Modern Musician Podcast

Taylor Winchester is a powerhouse in the music marketing world with over a decade of experience in the live music scene. From his beginnings as a Talent Buyer and Marketing Director to his current role as Director of Revenue at found.ee—a trailblazing digital marketing platform under Downtown Music—Taylor has been instrumental in helping artists, record labels, and festivals amplify fan engagement...

Inder Phull is the award-winning CEO and Co-Founder of Pixelynx and KOR Protocol. With over $40M raised in investments and revenue, Inder recently sold his company to Animoca Brands. He’s executed groundbreaking collaborations with Black Mirror, Beatport, mau5trap, and Pioneer DJ, and has worked with brands like Disney, HSBC, and Lacoste. Selected as the IMS Visionary Winner in 2016, Inder is on a...

Thierry Ascarez is a seasoned music industry executive with nearly two decades of experience across major labels, music-tech startups, and AI innovation. He began his career at EMI Music before launching his own company in San Francisco, where he spent six years driving music and technology initiatives. Now based in Belgium, Thierry leads Business & Corporate Development at Winamp, where he&#3...

Ronan Mullins is the Co-Founder of Boost Collective, one of the top music marketing platforms supporting over 4,000 artists each month. With deep expertise in organic Spotify playlisting and digital promotion, Ronan has helped independent artists reach real audiences through impactful campaigns. His work doesn’t stop at playlisting—he partners with artists and labels to strategize holistic growth...

Guenter Loibl is the CEO of Rebeat and the visionary founder behind HD Vinyl. Hailing from Tulln, Austria, Guenter saw early on how digital technology—particularly streaming data—would reshape the music business. Today, he's helping lead the charge toward a more artist-friendly, tech-enabled music future by combining insights from analog and digital realms. His forward-thinking work bridges in...

Mike Fiebach is a veteran entrepreneur in the music and e-commerce industries, having worked with legendary artists. He founded FameHouse, a pioneering e-commerce and digital marketing firm acquired by Universal Music Group, and now leads MainFactor, helping brands and artists drive direct-to-consumer revenue. With decades of experience at the intersection of music, technology, and business, Mike...

Jacob Edgar is an ethnomusicologist, global music expert, and cultural explorer. As President of the acclaimed world music label Cumbancha, the main A&R consultant for Putumayo World Music, and host of the PBS/National Geographic series Music Voyager, Jacob has traveled the globe uncovering the rich cultural stories behind music. His passion lies in helping artists turn their heritage and voic...

Anto Dotcom & Michael Ghannoum are the co-founders of Music Promo Today, a cutting-edge music marketing agency that bridges Web2 and Web3 to help artists grow, monetize, and future-proof their careers. With a passion for building long-term artist legacies and deep expertise in tech, branding, and promotion, they’ve helped thousands of musicians amplify their reach while staying true to their c...

Paul Goldman is the founder and CEO of Muserk, a global rights management company using technology to help artists recover lost royalties. A former musician turned entrepreneur, he’s on a mission to bring transparency to music publishing and help artists take control of their earnings. In this episode, Paul reveals how artists are leaving money on the table, why the current system is broken, and w...

Michael Tolle is the founder of Mello Music Group, a leading independent rap label that has thrived in the digital era. With a deep understanding of the evolving music industry, Tolle has built a brand that champions creativity, adaptability, and artistic integrity. His expertise spans music production, label management, and the impact of technology. Through his work, he continues to support artis...

Niklas Brantberg and Alex Papaconstantinou are the visionaries behind Overtone Studios, a pioneering company that is transforming music curation through data-driven insights. With a commitment to supporting independent artists, Overtone Studios offers a 50-50 revenue split model that empowers musicians in the streaming era. Following their acquisition by Epidemic Sound, they continue to push bound...

Mark Samuels is the founder of Basin Street Records, a label he started in 1997 as a passion project that grew into a staple of the New Orleans music scene. With decades of experience in the industry, Mark has worked with Grammy-winning artists and witnessed the transformation of music distribution, technology, and live performance. His insights into the challenges artists face today, the impact o...

Aaron Bethune is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller who has dedicated his life to helping individuals and businesses uncover their unique purpose. His journey has taken him to the peaks of the Andes, into life-changing experiences that shaped his perspective on commitment, intention, and transformation. As a strategist and consultant, Aaron works with artists, entrepreneurs, and org...

Agent Method is a sound designer and musician known for blending pop punk, emo, and rock with modern EDM influences. Having transitioned from the pop punk scene to working with major artists, he brings a unique perspective on creativity, music production, and the evolving role of AI in sound design. With a passion for innovation, he explores the intersection of technology and music, offering valua...

Ross Barber-Smith is the founder of Electric Kiwi, a web design agency specializing in helping musicians craft stunning and functional websites. With a background in music, Ross understands the unique challenges artists face in building an online presence that truly reflects their identity. Over the years, he has worked with countless musicians, blending aesthetics with usability to create website...

Dave Hagen is a Grammy-winning engineer and producer who started as a small-town kid in Missouri and worked his way up to become the head producer at the renowned Dark Horse Institute in Nashville. With years of experience in both engineering and music education, he has helped shape the careers of countless artists and producers. As a mentor at Dark Horse Institute, Dave is passionate about hands-...

Chris Johnson is the Head of A&R at SoundCloud, where he helps emerging artists grow, connect with fans, and monetize their music. With years of experience in artist development, he understands the challenges of breaking through in today’s competitive industry. Chris is passionate about community engagement, creative freedom, and helping artists take ownership of their careers. In this episode...

Helen Sartory, Chief Revenue Officer at Beatport, brings a unique blend of financial acumen and music industry expertise to the table. With a background in investment banking and a passion for empowering independent artists, Helen has been instrumental in shaping innovative strategies for revenue generation, music asset management, and artist success on a global scale. Helen Sartory discusses the...

Eric Mueller, better known as Skippy, is the driving force behind Pirates Press Records, a label dedicated to keeping the spirit of vinyl alive in an increasingly digital world. With a deep passion for independent music, Eric has helped artists create meaningful physical releases that connect with fans on a deeper level. Through Pirate Press Records, he champions the resurgence of vinyl, making it...

Jesse Lacy is the founder of On the Savvy and a marketing expert dedicated to helping indie artists navigate the complexities of the modern music industry. With years of experience as a touring musician, Jesse has firsthand knowledge of the challenges artists face and the strategies needed to build sustainable careers. Through On the Savvy , he educates artists on effective marketing, fan engageme...

Jessica Powell is the CEO and co-founder of Audio Shake, a company pioneering AI-driven sound separation technology. Formerly Google’s VP of Communications, she has a deep background in both tech and music, helping artists unlock new creative possibilities. In this episode, Michael Walker and Jessica explore how sound separation, AI, and immersive content are transforming the music industry. Key T...

Ryan Star is the founder of Stationhead , a platform transforming how artists connect with their fans. As a former recording artist, he saw the need for deeper, more authentic engagement in the music industry. StationHead empowers musicians to build real communities and turn passive listeners into active supporters. In this episode, Ryan shares how Stationhead is reshaping music consumption , why...

Trey Xavier is a musician, songwriter, and YouTuber (242K+ subscribers) on a mission to help artists write better songs and build successful music careers. With 28+ years of experience and a decade of teaching on YouTube, he shares hard-earned insights on songwriting, creativity, and authenticity. A Berklee College of Music alumnus with a degree in composition, he’s played in bands like In Virtue...

Terry Cole is the founder of Colemine Records, a label and record shop dedicated to soulful, authentic music. Growing up in a music-loving household, Terry’s passion for vinyl and artistry laid the foundation for his career. Today, he’s a champion for independent artists, offering them opportunities to grow and thrive in the music industry.  In this episode, Terry dives into the challenges and rew...

Giovanni Bottan is a seasoned music professional who began producing bands in his studio and touring with his own band. After launching a successful music marketing agency and collaborating with hundreds of artists, he is now channeling his expertise into building Smart Noise, a groundbreaking tech startup for the music industry. In this episode, Michael Walker and Giovanni dive deep into the hurd...