Music Tectonics

On this episode we sit down with Gareth Deakin to talk about successful business collaborations and the various types of partnerships  – from distribution, to technology and marketing. He underscores the necessity of clear mental models and the importance of viewing these partnerships as frameworks for value creation and strong commercial relationships.   Links to shoutouts mentioned in the episod...

This is a live recording from our online Seismic Event of May 8th. Join us as we navigate the brave new world of generative AI music with some of the industry's sharpest minds. Amadea Choplin, COO of PEX, Charles Alexander, of Vinil and Remington Scott, from Hyperreal shed light on the pressing need for tracing, control, and monetization in an era where AI can replicate musical artistry with uncan...

Dmitri and Tristra scan the horizon of music tech news and discuss the latest ripples and waves shaping our industry. From "multiplayer mode" music experiences, where fans and artists blur the lines in a remix-friendly world, to Spotify's controversial new bundling practices – these are only a couple of the many topics we get into. Join us.    Rock Paper Scissors Scanner   The Music Tectonics podc...

As the music industry morphs, Dmitri and Sami Forzinetti deep dive into a conversation that touches on the decentralization of income streams and the rise of direct artist-fan connections. We dissect the evolving roles of labels, the implications of platforms like TikTok and Substack on artist income, and the potential of new funding models that are rewriting the rules.    Dream Street   Concord ...

The age of Mass Data is here. From music discovery based on algorithms, to small artists using fan location data to plan tours, to AI-generated music, data is changing just about every aspect of the music industry. In this episode, Tristra talks to Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert, authors of The Secret Life of Data. Jesse and Aram show us that today's music and culture is increasingly set by data...

Listen in to the conversation I had with expert Bob Moczydlowsky , former Managing Director of Techstars Music, about what trends and investment shifts he sees shaking up the music tech startup space. This was a live Seismic Activity event, open to all and held monthly. RSVP for the next one here .  The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technolog...

If you're a regular listener, you know we run the Music Tectonics conference. Early EARLY bird tickets are now on sale, and it's time for you to think about joining us on the beach in Santa Monica CA. Find out about this year's keynote speaker—and why it's a big deal that he's back! We share a few audio snapshots from the conference to give you a taste of the music innovation conversations that ta...

Join Dr. Portia Sabin, President of the Music Business Association, and Dmitri in a candid discussion about how technology is propelling the industry forward. Their conversation touches on how tech helps to mitigate issues like fraud, and how it is reshaping the way we experience live events. Portia and Dmitri discuss the interplay between innovation and the need for unity amongst the industry's v...

This episode contains a host of insider knowledge. For example, did you know that ideally your pitch to an investor would not go further out than the next twelve months? And that the strength of your team could be more important than your innovative idea. Join Dmitri for a rooftop discussion at SXSW 2024, as he talks with Xavier Péters of Lean Square about his thoughts for securing successful musi...

Vinyl provides a tactile connection to an artist, and stands as an artistic statement amidst the ephemeral nature of streaming. Join us as Tristra talks with Karlyn King, a researcher whose work attempts to decode the enigma of vinyl's unwavering charm.  "We live in the post ownership economy. Music is just a rental service, you're renting the right to use it – like an apartment. Whereas the vinyl...

How close are you to the exchange of money? Let's take some time to think through this most vital piece of the music tech startup equation. Money. Join Dmitri in this thought experiment as he goes deep – and works through the realities of building a startup within an ecosystem in which music is often undervalued.  The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explor...

In this week's episode, we look at the explosion of Afrobeats through the lens of data. Christine Osazuwa, music data expert and Chief Strategy Officer at Shoobs, discusses how data can show us hidden stories behind the globalization of all sorts of genres: K-Pop, Reggaeton, Bollywood, and more.  "Music drives culture, culture drives music, etc," Christine says. "I find it really funny how people...

Venturing into the music tech startup scene requires more than just a bright idea; it demands a deep understanding of the music industry's unique challenges and opportunities. That's where Vickie Nauman, founder and CEO of CrossBorderWorks , steps in. On the latest Music Tectonics podcast, we tackle the nitty-gritty of transforming your innovative spark into a sustainable business. From identifyin...

Join Dmitri and Tristra as they explore what's happening right now in the wide world of music and tech. Using Rock Paper Scissors' weekly newsletter, Rock Paper Scanner, as a jumping off point, Dmitri and Tristra discuss the TikTok/Universal game of chicken, Spotify's payouts to the indies, and the current state of live music according to Live Nations earnings call. It's a lot. Subscribe here for...

Imagine a world where your likeness is more than just an image—it's an asset. Our conversation with Jim Griffin, media technologist and founder and moderator of the Pho list, talks us through name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights in the music industry.    Artists are navigating a new digital landscape where AI has the potential to turn one's likeness into a substantial revenue stream. The music i...

Join Dmitri on an exploration through the evolving landscape of modern synthesizers at the Buchla & Friends event held in downtown LA last month. From the innovative offerings of the Buchla Easel to Noise Engineering , Elektron , 1010 Music and the Star Wars vibe of Soma Laboratory's Terra ,  there was a lot to take in. It truly felt like a fusion of a craft fair and makerspace community, and we h...

Step right up to a sonic adventure! Dmitri's recent experience at NAMM uncovered a treasure trove of musical innovation as well as future classics, all together under one roof. Journey with Dmitri through some of NAMM's latest offerings. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics....

How do you transform your startup idea from a mere spark, into a full-blown inferno of success? Today Dmitri is talking with Cliff Fluet, a self proclaimed Digital Media Lawyer and the strategic mastermind behind Eleven. The conversation is wide ranging, from early, make-or-break stages of startup development, to what Cliff believes are key traits a successful founder holds.  Dmitri and Cliff disc...

Seth Goldstein and Michael Nevins of Music. AI give us the lowdown on audio deepfakes, singing clones, and synthetic voices, and what they mean for the music business. We peel back the layers of AI-generated voices, revealing how this tech transforms one person's voice into another's while maintaining the original performer's emotional core. We delve into the ethical landscape of voice synthesis,...

Step into the vibrant world of music making innovation with Adam McHeffey, CMO at Artiphon . Dmitri and Adam discuss the breakdown of the barriers to music-making, as unconventional instruments unleash a surge of first-time musicians and new creators. We'll unravel how inclusivity is striking a chord in the mainstream, and why the growing number of female guitarists are just the beginning of a lar...

Join Tristra Newyear Yeager and Eleanor Rust to unpack the fascinating intersection of music, media, and technology. In this episode, we take a stroll through forecasts that other analysts are making for 2024, in the music industry and its borderlands. the future of sonic branding. Imagine a world where brands harmonize with our lives through distinct audio identities, especially on platforms like...

Unlock the secrets behind the rapidly evolving music tech industry as Tristra and Dmitri take you on a journey through the latest innovations and investment trends. We're dissecting the major shake-ups caused by recent buyouts and what they mean for the future of music technology. Against the backdrop of shifting investment landscapes, we find a glimmer of hope in the resilient end-of-year investm...

Discover the beating heart of the sync industry as Karl Richter peels back the curtain on music supervision's dynamic role in intertwining tunes with visuals. Our conversation starts with the evolution of music supervision into 2024, navigating through the challenges that have shaped the industry, including writers' strikes and economic fluctuations. We zoom in on the artistry and legal tango behi...

Happy Holidays from the Music Tectonics Podcast! Join the podcast team as we look back to one of our favorite interviews from the past year with Lee Kebler, a visionary at the crossroads of music, spatial computing, and the metaverse. He takes us on a journey from his days as a touring DJ to his current role as a tech trailblazer. In our latest episode, we dance through the virtual landscape discu...

Have we got a treat for you! We ran the Swimming with Narwhals Music Tech startup competition at the Music Tectonics conference back in October, and today, we have interviews with our two winners. You will hear from judges' choice winner Ben Bowler about Aux, the music making platform, and especially their new offering, Aux Sounds, which lets you control AI to make beats and backing tracks. And yo...