The Future of What

Episode #92: The internet is a vital tool for artists, but without the protections that ensure a level playing field, creators’ ability to earn a living comes under threat. On today's episode, we dive into the murky waters of net neutrality, copyright, and tech giants. We hear from Thirsty Ear Recordings Peter Gordon about why musicians should care about net neutrality. This point is echoed by Evan Greer of Fight for the Future, who goes on to explain the organization's controversial stance on copyright. Finally, Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier shares his opinion on tech giants like Google and why musicians are so mad at YouTube. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

Episode #91: What if there were an IMDB for music? Not only would fans be able to dig deeper into their favorite albums, but producers, artists, and other collaborators could catalog their contributions, labels could track data more easily, and businesses would have all of the information they need to license a song right at their fingertips. On this episode, we talk with a new service called Jaxsta. CEO Jacqui Louez Schoorl and Head of Licensing Dick Huey discuss how Jaxsta could revolutionize music data use and its accessibility. Then, we talk with one of our favorite music databases and marketplaces, Discogs. Chief Product Officer Nik Kinloch demonstrates how music fans and record collectors can take advantage of Discogs’ music database (plus we hear about some new features!). More on: jaxsta.com discogs.com Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

What does it mean when an artist or label calls itself independent? Instead of defining independence as "not major," this episode discusses what independence in music really means. Portia travels to Australia for an Indie-Con panel with Matthew Rogers (UNFD/WIN Council Member), Sebastian Chase (MGM), Chris Maund (Mushroom Group of Labels), Merida Sussex (Stolen Recordings), and Guy Blackman (Chapter Music). Then, she speaks with A2IM CEO Richard Burgess about his recent Billboard article responding to their definition of "Indie Power Players."

Episode #59: When you think of video game music, you might hear Koji Kondo’s Super Mario Bros. original score, or maybe FlyLo FM from Grand Theft Auto’s licensed soundtrack. Either way, video games have long held promise for composers and musicians. Like movies, video games are naturally a broad medium with room for different musical experiences. Games also provide a lucrative revenue stream for some artists. One composer, Chris Remo, who has worked on recent hits like Gone Home and Firewatch, joins us to talk about how he got into the video game industry. We also hear from Steve Gaynor, co-founder of indie game studio, The Fullbright Company. Kotaku editor-at-large Kirk Hamilton gives us a rundown of current and past trends in game music. To end the show, we get an idea of how video game music has influenced an entire music genre, and hear from Spencer Seim of Nintendocore band The Advantage. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

Episode #89: The music industry has recently seen its largest sales increase since the days of Napster. Streaming, while still in its infancy has shown that making a fraction of a penny from a lot of listeners could be a long term sustainable model for many. But just as we began to get comfortable, Pandora started a premium streaming service, YouTube is still running the show and Spotify is having to sign new deals (like allowing new releases to be “windowed”). Is this Napster 2.0? Are we going to push music fans back to piracy by handicapping these services? Is streaming going to sustain the industry and the artists that keep them all employed? We discuss in this final panel from Motorco Music Hall in Durham, NC. PANELISTS: Jason Taylor - Redeye Distribution Rich Dejong - SoundExchange Shawn Rogers Nolan - Shawn Nolan Law Wilson Fuller - Merge Records Martin Anderson - Middle West Management Alex Maiolo - Journalist, Music Festival Advisor, Recordist, Musician, Advocate Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

Palehound's Ellen Kempner joins us at Pickathon to talk about how she got into music and what it takes to navigate today's industry. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

We caught up with "comedy-adjacent" rapper and fellow podcaster Open Mike Eagle at Pickathon last year. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

Episode #88: Last year, we went to Oregon’s Pickathon music festival and caught up with some promising acts in Pickathon’s interview video series. With this year’s festival around the corner, we bring you extended interviews with some of our favorite artists. We talk with rapper and host of Comedy Central’s The New Negroes, Open Mike Eagle. Then we discuss everything from Avril Lavigne to anxiety with Ellen Kempner (Palehound). Thao Nguyen joins us to recount how she first got signed to Kill Rock Stars, and Seattle’s La Luz talks business. Watch the full interview series on YouTube and stay tuned for more from this year’s Pickathon. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

SoundExchange president Mike Huppe joins us to discuss the organizations acquisition of the Canadian music licensing collective CMRRA. "Together," they say, "the two agencies will integrate and streamline the administration and distribution of sound recording and music publishing royalties." Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl

Gray Gannaway, founder of video strategy firm Quarterlab, discusses the recent "adpocalypse" on YouTube which has dramatically cut revenue for many channels. So how has this affected the music industry? Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl