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The New Music Business with Ari Herstand
This Music Publicist Has Upended the Entire PR Model
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Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business here: https://book.aristake.com
This week on the New Music Business, Ari is joined by the founder of Purple Bite PR, Mikel Corrente. In the last few years Corrente adapted a “Zero-Risk” guaranteed or money back system that is very uncommon in the PR industry but it’s more transparent and fairer than the traditional PR system. Some examples of artists and companies that Corrente has worked with are: Sony Music, Kat Graham, Red Light Management, Mix Master Mike, Elohim, Jesse Jo Stark, Lauren Ruth Ward, BIIANCO, and many more.
05:52 Welcome / background
10:20 PR model ten years ago, shifting from publications to playlists
15:55 What PR is and what a publicist does
25:21 Evolution of press rates and artist feedback
31:24 Relationship with fashion and music publication Lady Gun
41:58 Pay-to-play PR model
47:03 What is the point of music press right now?
53:21 Purple Bite’s business model
01:05:03 How Purple Bite guarantees placements
01:09:50 What it means to make it in the New Music Business
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Connect with Ari Herstand:
Website: https://ariherstand.com
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YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand
Connect with Mikel Corrente:
Website: http://purplebite.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikelcorrente
TikTok: https://.tiktok.com/@mikelcorrente
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikelCorrente
Edited and mixed by Maxton Hunter
Music by Brassroots District
Produced by the team at Ari’s Take
#MusicPR #MusicPress #MusicMarketing
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40. How A&R at Publishing Companies Work
01:10:51||Season 6, Ep. 40This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ralph Torrefranca, Executive Director of A&R at Angry Mob Music. With nearly two decades of experience, Ralph has championed emerging songwriters, artists, and producers, working with talents like Jake Scott, Bailey Bryan, and Joe Pepe. He is also the founder of Angry Mob’s New Normal Writing Camp, a diversity-driven initiative, and a respected voice on equity in the music industry. Beyond his A&R work, Ralph fronts the post-punk band Cuffed Up and is an award-winning filmmaker.In this episode, Ralph offers a candid look at the realities of A&R and independent publishing. He and Ari discuss signing and developing new talent, navigating the politics of song splits, and the growing importance of diversity in writers’ rooms. Ralph also sheds light on the challenges songwriters face in today’s industry and the ongoing fight for fair representation, making this conversation invaluable for anyone seeking an inside perspective on the business of songwriting and publishing.https://www.instagram.com/rhymeswithralphhttps://www.instagram.com/angrymobmusic00:00:00 Introduction to A&R and Publishing00:03:00 The Role of A&R in Independent Publishing00:09:00 Challenges in Signing New Talent00:15:00 The Politics of Song Splits00:21:00 Diversity in Writers' Rooms00:27:00 Advocating for Songwriters' Rights00:33:00 The Evolving Music Industry Landscape00:39:00 Songwriting Camps and Collaboration00:45:00 Defining Success in the Music BusinessEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
39. GRAMMY Winning NYC Jazz Singer/Songwriter/Arranger Makes It Work
01:04:22||Season 6, Ep. 39This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nicole Zuraitis, a GRAMMY-winning New York-based jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger. Her 2023 album, How Love Begins, won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024. She has performed all over the world from Birdland and Dizzy's Club to Lincoln Center China. She first earned GRAMMY attention in 2019 for her arrangement of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals. She most recently won a GRAMMY in 2025 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.In this episode, Nicole traces her path from early days hustling in the New York jazz scene, collaborating with Christian McBridge, touring in China, and navigating the realities of indie artistry. She digs into the power of networking in her community, the pandemic's impact on NYC venues, why physical release formats still matter, and how grants and private donors help fund albums.https://www.nicolezmusic.com/4:53 - Introduction and Nicole's new live album9:23 - The decision to record live at VIXX15:53 - Collaborating with Christian McBride22:38 - Touring in China and working with Jazz at Lincoln Center29:08 - The Grammy experience and independent artist challenges36:33 - The role of networking in New York's music scene44:13 - The impact of the pandemic on jazz clubs51:43 - The importance of physical music products in the digital age59:23 - Funding albums through grants and private donors1:05:53 - Nicole's upcoming projects and future plansEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
38. Finding Accidental Streaming Success in a Niche Market
53:57||Season 6, Ep. 38This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Sol Rising, a producer and DJ whose eclectic blend of electronic, downtempo, and lo-fi has inspired millions. Born in Vancouver and raised in Iowa, he went from a childhood rooted in meditation to becoming one of America’s top scratch DJs before evolving into a prolific producer. With over 20 albums, 225M+ streams, and international tours across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Sol Rising shares his journey of artistry and growth.Sol shares his journey from a turntablist to a successful artist with millions of streams, discussing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the music world independently. They delve into the impact of streaming platforms, the role of AI in music, and the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the evolving landscape of the music business.05:40 – Introduction and Niche11:10 – Early Journey17:40 – Shift to Yoga Music24:25 – Streaming Platforms30:55 – AI in Music37:40 – Creativity and Motivation45:40 – Future Plans53:10 – Reflections and Advicehttps://www.instagram.com/solrisingEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
36. Suno and Udio SUED By Indie Musicians - The Lead Attorney Tells All
01:00:56||Season 6, Ep. 36This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Top Music Attorney, Miss Krystle. Miss Krystle is an entertainment attorney, independent artist, musician, and CEO of Delgado Entertainment Law. She hosts the Top Music Attorney podcast and popular YouTube channel, and has sold tens of millions of dollars in music catalogs. As leader of the class action lawsuit against A.I. generative companies Suno and Udio on behalf of independent artist, producers, & songwriters; she continues to champion creators’ rights while teaching artists how to think like major labels and build six-figure careers on their own terms.In this insightful episode, Ari and Krystle, delve into the complexities of the music industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in music creation. They discuss the ongoing legal battles against AI music platforms, the importance of copyright registration, and the evolving landscape of music licensing. Tune in to learn how independent artists can navigate these changes and protect their creative rights.https://www.instagram.com/misskrystlelive00:00 - Introduction and AI's Impact on Music03:00 - Legal Challenges and Copyright Issues06:00 - Class Action Lawsuits Against AI Platforms09:00 - Independent Artists and AI12:00 - The Role of Copyright Registration15:00 - Spotify's Approach to AI Music18:00 - Fair Use in AI Music21:00 - Future of the Music Industry24:00 - Strategies for Artists to Protect Their Work27:00 - Closing Thoughts and TakeawaysEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
35. The FTC Sues Live Nation and Ticketmaster - NIVA Responds
01:01:54||Season 6, Ep. 35This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which represents over 1,500 venues nationwide. Together, they discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which alleges deceptive pricing practices that have enabled scalpers to exploit both artists and fans for billions of dollars.Ari and Stephen break down the logistics of the case, its potential impact on the future of ticketed events, and the incriminating evidence pointing to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s complicity. They also explore the broader issue of monopoly power in the live music industry, the push to separate the two companies, and the policy and legal strategies that could protect venues, artists, and consumers moving forward.https://www.nivassoc.org/https://www.nivassoc.org/fixthetix/model-legislation5:10 Introduction and Overview of Live Nation's Situation10:10 FTC Lawsuit Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster15:10 History of Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger20:10 Role of NIVA and Its Advocacy Efforts25:10 Impact of Ticket Scalping and Resale Practices30:10 Discussion on Ticketing Reform and Legislative Efforts35:10 Challenges Faced by Independent Venues40:10 Artists' Perspectives on Ticketing Issues45:10 Future of Ticketing and Live Events50:10 Closing Remarks and Call to ActionEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
34. This Merch Company Has Paid Artists $30+ Million
01:01:56||Season 6, Ep. 34This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Seamus Menihane, CEO and Co-Founder of the merch company, Downright Merch (now known as Armada). This merch company has paid out over $30 million to clients and they currently manage over 250 merch stores for artists including Thrice, Tom Morello and Death Row Records, as well as clients such as Grillo’s Pickles, Every Day Astronaut and Matty Matheson. In this episode, Ari and Seamus dig into all things merch. They discuss online versus touring merch sales, fanclubs, pre-sale campaigns, and large-scale transparency issues that come up between venues and promoters. Seamus and Ari also discuss which merch platforms work best for musicians, how to ‘merchandize’ your audience, and the importance of superfans. You’ll also get the inside scoop on Downright’s recent merger with Overcast to create their new brand Armada, and the exciting new ways they plan to operate. https://www.poweredbyarmada.com/about04:14 – Intro05:29 – Indie Merch Merger09:44 – Impact of Merger15:59 – Brand Management19:14 – Case Examples24:44 – Online vs. In-Person29:14 – Online Strategies35:59 – Tech in Merch39:14 – Future of D2C44:14 – ClosingEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
33. Krewella on Collabs in EDM, Going Indie and New Fandom
01:09:46||Season 6, Ep. 33This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with sisters Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf of the groundbreaking electronic duo, Krewella. Krewella has earned billions of streams, a devoted global fanbase, and a place among the first women in EDM to reach major milestones. Featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and performing at Coachella, Lollapalooza, EDC, Tomorrowland, and beyond, Krewella has left an undeniable mark on the scene. After time with Columbia Records and a brief hiatus, they’ve returned with a new single, “Crying on the Dancefloor.”Jahan and Yasmine dive deep into the business of music—covering collaborations, royalty splits, AI tools, and the ever-changing industry landscape. They reflect on how much has shifted over the past nine years, offering candid insights on balancing algorithm demands with authentic artistry. Most importantly, they share their perspective on staying true to yourself as an artist—creatively, spiritually, and personally—in an era of constant external pressure.https://www.instagram.com/krewella/04:37 – Intro06:31 – Slower, intentional process11:18 – Indie team setup13:49 – Indie vs. major19:35 – Grow vs. nurture fans, algorithms31:09 – song death/rebirth, reviving old songs 35:11 – Collabs & producer roles; splits45:05 – Remixes/AI/Splice; self-sampling1:01:05 – Live show: safe, sober, caring1:08:13 – Making itEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
32. Save the Music Brings Music Education To Schools in Need
01:01:44||Season 6, Ep. 32This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save the Music Foundation which focuses to provide equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide. They do so by donating instruments and music technology to schools, providing resources for music educators and advocating for them on a national level. In this episode, Ari and Henry explore the future of music education in 2025 and how to support Save the Music Foundation. Henry shares the history of the J. Dilla Music Technology Grant—launched with Pharrell’s support—and its impact in classrooms nationwide. They discuss the shift from band and theory toward production and technology, the inequities faced by schools of different socio-economic backgrounds, and how we can all help ensure students have access to music today and in the futurehttps://www.savethemusic.org/3:19 Introduction4:19 Role of Music Education in the Industry8:19 Ari & Henry’s Personal Journeys13:19 Save the Music Foundation Mission & impact23:19 Issues in schools33:19 Cultural Influence: Local culture’s role43:19 Modern Trends in Tech & Production53:19 Future: Where music education is headed58:19 Wrap-up & Call to ActionEdited and mixed by Peter SchruppMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s TakeOrder the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com