Sound Systems

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Heather Vassar , Senior Vice President at The Orchard and Founder & CEO of Casual Media Partners . Heather shares how her background in accounting, digital marketing, research, and artist development shaped her approach to the music business. She explains how data can help identify opportunities, but why a great song and compe...

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Chris Lisle , Production Designer & Owner at CLLD, LLC and Executive Director at ECCHO Live , about the creative and operational world behind major live music events. Chris shares his journey from discovering lighting design in the early 1990s to becoming the lighting designer for major tours, festivals, and events including L...

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Dylan McDougle , founder and engineer at SUPERSONICS , who has spent his career working at the intersection of music and technology. Dylan shares how his journey from DJing and engineering led him into software development, where he began creating tools to solve operational problems he experienced firsthand in the music business....

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Brad Smalling , Chief Executive Officer at Immersify Audio also, Atmos Mixing & Recording and Mastering Engineer at Evergroove Studio , an expert in spatial audio, source separation, and high-end music production. Brad shares how immersive audio experiences are created through object-based mixing, Dolby Atmos, and advanced sou...

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Rod Yancy , Founder of Bootleg, a platform helping musicians capture, package, and sell authentic live concert recordings directly to fans. Rod shares how Bootleg is transforming live performances into collectible digital experiences by combining modern recording technology, music rights management, and fan engagement. The convers...

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Jack Bradley , Chief Creative Officer and Owner at Hifi Project Inc. , an audio agency specializing in music licensing, custom composition, and brand partnerships. Jack shares how the music licensing landscape has evolved over the last decade, why brands are no longer breaking emerging artists the way they once did, and how influe...

In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast, Max Bernstein speaks with Chris Herche , a SVP of Music, Operations and Marketing at Create Music Group , about how the company has evolved from a digital rights management platform into a data-driven, community-focused hub for independent music entrepreneurs. Chris shares how Create Music Group supports labels and artists with dashboards, analytics, AI to...

In this episode, Max Bernstein sits down with Michaela (Mickey) Shiloh a songwriter, entrepreneur, and founder of HRDRV , to unpack her journey from Grammy-winning songwriter to non-technical music tech founder. Mickey shares how she launched HRDRV (pronounced ‘hard drive’) on Wix in just a few hours, scaled it into a thriving artist community, and eventually rebuilt the platform using AI-powered...

In this episode, Max Bernstein sits down with Dorian Perron , Co-founder of Groover , to break down how artists actually grow on Spotify today through playlists, algorithms, and data-driven strategies. Dorian explains why playlisting has become the dominant form of music promotion, replacing traditional outlets like blogs and radio, and how artists can use it to generate real audience growth. He a...

In this episode, Max Bernstein sits down with Ashlyn Bruni , A&R Coordinator at Hopeless Records , to break down the resurgence of rock music and what it takes for artists to succeed in today’s landscape. Ashlyn shares how modern A&R has evolved beyond chasing streams and viral moments, focusing instead on genuine fan connection, community-building, and long-term artist development. She al...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein sits down with Mark Roberge , a musician, founder of FanFlowy , to break down the systems-driven approach behind building a sustainable music career in today’s industry. He is also the co-founder of Make Our Music and serves as CEO of Bamrock Entertainment and Prospect Hill Entertainment . Mark shares how artists can move beyond chasing virality and instead buil...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein sits down with Marni Wandner , founder of Future Present , to explore how leadership, burnout prevention, and human-centered systems can reshape the way the music industry works. Drawing from her journey through artist management, running a successful marketing agency, experiencing burnout, and ultimately building a coaching and consulting practice, Marni introd...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein sits down with Jamie Dee Hart founder of Hart & Songs , a music rights management expert who helps artists, writers, and management teams clean up registrations and collect the royalties they’re owed. Jamie breaks down the real-world consequences of skipping “boring admin” from unclaimed royalties that can expire after a limited retroactive window to situati...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein welcomes Alexander Ciccimarro , Vice President of Marketing at RCA Records , to talk about the evolution of music marketing, artist branding, and the operational systems powering today’s record labels. From orchestrating viral blog-era moments to championing AI-driven label workflows, Alexander unpacks how he navigated a career from mixtape culture to music exec...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein sits down with Dr. Chelsey Green , a genre-crossing violinist, educator, and now Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Recording Academy. Known for her work as a classical and contemporary musician, Dr. Chelsey shares how a spontaneous open-mic performance led her down a transformative path, from performing with a touring R&B band to shaping the future of th...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein talks with Alessandro Viola , a classically trained percussionist turned low-code systems architect at Warner Classics. Alessandro shares his unique journey from growing up immersed in classical music to building internal software systems that are transforming the way classical record labels operate. He offers a rare look behind the curtain of the classical musi...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein talks to Jack Guppy , a former musician turned data analyst at Spinnin' Records . Jack’s journey from producing music in his bedroom to working with one of the most recognized dance labels in the world is both fascinating and insightful. Jack shares how his early passion for computer science and music production eventually led him to discover a career in data an...

In this episode, Max Bernstein sits down with Charlie Buffin , founder of Spark Media , for a conversation that spans the explosive rise of influencer marketing, the business of digital creators, and launching an animated YouTube IP with global impact. Charlie shares his journey from a college entrepreneur managing teenage creators during the Musical.ly era to becoming a multi-platform creator age...

In this episode, Max Bernstein sits down with Benjamin Groff , a music publishing veteran with over 30 years of experience and owner of BRILL BUILDING MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC , to discuss his journey through the music industry, the changing landscape of music publishing, and how aspiring artists and songwriters can make their mark. Benjamin shares insights from his time at major companies such as BMG...

In this episode, Max Bernstein talks to Matthew Hoffman , Founder of Trusted Advisor , a membership group connecting professionals in music, entertainment, and sports. Matthew discusses the evolution of his business, which started in 2020 amid the pandemic, and how he’s built a thriving community of advisors who work closely with high-profile clients. He shares his journey from architecture to ent...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein interviews Bradley Haering , former President of Nice Life of Nice Life Recording Company . Bradley shares his journey from shoe store employee to label exec, discussing his pivotal role in Lizzo's breakthrough and his vision for a more individualized and sustainable approach to artist development. He also explores the evolving landscape of social media, particu...

In this episode, host Max Bernstein interviews Ryan Hamilton , Founder of Catalog Management Services , who discusses his transition to working for himself in the dynamic world of music tech and catalog optimization . With nearly 20 years in the music business, from A&R and Live Nation to publishing, Ryan offers an insider's perspective on managing client acquisition and creative work, the val...

Ready to ditch spreadsheets and run your music business like a machine? Join Max Bernstein, founder of Relationl, as he talks with the industry’s biggest operators about the systems, automation, and workflows powering today’s top music companies. From behind-the-scenes management challenges to the cutting-edge systems driving Billboard- and Rolling Stone–featured companies, Sound Systems will show...