

The Future of What
Music Business Association
Founded by Music Biz President, Portia Sabin as a way to educate musicians on the realities of the music business, The Future of What Podcast has become a forum where the most significant voices in our industry discuss important issues of the day. Tune in as she hosts important industry figureheads and innovators alike in exciting discussions on where the music business is headed next!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 12, 2017 • 57min
Does Radio Still Matter?
Episode #78: People have been declaring the end of radio for years, yet stations continue to pop up and even thrive today. While many stations have been swept up by corporations, community and college low-power FM and internet stations still serve their communities. On this episode, we sit down with LPFM and college stations to discuss the role of community radio today, how college stations serve as a “pipeline for the music industry,” and how authenticity in media is more important than ever. Joining us are Zelos Marchandt (KBOO), Rebecca Webb (Portland Radio Project), Aaron Hall (XRAY FM), Laura Ragsdale (KFFP / Distiller Promo) and Jordan Rasmussen (KPSU).
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May 5, 2017 • 1h 15min
Patreon / Vinyl Me, Please / Topshelf Records / Joyful Noise Recordings
Episode #77: With more and more music flooding the internet, artists, labels, and entrepreneurs are looking for new ways to engage fans. Many look to a subscription model as a way to provide listeners with a unique, niche experience. On this episode we hear from Patreon's Jack Conte, Vinyl Me, Please founder Matthew Fiedler, Kevin Duquette (Topshelf Records) and Karl Hofstetter (Joyful Noise Recordings).
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Apr 28, 2017 • 59min
All-Ages Revival: Friends of Noise / Vera Project / Semi-Ok Collective / Sabonis
Episode #33: “Young people [are an] underserved population when it comes to the music industry.” That’s the point our guest Andre Middleton drives home on this episode of The Future of What. In our discussion with Middleton (Friends of Noise) and Todd Fadel (The Meow Meow), we look at the logistics and pitfalls of starting and sustaining an all ages venue. Like many cities with rising rents and strict liquor laws, Portland has seen a slew of beloved all ages venues close in the last decade. Many people, young and old, still see the value in all ages venues. We talk with Claire Gunville (Semi Ok Collective) and Maya Stoner (Sabonis), both in their early twenties, about building an inclusive all ages community even without venues to turn to. The Vera Project in Seattle is often lauded for their all ages model, and their Talent Buyer Andrea Friedman gives us the low down on how they’ve survived for so long.
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Apr 21, 2017 • 55min
Music Licensing with Marmoset Music and Loch Lomond
Episode #76: Licensing a song may have once come with accusations of selling out, but today, getting a song on a movie, TV show or commercial can be one of the most lucrative moves for a musician. It can make paying for a tour or album that much more feasible, and can even break a band to a new audience. So how does licensing work, and how can an artist up their chances of making a deal? On this episode we talk with Kat Olsen, music supervisor at boutique licensing agency Marmoset, and Ritchie Young of Loch Lomond, who talks about having music licensed for everything from ads to Laika’s The Boxtrolls.
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Apr 14, 2017 • 55min
SassyBlack / Thunderpussy / Y La Bamba
Episode #75: On this episode we’re sharing interviews with three of our favorite artists from Treefort Music Fest! First, Portia talks with Catherine Harris-White of SassyBlack and THEESatisfaction about turning music into a living, then joins Seattle band Thunderpussy to talk about their upcoming album and collaboration with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. We also hear from Luz Elena Mendoza, the core of Portland group Y La Bamba, who tells us about the first time she held a guitar and more.
Find out more about:
SassyBlack: https://sassyblack.bandcamp.com/
Thunderpussy: http://www.thunderpussyusa.com/
Y La Bamba: http://www.ylabamba.com/
Treefort Fest: https://www.treefortmusicfest.com/
Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0
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Apr 7, 2017 • 57min
Turned Away at the Border: Tamizdat / Future of Music Coalition / Massive Scar Era / Ami Dang
Episode #74: The Future of What looks deeper at recent immigration issues surrounding SXSW and Trump's travel ban with Matthew Covey of international musicians' group Tamizdat and Kevin Erickson of artist advocacy organization the Future of Music Coalition. Cherine Amr of Massive Scar Era shares her story of being turned away at the border, and Baltimore musician Ami Dang discusses her concerns over the rise in xenophobic attitudes.
More on:
FMC: https://futureofmusic.org/
Artists from Abroad: http://www.artistsfromabroad.org/
Tamizdat: http://www.tamizdat.org/
Ami Dang: http://amidang.com/
Massive Scar Era: http://massivescarera.com/
Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0
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Mar 31, 2017 • 53min
Treefort: Terrorbird Media / KEXP / Joyful Noise / The Brigade
Episode #73: Treefort Music Fest is a 5-day music and arts festival in Boise, Idaho. This year’s festival was one of the most successful yet, and bolstered Treefort as a great alternative to SXSW. We headed to Boise to talk with performers and host a panel on the current state of the music industry. Hear the panel with Sharlese Metcalf (KEXP), Jess Caragliano (Terrorbird Media), Zeke Howard (The Brigade) and Karl Hofstetter (Joyful Noise) on this episode.
Find out more about:
KEXP: http://kexp.org
Terrorbird Media: https://terrorbird.com
The Brigade: https://thisisthebrigade.com
Joyful Noise Recordings: https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com
Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0
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Mar 24, 2017 • 56min
Reissue Revolution: Yep Roc Records / Eggs Over Easy / Light In The Attic Records
Episode #24: Independent labels have long been at the forefront of bringing great music to the public, especially lost gems and overlooked greats that went out of print or were never pressed on any other format than vinyl. Today we talk reissues with the labels Yep Roc and Light in the Attic, as well as talking to one of the bands whose output is receiving the reissue treatment: seminal pub rock band Eggs Over Easy. Yep Roc’s General Manager Billy Maupin discusses reissues in general, and Light in the Attic’s Matt Sullivan gives us the scoop on tracking down enigmatic folk musician Sixto Rodriguez, and more!
Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0
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Mar 17, 2017 • 1h 1min
Greg Kot & Jim DeRogatis / Julianne Escobedo Shepherd / Bob Ham / Ben Ratliff
Episode #72: As long as there’s been music, there have been music critics. Like many professions, music review has been indelibly changed by the Internet. For a while, a numerical rating on Pitchfork could make or break a band. Blogs and social media emerged, and suddenly, truly everyone was a critic. On this episode, we hear from music critics about their role today and more. We’re joined by Sound Opinions’ (WBEZ) Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, Julianne Escobedo Shepherd (Jezebel), Bob Ham (Paste), and former New York Times critic, Ben Ratliff.
Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0
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Mar 14, 2017 • 19min
Shane Told (Silverstein, River Oaks, Lead Singer Syndrome)
Shane Told, lead singer of Silverstein and host of Lead Singer Syndrome, dives deep into the music industry. He discusses the unique allure of musicians entering podcasting, contrasting it with comedians. Shane shares his band's journey from DIY to professional management, emphasizing financial awareness. The conversation also delves into balancing artistic integrity with commercial success, all while keeping a light-hearted tone about the emo scene. Listen in as he reflects on navigating an ever-changing music landscape.