My .4 Cents

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. Schuller shares insights into how he capitalizes on unconventional routes such as YouTube covers and Nerdcore to make music his full-time occupation. The conversation then shifts to exploring the tactics some groups use to game the Billboard charts, exemplified by a campaign aimed at rallying people to collaboratively create an album and propel it to the top spot, highlighting flaws in chart metrics. Finally, the episode discusses the advantages of artist independence and the evolving music business landscape, questioning traditional industry methods and advocating for innovative approaches for musicians to connect with their audiences.

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 episode then shifts to an enlightening interview with Jeff Betton and Matt Dowling from Hellbender Vinyl, who discuss the enduring relevance of vinyl records as a tangible connection to music, emphasizing their role despite the dominance of digital streams. A spirited debate follows on the implications of the UK's legislative move to cap ticket resale prices—a step seen as a necessary measure to curb exploitative practices in ticketing markets. The hosts dive into the broader impacts of digital versus traditional music formats and underscore the importance of data-driven strategies for artists aiming to grow their presence in the increasingly interconnected music ecosystem.

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 video availability on platforms like YouTube Music. The conversation pivots to the implications of adding videos to Spotify and how it might transform user engagement. The team discusses the challenges Spotify faces, such as maintaining an authentic shuffle experience amid accusations of biased algorithms favoring major labels. Simultaneously, the podcast brings attention to a chat with Ryan Slone, a veteran booking agent, providing artists insights into securing effective representation in the industry. The show navigates through evolving content strategies on TikTok and Instagram, illustrating the shifting paradigms in digital consumption and the necessity for artists to recalibrate their approaches in an ever-dynamic digital realm.

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 RamonPang explores his approach to blending music creation with educational content and the unique experience of performing at a no-phone DJ set. The conversation also touches on an AI artist's controversial rise in the country music charts, sparking debate about the ethics and future of AI-generated content in music. Additionally, the hosts examine the credibility of bot-driven success and its potential degradation of artistry, alongside insights on successful influencer marketing tactics and the importance of community in establishing a musician's reputation.

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 touches on the challenges hip-hop artists face in breaking through a saturated market, emphasizing the importance of originality. Additionally, Matt Bacon interviews Rod Yancy from Bootleg, highlighting the innovative service that allows fans to purchase live concert recordings, thereby creating a unique collectible and revenue stream for artists. This integration of technology and music fandom presents a modern approach to enhancing fan experience by allowing them to relive concert memories. The episode concludes with discussions on shifting music chart dynamics, reflecting cultural trends and the evolution of genre perceptions.

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 Shopify and Bandcamp for handling merchandise and music sales. The episode also highlights an interview with C.J. Blessum, founder of A Thousand Arms, who shares insights on supporting indie artists through screen printing and design services, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, community building, and embracing new revenue streams in the ever-evolving music industry. Amid their banter, the hosts also touch on recent viral content strategies on platforms like TikTok, underscoring the unpredictable nature of digital media virality and the need for artists to be adaptive and creative in their marketing endeavors.