The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

Michael Seyer, an indie artist known for his immersive albums, dives into the creation of his latest project, Boylife, blending dream pop and indie-folk. He discusses his passion for staying fully independent, launching Seyerland Records to support local artists. Seyer shares behind-the-scenes tales from filming music videos guerrilla-style in Japan and collaborates with fresh talent to redefine his sound. He also explores the challenges of promoting music authentically in the digital age while mentoring fellow musicians.

Justin Gammella is a hit songwriter and producer with over a billion streams, known for viral hits like Bella Poarch's "Build a Bitch." He discusses the complexities of songwriting credits, the financial structures in the streaming era, and the growing influence of AI in music creation. Gammella shares insights on the importance of fair recognition and the evolving nature of publishing deals. They also explore the delicate balance between human creativity and technology, highlighting the need for industry safeguards amidst rapid changes.

Oscar Höglund, the co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound, discusses the revolutionary changes in music licensing and artist compensation. He describes how their subscription model disrupts traditional royalty structures while supporting independent artists. The conversation touches on the challenges of playlist-driven consumption and the creative tension artists experience between commercial success and authenticity. Höglund also highlights Epidemic Sound's innovative approach to revenue sharing, addressing the future of music distribution and empowering creators in the digital age.

Jaclyn O’Connell, a digital marketer and artist manager, shares her expertise on fan relationships and mental health in the music industry. She discusses innovative tools to connect with fans directly, emphasizing the impact of community engagement. Jaclyn also addresses the strains of social media metrics on artists' creativity and wellbeing. The conversation delves into maximizing tour success for emerging artists while ensuring fair compensation. Ultimately, she highlights building sustainable fan bases over chasing fleeting viral moments.

Danny Ross, a producer/songwriter and founder of Anti Social Camp, discusses the extraordinary world of songwriting camps. He reveals how these camps bring together over 250 artists in a collaborative frenzy of creativity, producing diverse music over just five days. Ross shares insights on the evolution of these camps, focusing on their shifts during the pandemic and the importance of community. He also dives into the financial landscape of music production, addressing the challenges songwriters face in securing fair compensation and navigating publishing inequities.

Dan Melnick, General Manager of Bandcamp, shares insights on the platform's success in empowering artists to connect directly with fans. He discusses Bandcamp's growth despite the decline of traditional downloads and highlights innovative features that help artists monetize their relationships. The conversation dives into the concept of 'superfans' and strategies for building sustainable careers in music. Listeners also learn about the community-building aspects of Bandcamp, from exclusive content to engaging merchandise sales.

In this insightful discussion, the complexities of music royalties and publishing are unravelled. The host emphasizes the distinction between master and publishing royalties, shedding light on what session musicians are entitled to. There's a focus on the significance of one-stop agreements and the historical inequities in compensation models. Additionally, it advocates for fair treatment of drummers and other session players, challenging common misconceptions about their rights in the music creation process.

Jacob Paul, VP of Platform Growth & Brand Strategy at Kobalt and the mind behind KOSIGN, dives deep into the evolution of music publishing. He explains how Kobalt is changing the game for songwriters, emphasizing the importance of understanding payment systems. Jacob highlights the crucial differences between artists and songwriters, and why having an admin publisher can enhance a songwriter's revenue. He also outlines how creators can avoid leaving money on the table as they navigate the complex landscape of royalties and publishing rights.

Mag Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of EVEN, a groundbreaking direct-to-fan platform, shares his mission to revolutionize how artists earn. He reveals that EVEN allows artists—regardless of their follower count—to generate significant income directly from their fans. The conversation highlights the shift from traditional streaming models to superfan platforms, emphasizing meaningful artist-fan connections. Mag discusses the rise of EVEN and its innovative approach to community building, showing how they onboard around 8,000 artists daily!

Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube, shares his extensive experience in the music industry, from leading Def Jam to co-founding 300 Entertainment. He dives into the evolution of artist development in the digital age and the transformative impact of platforms like YouTube. Cohen discusses the potential of generative AI to connect artists and fans, the challenges of monetizing music online, and the urgent need for record labels to invest in nurturing new talent. This insightful conversation sheds light on the future of music in a tech-driven world.