Music Tectonics

This week, we're exploring the future of direct-to-fan commerce with Joshua Stone, the CEO and Co-Founder of Stuff.io and book.io. Josh has some serious backing, including names like Mark Cuban, Snoop Dogg, and Charles Hoskinson, the co-founder of Ethereum just to name a few, and has been working on building Web3 infrastructure that lets artists sell media directly to fans that fans can own and not just rent. We talk about why streaming doesn't pay most artists, how direct-to-fan can actually create real revenue and why we finally have the technology to let fans own digital music again. Whether you're an artist looking for new revenue streams or just curious about where music commerce is heading, we cover a lot of ground The News! General public ‘more concerned than excited’ about increased use of AI   In the AI Age, the Music Industry Needs New Metadata Standards. But Time Is Running Out   Spotify to Develop AI Music Products in Partnership With Major Record Labels    ‘Death to Spotify’: the DIY movement to get artists and fans to quit the music app The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

This week, Darryl Ballantyne, CEO and Co-founder of LyricFind, discusses the complexities of the music business model and how LyricFind has managed to create new revenue streams by licensing lyrics and developing products like Lyric IQ. We also discuss how they’ve overcome challenges such as price competition and maintaining product market fit.  This is a great conversation for Startups!   The News!   https://www.billboard.com/pro/sora-2-music-industry-pay-attention-ai-social-app/   https://www.engadget.com/spotify-canva-and-other-apps-can-now-connect-to-chatgpt-194830116.html   https://www.billboard.com/pro/sora-2-music-industry-pay-attention-ai-social-app/   https://www.engadget.com/spotify-canva-and-other-apps-can-now-connect-to-chatgpt-194830116.html The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

Monica Corton, a seasoned music publishing executive and CEO of GoTo11 Entertainment, shares her vast insights from over 30 years in the industry. She breaks down the basics of music publishing, including song vs. master copyrights, and explains how digital changes have shifted revenue streams. The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities AI presents for publishers, discussing the importance of proper licensing and potential monetization strategies. Monica also offers practical advice for collaboration between publishers and tech companies.

On this week’s episode, Dmitri sits down with Dot Bustelo, a former Apple Logic Pro team member and the innovative mind behind Loupe Art. We talk about everything from a post-it from another innovator that changed everything to the age of creative abundance. It's a blast.    News! Gen Z social habits spell trouble for music discovery   Is Music’s Mainstream Getting Smaller? A Streaming Analysis   Ticketmaster CEO says concert tickets are too cheap, actually | Mashable   Spotify Updates AI Music Policies to Fight Spam: What It Means   Record labels claim AI generator Suno ripped their songs from YouTube | The Verge The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

Mansoor Rahimat Khan, founder and CEO of Beatoven.ai, discusses his innovative AI music platform that collaborates with artists for ethically licensed content. He shares his journey from machine learning to music, influenced by his family's rich musical heritage. The conversation delves into the unique blend of Indian classical music with Western genres and the future of AI in personalized music experiences. Mansoor also highlights the importance of transparent artist partnerships and previews an exciting upcoming foundation model.

Drew Thurlow, a former music executive and AI strategist, dives into the transformative role of AI in music. He discusses how AI democratizes creativity rather than threatens it, explores intriguing concepts like the Velvet Sundown—a playful take on AI-generated music—and highlights remarkable discoveries, such as whale songs gaining popularity. Drew also touches on the evolving landscape of copyright law and the practical implications of AI for fans and labels, all while giving a sneak peek into his upcoming book on this fascinating subject.

Christopher White, an associate professor of music theory at UMass Amherst, dives into the exciting intersection of AI and music creation. He discusses whether AI redefines music or if music shapes AI, particularly highlighting the concept of 'AI slop' and its impact on authentic creators. The conversation covers intellectual property issues, the changing landscape of streaming platforms, and the role of music theory in enhancing AI-generated creativity. White also reflects on how AI might transform listener experiences and emotional engagement with music.

In this engaging conversation, Dave Godowsky, a music industry expert specializing in artist relations, shares insights on fostering meaningful partnerships between artists and brands. He highlights the power of word-of-mouth marketing and its impact on gear adoption. Dave recounts his experience creating the Audience Choir plugin for Jacob Collier and discusses other notable collaborations, like those with Alicia Keys. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in partnerships and explores how AI could reshape music creation, paving the way for innovative tools.

We are rewinding and playing back some of our favorite guests during the month of August and today we have our own Chief Creative Officer from way back when he was the creative force at Artiphon. Adam McHeffey, CMO of Artiphon, joins us to talk about the state of musical instrument innovation. Instruments like the Orba put music creation at the fingertips of hobbyists, allowing them to focus on enjoyment and self-expression rather than traditional album releases. We discuss the fusion of music and social media, and the new generation of creators redefining the art form. Lines between listening and playing are blurring, (see Ocean Eyes remix on Logic Pro X) pointing to a future where music engagement is akin to gaming, providing endless possibilities for interactivity and connection.   Shoutouts mentioned in episode: seids_ imsethdrums socialrepose   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

We are rewinding and playing back some of our favorite guests during the month of August. Join Dmitri and Tracy Maddux the former CEO, of AVL Digital and CD Baby as they talk through the fundamentals of what it takes to really start up. We promise that by the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of the critical decisions that shape the future of your business. Whether you intend to sell your company or nurture it as a long-term venture, Tracy's wisdom on capitalization, leveraging personal funds versus investors, and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses will set you on the right path. And if you’re already deep in the weeds with your company – there is still great advice to be learned from these two industry experts.   Tracy Maddux   Artes Management The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!