My .4 Cents

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 of certain strategies like influencer campaigns and pre-saves. Guest Maddie Elyse of Shark Attack and 19 Entertainment joins the discussion, shedding light on artist development post-reality shows like American Idol. The episode provides an intriguing blend of industry secrets and marketing truths, giving listeners a well-rounded understanding of what truly drives success in music today.

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," exploring the history and evolution of Billboard charts, the concept of hits being 'rigged,' and how music has transformed over decades. The conversation also touches on Anna's Archive, a site that controversially scraped Spotify's data, leading to massive legal actions against it. The hosts ponder the implications of technology on music preservation and the broader cultural importance of archiving media, drawing parallels with other industries like gaming. The episode examines the delicate balance between the open web ideals and the realities of copyright and intellectual property.

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 alienate its user base. The conversation shifts to an interview with Johnny Fiaconi, shedding light on the thriving opportunities within the cover band scene, particularly for his band, The Dreamboats. Fiaconi discusses the stigmas and economic opportunities in playing cover music, showcasing how it's become a viable career path filled with lucrative gigs. Finally, the hosts discuss strategies for touring profitably, emphasizing the importance of meticulous planning and maximizing opportunities in local markets, such as targeting college campuses and making efficient use of flyer distribution. Throughout, they stress the significance of engagement and strategic targeting to build a successful career, despite ever-changing social media landscapes and touring challenges.

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 standout image in a band. The discussion also touches on how artists can leverage their DIY roots, navigate the challenges of ads that underperform, and find their niche audience. With insights from real artists and experts in various aspects of music marketing, the episode is packed with actionable advice and behind-the-scenes perspectives from some of the industry’s sharpest minds.

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. The episode also features an interview with Howard Bullows, an AI marketing professional and independent artist, who shares insights into how AI is revolutionizing the music creation process. Howard highlights the impact and ethics of AI tools in both the marketing and content creation arenas, giving listeners a glimpse into the future of music production. The hosts ponder on ageism in the music industry, discussing how age can influence a musician's career trajectory but emphasizing the potential for success at any age, especially with today's digital reach. They encourage musicians of all demographics to persevere despite the industry's often narrow standards and discuss how the rise of platforms like TikTok has democratized music discovery. Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive view of current trends and challenges in the music scene, imbued with a forward-looking perspective on technology's role in the arts.

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 trends towards more authentic and raw video formats. Behind a membership barrier, an exclusive discussion unfolds, covering Spotify's Discovery Mode and its new video feature's implications for artists. Excitingly, they announce their upcoming tour, emphasizing the community-building aspect of their live events, where musicians can connect, share experiences, and foster collaborations. Additionally, the panelists delve into the socio-economic impacts on the festival industry, AI music's rising influence, and the ongoing debate surrounding Spotify's role and reputation in the music streaming landscape. A lively discussion resonates with thoughts on the evolving dynamics of the music world, hinting at both challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing industry.

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 Osbourne. Beyond performing, Blasko delves into the business side of music, co-founding a management company handling artists such as Black Veil Brides and Zakk Wylde. His career highlights the importance of authenticity, audience connection, and adaptability in navigating the ever-evolving music landscape. Blasko also recounts how his involvement with Liquid Death water brand parallels his music ethos, emphasizing that both endeavors are driven by authenticity and resonating with audiences. His perspective underscores the necessity for bands to cultivate a genuine connection with their audience, viewing fans as part of a community rather than mere consumers.

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's creation, citing the lack of ads and quality user experience as key differentiators. Over time, the platform evolved to include Music Stacks Metrics, allowing users to track their music's popularity score history and examine the impact of marketing efforts. A notable feature is its ability to integrate across various social and music platforms, which helps artists understand their reach across different audiences. The conversation also touches on usage trends and how artists are harnessing social media to amplify their Spotify presence. Through Music Stacks, users can access invaluable data to strategize their music releases effectively and stay agile in the fast-paced music industry.