
Liz Pelly
Music journalist and author based in New York. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Baffler, The Guardian, NPR, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork.
Top 10 podcasts with Liz Pelly
Ranked by the Snipd community

33 snips
Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 6min
How Spotify Remade the Music Industry w/ Liz Pelly
In this conversation, Liz Pelly, a music journalist and author of "Mood Machine," dives into the seismic shifts Spotify has caused in the music industry. She discusses how streaming services manipulate artist compensation and explores the rise of curated playlists that shape listener experiences. Pelly emphasizes the importance of collective action for independent musicians facing industry giants. The dialogue also touches on innovative community initiatives that seek to revalue music beyond profit, showcasing local libraries' role in supporting artists.

22 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 31min
How Spotify is Ruining Music: ‘It’s About How Power Works’
In this conversation, journalist Liz Pelly, author of "Mood Machine," explores how Spotify has transformed the music industry. Liz reveals the unsettling truth about 'ghost artists' and the pressures real musicians face in an algorithm-driven world. They discuss how playlist culture has altered listening habits and the authenticity of music. The talk also delves into artist compensation and the rise of AI-generated content, raising vital questions about the future of creativity and the sustainability of artists' careers.

21 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 54min
How Spotify hacked our ears (and our data)
Liz Pelly, a music journalist and author of "Mood Machine," dives deep into Spotify's world. She reveals how the platform's algorithms and major label dominance shape the music we hear, often at the expense of artists' creativity. Pelly discusses Spotify’s evolution from a piracy response to a streaming giant, the illusion of endless choice, and the emotional impact of music in our lives. Through her insights, she challenges listeners to consider the personal cost of their perfect playlists.

12 snips
Mar 17, 2025 • 23min
The price of a perfect playlist
In this engaging discussion, Liz Pelly, author of Mood Machine, dives deep into how Spotify has revolutionized music consumption. She examines the blend of personal nostalgia and algorithm-driven playlists. The conversation also highlights the challenges artists face within this streaming ecosystem, including the rise of 'ghost artists.' Pelly further explores AI's role in music discovery and urges listeners to consider the implications of upcoming copyright changes. This insightful exchange prompts a reflection on the future of music and its creators.

Jan 28, 2025 • 58min
Liz Pelly on Spotify and the ‘Cost of the Perfect Playlist’
Liz Pelly, a journalist and contributing editor at The Baffler, dives into the intricacies of Spotify's impact on musicians and the music industry. She critiques how Spotify, once seen as a democratizing platform, now favors major labels and algorithm-driven playlists while underpaying independent artists. Through insights from industry veterans and her book, 'Mood Machine,' Pelly discusses the rise of 'ghost artists' and the need for alternative models to support authentic music creation, challenging listeners to rethink their consumption habits.

Mar 24, 2025 • 46min
The Rise of Spotify, with Liz Pelly
Join music journalist Liz Pelly, known for her incisive work in outlets like The Guardian and NPR, as she explores the rise of Spotify and its profound effects on the music industry. Discover how Spotify's freemium model and personalized playlists influence listener habits and artist experiences. Pelly reveals the hidden costs of streaming, including the challenges faced by independent musicians and the ethics of algorithm-driven recommendations. This engaging conversation delves into a new music landscape shaped by technology and offers a reevaluation of distribution models.

Apr 11, 2025 • 46min
How Spotify shapes how we listen to music
Join music journalist Liz Pelly, author of 'Mood Machine,' as she dives into how Spotify has transformed music listening habits. She discusses the disparity in artist compensation, particularly for independent musicians, and the impact of algorithm-driven playlists on music appreciation. Pelly critiques the ethics of streaming services and highlights the need for a more engaged listening culture. She also introduces innovative alternatives for fair artist distribution, advocating for deeper connections to music beyond the streaming model.

Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 19min
40: All the things Spotify didn't want you to know but Liz Pelly found out
Liz Pelly, a contributing editor at The Baffler and author of "Mood Machine," delves into her groundbreaking investigations into Spotify's practices. She reveals how mood-based playlists feature obscure, ghost artists diluting true artistic expression. Pelly discusses 'lean-back listening' and the troubling rise of algorithmic curation, which has shifted the landscape, affecting independent musicians. She also touches on Spotify's influence on music discovery and its implications for artist visibility and earnings in today's streaming era.

Feb 12, 2025 • 1h 23min
Spotify Commissioned Cheap "Fake Artists" And She's Got the Proof
Liz Pelly, a prominent music journalist and author of "Mood Machine," dives deep into Spotify's controversial strategies. She reveals how Spotify's Perfect Fit Content program utilizes ghost artists, undermining real musicians and affecting the integrity of the music industry. Liz discusses the financial implications for artists and the discrepancies in royalty distribution, especially between independent creators and major labels. Their conversation highlights the urgent need for transparency and a revaluation of music's worth in the streaming era.

Jan 7, 2025 • 55min
051 Liz Pelly on Spotify
Liz Pelly, author of "Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist," dives deep into Spotify’s impact on the music industry. With nearly a decade of reporting under her belt, she highlights the manipulation within streaming that affects artists and listeners alike. Pelly discusses the challenges independent musicians face in a corporate-dominated landscape and advocates for fairer conditions. She also emphasizes the importance of community in music appreciation and encourages deeper connections beyond just streaming.