Welcome back to LaunchLeft! This week I am joined by Ian Rogers who has been on the cutting edge of technology and music since '93 when he began working with the Beastie Boys. Ian’s had an innovative hand in bringing companies such as Apple Music, Beats 1, LVMH & Ledger into the digital age while maintaining a deep curiosity and passionate artful approach. We talk about Ian’s love of learning, his creative outlets, and how the past plays a part in the future. Ian shares about how his children have influenced his work and how the use of technology is changing the landscape for getting music heard. Half way through the episode, he introduces his friend and fellow Indiana native, Tim from Strand of Oaks to discuss his music and the connection between culture and technology. We all share ideas on how to get music heard today and the importance of building a brand in this new world of music. Tune in for this great conversation and hear Strand of Oaks new song ”Ananda”.

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LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

[1:40] Ian shares about his love of learning.

[6:09] Where does Ian find joy and how has that played out in his work?

[8:42] How does the past play a part in the future and in technology?

[15:55] What is Ian’s creative outlet?

[17:15] How do Ian’s children impact his business?

[20:10] What creates excitement for Ian in his work?

[22:37] Do artists have the same opportunities they did in the past? 

[26:18] Ian provides advice for emerging bands and building a brand.

[31:24] Tim joins to talk about his album Strands of Oak.

[32:40] What influenced the songs on Strands of Oak?

[41:13] How did Ian help Tim when it came to release time?

[51:01] Tim shares about a live show and how to build an audience.

[1:06:39] Ian talks about the connection between culture and technology.

[1:13:25] What's in the future for Tim?

[1:16:42] Hear a song by Strand of Oaks.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Pay attention to what the younger generation says is going to take off, because they seem to be ahead of the times and have a good pulse on what is going to be successful.

It takes time to build a brand and find the people who are going to love your music. There is no such thing as an overnight success, people just don’t see all the work that is put in before the success happens.

The one thing that you can count on is that things never stay the same, you have to pivot, adjust with the technology, and look forward to how it will impact the future.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Strand of Oaks:

Strand of Oaks Website 

Strand of Oaks Instagram 

Strand of Oaks Facebook

BIOGRAPHY: 

Ian Rogers is the Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, leading the consumer-facing business delivering the world’s #1 way to buy and secure cryptocurrency.  Prior, Ian was the Chief Digital Officer at LVMH for five transformative years, working with a portfolio of nearly one hundred brands across luxury including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Sephora, and Hennessy.  Ian also sits on the boards of Dr Marten’s and Lyst.

Ian spent twenty years bringing digital music to the mainstream, first with Winamp then Yahoo!, Beats, and Apple.  Ian contributed to the 2015 launch of Apple Music including Beats 1, their digital streaming channel. Ian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (with honors, Phi Beta Kappa) from Indiana University in 1994.  Ian built some of the earliest music-related Web sites in the early 90s and has been working with Beastie Boys since 1993.