Hi Podcast listeners! Ryan is getting married today, but that did not stop us bringing you a fantastic episode. After talking about some wedding stuff, Ryan and Dave interview Grammy award-winning indie musician Tim Kubart. Last February, Tim won the Grammy for Best Children's Album for his 2015 release "Home". He talks to R & D about his experience making an award-winning album in his "tiny apartment." He also talks about what it means to him that the five Grammy nominees in his category we...
May 07, 2016•1 hr 2 min
Hi Everyone! In the first segment, Dave and Ryan talk about the lawsuit between metal band Five Finger Death Punch and their record label. The suit underscores one of the most troubling aspects of record deals--that labels have full control over when artists get to release their art to the public. Listen to Ryan and Dave discuss the implications that this case has for indie artists everywhere. In the second segment, Ryan and Dave are joined by indie artist Daria Musk. Daria became an overnight m...
May 01, 2016•1 hr 15 min
Hi Podcast listeners! This week, musician and entrepreneur Derek Webb stops by to talk about his platform Noisetrade. Noisetrade is a music distribution platform in which artists offer free downloads of their content in exchange for receiving the downloaders' e-mail addresses. Ryan's conversation with Derek covers the Noisetrade platform and also discusses the role that an indie artist's recorded content plays in moving their moving their career forward. Is recorded music a product, or is it a m...
Apr 24, 2016•52 min
Hi Podcast Listeners!This week, Ryan talks about some of the big changes coming both in his personal and podcasting life over the next few weeks. In addition to getting a new spouse and a new house, you the listener will eventually get to enjoy your favorite music business podcast from a brand new studio, which Ryan is currently building. Stay tuned! Ryan and Dave also discuss how artists can use subscription models as a way to release content and merchandise will also assuring a steady stream o...
Apr 17, 2016•1 hr
Hi listeners! This week, we are joined by one of our favorite guests, Meri Amber. She is a terrific "geek pop" singer songwriter and we have a blast every time we have her on. This week, she joins us to discuss her latest album, the 90s-inspired "Retro Sherbet." She also gives us some great tips during the interview on how to blog effectively as an indie artist and offers us a window into her recording process. And in a Break the Business Podcast first, we have our guest stay on for an additiona...
Apr 04, 2016•55 min
Hi podcast listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss a couple terrific articles that indie artist and blogger Chris Robley wrote recently. One was about indie singer-songwriter Daniel Anderson, who was able to have a successful release of his latest album by selling copies door-to-door. Find out how Anderson was able to mix old-school and new-school marketing methods to earn an unexpected hit LP. The second article discussed how Chris Robley was able to make a great music video for ...
Mar 27, 2016•1 hr 14 min
Hi Podcast Listeners! This week Ryan and Dave talk about the changes to Twitter's feed. There is an algorithm now, and artists will need to change their tweeting accordingly to be successful on the platform. They also talk about artist managers and a Pledge Music article on the importance of building "super fans."In the second segment, country pop indie sensation Alayna stops by. She talks about her monster crowdfunding campaign for her latest EP and how she works to keep her fans engaged with h...
Mar 20, 2016•1 hr 13 min
In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the latest Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros video. It was shot entirely on an iPhone and it came out great! This has huge implications for indie artists and for the videos they make. Our hosts also talk about NBC's recent changes to its Songland contestant contract. Ryan and Dave talked about the problems with this contract a month ago and recent public pressure has led to changes in the language. But do those changes go far enough?In the second se...
Mar 13, 2016•1 hr 7 min
Hi Podcast listeners! This week, there are rumors abound streaming services, and Ryan and Dave break them down. With Spotify possibly finding new ownership, Ryan shares his thoughts on what it could mean for indie artists. R &D also talk about a recent cover video contest hosted by CD Baby and Dave shares some metal news. In the second segment, Ryan and Dave talk about the trailer for the new Ghostbusters movie and they have "NostraDAVEus" stop by to give movie reviews for movies that have n...
Mar 06, 2016•1 hr 18 min
Hi Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discusses a SonicBids Blog article about creating an engaging e-mail signature. Well, to be more precise, Ryan discusses the article, and Dave tries to throw Ryan off the whole time because he wants the whole show to be a comedy podcast. In the second segment, Auralex CEO Eric Smith stops by and gives great advice on building a great home studio (a MUST for indie artists). Eric is a fantastic entrepreneur and his insights ...
Mar 01, 2016•1 hr 18 min
Hi Podcast listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave briefly discuss Cyber PR's new free content calendar and American Idol winner Caleb Johnson's latest independent release and crowdfunding campaign. But they most of the segment discussing the latest updates in the Ke$ha-Dr. Luke case and the judge's ruling denying Ke$ha's preliminary injunction. In discussing the case, Ryan shares his views on exclusive recording contracts and the dangers they impose on artists.In the second segment, accl...
Feb 21, 2016•1 hr 24 min
Hi Podcast Listeners. Thanks for listening and tell a friend!Happy Valentine's Day! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about a Music Think Tank blog article that leaked the talent contracts for the upcoming NBC music competition show Songland. Spoiler alert: The agreements are a mess. R & D rip the contract to shreds and Ryan gives some helpful guidance on how indie artists should approach reality show competition contracts generally. In the second segment, adult contemporary singer-so...
Feb 14, 2016•1 hr 17 min
Hi Listeners! We are thrilled to have co-host Dave back in the studio! He has returned from China and is back in the studio to make us all happy. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about music distribution options for artists and Ryan is thankful for his dear friend Josh's contribution of a brand new BP40 microphone from AudioTechnica. Thanks Josh, you are the best!In the second segment, CD Baby's Director of Marketing Kevin Breuner stops by. He gives great insight into major label life th...
Feb 07, 2016•1 hr 13 min
Hi Podcast Listeners!Ryan is back in his home studio after his remote cast from NAMM last week. In the first segment, Ryan reflects on his time at NAMM and talks about what is next for the show. He also talks about his book and its availability on Amazon. The Break the Business book was the #2 new music business book on Kindle last week. Thank you so much!In the second segment, musician/lawyer Andrew Koussevitzky stops by. Andrew is a former member of the band Stellar Revival, which was signed t...
Jan 31, 2016•1 hr 1 min
Hi Listeners! First thing's first: Ryan's book "Break the Business: Declaring your Independence and Achieving True Success in the Music Industry" is available now on Amazon. Check it out!This week, the Break the Business Podcast is on location at NAMM 2016 in Anaheim, California. NAMM 2016 is a world famous convention that features music equipment and merchandise from manufacturers all over the world. It also features a lot of panels that give great advice to help musicians.For this episode, Rya...
Jan 24, 2016•43 min
Hi Listeners! Thanks for joining us this week. In the first segment, Ryan gives an update on his book and his upcoming trip to NAMM. He also discusses the loss of David Bowie and Alan Rickman this past week.In the second segment, "The Music Industry Lawyer" Erin M. Jacobson stops by for an interview. Erin is a celebrated entertainment lawyer who focuses much of her practice on helping indie artists. She gives great insight on when a DIY artist should retain a lawyer, what they should look for in...
Jan 17, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Happy New Year, everyone! The Break the Business Podcast is back for 2016. Ryan and Dave talk about what they did over the holiday break, and have lots of exciting news to share. The biggest of that news is that Ryan is engaged! After talking about taking the plunge, R & D then talk about the mistakes that DIY artists can avoid in the new year.In the second segment, indie music expert and syndicated radio host D Grant Smith stops by and gives some great tips on how DIY artists can grow their...
Jan 10, 2016•1 hr 9 min
Hi Podcast Listeners! It is our last episode of the year. We are celebrating a terrific 2015 with a more relaxed format this week. Ryan brings in his podcasting buddies Elisa and Evan to join Dave in a pure pop culture episode. No DIY music talk this week. Instead, we will make you smile with some comedy and general banter. We talk about "The Room", Steve Harvey's Miss Universe flub, Madonna's Christmas custody issue, and Star Wars. We also have a couple game shows this week because we all love ...
Dec 27, 2015•1 hr 28 min
This week's episode is heavy on Star Wars. Dave has already seen the movie three times and is super excited (Don't worry. No spoilers here!). Music business consultant Bobby Borg stops by to talk about how to succeed as a DIY artist. Bobby is a musician, teacher, and author of the books "Music Marketing for the DIY Musician" and "Business Basics for Musicians." On our show, he talks about how to achieve "career execution" as an indie artist, how to get started in DIY, how to avoid mistakes in yo...
Dec 21, 2015•1 hr 13 min
Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading this week.In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss an article by Bobby Owsinski on the Music 3.0 blog about the different kids of Twitter contests that artists can create on the social media platform. Next, one of R & D's favorite guests--Meri Amber--stops by again to talk about her latest 360 VR music videos. These videos can be a game changer for artists, representing a new and exciting form of content. In the final segment, Dave tells Ryan w...
Dec 14, 2015•1 hr 9 min
Hello Listeners! Thanks for downloading us this week. In the first segment, Ryan comes to you from a hotel room in New York City on his portable podcasting setup. He discusses the different kinds of video content indie artists can create on YouTube, and references a terrific blog article on the subject by Hugh McIntyre of the Sonic Bids blog. Next, the Podcast moves back to the Miami studio to interview artist and San Diego Songwriter's Guild President Mike Wojniak. Mike talks about his music ca...
Dec 07, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Happy Thanksgiving, Listeners!Ryan's sister Lauren is in town and sits in on the show this week. They talk about Ryan's recent book photo shoot and break down what makes a good band agreement. Indie blues band Little Hurricane stops by to talk about their current tour, working with a full-service music distributor, and how they use social media. Ryan and Lauren then play a fun game show (that Ryan surprisingly does not completely fail at!).Thanks for listening! Subscribe to the Break the Busines...
Nov 29, 2015•1 hr 26 min
Hi Podcast Listeners!First, Ryan and Dave talk about a recent Huffington Post Article in which guitar legend Joe Bonamassa talks about running his own career and being a successful indie artist. Then, country artists Zack Biss and Rebekah Reid stop by to talk about balancing music and college, creating a strong social media following, and recording their albums. The show closes by premiering the Dave: The Ultimate Arbiter segment in which Dave gives his rulings on everyday societal questions. It...
Nov 23, 2015•1 hr 6 min
Thank you for listening to the Podcast. It has been a tough weekend for all of us. It helps the people involved on this show to keep speaking with you and bringing you music industry advice from amazing indie artists.In the first segment, we talk about the Paris attacks and give a simple request for musicians: Please keep doing what you do. Please keep making music. We need your art now more than ever.In the second segment, Ari Herstand stops by and gives some great advice. No one gives better D...
Nov 15, 2015•1 hr 11 min
Hi Podcast Listeners! Dave is back and talks about his birthday vacation adventures, and then R &D discuss Adam Levine's recent comments about how record labels are failing to effectively promote the winners of The Voice TV show. In the second segment, BTB doubles the fun with its weekly interview by having husband-wife synth rock duo The Droids on. They discuss the joys and challenges of building their music careers as a married couple with a child. They also talk about how they use Vines t...
Nov 09, 2015•1 hr 2 min
What effects do streaming have on the music industry overall? Ryan and his co-host JC talk about a recent article written by two music economists who discuss that point. R & J break down the article, share their thoughts, and discuss what its findings mean for indie artists. In the second segment, singer-songwriter Marian Call stops by to talk about her upcoming album, her recent uber-successful crowdfunding campaign, and how she makes her awesome music videos. She gives tons of great advice...
Nov 01, 2015•1 hr 22 min
Hi Everyone! Dave is out of town for his birthday and so Ryan's musician/songwriter/producer friend Evan is sitting in. They discuss the new YouTube Red subscription service and the big impact it will have on indie artists (basically, if you're an indie artist and you aren't creating heavily on YouTube, NOW is the time). Nashville-based singer/songwriter Kelly Seidel stops by to discuss her new self-titled EP. It is her first major studio project and she offers some great insight on how to creat...
Oct 25, 2015•1 hr 5 min
Ryan gives a book update and Ryan and Dave have an in-studio interview with e-commerce expert Chris Corey. Chris provides internet marketing services for Fortune 500 companies and will use that knowledge to advise indie artists on how to build a great website, succeed on social media, and create an effective brand online. The show closes with Ryan flailing and failing while playing Dave's As Yet Untitled Game Show.Thanks for listening! Follow Ryan @ryankair and Dave @dkaye1027. Rate/Review/Subsc...
Oct 18, 2015•1 hr 5 min
Ryan begins the show by revealing to Dave that the Podcast has achieved "New and Noteworthy" status on iTunes. Dave gets so excited about this that he completely forgets to pay attention to the show. In the meantime, Ryan talks about the meeting he had yesterday with his book publisher. The big release day for the Break the Business book is fast approaching and Ryan might be starting to get a little nervous. Ryan and Dave talk about the ongoing litigation between Mischa Barton and her "momager" ...
Oct 11, 2015•1 hr 17 min
This week's episode is filled with fun discussions and great indie artist advice. Dave and Ryan argue about Ryan Adams' album of Taylor Swift 1989 cover songs. Electropop artist Bill Boulden (AKA "DJ Spruke") stops by to discuss his latest crowdfunding campaign and provides a lot of great tips for artists, including some valuable insight on how to succeed on Kickstarter and Twitter. This episode is a must listen for DIY entertainers who want to significantly increase their presence online. Bill ...
Oct 04, 2015•1 hr 23 min
