Music 3.0

Described in the press as “thrilling,” “inspirational,” and “world-class,” Portuguese-American conductor, producer, and podcast host Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of orchestral music by fusing genres and instrumentation, providing a modern take on what an orchestra can do. As the co-founder and artistic director of the Nu Deco Ensemble, Jacomo has found ways to challenge and inspire his audience, which has led to collaborations with notable musicians like Wyclef Jean, Tune-Yards, Jacob Collier, and Ben Folds. Jacomo sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss his path towards becoming a conductor, what a conductor's role is, and how he is working to keep orchestral music vibrant and relevant in the 21st century.

Show Notes:

[2:06] Jacomo describes his musical background, starting with learning the tuba in middle school, and eventually leading to touring the world and leading Nu Deco Ensemble.

[13:33] How a conductor leads and inspires an orchestra, and tastefully chooses and arranges music.

[18:15] How Nu Deco is working to combine traditional forms with 21st century instrumentation and interpretations.

[24:28] The pressure of a recording session on orchestral players.

[26:24] Audience reaction to Nu Deco’s initial genre-bending concerts, and how that led to a dedicated social media following.

[32:00] Jacomo’s belief in the importance of authentic and intimate interactions and engagement in the age of YouTube and social media, as well as incorporating modern technology in their own performances.

[39:24] What’s next for Nu Deco Ensemble.

[41:38] Listen to Nu Deco Ensemble’s version of “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk.

Follow Jacomo and Nu Deco Ensemble on Instagram and Spotify.

Gar Ragland is a producer, musician, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Citizen Vinyl, a record pressing plant, recording studio, and record shop located in Asheville, North Carolina. Together with entrepreneur and software engineer Sean Moore, they have started a new venture that combines LP's with uniquely ID'd and smartphone-scannable NFT chips - Vinylkey. In linking physical LPs with NFTs on the blockchain, Vinylkey hopes to bridge the gap between the traditional and digital marketplaces as never before. Brian and Nick sit down with Gar and Sean to discuss this exciting new venture and the future of record collecting. 

Show Notes:

[1:38] How Gar Ragland founded Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, NC, got connected with Sean Moore, and combined their talents to form Vinylkey.

[4:43] Sean explains how Vinylkey has combined vinyl pressing with NFT minting using NFC chips.

[8:51] How NFTs could be used in the future of consumer markets both in the music space and beyond.

[17:00] What’s next for Vinylkey and what they’re currently working on.

[22:40] Other practical applications of NFTs, including digital performances in the Metaverse.

[26:18] NFT projects that Sean recommends checking out.

[32:45] Hear “Whiplash” by Citizen Vinyl artist Jobi Riccio, produced by Gar Ragland.

Follow Gar Ragland on Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more about Citizen Vinyl and Vinylkey.

Veteran tech entrepreneur Pascal Pilon knew the incredible potential of machine learning technology and wanted to apply it to music production as early as 2013. As the CEO of LANDR, Pascal helped the company grow to become the world’s leader in music post-production and digital content management. He joins the podcast to discuss the origins of LANDR, what makes his approach to business startups different, and the challenges along the way.

Show Notes:

[1:50] Pascal’s software and business background, how he started LANDR, and how LANDR fosters a music community.

[10:39] Why Pascal likes to focus on the DIY creators instead of bigger established artists.

[14:03] The types of musicians that have used LANDR the most.

[15:43] The challenges that Pascal ran into when LANDR first started.

[20:39] How LANDR used a content blog to generate buzz for their service.

[24:38] The biggest lessons Pascal learned from previous entrepreneurial endeavors.

[29:44] Pascal’s thoughts on blockchain technology.

[33:25] What’s next for LANDR.

Follow Pascal on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ralph Sutton is a seasoned podcast and pop culture commentator with two decades of experience in front of the mic as a TV and radio host. Currently he hosts the hit comedy podcast The SDR Show and in 2016 founded the GaS Digital Network, which reaches 2 million listeners a week across 22 shows. Brian and Nick speak to Ralph about his insider knowledge of the radio and music industries, the death of the old music business, and his transition to digital formats.

Show Notes:

[2:07] How radio could have been viable at the dawn of the Internet age if they had stayed "live and local" instead of attempting to appeal to a national audience.

[7:58] Ralph's thoughts on the decline of radio during his time on the show The Tour Bus, as well as the initial excitement around the first Napster piracy wave.

[17:58] What Ralph believes could have slowed the death of the Compact Disc.

[20:00] The difficulties of the streaming age for musicians, especially during the pandemic.

[22:00] How Ralph started the GaS Digital Network for podcasts.

[28:16] Ralph’s podcast business strategy, including using live-streaming to boost engagement.

[31:25] Why musicians, especially new and unestablished, need to embrace social media and new digital avenues.

[39:21] What’s next for the GaS Digital Network.

Follow Ralph on Instagram and Twitter.

Obie Fernandez has been working at the intersection of music and tech for most of his career. A prolific remixer, writer, DJ, and most recently CEO of the curated NFT platform, RCRDSHP, Obie sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the potential of NFTs to bring back the culture of music ownership that has dramatically declined in the 21st century.

Show Notes:

[1:44] The origins of RCRDSHP, and why they use the Flow chain instead of other blockchain technologies.

[5:09] The opportunity and possibilities that NFTs represent for musicians.

[11:25] Obie expresses his skepticism about VR and other new technologies, while still advocating for musicians to be flexible and jump on new opportunities that new technology can provide.

[17:59] How RCRDSHP deals with rights management in their NFT market.

[22:17] Why fans would want an NFT and how NFTs can unlock access to an artist.

[29:25] How RCRDSHP is working to build a community of curated high quality artists, and how that makes it stand out from other NFT marketplaces.

[34:46] Fan interaction with NFTs.

[38:42] Digitally native items in the Metaverse and the potential of new forms of music consumption and collaboration.

[48:00] Hear “Have a Nice Day” by Obie Fernandez.

Follow Obie on Twitter and LinkedIn.

At just 29 years old, entertainment attorney Karl Fowlkes already has a vast client roster, including rising star rapper, singer, songwriter and producer Blxst, who just signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappel. Karl also represents Section 8, the super producer behind Lil Baby’s highest charting singles “The Bigger Picture” and We Paid”. On this episode Karl joins Brian and Nick to discuss his legal expertise in the world of music sampling, as well as his advice to emerging artists on when to seek legal counsel, and how to handle rights management issues.

Show Notes:

[1:39] Karl’s thoughts on when a musician needs a lawyer.

[5:40] Should an artist use the sync services from big online distributors? Karl believes there’s a better strategy.

[8:42] What blockchain can do for the music industry.

[12:14] A discussion of sampling and rights issues for producers and artists.

[19:51] Karl’s skepticism of NFT’s and their usefulness for emerging artists.

[29:47] The areas in which artists should be more educated and prepared when entering the music industry.

[32:02] How Karl got interested in entertainment law.

[36:54] Hear “WYA?” by Joony.

Find Karl Fowlkes on LinkedIn and Instagram, and check out The Fowlkes Firm.

After self-recording their debut album, Good to See You, New York indie rockers Meyru supported the album's release with a series of sold-out shows all over New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, DC, and Charlotte. The album’s single "She" found breakaway success on streaming platforms, allowing Meyru to reach a truly global fanbase. Lead singer Nic Grunewald sits down with Brian and Nick to discuss the band's future plans and new single "I'd Ask... But I Know You're Alright", as well as the strategies that are working for an indie band in a post-Covid world. 

Show Notes:

[0:55] Nic tells us about moving to New York City as a musician starting out, and the difficulties of dealing with the pandemic in 2020.

[4:34] How the band got in touch with legendary sound engineer Dan Millis.

[6:58] Nic discusses the digital avenues and strategies that are working for Meyru, and how to hold onto fans and keep them engaged.

[15:40] How Meyru manages their social media and figured out what works and feels authentic for them.

[19:07] Meyru’s approach to live-streaming.

[24:00] How digital media like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok is changing the way artists release and write songs.

[34:33] The genesis of Meyru’s new single "I’d Ask... But I Know You’re Alright," and what makes something a pop song.

[38:52] Hear "I’d Ask... But I Know You’re Alright"

Follow Meyru on Instagram and Spotify.

CEO of boutique consulting and advisory firm CrossBorderWorks, Vickie Nauman joins the pod to discuss the current state of the music industry and how independent artists should think about utilizing the newest technologies and platforms. With her expertise in the intersection of technology and music, Vickie shares some forward-thinking strategies and explains some more complex elements of today’s music industry.

Show notes:

[1:36] Vickie tells us how she got involved with the hit game Beatsaber, and shares her thoughts on how the music industry can intersect more with gaming.

[11:10] What makes the music industry slower to react despite being so affected by technical innovations.

[18:05] The complications of sync licensing.

[22:20] How the new creator economy gives artists a larger degree of freedom and control over their art, and how an administrative partner can be helpful.

[30:49] Why independent artists need a team.

[32:23] New and exciting prospects of Web 3.0 and an “artist-centric” world.

[37:33] A discussion of what it would take to change the more constrictive elements of the major label business.

[41:56] What’s next for Vickie in 2022.

Find Vickie Nauman on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Fred Beteille is an industry veteran with 20+ years of experience in media and technology. Currently, as Meta’s Head of Strategy – Audio Initiatives, he is responsible for the company’s Studio and Central Product investments for Music and Audio. Prior to his involvement with Facebook, Fred was a Product Lead at Google / YouTube where he led and worked on initiatives ranging from Content ID, Monetization, Rights Management, Music Apps, and more.  He has spearheaded the launch of many products that, in sum, are used by billions of people around the world, generate billions of dollars in revenue, and are designed to help solve the most complex business and user problems. Brian and Nick sit down with Fred to discuss where the music industry is going, and future opportunities for music in the Metaverse.

Show Notes:

[7:04] How Blockchain technology can impact the music space

[11:16] The technical challenges of creating the Metaverse

[15:21] What musicians need to consider in the future, how they want their music to be used in new digital experiences.

[23:40] Fred talks about his time at Harry Fox Agency and YouTube.

[29:56] What musicians need to prepare for from a legal perspective.

[35:24] Opportunities for music and musicians in virtual spaces.

[40:11] Fred discusses the genesis of TrackTribe and it’s connection to YouTube.

[44:05] Hear “Reset” from TrackTribe's Otis McDonald

Find more from Fred on LinkedIn.

Singer-songwriter Ryan Egan began his music career in New York City and has garnered acclaim from Billboard, Indie Shuffle, and Apple Beats 1 for his debut EP and subsequent singles, which found their way onto Spotify's Fresh Finds and New Music Friday playlists. Prior to the worldwide lock down and in the middle of writing his debut full-length album, Ryan left NYC for Paris and re-directed his career path towards European markets. Ryan speaks with Brian and Nick about his life during this period, his creative philosophies, as well as his recent return to the US to work with Kevin Basko (Foxygen, Rubber Band Gun) on his debut LP, Soft Power. 

Show Notes:

[0:49] Ryan discusses the differences between the Paris and NYC music scenes.

[4:19] What it's like to be back in NYC promoting the new single.

[7:09] How Ryan kept busy during the pandemic lockdowns.

[9:28] Ryan's do's and don'ts for maintaining creative habits.

[17:00] Some of Ryan’s favorite influences and a discussion of songwriting methods.

[25:55] How Ryan connects with fans, as well as release strategies for the new album.

[41:22] Hear Ryan’s new single “Alone For The Last Time”.

You can find more from Ryan Egan on Spotify and Instagram.