In this episode, hosts Jesse Cannon, Matt Bacon, and Dustin Boyer engage in a dynamic discussion with Alex Bochel, the owner of the EDM record label Spirations Music, covering the challenges and strategies of music distribution in the digital age. The conversation delves into the complexities and frustrations facing DIY musicians and label owners with distribution services, highlighting issues such as poor customer service, payout delays, and the limitations of promotional add-ons. Alex shares his experiences with different distributors, emphasizing the need for reliable service and fair royalty sharing. The episode further explores the industry insights of creative director Olivia Pierce, who works at Industry Plant, and accentuates the power of branding and consistent social media content in building an artist's career. The hosts also examine how Taylor Swift markets her music, relating her approach to broader industry trends. Throughout, the episode offers listeners a thoughtful exploration of navigating the evolving music business landscape, drawing on both expert interviews and real-world experiences.

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In this episode, Dustin Boyer, Jesse Cannon, and Matt Bacon explore Taylor Swift's latest album rollout and the mixed reactions it has garnered, noting both fan loyalty and criticism, while discussing its significant cultural footprint. Highlighting fascinating marketing strategies, they feature an interview with Lee Martin, a creative marketing expert with a rich background working with artists like David Bowie and Lord Huron. The episode delves into how Lee combines programming and creativity to craft engaging fan experiences, offering insights into his ideation process and how DIY artists can implement these grand ideas without needing high-level expertise. Additionally, they address TikTok's potential changes due to political influences and its implications on social media usage. Throughout the conversation, the hosts emphasize the evolving dynamics in music marketing and social media interactions, offering a blend of industry insights and actionable advice for both artists and marketers.

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In this episode, Andrew Southworth and his colleagues Matt Bacon, Dustin Boyer, and Jesse Catted explore a study revealing TikTok's limited impact on music discovery compared to YouTube and streaming platforms. They delve into the intricacies of how people discover music, discussing whether initial exposure or full engagement constitutes true discovery. The team also interviews Jon Strom, a multifaceted music industry professional, who shares insights on artist development, marketing, and the challenges faced in today's evolving music industry. He emphasizes the importance of great music and robust marketing strategies for artist success. Additionally, the episode touches on AI's role in music creation and the need for transparent licensing, while highlighting Spotify's recent efforts to address spam and AI content on their platform. Through lively discourse, the podcast provides a multidimensional view of the contemporary music landscape and the dynamics shaping artist careers.

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Jesse Cannon, Dustin Boyer, and Matt Bacon dive into what makes TikTok content successful for musicians, breaking down examples of viral videos and detail how spectacle, identity, and strong hooks drive engagement. They also discuss how adapting ideas from other genres can elevate a music marketing strategy, and how tools like ChatGPT can be leveraged for industry research, such as identifying the right promoters or venues for a tour. Later in the episode, Matt sits down with Fabrice Sergent, managing partner of Bandsintown, to explore the platform’s mission of connecting artists and fans, its data-driven concert recommendations, and the power of local outreach tools. The conversation highlights the importance of fostering real human connection in an increasingly digital world and maintaining creativity in a tech-enhanced music landscape.

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Musician Ryan Shuck explores the remarkable arc of his music career, from founding roles in Orgy and Julien-K to collaborations with the likes of Chester Bennington and Korn. The conversation focuses heavily on Julien-K’s latest innovative crowdfunding campaign surrounding their live-streamed event “Ritual,” revealing how the band successfully transitioned from platforms like Indiegogo to fully integrating campaigns into their own Shopify store. Shuck details the strategic design behind limited-edition bundles and community-building tactics that drive fan engagement, offering practical advice for musicians on building independence, scaling audience relationships, and navigating the creative and operational complexities of running a modern music brand. Throughout the conversation, Shuck brings a blend of passion, entrepreneurial insight, and relentless drive to demystify what it takes to create sustainable success as an artist today.

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Emerging country artist Brian Andrews shares his journey as a DIY musician from a small town in Missouri to becoming a rising voice in both music and sociopolitical conversations. He opens up about how his upbringing instilled a strong sense of speaking out for what he believes in, which has become a defining aspect of his brand. Brian discusses the interplay between his music and political content, explaining how the passion behind his messages shapes both his songwriting and online presence. He reflects on the risks and rewards of being outspoken in a genre traditionally associated with conservative values, emphasizing the importance of empathy, nuance, and authenticity in today’s divided cultural landscape. Brian also details his creative and content strategies, the support he's received from his label, and the significance of his upcoming politically charged single, “The Older I Get,” which he hopes will connect with audiences on a human level during a pivotal time in society.

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In this episode of "My Point Four Cents," the hosts delve into the complexities surrounding music streaming platforms, particularly Spotify, and how they can be exploited through scams such as improper artist tagging and bot-driven attacks. They explore how fraudulent actors can hijack artist profiles, the lack of effective authentication systems, and the failure of distributors to safeguard creators, especially indie artists. The discussion also highlights how established artists enjoy support that many rising musicians lack, and how tools for control and correction are largely inaccessible to those without major backing. The team also discusses broader industry dynamics, platform dominance, the metrics that dictate an artist’s opportunities, and the power dynamics between streaming services, record labels, and independent musicians. Further into the episode, there's a candid interview with rising country artist Brian Andrews, who integrates political and social commentary into his music and online presence. He shares insights into blending activism and authenticity with content strategy in a digital-era music career. The conversation is as much about the broken systems in digital music distribution as it is about individuality, resilience, and the responsibility of artists to speak out.

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Hosts Matt Bacon, Jesse Caden, and Andrew Southworth dive into the challenges modern musicians face with streaming platforms, specifically addressing the controversial removal of artist Karra’s album from Spotify due to alleged artificial streaming. They analyze her claim of spending $100,000 on an album that earned only $1,200 from streaming, highlighting the lack of a marketing budget and broader issues among self-serve distribution platforms. The conversation further explores the broader digital music landscape, the frustrating absence of effective customer service from major distributors, and the importance of building dedicated fan communities. Later in the episode, special guest Ryan Shuck (known for his work with Orgy, Dead by Sunrise, and Julian-K) joins the podcast to discuss his band's innovative crowdfunding strategy, the importance of fan relationships, scarcity marketing, and direct-to-fan engagement through platforms like Shopify and Patreon. The episode wraps with reflections on shifts in the industry, artist sustainability, and critiques of viral reactions to music industry news.

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Jesse Cannon welcomes his longtime friend Matthew Molnar—a true veteran of the music world with an impressive, decades-spanning resume that includes being a musician, record producer, manager, and concert booker. The conversation explores Matt’s deep roots in the DIY and punk scenes, his work booking shows at iconic New York venues Market Hotel and Trans-Pecos, and his passion for supporting rising talent and building local music communities. They dive into topics like the evolution of shoegaze, the importance of self-promotion, the challenges new artists face breaking into the scene, and the fine art of helping bands develop their sound without losing their identity. Filled with reflections on New York's music history, witty anecdotes, and critical insights into what makes a band truly stand out, this rich and sprawling discussion offers invaluable wisdom for anyone looking to navigate the modern music industry.

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Jesse Cannon, Matt Bacon, Andrew Southworth, and Dustin Boyer are joined by special guest Matthew Molnar, a longtime music industry insider who currently books for Brooklyn venues Market Hotel and Trans-Pecos. The group dives into a spirited discussion about the ongoing debate surrounding waterfall release strategies in music marketing, questioning a viral social media claim that such methods are now ineffective. They dissect the data behind Spotify’s algorithm and popularity score, with experts like Glenn McDonald and Luke Mansell weighing in to debunk misinformation. The episode also explores techniques for promoting music releases, the pros and cons of pre-saves and countdown pages, and strategies for targeting international markets through advertising. Later, Molnar shares his journey through the industry and explains how independent artists can get booked at top venues by being an active part of the scene and delivering unique, community-oriented performances. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the importance of critical thinking, transparency, and data-driven decision-making in a rapidly evolving music landscape.

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