Break the Business

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading. Be sure to get a copy of the Break the Business audiobook, now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave continue the show's discussion from last week about the proposed Transparency in Music Licensing law currently in Congress. The law would have significant implications for indie musicians. Ryan and Dave discuss tw...

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading. Be sure to get a copy of the Break the Business audiobook, now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! In the first segment, Ryan talks about the platform Musicpreneurhub, an online platform where musicians can get their music and business questions answered by experts. Ryan answers one of the questions on the site about licensing your music for TV c...

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading. Be sure to get a copy of the Break the Business audiobook, now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! In the first segment, Ryan talks about rumors of Sony buying the music streaming service TuneCore. If this story is true, what does it mean for indie artists? Will Sony improve TuneCore's clout, or will it infect Tunecore's artist-friendly model? Ry...

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading. Be sure to get a copy of the Break the Business audiobook, now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! In the first segment, Ryan breaks down recent news involving Spotify and the rumors that the streaming service is creating fake artist accounts and diverting royalties away from artists. Is it true? What can artists do about it? And is Spotify's who...

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading. Be sure to get a copy of the Break the Business Audiobook, now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about DBAs/fictitious names and why many artists need to register for them in their music career. Important business tips to get your band's legal and financial house in order. Dave also talks about the Metal...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. Be sure to get a copy of the Break the Business Audiobook, now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the importance of band agreements and why every musical group needs one. The also discuss what terms you want to make sure are in any effective band agreement. In the second segment, rock recording artist...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan talks about recent news about Spotify's release of financial information and what it means for indie artists. There's good news, bad news, and ugly news. Find out what Spotify's numbers mean to you and how it should influence your career decisions as an artist-entrepreneur. Ryan also talks about recent updates to the Patreon...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. This week, Ryan talks about former BTB guest and friend-of-the-show Mandy Harvey on her recent appearance on America's Got Talent. Basically, Mandy crushed it, getting the coveted "Golden Buzzer" from Simon Cowell. Ryan talks about Mandy's inspiring story (she has released several fantastic albums despite being completely deaf) and plays clips from her...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading! This week, Ryan and Dave discuss an article from Bobby Owskinski's Music 3.0 Blog and a Hypebot article by Ariel Hyatt. The former talks about how you can optimize your website to get more gigs. It is important to make your website useful to venue bookers and agents, and Ryan and Dave have a great discussion on how to do just that. The latter article t...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about the FCC's latest ruling with respect to net neutrality and how it affects indie artists. Ryan also talks about a report from Music Business Worldwide on the state of streaming. The numbers look good! But how good? And what can we do to make sure that this money reaches indie artists? In the second segment,...

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan discusses a recent article in Synchblog by Bas Grasmayer called "How Musicians Gamify Their Fanbases." Ryan uses the article to have a broader discussion about internal motivation and how musicians can use video game psychology to incentivize their fan bases to help promote the musician's career. You can check out Grasmayer's...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan discusses a recent Hypebot article about friend-of-the-show 23rd Hour's effective music launch. Find out about how building your music launch around a good cause can be a win-win. Ryan also talks about CD Baby's recent acquisition of show.co and what it can mean for your music promotion. In the second segment, lawyer and inte...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about how today is Ryan's wedding anniversary, and he is spending it recording an episode (definitely a bad idea). We also answer a listener question about getting mechanical licenses for your cover songs (definitely a good idea). R & D break down how to do cover songs legally and discuss the services that you c...

Hi Podcast Listeners! We had some technical difficulties this week. Our full show came out unlistenable, but we did preserve a fantastic interview with California-based jazz-pop duo 23rd Hour and we are pleased to play it for you this week. They talked about they awesome music launch strategy and how they were able to make their album "Perfect Strangers" a top release on iTunes. You can find out m...

Happy Easter, Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave answer a listener question about copyright registration. They also discuss the recent news involving Alanis Morissette's former business manager Jonathan Schwartz and his embezzlement of $7 million from his clients. R & D talk about how the story underscores the importance of having accounting and audit ri...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading! This week, Ryan and Dave talk about two pieces of legislation that have huge implications for artists and how they get paid. The Fair Play Fair Pay Act and the PROMOTE Act can help artists get paid when their songs are played on the radio. Listen in this week and find out how you can help support these important bills.in the second segment, indie folk...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. On today's show, Ryan looks awful. In the first segment, Dave makes fun of Ryan for being ridiculously jet lagged after Ryan's trip to China. Dave also discusses his trip to Disney over the weekend. Ryan then discusses a recent article by the Rock Star Advocate about networking and connecting with others in the industry. You can find her article here:...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading! In the first segment, musician Evan Lamb guest hosts with Ryan and Dave. They discuss Erin M. Jacobson's recent article about the Copyright Royalty Board hearings and how they affect indie songwriters. They also talk about Ed Sheeran's recent copyright issue with the writers of the TLC song "No Scrubs."In the second segment, Marcio Novelli and Ross Bar...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss Chance the Rapper's recent comments about his relationship with Apple Music, his status as an indie artist, and his thoughts on streaming. R & D are big fans of Chance's tremendous career as an indie artist and are also big fans of his support for public education. Lots of great advice in this segment about w...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. Ryan is traveling this week, and so this episode will feature two of Ryan's favorite interviews from past episodes. First, Ryan sits down with Patreon CEO and co-founder Jack Conte. Jack gives tips on being successful on his platform and why it could represent the future of how indie musicians earn in the music business. Next, Ryan interviews jazz musi...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan talks about the Oscars and answers a listener e-mail about whether indie musicians can still achieve success in the age of streaming. Is there still a place for indie artists in the music business when they are only making fractions of a penny per stream? Ryan answers this with an emphatic "yes," and notes that now has never...

Hi Podcast listeners! Thanks for downloading! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss potential changes to copyright law and how they can affect independent artists. R & D specifically talk about why it is important for indie artists to fight (1) against changes to the notice-and-takedown procedures in the DMCA and (2) for an increase in streaming payments to songwriters. In the second segment...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about their upcoming trip to see John Wick: Chapter 2. They are quite excited about it. They also discuss a recent Ari Herstand Bandzoogle article, "How (and Why) to Hit the Road." If you are wondering how to put together an effective tour without a booking agent, this episode is for you. You can find Herstand's...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan gives his thoughts on how to improve the Grammys and gives the latest updates in the Kesha/Dr. Luke case. This leads to a broader discussion about the dangers of 360 provisions in record deals and why it is important for artists do not agree to those sorts of arrangements. In the second segment, singer/actress/model/author La...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading! This week, Ryan and Dave discuss an update in the Kesha Dr. Luke case. Both sides are pressing forward with the lawsuit in New York, and things are getting contentious. R & D break down the latest complaint, discuss Kesha's allegations, and go over the dangers of exclusive recording agreements for musicians. R & D also give some you some Super Bowl tal...