My .4 Cents

This week on My Point Four Cents, Andrew Southworth, Jesse Cannon and Dustin Boyer talk about Spotify's new artist profile protection feature and how Chappell Roan's recent drama may have been manufactured as a publicity stunt. The episode also features an interview with GameboyJones where they talk about microgenres and how he made his music go viral. Follow Andrew Southworth @andrew.southworth h...

This week on My Point Four Cents, Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer and Matt Bacon talk about how Apple Music is adding AI disclosure tags and how China is now the 4th largest streaming country on Earth. The episode also features an interview wtih John McEntee of Incantation where they talk about the music touring landscape today and how its changed over time. Follow Andrew Southworth @andrew.southw...

This week on My Point Four Cents, Dustin Boyer, Maddie Elyse, Andrew Southworth and Matt Bacon talk about how labels are no longer chasing TikTok virality, but instead focusing on super fans, and how to avoid getting scammed by artist and label service companies. The episode also features an interview with Sam Duboff, the Global Head of Marketing & Policy at Spotify, where he talks about how S...

This week on My Point Four Cents, Matt Bacon, Dustin Boyer, Ryan Schutte and Andrew Southworth talk about Live Nation settling their anti-trust case and Spotify's 2026 Loud&Clear report. The episode features an interview with Morgoth Beatz to talk about his journey from playing guitar in metal bands to producing for artists like Juice WRLD and Machine Gun Kelly. Follow Andrew Southworth @andre...

This week on My Point Four Cents, Andrew Southworth, Matt Bacon and Dustin Boyer talk about a statement from Jimmy Iovine and article from Joel Gouveia that music streaming services are 'minutes away from being obsolete', how Suno users don't listen to music like normal people and some changes happening to the podcast. This episode features an interview with Eyal Levi (founder of URM Academy, Riff...

This week on My Point Four Cents, Andrew Southworth, Matt Bacon and Jesse Cannon have a wide-ranging conversation sparked by Adam Neely’s latest video on AI music, Suno, and what it all could mean for musicians, creativity, and the future of the industry, along with updates on host changes and a rotating fourth chair while Jesse dives deeper into filming his documentary Why There’s No Money in Mus...

In this episode of My Point Four Cents, Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, Matt Bacon, and Andrew Southworth dive deep into the recent news that music distribution giant DistroKid is apparently up for sale. The crew explores whether this could mean notorious customer service improvements, unpacks why user support has become so problematic across various distribution platforms, and how profitability and a...

Jesse Cannon, Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, and Matt Bacon discuss Spotify's colossal payouts to artists. As the conversation unfolds, they explore the intricacies of label deals and the reality behind Spotify's royalty distribution, offering insight into how record deals might impact earnings. The team also shares dos and don’ts in marketing, dispelling misconceptions around the effectiveness...

Jesse Cannon, Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, and Matt Bacon discuss the aftermath of TikTok's challenging week and its impact on content reach. The discussion delves into how artists are responding to changes in TikTok's algorithm and shifting their focus to platforms like Instagram and Threads. Jesse dives deep into an engaging interview with Chris Dalariva, the author of "Uncharted Territory,"...

In this episode, Jesse Cannon, Matt Bacon, Dustin Boyer and guest Ryan Schutte talk about the implications of TikTok's transition to American ownership, highlighting the onset of censorship and algorithm changes. The discussion explores the confusion and frustration among creators due to shadow banning and restricted content visibility, suggesting the platform's recent actions could potentially al...

In this special episode filmed live at NAMM, the team talks with a wide range of attendees and musicians about music promotion, branding, and the evolving landscape of social media marketing for artists. Topics include growing email and SMS lists, balancing creative authenticity with engaging content, pitching for sponsorships, running effective ad campaigns on small budgets, and building a stando...

Matt Bacon, Jesse Cannon, Andrew Southworth, and Dustin Boyer delve into a variety of topics surrounding the music industry, particularly focusing on innovations at Spotify and the integration of AI in marketing and music production. They discuss Spotify's new features like listening activity and the controversial "about the song" feature, which pulls third-party data to enhance song information....

Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, Matt Bacon, and Jesse Cannon kick off the new year by diving into the controversial subject of Drake's alleged involvement in a RICO case, touching on issues of illegal gambling, money laundering, and the ethics of stream manipulation. The conversation then shifts to predictive insights for music marketing strategies in 2026, exploring potential shifts in content t...

In this candid interview, Blasko, formerly associated with iconic acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie, shares his dynamic journey through the music industry, beginning with his early inspiration from Kiss. Starting in 1985, he transitioned from aspiring drummer to bassist, joining bands like Cryptic Slaughter in his teenage years, and later making significant strides with Rob Zombie and Ozzy Os...

In this interview, Luke Mansell, the creator of Music Stacks—a platform known for being a vital resource for musicians—dives into the intricacies of his creation. Music Stacks presents Spotify data in a user-friendly manner, providing insights like the key, tempo, and energy levels of songs, and tracking the popular Spotify popularity score. Luke explains his initial motivation behind the platform...

In this podcast episode, music marketing experts Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, Matt Bacon, and Andrew Southworth dive into the challenges artists face when attempting to make a profit in the music industry. They analyze the effectiveness of various strategies, such as streaming, direct-to-fan sales, and the use of social media, while emphasizing the importance of consistency and experimentation. The...

Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, Jesse Cannon, and Matt Bacon discuss artist branding and the influence of Spotify Wrapped's new features. The conversation unfolds around vintage music marketer Rob Gross, who shares insights from his extensive experience working with legendary artists like Black Sabbath and The Rolling Stones. The hosts explore the significance of artist individuality, authenticit...

In this episode, Jesse Cannon, Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, and guest host Olivia Pierce discuss Patreon and the resurgence of artists cultivating communities through apps, emphasizing how these platforms can offer authentic engagement and sustainable income. Then, Dustin Boyer interviews Nashville-based independent artist Ben Schuller, who has successfully built his career on his own terms. S...

Hosts Andrew Southworth, Dustin Boyer, and Matt Bacon, alongside guest co-host Ryan Schutte, talk about the evolving landscape of the music industry. They begin with insights from Ryan Schutte, a booking agent at Forthright Booking, focusing on the challenges and strategies surrounding DIY tour booking and fostering local and regional music scenes to capture the attention of bigger agents. The epi...

Andrew Southworth, Matt Bacon, Jesse Cannon, and Dustin Boyer tackle various shifts and trends in the music industry, particularly focusing on Spotify's recent introduction of video features in the American market and alterations to the Shuffle function. Highlighting the skepticism among American users accustomed to more static interfaces, the hosts humorously delve into their experiences with vid...

In this episode, hosts Dustin Boyer, Andrew Southworth, Matt Bacon, and Jesse Cannon discuss innovative strategies for music promotion and the implications of AI in the music industry. They dive into the effectiveness of utilizing multiple social media accounts to maintain a professional image while engaging in aggressive promotion and fan interaction. An interview with IDM-electronic artist Ramon...

Hosts Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, Andrew Southworth, and Matt Bacon engage in a deep dive discussion on optimizing an artist's reach, aiming to significantly increase their audience in just 30 days. They explore strategies for building a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences and the importance of leveraging collaborations to gain visibility in the music industry. The conversation also...

In this episode, Matt Bacon, Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, and Andrew Southworth explore diverse topics on how musicians can optimize their income through unconventional methods. They discuss creative strategies such as niche marketing, limited edition merchandise, and effective use of publishing rights to maximize revenue. The group discusses the merits of incorporating innovative platforms like Sh...

In this episode, hosts Andrew Southworth, Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, and Matt Bacon delve into various aspects of the music industry, discussing how musicians earn money through different income streams such as merch, touring, and streaming. The conversation features an insightful interview with Todd White, owner of King Volume Records, who shares the story of managing Castle Rat, a rising metal...

In this episode, hosts Jesse Cannon, Matt Bacon, and Dustin Boyer engage in a dynamic discussion with Alex Bochel, the owner of the EDM record label Spirations Music, covering the challenges and strategies of music distribution in the digital age. The conversation delves into the complexities and frustrations facing DIY musicians and label owners with distribution services, highlighting issues suc...