

Music Tectonics
Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. PR firm
The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. The podcast includes news roundups, interviews, and more. Our host is Dmitri Vietze, CEO of PR firm rock paper scissors.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2025 • 51min
Logic Pro, Loupe Art, and the Age of Abundance with Dot Bustelo
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.

18 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 34min
The Future of AI Music is Fairly Trained?
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.

22 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 47min
Machine Music, the Velvet Sundown, and Whale Pop Stars with Drew Thurlow
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.

16 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 43min
The Thrilling Tension Between AI and Musical Creativity
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.

Sep 2, 2025 • 28min
What Makes Artist Partnerships Meaningful? with Dave Godowsky
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.

Aug 27, 2025 • 47min
Wait. That's a Musical Instrument?? With Adam McHeffey
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.

Aug 20, 2025 • 46min
How to Build a Company with Tracy Maddux: How to Start Up
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!

Aug 13, 2025 • 45min
How to Scale Up with Darryl Ballantyne of LyricFind
We are rewinding and playing back some of our favorite guests during the month of August. Today we have a great conversation with the CEO and co-founder of LyricFind. Listen in to find out how Darryl got his first investor, and what Microsoft, childhood bedrooms, outdated websites, and roller coasters have to do with anything. 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!

13 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 50min
The Great Bifurcation Debate with the MIDiA Team
Tatiana Cirisano, an Analyst at MIDiA Research, dives into the great bifurcation of the music industry, debating the ‘play’ versus ‘listen’ perspectives. She highlights how younger audiences crave interactive experiences, pushing artists to adapt to survive. The conversation unveils challenges in monetization strategies on social media and streaming platforms that hinder genuine artist-fan connections. Cirisano also examines how live music is evolving in this streaming era, stressing the need for deeper engagement and sustainable practices.

Jul 30, 2025 • 59min
Startups Start Your Engines with Andrew Kahn, Yamaha Music Innovation Fund
Join the Music Tectonics team for the June Seismic Activity with special guest Andrew Kahn, Managing Partner of Yamaha Music Innovation Fund. Hear Andrews best practices for pitching him (or not) at a conference, and what he feels is the most important aspect of any pitch deck. Hint: It's not a great power point. We also hear queries specific to founders in attendance. Among them are questions about funding AI startups, is it possible to compete with Ticketmaster, and what about this innovative new musical instrument? Really great insight from the heart of the funding world. The News! The most important chart in music right now? Getting AI companies to agree to licensing deals with copyright owners is “not doable” and “China’s not doing it”, rambles Trump Live Music News: GigSalad, Lightroom, new boards @ MVT, LIVE The Death of the Middle-Class Musician 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.