Thanksgiving Weekend box office preview; Grammy-winning songwriter Evan Bogart on the state of the music industry
Nov 29, 2024
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In a captivating discussion, Evan Bogart, Grammy-winning songwriter and founder of Seeker Music, shares his insights on the evolving music industry. Known for discovering Eminem, Bogart reveals how independent artists are thriving amid major label consolidations. He emphasizes the positive changes in artist discovery and the influence of streaming on music consumption. The conversation also touches on the transformation of music promotion strategies, highlighting a shift towards community-driven engagement. It's a refreshing take on an industry in flux.
The consolidation of major record labels is paradoxically empowering independent artists, allowing them increased control over their music and careers.
Evan Bogart's journey discovering Eminem highlights the evolving music industry dynamics, where recognizing unique talent is crucial amidst mainstream trends.
Deep dives
The Changing Landscape of the Music Industry
The discussion highlights the transformation within the music industry, characterized by increased consolidation among major record labels. This consolidation has paradoxically led to the empowerment of independent artists and distributors, allowing them greater ownership of their music. Evan Bogart asserts that the rise of independent entities is a positive outcome, as it enables artists to control their career trajectories and retain their masters. This shift is reflected in the surge of independent labels and artist-led initiatives that are reshaping the traditional dynamics of music production and distribution.
Evan Bogart's Journey in Music Discovery
Evan Bogart shares his profound journey of discovering Eminem while working as an intern at Interscope Records, where he faced initial rejections from peers regarding the rapper's unique style. His determination led him to sneak Eminem's demo tape onto the desk of label head Jimmy Iovine, ultimately resulting in the rapper's signing. This experience illustrates Bogart's instinct to recognize talent that diverges from the mainstream, a skill he credits to his upbringing in a music-focused household. The narrative emphasizes both the challenges and triumphs inherent in A&R roles within the evolving music landscape.
Industry Trends and Community Building
The podcast addresses the significant shift in how artists and labels generate revenue in the streaming era, moving away from traditional album sales. Creating and nurturing communities around artists has become a key strategy for success, with labels focusing on social media engagement and grassroots marketing. Bogart emphasizes the importance of understanding the music consumer and fostering a community that amplifies an artist's reach and influence. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift where music consumption is not just about listening but also about connecting with the creator.
The Role of AI in the Future of Music Creation
The episode discusses the implications of artificial intelligence on the music industry, particularly concerning copyright and the potential displacement of human writers. Concerns stem from AI's use of existing works to train models, which has sparked outrage among writers and artists worried about maintaining their livelihoods. The legality of using copyrighted material in AI training is still uncertain, presenting a challenge for industry stakeholders. Nonetheless, the conversation hints at the necessity for writers' guilds and organizations to adapt and protect their members in the advancing digital age.
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the forthcoming Thanksgiving weekend box office projections and examine the unauthorized use of screenplays to fuel AI learning models.
Plus, Eric Deggans sits down with Grammy-winning songwriter Evan Bogart to discuss the state of the music industry — which Bogart assures us is “not all bad.” Bogart goes on to detail how independent artists are benefiting from major label consolidations and reorgs. Plus, he tells us the story of how he discovered Eminem while as a 19 year-old Interscope Records employee.
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