Julien Christian Lutz, known professionally as Director X, is an acclaimed Canadian music video and film director celebrated for shaping the visual identity of modern music. A protégé of Hype Williams, he’s directed iconic videos for Drake, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West. His visionary work extends to film and television, including Superfly and Robyn Hood. Beyond entertainment, Lutz co-founded Operation Prefrontal Cortex, using mindfulness to combat gun violence. His dedication to storytelling and social change has positioned him as one of the most influential voices in contemporary visual media.

In this episode, Director X shares how authenticity, emotion, and innovation shape powerful music videos—and how indie artists can rise by embracing their unique voice in a rapidly evolving industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how to use performance and emotion to make your music videos truly unforgettable.
• Learn why authenticity is the secret weapon for standing out in today’s saturated music landscape.
• Understand how to navigate new technologies like AI without losing the human soul of your art.

---

→ Learn more about Director X at op-pfc.com/.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Daniel Sander is the Chief Commercial Officer at Feature.fm, a cutting-edge music marketing platform helping artists connect with fans through smart links, pre-saves, and data-driven tools. With a background in finance and entrepreneurship from Syracuse University, Daniel blends tech innovation with artist advocacy, empowering musicians to grow their audiences and careers. He's a key voice in reshaping the music marketing landscape, focusing on fan engagement, monetization, and artist sustainability through tools that bridge creativity and strategy in the digital age.

In this episode, Daniel Sander shares how independent artists can turn their passion into a profitable business using innovative music marketing tools and a clear growth strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Feature.fm helps artists build deeper fan relationships and track real engagement.
• Learn why understanding your fan base and building a support team are vital to scaling your music career.
• Explore how artists can use AI and new funding models to sustain and grow their music business.

---

→ Learn more about Daniel Sander and explore tools for artist success at Feature.fm.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Rick Farman is the co-founder of Superfly, the visionary company behind some of the most iconic music and cultural festivals of the 21st century, including Bonnaroo and Outside Lands. A Tulane University graduate, Rick launched his career in New Orleans' legendary music scene before co-founding Superfly in 1996. Since then, he has pioneered immersive, community-centered experiences that fuse music, art, and culture. With nearly three decades of expertise, Rick has also led groundbreaking brand partnerships and experiential marketing campaigns, making Superfly a trailblazer in live entertainment and audience engagement.

In this episode, Rick Farman shares how Superfly revolutionized the festival experience by blending technology, community, and creativity to deepen audience engagement and empower indie artists.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Superfly helped launch Bonnaroo with a vision for national impact and immersive fan experiences.
• Learn how indie artists can build meaningful communities through collaboration and experiential design.
• Explore how AI and technology are reshaping audience engagement and the future of live events.

---

→ To learn more about Rick Farman and Superfly’s work, visit https://superf.ly/.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Dmitri Vietze is the founder and CEO of Rock Paper Scissors, a leading PR and marketing agency that helps music tech innovators tell compelling stories. Since launching the agency in 1999, Dmitri has remained at the forefront of music technology and innovation, also founding StoryAmp, a DIY PR platform. He hosts the Music Tectonics Podcast, curates the Rock Paper Scanner newsletter, and organizes the annual Music Tectonics Conference. A respected speaker and community builder, Dmitri is a trusted voice in the evolving intersection of music, media, and technology.

In this episode, Dmitri Vietze shares how artists can navigate the evolving music industry by leveraging technology, storytelling, and strategic PR to build sustainable careers.

Key Takeaways:

• Why defining your music as a hobby or a career is a crucial first step for long-term success.
• How innovative tools like Moises and BandLab are transforming music creation and monetization.
• The role of PR, networking, and the Music Tectonics Conference in building industry connections and career momentum.

---

→ Learn more about Dmitri and his work at MusicTectonics.com

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Gaurav Sharma is the Founder & CEO of Hook, an AI-powered music platform that empowers fans to create authorized remixes while ensuring artists and rights holders are fairly compensated. A visionary in music tech, Sharma previously served as COO of JioSaavn, where he helped grow India’s largest music streaming service to over 200 million monthly users. With a deep understanding of the intersection between innovation and the music industry, Sharma is pioneering the future of fan engagement and co-creation through ethical, artist-first technology.

In this episode, Michael Walker chats with Gaurav Sharma about how AI and remix culture are transforming fan engagement, the rise of co-creation, and lessons from scaling JioSaavn that independent artists can use to grow their careers.

Key Takeaways:

• How Hook is using AI to revolutionize fan engagement and empower artist-approved remixes.
• Why the future of music is co-creation and how artists can build deeper connections through collaborative content.
• Lessons from scaling JioSaavn to 200M users — and what independent artists can learn from it.

---

→ Discover more about Gaurav and Hook at www.hookmusic.com.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Andrew Southworth is the founder of Genera Studios, a marketing expert, music educator, and entrepreneur known for helping indie artists scale their streaming numbers and build loyal fanbases. With a background in engineering and a passion for music, Andrew has merged data-driven strategies with creative artistry to empower musicians in today’s digital landscape. Through YouTube tutorials, consulting, and advertising services, he has helped thousands of artists generate real results—often hitting millions of streams—while maintaining artistic independence and building sustainable careers.

In this episode, Andrew Southworth breaks down the core marketing strategies that actually move the needle for indie artists in today’s streaming economy.

Key Takeaways:

• How to use advertising to generate predictable Spotify growth
• Why understanding streaming data is essential for long-term success
• Actionable tips to build real fan relationships and monetize music authentically

---

→ Discover more about Andrew’s work at Genera Studios.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Dan Melnick is the General Manager of Bandcamp, a platform empowering artists to sell their music and connect directly with fans. Before joining Bandcamp, Dan co-founded Reverb, the leading online marketplace for musical instruments. A lifelong musician and entrepreneur, Dan is deeply passionate about artist empowerment, music technology, and community-building in the evolving landscape of the music industry.

In this episode, Dan shares how artists can build sustainable careers by connecting directly with their fans and embracing the tools of the modern music industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to cultivate genuine fan relationships that drive long-term success.
• Discover how Bandcamp’s artist-first model helps musicians thrive in today’s landscape.
• Gain insight into music marketing strategies that actually work—from merchandise to messaging.

---

→ Explore Dan’s work and Bandcamp’s artist tools at https://bandcamp.com

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Tom Rogers is the Co-founder and CEO of MusicGurus, an innovative online music education platform that partners with world-class musicians to deliver interactive lessons to learners worldwide. With a background in economics from the University of Oxford and experience in strategy and management consulting, Tom has fused his passion for music and technology to make high-quality music education accessible to everyone. Under his leadership, MusicGurus has become a trusted destination for musicians looking to grow their skills and connect through engaging and effective learning experiences.

In this episode, Tom shares how MusicGurus is transforming online music education through interactive technology, personalized learning, and new opportunities for artists.

Key Takeaways:

• How MusicGurus uses AI and interactive tools to create personalized learning paths for musicians
• Why artists should leverage educational content to connect more deeply with their audience
• The surprising role of sheet music and community in modern music learning habits

---

→ Explore MusicGurus and connect with Tom at www.musicgurus.com

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Adam Stark is the Managing Director and Head of Technology at MiMU Gloves, the groundbreaking wearable tech company he co-founded with Grammy-winning artist Imogen Heap. With a background as a computer scientist, researcher, and musician, Adam's work focuses on bridging human movement and digital sound, enabling artists to control music and visuals using expressive hand gestures. MiMU Gloves have been used by performers around the world—from global pop stars to avant-garde creators—revolutionizing the way music is performed and experienced.

In this episode, Adam shares how wearable gesture-controlled tech is reshaping musical performance and expression.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how MiMU Gloves turn physical gestures into precise musical and visual control.
• Learn why transparency and expressiveness in tech-driven performances matter more than ever.
• Explore the exciting potential of neural interfaces, AR/VR, and the future of immersive music creation. 

---

→ Learn more about Adam Stark and MiMU Gloves at mimugloves.com.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Brianna DeMayo is an artist development and music marketing expert with over a decade of experience helping independent artists build sustainable careers. As the founder of Taste Creators, she empowers artists to take ownership of their platforms, deepen fan engagement, and treat their careers like businesses. Brianna's hands-on approach includes branding, community building, and data-driven strategies that put artists in control of their growth and income. Her mission is to guide artists beyond short-term hype and into long-term success through smart, foundational planning.

In this episode, Brianna DeMayo shares why genuine fan relationships, brand clarity, and owning your audience are the pillars of a sustainable music career.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover why most artists misunderstand what they really need to grow—and how to fix it.
• Learn the essential elements of a fan funnel that leads to lasting income and deeper engagement.
• Understand why branding and data ownership aren't optional—they're foundational for long-term success.

---

→ Learn more about Brianna and Taste Creators at tastecreators.com.

Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: 

https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast