The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

Zena White, Chief Operating Officer at Partisan Records, brings her wealth of experience to the discussion. She shares insights on how they balance traditional marketing with modern strategies, including the costs behind getting artists on platforms like Late Night shows. Zena dives into the success story of Cigarettes After Sex, showcasing the evolution of album sales from physical copies to streaming. She also emphasizes the importance of long-term investments in artists’ careers beyond immediate profits, highlighting the role of grassroots marketing and genuine fan engagement.

This week, Ari is joined by Jason Lipshutz, the Executive Director of Music at Billboard. Jason has written about music for over a decade and has penned cover stories on Taylor Swift, U2, Blink-182, Lorde, Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, among many others. He was formerly a deputy editor at Fuse Media and has contributed to VIBE, The Hollywood Reporter, Spinner, and Popjustice. Jason recently released a book about Linkin Park called It Starts With One.In this illuminating interview, Jason shares his perspective on the state of music journalism, how he approaches conducting interviews, who decides what gets reviewed and who goes on the cover at major music publications. Ari and Jason also trade stories about their experiences with publicists and managers trying to squash stories to protect client images. If you're interested in the inner workings of the music journalism industry, this episode is for you!Check out Jason’s new audiobook: https://aristake.io/ul1wx7 00:00 The Balance of Music Journalism03:10 Writing a Book vs. Cover Stories05:56 The Evolution of Linkin Park13:02 The Art of Interviewing Artists18:09 The Changing Landscape of Music Journalism29:19 Navigating the Pressures of Music Journalism36:05 The Editorial Process at Billboard41:44 Balancing Traffic and Storytelling45:04 Personal Fandom in Journalism48:14 Writing a Book on Linkin Park56:33 Championing Creativity 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 Ari sits down with Lucas Keller, the Founder & President of Milk & Honey, an entertainment management company that represents some of the world’s biggest songwriters, artists, and producers. Established in 2014, Milk & Honey is a hybrid agency that works in both the music and sports industries and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Dallas and London. On the music side, Milk & Honey represents world-class creators including the writers behind Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” BTS’s “Butter,” Justin Beiber/Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” and many other international hits. Lucas and Ari talk about the state of music publishing and go deep into the ethics of royalties and producer points. Lucas explains how publishing and record deals work these days and gives his inside scoop on major catalog sales. Lucas also shares Milk & Honey’s process for setting up hit songwriting sessions.If you’re a songwriter, artist, producer, or anyone in the industry who wants to learn more about the ins and outs of music publishing, this episode is for you. https://www.milkhoneyla.com/00:00 The Art of Songwriting: A Daily Grind04:51 Understanding Music Publishing Terminology10:04 The Financial Landscape for Songwriters15:11 The Impact of Collaboration on Songwriting19:50 Navigating the Complexities of Publishing and Royalties24:52 The Future of Songwriting: Challenges and Opportunities26:20 The Evolution of Songwriting and Collaboration34:04 Understanding Publishing Deals in Today's Market48:07 The Growing Importance of Catalog Sales51:56 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.

John Summit, a superstar DJ and producer with nearly a billion streams, shares his journey from humble beginnings in his parents' basement to selling out major venues worldwide. He discusses the importance of collaboration and community in the music scene and offers practical advice for aspiring DJ/producers. Summit also delves into running his label, Experts Only, and his vision for evolving live performances. Hear his insights on staying creatively inspired and the significance of persistence in navigating the ever-changing music industry.

Tony Kiewel, President of Sub Pop Records, shares insights from his extensive experience in the music industry. He discusses Sub Pop's investment strategies and how they develop artists at different stages of their careers. Kiewel highlights ORCA's mission to improve financial transparency and support for independent music. The conversation touches on the challenges indie labels face amidst streaming changes and the importance of cultivating unique talent over social media popularity. Get ready to explore the evolving landscape of artist development!

Dorian Perron, co-founder of Groover, discusses how artists can connect with music industry professionals while avoiding pitfalls like streaming fraud. They dive deep into the ethical aspects of playlisting, stressing the importance of targeted pitches and legitimate connections. Dorian shares insights on the evolving landscape of playlist curation and the significance of meaningful feedback from industry insiders. This conversation is a must-listen for self-promoting artists looking to navigate the complex music promotion world efficiently.

This week, Ari sits down with AyseDeniz, a classical pianist and composer with a Bachelor's from Eastman School and a Master's from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2022, she was listed as one of the 20 under 40 Young Shapers of the Future of Music by Encyclopaedia Britannica, alongside notable artists such as Adele, Lil Nas, and Lorde. In this episode, AyseDeniz talks about how she collaborates with AI to compose new works of music. AI tools have changed AyseDeniz’s career trajectory as an independent artist, even though she’s an incredibly skilled classical musician. Ari and AyseDeniz discuss the ethics of composing and collaborating with AI and how she has used these tools to propel her career forward. Check out AyseDeniz at: https://www.adpianist.com/00:00 Exploring the Classical Music Industry and AyseDeniz's Background02:14 Using AI to Create Classical Piano Compositions03:43 The Emotional Component of AI-Generated Music04:11 The Ethics of AI in Music Creation05:06 AyseDeniz's Journey in Scoring for Film and TV06:32 The Future of AyseDeniz's Music Career47:35 Creating AI-Generated Compositions50:07 Authenticity in Music Performance51:06 Ethical Considerations in AI Music Generation57:49 The Need for Regulations and Laws01:13:25 The Future of Music with AIEdited 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.

Louis Marks and Fabian Brown, co-founders of Ropeadope Records, discuss their 25-year mission to support timeless music, particularly in jazz. They highlight the challenges artists face with streaming revenues and stress the importance of physical sales and community engagement. The duo advocates for reeducating fans about valuing music beyond mere streams and emphasizes innovative strategies, such as leveraging platforms like Bandcamp. Their focus is on fostering deep connections between artists and audiences, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial success.

Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.comThis week, Ari sits down with Jaylon Ashaun, a talented R&B artist currently based in LA via Atlanta and Houston. Jaylon found success by regularly releasing music and building a direct artist-to-fans community online. His song “Strawberries and Wine” took the digital music world by storm, with over 25 million streams of its various versions. Last year, Jaylon toured the US with major R&B acts Xavier Omar and Hojean. Ari and Jaylon discuss the importance of connecting with fans directly, how to capitalize on and move past viral moments to build a sustainable career, and how Jaylon has built his superfan community, Global Nomads, online.Chapters:00:00 Taking Risks and Putting Out Music14:24 The Power of Regularly Releasing Music19:37 Developing a Super Fan Community27:52 Perseverance, Collaboration, and Artistic Identity28:22 Building a Community and World Around Your Music31:16 Engaging with Fans and Nurturing Your Community33:06 The Power of Physical Merchandise40:18 The Evolving Music Industry and the Importance of AdaptabilitySubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpaConnect with Ari’s Take:Website: https://aristake.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeX: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeThreads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandX: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Jaylon Ashaun:Website: https://www.jaylonashaun.me/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylonashaunTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaylonashaunSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dhseP7KiICmkxT5waM1MdEdited and mixed by Ari Davids-ErgasMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dani Brillhart and Colton Jones, the dynamic couple behind the musical duo Ni/Co, discuss their rise to fame and online success. They delve into the challenges of balancing cover songs with their desire for creative authenticity. The duo shares insights on viral marketing strategies, including influencer campaigns that boosted their recent hit 'On Purpose.' They also discuss the complexities of music distribution and monetization in today’s industry, emphasizing the importance of diversifying revenue streams while staying true to their artistic vision.