This week Ari sits down with Victoria Canal, a trailblazing singer-songwriter based in London. Victoria has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Later… with Jools Holland, and onstage with Coldplay at Glastonbury. She has won two Ivor Novello awards (including the Rising Star award) and recently released a new album, Slowly, It Dawns.After ten hard-won years as a DIY artist, Victoria’s now signed with a major label, Parlophone Records (under Warner Music Group). In this episode, Victoria opens up about her journey as an artist and the varying pressures faced by both indie and label-repped musicians. Tune in to learn more about headlining the Troubadour, life as a touring artist, managing the pressures of social media, and how to attract the right kinds of fans. https://www.victoriacanal.com/ Chapters00:00 From Glastonbury to Stardom03:11 The Journey of Victoria’s Career05:49 Creating Intimate Connections Through Music08:50 The Reality of Touring Economics11:56 Balancing Artistry and Business14:58 The Emotional Journey of Songwriting18:07 Evolving Through Performance20:55 The Impact of Social Media on Artists24:09 Navigating Vulnerability in Performance27:14 The New Album: Slowly, It Dawns30:05 Reflections on Growth and Authenticity36:23 The Inner Journey of Self-Acceptance39:50 Meeting Idols: Reality vs. Expectation40:45 A Dream Come True: Performing with Coldplay45:04 The Importance of Energy in Performance46:06 Navigating the Artist Lifestyle and People Management49:03 The Weight of Fan Interactions54:06 Social Media Pressures and Authenticity01:01:19 Taking a Stand: Performing at the Kennedy Center01:05:39 Defining Success in the Music IndustryEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Sarah McTaggart from the hit alt-pop band Transviolet. Transviolet exploded onto the scene in 2015 with their breakout single “Girls Your Age” with Epic Records. The band moved between a couple labels throughout their career, but they’re now independent. Transviolet has played Late Shows with Colbert and James Corden; they’ve had notable syncs including the Pretty Little Liars theme song; they’ve played huge festivals like SXSW, Governor’s Ball and Firefly; and they recently released their fourth studio album, Softcore.Sarah tells Ari about Transviolet’s experiences working with a major label and how things have changed since going independent. They talk about the ins-and-outs of touring (including Transviolet’s upcoming US tour), how the band got started, and a brilliant guerrilla marketing technique they used to promote one of their early releases. Transviolet also had the surprising experience of finding out they were big in China (hot tip: you might be too). Tune in to find out how they discovered they were big over there and how you can check for yourself, too.https://transviolet.com/Chapters00:00 The Evolution of the Music Business02:53 Transviolet's Journey to Independence06:02 The Creative Process Behind 'Softcore'08:54 Exploring Vulnerability in Music12:12 The Duality of Persona15:09 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth17:50 Marketing Innovations in the Music Industry21:11 The Impact of Major Labels vs. Independence36:13 Redefining the Artist's Team39:34 The Evolution of Digital Marketing in Music44:14 Navigating Social Media's Impact on Music51:07 Exploring International Touring Experiences57:21 The Dynamics of Touring and Band Changes01:08:28 Creating Art: The Journey of Songwriting and ProductionEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode highlights star music supervisor Jen Malone. She has placed music and worked on Euphoria, Atlanta, Creed 2, The Resident, Boomerang, Baskets, Shelter, Lady Dynamite, Step Up, and more. Jen has over a decade of highly esteemed experience in the industry.In this episode, Jen goes into depth about what music supervisors do and the business of sync licensing. She gives great advice on how independent artists can get their music synced and things to look out for in contracts and fee negotiations. If you want to know how to pitch your music to supervisors with the best chance of striking a deal, this is the episode for you.Chapters00:00 The Journey to Music Supervision02:55 Navigating the Music Supervision Landscape05:59 The Role of a Music Supervisor08:55 The Evolution of Music Syncing12:00 Tools of the Trade14:59 Finding and Pitching Music18:00 Understanding Music Ownership21:08 The Process of Music Supervision in TV and Film24:05 Collaboration with Composers27:09 The Differences Between Film and TV Music Supervision33:40 Managing Multiple Projects35:21 The Role of Personal Taste in Music Supervision37:22 Juxtaposition in Music Placement42:26 Impact of Music Placements on Independent Artists46:04 The Evolution of Sync Licensing50:19 Workflow and Project Management in Music Supervision51:59 Differences in Working with Streaming Platforms vs. Traditional Networks54:30 The Importance of Fair Compensation for Artists58:03 Protecting Artist Rights in Sync Licensing01:03:42 Advice for Independent Artists in Sync LicensingEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month, for Women's History Month, we are replaying some of our favorite New Music Business episodes featuring incredible women of the industry. This episode highlights award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer, Imogen Heap. Imogen Heap has released five solo albums, an album as one half of Frou Frou, and has collaborated with countless other stars including Taylor Swift, Nitin Sawhney, Deadmau5, Eric Whitacre, Jeff Beck and Jon Hopkins. Heap, recognized as an artist’s artist, has won two Grammys and an Ivor Novello award. She holds three honorary doctorates for her work on ‘MI.MU gloves’ and ’The Creative Passport’—two prominent music tech companies that work to empower creatives. In this episode, Ari and Imogen discuss NFTs, metadata and payment transparency and how to properly credit (and pay) creators using the blockchain. Overall, how to make the future of music more equitable for musicians.Chapters00:00 The Fragmented Music Industry02:52 Imogen Heap: A Pioneer in Music and Technology05:55 The Creative Passport: Empowering Artists09:11 Data Transparency and Royalty Distribution12:04 The Role of DSPs and Data Integrity14:52 The Future of Music Royalties17:55 Building a Better Music Ecosystem21:02 Blockchain and the Future of Music23:46 Interoperability and Charitable Contributions29:06 Navigating NFTs and Environmental Concerns34:23 The Future of NFTs in Art37:12 Building a Community Through Technology46:58 AI as a Creative Partner54:36 Defining Success in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonnie McKee, a hit songwriter and producer known for chart-toppers with Katy Perry and others, joins the conversation. She shares her insights on balancing creativity and familiarity in songwriting. McKee reflects on her unique journey through the music and film industries, highlighting the evolving dynamics of collaboration. The challenges female songwriters face are discussed, along with the contrasting songwriting styles found in Nashville and LA. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity while navigating the complexities of royalties and credit in the music business.

This week Ari sits down with Simon Tikhman, the co-founder of The Core Entertainment and The Core Records. The Core Entertainment first made waves as an artist management company, guiding the careers of major country stars like Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith. After demonstrated success in management, The Core Entertainment partnered with Universal Music Group to launch The Core Records.During this episode, Simon and Ari discuss the careers of The Core Entertainment’s breakout artists, Bailey Zimmerman and Nate Smith. Simon explains how both artists achieved success in drastically different ways—Nate landed his record deal at age 36 after grinding for many years in Nashville, while Bailey broke out on TikTok in his early 20s. Simon outlines the value in each of these paths and explains how Nashville treats artists differently if they have found success the traditional way versus through social media. This episode also goes into detail about what the Nashville country music scene looks like today, the nuances between Nashville labels and coastal labels, and the ins and outs of artist management. If you’re curious about how to break as a country artist in 2025, this episode is for you.https://www.instagram.com/thecoreent/Chapters00:00 The Importance of Country Radio04:58 Simon Tikhman's Journey to Artist Management16:19 Building The Core Entertainment and Nashville Connections24:12 Nate Smith's Breakthrough in Country Music33:53 Bailey Zimmerman's Rise as a New Artist35:21 The Rise of Bailey Zimmerman41:10 Navigating the Music Industry44:47 The Importance of Labels in Country Music52:08 The New Paradigm for Country Artists56:51 Social Media's Role in Artist Development01:06:42 Defining Success in the Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ari DavidsMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marc Caruso, CEO of Angry Mob Music, is an Emmy-nominated music editor and passionate advocate for independent artists. He shares insights into the shifting music publishing landscape amidst the rise of streaming. Marc breaks down complex topics like copyrights and royalties, revealing how sync licensing pays out and the financial realities artists face today. He also discusses the implications of key industry events, like Universal's deal with Spotify and the MLC's lawsuit, highlighting their impact on independent publishers and songwriters.

Liz Pelly, a prominent music journalist and author of "Mood Machine," dives deep into Spotify's controversial strategies. She reveals how Spotify's Perfect Fit Content program utilizes ghost artists, undermining real musicians and affecting the integrity of the music industry. Liz discusses the financial implications for artists and the discrepancies in royalty distribution, especially between independent creators and major labels. Their conversation highlights the urgent need for transparency and a revaluation of music's worth in the streaming era.

Luis Navarro and Joel Niño Jr. are the dynamic duo behind Twin Tribes, a darkwave band from Brownsville, TX. They discuss their journey from local garage musicians to global sensation, emphasizing their DIY approach that has led to over 30 million streams. The pair share insights on their unique aesthetic, the evolution of their sound, and the importance of community in building their brand. They also touch on strategic partnerships for physical releases while maintaining independence, creating an inspiring narrative for aspiring musicians.

In this conversation with Alex Taggart, a music market expert with a decade of experience in China, listeners dive deep into the complexities of the Chinese music industry. Alex explains the unique dynamics of local streaming platforms like Tencent Music and shares actionable steps for artists eager to break into this market. He discusses the importance of collaboration with local artists, strategies for touring China, and how to check if your music is already gaining traction there. It's a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to expand their musical reach!