Music Tectonics

What happens when AI starts reflecting an artist's voice back to them? This week, Dmitri talks with artist, songwriter, and producer Blanco Brown. Blanco first broke through with the viral hit "The Git Up," becoming a defining voice of the intersection of country and hip hop, also known as "country trap." Last year, an AI generated artist called Breaking Rust released a song called "Walk My Walk," in which many listeners noted a striking resemblance to Blanco's voice and style. So what does Blanco do? He re-records the song himself, bringing his own humanity, faith, and musicianship into a track originally created by AI. We talk about what that process was like, questions of ownership and likeness, and why Blanco believes soul and lived experience are things technology can't replicate. We also explore what embracing AI, rather than fearing it, might look like for artists navigating what comes next. It's a great conversation about AI and what comes next for musicians. The news Investor Who Helped Lead Kobalt Acquisition Launches Artist Advance Platform Pipeline raises over $200m to fund independent music firms Sphere Entertainment reveals first 'mini Sphere' location in US - Music Business Worldwide On… Warner's cutbacks, and the bigger story. - Music Business Worldwide 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, Dmitri chats with Russell Wedelich, the President and CTO of Eventide Audio. Eventide has been shaping Eventide has been shaping recorded music since 1971, and Russell has used his background in both electrical engineering and musical engineering to help create products like the Space Stomp box, H9000, Physion, and Temperance reverb just to name a few. They talk about Eventide's history and philosophy of creating audio tools, re-releasing legacy software, and why Russell believes fear and creativity are opposite's when it comes to AI's impact on music. They also talk about NAMM and why it is still worth going in 2026 (if you're going this week, make sure to check us out at Booth 10607 in Hall A. The news Spotify hikes price for Premium subscribers in the US, other markets Music streaming platforms now host quarter of a BILLION tracks. Where does it end? Matthew McConaughey tackles deepfakes with trademark filings 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.

Tom Kell, a product developer from SleeveNote, joins the discussion to unveil a groundbreaking music player that showcases artwork and liner notes. The conversation dives into the relevance of trade shows like CES for networking and lead generation in 2026. Dmitri highlights the emotional impact of face-to-face interactions and tactile experiences that foster genuine business relationships. Innovations from the event, including AI-driven tools and immersive audio technologies, also signal exciting futures for the music tech landscape.

This week, we're kicking off 2026 with our opening keynote from last year's Music Tectonics conference: "Optimization is Not Enough: Are You Ready for Streaming's Reckoning?" In this keynote, Tatiana Cirisano from MIDiA Research joins Dmitri to ask a provocative question: Is the music industry so focused on optimizing streaming revenue that it's missing what comes next? Tatiana argues that streaming has removed so much friction from music that it's accidentally removed fans' emotional connection (especially for Gen Z and Gen Alpha), and that music's real competitor isn't a new format but the attention economy (social video, gaming, etc). We explore what the industry can learn from gaming's "productized friction," why Asian streaming services built around fandom might show the way forward, and whether platforms should actually make the experience harder, not easier. We also tackle audience questions about user-centric payment models, AI-generated music, and whether scarcity could return to digital music. If you've wondered whether streaming is coasting on past success, this conversation will challenge how you think about music's future. 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, we're wrapping up 2025 with something special: three rapid-fire interviews from last month's conference with companies that represent some of the most fascinating developments happening at the intersection of music and tech First, we'll hear from Rachel Francine of SingFit, who's pioneering music as medicine by bringing therapeutic singing programs to senior living communities Next, we have Matt Sherman from Str3amcore Labs sharing how he's helping IP owners manage their catalogs with blockchain technology, drawing on his family's hundred-year legacy in music (his grandfather wrote "It's a Small World"). Finally, we have John Gearty from PulseJet taking us inside the future of music entertainment, with immersive VR experiences, including a nine-song album with Björk where you can literally walk around inside the music. These conversations were all recorded at the Shure podcast booth right on the conference floor. Three very different innovations, three conversations that show just how diverse and exciting music technology is right now 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.

As 2025 comes to a close, Dmitri and Tristra look back at the year's most significant music tech stories and what they mean for the industry ahead. From AI music settlements and catalog securitization to sustainability initiatives at live music venues and the future of streaming royalty rates, this year-end roundup covers the trends that shaped music and technology in 2025 Dmitri and Tristra discuss Billboard's biggest stories, analyze the financial tools transforming music rights, and explore how AI is becoming normalized in professional studios, even as questions about fraud and attribution remain unresolved. They also touch on overlooked but critical issues like healthcare access for self-employed musicians, plant-based catering's climate impact at festivals and the legal battles that will define 2026. Whether you're wrapping presents or planning for the new year, this episode offers the perspectives you need to understand where music tech has been and where it's headed. The news 14 Questions for the Music Business in 2026: AI, Live Nation, Spotify, UMG-Downtown & More The 23 biggest music business deals of 2025: From Taylor Swift to Tencent Music, Live Nation, and Chord. - Music Business Worldwide Year-End Roundup: The Biggest Music Business Stories of 2025 (And a Look Ahead to 2026) 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, we're continuing our Conference Conversations series from last month's conference with a panel called "Brands and Creators: Creative Collaborations Everyone Can Agree To." This panel covers all things brand partnerships, from what makes brands say yes to working with artists, as well as some stories about what not to do. This panel includes Ryan Roth from Pioneer DJ, Mario Ponce from Shure, Kate Sheets from Blipblox and is moderated by our very own Emily Francis. If you're looking to land your first brand deal in the new year, this one's for you. The News On… Suno, Songkick, and a Reddit Revolt African Artists Are Reaching More Global Listeners With Help From Audiomack 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.

In this discussion, David Ma, a Principal at Powerhouse Capital, emphasizes the importance of aligning creator tools with existing workflows for meaningful adoption. Jason Yeh, Co-founder of Patron, warns against creating projects that only engage users temporarily, advocating for long-lasting products. Connor Sundberg, Partner at Amplify, highlights how platform shifts can introduce new industry standards and stresses the need for creators to democratize access to advanced tools. Together, they provide insights on what makes a creator business fundable in today's market.

Stanley Vergilis, Founder of Tone 3000, shares insights on cultivating a successful digital effects marketplace built for musicians. Mahan Zanuzi, CEO of The Vinyl Bar, discusses creating AI music apps that engage consumers. Jessica Powell, co-founder of AudioShake, highlights how their technology evolved from karaoke-inspired ideas to impactful audio separation tools. The panel dives into building defensible business moats, the intricacies of fundraising, and common pitfalls faced by founders in the music tech industry.

This week on Music Tectonics, we're continuing our Conference Conversations series with highlights from the Music Tectonics Conference. Over the next several weeks, we'll be sharing our favorite discussions, interviews, and panels that capture what's happening right now in music innovation. Today, we're featuring a conversation with Ethan Millman from the Hollywood Reporter. Ethan breaks down one of the biggest music industry trends: the blurring lines between music distribution and record labels. We explore how label services are evolving, why distribution deals have become the hottest topic in music business, and what artists need to know when choosing between distributors and record labels. Whether you're an independent artist navigating distribution options, a music industry professional tracking the latest trends, or a music tech founder building solutions for the creator economy, this conversation offers essential insights into the future of music distribution and artist services. The News! Baby Shark creator Pinkfong goes public with $372m valuation AI Music Platform Suno Valued at $2.45 Billion Suno will be reading Robert Kyncl's new blog post very closely, as WMG CEO vows to 'legislate, litigate, license' in the era of AI music creation Explosively Viral Track 'I Run' by HAVEN Yanked From Spotify and Other Platforms Over AI 'Artist Impersonation' — Turns Out Suno Is Where It All Started 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.