The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

This week on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with recent GRAMMY Award winners Matt B and Angela Benson. Matt B is a GRAMMY-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and global recording artist whose career spans over a decade. His most recent project, ‘Alkebulan II’, earned him and Angela a GRAMMY Award, following years of DIY artistry. Over the course of this album, Matt and Angela recorded across Africa, collaborated with artists like Eddie Kenzo and Oxlade, and worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. As a label owner, producer on ‘Alkebulan II’, and longtime Recording Academy member, Angela has been instrumental in shaping Matt’s artistic direction, visual world-building, and global strategy.In this episode, Matt B and Angela Benson walk through their incredible DIY journey and how they found themselves on the GRAMMY-winning path. They discuss the challenges of writing and recording in multiple African languages, shooting a full visual album across multiple countries, and balancing the creative workload between artist and manager. The pair break down how independent artists can navigate the GRAMMY process, the importance of joining the Recording Academy, the role of networking and bartering in major creative endeavors, and most importantly, the communication and patience required to run a music career as a married team.https://www.instagram.com/mattbworldhttps://www.instagram.com/angelavbenson01:40 – Home Studio & Recent Travels02:10 – Returning to His Alma Mater After the Grammy Win03:00 – Life & Opportunities After Winning a Grammy04:15 – Performing in Uganda & Global Breakthrough Moments05:20 – Inception of the Akebulan Concept09:00 – Connecting With Oxlade & Eddie Kenzo11:00 – Creating the “Gimme Love” Music Video13:00 – Building a Full Visual Album DIY17:40 – Finding Producers & Collaborators Worldwide20:00 – Incorporating the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra30:00 – Navigating Grammy Nominations & Recording Academy Membership47:00 – Working as a Husband-and-Wife Artist/Manager TeamEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic 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.

Matt Jones, CEO and co-founder of Medallion, discusses innovative direct-to-fan models. He dives into why traditional platforms like Patreon aren’t a fit for most musicians. The conversation highlights the outdated streaming economic model and the necessity for greater transparency in artist payments. Listeners hear about the importance of artist-owned data, the difference between single-artist fan clubs and a networked approach, and future industry dynamics centered on ownership and sustainability. Expect insights on how major labels might adapt to these changes.

Chloe Flower, a classically trained pianist and genre-blender dubbed "popsical," details her fascinating career and unique collaborations with icons like Cardi B and Babyface. She shares anecdotes of her early struggles and triumphs in bridging classical music with pop and hip-hop. Chloe discusses her innovative holiday album spotlighting women composers and her advocacy for music education. Delving into the nuances of independent artistry, she highlights the importance of authentic branding and collaboration while navigating the evolving music landscape.

This week’s guest is Daniel Rowland, a versatile mastering engineer with a background that includes work with iconic artists and contributions to major films. He dives into the intricacies of mastering, detailing its importance across formats from vinyl to Dolby Atmos. Daniel discusses the role of AI in music production, emphasizing its potential as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement. He also shares insights on the challenges of loudness in streaming and the modern vinyl experience, all while advocating for creativity and authenticity in an evolving industry.

Ralph Torrefranca, the Executive Director of A&R at Angry Mob Music, is an industry powerhouse with nearly two decades of experience in signing and developing emerging talent. He dives into the intricacies of A&R at publishing companies, contrasting it with label work. Ralph shares insights on the politics of song splits, networking, and the challenges songwriters face today. A strong advocate for diversity, he emphasizes the importance of varied voices in writers' rooms, making this an essential listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of music.

Nicole Zuraitis, a GRAMMY-winning jazz singer and songwriter, shares her journey in the New York music scene. She discusses her live album, capturing the essence of performances at VIX, and the challenges of touring in China with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Nicole highlights the importance of networking, the power of collaboration with Christian McBride, and how the pandemic reshaped the jazz landscape. She also dives into indie artist strategies, the value of physical music formats, and her plans for future projects, emphasizing authenticity and perseverance in the music industry.

Sol Rising, a Vancouver-born producer and DJ, has made waves in the electronic and wellness music scenes with over 225 million streams. In this conversation, he shares his journey from turntablist to prolific creator, highlighting how a niche market can drive streaming success. Sol discusses his weekly release strategy that plays the algorithm game, the looming impact of AI on music quality, and the significance of staying authentic. He also explores future projects, including collaborations, and the balance between independence and industry support.

In this enlightening discussion, Miss Krystle, an entertainment attorney and CEO of Delgado Entertainment Law, takes the spotlight. As the lead counsel in the class-action lawsuits against AI music platforms Suno and Udio, she unveils the legal intricacies of AI in music creation. Listen in as she explains the implications of copyright registration, outlines the lawsuits' allegations of unlawful scraping, and shares strategies for independent artists to safeguard their rights. Krystle emphasizes the importance of DIY monetization and protecting one’s creative work in the ever-evolving music landscape.

Mikel Corrente, founder of Purple Bite PR, revolutionizes music promotion with a transparent, zero-risk PR model. He discusses the shift from blog coverage to TikTok and playlists in artist discovery. Mikel shares insights on artists' dissatisfaction with traditional PR, revealing how his approach pays publications for genuine coverage while guaranteeing results. He also explores the evolving value of press in today's music industry, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations and meaningful placements.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which represents over 1,500 venues nationwide. Together, they discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which alleges deceptive pricing practices that have enabled scalpers to exploit both artists and fans for billions of dollars.Ari and Stephen break down the logistics of the case, its potential impact on the future of ticketed events, and the incriminating evidence pointing to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s complicity. They also explore the broader issue of monopoly power in the live music industry, the push to separate the two companies, and the policy and legal strategies that could protect venues, artists, and consumers moving forward.https://www.nivassoc.org/https://www.nivassoc.org/fixthetix/model-legislation5:10 Introduction and Overview of Live Nation's Situation10:10 FTC Lawsuit Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster15:10 History of Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger20:10 Role of NIVA and Its Advocacy Efforts25:10 Impact of Ticket Scalping and Resale Practices30:10 Discussion on Ticketing Reform and Legislative Efforts35:10 Challenges Faced by Independent Venues40:10 Artists' Perspectives on Ticketing Issues45:10 Future of Ticketing and Live Events50:10 Closing Remarks and Call to ActionEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic 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.