Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment

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In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez speaks with artist and songwriter Ezra Vancil about creativity, authenticity and what it really means to build a meaningful artistic life.

Ezra shares his journey through music, his latest 20-song double album Morning & Midnight, and the experience of creating music alongside his daughter Cozi. Together, they explore the pressures of seeking validation in the music industry, the difference between building a career and building an image, and why artists can sometimes benefit from focusing less on fame and more on becoming whole.

The conversation also looks at father-daughter creativity, artistic independence, meaningful work and the importance of staying authentic in an industry that can place so much emphasis on visibility, success and external validation.

A thoughtful conversation about music, identity, creativity, family and finding your own definition of success.

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This week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by Williams Ayotomiwa — Project Manager at the Creative Industries Initiative for Africa (CIIFA), working at the intersection of music, business, creativity and the wider African creative economy.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Williams brings a valuable perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s rapidly evolving creative industries. His work focuses on supporting the development of stronger creative ecosystems and creating pathways for artists and creative professionals to grow both locally and internationally.

In this conversation, we explore the growth of Africa’s music industry, the importance of developing sustainable creative ecosystems, and what needs to happen to ensure African artists and creative entrepreneurs can build successful, long-term careers.

We discuss artist development, education, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and the changing relationship between African creatives and the global music industry.

Williams also shares his insights into the opportunities emerging across the continent, the role of organisations such as CIIFA and the importance of investing in the infrastructure, skills and strategies needed to support the next generation of African creative talent.

A fascinating conversation about Africa’s creative future, music business, innovation, artist development and the global opportunities emerging from one of the world’s most dynamic creative markets.

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This week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by R J Deamer — creator of the Deamer Model and a driving force behind the emerging cross-Atlantic country-rap movement.

Described as the “architect” behind a sound that combines the grit of the outlaw with the rhythm of the street, Deamer has developed a distinctive cinematic identity through his music and the HOLOGRAM album — music created for the high-stakes, the ambitious and the lonely.

In this conversation, we explore the Deamer Model — an ambitious approach to artist development designed to challenge the traditional 3–5 year development cycle within the music industry.

Deamer claims to have compressed the journey from developing an artist and building a professional catalogue to establishing industry connections, securing BBC airplay, developing Nashville networks and launching a 12-track album into just 120 days.

We discuss what happens when traditional music industry timelines are challenged, the importance of intellectual property and ownership, building a distinctive sonic identity, the growing relationship between country and rap, and the opportunities available to artists willing to take a more disruptive approach.

We also explore the thinking behind HOLOGRAM, the cross-Atlantic country-rap movement and Deamer’s vision for creating a new blueprint for independent artists navigating the modern music industry.

A fascinating conversation about innovation, music, entrepreneurship, artist development and challenging the rules of how careers are built.

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This week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by Kenneth “Munir Vibes” Johnson independent artist, entrepreneur and founder of Vibes Up Entertainment.

Kenneth brings together music, mindset and digital strategy to help independent artists navigate today’s rapidly changing music industry with greater clarity, intention and ownership.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to build an independent career in music, from developing a strong mindset and using positive self-talk to embracing creative freedom and making strategic decisions that can create long-term sustainability.

Kenneth also shares his perspective on digital strategy, storytelling and innovation, and why artists need to think beyond simply releasing music and start building their own ecosystems, brands and businesses around their creativity.

We discuss the changing opportunities for independent artists, the importance of owning your journey, how technology is reshaping the music landscape, and why mindset can be just as important as talent when it comes to creating a sustainable career.

A powerful conversation about independence, entrepreneurship, creative freedom and giving artists the tools to take control of their future.

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This week on Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we’re joined by a Peruvian musician, performer and sound producer whose creative journey spans classical piano, theatre, live performance and contemporary music production.

Starting classical piano at just five years old, our guest went on to train as an actor at CSSD and Mountview before graduating from Abbey Road Institute with an Advanced Diploma in Music Production & Sound Engineering. During their studies, they produced their third album and recorded live performances for their own solo project as well as artists including Evolution Of Fishermen, Rosie Smith and Leading Voices UK.

With two studio albums already released in Peru alongside Latin Grammy nominees Manuel Garrido-Lecca and Rafo Arbulu, they are now promoting their third album — a distinctive fusion of Peruvian rhythms and synth-pop.

Their international performance career has taken them across Peru, London, Los Angeles and Madrid, including opening for The Killers and The Cure in Peru, as well as Julieta Venegas in Arequipa. In the UK, they have performed in theatre productions including Police Cops and Run To The Nuns at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Brighton Festival, while also performing with Evolution Of Fishermen.

In this conversation, we explore the journey from classical piano to contemporary production, the influence of Peruvian musical culture, moving between music and theatre, studying at Abbey Road Institute, producing an album while developing as an artist, and what it means to build a creative career across different countries and disciplines.

A fascinating conversation about identity, creativity, musical heritage and the evolution of an artist who refuses to be defined by just one medium.

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In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez is joined by Stathis Kalatzis, aka Mr. Statik, a pioneering figure in the Greek electronic music scene whose two-decade career has taken him from DJ booths and record labels to global music curation, experimental audiovisual projects and the world of contemporary painting.

Known for his hypnotic, energetic and storytelling-driven approach to DJing and production, Stathis has built a reputation as a true "DJs' DJ", releasing music through influential labels including BPitch Control, while performing and showcasing his work across Berlin and around the world.

His creative journey expanded dramatically through his work with Red Bull Music Academy, where he helped shape and produce projects across more than 30 countries. These experiences exposed him to diverse cultures, sounds and creative perspectives, inspiring him to explore the relationship between music, visual art and storytelling.

From his debut LP Metamorphose to his collaborative project Territroy with Larry Gus, Stathis has consistently pushed beyond traditional boundaries. His work brings together electronic music, hand-drawn art, painting, collage, poetry and live audiovisual experimentation.

In this fascinating conversation, Saskhia and Stathis explore creative reinvention, the relationship between sound and visual art, the influence of Berlin, the evolution of electronic music, and how stepping away from one creative discipline can open the door to another.

Stathis also reflects on how the pandemic created an unexpected period of pause and reflection, allowing him to embrace his long-standing passion for painting and develop new creative practices — from gallery exhibitions and commissions to his Memory Burn residency with Stegi Radio, exploring sound, memory and narrative.

The conversation also delves into his experimental audiovisual work Enantiodromia, created with Berlin A/R artist Carla Streckwall, and his continuing exploration of the space where music, art, technology and storytelling collide.

In this episode, we explore:
🎧 Two decades of Greek electronic music and DJ culture
🇩🇪 The influence of Berlin on Stathis' creative evolution
🎨 The transition from music production to painting and visual art
🖌️ Combining sound, imagery, poetry and storytelling
🌍 Working across global music and cultural projects
🔄 Creativity, transformation and artistic reinvention
🎛️ The evolution of electronic music and experimental production
📻 Exploring sound, memory and narrative through radio
🎥 Audiovisual experimentation and the future of multidisciplinary art
💡 Why creative pauses can sometimes lead to powerful new beginnings

This is a conversation about breaking creative boundaries, embracing change and discovering that reinvention can be one of the most powerful forms of artistic expression.

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In this powerful episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez is joined by Tommy Dorfman, a pioneering figure in the live music and EDM world whose extraordinary journey is rooted in creativity, resilience, advocacy and a fight for greater equity within the music industry.

Tommy's story began at just 16, when he moved out on his own and went on to become a major force in the New Jersey and New York EDM scene. As the founder of Juice Entertainment and creator of the iconic Bliss nightclub, Tommy helped shape the culture and sound of nightlife, building a reputation for innovation and excellence — including Bliss being recognised for having one of the world's best sound systems.

But Tommy's journey goes far beyond music and entertainment.

Throughout his career, he has fought to protect creative opportunity and ensure that independent and marginalised voices have a place within the industry. His experiences have also brought him into a long-running legal battle following the blocking of a planned festival at the Meadowlands — a fight that has developed into a wider conversation about competition, corporate power and the future of the live music business.

In this fascinating conversation, Saskhia and Tommy explore who really holds power in live music, the challenges facing independent promoters and artists, the importance of representation and diversity, and what happens when individuals challenge established industry systems.

Tommy shares his perspective on resilience, advocacy and why the music industry must continue to evolve if it is to create genuine opportunities for everyone.

In this episode, we explore:
🎧 The evolution of EDM and New York/New Jersey nightlife
🎤 Building an independent music and entertainment empire
🔊 The importance of sound, creativity and live experiences
⚖️ Challenging industry power structures and monopolies
🌍 Representation, diversity and inclusion in live music
✊ Fighting for marginalised and independent voices
💪 Resilience in the face of powerful opposition
🏟️ The future of festivals, promoters and independent live events
💡 Why meaningful industry change requires action, not just words
🚀 Tommy's vision for a fairer, more transparent music industry

This is a conversation about the fight for creative freedom, the future of live music and what it really takes to challenge the systems that shape the industry.

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In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez is joined by Chyna Brackeen, Vice President of Experiences at Sofar Sounds, to explore the power of live music, global communities and creating meaningful opportunities for artists around the world.

Chyna leads Sofar Sounds' global live events and experiences business, working across a worldwide ecosystem of promoters and partners to bring music and human connection to audiences in cities including Jakarta, Rio de Janeiro, Chicago, Miami, Berlin, Madrid and Paris.

With a career spanning live music, festivals, artist management, entertainment and community building, Chyna brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. Before joining Sofar Sounds, she founded and led Attack Monkey Productions, producing festivals, major brand launches and innovative artist experiences, while helping artists reach some of the world's most respected stages and venues.

Earlier in her career, Chyna became the first female executive at A.C. Entertainment, the company behind Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival, where she worked with both legendary and emerging artists.

A passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and artist empowerment, Chyna is also a leading voice behind the "Book More Women" movement, championing greater representation and opportunity for women across the live music industry.

In this inspiring conversation, Saskhia and Chyna explore how live music can build stronger communities, why local autonomy matters in a global industry, the importance of creating inclusive stages, how we can book more women, and what the future of live music experiences could look like.

Chyna also shares insights from her remarkable journey through the entertainment industry — from festivals and artist management to global live experiences — as well as her unexpected journey as a professionally trained coloratura soprano.

In this episode, we explore:
🎤 The future of live music and shared experiences
🌍 Building global music communities across 250+ cities
👩‍🎤 Why the industry needs to "Book More Women"
🤝 Diversity, inclusion and artist empowerment
🎪 The evolution of festivals and live events
🌱 Supporting local creativity within a global music ecosystem
🎶 Creating meaningful connections between artists and audiences
💡 Lessons from a career spanning festivals, entertainment and artist management
🌎 How live music can bring people and communities together
🎼 Chyna's fascinating journey from opera training to the global live music industry

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n this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez is joined by Cody DeLong, CEO and co-founder of Sound Rink, to explore how artists are rethinking the economics of touring and unlocking new opportunities through superfans, VIP experiences and direct-to-fan strategies.

With more than a decade of experience across touring, ticketing and artist operations, Cody has helped generate millions in incremental revenue for artists while enabling them to retain ownership of their valuable fan data. As a 3x Inc. 5000 founder and co-founder of Armada Merch, Cody brings a practical, operator-led perspective to building sustainable, fan-first businesses in the live music industry.

Together, Saskhia and Cody explore where the real money is on the road, why superfans remain one of the most under-leveraged assets in live music, and how artists can build stronger, more direct relationships with their audiences.

From VIP experiences and meet-and-greets to fan data, pre-sales, merchandise and direct-to-fan commerce, this conversation looks at how artists can move beyond traditional touring revenue models and create long-term value by truly owning their fan relationships.

Cody also shares lessons from building and scaling successful music technology businesses, offering insights into what it takes to create sustainable revenue streams while putting fans and artists at the centre of the live music ecosystem.

In this episode, we explore:

🎟️ How artists can earn more from touring
💎 Why superfans are the future of the live music economy
🤝 The evolution of VIP experiences and meet-and-greets
📊 Why fan data is one of an artist's most valuable assets
📱 How direct-to-fan strategies are changing touring
💰 Building new revenue streams beyond ticket sales
🚀 Lessons from scaling a live music technology startup
🎤 How artists can strengthen long-term fan relationships and value

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What if events, festivals, and workplaces were designed to support human wellbeing first?

In this episode of Pink Nest, host Nika Brunet Milunović explores the future of inclusive, sensory-friendly, and sustainable event design, drawing on over a decade of experience in international festivals and sustainability programmes.

Nika is a social worker, MBA graduate, and PhD candidate researching mental health and neurodiversity in events. After more than 11 years working in large-scale international festival environments and corporate sustainability, she made a bold shift away from traditional industry structures to focus on creating kinder, more accessible spaces for all.

This conversation dives into:

• Why traditional event environments can exclude neurodivergent and sensitive audiences
• The importance of sensory-friendly and inclusive design in public spaces
• How mental health and neurodiversity should shape the future of events
• Lessons from managing international festivals and sustainability programmes
• The shift from corporate event culture to human-centred design
• Building calmer conferences and more accessible workplaces
• Supporting early-stage founders and mentoring future event leaders
• How sustainability and wellbeing intersect in live experiences

Through her work, Nika champions a new approach to events — one that prioritises calm, accessibility, and genuine human needs over pressure and overstimulation. Her mission is to help reshape how we design public spaces so they are inclusive, sustainable, and supportive for everyone.

Whether you work in events, culture, festivals, or leadership, this episode offers a powerful rethink of how environments are built — and who they are built for.

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