#HowWeListen Live: In Conversation Podcast

It’s all about people and its all about network. Today’s guest on #HowWeListen Live: In Conversation is Alex Brees CEO and Founder of un:hurd music , a music tech company that uses proprietary technology to help artists reach their most valuable fans via data-led marketing campaigns.  Throughout this conversation, Alex offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the music industry, the...

I think PR today is more of a content coordinator or content facilitator because content right now is so fragmented across so many different mediums. Our job is really to generate awareness for what our clients are doing. Today’s guest on #HowWeListen Live: In Conversation  is Nancy Lu a seasoned New York-based publicist with over a decade of experience, she describes her journey from healthcare c...

"When you create the conditions to be able to cultivate the work that you want, then that's what's going to allow you to thrive." Today’s guest on #HowWeListen Live: In Conversation, in Emily White. Host Marc Brown sits down with Emily White to discuss her inspiring journey from Wisconsin to New York, and how her educational and professional experiences have shaped her successful career in the mus...

 “I run my band like a startup and I run my startup like a band” Today's guest is Roman Rappak not only the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Ristband , but also the frontman for the touring band: Pivot. Roman shares his background, detailing his start in the music industry as a musician forming a band and making beats on a laptop, eventually signing record deals and touring the world...

“The first tip that I give all artists is to be organized and cohesive. You don't know what someone's entry point is going to be to you and your music”. Today's guest is Brian “Z” Zisook is the Co-Founder & SVP of Operations & Artist Services at Audiomack . In this episode, Brian and Marc discuss preparing for online success as an artist by strategizing DSPs & Social Media. Zisook’s extensive expe...

"So it's our job to get the best possible deal. So basically, there's no database, how long is a piece of string? Just make sure you're working with someone who knows the industry and who knows what music is worth?" Today’s guest is Simon Pursehouse , Global Director of Music Services at Sentric Music , an “industry challenging” music publisher. Simon works within the Business Development and Crea...

" I think socioeconomic status and background is one of the key areas where the music industry isn’t diverse enough." Today's guest is Lara Baker, General Manager at FUGA for the UK & Ireland. On top of being named in Billboard's International Power Players 2022, she was also honoured with Music Week’s Women in Music Roll of Honour and SheSaidSo's Alternative Power List. She is passionate about im...

" If you’re passionate you should be able to find the hustle because it’s what you love to do. Most people in the music industry are passionate, so if you’re not then it’ll be hard to get to the hustle. My main piece of advice: Find what you’re passionate about and the hustle will follow." Today's guest is Daniel Seligman who has been active in the Montreal and international music scene since 2000...

"If you really, really love an artist, reach out and buy their record, buy their T-shirt , send them money, and appreciate how much blood sweat and tears go into that song that you listen to every day." Our guest on today’s episode is Andee Connors,  Pandora’s Senior Manager of Catalog & Creator Services. Pandora is only accessible in the USA, but it has over 60 million subscribers. The streaming...

"Sometimes I feel like smaller labels are often better because they can help you without you having to do things you don’t want to do. When you sign to a big label, you need to play the game if you want to get the max benefit."   Our guest on this episode is May Mahmoudi, A&R at Ninja Tune’s Big Dada Records, as well as working in the sync department of Ninja Tune’s Just Isn’t Music. This episode...

"I'm reaching out to people because of their work ethic and because of their consistency. I believe in their journey and I feel like it's only a matter of time before something huge happens" Our guest on today’s episode is Obinna Agwu . Newly appointed A&R Executive at Horus Music Nigeria , Obinna Agwu is also an artiste manager and music business consultant and podcaster with years of experience...

"When I first hear a song, it doesn't matter if it was released today, one year ago or 10 years ago. It's new to me, the moment I first hear it, and that's the same for your fans." Our guest on today’s episode is Mike Warner, founder of Work Hard Playlist Hard – The DIY playlist guide for Artists and Curators . Mike is also the Head of Editorial Marketing Partnerships for North America at Believe...

“I didn't know anything about the music industry. I didn't know that there were publicists trying to push stuff. I was clueless. So getting emails at the start was really cool, especially when it was from artists that I recognized.” Our guest on today’s episode is Jason Grishkoff the founder of SubmitHub .  With just a hop, skip and a jump, Jason moved from the world of high finance to working at...

"A fan a day" is basically anything that you’re doing to grow. Everything that you do should be cognisant of building an audience... This episode features a panel discussion moderated by Marc Brown , Founder & CEO, Byta / byta.com  Our guests are:  Mira Silvers (Head of Music, FORT Agency), Nikisha Bailey (GM, Nvak Collective Executive Board, The Recording Academy Global Co-Chair, Diversity & Incl...

"DO IT TOGETHER- You learn by doing, you navigate the systems and the complicated processes, by jumping right into it with curiosity and humility, learn as you go, and then share what you're learning." Our guest on today’s episode is Kevin Erickson , Director of The Future of Music Coalition (FMC).  Kevin has contributed opinion pieces to outlets as disparate as The Nation and Pitchfork, volunteer...

"Radio will never die…" "You have to define yourself and create your own brand. I normally don’t like that ethos that you have to create a brand, but you can definitely do it in a way that stays true to yourself." Our guest on today’s episode is Saidah Blount, Executive Producer at SONOS Radio, she is also their Primary Impact Storyteller. What does that job title mean exactly? She lets us know. S...

" The number one thing to never, ever do, would be to set a release date before your music is done." Our guest on today’s episode is Kevin Breuner , Senior VP of Engagement and Education at CD Baby. Kevin’s job at CD Baby is all about making sure musicians are as prepared as possible when planning to release their music into the world. Marc and Kevin talk about how Kevin went from being a Grammy-n...

" The better the song, the more likely it is to get synced and the more people will listen to it." This episode’s guest is Miller Williams , Senior VP Creative at Kobalt Music Publishing . Miller’s role at Kobalt covers A&R, songwriter services, and catalogue acquisitions. He also works with their international agents and sub-publishers to exploit their songs and help their writers with co-write o...

" … I do not often hear “I love South African music” or “I love Nigerian music”, it’s more of a genre thing. " This episode’s guest is Chioma Onuchukwu , Head of TuneCore, West & East Africa. Chioma is perfectly positioned to provide insights and opinions on the African music ecosystem. Before joining TuneCore , Chioma worked as the Marketing Manager at uduX Music, a Nigerian music streaming platf...

" As a manager, you are involved in every aspect of an artist's career so it is an intimate relationship." This episode's guest is Michelle Cable , founder of Panache Booking and Panache Management . Michelle Cable founded Panache in 1998. Live music is quickly returning as artists scramble to get back out on the road. In a pre-COVID world, touring was becoming key to monetising a music career. Af...

This episode's guest is Sarah Hamilton , Regional Manager for Australia & New Zealand at Ditto Music. In the digital age do bands no longer have to break out of their small town, then leap to the big city to conquer their country in order to go international? What does community mean in the music streaming era? It is easier to get on an international playlist but is anyone listening? Marc speaks w...

Our next guest is Corbyn Asbury, Label Relations Manager at YouTube. YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, but how do emerging artists best maximise their promo power there? How does one secure maximum discoverability? Marc speaks with Corbyn Asbury, Label Relations Manager at YouTube, If you are not quite sure what YouTube has to offer to the music community, Corbyn has you co...

Our next guest is Head of Music for The Great Escape Festival , Adam Ryan. What goes into curating, booking and presenting Europe’s largest festival and conference dedicated to the discovery of new music? Marc’s guest, Adam Ryan, has spent the better part of his adult life tirelessly discovering, promoting and presenting new music locally, nationally and internationally. He is now the Head of Musi...

Our next guest is Bonsound Co-founder and Managing director Gourmet Délice . Understanding and planning for multiple angles in an artist’s career can be challenging. Today, full “services” for artists can mean many things. Twenty years ago one record label looked around and realised they might have to do more than just release recordings if their artists were to see any success. Marc is joined on...

The next conversation is with Phil Loutsis , the VP of the AWAL Community Team. His job revolves around release planning, securing editorial support, building a team & marketing your music. All extremely important when it comes to moving a music career forward. At AWAL, Phil focuses his energies on helping indie artists build their careers. Part of his role includes curating content to help creato...