My .4 Cents

Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, Matt Bacon, and Jesse Cannon kick off the new year by diving into the controversial subject of Drake's alleged involvement in a RICO case, touching on issues of illegal gambling, money laundering, and the ethics of stream manipulation. The conversation then shifts to predictive insights for music marketing strategies in 2026, exploring potential shifts in content trends towards more authentic and raw video formats. Behind a membership barrier, an exclusive discussion unfolds, covering Spotify's Discovery Mode and its new video feature's implications for artists. Excitingly, they announce their upcoming tour, emphasizing the community-building aspect of their live events, where musicians can connect, share experiences, and foster collaborations. Additionally, the panelists delve into the socio-economic impacts on the festival industry, AI music's rising influence, and the ongoing debate surrounding Spotify's role and reputation in the music streaming landscape. A lively discussion resonates with thoughts on the evolving dynamics of the music world, hinting at both challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing industry.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this candid interview, Blasko, formerly associated with iconic acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie, shares his dynamic journey through the music industry, beginning with his early inspiration from Kiss. Starting in 1985, he transitioned from aspiring drummer to bassist, joining bands like Cryptic Slaughter in his teenage years, and later making significant strides with Rob Zombie and Ozzy Osbourne. Beyond performing, Blasko delves into the business side of music, co-founding a management company handling artists such as Black Veil Brides and Zakk Wylde. His career highlights the importance of authenticity, audience connection, and adaptability in navigating the ever-evolving music landscape. Blasko also recounts how his involvement with Liquid Death water brand parallels his music ethos, emphasizing that both endeavors are driven by authenticity and resonating with audiences. His perspective underscores the necessity for bands to cultivate a genuine connection with their audience, viewing fans as part of a community rather than mere consumers.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this interview, Luke Mansell, the creator of Music Stacks—a platform known for being a vital resource for musicians—dives into the intricacies of his creation. Music Stacks presents Spotify data in a user-friendly manner, providing insights like the key, tempo, and energy levels of songs, and tracking the popular Spotify popularity score. Luke explains his initial motivation behind the platform's creation, citing the lack of ads and quality user experience as key differentiators. Over time, the platform evolved to include Music Stacks Metrics, allowing users to track their music's popularity score history and examine the impact of marketing efforts. A notable feature is its ability to integrate across various social and music platforms, which helps artists understand their reach across different audiences. The conversation also touches on usage trends and how artists are harnessing social media to amplify their Spotify presence. Through Music Stacks, users can access invaluable data to strategize their music releases effectively and stay agile in the fast-paced music industry.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast episode, music marketing experts Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, Matt Bacon, and Andrew Southworth dive into the challenges artists face when attempting to make a profit in the music industry. They analyze the effectiveness of various strategies, such as streaming, direct-to-fan sales, and the use of social media, while emphasizing the importance of consistency and experimentation. The conversation highlights the necessity for artists to understand their audience, adapt to rapidly changing algorithms, and find creative ways to promote their music without relying solely on traditional methods. With input from music marketing platform founder Giovanni Bottan, the discussion underscores the complexities of achieving financial success in music and the importance of evaluating return on investment for marketing efforts.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, Jesse Cannon, and Matt Bacon discuss artist branding and the influence of Spotify Wrapped's new features. The conversation unfolds around vintage music marketer Rob Gross, who shares insights from his extensive experience working with legendary artists like Black Sabbath and The Rolling Stones. The hosts explore the significance of artist individuality, authenticity, and innovative brand positioning, using examples such as Addison Rae's development from a run-of-the-mill pop star to a unique musical persona. By highlighting the intersection of marketing strategies, audience engagement, and personal growth, the episode dives deep into cultivating a distinct presence in the music industry. Plus, the group discusses Spotify's recent updates and their implications for users, touching upon the platform's annual Wrapped feature and its role in connecting listeners with their musical interests.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jesse Cannon, Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, and guest host Olivia Pierce discuss Patreon and the resurgence of artists cultivating communities through apps, emphasizing how these platforms can offer authentic engagement and sustainable income. Then, Dustin Boyer interviews Nashville-based independent artist Ben Schuller, who has successfully built his career on his own terms. Schuller shares insights into how he capitalizes on unconventional routes such as YouTube covers and Nerdcore to make music his full-time occupation. The conversation then shifts to exploring the tactics some groups use to game the Billboard charts, exemplified by a campaign aimed at rallying people to collaboratively create an album and propel it to the top spot, highlighting flaws in chart metrics. Finally, the episode discusses the advantages of artist independence and the evolving music business landscape, questioning traditional industry methods and advocating for innovative approaches for musicians to connect with their audiences.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Schutte, a booking agent, shares invaluable tips on DIY tour booking, stressing the importance of building local audiences before approaching larger agents. He explains how bands can show readiness through self-promotion. Jeff Betton and Matt Dowling from Hellbender Vinyl dive into the enduring appeal of vinyl records and the economics of production in 2025, emphasizing community impact. The discussion also covers the UK's proposed ticket resale cap, weighing consumer protection against potential pitfalls of black markets.

Join Ryan Slone, a Nashville-based veteran booking agent from Universal Attractions, as he dives into the intricacies of artist representation. He shares his journey in the music industry and the challenges of securing bookings. The discussion touches on why agents are cautious in signing new bands, the importance of persistence, and the contrasting roles of agents and managers in ticket sales. Plus, insights on adapting to digital trends like TikTok and how to navigate the fast-changing landscape of musician promotion!

In this episode, hosts Dustin Boyer, Andrew Southworth, Matt Bacon, and Jesse Cannon discuss innovative strategies for music promotion and the implications of AI in the music industry. They dive into the effectiveness of utilizing multiple social media accounts to maintain a professional image while engaging in aggressive promotion and fan interaction. An interview with IDM-electronic artist RamonPang explores his approach to blending music creation with educational content and the unique experience of performing at a no-phone DJ set. The conversation also touches on an AI artist's controversial rise in the country music charts, sparking debate about the ethics and future of AI-generated content in music. Additionally, the hosts examine the credibility of bot-driven success and its potential degradation of artistry, alongside insights on successful influencer marketing tactics and the importance of community in establishing a musician's reputation.Follow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rod Yancey, founder of Bootleg, shares his journey from philosophy to music innovation. He discusses how Bootleg allows fans to purchase live concert recordings, creating unique collectibles. The conversation highlights how narrative and originality in music can boost artist visibility, especially in a crowded hip-hop market. The hosts emphasize strategies for artists to build an audience in 30 days, including collaborations and social media engagement. They also explore the shifting dynamics of music charts, pointing to the evolution of genre influences in mainstream hits.