SoundBreaker

Explore the future of AI and music with data scientist and musician Jonathan Barrios. In this episode, we discuss how generative AI is transforming music creation, the role of artificial intelligence in the music industry, and how musicians can use AI tools to unlock new creative possibilities. Jonathan shares insights on the connection between jazz improvisation and neural networks, the risks of...

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Gregory Hirschhorn, Co-Founder and CEO of Too Lost, one of the fastest-growing music distribution and rights management platforms serving independent artists and labels worldwide. Gregory shares his journey into the music industry, the inspiration behind founding Too Lost, and how the company is challenging traditional distribution mod...

In this episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami welcomes back David Ronan , CEO and Founder of RoEx , for a deep conversation on how technology is reshaping the future of music production. David shares how RoEx has achieved remarkable growth—processing more than five million tracks and supporting over a million artists—while expanding integrations with major platforms and accelerating direct-to-a...

In this episode of the SoundBreaker podcast, host Bob Shami sits down with Jorge Brea, founder and CEO of Symphonic Distribution, to explore the incredible transformation of the music industry over the past two decades. Jorge shares his journey from passionate DJ and vinyl collector to building one of the leading independent music distribution companies in the world. Together, they discuss the ind...

In this episode of SoundBreaker, we meet JC Barat, co-founder of Allfeat, a blockchain infrastructure designed specifically for the music industry. Drawing from a background in wealth management and HR, JC explains how a personal encounter with his daughter’s musical journey exposed a deeper structural issue: the global music rights system is fundamentally broken. Today, more than $2.5 billion in...

In this episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Eric Petersen , founder and CEO of FanzPass , to explore the future of the creator economy and how super fans are transforming the way athletes and musicians monetize their audiences . Eric shares the inspiration behind building FanzPass and explains why the traditional models of streaming revenue and merchandise sales are no longer e...

In this episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Bob Barbiere , Executive Vice President and General Manager at OpenPlay , to explore the complex infrastructure behind the modern music industry. Bob shares his unconventional journey from telecommunications into music technology , and how that background helped him understand the deep structural challenges surrounding music rights ma...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Mark Meyer , founder and CEO of Random Sounds , the first music distribution company in Paraguay. Mark shares his journey from teenage music blogger and concert producer to becoming a pioneer in Latin America’s music technology space. They explore how a lack of Paraguayan music on global streaming platforms sparked the idea for Random...

The music industry has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations of any creative field. In this episode, Dusan Simic breaks down how technology reshaped the business—from physical sales and downloads to streaming platforms, digital distribution, and AI-driven tools. We explore how new companies, distributors, and aggregators emerged as the old infrastructure disappeared, creating entirely...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Sophie Elizabeth Small , COO of Music Gateway , to explore how technology is reshaping the modern music industry. With over a decade of experience at Music Gateway, Sophie shares her journey through the evolving music business and explains why legal knowledge, data literacy, and adaptability are more important than ever for today’s ar...

🚀 New Episode Alert! In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Neil Sheehan, the President of Vocana and a veteran of the music industry with over 30 years of experience. Neil takes us through his incredible journey—from booking metal and punk bands in VFW halls with $900 in his pocket to running StandBy Records and achieving #1 Billboard success with Black Veil Brides. Now a...

Welcome to Soundbreaker! In this compelling episode, host Bob Shami sits down with award-winning composers and producers Mark Batson and Chris Hanebutt. These two incredible talents, hailing from Brooklyn and South Carolina respectively, share their unique journeys into the music industry, from early piano lessons and barbershop quartets to collaborating with music legends like Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Jack McCarthy , co-founder of IndieX , one of the leading agencies helping artists unlock new and sustainable revenue through e-commerce. Jack explains why e-commerce is the most overlooked income stream for musicians and how independent artists can use digital tools, data, and direct-to-fan marketing to take control of their careers....

In this episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Dr. Kobi Abayomi , Head of Data Science at Gumbel Demand Acceleration & Clinical Asst. Professor of Data Science at Arizona State University and an influential voice at the intersection of music, technology, and analytics. Together, they explore how data science is reshaping the music industry—from understanding audience behavior...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Joshua Kennedy , Team Lead at FUGA , to unpack the fast-evolving world of User Generated Content (UGC) in the music industry. With years of experience across YouTube , VEVO , and digital rights management, Joshua offers a masterclass on how artists can thrive in the digital age. From understanding Content ID and music monetization to...

“We wanted fans to feel like they’re inside the music.” In this episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with guests Ornagh Lynch and Ben Dawson , the visionary minds behind immersiv.es . Together, they explore how music, technology, and XR converge to reshape nightlife and live entertainment. From Ben’s beginnings as a choir boy to his leap into electronic music, to Ornagh’s early proje...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , Bob Shami sits down with Neal O’Connor and Aaron Greene, co-founders of Slush Management, to explore the evolving landscape of the music industry. They discuss the crucial role of artist management, the challenges of breaking new talent, and how independent artists are gaining more power and control than ever before. Neal and Aaron share insights on artist develop...

"If you can’t tell your own story, someone else will." In this episode of SoundBreaker , we sit down with Joe Gallo , founder of Catch Buzz , to explore the art and science of music branding . Joe shares his journey into the music industry, revealing how his passion for connection, culture, and lifestyle shaped his work with artists. From the importance of a unique brand story to the role of innov...

In this thought-provoking episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Anna Lenarcik, the visionary co-founder of Virtual Sound Media , a startup dedicated to simplifying music production and empowering creators through technology. Anna shares her unique journey through the music industry, from her deep roots in sound engineering to pioneering tools that blend AI , blockchain , and imme...

In this episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Andrew Schiffman—music industry veteran and former MTV executive—who has helped shape the sound of generations. From major labels to today’s indie explosion, Andrew shares an insider’s look at how the music business has evolved in the digital age. We explore the rise of independent artists and how curated playlists have become essenti...

In this soul-stirring episode of SoundBreaker , host Bob Shami welcomes the incomparable Sheléa , a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose journey began in the heart of gospel music. From growing up in a musically gifted family to paying tribute to icons like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston , Sheléa opens up about the deep roots that shaped her artistry. Listeners wil...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , Australian-born country music artist Shea Fisher shares her compelling journey from growing up in a rodeo family to becoming a chart-topping country singer in Australia and breaking into the U.S. music scene. Shea reflects on falling in love with country music in 1990s Texas and the whirlwind success of her debut album, which featured four #1 hits. But the road wa...

In this compelling episode of Soundbreaker , we sit down with Ralph Tashjian, founder and CEO of Intercept Music, to explore his remarkable journey from a young music enthusiast to a transformative force in the music industry. Ralph shares how sobriety marked a turning point in his personal and professional life, reigniting his passion and paving the way for his innovative work in artist empowerme...

In this episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with jazz vocalist and flamenco dancer Andy James to explore her unconventional path from flamenco stages in Australia to jazz clubs in Las Vegas. Andy opens up about her early influences, her artistic evolution, and the making of her latest album, Happy People , a bold fusion of flamenco passion and jazz improvisation. They also delve int...

In this powerful episode of Soundbreaker , host Bob Shami sits down with Aric Steinberg, Executive Director of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund , a nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance to musicians and music industry professionals. For over 30 years, Sweet Relief has stepped in when medical issues, natural disasters, and financial hardship threaten the livelihoods of...