Advertise on podcast: The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Mark Orr, the founder of Lab Records, to explore how independent labels are evolving in today’s music industry.  From deal structures and artist ownership to marketing strategies and physical releases, Mark shares a transparent look into how his label has operated and adapted over nearly two decades. They dive into how indie deals have shifted to become more artist-friendly, how Lab approaches partnerships like distribution with ADA, and why physical products like vinyl and limited editions are more important now than ever. Mark also breaks down how to build a lean team, when to outsource, and how to create meaningful fan engagement in a crowded digital landscape. Whether you’re on the artist or label side of the business, you won’t want to miss this episode. https://www.instagram.com/labrecords https://labrecs.com/  Chapters 00:00 - Lab Records Origin 05:00 - Building a Lean Team 09:25 - Streaming & Fan Engagement 13:23 - Pitching Artists vs Majors 16:07 - Modern Deal Structures 21:19 - Artist Power Shift 26:19 - Marketing in 2020s 31:42 - Physical Sales Comeback 36:21 - Touring Builds Fanbase 45:50 - Tools, Teams, Future Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Michael Turner, founder of the disruptive record label Rebellion. Turner shares how he’s building a modern music company by leveraging viral marketing, short-form video, and niche communities to help independent artists break through without relying on traditional gatekeepers. In this episode, Turner breaks down how viral hits are engineered through tastemaker networks and micro-influencers, how artists track fan conversion across platforms, and why touring and deal structures are evolving outside the traditional label system. They also discuss royalties, distribution, and AI-generated music—and why Turner believes we’re entering a golden era for those independent artists willing to adapt. https://www.instagram.com/iamplvtinum/ https://www.instagram.com/rebellionrecordsnyc/ Chapters 00:00 - From Artist to Rebellion Founder 05:48 - Early Spotify Virality & Indie Strategy 08:17 - From Algorithms to TikTok Discovery 13:32 - Engineering Viral Campaigns 18:38 - Metrics That Matter Beyond Streams 21:36 - Turning Virality Into Ticket Sales 24:13 - New Touring Models for Indie Artists 34:04 - Building the Modern Indie Ecosystem 43:01 - AI’s Impact on the Music Industry 48:32 - Signing Artists in the Indie Era Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Brian Hobbs and Dev Sherlock from South by Southwest (SXSW). Brian, VP of Music, has been at SXSW since 2012, helping shape the festival’s music programming and expand its sound, especially in hip hop and global scenes. Dev is the Director of Music at the festival. He plays a key role in building the lineup and working directly with artists, managers, and industry teams navigating the SXSW landscape. In this episode, we break down what SXSW actually is, and whether it makes sense for you and your career. Dev and Brian discuss how this year is massively different than years past, what the real purpose of “South By” is, and how to approach it with a smart strategy (instead of just showing up and hoping for the best). We get real about networking—what that actually looks like at SXSW—and how artists, managers, and other industry folks can make the most of their experience. For those thinking about applying to official showcases, Brian and Dev walk through the submission process, and what their team is really looking for when they book artists. If you’re going to SXSW (or even thinking about it) listen to this episode first. https://sxsw.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hobbs-155759164/  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to South by Southwest 02:14 Changes in the Festival Structure 05:43 The Overlap of Music and Tech 08:46 The Role of Live Music Discovery 11:22 Business Opportunities at South by Southwest 19:05 Navigating Official and Unofficial Showcases 23:18 Monetizing Opportunities for Artists 27:58 The Global Impact of the Irish Diaspora 29:48 Travel Concerns for International Artists 30:41 Booking Artists for South by Southwest 34:55 The Application Process Explained 37:57 The Fluid Nature of Artist Bookings 41:42 Understanding Compensation Models 43:52 The Conference Experience at South by Southwest 45:52 Networking Tips for Artists 50:57 Defining Success in the Music Industry Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Aaron Greene and Neal O’Connor of Slush Management, the artist-first team behind Porter Robinson, Eden, Jai Wolf, and more. Slush has helped their artists generate billions of streams, sell millions of tickets, and craft long-term careers rooted in creativity rather than quick wins. With 15 years of experience across touring, branding, and global fan development, they’ve become leaders in sustainable artist strategy and innovative experiential storytelling. In this episode, Ari Neal and Aaron dive into what modern artist development truly looks like. From building immersive worlds to cultivating real, lasting fan communities beyond vanity metrics, Neal and Aaron share how managers decide when an artist is ready for representation, why social media isn’t the only path to growth, and how long-term strategy beats short-term virality every time. The conversation also covers label paths (self-release, indie, major), when to tour, how support slots actually happen, and the importance of meaningful experiences. Hint: music videos might be more important than most folks realize.  https://www.instagram.com/slushmgmt/ 05:58 – What “world-building” means for modern artists 08:12 – How Porter Robinson developed his immersive universe 12:00 – Building an entire festival world with Disney-level partners 16:00 – Artist development: when an artist is ready for management 18:20 – Why immediacy is a trap & long-term growth matters 20:35 – Deepening 100 true fans vs. chasing viral moments 27:45 – Majors vs. indies vs. self-releasing: what actually works 31:55 – The real purpose of music videos in 2025 36:50 – Touring strategy: when to headline, when to support 39:20 – How artists actually get support slots 42:55 – What “making it” means in the new music business Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business, Ari sits down with powerhouse managers Gordan Dillard and Josh Kaplan, the team behind global superstar Doja Cat. Together, they break down how they helped build one of the most influential, multi-hyphenate artists of the decade. Gordan and Josh share early viral moments of Doja Cat's diversified empire spanning music, brand partnerships, and new business ventures. Other topics discussed here include: how features really work, how producers differ from beatmakers, what modern record deals look like at the highest level, and why short-form content has completely reshaped the career-building playbook. Gordan and Josh offer candid, unfiltered advice for emerging artists and managers on finding the right partnership, building a fanbase from scratch, and creating leverage in today’s industry. https://www.instagram.com/dojacat/ https://www.agood-day.com/ 04:16 – Why Good Day Management only represents one artist 07:19 – Diversifying Doja Cat’s revenue beyond music 10:18 – How Gordon & Josh first joined Doja’s team 15:40 – The “Juicy” era and early visual strategy 17:31 – Doja Cat’s rise during the pandemic 20:42 – Long-form videos vs short-form content today 24:54 – Balancing artists’ vision with budget and label support 29:10 – How label deals and funding have evolved 36:28 – How features actually get made (creatively & financially) 44:25 – Beatmakers vs producers: what’s the difference? 48:37 – Why songs sometimes have 7 writers & 6 producers 58:54 – Advice for emerging artists & managers today Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Tema Siegel and Zach Blankstein of the band Couch. Tema is the singer and Zach is the guitarist/manager of this seven-piece soul-pop band from Boston. Their explosive live shows and fully DIY approach have helped them sell out major venues across the country. Formed from lifelong friendships and built during the pandemic, Couch has grown into a globally touring act while self-producing their acclaimed debut album 'Big Talk'. In this episode, Tema and Zach break down how they built an engaged fanbase without label support, the logistics of touring as a seven-member group, and the creative and vulnerable writing process behind 'Big Talk'. Ari dives into their ad strategy, their partnership with the Salt Lick Incubator, how they secured major support tours with Lake Street Dive and Cory Wong, and what it takes to balance musicianship, management, and sustainable growth as an independent band in 2025.  http://instagram.com/couch.theband 07:16 – Adding the seventh member & early chemistry 09:15 – Touring as an introvert and finding group balance 12:19 – Managing a 12-person touring party 16:34 – How fans are reacting to the new songs live 18:22 – How the band uses VIP sections to build superfans 19:40 – Collaborative songwriting process & Temma’s Notes app 22:19 – “Middleman” and the band’s unexpected EDM influence 26:22 – Self-producing the entire album & working with mixers 27:15 – Living in Boston and breaking out beyond the local scene 32:56 – Growing during the pandemic while in separate cities 36:32 – Early viral video & their online strategy 40:07 – How Couch finances the band with day jobs 41:24 – Why Zach became their in-house manager 55:52 – Opening for Cory Wong & Lake Street Dive 58:44 – Deep dive into their ad strategy Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari hops on for a solo episode to talk about Brassroots District—a decade-long passion project fusing immersive theater, hard-grooving funk, and 1970s world-building. He shares how the project grew from DIY LA shows into a scripted parking-lot production during COVID, and how it’s finally taking over a premier LA venue. If you're in LA, come catch Brassroots District LA ’74, opening February 7th at Catch One in Koreatown. Check out the trailer and grab your tickets here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Bay Area rapper, LaRussell. Known for his backyard shows, revolutionary ticketing and release practices, and motivational freestyling, LaRussell has become a blueprint for modern DIY artistry. His business, Good Compenny, is a multi-media brand that puts on shows, sells merch, and empowers independent artists. In this episode, Ari and LaRussell discuss when and why it’s important to stay independent as an artist. LaRussell tells Ari how he continues to find joy in making music, even after releasing over 700 songs. He also breaks down his offer-based ticketing model—a game-changing approach that could change the entire live concert industry. Tune in to hear LaRussell’s secrets to community-building, his artistic approach to social media, and loads of inspiration heading into 2026. https://www.instagram.com/larussell 06:20 – LaRussell explains “out the trunk” direct bookings 08:10 – Origin of the backyard concerts 12:21 – Full backyard experience (hospitality, free food, bounce house) 16:45 – How offer-based ticketing works (“What is this worth to you?”) 18:23 – His $1,000 birthday show that made $250K 20:12 – Full breakdown of all revenue streams 27:02 – Why he stays independent + label philosophy 43:48 – What “Good Compenny” really is (a community) 54:38 – Spending $120K on ads to make $800K back 01:02:01 – Full-circle moment: how the book changed his life Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with recent GRAMMY Award winners Matt B and Angela Benson. Matt B is a GRAMMY-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and global recording artist whose career spans over a decade. His most recent project, ‘Alkebulan II’, earned him and Angela a GRAMMY Award, following years of DIY artistry. Over the course of this album, Matt and Angela recorded across Africa, collaborated with artists like Eddie Kenzo and Oxlade, and worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. As a label owner, producer on ‘Alkebulan II’, and longtime Recording Academy member, Angela has been instrumental in shaping Matt’s artistic direction, visual world-building, and global strategy. In this episode, Matt B and Angela Benson walk through their incredible DIY journey and how they found themselves on the GRAMMY-winning path. They discuss the challenges of writing and recording in multiple African languages, shooting a full visual album across multiple countries, and balancing the creative workload between artist and manager. The pair break down how independent artists can navigate the GRAMMY process, the importance of joining the Recording Academy, the role of networking and bartering in major creative endeavors, and most importantly, the communication and patience required to run a music career as a married team. https://www.instagram.com/mattbworld https://www.instagram.com/angelavbenson 01:40 – Home Studio & Recent Travels 02:10 – Returning to His Alma Mater After the Grammy Win 03:00 – Life & Opportunities After Winning a Grammy 04:15 – Performing in Uganda & Global Breakthrough Moments 05:20 – Inception of the Akebulan Concept 09:00 – Connecting With Oxlade & Eddie Kenzo 11:00 – Creating the “Gimme Love” Music Video 13:00 – Building a Full Visual Album DIY 17:40 – Finding Producers & Collaborators Worldwide 20:00 – Incorporating the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 30:00 – Navigating Grammy Nominations & Recording Academy Membership 47:00 – Working as a Husband-and-Wife Artist/Manager Team Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Matt Jones, the CEO and co-founder of Medallion, a platform helping artists own their fan relationships and build new revenue models. Matt was previously CEO of Songkick, another direct-to-fan platform that was acquired by Warner Music Group. He’s now developing new economic models for artists to own their fan relationships. In this episode, Matt and Ari discuss the direct-to-fan experience and why it’s beneficial to give artists full ownership of their data. Matt explains why traditional models like Patreon and Substack don’t fit the creative rhythms of most musicians. They also dig into the shortcomings of streaming and the need for transparency in artist payments. Tune in to learn more about how major labels might adapt, what lessons can be learned from Bandcamp, and why the next decade of music will be defined by artist ownership and sustainability. https://medallion.app/ 0:00 - Intro 10:45 – Why the term “superfan” has taken over the industry 13:20 – The challenges artists face relying on third-party platforms 15:50 – How Medallion lets artists own their data and build communities 18:30 – Why streaming’s economic model is outdated and unsustainable 21:50 – Why Patreon and Substack rarely work for most musicians 24:15 – The three main artist revenue streams: live, recordings, and merch 28:30 – How Bandcamp paved the way—but why it isn’t enough 31:40 – Handling rights, licensing, and label relationships on Medallion 38:00 – The future of transparency and fan-to-artist payment models 49:50 – Why blockchain and NFTs weren’t the right fit for Medallion Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with acclaimed pianist and composer, Chloe Flower. Born in Pennsylvania, Chloe began playing piano at age two, later studying at the Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege and London’s Royal Academy of Music. A classically trained pianist turned genre-bender, she calls her unique style “popsical” (a fusion of classical, pop, and hip-hop). She has collaborated with major artists like Céline Dion, Babyface, Nas, and Cardi B (whose 2019 GRAMMY performance she helped elevate). Beyond performing, Chloe is a passionate advocate for music education. In this episode, Ari and Chloe dive deep into Chloe’s artistic journey. They discuss everything from her rigorous classical training to the lessons she’s learned from merging two distinct musical worlds. In this episode, you’ll learn about label strategy, collaboration with big-name artists and producers, and maintaining authenticity while scaling. Chloe shares invaluable insights on building a personal brand (both musically and visually), empowering women in the industry, and how she sees the future of genre-fluid music. https://www.instagram.com/misschloeflower 05:00 – The Holiday Album and Women Composers 10:30 – Understanding Public Domain and Classical Music Rights 15:45 – YouTube Covers, Metadata, and Going Independent 19:00 – Meeting Babyface and Blending Genres 25:00 – The Viral Grammy Performance with Cardi B 29:30 – Evolving Sound and the Role of Collaboration 33:00 – Running an Independent Label and Revenue Streams 36:00 – Pros and Cons of Major vs. Indie Labels 47:00 – Music Education and Inspiring the Next Generation 54:00 – Performing with Orchestras and Conductors Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Daniel Rowland, a rare combination of audio engineer, producer, tech executive, and educator. The music he’s worked on has amassed over 15 billion streams, earning Emmy and Oscar wins, Grammy nominations, and multiple platinum certifications. His credits span an eclectic range of artists and projects, including Nina Simone, Nine Inch Nails, Thundercat, Star Wars, Pixar, and John Wick. Beyond the studio, Daniel serves as VP of Strategy and Partnerships at LANDR Audio and a longtime professor at MTSU, where he champions ethical, AI-driven tools that empower creators. In this episode, Ari and Daniel explore the ever-evolving intersection of music, technology, and creativity. They dive deep into the art and science of mastering for different formats, the rise of AI in music production, and how to maintain authenticity in an increasingly automated world. Daniel also shares his personal journey from musician to educator and innovator, offering invaluable insights for artists navigating the future of sound and creation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowlanddaniel https://www.landr.com/ 00:00 – Mixing vs. Mastering & the Role of AI in Quality Control 02:30 – Introducing Daniel Rowland & His Career Overview 06:45 – Daniel’s Journey from Musician to Engineer & Educator 09:45 – Dolby Atmos & Spatial Audio: Fad or Future? 19:00 – What Mastering Really Is (and Isn’t) 26:00 – The “Curmudgeon” Era of Mastering Engineers 29:00 – Loudness, LUFS, and the Streaming Revolution 36:45 – The Vinyl Comeback: Problems and Pitfalls 47:45 – Automated Mastering & LANDR’s Evolution 54:00 – The Future of AI and Creativity in Music Edited and mixed by Ari Davids Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This 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/rhymeswithralph https://www.instagram.com/angrymobmusic 00:00:00 Introduction to A&R and Publishing 00:03:00 The Role of A&R in Independent Publishing 00:09:00 Challenges in Signing New Talent 00:15:00 The Politics of Song Splits 00:21:00 Diversity in Writers' Rooms 00:27:00 Advocating for Songwriters' Rights 00:33:00 The Evolving Music Industry Landscape 00:39:00 Songwriting Camps and Collaboration 00:45:00 Defining Success in the Music Business Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This 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 album 9:23 - The decision to record live at VIXX 15:53 - Collaborating with Christian McBride 22:38 - Touring in China and working with Jazz at Lincoln Center 29:08 - The Grammy experience and independent artist challenges 36:33 - The role of networking in New York's music scene 44:13 - The impact of the pandemic on jazz clubs 51:43 - The importance of physical music products in the digital age 59:23 - Funding albums through grants and private donors 1:05:53 - Nicole's upcoming projects and future plans Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This 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 Niche 11:10 – Early Journey 17:40 – Shift to Yoga Music 24:25 – Streaming Platforms 30:55 – AI in Music 37:40 – Creativity and Motivation 45:40 – Future Plans 53:10 – Reflections and Advice https://www.instagram.com/solrising Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.