Break the Business

TOPICS: Spotify’s Discovery Mode is under fire from members of Congress; accusations of plagiarism in true crime podcasting; we interview indie singer-songwriter and violinist Sarah Elizabeth Haines about her new album and working in the touring company of Hamilton. Sarah’s new album “Castaway” is available now and you can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.sehaines.com. Rate/rev...

TOPICS: How indie creator TikTokers Barlow & Bear won a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album for “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical”; we interview music manager and coach Vinny Ribas about how toavoid music industry scams. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.indieconnect.com and www.cartne.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud,...

TOPICS: The California legislature could be making it easier for label artists to terminate their record deals after 7 years; the Supreme Court is ruling on a case that could be impacting indie creators; we interview music executive Rusty Harmon of Vere Music. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.veremusic.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTun...

TOPICS: Ryan and ElisaRockDoc talk about new video games that they are excited about; Ryan interviews songwriter and NYU professor Mike Errico about his new book “Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter.” It’s available now! Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the B...

TOPICS: Spotify Discovery mode (is it an effective promotional tool or modern-day payola?); TikTok launches its own distribution service; we interview singer-songwriter Ava Kay about mental health andthe creative process. You can follow our guest @avakaymusic on Twitter and you can check out her new music video for her song "Go,” which is available now! Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Busin...

TOPICS: We talk about singer Ella Travolta’s open verse TikTok challenge and invite our listeners to participate. We also interview producer JT Daly about creating a musical with the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz sports talk podcast. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.jtdalymusic.com. Submit your Ella Travolta open verse videos to breakthebusiness@gmail.comor to @ryanka...

TOPICS: TikTok expands its maximum video length from 3 minutes to 10 minutes; Dua Lipa copyright lawsuit; we interview producer, DJ, andentrepreneur Bill “Downupright” Boulden about their latest EPand we get their thoughts on NFT’s in music. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.soundcloud.com/downupright. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, So...

TOPICS: We talk about “Vox Machina” and the important insights that Critical Role’s story has for indie creator empowerment; why record deals are dangerous; we interview sports journalist Kelsey NicoleNelson about how indie creators can get started in sports media. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.kelseynicolenelson.com and www.booksbreakingborders.com. Rate/review/subs...

TOPICS: We talk about how artists can avoid self-limiting beliefs in their creative career; how artists can protect themselves from NFT scam sites; co-host Katie Zaccardi gives us tips on how to get started inTikTok successfully. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @thebtb...

TOPICS: Ryan and co-host Zak talk about shady NFT platforms; listener question about reading books aloud during a livestream; we interview U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) about the American Music Fairness Act and his work in getting recording artists paid when their music is played on the radio. We also talk about the Congressman’s work on the Protect Working Musician Act, which would empower i...

TOPICS: Getting artists paid on AM/FM radio; Wordle sells to the New York Times for seven figures; the end of the “Lady A” trademark saga; our guest this week is pop-punk band Gold Steps. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.goldstepsmke.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and t...

TOPICS: What the top 10 earners in music can teach indie creators about copyright; We talk about the Taylor Swift/Damon Albarn feud; Microsoft/Activision merger; our guest this week is musician/coach Tara Divina. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.taradivina.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Foll...

TOPICS: We talk about Twitch streamer Pokimane getting suspended for doing TV meta streams and what lessons this story teaches indie artists about avoiding copyright violations; Spotify is raising its rates, which means less money in indie creators’ pockets; we interview singer/songwriter/activist Meghan Cary. Be sure to check out her River Rock project by visiting www.meghancary.com and sign up f...

TOPICS: It's our last episode of the year! Ryan answers a listener question about whether they should go to college or to focus 100% on being an indie creator; Ryan interviews CD Baby Senior Vice President Kevin Breuner. You can find out more about our guest's work by visiting www.cdbaby.com. Thank you for supporting Break the Business this year! We will see you again in 2022!Rate/review/subscribe...

TOPICS: We talk about Taylor Swift/3LW copyright litigation and discuss why this case matters for indie creators; we talk about Kim Kardashian passing the "baby bar" and becoming one step closer to becoming a lawyer; we interview entertainment lawyer Reena Sehgal. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.sehgallawpc.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes...

TOPICS: Can you make NFTs of your music if you are signed to a record label?; trademark rules for musicians; we interview Taryn Haight of Hifi Labs and Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal to talk about strategies for how indie creators can be more resilient. You can find out more about your guests’ work by visiting www.eq.house and www.resilience-leadership.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Busines...

TOPICS: We talk about a recent study conducted by payment platform Stripe that shows that creator economy platforms are growing faster than traditional music industry platforms; Triller is empoweringBlack creators; we interview MusicEntrepreneurHQ founder David Andrew Wiebe. You can find out more about his work, and check out his latest edition of "The Music Entrepreneur Code," by visiting musicen...

TOPICS: Universal Music is extending the length of re-recording restrictions in record deals; TuneCore is introducing a new free “social media” distribution option; we interview Airbit COO Judah Wiedre. Findout more about our guest’s work by visiting www.airbit.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and t...

TOPICS: Ryan and Lauren talk about how artist ownership of technology platforms can create better industry creators; Ryan interviews Mattias Tengblad, CEO of distribution platform Corite, on how blockchain can optimize music distribution and empower creators and fans. Ryan also talks to Bruno Guez of Revelator about how blockchain can get artists paid faster and create “smart contracts.” Find out...

TOPICS: Ryan and Dave discuss two new pieces of federal legislation (the Protect Working Musicians Act and the Protecting the Right to Organize Act) that could help indie creators level the playing field against big platforms like Spotify. Ryan and Dave also discuss some of their favorite pop culture topics. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, a...

TOPICS: We talk about the possibility of streamers unionizing to receive better treatment on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live; we interview Beatconnect co-founder Alexandre Turbide about howartists can collaborate online. You can find out more aboutour guest’s work by visiting www.beatconnect.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Go...

Join us as we celebrate 300 episodes of empowering indie creators! Original co-host Metal Dave drops by. Ori Winokur from Artlist joins us for an interview. We debut podcast-inspired original songs from Meri Amber and Jonathan Mann! Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Follow Ryan @ryankair and the Break the Business Podcast @the...

This week, we interview Justin Warfield, musician and VP of artist services at Downwrite. Downwrite is a platform that connects fans with artists to set up commission projects. Our guest has some great advice on how indie creators can get into doing commissions for their fans — which can be a great revenue stream! You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.downwrite.com. Rate/rev...

TOPICS: Advice on how artists can make cover songs on various platforms and media formats; Ryan and JC talk about the new Super Mario movie cast. We interview Preffy founder and CEO Charlie Davis. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.preffy.com. Rate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and GooglePlay. Follow Ryan @ryankairand...

TOPICS: What are we going to do for Episode 300?; Carson Daly doesn’t like Rolling Stone’s top 500 songs of all time; Twitch fumbles the ball on a songwriting deal for indie creators; we interview Justin Longo of Marination Music. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.marinationmusic.comRate/review/subscribe to the Break the Business Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher,...