Music Tectonics

Adam McHeffey, Chief Creative Officer at Rock Paper Scissors and former CMO of Artiphon, shares his expertise on marketing musical instruments. He emphasizes the power of engaging smaller creators over celebrities and the importance of IRL networking. Adam unveils effective strategies like email marketing and user-generated content, stressing the need for authentic community interactions. He also discusses balancing traditional PR with modern personalization to build brand trust and visibility in the evolving music industry.

Today we bring you the recording from our latest on-line Seismic Event, “Artist Careers in a Parallel Universe.” It was an exploration into the livelihood of three working artists; Clara Venice, Vivek Agrawal, and The Phronetic. RPS Chief Creative Officer, Adam McHeffey talks with them about how they are using new technology to fuel their creative visions, how they've built brand relationships, and importantly, how they're monetizing their networks. Great insight into how they make it work. Also! stick around for the news.   Seismic Activity Guests Vivek Agrawal The Cassette Speaker The Oasis   Clara Venice Locket   The Phronetic   Sign up for the next Seismic Activity!   Links to the News What Is Going On With the Chaos At the Copyright Office? Fake Podcasts EU artists generated more than $1.8 billion on Spotify in 2024, up 15% YoY   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.

Eleanor Rust, marketing director at Rock, Paper, Scissors, dives into the week's music tech buzz alongside Dmitri. They dissect Spotify’s revamped app store approach and Apple Music's new transfer tool. Eleanor highlights the evolving competition in streaming services. The duo also uncovers the troubling $10 million AI music fraud case, raising ethical questions about authenticity and artist rights. They discuss AI's growing influence, the importance of live events, and the necessity of ethical practices in music innovation.

Ty Roberts, founder of Gracenote and former CTO of Universal Music Group, shares his journey through the music industry. He highlights pivotal moments like Gracenote's influence on iTunes and his work with David Bowie on generative music. The conversation dives into the future of visual music experiences and the rise of AI in music creation. Ty discusses the potential for personalized live events using advanced technologies, and tackles issues around copyright and innovation in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

On today's episode, Dmitri and Tristra discuss the news of the week. They review recent acquisitions like Monstercat and BANDS, and discuss the economic confidence of the music sector despite economic downturns. They also talk about the evolving role of AI and the implications of recent legal copyright cases on AI training data. It’s a lot of news to round up!    Shoutouts Create Music Group acquires again, swooping for indie electronic label Monstercat Jay Penske Takes Control of SXSW: Will Profits, Politics Overtake Festival? Trump signals willingness to extend TikTok ban deadline again Arts agency terminates dozens of grants after Trump proposes eliminating NEA Are Music Companies Seeing Consumer Pullback? This Week’s Earnings Calls Offered an Answer Live Nation predicts ‘historic year’ despite revenue decline Judge in Meta case warns AI could 'obliterate' market for original works Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Report   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.  

Valeska Pederson Hinz, a partner at Perkins Coie with extensive experience in guiding tech companies through funding rounds, dives into the fascinating world of music tech investment. She discusses the latest trends in venture capital and the transformative impact of generative AI on music creation. Valeska reveals the legal challenges surrounding AI training data and offers invaluable advice for startup founders navigating this complex landscape. With insights on recent acquisitions and industry dynamics, her expertise sheds light on the future of music technology.

Today Dmitri talks with Cherie Hu, music industry analyst and founder of Water and Music. We start by discussing the Ouroboros project which maps the complicated and intertwined stakes in the music industry held by various entities, including private equity firms, media conglomerates, and tech companies like Tencent. We also talk about shifting power dynamics between the majors and the independents, the impact of AI – particularly generative AI, and trends in rights management and live music.    Shoutouts Water and Music Ouroboros Map Water and Music Soundcloud Reverb Sold By Etsy to Fender Parent and Firm Led By SoundCloud Alum A24 Makes Its Move Into the Music Scene 'You Are Somehow a Villain If You Use It' JPMorgan CEO Says Something Everyone Can Agree On: "Kill Meetings" and Corporate Jargon   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.  

Mark Mulligan, a veteran tech analyst from MIDiA Research, discusses the future of the music industry amidst a slowing growth in streaming revenue. He explores the rise of the global south in subscriber numbers and the complexities of artist rights in a shifting landscape. The conversation dives into innovative subscription models and the looming disruption from AI-generated music. Mulligan also highlights the challenges independent labels face and the evolving relationship between streaming services and artists. It's a fascinating look at how technology shapes music's future.

Today we have Glen Peoples from Billboard to discuss the major trends within the music industry. Our conversation covers a lot! Including the rise of rollups and acquisitions to build label services, the increasing importance of music licensing, the role of AI in the music tech investment landscape, and the cyclical nature of consolidation and its broader impacts on the future of the industry.    News Shoutouts   Startup oMoo Gets Hands-On With its Haptics-based music App MCP: The New “USB-C for AI” That’s Bringing Fierce Rivals Together   NMPA CEO Talks Spotify Podcast Takedowns and AI Strategy, Warns Against Government-Led PRO Reform   Eternal Celebrities: The Multi-Billion Opportunity Coming 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.  

Ian Henderson, founder of MashApp and former Spotify executive, discusses the revolutionary potential of his platform that allows anyone to remix music effortlessly. He dives into the challenges of navigating music licensing with major labels and shares his vision for interactive music experiences. Additionally, the conversation touches on the growing influence of AI in music and the latest industry trends, including the rise of catalog sales and new developments in fan engagement through tech innovations.