This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Matt Graham, founding manager partner of Range Media Partners and head of Range Music. Range Music represents artists like Jack Harlow, Shaboozey, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Pentatonix, Rita Ora, Saweetie, Noah Cyrus, Midland, and Dylan Gossett—as well as emerging talent. Originally launched as a management company, Range has grown into a multi-division operation spanning music, film, TV, publishing, composing, and sports. Matt was named to Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list and recently recognized as one of Billboard's Country Power Players.

In this conversation, Ari and Matt take a big-picture look at how Range is structured, how the music team works together internally, and how artist management continues to evolve. They touch on deal structures—both traditional and emerging—and discuss how representation models are shifting across the industry. Matt also shares insights into his work in country music and how he’s thinking about developing both established names and new talent. They also touch on generative AI music and where we’re heading with all of it. If you're interested in the business of management, this conversation offers a thoughtful look behind the scenes.

https://www.instagram.com/itsmattgraham/

https://rangemusic.com/

00:00 - Introduction to Matt Graham and Range

03:05 - Building Range Media Partners’ collaborative management model  

08:14 - Partnering with Big Loud and Mercury on Dylan Gossett  

13:20 - The role of management in structuring label partnerships  

17:45 - Global strategy for country and genre-fluid artists  

21:55 - How Range Media supports career development beyond music  

26:10 - Composer division and expansion into scoring and sync  

31:05 - Why AI music is disrupting the music industry  

35:45 - Labeling and regulation for AI-generated content  

40:28 - How AI could reduce artist costs for visuals and production  

45:50 - Blockchain’s missed opportunity in music  

48:15 - What it means to "make it" in today’s music business  

51:00 - Final thoughts and Matt’s outlook on the industry 

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

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