The Future of What

Music Business Association
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Sep 23, 2016 • 59min

The Thermals / Portugal. The Man / Ultimate Painting / The Slants

Episode #52: Whether you love it or hate it, if you’re in a band, touring is something you’ve got to do. Touring has long been important for building a fanbase, gaining experience and making money. Now that other income streams have diminished for artists, revenue from live performances is more important than ever. On this episode of The Future of What we talk to bands about their different approaches to touring. We hear from Hutch Harris of The Thermals, Zach Carothers of Portugal. The Man, Jack Cooper and James Hoare (Ultimate Painting), and Simon Tam, founder of The Slants.
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Sep 9, 2016 • 50min

Dan Deacon / Merchbar / Merchtable

Episode #51: As other revenue streams have weakened, merch has become integral to many musicians’ incomes. Some artists take things beyond the traditional band tee, selling everything from cologne to snuggies. While merchandising can be a fun way to connect with fans, designing and distributing products can become a whole job in itself. Electronic musician Dan Deacon has released eight albums since 2003, and tells us about his approach to merch, sold through Big Cartel. We also hear from Ed Aten, founder of Merchbar, a new retailer that has just partnered with Spotify. Then we take a look at Merchtable, a company that does manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment for artists, labels and more. Music: "Ron Jeremy" - Young People "700 Story Building" - Men's Recovery Project "Sunny Krakow" - Metalux "Mind Your Own Business" - The Delta 5
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Aug 26, 2016 • 57min

NMPA / David Lowery / Chris Castle

Episode #50: Think the music industry is confusing? Here’s where things get really hairy for songwriters. The Department of Justice recently issued a statement upholding consent decrees that regulate performing rights organizations BMI and ASCAP. These decrees were originally intended as an antitrust measure, but many feel they are outdated and come with many costs. David Israelite, CEO of the NMPA, says this decision will devalue songs, implicate the property rights of songwriters and limit their creative process. We asked musician and industry critic David Lowery (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven) and lawyer Chris Castle to help us further understand the ramifications of the DOJ’s stance.
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Aug 19, 2016 • 53min

Rough Trade / Look Out Kid / Amelia Artists

Episode #49: Chances are, at least one of your favorite artists is not from the United States. It’s hard enough to break into the music industry as an American artist, so how are these acts from abroad pulling it off? The U.S. is a huge market for musicians, but presents its own unique challenges. We explore some of these obstacles and talk success stories with Anna Bond, U.S. label manager for Rough Trade Records, Nick O’Byrne, a manager for Look Out Kid who works with Courtney Barnett, and Tegan and Sara manager Nick Blasko (Amelia Artists).
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Aug 16, 2016 • 6min

Kiran Gandhi on Shock Art

Activist, musician and industry thinker Kiran Gandhi tells us why shock art is valuable.
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Aug 12, 2016 • 57min

Laura Veirs / Valerie Day / Christiane Kinney / David Lowery

Episode #48: We’ve brought you expertise from businesspeople, gatekeepers and analysts, and today we’re highlighting a few of the many savvy artists we’ve had on the show. On this episode, musicians give their take on some of the most important music industry issues of the last year. First, artist and lawyer Christiane Kinney examines the recent Spotify lawsuits, then we hear from plaintiff David Lowery, who gives us his take on royalty reporting. Celebrated musician and songwriter Laura Veirs takes us on her career journey, and Valerie Day (Nu Shooz) emphasizes the importance of the Fair Play, Fair Pay Act.
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Jul 29, 2016 • 54min

Pearl Jam / PWR BTTM / Tune-Yards / Zac Brown Band

Episode #47: We talk a lot about how musicians can make a living in today’s music industry, but on this episode we look at the selfless ways artists use their influence. Our guests show that musicians at any stage of their careers can affect sustainable, positive change. Mike McCready, lead guitarist for Pearl Jam, tells us how the band’s Vitalogy Foundation, funded by ticket sales, benefits everything from the environment to the arts. Then we hear from emerging queer punk duo PWR BTTM about how their tour rider is making venues safer and more accessible. Merrill Garbus, the artist behind tUnE-yArDs, explains how one song led to the creation of the Water Fountain fund. We end the show with Coy Bowles of Zac Brown Band, who uses storytelling to change kids’ lives.
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Jul 22, 2016 • 59min

Fluff & Gravy / Tender Loving Empire / Good Cheer

Episode #46: In anticipation of Vortex Magazine's upcoming issue regarding the role of record labels in today's music economy, we sat down with three label heads from Portland to talk about what labels do for artists in 2016. Despite the label's varying ages, reach, and aesthetic, everyone in attendance could agree on the fact that there are too many business related tasks associated with releasing a record for one person, or a band, to handle. GUESTS: John Shepski (Fluff & Gravy) Aaron Meola (Tender Loving Empire) Blake Hickman (Good Cheer) MUSIC: Y La Bamba "Ostrich" Fernando "Save Me" Naked Hour "Crossfade"
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Jul 8, 2016 • 59min

Pickathon / Rifflandia / Summerfest

Episode #45: Despite the music industry’s economic downturn, more and more music festivals have popped up and many continue to thrive. Because of the booming demand for tickets, live performances have become a vital revenue stream for many artists. But have we hit “peak festival”? Mainstays like Coachella and Lollapalooza have become increasingly corporate, and independently-run festivals contend that competition for is a huge issue in planning their events. We talk to three indie festival organizers, Nick Blasko (Rifflandia), Bob Babisch (Summerfest) and Zale Schoenborn (Pickathon), about the fate of their business and alternative festival models.
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Jul 2, 2016 • 59min

40 Watt Club / Doug Fir Lounge / Monterey International

Episode #44: Whether it’s your first show or your dream venue, one of the most daunting tasks as a musician can be booking a gig. From the outside, it’s hard to know just how much planning goes into each concert. On this installment of our Music Industry 101 series, we talk to talent buyers and booking agents about what they do and how they do it. Booking agency Monterey International represents over 100 artists, from Van Morrison to Anais Mitchell. After agent Josh Brinkman offers his perspective as an artist representative, we hear from Velena Vego of legendary Athens venue the 40 Watt Club. She’s celebrating 25 years as the 40 Watt’s talent buyer. Then local tastemaker, Eric Gerber, talent buyer at Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge, gives us the nitty gritty details of what he expects from artists.

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