Episode #99: Melissa Locker is a culture writer who has contributed to Elle, Rolling Stone, Fast Company, and more. She joins Portia to talk about trends in music writing, what Mick Jagger smells like, and how everyone should try to meet Enya.
Episode #98: Whether you do everything yourself or have some professional help, being resourceful is an important skill as an independent artist. On this episode, we talk with people who've established themselves and built their businesses -- doing everything from album recording to promotion -- outside of the mainstream. We're joined by the band Listener, Krist Krueger of Self Group, and Cool Nutz.
Teen-Beat Records founder Mark Robinson discusses running the label, highlighting local music, and more.
Episode #97: How global are the issues that affect the U.S. music industry? On this episode, Portia sits on a panel moderated by Jay Mogis (QUT/Nightlife) with Lynne Small (PPCA), Richard Burgess (A2IM), Paul Pacifico (AIM), Dylan Pellett (IMNZ) and Matt Rogers (UNFD) to discuss key developments in the copyright environment affecting the indies both here and in international markets. The group explores a diverse range of topics including: safe harbour and why you should care; EU copyright direct...
Ian MacKaye joins us to talk D.C., Dischord, and fellow indie label Teen-Beat Records.
Health insurance, a 401K… employment benefits in general? Not so easy to find working in the music industry. Luckily, in 1989 the Recording Academy created the MusiCares Foundation, providing a safety net of critical services and resources for industry people in need. On this episode, Recording Academy president Neil Portnow gives us some background on the foundation and, while the service is confidential, some of the many musicians, managers and crew who have been helped by MusiCares have volun...
Episode #96: In 1985, Mark Robinson sent a letter to Ian MacKaye asking about how to press vinyl records. The year earlier, he founded Teen-Beat Records in Arlington, Virginia. Initially, only one copy of each release existed. Now, the label has over 200 releases under its belt and has shaped the D.C. independent music scene alongside MacKaye’s punk label Dischord. Both Mark and Ian join us on this episode to talk Teen-Beat, D.C., and more. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple...
Episode #95: We talk a lot on this show about issues that affect musicians and the creative community, so how can people get involved and actually make a difference? For the last three years, the Recording Academy has led a grassroots campaign to mobilize the music community. Through their District Advocate day (formerly GRAMMYs in My District), artists have an opportunity to make an impact on music policy by speaking directly with their legislator. This year, District Advocate day falls on Octo...
Episode #94: Recently, a bill was introduced by Republican congressman Jim Sensenbrenner which calls for the creation of a comprehensive database of compositions and recordings. The “Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act” claims to make things easier for coffee shops, bars and restaurants who want to license music to play in their establishments. To many in the music industry, the bill seems like a wolf in sheep’s clothing with the potential cause big problems. On this episode we dig...
Public Display PR's Sierra Haager returns to the show to discuss how people listen to music and what success means for independent musicians. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
Bandcamp managing editor Jes Skolnik joins us to discuss the myth of good music rising to the "top." Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
Episode #93: People often say that if you make good music, the fans will follow. So does good music rise to the top? And what is the top? On this episode, we talk with Jes Skolnik, managing editor at Bandcamp. Through Bandcamp Daily, Jes makes a point to highlight lesser-known artists who might be overlooked by outlets like Pitchfork or Rolling Stone. We also hear from Public Display PR’s Sierra Haager, whose goal through her boutique PR agency is to get high-profile coverage for indie bands. Su...
Thirsty Ear Recordings' Peter Gordon joins us to discuss how net neutrality affects musicians and the creative community. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier joins us to talk about streaming rates, big tech companies, and surviving as an indie artist. Hear more on episode 92. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
Episode #92: The internet is a vital tool for artists, but without the protections that ensure a level playing field, creators’ ability to earn a living comes under threat. On today's episode, we dive into the murky waters of net neutrality, copyright, and tech giants. We hear from Thirsty Ear Recordings Peter Gordon about why musicians should care about net neutrality. This point is echoed by Evan Greer of Fight for the Future, who goes on to explain the organization's controversial stance on c...
Episode #91: What if there were an IMDB for music? Not only would fans be able to dig deeper into their favorite albums, but producers, artists, and other collaborators could catalog their contributions, labels could track data more easily, and businesses would have all of the information they need to license a song right at their fingertips. On this episode, we talk with a new service called Jaxsta. CEO Jacqui Louez Schoorl and Head of Licensing Dick Huey discuss how Jaxsta could revolutionize ...
What does it mean when an artist or label calls itself independent? Instead of defining independence as "not major," this episode discusses what independence in music really means. Portia travels to Australia for an Indie-Con panel with Matthew Rogers (UNFD/WIN Council Member), Sebastian Chase (MGM), Chris Maund (Mushroom Group of Labels), Merida Sussex (Stolen Recordings), and Guy Blackman (Chapter Music). Then, she speaks with A2IM CEO Richard Burgess about his recent Billboard article respond...
Episode #59: When you think of video game music, you might hear Koji Kondo’s Super Mario Bros. original score, or maybe FlyLo FM from Grand Theft Auto’s licensed soundtrack. Either way, video games have long held promise for composers and musicians. Like movies, video games are naturally a broad medium with room for different musical experiences. Games also provide a lucrative revenue stream for some artists. One composer, Chris Remo, who has worked on recent hits like Gone Home and Firewatch, j...
Episode #89: The music industry has recently seen its largest sales increase since the days of Napster. Streaming, while still in its infancy has shown that making a fraction of a penny from a lot of listeners could be a long term sustainable model for many. But just as we began to get comfortable, Pandora started a premium streaming service, YouTube is still running the show and Spotify is having to sign new deals (like allowing new releases to be “windowed”). Is this Napster 2.0? Are we going ...
Palehound's Ellen Kempner joins us at Pickathon to talk about how she got into music and what it takes to navigate today's industry. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
We caught up with "comedy-adjacent" rapper and fellow podcaster Open Mike Eagle at Pickathon last year. Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
Episode #88: Last year, we went to Oregon’s Pickathon music festival and caught up with some promising acts in Pickathon’s interview video series. With this year’s festival around the corner, we bring you extended interviews with some of our favorite artists. We talk with rapper and host of Comedy Central’s The New Negroes, Open Mike Eagle. Then we discuss everything from Avril Lavigne to anxiety with Ellen Kempner (Palehound). Thao Nguyen joins us to recount how she first got signed to Kill Roc...
SoundExchange president Mike Huppe joins us to discuss the organizations acquisition of the Canadian music licensing collective CMRRA. "Together," they say, "the two agencies will integrate and streamline the administration and distribution of sound recording and music publishing royalties." Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
Gray Gannaway, founder of video strategy firm Quarterlab, discusses the recent "adpocalypse" on YouTube which has dramatically cut revenue for many channels. So how has this affected the music industry? Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http://bit.ly/2gOYMYM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureofwhat/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/1L6T8fl
The music industry is constantly changing, so today we shine a light on a few important topics developing in the business. First we discuss the recent YouTube “adpocalypse” and how it affects artists’ revenues with Gray Gannaway of Quarterlab Consultancy. Then we hear from Mike Huppe, President of SoundExchange about their recent acquisition of CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency). Finally, The Recording Academy’s Daryl Friedman gives us an update on what’s happening with issues a...
Episode #86: In the early 90’s, Chapel Hill was dubbed “the next Seattle” after producing acts that got noticed beyond its state lines. Twenty-five years later, a lot has changed in the local and national music landscape but the core ingredients that comprise any music scene remain the same: venues, record stores, press, and radio. While in North Carolina, Portia spoke with local mainstays Chaz Martenstein (Bull City Records), Mark Connor (Cave/Slims), Allison Hussey (Indy Week), Sarah Schmader ...
Episode #85: A lot of money is spent in the music industry developing new tools and platforms, but today we spotlight a nonprofit committed to providing artists with educational and professional resources -- all for free. In 2008, CASH Music started out of a desire to create a sustainable music industry. Since then, the platform has offered everything from download code generation and redemption to social feeds. We hear more from executive director Maggie Vail and Throwing Muses’ Kristin Hersh. ...
Episode #84: Making great music is only one part of the equation; equally important is making sure you reach an audience and cultivate them as fans. As more and more musicians release their own music, the onus is on the musician to also navigate the marketing process. Almost every musician has access to the same marketing resources….and knowing your options and utilizing them effectively can make the difference between making music your hobby or making music your career. And what does a successf...
Episode #83: Most indie label owners didn’t go to business school, and never expected to get interest from venture capitalists. What are the steps they can take to grow their business smartly using investment tools? This live discussion from A2IM’s Indie Week focuses on the fundamentals of investing – the basics, the intricacies, the best partnerships, and the pitfalls. When should you look for investors? What should you be aware of when an investor approaches you? Do you understand the differen...
Episode #82: Since talking with Portland’s new record pressing plant, Cascade, in 2015, more and more vinyl pressing plants have opened up. New manufacturers can mean more opportunities for small labels, job creation and better quality products and customer service. We revisit the ups and downs of pressing records with Third Man Records’ Ben Blackwell, Cash Carter and Ryan Lewis of Athens, GA based plant Kindercore Vinyl and New Jersey’s Independent Record Pressing general manager Sean Rutkowski...
