking shows33:09 - How did they start touring?38:25 - Building a fanbase from word of mouth48:25 - Finding your booking and management team1:01:27 - Meeting your idolsSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with The Red Pears:Website: https://theredpears.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FRYBFCNEBWMjk6kvwjHQTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theredpears/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theredpears_626X: https://x.com/TheRedPearsEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari is joined by sisters Caitlin & Sidney Powell, the artists behind the hit group Neoni, to discuss the shift in the industry towards video content, and how they were able to capitalize on their own TikTok virality. Additionally they explain why they chose to stay independent despite being approached by numerous labels, and how staying DIY has helped their career. They also discuss their release strategy and how they go about maximizing attention on various platforms despite not yet touring. To wrap up the interview, they provide insight into how other artists can find success while remaining independent. Caitlin and Sid blend Alternative Pop with electronic music, creating a unique sound as Neoni. Since 2020, they have steadily built a substantial catalog, releasing their breakout debut album, Wars in a Wonderland, in the fall of 2021, followed by All My Favorite Monsters in 2022. With two viral TikTok hits, "Darkside" and "Royalty," amassing over 2 billion views, and a rapidly growing social media presence, Neoni continues to gain organic traction with each new release.Chapters00:00 Intro04:35 New project releases, live shows, and YouTube covers09:22 Neoni's journey and evolution16:33 How DJs influenced their sound21:03 From 20k to 250k streams a day28:42 What taking meetings with major labels is like36:02 How they convert listeners into fans43:27 Leaning into social media for promotion49:36 Why they still release horizontal videos56:06 On live performing and touringSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Neoni:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/38wxcfNEqMwuPniHvplin5?si=NYWsV7e1TdCSFD9bqdu_ywInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareneoni/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareneoniWebsite: https://weareneoni.com/Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comHaley Joelle is a 24-year-old songwriter and artist from outside of Portland, OR, currently based in LA. Haley is known for her unique and specific approach to storytelling in her songs that have resonated with millions of people around the world. Her lyrics touch on family dynamics, the complications of growing up, grief, and heartbreak - all lending themselves to help her listeners feel less alone. Haley's songs have been discovered on popular playlists including Spotify's Chilled Hits, Chill Pop, Fresh & Chill, Sad Hour, Sad Songs, Today's Singer-Songwriters, Morning Commute, Mellow Evening, and Apple Music's Breaking Pop, In My Room, Acoustic Chill, Today's Acoustic, Acoustic Memories, and New Music Daily. Her songs have been streamed more than 100 million times, and featured in Amazon Prime Video's #1 most watched non-English language original movie, ‘Culpa Mía' as well as the popular TV shows ‘Love Island USA' and ‘Love Island Games.' After a couple tour support slots, and with 450k+ engaged fans around the world, she embarked on her first mini headline tour in December 2023 after the release of her album ‘Me And My Past.' Haley's next album is due September 2024.00:00 - Intro03:55 - Haley's songwriting and album process15:52 - Alternative music programs and networking21:50 - How did Haley find other collaborators?29:29 - Haley on music videos34:07 - On staying independent and talking to labels43:07 - Pitching for playlist inclusions55:23 - Where does the money go?Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Haley Joelle :Website: https://haley-joelle-merch.myshopify.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4pZOG8ump4odtJJA4Cy7S8Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itshaleyjoelle/X: https://x.com/itshaleyjoelleEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comClaude Brooks started his career as an actor with notable success, having starred in a few series and acted in over 300 episodes. His production company has Executive Produced and created over 500 episodes of television across a vast range of genres. In the children's arena, Claude Brooks created and produced The Discovery Kids' Emmy Nominated children's show, “Hip Hop Harry”, for which new content is currently being produced for over 15 digital platforms, and has spawned a live touring show and successful merchandising program. Most recently, Claude co-created with Snoop Dogg “Doggyland,” an innovative music based 3D animated children's show on YouTube, HappyKids.tv and Kidoodle. “Doggyland” is a NAACP Image Award winner for “Outstanding Best Short Form” 2024.This week, Ari and Claude discuss his hit kids show co-created with Snoop Dogg, “Doggyland.” Claude discusses his journey of building a successful show and the importance of perseverance and consistency. They also touch on how he got to collaborate with Snoop Dogg on the show, as well as the impact of social media platforms and how it has grown the show. He also shares his insight on the virality of the song “Go Go Go, Who's Next?” and how he leverages TikTok to build a fanbase. Claude shares his experience working with DistroKid as a music distributor and the benefits of payment splitting. They conclude by discussing future plans for Doggyland, including potential collaborations and a movie.Chapters00:00 Intro04:09 Success of Children's Music Shows10:30 Building a Hit Kids Show28:18 Business Model of YouTube Kids Shows30:42 The Power of Persistence and Activity in Achieving Success35:42 The Growth and Success of Doggyland48:34 Challenges of Content Creation and Distribution58:22 The Role of DistroKid in the Music IndustrySubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Claude Brooks:Website: https://ctotheb.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doggyland_kids/Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comDeva Anderson is an award-winning Music Supervisor and Executive with unparalleled range and depth. Over the course of her career, she has worked on more than 40 feature films with some of the most esteemed filmmakers in the industry, as well as more than 30 original series for television. Deva excels at facilitating collaboration and envisioning music that brings a director's vision to life.She is the Head of Music for Tom Hanks's production company, Playtone, where she has overseen music for all their productions for 25+ years, including the Oscar-nominated film Greyhound, Band of Brothers, and The Pacific.Outside of her work at Playtone, Deva has worked with some of Hollywood's most prolific directors, including Denis Villeneuve (Dune) and Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs). She's also a music consultant and music-supervised Columbia Pictures' Blade Runner 2049, and Netflix's upcoming 2024 film The Piano Lesson.Ari and Deva discuss the role of supervisors in film and TV, her approach to finding and obtaining music for productions, the process of clearing said music, and discusses the variety of projects she has worked on at Playtone, Tom Hanks' production company.Deva Anderson also highlights the role of music representatives in ensuring that all rights are cleared and that the business side of music is properly understood. She touches on the changing landscape of streaming networks and the budgets and fees associated with music placements. Finally, she concludes by discussing the use of library music and the potential impact of AI on music creation and production.Chapters00:00 The Path to Becoming a Music Supervisor08:02 Spotting Sessions: Collaborating with Composers and Directors13:58 Public Domain Music: Using Historical Songs28:41 The Role of Indie Artists in Music Licensing34:19 Music Supervision and Playtone48:20 The Value of Library Music50:42 The Influence of AI in Music Creation and Production54:26 Breaking into the Music Supervision FieldSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Deva Anderson :IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026620/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deva-anderson-b385a6283Edited and mixed by Mikey EvansMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari is joined by David Rishty, the President of Palm Tree Records. They discuss Palm Tree's partnership with Sony, the value of radio and satellite platforms like SiriusXM, and the many ways labels can help with artist development. Palm Tree Records is a joint venture with Sony Music, co-founded by Kygo and his manager, Miles. It operates as an indie label with major label resources, providing a small, tight-knit team and the support of a major label when needed.David Rishty's journey in the music industry began as a writer, penning features for a variety of publications including Billboard. During his tenure there, he launched the Billboard Dance 100 artist ranking and partnered with top brands including SiriusXM and Apple Music. His passion for building a brand crossed over to artist development early on in his rise with the founding of Exchange Management. In the seven years since its inception, Rishty's artist roster has collectively earned more than 600 million streams and performed at over 400 shows. He has since brought this management mindset to Palm Tree Records, providing a holistic approach to artist development and creating a boutique label experience. Palm Tree's roster remains select at less than a dozen artists, yet has amassed over 750 million total streams to date.Chapters00:00 The Evolution of Dance Music and DJ Culture05:14 The Role of Major Label Resources in Artist Development09:04 The Importance of Radio Promotion and Other Revenue Verticals11:24 Building a Brand and Fan Base with Palm Tree Records24:00 Releasing Music and Establishing a Presence During the Pandemic28:49 The Impact of SiriusXM and the Different Radio Landscape35:18 The Power of Short-Form Video Content47:21 The Importance of Trust in Label-Artist Relationships55:28 Defining Success in the Music IndustrySubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with David Rishty:Website: https://www.palmtreerecords.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rishty/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daverishty/X: https://twitter.com/DaveRishtyEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari is joined by Laura Jones, a producer manager and founder of Little Underground Management. They discuss negotiating contracts, signing up and coming producers, and navigating royalty splits. Little Underground Management represents producers and helps connect them with artists, with her role being 50% creative and 50% business administration. On the creative side, she acts as a musical matchmaker, connecting producers with artists, songwriters, and engineers. On the business side, she negotiates fees, contracts, and schedules, and oversees the entire recording process. In this conversation, Ari and Laura discuss the complexities of songwriting and publishing splits in the music industry. They explore how songwriting credits are determined, the challenges of splitting royalties, and the politics involved in negotiating publishing deals. Laura shares insights into how deals are structured, the importance of contracts, and the challenges of getting paid in a timely manner. Chapters00:00 The Importance of Contracts for Producers02:23 Understanding Master Royalties and Publishing09:39 The Role of Producer Managers in Connecting Producers with Artists23:33 How Producer Deals Work: Fees and Royalties34:01 Navigating Different Genres and Deal Structures36:28 The Complexities of Publishing Rights49:40 Challenges of Getting Paid in the Music Industry53:49 The Importance of Contracts for Producers and Songwriters01:02:19 Finding a Manager as a ProducerSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Laura Jones:Website: https://www.littleundergroundmanagement.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_underground_mgmt/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-jones-876240aX: https://twitter.com/LittleUmgmtEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comSerona Elton serves as Head of Educational Partnerships for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC). In this role, Elton directs The MLC's efforts to engage future members of the music industry currently studying music business and related subjects at colleges and universities across the country and around the world. With extensive experience as a music industry professional and educator, Elton is also a professor and Director of the Music Industry Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. In 2023, she was named Music Business Educator of the Year by the Music Business Association. She is also a Yamaha Master Educator.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background07:30 Changes in Mechanical Licensing21:21 Releasing Co-Written Songs25:06 Introduction to the MLC29:33 Calculating Royalties for Streams40:40 Relationship Between the MLC and PROs49:32 International Mechanical Royalties54:21 The Role of Legislation in the Music Industry01:00:41 Calculating Mechanical Royalties01:07:38 Defining Success in the Music BusinessSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with The MLC and Serona Elton:Website: https://www.themlc.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMLCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlc_us/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seronaEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comBeginning his tenth year in the music industry today, Will Runzel is co-founder of Prodigy Artists. He got his start throwing Hip-Hop concerts (Big Sean, Jeremih, Mike Posner, Twista) in college towns in the midwest, Steve Aoki brought him to LA to head up Dim Mak Live for a year before heading up React Presents West Coast division and another year with LED Presents / Goldenvoice (booking Jamie XX, M83, Calvin Harris). Around that time he started what is now known as Collectiv Presents with Chris Den Uijl, as well as his management company Prodigy Artists alongside Steven Haddad. Today, Runzel is the CEO of Prodigy Artists who represent SLANDER, Deorro, NGHTMRE, Guy Gerber, Audien as well as Grammy-nominated producers Bekon & The Donuts.This week, Ari and Will discuss various aspects of the dance music industry, including revenue streams, remixes, and the role of managers. He emphasizes the importance of touring for bass music artists and the unique nature of their merchandise sales. Will also explains the business model of remixes and additionally highlights the need for data collection and retargeting in the new music business.Chapters00:00 Remixes and Original Music10:12 SLANDER, NGHTMRE, and Deorro29:07 Revenue and Profitability of Shows36:16 Revenue Breakdown for Bass Music Artists41:53 Reselling Records50:21 Managing Record Producers57:43 The Challenges of Playing at the SphereSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Will Runzel:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-runzel-884456112Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willrunzel/X: https://www.prodigyartists.com/Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment closes soon for Ari's Take Academy! Save 10% with code NMB and enroll: https://aristakeacademy.com/Moody Jones is an entrepreneurial entertainment executive and artist who thrives on creating new rules and executing unique concepts. Currently, he's the GM of Dance at EMPIRE – an independent distribution company and record label pioneering the future generation of the music business.This week, Ari is joined by GM of Dance at EMPIRE, Moody Jones, to discuss Empire's business model, the dance music industry, and the role of an executive in supporting artists. They discuss various aspects of the music industry, including consumer behavior on social media, the impact of UMG on artists, advice for aspiring producers and DJs, the importance of art in everything you do, discovering and signing new artists, release frequency, and what it means to make it in the new music business.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview of Empire05:09 The Dance Division and the Dance Market15:02 Measuring Success and Revenue Streams23:02 Consumer Behavior on Social Media26:00 Advice for Aspiring Producers and DJs30:23 Building Relationships with Artists37:38 Release Frequency and Removing Songs from DSPs44:30 What It Means to Make It in the New Music BusinessSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Moody Jones:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moodyjones/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moodyjones/X: https://twitter.com/moodyjonesTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moodyjonesEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enrollment closes soon for Ari's Take Academy! Save 10% with code NMB and enroll: https://aristakeacademy.com/A Los Angeles native and UCLA alumni, Michele Harrison commenced her career as a legal assistant at the Law Offices of Fischbach, Perlstein and Lieberman. Following gigs at Virgin Records and Hollywood Records, she spent 15 years at Ian Montone's Monotone, Inc., working with the likes of Broken Bells, The Shins, Vampire Weekend, and Academy® Award winner Jamie Foxx. In 2018, she became Co-Head of Management at Friends At Work, managing Alanis Morissette and Raphael Saadiq. 2021 saw her join Range Music as a Partner, overseeing the careers of Healy, KaiGoinKrazy, Tkay Maidza, Justin Tranter, and UMI. With MPH Collective, she has now built a haven for artists, visionaries, and storytellers to shine without compromise.In this interview, Ari and Michele discuss the role of autonomy and control in management, the impact of TikTok on artists' careers, and the changing landscape of record deals. She shares insights into the profitability of different venue sizes and the revenue streams from touring, including VIP experiences and merchandise sales. Michele also discusses the role of producers and the process of creating beat packs to pitch to artists and songwriters. She highlights the importance of getting in the room with other producers and songwriters to create music.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of MPH Collective03:06 The Impact of TikTok and Challenges in the Music Industry06:53 The Shifting Landscape of Record Deals11:52 The Importance of Authenticity in Social Media30:26 Building a Collaborative Team35:15 The Importance of Booking Agents and Touring41:09 Profitability and Revenue Streams46:09 The Role of Producers57:01 The Goal in the New Music BusinessSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari's Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Michele Harrison:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-harrison-88315a18/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mphcollective/Edited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari's Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.