How close are you to the exchange of money? Let's take some time to think through this most vital piece of the music tech startup equation. Money. Join Dmitri in this thought experiment as he goes deep – and works through the realities of building a startup within an ecosystem in which music is often undervalued.  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!

In this week’s episode, we look at the explosion of Afrobeats through the lens of data. Christine Osazuwa, music data expert and Chief Strategy Officer at Shoobs, discusses how data can show us hidden stories behind the globalization of all sorts of genres: K-Pop, Reggaeton, Bollywood, and more.  “Music drives culture, culture drives music, etc,” Christine says. “I find it really funny how people were shocked by the rise of Latin music while the Spanish speaking population in the U. S. grew exponentially. It was very obvious that this rise was going to become a thing ... when it comes to looking at U. S. census data.” Christine highlights significant Afrobeats contributions from Nigerian and Ghanaian artists. She also delves into the unique ways small artists can leverage digital tools to examine data about their own listenership, particularly in regions where YouTube reigns supreme. Christine shares her excitement for new tools that help artists to genuinely connect with fans and tailor their marketing and distribution to their personal beat. Dmitri and Christine delve into the new possibilities for immersive fan experiences and hyper-localized artist promotion.   Fun things that Dmitri and Christine talked about: Amapiano in the New Yorker Amapiano Spotify playlist to get you started SoundCloud Support with AI Musiio Fan Engagement! Faveforfans Openstage Routenote buildingstans Sell Merch easily! Hawkr Christine’s Conference Measure of Music Conference 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!

Venturing into the music tech startup scene requires more than just a bright idea; it demands a deep understanding of the music industry's unique challenges and opportunities. That's where Vickie Nauman, founder and CEO of CrossBorderWorks, steps in. On the latest Music Tectonics podcast, we tackle the nitty-gritty of transforming your innovative spark into a sustainable business. From identifying your real customers to deciding the right moment to assemble a powerhouse team, we cover the groundwork you need to solidify your startup's foundation. 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!

Join Dmitri and Tristra as they explore what’s happening right now in the wide world of music and tech. Using Rock Paper Scissors’ weekly newsletter, Rock Paper Scanner, as a jumping off point, Dmitri and Tristra discuss the TikTok/Universal game of chicken, Spotify’s payouts to the indies, and the current state of live music according to Live Nations earnings call. It’s a lot. Subscribe here for weekly issues of the RPS Scanner   Links to articles discussed The TikTok Showdown (for now) Universal’s Music Isn’t on TikTok, But Artists Keep Using It Anyway TikTok is removing tracks using UMPG-controlled compositions Beyoncé’s TikTok Takeover Proves the Platform’s Power Persists Kim Petras defends UMG over TikTok: ‘The intentions are noble’ Pew Research Center study shows ‘how US adults use TikTok’ Spotify Spotify says independent music generated half of its 2023 payouts Spotify Paid Out a Record $4.5B to Independent Labels & Publishers in 2023 Indie Payouts Songwriters & Publishers Due Nearly $400M After Final Streaming Royalty Rate Determination Live Nation  LIVE NATION IS ‘SURPRISED AND THRILLED’ ITS ALL-IN TICKET PRICING IS A SUCCESS… AND 3 OTHER THINGS WE LEARNED ON THE COMPANY’S LATEST EARNINGS CALL Live Nation reveals 20% growth for concert attendance in 2023 Vision Pro is not Google Glass (?) and some Roblox news The latest Roblox music experience comes from… audio firm JBL Apple’s Vision Pro headset is getting a DAW for musicmaking There was a Vision Pro party in San Francisco — complete with people dancing and pinching the air 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 a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

Explore the world where likeness becomes a valuable asset for artists. Learn about the impact of NIL rights in the music industry and how AI can transform revenue streams. Discover strategies for proactive management and monetization, drawing inspiration from the sports industry. Dive into the evolving digital landscape of music tech and the future of music monetization through name, image, and likeness.

Join Dmitri on an exploration through the evolving landscape of modern synthesizers at the Buchla & Friends event held in downtown LA last month. From the innovative offerings of the Buchla Easel to Noise Engineering, Elektron, 1010 Music and the Star Wars vibe of Soma Laboratory’s Terra,  there was a lot to take in. It truly felt like a fusion of a craft fair and makerspace community, and we had a blast. 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!

Step right up to a sonic adventure! Dmitri’s recent experience at NAMM uncovered a treasure trove of musical innovation as well as future classics, all together under one roof. Journey with Dmitri through some of NAMM’s latest offerings. 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!

How do you transform your startup idea from a mere spark, into a full-blown inferno of success? Today Dmitri is talking with Cliff Fluet, a self proclaimed Digital Media Lawyer and the strategic mastermind behind Eleven. The conversation is wide ranging, from early, make-or-break stages of startup development, to what Cliff believes are key traits a successful founder holds.  Dmitri and Cliff discuss the importance of humility, and why an army of seasoned advocates can be your strongest asset. Hear how even the best-laid plans must endure the rigors of real-world testing and why validation isn't just a step—it's a milestone.  As Cliff says, “There’s a lot of technology in search of a solution. But ask yourself, is this an imagined problem or is this a real problem?”  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!

Seth Goldstein and Michael Nevins of Music.AI give us the lowdown on audio deepfakes, singing clones, and synthetic voices, and what they mean for the music business. We peel back the layers of AI-generated voices, revealing how this tech transforms one person's voice into another's while maintaining the original performer's emotional core. We delve into the ethical landscape of voice synthesis, distinguishing questionable fakes from commendable uses like aiding singers and crossing language barriers. We unpack the potential impact of synthetic voices on music business models and opportunities. Discover how estates of late artists can continue their creative endeavors, thanks to voice modeling, and learn about a marketplace that's reshaping artist compensation.  Finally, Seth, Michael, and Tristra forecast voice modeling's expanding role across various sectors. Imagine a multilingual Shaquille O'Neal or educational content delivered in perfectly localized intonations. We analyze how startups could leverage synthetic voices to enhance customer service and user offerings, thanks to high-quality, localized voice models. 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!

Step into the vibrant world of music making innovation with Adam McHeffey, CMO at Artiphon. Dmitri and Adam discuss the breakdown of the barriers to music-making, as unconventional instruments unleash a surge of first-time musicians and new creators. We'll unravel how inclusivity is striking a chord in the mainstream, and why the growing number of female guitarists are just the beginning of a larger cultural shift. Adam and Dmitri unpack the changes in consumer behavior, indicating a readiness for unique approaches to music creation, and what this means for the future of the musical landscape.   We talk about the power of user-generated content and community-centric experiences. Platforms like YouTube are fostering music scenes that operate more like folk traditions than music industry institutions, providing a stage for artists to cultivate devoted followers with distinctive sounds. We dissect Artiphon's direct-to-consumer marketing strategies, which transcend traditional demographics in favor of tapping into customer passions and preferences.  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!