Episode #81: How many "likes" did you get today, and does it even matter? On this episode, Portia leads an Upstream Summit keynote panel talking with Run The Jewels manager Amaechi Uzoigwe and RCA Records’ Tunji Balogun, two industry insiders who have effectively mined the vast quantities of data and analytics available. Artists, managers and labels have all begun using data to amplify albums, sell out shows, and launch careers; and at May’s Summit in Seattle, Portia and her panel of experts gav...
Jun 09, 2017•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #80: On this episode we spotlight two people making change in the music industry. You might know Meredith Graves from her band Perfect Pussy, or from her work as a full time MTV News host. She also freelances and runs her own label. Meredith discusses her various jobs, the state journalism, hot takes and PWR BTTM. We also hear from musician Simon Tam about his groundbreaking Supreme Court case dealing with the trademark of his band’s name, The Slants. Subscribe to The Future of What on i...
Jun 02, 2017•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #20: On the front page of Pandora’s website, there’s a statement that says “It’s a new kind of radio — stations that play only music you like.” How can it be that Pandora knows what you’ll enjoy? Isn’t liking music purely up to personal taste? Pandora, like many other digital music platforms, uses a complex algorithm to predict what their listeners want to hear. Other services employ human beings to curate their music discovery systems. So who’s the more effective tastemaker? Man, or mac...
May 26, 2017•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #79: Music supervisors aren’t just responsible for picking great songs for movies, TV shows, ads and video games, they also have to be savvy negotiators and know the ins and outs of music licensing. So how does someone become a music supervisor? And how can artists better connect with music supervisors when the opportunity arises? We discuss these questions and more with supervisors Jen Malone (Atlanta, Baskets), Sue Jacobs (Big Little Lies, Silver Linings Playbook) and Bryan Turcotte (B...
May 19, 2017•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #78: People have been declaring the end of radio for years, yet stations continue to pop up and even thrive today. While many stations have been swept up by corporations, community and college low-power FM and internet stations still serve their communities. On this episode, we sit down with LPFM and college stations to discuss the role of community radio today, how college stations serve as a “pipeline for the music industry,” and how authenticity in media is more important than ever. J...
May 12, 2017•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #77: With more and more music flooding the internet, artists, labels, and entrepreneurs are looking for new ways to engage fans. Many look to a subscription model as a way to provide listeners with a unique, niche experience. On this episode we hear from Patreon's Jack Conte, Vinyl Me, Please founder Matthew Fiedler, Kevin Duquette (Topshelf Records) and Karl Hofstetter (Joyful Noise Recordings). Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: http://apple.co/1P4Apk0 Follow us: Twitter: http:...
May 05, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #33: “Young people [are an] underserved population when it comes to the music industry.” That’s the point our guest Andre Middleton drives home on this episode of The Future of What. In our discussion with Middleton (Friends of Noise) and Todd Fadel (The Meow Meow), we look at the logistics and pitfalls of starting and sustaining an all ages venue. Like many cities with rising rents and strict liquor laws, Portland has seen a slew of beloved all ages venues close in the last decade. Many...
Apr 28, 2017•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #76: Licensing a song may have once come with accusations of selling out, but today, getting a song on a movie, TV show or commercial can be one of the most lucrative moves for a musician. It can make paying for a tour or album that much more feasible, and can even break a band to a new audience. So how does licensing work, and how can an artist up their chances of making a deal? On this episode we talk with Kat Olsen, music supervisor at boutique licensing agency Marmoset, and Ritchie Y...
Apr 21, 2017•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #75: On this episode we’re sharing interviews with three of our favorite artists from Treefort Music Fest! First, Portia talks with Catherine Harris-White of SassyBlack and THEESatisfaction about turning music into a living, then joins Seattle band Thunderpussy to talk about their upcoming album and collaboration with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. We also hear from Luz Elena Mendoza, the core of Portland group Y La Bamba, who tells us about the first time she held a guitar and more. Find ou...
Apr 14, 2017•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #74: The Future of What looks deeper at recent immigration issues surrounding SXSW and Trump's travel ban with Matthew Covey of international musicians' group Tamizdat and Kevin Erickson of artist advocacy organization the Future of Music Coalition. Cherine Amr of Massive Scar Era shares her story of being turned away at the border, and Baltimore musician Ami Dang discusses her concerns over the rise in xenophobic attitudes. More on: FMC: https://futureofmusic.org/ Artists from Abroad: h...
Apr 07, 2017•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #73: Treefort Music Fest is a 5-day music and arts festival in Boise, Idaho. This year’s festival was one of the most successful yet, and bolstered Treefort as a great alternative to SXSW. We headed to Boise to talk with performers and host a panel on the current state of the music industry. Hear the panel with Sharlese Metcalf (KEXP), Jess Caragliano (Terrorbird Media), Zeke Howard (The Brigade) and Karl Hofstetter (Joyful Noise) on this episode. Find out more about: KEXP: http://kexp.o...
Mar 31, 2017•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #24: Independent labels have long been at the forefront of bringing great music to the public, especially lost gems and overlooked greats that went out of print or were never pressed on any other format than vinyl. Today we talk reissues with the labels Yep Roc and Light in the Attic, as well as talking to one of the bands whose output is receiving the reissue treatment: seminal pub rock band Eggs Over Easy. Yep Roc’s General Manager Billy Maupin discusses reissues in general, and Light ...
Mar 24, 2017•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #72: As long as there’s been music, there have been music critics. Like many professions, music review has been indelibly changed by the Internet. For a while, a numerical rating on Pitchfork could make or break a band. Blogs and social media emerged, and suddenly, truly everyone was a critic. On this episode, we hear from music critics about their role today and more. We’re joined by Sound Opinions’ (WBEZ) Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, Julianne Escobedo Shepherd (Jezebel), Bob Ham (Paste)...
Mar 17, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Shane Told (Silverstein, River Oaks), joins us to talk about his podcast, Lead Singer Syndrome, making it in the music business and more. 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
Mar 14, 2017•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #71: Podcasts have surged in popularity over the last few years, and have proved to be a great way to connect with your audience — so why don’t more musicians take advantage of the format? Today we talk with three musicians making their mark on the podcast charts, Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of Song Exploder, Joe Pug, host of The Working Songwriter, and Silverstein’s Shane Told, host of Lead Singer Syndrome. PLUS: We've joined Jabberjaw Media! Subscribe to The Future of What on iTunes: ht...
Mar 10, 2017•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Like many creative cities, Portland is growing rapidly, but is the vibrant music scene that bolstered its reputation benefiting? The city is known as one of the nation’s hottest music spots, so how can we make sure that its beloved music industry thrives as Portland changes? On this episode we delve into these questions and more with local industry leaders, Pat Rice (Old Town Music), Larry Crane (Tape Op Magazine, Jackpot Recording Studio), Terry Currier (Music Millennium), Sierra Haager (Public...
Mar 03, 2017•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast When people talk about “making it” in the music industry, it’s usually in reference to making a living writing or playing original songs in a popular band or as a solo artist. Today we explore alternative career paths playing music. We’re joined by Phil Hernandez and Chris Maxwell, who make up production duo The Elegant Too. They’re also the composers of some of your favorite musical moments on Bob’s Burgers. We also talk with successful children’s (or “kindie” rock) band, The Not-Its. Finally, ...
Feb 24, 2017•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #37: When recording engineer Larry Crane started Tape Op Magazine in 1996, he printed the first issue on legal paper and Xeroxed 500 copies to send to his friends. Branded as “the creative music recording magazine,” that first issue set Tape Op up to be one of the best resources for new and established engineers, gaining a readership of over 60,000. On this episode of The Future of What, we celebrate Tape Op’s 20th anniversary with an extended interview with Crane. We talk about what it ...
Feb 17, 2017•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Larry Crane runs Jackpot! Recording Studio and Tape Op Magazine. He's also the archivist of Elliott Smith's catalog. Larry talks with Portia about his time working with Elliott and putting together the upcoming 'Either/Or: Expanded Edition.' 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
Feb 16, 2017•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode #68: From Prince to Sharon Jones, too many musicians have passed away in the last year. What will happen to their music, and who will control their legacies? These losses remind us that, while difficult, planning for the inevitable is vital as a musician of any level. On this episode, we look at recent cases of musicians’ estate planning gone awry with attorney Andy Mayoras. We also hear from Conrad Rippy, who represents the estate of Jeff Buckley. Larry Crane, archivist for Elliott Smit...
Feb 10, 2017•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
