Break the Business

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about publishing administrators and the services they provide for artists. If you are an independent artist, having a publishing administrator is crucial. They make sure you get all the money to which you are entitled for the songs you write. Find out why you need one and how to pick the right one for you by lis...

Hi Podcast Listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss The DIY Musician's Blog indie musician checklist, a list of foundational tasks that any successful indie artist-entrepreneur must complete. Ryan then adds a couple extra items of his own that are also important. If you can get everything done on this list, you will be in good shape to move your career forward. In the second segment,...

Hi Podcast listeners! Here is a special bonus episode of Ryan's speech at his author event for his book "Break the Business: Declaring Your Independence and Achieving True Success in the Music Industry." The event took place at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida. In his speech, Ryan discusses the main themes of the book, including the problems with record deals; the resources artists can use t...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for downloading this week. Our love for you knows no bounds. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss Ryan's book launch event that happened this week at Books & Books and also talk about the recent findings from Research and Markets' Global Music Market Report. There is good news in that report for musicians everywhere, particularly for indie artists who are willin...

Hi Podcast Listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the recent petition from over 180 superstar musicians and top music companies to have Congress get rid of the safe harbors under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. It is a complicated area of law, but it is one about which indie artists MUST be informed. The safe harbor provisions, though certainly not perfect, attempt to strike...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Our interview with Star Trek Axanar fan film director Robert Meyer Burnett this week was really awesome. However, he also gave us a lot of great information and we did not have enough time in the episode to fit it all in. As a result, his interview in the episode is heavily edited. But since he was so great on the show, we are releasing the full, unedited version of the inter...

Hi Podcast Listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the recent Stairway to Heaven copyright ruling and its effect on indie artists. The legal landscape is changing, and getting more confusing. Download this episode and get informed. In the second segment, indie singer-songwriter Bryan Frates drops by to talk about making website intro videos and innovative CD release strategies. In t...

Hi Podcast Listeners! If you are in the South Florida area on July 7, Books & Books in Coral Gables is going to have an author event for Ryan's Break the Business book. It will be a great chance for you to meet Ryan and Dave and find out more about the book. We'd love to see you there! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the new Open Music Initiative being created by Berklee and MIT. It's...

Hi Podcast Listeners! In the first segment, Ryan talks about recent rumors that Apple might be shuttering its iTunes download store in the next couple years. What does this mean for indie artists? How would a shift away from music downloading change the way that DIY musicians market their music recordings? Will music recordings cease to be a significant revenue stream for artists at all? What oppo...

Hi Podcast Listeners! In our first segment, Hollywood Reporter Senior Editor Eriq Gardner joins Ryan and Dave to discuss the ongoing litigation involving American Idol winner Phillip Phillips and his management company 19 Entertainment. The case serves as a prime example of the difficulties that artists can endure when trying to advocate for their rights against big entertainment companies. In the...

Hi Podcast Listeners! Thanks for joining us this week. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about indie music star Kina Grannis' harrowing story touring in Indonesia and the lessons that all artists can learn from her misadventure. You can find out more about Kina's story by visiting www.kinagrannis.com (and get some of her music while you are there because Kina is awesome!). In the second seg...

Hi Podcast Listeners! The BTB Podcast has moved into its new studio starting with this episode. We hope you enjoy the improved digs. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about the new studio and then discuss the recent controversy involving Kesha's Billboard Music Awards performance. Kesha is currently involved in a lawsuit with her record producer Dr. Luke. Kesha has accused the producer of s...

Hi Podcast Listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the "poor man's copyright" myth (and an SonicBids article on the subject by music lawyer Erin M. Jacobson) and why it is important for indie artists to register their music. A lot of great law tips are presented in a fun way. In the second segment, indie singer-songwriter and friend-of-the-show Mary Jennings stops by to talk about h...

Hi Podcast listeners! Ryan is getting married today, but that did not stop us bringing you a fantastic episode. After talking about some wedding stuff, Ryan and Dave interview Grammy award-winning indie musician Tim Kubart. Last February, Tim won the Grammy for Best Children's Album for his 2015 release "Home". He talks to R & D about his experience making an award-winning album in his "tiny apart...

Hi Everyone! In the first segment, Dave and Ryan talk about the lawsuit between metal band Five Finger Death Punch and their record label. The suit underscores one of the most troubling aspects of record deals--that labels have full control over when artists get to release their art to the public. Listen to Ryan and Dave discuss the implications that this case has for indie artists everywhere. In...

Hi Podcast listeners! This week, musician and entrepreneur Derek Webb stops by to talk about his platform Noisetrade. Noisetrade is a music distribution platform in which artists offer free downloads of their content in exchange for receiving the downloaders' e-mail addresses. Ryan's conversation with Derek covers the Noisetrade platform and also discusses the role that an indie artist's recorded...

Hi Podcast Listeners! This week, Ryan talks about some of the big changes coming both in his personal and podcasting life over the next few weeks. In addition to getting a new spouse and a new house, you the listener will eventually get to enjoy your favorite music business podcast from a brand new studio, which Ryan is currently building. Stay tuned! Ryan and Dave also discuss how artists can use...

Hi listeners! This week, we are joined by one of our favorite guests, Meri Amber. She is a terrific "geek pop" singer songwriter and we have a blast every time we have her on. This week, she joins us to discuss her latest album, the 90s-inspired "Retro Sherbet." She also gives us some great tips during the interview on how to blog effectively as an indie artist and offers us a window into her reco...

Hi podcast listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss a couple terrific articles that indie artist and blogger Chris Robley wrote recently. One was about indie singer-songwriter Daniel Anderson, who was able to have a successful release of his latest album by selling copies door-to-door. Find out how Anderson was able to mix old-school and new-school marketing methods to earn an unexpe...

Hi Podcast Listeners! This week Ryan and Dave talk about the changes to Twitter's feed. There is an algorithm now, and artists will need to change their tweeting accordingly to be successful on the platform. They also talk about artist managers and a Pledge Music article on the importance of building "super fans."In the second segment, country pop indie sensation Alayna stops by. She talks about h...

In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discuss the latest Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros video. It was shot entirely on an iPhone and it came out great! This has huge implications for indie artists and for the videos they make. Our hosts also talk about NBC's recent changes to its Songland contestant contract. Ryan and Dave talked about the problems with this contract a month ago and recent pub...

Hi Podcast listeners! This week, there are rumors abound streaming services, and Ryan and Dave break them down. With Spotify possibly finding new ownership, Ryan shares his thoughts on what it could mean for indie artists. R &D also talk about a recent cover video contest hosted by CD Baby and Dave shares some metal news. In the second segment, Ryan and Dave talk about the trailer for the new Ghos...

Hi Listeners! Thanks for downloading. In the first segment, Ryan and Dave discusses a SonicBids Blog article about creating an engaging e-mail signature. Well, to be more precise, Ryan discusses the article, and Dave tries to throw Ryan off the whole time because he wants the whole show to be a comedy podcast. In the second segment, Auralex CEO Eric Smith stops by and gives great advice on buildin...

Hi Podcast listeners! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave briefly discuss Cyber PR's new free content calendar and American Idol winner Caleb Johnson's latest independent release and crowdfunding campaign. But they most of the segment discussing the latest updates in the Ke$ha-Dr. Luke case and the judge's ruling denying Ke$ha's preliminary injunction. In discussing the case, Ryan shares his views...

Hi Podcast Listeners. Thanks for listening and tell a friend! Happy Valentine's Day! In the first segment, Ryan and Dave talk about a Music Think Tank blog article that leaked the talent contracts for the upcoming NBC music competition show Songland. Spoiler alert: The agreements are a mess. R & D rip the contract to shreds and Ryan gives some helpful guidance on how indie artists should approach...