Brianna DeMayo is an artist development and music marketing expert with over a decade of experience helping independent artists build sustainable careers. As the founder of Taste Creators , she empowers artists to take ownership of their platforms, deepen fan engagement, and treat their careers like businesses. Brianna's hands-on approach includes branding, community building, and data-driven strategies that put artists in control of their growth and income. Her mission is to guide artists beyon...
Jul 03, 2025•23 min•Ep. 297
Mark Meharry is the founder and CEO of Music Glue, a global direct-to-fan e-commerce platform empowering artists to sell music, merch, and tickets while maintaining full control over their brand, data, and revenue. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of music and tech—and a background as a musician himself—Mark has helped thousands of artists, including Metallica, Idles, and Lauv, build sustainable, independent careers by connecting directly with their fans. In this episode, ...
Jun 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 296
Darren Hemmings is a respected music marketing strategist and the founder of Motive Unknown, a leading agency serving over 60 top-tier music clients including independent labels, global pop acts, and music production brands. Since launching the company in 2011, he’s built a team of 30 and become a trusted voice in the industry through his widely read newsletter, Network Notes . Darren’s mission is to help artists and brands connect authentically with their audiences through emotionally resonant,...
Jun 25, 2025•50 min•Ep. 295
Jazmine Valencia is the founder of JV Agency, an artist-first marketing powerhouse behind the success of major artists like The Killers, Fall Out Boy, Avicii, American Authors, Max Frost, and Shawn Mendes. Known for blending cultural storytelling with strategic innovation, Jazmine helps artists bridge the gap between creativity and connection. Her motivational leadership style and forward-thinking use of technology drive real impact across the global music scene. With a mission to unify creators...
Jun 19, 2025•41 min•Ep. 294
Paul Wiltshire is an award-winning music and tech entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience across the entertainment industry. After producing more than 15 million record sales—including twelve #1 singles and albums—Paul founded Songtradr, a global music licensing and rights management platform. His mission is to democratize the music industry by giving independent artists the tools, access, and opportunities to succeed in a rapidly changing digital landscape. In this episode, Paul shares ho...
Jun 17, 2025•46 min•Ep. 292
Andrew Apanov is the founder of Dotted Music, host of the Music Growth Talks podcast, and a veteran digital marketing strategist with over 20 years in the music industry. From his days as editor-in-chief at Ultimate Guitar to mentoring artists and managing campaigns for global music brands, Andrew blends deep industry insight with practical growth strategies that empower musicians to thrive in a saturated market. In this episode, Andrew shares the real mindset and marketing strategies today’s ar...
Jun 13, 2025•35 min•Ep. 292
Cathy Heller is a renowned spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and host of the Abundant Ever After podcast, which has amassed over 45 million downloads. With a deep foundation in Jewish mysticism, manifestation, and mindfulness, Cathy helps individuals unlock their highest potential by teaching how to quiet the mind, align with divine purpose, and receive abundance with ease. Her teachings focus on spiritual growth, creativity, and cultivating a fulfilled life through inner transformation and...
Jun 11, 2025•49 min•Ep. 291
Liam James Ward is the General Manager of music-focused social media agency, Something Something. With a deep background in audience development, playlist strategy, A&R coordination, and grassroots promotion, Liam has worked on award-winning campaigns with major labels and independent artists alike. His journey from tastemaker DJ to industry leader makes him a unique voice in helping artists build meaningful careers in the streaming era. In this episode, Liam shares how artists can use socia...
Jun 05, 2025•39 min•Ep. 290
Matthias Ford is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Prism.fm , a transformative platform streamlining operations for the live music industry. With a background as a live music promoter and a deep passion for both technology and artistry, Matthias bridges the gap between efficiency and human connection. A father of two and a creator at heart, he’s building tools that empower artists, enhance audience engagement, and preserve the magic of in-person experiences in a rapidly digitizing...
Jun 03, 2025•44 min•Ep. 284
Ankit Desai is the Founder and CEO of Snafu Records, a music-tech company using machine learning to provide royalty advances and artist services for independent musicians. Prior to launching Snafu, Ankit led digital strategy at Universal Music Group. He’s been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 and one of Nordic Music Export’s 20 Under 30, recognized for his innovative work in reshaping the future of the music industry. In this episode, Ankit reveals how AI is transforming the music industry—and what in...
May 29, 2025•38 min•Ep. 288
Justin Giddings is an award-winning filmmaker and musician who found creative freedom through crowdfunding. After transitioning from a successful acting career to becoming a sought-after crowdfunding expert, he launched TheKickstarterGuy.com , where he has coached over 350 campaigns to raise more than $11 million with a 97% success rate. Justin blends his background in storytelling with marketing mastery to help artists and creators fund their dreams through authenticity, strategy, and emotional...
May 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 287
Taylor Winchester is a powerhouse in the music marketing world with over a decade of experience in the live music scene. From his beginnings as a Talent Buyer and Marketing Director to his current role as Director of Revenue at found.ee—a trailblazing digital marketing platform under Downtown Music—Taylor has been instrumental in helping artists, record labels, and festivals amplify fan engagement and boost revenue. His strategic insights into digital tools and emerging music trends make him a g...
May 15, 2025•33 min•Ep. 286
Inder Phull is the award-winning CEO and Co-Founder of Pixelynx and KOR Protocol. With over $40M raised in investments and revenue, Inder recently sold his company to Animoca Brands. He’s executed groundbreaking collaborations with Black Mirror, Beatport, mau5trap, and Pioneer DJ, and has worked with brands like Disney, HSBC, and Lacoste. Selected as the IMS Visionary Winner in 2016, Inder is on a mission to merge music, gaming, and blockchain to shape the future of the metaverse. In this episod...
May 13, 2025•38 min•Ep. 285
Thierry Ascarez is a seasoned music industry executive with nearly two decades of experience across major labels, music-tech startups, and AI innovation. He began his career at EMI Music before launching his own company in San Francisco, where he spent six years driving music and technology initiatives. Now based in Belgium, Thierry leads Business & Corporate Development at Winamp, where he's helping shape the future of digital music. In this episode, Thierry dives into how artists can thriv...
May 09, 2025•30 min•Ep. 284
Ronan Mullins is the Co-Founder of Boost Collective, one of the top music marketing platforms supporting over 4,000 artists each month. With deep expertise in organic Spotify playlisting and digital promotion, Ronan has helped independent artists reach real audiences through impactful campaigns. His work doesn’t stop at playlisting—he partners with artists and labels to strategize holistic growth and fan engagement. Through Boost Collective, Ronan empowers creators with the tools, insights, and ...
May 05, 2025•40 min•Ep. 283
Guenter Loibl is the CEO of Rebeat and the visionary founder behind HD Vinyl. Hailing from Tulln, Austria, Guenter saw early on how digital technology—particularly streaming data—would reshape the music business. Today, he's helping lead the charge toward a more artist-friendly, tech-enabled music future by combining insights from analog and digital realms. His forward-thinking work bridges innovation with tradition, exploring the roles of AI, collectibles, and audience relationships in music’s ...
May 02, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 282
Mike Fiebach is a veteran entrepreneur in the music and e-commerce industries, having worked with legendary artists. He founded FameHouse, a pioneering e-commerce and digital marketing firm acquired by Universal Music Group, and now leads MainFactor, helping brands and artists drive direct-to-consumer revenue. With decades of experience at the intersection of music, technology, and business, Mike is passionate about helping artists monetize authentically and sustainably. In this episode, Mike Fi...
Apr 30, 2025•38 min•Ep. 281
Jacob Edgar is an ethnomusicologist, global music expert, and cultural explorer. As President of the acclaimed world music label Cumbancha, the main A&R consultant for Putumayo World Music, and host of the PBS/National Geographic series Music Voyager, Jacob has traveled the globe uncovering the rich cultural stories behind music. His passion lies in helping artists turn their heritage and voice into powerful, authentic brands that resonate deeply with audiences. In this episode, Jacob shares...
Apr 23, 2025•39 min•Ep. 280
Anto Dotcom & Michael Ghannoum are the co-founders of Music Promo Today, a cutting-edge music marketing agency that bridges Web2 and Web3 to help artists grow, monetize, and future-proof their careers. With a passion for building long-term artist legacies and deep expertise in tech, branding, and promotion, they’ve helped thousands of musicians amplify their reach while staying true to their creative vision. In this episode, we explore how artists can stay ahead of trends, build a legacy, an...
Apr 21, 2025•54 min•Ep. 279
Paul Goldman is the founder and CEO of Muserk, a global rights management company using technology to help artists recover lost royalties. A former musician turned entrepreneur, he’s on a mission to bring transparency to music publishing and help artists take control of their earnings. In this episode, Paul reveals how artists are leaving money on the table, why the current system is broken, and what independent musicians can do to secure their rightful royalties. Key Takeaways: Why understandin...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 278
Michael Tolle is the founder of Mello Music Group, a leading independent rap label that has thrived in the digital era. With a deep understanding of the evolving music industry, Tolle has built a brand that champions creativity, adaptability, and artistic integrity. His expertise spans music production, label management, and the impact of technology. Through his work, he continues to support artists in navigating the complexities of an ever-changing landscape. In this episode, Michael sits down ...
Mar 21, 2025•38 min•Ep. 277
Niklas Brantberg and Alex Papaconstantinou are the visionaries behind Overtone Studios, a pioneering company that is transforming music curation through data-driven insights. With a commitment to supporting independent artists, Overtone Studios offers a 50-50 revenue split model that empowers musicians in the streaming era. Following their acquisition by Epidemic Sound, they continue to push boundaries in how mood-based music is curated and consumed. Their expertise spans music technology, artis...
Mar 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 276
Mark Samuels is the founder of Basin Street Records, a label he started in 1997 as a passion project that grew into a staple of the New Orleans music scene. With decades of experience in the industry, Mark has worked with Grammy-winning artists and witnessed the transformation of music distribution, technology, and live performance. His insights into the challenges artists face today, the impact of AI on creativity, and the future of music make this episode a must-listen for musicians and indust...
Mar 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 275
Aaron Bethune is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller who has dedicated his life to helping individuals and businesses uncover their unique purpose. His journey has taken him to the peaks of the Andes, into life-changing experiences that shaped his perspective on commitment, intention, and transformation. As a strategist and consultant, Aaron works with artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations to align their passion with their purpose, creating meaningful impact. His insights on ov...
Mar 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 274
Agent Method is a sound designer and musician known for blending pop punk, emo, and rock with modern EDM influences. Having transitioned from the pop punk scene to working with major artists, he brings a unique perspective on creativity, music production, and the evolving role of AI in sound design. With a passion for innovation, he explores the intersection of technology and music, offering valuable insights for aspiring artists and producers. In this episode, Agent Method and Michael dive into...
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Ep. 273
Ross Barber-Smith is the founder of Electric Kiwi, a web design agency specializing in helping musicians craft stunning and functional websites. With a background in music, Ross understands the unique challenges artists face in building an online presence that truly reflects their identity. Over the years, he has worked with countless musicians, blending aesthetics with usability to create websites that not only look great but also serve as effective tools for fan engagement and monetization. Wh...
Feb 28, 2025•34 min•Ep. 272
Dave Hagen is a Grammy-winning engineer and producer who started as a small-town kid in Missouri and worked his way up to become the head producer at the renowned Dark Horse Institute in Nashville. With years of experience in both engineering and music education, he has helped shape the careers of countless artists and producers. As a mentor at Dark Horse Institute, Dave is passionate about hands-on learning, industry connections, and the perseverance needed to make it in the competitive world o...
Feb 26, 2025•40 min•Ep. 271
Chris Johnson is the Head of A&R at SoundCloud, where he helps emerging artists grow, connect with fans, and monetize their music. With years of experience in artist development, he understands the challenges of breaking through in today’s competitive industry. Chris is passionate about community engagement, creative freedom, and helping artists take ownership of their careers. In this episode, he shares why fan engagement is essential, how artists can make money from their music, and why sp...
Feb 20, 2025•43 min•Ep. 270
Helen Sartory, Chief Revenue Officer at Beatport, brings a unique blend of financial acumen and music industry expertise to the table. With a background in investment banking and a passion for empowering independent artists, Helen has been instrumental in shaping innovative strategies for revenue generation, music asset management, and artist success on a global scale. Helen Sartory discusses the challenges and opportunities for independent artists in today’s evolving music industry. Key Takeawa...
Feb 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 269
Eric Mueller, better known as Skippy, is the driving force behind Pirates Press Records, a label dedicated to keeping the spirit of vinyl alive in an increasingly digital world. With a deep passion for independent music, Eric has helped artists create meaningful physical releases that connect with fans on a deeper level. Through Pirate Press Records, he champions the resurgence of vinyl, making it more accessible while fostering a thriving community of collectors. In this episode, we explore: Ho...
Feb 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 268
