Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Podcast

What makes a brand partnership truly authentic in music today?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with Katie Nowak, VP of Marketing and Partnerships at TBA Agency, to explore how meaningful collaborations are redefining success for artists. Katie shares behind-the-scenes stories about building the “Here and There” festival with Courtney Barnett, partnering with brands like Microsoft and Levi’s, and using creative strategy to connect niche artists with deeply engaged audiences.Whether you're an artist, marketer, or industry insider, this episode reveals the power of authenticity, community, and strategy in today’s evolving music business.KEY TAKEAWAYS: • The origin and mission of the “Here and There” festival with Courtney Barnett • How TBA Agency built brand partnerships with Microsoft, Levi’s, and more • The role of AI in enhancing, not replacing, artistic expression • Why niche artists can offer deeper engagement than mainstream acts • How to pitch brand partnerships around authenticity and connection • Insights into building private and corporate event activations for artists • Katie’s personal journey through major industry roles and companies • The evolution of her role from tour marketing to strategic leadership • Why social media and PR require constant experimentation and community input • How being nice and staying true to yourself drives long-term career successBEST MOMENTS: 00:02:49. “Levi’s created custom denim jackets for all of the artists that participated in the festival.” 00:03:42. “We uploaded all of Courtney’s drawings into Microsoft’s AI tools... it was a love letter to each city.” 00:05:12. “This was a way to show that humans using AI can still make something creative with human hands.” 00:06:51. “Microsoft was very open to any and all ideas... they trust your creative mind.” 00:08:06. “These are niche artists... they bring a certain edginess that makes the brand feel coolExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

Is high-end studio gear still worth it today?For this milestone 600th episode, Bobby welcomes back fan-favorite Dennis Moody, a world-renowned studio and live mixer who’s appeared on every 100th episode since the podcast’s launch. In this revealing conversation, Dennis opens up about the biggest shifts he’s seen over the last decade in music production, gear, touring, and what truly matters when it comes to crafting a great sound. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just gear-curious, this episode will change how you think about tools, tone, and tech.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Vintage mics aren’t essential anymore• Knockoff gear quality has drastically improved• MP3s still don’t match WAV file quality• Touring travel strategies for pros• Studio vs live mixing philosophies• Managing loudness requests from artists• Smart tech choices can rival big-budget gear• Why stage volume is lower than ever• The power of mixing through preamp adjustments• Why Dennis is choosing creativity over moneyBEST MOMENTS00:02:26. “Yes. Because I wanted to be, but... hoping to be even a little more level up, which seems to be now.”00:03:16. “I'm seeing a lot of really, call them knock off companies, like, my favorite warm audio.”00:07:26. “That's amazing. The difference. But people, that's just the way it is now.”00:10:18. “Thing's been around, circumnavigated the globe at least 12, 14 times.”00:15:29. “Once the show started, it just was the most fun ever.”00:21:25. “It turned out perfect. There were 8500 people there, and it was just absolutely amazing.”00:27:31. “I would have done more of that for me. More for my stuff, you know.”00:33:50. “If you want to have an interesting life, you have to make it interesting.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

What can a nightclub DJ teach you about running a business?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, we sit down with DJ, author, professor, and speaker Amani Roberts - also known as DJ AMRo - to unpack how his pivot from corporate America to the turntables led to a purpose-driven creative career. Amani shares insights from his book DJ’s Mean Business, his work teaching music business at Cal State Fullerton, and what DJing can reveal about reading a room, adapting under pressure, and staying relevant in the age of AI. This conversation is packed with wisdom for artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the modern music industry.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Why R&B groups disappeared from the mainstream• The connection between DJ sets and business growth• What every artist should know about music publishing• The biggest misconceptions about gear and DJing• How AI fails to match human connection on the dance floor• Why the imperfections in music are what make it timeless• The reality of teaching Gen Z students post-pandemic• How to protect your business and brand as a creative• Essential advice for aspiring music industry professionals• The #1 mindset shift that helps creatives actually finish thingsBEST MOMENTS:00:04:01. “It was my thesis in grad school. I was deciding between this and why there are no longer any saxophone solos.”00:05:01. “There was a week in July 1997 where 14 out of 20 songs on Billboard’s Top 20 were R&B groups.”00:08:23. “You gotta figure out how you’re going to market yourself. Grow your email list. Learn the business.”00:12:36. “Each 15 minutes of a DJ set relates to growing a business.”00:14:27. “Reading a crowd is only acquired through being in person and being around people.”00:18:32. “They said I might have 12 students. First class? 34. We've been running like that ever since.”00:24:36. “AI will never know heartbreak. That’s why it can’t replace artists.”00:31:02. “Done is better than perfecExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

What does a $44 million video game sound like?This week on Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, game composer Tim Larkin breaks down the high-stakes world of e-sports music. From scoring Dota 2 tournaments with 100-piece orchestras to building adaptive music systems that respond to gameplay, Tim reveals what it takes to create soundtracks that elevate the gaming experience. If you’ve ever wondered how music in games works or how orchestras fit into digital worlds, this episode is a must-listen.KEY TAKEAWAYS• How Tim Larkin scored the $44M Dota 2 International tournament• The structure of dynamic, reactive video game music• Why game concerts feel like rock shows• The shift from writing jingles to scoring blockbuster games• Real orchestras vs samples in game scoring• How Valve supports creativity in music production• Recording with orchestras across Seattle, Utah, Budapest• The realities of composing for long vs short dev cycles• Tim’s transition from live trumpet gigs to game soundtracks• Advice for aspiring game composers in today’s flooded marketBEST MOMENTS00:01:52. “Every year we put on what's called The International, which is kind of like the Super Bowl of e-sports.”00:02:12. “We peaked out at a prize pool of about $44 million for a video game.”00:03:44. “The audience knows the music. So it's like doing a rock concert in a way.”00:04:27. “The first company that came up was Broderbund… they hired us basically on the spot.”00:05:06. “In video games, the music is reactive. It’s dynamic.”00:06:06. “With Dota, as the action intensifies, so does the music based on layers.”00:07:40. “You're talking $20 to $40,000 maybe for an orchestra. It's a small part of a multimillion-dollar event.”00:14:15. “My goal in college was to be a session player. I tried to learn every type of music possible.”00:27:17. “You’ve got to listen to good music. If you can’t reach that bar, don’t try to approach it.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

🎙️ Is AI the biggest disruption the music industry has ever seen?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, Bobby welcomes Matt Adell, COO of Musical.ai, a trailblazer in bridging the gap between rightsholders and AI developers. With a career spanning Napster, Beatport, and Native Instruments, Matt offers deep insight into the seismic shift AI is bringing to music - bigger than file sharing or streaming. He explains how attribution, fair compensation, and licensing are being redefined for a new digital era.This episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom, music tech history, and a clear-eyed look at where we’re headed next. If you want to understand what’s really going on in music and AI, this is essential listening.Key Takeaways:• Why AI’s impact on music is bigger than file sharing or streaming• How Musical.ai connects rightsholders and AI companies in licensed environments• Why artists should get paid based on how their work influences AI outputs• The dangers of unmanaged AI training on copyrighted content• Why creative outputs are easier to attribute than factual ones• The oversupply of music and its economic implications for artists• Why music's shift to streaming wasn't a loss—it was a win for consumers• The future of fair licensing in AI-driven content creation• Matt’s unique career path from punk rock drummer to tech executive• His personal message about sobriety and finding balanceBest Moments:00:02:05. “AI does not think. It is a giant calculator.”00:04:03. “Unmanaged, it was an existential threat to copyright owners, to musicians, to composers.”00:06:37. “Depending on what someone output, it's going to be more or less similar to each piece of training data.”00:08:34. “Our technology works the same way no matter what. It's model and modal agnostic.”00:12:13. “Music is usually on the cutting edge, but AI is moving fast.”00:14:07. “We went from a couple hundred new releases a week to over 150,000 every day.”00:18:Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

Why is tinnitus still a taboo in the music industry?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, Bobby dives deep into one of music’s most ignored health crises with Sven Köllmann and Jack Rubinacci of Tinnitus Quest. Tinnitus affects up to 1 billion people worldwide, yet it remains misunderstood and overlooked, even as it wrecks lives and careers. Sven and Jack explain why hearing loss is just the beginning, why research has been misdirected for years, and what it’s really like living with the chronic condition. They also reveal how Tinnitus Quest is fast-tracking research and pushing musicians, celebrities, and everyday sufferers to speak out finally. If you’ve ever heard ringing in your ears, don’t miss this one.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Over 700 million people worldwide suffer from tinnitus• 120 million live with the severe, chronic form of the condition• Hearing loss is the #1 cause, but not the only one• Tinnitus is especially common among orchestral musicians and garage bands• Stigma keeps many musicians silent about their condition• Tinnitus Quest aims to bridge the gap between researchers and patients• Celebrities like William Shatner and Chad Blake are helping break the taboo• Research has shifted from the ear to the brain in recent years• There is no objective measurement for tinnitus yet• Hearing protection remains the best preventionBEST MOMENTS00:02:14. “Almost 700 million to 1 billion people worldwide… that is considered a world health problem.”00:04:13. “Not much is said about this, and not much is done about it.”00:07:01. “It’s a pandemic within the music industry.”00:10:12. “The number one protection is hearing protection.”00:15:00. “Right after that, my ears were ringing.”00:17:04. “I pulled them out because I thought it was tough. I thought I was rock n roll.”00:22:18. “The manifestation of chronic tinnitus happens in your brain.”00:35:00. “By helping others, you're helping yourself.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

What if the biggest roadblock in music licensing wasn’t legal complexity, but outdated systems? In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, we dive deep into the wild world of music rights with Grayson Sanders, CEO of Chordal. A former film composer turned tech founder, Grayson reveals how his sync clearing platform is transforming the way music gets licensed, making it faster, easier, and smarter. We explore the landmark TikTok deal, the rise of AI-generated music, and how real artists can survive and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.KEY TAKEAWAYS • Discover why most music still isn’t being licensed legally • How Chordal’s Instant Clear tech simplifies sync for brands • Why AI music won’t kill real musicians, but will shake up the library world • Grayson’s wild journey from composer to startup founder • What TikTok’s music policy means for creators and brands • The licensing bottleneck no one talks about • Why music licensing is still stuck in the 1990s • What collaborative rights management really means • The surprising future of royalty-free music • Why human connection still beats perfect AI audioBEST MOMENTS 00:01:58. “It all boils down to this concept that we came up with called collaborative rights management.” 00:03:27. “So that eventually when a licensee comes, they have everyone in one place.” 00:05:59. “We're most interested in... the middle and the bottom. That's the piece that is maybe expanding the pie.” 00:07:36. “This technology can come in here and do the work of potentially hundreds of clearance people.” 00:10:25. “Sync is so dynamic and nuanced... you're pairing one piece of art with another.” 00:13:29. “TikTok had been experiencing a lot of infringement on their platform.” 00:19:07. “It's going to actually add more value to authentic, artist-produced music.” 00:32:09. “You look back and you realize you're already halfway up that hill.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

How do you build merch that actually connects with fans? In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, I sit down with Seamus Menihane, CEO of Armada, a top-tier merch company helping artists, from indies to heavy hitters, turn merch into a true brand extension. If you've ever wondered what merch sells best, how to price it, or how to avoid costly mistakes, Seamus breaks it all down. With his roots as a touring drummer and years running Downright Merch, he’s built Armada into a full-scale merch partner that delivers everything from screen printing to full e-commerce. This is your inside look at what works, what flops, and how artists can take control of their merch game.KEY TAKEAWAYS • Keep your merch line small and focused • Over-ordering too many products hurts profitability • Best-selling item is still the black t-shirt • Vinyl reissues and preorders perform extremely well • Indie artists need to think beyond just screen printing • Custom apparel adds premium pricing but costs more to produce • Merchandise profit margins depend on volume • E-commerce is essential for indie artist success • Print-on-demand is a smart test tool for new ideas • Merch advances are real, but mostly for high-end artistsBEST MOMENTS 00:02:12. “We lead first with the direct to consumer side of the business.” 00:03:25. “We proactively put designs in front of them.” 00:04:16. “I would go on tour and come back and I would work at a screen printing shop.” 00:10:28. “You can’t go wrong with a black t-shirt.” 00:12:06. “Custom apparel that we design definitely sells at a premium.” 00:14:52. “The kids just aren’t drinking anymore.” 00:26:01. “Consistency day in and day out… that’s crucial for any endeavor.”Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

How Mark Wood Reinvented the Violin and Inspired a GenerationOn this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, I’m joined by recording artist, performer, inventor, Emmy-winning composer, and music education advocate Mark Wood. Known as the original string master of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mark shares how he revolutionized the world of string instruments with his electric violin designs and helped ignite a movement in music education with his Electrify Your Symphony program. We explore the intersection of classical training and rock performance, the birth of his iconic Viper violin, and the entrepreneurial drive that’s powered his decades-long career.KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Music is essential for emotional and creative development • The violin remained unchanged for over 500 years before Mark’s innovations • Inspiration came from Hendrix, Van Halen, and his own woodworking family • The invention of the self-supporting electric violin changed live performance • Amplifying bowed instruments requires entirely different tech than guitars • Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s early days started with skepticism and QVC • Electrify Your Symphony has reached over a million students in 28 years • Entrepreneurship is essential for modern musicians • Juilliard experience shaped his approach, even after leaving • Self-made artists must think like business owners, not just performersBEST MOMENTS: 00:02:09. “You might or may not be able to name any other violin maker except Stradivarius.” 00:05:33. “As a 15 year old I was mentored by Leonard Bernstein.” 00:07:13. “What are you going to do with your life? And I said, I want to be a rock violin player.” 00:10:27. “So it's a violin with a hand, right? Carved exactly like it in my hand.” 00:13:29. “With a bow, I'm able to get that sustain the guitar players always are trying to get.” 00:18:09. “We're putting together a rock orchestra. Awesome. And we want you to be the orchestra.” 00:21:00. “A teacExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

Barry Coffing has lived every corner of the music business, from opera scholarships to songwriting for Hollywood films, and now, innovating the licensing space. As founder of MusicSupervisor.com and WeGetArtists.com, Barry has reshaped how independent musicians connect with opportunities in film, TV, and beyond.In this episode, Barry shares his journey from club gigs to scoring major placements, the evolution of his licensing platform, and why transparency and fairness for artists drive everything he builds. We also dig into the challenges and possibilities of AI in music, why flaws can make music more human, and Barry’s powerful advice for creators: make the art you want, then fight like hell to share it.Listen in for a mix of war stories, practical licensing wisdom, and fresh perspectives on how artists can thrive in today’s ever-changing industry.Catch the full conversation and unlock insights that could transform your career in music licensing.Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/