The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

エピソード

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  How He Got a Million Monthly Listeners and a Sold Out Tour Independently 06.08.2026 1時間 9分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jared Benjamin. Jared broke down how he went from picking up a guitar during the pandemic to earning over 100 million streams, selling out headline tours, and building an intensely loyal community across TikTok and Discord. They discuss his creation process, content strategy, delegating production, leveraging pre-save ad campaigns, and releasing his debut album, Icarus Too Close to the Sun.Follow Jared Benjamin:https://www.instagram.com/jaredbenjaminofficial/http://tiktok.com/@jaredbenjaminofficialCheck out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com4:05 Interview Begins: Welcome & Icarus Debut Album Announcement5:06 Transitioning from Fast Singles to a Cohesive Debut Album9:43 Early Short-Form Visual Strategy & Writing Skits17:25 Lessons from Bad Industry Deals & Going DIY20:15 Learning Production on YouTube & Collaborating with Producers25:20 Writing "Three Steps Ahead" at AntiSocial Writing Camp28:35 Building a Social Following & Meeting His Manager32:50 The Daily Grind: Posting 2 to 4 Videos a Day & Managing Burnout35:55 First Headline Tour Experiences: From Empty Rooms to Sold-Out Venues41:59 Managing Online Communities: Grouped vs. Discord Strategy50:20 Tapping into BookTok & Author Playlist Marketing01:01:35 Leveraging Feature.fm Pre-Save Ads to Funnel Fans into DiscordEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Artist Manager on Viral Syncs and the State of Music Marketing 29.07.2026 1時間 1分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Laurie Lee Boutet, artist manager at Wednesday Management and manager of the chart-topping Canadian rock band The Beaches.Laurie shares the incredible story behind The Beaches' explosive rise following their breakout sync placement in Off Campus, why viral TikToks aren't enough anymore, and how artists can build lasting careers by creating cultural moments and not just chasing algorithms.Follow Laurie Lee:https://www.instagram.com/laurieleeboutet/https://www.wednesdaymgmt.com/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com05:21 Why Viral TikToks Don't Work Like They Used To 08:00 The Sync That Changed Everything 12:50 From 18,000 to 1 Million Streams a Day 18:42 TikTok vs. Instagram: Where Artists Should Focus 24:44 Should Indie Artists Skip Music Videos? 28:33 The New Era of Music Marketing 35:19 How to Create True Superfans 43:13 Stop Wasting Money on Content 52:08 The Future of Artist Growth 59:53 Laurie's Biggest Career LessonEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How To Be a Professional Hit Songwriter 22.07.2026 1時間 14分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Andreas Schuller, hit songwriter, producer, and co-founder of music publishing company Honua Music. Andreas has written and produced songs for artists including The Weeknd, Jason Derulo, Madison Beer, and many more, accumulating billions of streams and numerous gold and platinum records.Andreas breaks down how hit songs are actually created, how publishing companies develop songwriters, and why today's music industry is more relationship-driven than ever. He shares the story behind Jason Derulo's smash hit "Wiggle," explains how songwriting camps work, discusses the evolution of professional songwriting, and offers practical advice for aspiring songwriters trying to break into the industry.Follow Andreas Schuller:https://honuamusic.com/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com03:48 - Meet Andreas Schuller: Hitmaker Turned Publisher12:19 - Music Publishing Explained: How Songwriters Make Money18:39 - The Story Behind Jason Derulo's "Wiggle"22:02 - Songwriting Splits, Credits, and Industry Politics30:37 - How Professional Songwriting Has Changed Since 201034:46 - Breaking Into the Music Industry as a Songwriter39:03 - Originality vs. Trend Chasing: What Actually Works?49:37 - Building Great Writing Rooms and Finding Creative Chemistry52:39 - AI, the Future of Music, and What's Next for SongwritersEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Major Label A&R Has Evolved and How Hit Songs Are Written 15.07.2026 55分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with legendary A&R executive, publisher, and educator Pete Ganbarg.With more than three decades in the music industry, Pete has helped shape the careers of artists, songwriters, and hit records across multiple generations. In this conversation, he breaks down how A&R has evolved from the days of artist showcases and long-term development deals to today's algorithm-driven landscape. Pete explains why great A&R is still about connecting great artists with great songs, even as technology and discovery platforms continue to change.Follow Pete Ganbarg:https://substack.com/@peteganbargInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peteganbarg/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com04:21 – The True Role of A&R: What Has Changed and What Hasn't09:00 – Artist Development vs. Chasing Quick Hits13:20 – Why Live Performance Still Matters to Labels16:05 – TikTok Stars, Viral Songs, and Building Careers20:50 – The Difference Between a Song, an Artist, and a Career25:55 – How Pete Discovers and Develops Songwriters30:10 – Michael Pollack's Journey to Writing "Flowers."35:15 – Songwriting by Committee, Sampling, and Publishing Trends40:50 – AI, Songwriting, and the Future of Music Creation48:15 – What Excites Pete Most About the Future of Music54:07 – What It Means to "Make It" in the New Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How a Direct-To-Fan Rollout Secured a Billboard Top 10 08.07.2026 51分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dee Diaz, Vice President of Marketing at Reach Records.At Indie Week 2026, Dee shares the innovative marketing strategies behind Lecrae’s Reconstruction album campaign, which helped propel the project to a Billboard Top 10 debut. From sending exclusive mailers to the label’s most loyal fans. To building a gamified direct-to-fan platform called The Workshop, Dee reveals how Reach Records prioritized community, superfans, and authentic artist engagement over chasing algorithms.Find Dee Diaz:https://www.instagram.com/deediaz_/https://www.instagram.com/reachrecords/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com05:06 - Meet Dee Diaz and Reach Records08:47 - The History of Reach Records and Lecrae12:31 - Building the Reconstruction Campaign15:07 - The 1,000 Fan Mailer Strategy16:19 - Creating The Workshop Fan Community19:37 - Turning Superfans Into Brand Ambassadors29:09 - Community Service as Music Marketing37:39 - The Story Behind “Coming In Hot”43:29 - Why TikTok Doesn't Convert Like It Used To46:17 - What It Means to Make It in the New Music Business47:00 - Audience Q&AEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Hopeless Records Approaches Influencer and UGC Music Marketing 01.07.2026 58分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nicole Abea, Director of Influencer & UGC Promotions at Hopeless Records.Over the last decade, Nicole has helped evolve Hopeless Records’ marketing strategy from traditional social media campaigns to modern influencer marketing, user-generated content (UGC), and TikTok-driven discovery. Starting as an intern and rising to lead influencer and UGC promotions, Nicole has worked with artists including Scene Queen, THXSoMCH, Neck Deep, Melrose Avenue, Autumn Kings, and more.Nicole pulls back the curtain on how music marketing actually works in 2026. They discuss influencer campaigns, fan accounts, micro-budget marketing strategies, TikTok trends, BookTok, DSP pitching, and how artists can build communities that translate into real fandom.Follow Nicole Abea:https://www.instagram.com/nicolethedesigner/https://www.instagram.com/hopelessrecords/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com03:57 Nicole Abea on Influencer & UGC Marketing at Hopeless Records08:44 The Reality of TikTok Seeding, Fan Accounts & Music Promotion15:20 How to Market a Song with a $2,000 Budget18:25 BookTok, Online Communities & Finding Your Audience23:29 What Spotify and DSPs Want from Artists26:26 Why Record Labels Are Signing Influencers33:21 Scene Over Genre: How Modern Fandom Has Changed42:41 How All Time Low's “Dear Maria, Count Me In” Went Viral Again45:22 Rage Bait, Algorithms & The Future of Music Marketing51:00 Closing ThoughtsEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How CD Baby Is Changing With The Times 24.06.2026 1時間 17分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Molly Neuman, President of CD Baby, one of the largest independent music distributors in the world. Molly has spent decades advocating for independent artists and labels, helping shape the modern music industry through leadership roles at CD Baby, Downtown Music Holdings, and the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). In this conversation, Ari and Molly dive into some of the most pressing issues facing musicians today, including artificial intelligence, streaming fraud, artist compensation, customer support, and the evolving role of music distribution. They discuss whether AI-generated music should exist, how streaming platforms are responding to generative AI, why artists are increasingly being affected by fraudulent streams, and what distributors like CD Baby are doing to protect independent musicians. Molly also shares her perspective on artist ownership, independence, and what success in the music business looks like in 2026.Follow Molly Neuman:https://www.instagram.com/mollydneuman/https://cdbaby.com/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com03:45 – Molly Neuman's Journey to Becoming CD Baby President11:32 – Is CD Baby Still Independent?18:04 – Universal Music's Acquisition & What It Means for Artists27:41 – The State of Independent Music Distribution in 202639:18 – What Artists Get Wrong About Distribution49:07 – AI Customer Support: Does It Matter if It's Human?52:11 – Should AI-Generated Music Exist?1:03:47 – Streaming Fraud, Bot Plays & How Artists Get Penalized1:12:56 – What "Making It" Really Means in Today's Music IndustryEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The Unauthorized AI Remix Became a Global Hit, How This Label Dealt With It 17.06.2026 52分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Adam Gross, the president of Ineffable Records. Adam founded Ineffable Records in 2019 and later became a co-owner of Ineffable Music Group, now Billboard’s top independent reggae label for six consecutive years. Ineffable works with artists such as Stick Figure, Collie Buddz, Protoje, The Elovaters, and O.A.R., and many more.In this episode, they discuss the recent unauthorized viral AI remixes of Stick Figure’s song “Angels Above Me.” At its peak, the unauthorized remix was #2 on the global Shazam charts and reached #1 on several different iTunes charts across Europe. They discuss the legal challenges of unauthorized AI remixes, the ethical considerations, and how the story led to a David Guetta x Alok version surfacing. Adam discusses the operational reality of dealing with this in real time, and how strategy to combat unauthorized AI remixes changes everyday.Follow Adam Gross:https://www.instagram.com/adam.g.r.o.s.s/https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamgross2018/Check out Stick Figure:https://stickfigure.com/https://www.instagram.com/stickfiguremusic/Chapters05:07 Navigating Copyright in the Age of AI10:03 The Bootleg Remix Phenomenon14:58 The Role of Labels and Distributors19:59 Ethics and Future of AI in Music25:07 Navigating Major Label Deals28:24 The Impact of Viral Trends on Music30:43 Whack-a-Mole: The Challenge of Unauthorized Remixes32:30 Collaborating with Major Artists36:51 Ethics and AI in Music Production39:35 The Future of Derivative Works42:36 User-Centric Payment Models in Streaming50:52 Building Timeless Music and CommunityEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How This Manager Sold Out Tours Without Venues and Develops Artists, Songwriters and Producers 10.06.2026 1時間 7分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Joseph Pepin, artist manager, producer manager, and founder of a boutique management company that has helped artists like GoldFord build massive audiences while remaining independent.Joseph has spent nearly two decades in the music industry, working across artist management, producer and songwriter representation, touring, marketing, and fan development. His roster includes artists, producers, and songwriters spanning multiple genres, and he's become known for his innovative approach to audience building, fan data collection, and sustainable artist growth.Follow Joseph Pepin:https://pepin.works/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joe_pepinCheck out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com00:06:14 - Intro & How Goldford Broke Through00:08:56 - Why Most Artists Fail to Keep Their Viral Fans00:12:28 - Understanding the Marketing Funnel for Musicians00:16:09 - Social Media Strategy: Hooks vs. Deep Content00:19:25 - Building a Fanbase Without Chasing Trends00:39:42 - The B-Side Touring Model vs. Ticketmaster00:43:09 - Why Artists Need Emails, Phone Numbers & Fan Data00:47:20 - Goldford’s Viral Growth Strategy Revealed00:58:57 - Songwriting Camps, Producers & Building Opportunities01:06:18 - What It Means to Make It in the New Music Business Edited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Has SoundCloud Cracked Superfandom and AI Music? 03.06.2026 1時間 9分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud. Eliah breaks down how SoundCloud is evolving beyond streaming into a creator-first platform focused on fan relationships, monetization, and artist discovery.Why “streaming is not enough” for artists, how fan-powered royalties work, the future of direct-to-fan monetization, and why creator tools are becoming more important in the AI era. Eliah also explains SoundCloud’s approach to generative AI music, ethically trained AI models, and why the platform refuses to monetize fully AI-generated songs.Follow Eliah Seton and SoundCloud:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliahseton/https://soundcloud.com/Check out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com08:27 - Eliah Seton on the Future of SoundCloud13:41 - Why “Streaming Is Not Enough” for Artists18:15 - Fan Monetization, Merch, and Direct-to-Artist Revenue22:03 - How SoundCloud Helps Artists Get Heard and Build Fans27:14 - Creator Subscriptions and Fan-Powered Features31:24 - Wallets, Tipping, and the Future of Fan Transactions36:01 - AI Tools for Music Creation and Artist Discovery40:48 - SoundCloud’s Approach to Ethically Trained AI47:17 - AI Music, Royalties, and Streaming Economics52:08 - The Future of Human Artistry in the AI EraEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Breaking Hard Rock and Metal Bands with Sumerian Records 27.05.2026 1時間 4分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ash Avildsen, founder of Sumerian Records. Ash shares the story of building one of the most influential independent labels in modern rock and metal, from booking DIY tours in the MySpace era to helping artists break into arenas.During this episode, Ari and Ash dive into artist development, the evolution of touring, music video economics, social media virality, the ethics of tour buy-ons, and why building an artist brand matters more than ever. Ash also opens up about expanding Sumerian into film, the future of entertainment brands, and why he believes music videos deserve a better business model.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumerianrecords/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sumerianrecordsCheck out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com04:21 - Ash’s Journey from Touring Musician to Founding Sumerian Records08:04 - Why Ash Left Booking to Focus Fully on the Label12:00 - MySpace, TikTok, and How Artists Break Today17:30 - Scenes, Community, and the Evolution of Heavy Music22:16 - Artist Development and Getting Bands to Their First 500 Tickets25:22 - The Ethics and Reality of Tour Buy-Ons31:49 - Discovering Artists in the Streaming Era35:15 - Why Music Videos Still Matter49:00 - Building Sumerian Beyond Music Into Film and Media56:00 - Ticketing, Industry Frustrations, and What It Means to “Make It”Edited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Going Viral In The Right Way Allowed Him To Turn Down Record Deals and Sell Out Venues Around The World 20.05.2026 1時間 5分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Red Leather, the anonymous artist who turned viral TikTok videos into sold-out tours around the world. Known for his signature red hat, Red Leather first started his career by busking on Hollywood Boulevard before exploding online with viral covers and original songs like “The Only Time It Rains in Hollywood.” In this episode, Red Leather breaks down how he used social media to grow his audience from scratch, why he posted 5 videos a day for 100 straight days, how smashing guitars outside Capitol Records landed him a record deal (that he turned down), and why ticket sales matter more than streams or viral moments. He also opens up about sobriety, surviving addiction, touring independently, and eventually partnering with Empire after years of doing everything DIY.Follow Red Leather:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redleather/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@redleatherCheck out Ari’s Take:https://aristake.com00:04:02 - Intro00:04:36 - The Origin of Red Leather00:06:39 - Sobriety, Addiction & Artistic Vulnerability00:10:11 - Posting 5 Videos a Day for 100 Days00:14:11 - The Viral TikTok That Changed Everything00:20:00 - Smashing Guitars Outside Capitol Records00:25:12 - Why He Turned Down Major Label Deals00:33:28 - Booking Tours Through Instagram DMs00:47:23 - Virality vs Real Fans & Ticket Sales01:01:58 - What “Making It” Means TodayEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  He Went from 40K Listeners to 11 Million and a Coachella Slot in Under a Year as an Indie Artist 13.05.2026 51分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Oskar Med K, a breakout Norwegian EDM producer. Oskar breaks down the "overnight" success that was actually years in the making—from the days of sending 500 cold emails to labels with no response.In this episode, Ari and Oskar talk about the marketing strategies that helped him scale from 40k monthly listeners to 11 million, why "simple" content often outperforms high-production on TikTok, and the surreal feeling of playing Coachella as his first-ever music festival.https://www.instagram.com/_oskarmedk/03:54 – Intro: The Release of Oskar’s Debut Album Feel05:24 – Albums vs. Singles: Building a Body of Work in the Streaming Era09:12 – The Remix Story: How Khalid Ended Up on a Remix12:52 – Behind the Tracks: Songwriting and Collaborating Remotely17:19 – The Early Grind: From iPad Beats to Music School in Norway19:00 – From 0 to 1: The "Hustle" of Emailing 500 Record Labels20:17 – Breaking Through: Finding the Right Label via LabelRadar25:12 – Marketing Strategy: Simple Content vs. High-Production TikToks33:42 – Moving to the Stage: Transitioning from Studio Producer to Live Act40:40 – The Coachella Milestone: Playing Your First-Ever Festival44:29 – The Future of Music: Addressing the AI Debate and "Making It"Edited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  New Global Booking Agency from ATC and Arrival Artists Now Reps 800 Artists 06.05.2026 1時間 19分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ethan Berlin and Skully Kaplan of ROAM Artists for an inside look at the realities of booking and touring in today’s music industry. They unpack how booking agencies build and manage their rosters, what it really takes to develop artists on the road, and how deals—from guarantees to ticket splits—actually come together. If you’re an artist planning your next tour or trying to understand the live side of the business, this episode gives a clear, candid breakdown of how it all works.https://www.instagram.com/roam.artists/https://roamartists.com/Chapters05:03 – Intro & ROAM Agency Origin Story08:26 – From Partnership to Global Agency11:32 – Why Artists Need Different Agents by Region14:59 – Breaking Into International Markets (Asia & Beyond)19:52 – Why Artists Blow Up in Some Countries First25:20 – Genre & Market Differences Worldwide34:48 – The Real Cost of Touring Today40:16 – How Artists Cut Costs on Tour44:48 – How Artists Actually Make Money Touring48:16 – Tour Deals & Promoter Strategy Explained52:11 – Marketing Tours & Selling TicketsEdited and mixed by Ruben ZarateMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How This UK Indie Label Sold 25K Records For 1 Band First Week 18.03.2026 1時間 2分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Mark Orr, the founder of Lab Records, to explore how independent labels are evolving in today’s music industry. From deal structures and artist ownership to marketing strategies and physical releases, Mark shares a transparent look into how his label has operated and adapted over nearly two decades. They dive into how indie deals have shifted to become more artist-friendly, how Lab approaches partnerships like distribution with ADA, and why physical products like vinyl and limited editions are more important now than ever. Mark also breaks down how to build a lean team, when to outsource, and how to create meaningful fan engagement in a crowded digital landscape. Whether you’re on the artist or label side of the business, you won’t want to miss this episode.https://www.instagram.com/labrecordshttps://labrecs.com/ Chapters00:00 - Lab Records Origin05:00 - Building a Lean Team09:25 - Streaming & Fan Engagement13:23 - Pitching Artists vs Majors16:07 - Modern Deal Structures21:19 - Artist Power Shift26:19 - Marketing in 2020s31:42 - Physical Sales Comeback36:21 - Touring Builds Fanbase45:50 - Tools, Teams, FutureEdited and mixed by Ari Davids-ErgasMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  This Artist-Run Record Label is Competing with the Majors in a Big Way 11.03.2026 1時間 8分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Michael Turner, founder of the disruptive record label Rebellion. Turner shares how he’s building a modern music company by leveraging viral marketing, short-form video, and niche communities to help independent artists break through without relying on traditional gatekeepers.In this episode, Turner breaks down how viral hits are engineered through tastemaker networks and micro-influencers, how artists track fan conversion across platforms, and why touring and deal structures are evolving outside the traditional label system. They also discuss royalties, distribution, and AI-generated music—and why Turner believes we’re entering a golden era for those independent artists willing to adapt.https://www.instagram.com/iamplvtinum/https://www.instagram.com/rebellionrecordsnyc/Chapters00:00 - From Artist to Rebellion Founder05:48 - Early Spotify Virality & Indie Strategy08:17 - From Algorithms to TikTok Discovery13:32 - Engineering Viral Campaigns18:38 - Metrics That Matter Beyond Streams21:36 - Turning Virality Into Ticket Sales24:13 - New Touring Models for Indie Artists34:04 - Building the Modern Indie Ecosystem43:01 - AI’s Impact on the Music Industry48:32 - Signing Artists in the Indie EraEdited and mixed by Ari Davids-ErgasMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How SXSW Works For Music 04.03.2026 58分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Brian Hobbs and Dev Sherlock from South by Southwest (SXSW). Brian, VP of Music, has been at SXSW since 2012, helping shape the festival’s music programming and expand its sound, especially in hip hop and global scenes. Dev is the Director of Music at the festival. He plays a key role in building the lineup and working directly with artists, managers, and industry teams navigating the SXSW landscape.In this episode, we break down what SXSW actually is, and whether it makes sense for you and your career. Dev and Brian discuss how this year is massively different than years past, what the real purpose of “South By” is, and how to approach it with a smart strategy (instead of just showing up and hoping for the best). We get real about networking—what that actually looks like at SXSW—and how artists, managers, and other industry folks can make the most of their experience. For those thinking about applying to official showcases, Brian and Dev walk through the submission process, and what their team is really looking for when they book artists. If you’re going to SXSW (or even thinking about it) listen to this episode first.https://sxsw.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hobbs-155759164/ Chapters00:00 Introduction to South by Southwest02:14 Changes in the Festival Structure05:43 The Overlap of Music and Tech08:46 The Role of Live Music Discovery11:22 Business Opportunities at South by Southwest19:05 Navigating Official and Unofficial Showcases23:18 Monetizing Opportunities for Artists27:58 The Global Impact of the Irish Diaspora29:48 Travel Concerns for International Artists30:41 Booking Artists for South by Southwest34:55 The Application Process Explained37:57 The Fluid Nature of Artist Bookings41:42 Understanding Compensation Models43:52 The Conference Experience at South by Southwest45:52 Networking Tips for Artists50:57 Defining Success in the Music IndustryEdited and mixed by Ari Davids-ErgasMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Artist Managers on Music Videos, Artist Development, Long-term Strategy and True Fandom 25.02.2026 1時間 5分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Aaron Greene and Neal O’Connor of Slush Management, the artist-first team behind Porter Robinson, Eden, Jai Wolf, and more. Slush has helped their artists generate billions of streams, sell millions of tickets, and craft long-term careers rooted in creativity rather than quick wins. With 15 years of experience across touring, branding, and global fan development, they’ve become leaders in sustainable artist strategy and innovative experiential storytelling.In this episode, Ari Neal and Aaron dive into what modern artist development truly looks like. From building immersive worlds to cultivating real, lasting fan communities beyond vanity metrics, Neal and Aaron share how managers decide when an artist is ready for representation, why social media isn’t the only path to growth, and how long-term strategy beats short-term virality every time. The conversation also covers label paths (self-release, indie, major), when to tour, how support slots actually happen, and the importance of meaningful experiences. Hint: music videos might be more important than most folks realize. https://www.instagram.com/slushmgmt/05:58 – What “world-building” means for modern artists08:12 – How Porter Robinson developed his immersive universe12:00 – Building an entire festival world with Disney-level partners16:00 – Artist development: when an artist is ready for management18:20 – Why immediacy is a trap & long-term growth matters20:35 – Deepening 100 true fans vs. chasing viral moments27:45 – Majors vs. indies vs. self-releasing: what actually works31:55 – The real purpose of music videos in 202536:50 – Touring strategy: when to headline, when to support39:20 – How artists actually get support slots42:55 – What “making it” means in the new music businessEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Doja Cat's Managers Have It Down 18.02.2026 1時間 9分

  This week on the New Music Business, Ari sits down with powerhouse managers Gordan Dillard and Josh Kaplan, the team behind global superstar Doja Cat. Together, they break down how they helped build one of the most influential, multi-hyphenate artists of the decade. Gordan and Josh share early viral moments of Doja Cat's diversified empire spanning music, brand partnerships, and new business ventures.Other topics discussed here include: how features really work, how producers differ from beatmakers, what modern record deals look like at the highest level, and why short-form content has completely reshaped the career-building playbook. Gordan and Josh offer candid, unfiltered advice for emerging artists and managers on finding the right partnership, building a fanbase from scratch, and creating leverage in today’s industry.https://www.instagram.com/dojacat/https://www.agood-day.com/04:16 – Why Good Day Management only represents one artist07:19 – Diversifying Doja Cat’s revenue beyond music10:18 – How Gordon & Josh first joined Doja’s team15:40 – The “Juicy” era and early visual strategy17:31 – Doja Cat’s rise during the pandemic20:42 – Long-form videos vs short-form content today24:54 – Balancing artists’ vision with budget and label support29:10 – How label deals and funding have evolved36:28 – How features actually get made (creatively & financially)44:25 – Beatmakers vs producers: what’s the difference?48:37 – Why songs sometimes have 7 writers & 6 producers58:54 – Advice for emerging artists & managers todayEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  DIY Band Couch on World Tours, Self Managing, and Fan Building 11.02.2026 1時間 35分

  This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Tema Siegel and Zach Blankstein of the band Couch. Tema is the singer and Zach is the guitarist/manager of this seven-piece soul-pop band from Boston. Their explosive live shows and fully DIY approach have helped them sell out major venues across the country. Formed from lifelong friendships and built during the pandemic, Couch has grown into a globally touring act while self-producing their acclaimed debut album 'Big Talk'.In this episode, Tema and Zach break down how they built an engaged fanbase without label support, the logistics of touring as a seven-member group, and the creative and vulnerable writing process behind 'Big Talk'. Ari dives into their ad strategy, their partnership with the Salt Lick Incubator, how they secured major support tours with Lake Street Dive and Cory Wong, and what it takes to balance musicianship, management, and sustainable growth as an independent band in 2025. http://instagram.com/couch.theband07:16 – Adding the seventh member & early chemistry09:15 – Touring as an introvert and finding group balance12:19 – Managing a 12-person touring party16:34 – How fans are reacting to the new songs live18:22 – How the band uses VIP sections to build superfans19:40 – Collaborative songwriting process & Temma’s Notes app22:19 – “Middleman” and the band’s unexpected EDM influence26:22 – Self-producing the entire album & working with mixers27:15 – Living in Boston and breaking out beyond the local scene32:56 – Growing during the pandemic while in separate cities36:32 – Early viral video & their online strategy40:07 – How Couch finances the band with day jobs41:24 – Why Zach became their in-house manager55:52 – Opening for Cory Wong & Lake Street Dive58:44 – Deep dive into their ad strategyEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.