Explore every episode of the podcast Music Tectonics

Lyrics are more than words on a screen. They're a source of revenue, a tool for music discovery, and a way for artists to build deeper connections with fans around the world.

In this episode of Music Tectonics, Dmitri Vietze sits down with Darryl Ballantyne, CEO and co-founder of LyricFind, to explore how artists and labels can unlock the untapped revenue in lyrics and music videos. Darryl shares how lyrics drive listening engagement, help fans discover music, and open doors to international audiences through translations. He also explains why official lyric videos matter, how they can generate YouTube revenue, and what artists stand to lose when unofficial videos capture the views.

Plus, Darryl announces Artist Unlimited, a new subscription tier within LyricFind's Verified Artist Platform that gives artists access to unlimited video creation through Rotor Videos. From lyric videos and music videos to Spotify Canvas and Apple Music motion art, the offering makes it easier and more affordable for artists to create the visual assets they need across their releases and back catalogs.

Whether you're an independent artist, songwriter, or label professional, this conversation explores how to make lyrics work harder for your music and how overlooked assets can become meaningful revenue opportunities.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What will the music business look like in 2033, and which of today's bets will get us there?

This week, we're sharing the kickoff keynote from last month's Music Tectonics pre-conference called "Future Echoes: The Music Business of Tomorrow Being Built Today," from Leon Farrell, senior music analyst at MIDiA Research.

Leon looks back at the tech the industry was betting on in 2026, like VR and media streamers, and what changed the business instead: artist distribution, label services, and the creator economy. Then he looks ahead with MIDiA's forecasts on ARPU, the fan economy, and expanded rights like merchandise, licensing, and brand partnerships. We have a Q&A with MIDiA's own Mark Mulligan at the end, who argues that the bigger business opportunity may be in background listening rather than fandom. 

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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AI in music is about more than generating songs. How could it transform the business behind the music?

This week on the podcast, Dmitri talks with Matt Urmy, co-founder and CEO of Artist Growth, about how AI can help music companies work smarter, connect their data and systems, and spend less time on operational challenges and more time supporting artists  A former touring musician, Matt built Artist Growth to solve business problems he experienced firsthand.

They explore why the music industry needs technology built around its unique needs, where AI could have the biggest impact on day-to-day operations, and how the industry can capture more of the value music creates beyond records and streams. As the conversation around AI moves beyond the hype, Matt shares a perspective on the less visible ways technology could reshape the music business.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What does a rising tide look like when the whole music industry rows in the same direction?

This week, we close out the Rising Tide miniseries witha recap conversation between host Dmitri Vietze and Eleanor Rust, director of marketing at Rock Paper Scissors and Music Tectonics, recorded in the Seismic Studio.

Dmitri shares why Music Tectonics chose a theme for the first time in 8 years, how a coffee shop in Portland led to the rising tide theme, and what the series taught him about why music is still a smaller industry than it could be. Then, they walk through some of the sessions in this year's conference that put the theme to work for startups, labels, managers, and creators, including some things that are new for returning conference goers.

It's not too late to get tickets to the conference, October 27-29 on the beach in Santa Monica (hint- there might be a discount in this episode for podcast listeners). Get your tickets here- https://www.musictectonics.com/ 

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What happens when music becomes more than something you stream, but instead something you can hold? This week, we're wrapping up the Rising Tide miniseries with the 8th and final revenue multiplier: new products for the music buyer. 

First, Jennifer Sullivan of KiTbetter explains how the KiTalbum pairs a physical collectible with a digital experience. Then, Jaime Marconette of Luminate breaks down the latest trends in physical music, including the rising interest of CDs and the emergence of Smart Media. Finally, Tarun Nayar of Modern Biology returns to talk about how he turned the experience of his music into an instrument, and what he's learned from selling that at shows instead of just a vinyl or t-shirt.

This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, working through the revenue multipliers that grow the value of the music industry, and building toward this year's Music Tectonics Conference theme in Santa Monica this October. Get your tickets now

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week on the podcast, we're on revenue multiplier 7 on our Rising Tide miniseries: direct-to-fan. 

First, Mag Rodriguez, founder and CEO of EVEN, makes the case that most artists are leaving serious money on the table by skipping direct-to-fan entirely, and why you don't need a big mailing list to start selling directly to fans.

Then, J Edward Keyes, editorial director at Bandcamp, explains why CDs are suddenly outselling vinyl with younger fans, and walks through some of the free features on Bandcamp that most artists still aren't using.

Finally, Tim Quirk, SVP at Zedge and general manager of the new streaming app Tapedeck, talks about why streaming has never paid artists what they're actually worth, and what he's building to fix it.

Three companies, all betting that the future of music revenue runs through the fan relationship, not around it.

This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, working through the revenue multipliers that grow the value of the music industry, and building toward this year's Music Tectonics Conference theme in Santa Monica this October. Get your tickets now

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What does it actually take to turn followers into fans who buy? 

This week, we're digging into Fan Growth, one of the 8 revenue multipliers in our Rising Tide miniseries. First, DJay Brawner of TUFF MGMT and MANAGR breaks down why the real work often starts before you grow your audience, making sure you're collecting the money from the fans you already have. Then, Megh Vakharia of SymphonyOS shares how AI agents are turning discovery moments into direct revenue, from automated ad campaigns to catalog valuations. Finally, Anj Fayemi of Rivet explains how unified fan data powers automations that drive repeat merch sales and sell out venues twice as fast.

This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, working through the revenue multipliers that grow the value of the music industry, all leading up to the Music Tectonics Conference this October in Santa Monica.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What is a music distributor actually responsible for in 2026?

This week on the Music Tectonics podcast, we're focusing on distribution and artist services as a revenue multiplier. It used to mean one thing: getting your music onto Spotify and Apple. Now the companies doing that are pitching marketing, financing, even A&R, and we're asking what's real and what's marketing.

First, Daouda Leonard of CreateSafe traces how we got here, from physical distribution through companies like Koch, to TuneCore's 2009 launch as the first real self-upload on-ramp, through the SoundCloud and blog era, to the "gold rush" of 2013 to 2018 when the playing field briefly leveled between independent artists and major labels  He also argues that most of what distributors pitch today is still a myth unless real capital backs it, and breaks down how some are starting to structure what looks like a record deal (minus the part where they take your copyright). 

Then, Isaac Miranda, global marketing director at ONErpm, joins to talk about what a company he calls possibly the last large independent music company operating at scale actually turns on for an artist once they sign, from paid media and sync to fan engagement. We revisit the story from the Emmanuel Zunz episode back in May and pick it up from the marketing side, including a stat from a recent ONErpm audit that found 70-80% of artists in emerging markets weren't collecting their publishing rights. 

This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, working through the revenue multipliers that grow the value of the music industry, all leading up to the Music Tectonics Conference this October in Santa Monica.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What if generative AI actually grows the music business instead of shrinking it? This week, Dmitri Vietze tackles the AI question everyone's tired of hearing about, but from a different angle. 

First, Matt Adell, co-founder of Musical.ai, breaks down the $20 billion opportunity sitting inside AI music, and what it actually takes to get consent, attribution and compensation right instead of scraping music without permission. 

Then Gaurav Sharma, founder of Hook, makes the case for AI as an amplifier for fan engagement rather than a replacement for artists, and why even a fraction of social music consumption could be worth as much as streaming is today.

Stick around after the interview for a preview of next week's episode with Daouda Leonard of CreateSafe, former creative director for Grimes, on the story behind Grimes AI voice licensing platform elf.tech and what they learned from building it.

This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, working through the revenue multipliers that grow the value of the music industry, all leading up to the Music Tectonics Conference this October in Santa Monica.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What happens when businesses, apps, and games use music without really paying for it? 

This week we're on the third revenue multiplier of our Rising Tide miniseries: new forms of licensing hiding in plain sight. 

First, Soundtrack CEO Ola Sars breaks down the 40 billion dollar market for background music in businesses, and why more than 80% of companies playing music today are doing it the wrong way. Only 5% of US businesses are fully compliant on public performance licensing, and that gap is costing the industry billions.

Next, we have Lauren Pufpaf of Feed Media Group explain how personalized, intelligent music licensing is opening up categories most of the industry has not even noticed, including a 5 billion dollar opportunity in AI video platforms.

Finally, Tomas Jenneborg of Reactional Music reveals that the gaming industry spends 25 to 30 billion dollars a year on user acquisition ads, and music is getting none of it. 

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What is your music catalog actually worth, and how would you even find out? 

This week we're on the second stop of our Rising Tide miniseries, tackling catalog valuation, one of the revenue multipliers we're covering ahead of the Music Tectonics Conference this October.

First, music lawyer and Instagram creator Ryan Schmidt breaks down how catalogs get valued, the difference between the multiplier method and discounted cash flow analysis, and why an audit can uncover money you didn't know you were owed. We also get into name, image, and likeness rights, AI licensing, and where Ryan thinks the biggest growth opportunities are for artists and songwriters. Then we bring in two companies already working in this space. Sho Mitchell from Beatlibrary walks us through what a catalog valuation tool actually looks like in practice, and Rob Steiner from Luminate shares data on the current state of the catalog acquisition market.

If you're a music tech company solving problems like these, come demo on the beach and network with the ecosystem at the Music Tectonics Conference, October 27 to 29 in Santa Monica.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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There's no lost and found for your royalties. If you don't claim them, they don't come looking for you, and depending on where the money's sitting, you may only have a few years before it's gone for good.

This week we kick off a new thread inside our Rising Tide miniseries: the eight revenue multipliers in music. We're starting with revenue recovery, the money that's already been earned but never made it back to the artists, songwriters, and producers who are owed it. We talk to three companies attacking this problem from three different angles.

Jason Feinberg, who leads Kosign at Kobalt Music, breaks down why revenue recovery is such a persistent problem in the first place, the fundamentals every artist needs to register (PRO, MLC, SoundExchange), and why an hour spent getting your metadata in order might be the most profitable hour of your career.

Jeff Ponchick, co-founder and CEO of Mogul, explains how his company built something like "the Plaid of the music industry," centralizing royalty data across every platform an artist is owed money from, and why up to 50% of artist catalogs are registered incorrectly without anyone realizing it.

Rob Brown, chief revenue officer at mprs, zooms into a corner of revenue recovery almost nobody talks about: the master points owed to producers, mixers, engineers, and top line songwriters, and how something as small as an unsigned letter of direction can freeze a producer's income entirely.

If you're a music tech company solving problems like these, come demo on the beach and network with the ecosystem at the Music Tectonics Conference, October 27 to 29 in Santa Monica.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What's your music catalog actually worth, and where is the industry still leaving money on the table? 

This week, Dmitri is joined by our chief writer Tristra Newyear Yeager for a deep dive into eight revenue multipliers that they believe can grow the total addressable market for music. Building on last month's conversation with Eleanor about the rising tide thesis, Dmitri and Tristra break down each multiplier one by one: catalog valuation, revenue recovery, artist and label services, licensing, AI licensing, fan growth, fan revenue, and new music products. Along the way, we mention a ton of companies that are actually building in this space right now, so keep an ear out if you're looking for tools to grow your own business.

They talk about where catalogs are becoming an investable asset class, why the industry still has multiple black boxes leaking royalty revenue, and how distributors are evolving into full platforms for artists and labels. They also dig into the complicated economics of AI licensing, from training data to generation to the songs that come out the other end, and look at emerging companies working on attribution, revenue recovery, and fan monetization across the space.

This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, tied to this year's Music Tectonics Conference theme, Rising Tide: Grow the Music, Grow the Value. The conference takes place October 27 to 29, 2026, in Santa Monica.

Companies mentioned: Royaltyport, Beatlibrary, Primordial, Legitary, Luminate, Chartmetric, Viberate, Mogul, MusicInfra, Shine-X, Claimy, Curve Royalty System, AIMS, ONErpm, Orphiq, beatBread, SongStats, Sound Credit, LyricFind, Soundstripe, feed.fm, Soundtrack Your Brand, Merlin Connect, ClicknClear, Musical AI, Vocana, Laylo, Symphony OS, Audience Republic, Rap Fame, OpenStage, Fave, Even, Patreon, Vinyl Bar in Shibuya, Hook, AudioShake, Kitbetter, Tiny Vinyl.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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We interrupt this miniseries for a special bonus episode! Last week, we laid out a theory on what technology can do to grow the value of music, so this time we wanted to hear from someone who is actually betting billions of dollars on the answer.

Sam Hendel is the managing partner of Chord Music Partners, a leading pure play music rights catalog home to works from artists like the Weeknd, David Guetta, OneRepublic, Kid Cudi, Diplo and Fleetwood Mac, and he is deploying serious capital alongside Universal Music Group to acquire more of it.

Dmitri and Sam get into how catalogs actually get valued, where the industry is still leaking money through under collected royalties and outdated PRO systems, and why streaming remains the best deal in the world for consumers. They also cover how AI, fandom data, and artist brand extensions could reshape where music revenue grows next, plus the thorny question of AI generated music: why attribution is the real unlock, and what a fair model for paying creators when their work trains or inspires new songs might look like.

If you have ever wondered how the people writing nine figure checks for music catalogs think about risk, growth, and the future of the industry, this conversation is for you.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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That's the question host Dmitri Vietze presents to Vickie Nauman, founder of CrossBorderWorks, in this episode of Music Tectonics. Vickie has spent over two decades at the intersection of music and tech, working on sync licensing for video games and virtual worlds, and pioneering the concept of minimum viable music.

This is episode three in the Rising Tide miniseries, built around the theme of this year's Music Tectonics Conference, Rising Tide: Grow the Music, Grow the Value, taking place October 27 to 29, 2026 in Santa Monica.

Dmitri and Vickie unpack why technology and the music business have always clashed, why music is usually first to be disrupted by new platforms, and why volume based streaming rewards top artists while leaving mid tier and independent artists behind. They also get into generative AI, AI licensing deals, and why Vickie believes the future of music creation is not human versus AI, but a blend of both.

They close out on gaming as an untapped revenue opportunity, why most super fan apps fail to gain traction, and what gives Vickie hope about the next generation of musicians and fans.

Topics include music industry trends, music tech, artificial intelligence in music, music streaming, music licensing, sync licensing, gaming and music, and super fan monetization.

Get early bird tickets now for the Music Tectonics Conference

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Streaming built the modern music industry, but its growth is slowing in the US and other mature markets. So what comes next? 

This week on the podcast, Dmitri sits down with Monica Corton, CEO of Go to Eleven Entertainment, to unpack where the total addressable market for music grows from here. This conversation is part two of the Rising Tide miniseries built around the Music Tectonics Conference theme, Grow the Music, Grow the Value.

Monica and Dmitri dig into global streaming adoption in emerging music markets like Africa, Southeast Asia, and India, the return of physical media through kit style formats, and why interactive music and fan experiences could be the next major revenue driver for artists, songwriters, and publishers. They also explore new licensing frontiers including medical and wellness applications, songwriter branding deals, name image and likeness rights, avatar and hologram concerts, and gaming sync opportunities in titles like Grand Theft Auto and Just Dance.

The conversation turns to generative AI and music licensing, covering attribution engines, royalty payouts for AI generated songs, and why Monica believes independent publishers need a seat at the table as AI platforms scale. They close with a candid look at publisher and label consolidation, TikTok and social media licensing rates, and whether streaming will ever be replaced or simply become one layer in a much more diversified music economy.

Whether you work in music publishing, artist management, music licensing, or music technology, this episode offers a grounded look at where the music business grows next.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Why is the value of the music industry so small compared to other forms of entertainment like gaming and television, even though music seems to be everywhere in our lives?

This week on the podcast, Dmitri kicks off a new miniseries built around this year's conference theme, "Rising Tide: Grow the Music, Grow the Value" with Jimmy Stone, managing partner of Alderbrook. Jimmy pushes back on the premise and walks through the real numbers behind the music market, including the gap between wholesale and retail revenue estimates.

Dmitri and Jimmy dig into why streaming struggled to create the kind of scarcity that once let labels set prices, how Napster and peer to peer sharing permanently changed what people are willing to pay for music, and why platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Meta may still be underpaying rights holders for how music actually gets used. The conversation turns to where new revenue might come from next, including premium subscription tiers, interactive music features, exclusive concert access, and lessons from Tencent Music's super fan tier in China. They also tackle a big question head on, whether AI will end up being a multiplier or a deflator for music revenue, and why Jimmy lands on multiplier despite the uncertainty around rights and attribution. They close out talking about ABBA Voyage, holographic concerts, and why live human performance might become more valuable, not less, as AI generated music becomes more common.

If you're trying to make sense of where music's real value comes from and where it's headed next, this episode is a great place to start.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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How do you actually put a price on a music catalog in 2026? 

In this panel from our recent Grow the TAM event, Billboard's Elizabeth Dilts Marshall sits down with three experts who each value catalogs from a completely different angle. Rob Frech of Raine Group has advised on catalog and M&A deals for Warner Music Group, Quality Control, and Downtown. Tom Sarig spent decades managing artists like Lou Reed and Bryan Ferry before launching Antifragile Equity Partners to acquire mid tier music catalogs. And Monica Corton of Go to Eleven Entertainment works with songwriters, artists, and producers across publishing, marketing, and royalty management, helping them maximize the value of their catalogs.

The conversation covers who is actually buying music catalogs right now, why active catalog management might matter more than the multiple you pay, how sync licensing drives real catalog growth, what tools like Disco and Luminate are doing to modernize catalog data and rights management, and how AI licensing and name, image, and likeness rights are starting to change what these assets are worth.

If you work in music publishing, catalog acquisition, artist management, or music finance, this episode breaks down exactly how catalog valuation is evolving heading into 2030.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What will the music business actually look like in 2030? 

In this special panel from the Grow the TAM summit, Tatiana Cirisano, VP of Music Strategy at MIDiA Research, leads a wide-ranging conversation about the future of music monetization with three industry veterans: Liz Moody, partner and chair of the new media practice at Granderson Des Rochers; Mauhan Zonoozy, founder of Vinyl Bar in Shibuya and former head of innovation at Spotify; and Ty Roberts, CEO of FanTracks and founder of Gracenote.

The panel covers AI licensing and generative music platforms, why one panelist argues artists should be negotiating for equity in AI companies rather than royalties, the rise of direct fan subscription platforms, music's untapped opportunity in gaming and interactive experiences, the vinyl revival and whether physical media nostalgia is a real market or a performative trend, and the future of virtual artist concerts and digital fan engagement.

If you work in music tech, music publishing, artist management, streaming, or the creator economy, this conversation is essential listening for anyone trying to understand where music revenue is heading next.

The news

• Suno's latest legal opponent fought the tobacco industry – and won a quarter of a trillion dollars

• The Atlantic created a searchable database of the music used to train AI

• Luminate data: US market diversifying away from domestic and Anglophone music

• Patreon CEO Jack Conte on supporting artists in the AI slop era

• Suno Launches Artist Incubator, Offering Grants and Marketing for Indie Talents

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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In this episode, Dmitri and Eleanor walk through eight revenue multipliers reshaping the music business in 2026, including catalog valuation, revenue recovery, music licensing, and more. 

This conversation sets up the theme for this year's Music Tectonics conference: "Rising Tide: Grow the Music, Grow the Value," exploring why music has massive cultural influence but a music industry that still lags behind gaming and sports in overall economic size. Dmitri and Eleanor dig into who this impacts across the music industry, from music tech founders and investors to record labels, publishers, managers, and the song catalog investment world.

The conversation also covers the future of streaming revenue growth internationally, the unresolved infrastructure problems around music rights and royalty data, and why platforms like TikTok and Instagram are still not paying enough in music licensing revenue. 

This episode sets the stage for the Music Tectonics Conference 2026, happening October 27-29 in Santa Monica, California, where the music industry and music technology ecosystem come together around innovation, investment, and growing the value of music. Get your tickets now at- https://www.musictectonics.com/ 

The news

• US music publishing revenues hit $7.3B in 2025, NMPA reveals at Annual Meeting honoring P!nk, Julian Bunetta and Harvey Mason jr.

• The music industry is closing in on a billion global subscribers – with Spotify out in front

• Four music datasets holding millions of tracks are being shared among AI developers, The Atlantic reports

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What if you could make music with anything around you? Fruit, water, human skin, or even the weight of objects on a kitchen scale? That's the question Playtronica has been answering for over a decade

This week on the podcast, Adam McHeffey sits down with co-founders Sasha Pas and Aglaya Demidenko to explore how they built one of the most creative and community-driven companies in music technology today.

Playtronica makes accessible music instruments that turn everyday objects into musical interfaces, no music theory required. Their products, including Touchme, Biotron, Orbita, and their newest release Scales, have gone viral across social media for their playful, tactile approach to music making. But behind the viral moments is a deeply intentional philosophy: remove the barrier of "are you a musician?" and let curiosity do the rest.

In this conversation, we get into how Playtronica grew a loyal global community through creator partnerships and influencer strategy, what their installations with luxury brands like Hermès taught them about creativity and access, and why the form factor of an instrument matters far less than the feeling it creates. Sasha and Aglaya also share practical advice for music tech entrepreneurs looking to break through on social media and build communities that last.

The news

• Merck Mercuariadis on Hipgnosis, vindication, and his next move.

• The Average On-Demand Streaming User Spends $434 Per Year on Recorded Music in the U.S., Up 27% from 2020, DIMA Report Finds

• Warner Music Group Acquires AI Attribution Tool Sureel AI

• SingFit Merges Music with Technology to Improve the Lives of People Facing Cognitive Challenges

• Despite dying 30 years ago, Tupac Shakur is acting in a new game

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What if the biggest opportunity in music monetization isn't streaming, social media, or live concerts? It's the $300 billion pro AV industry, and most musicians and music tech innovators have never thought about it.

This week on the podcast, Graeme Harrison, vice president and general manager of Bluesound Professional, joins Dmitri to break down how commercial audio is reshaping the way brands use music in physical spaces. From 15,000 7-Eleven stores to NFL stadiums to the US Senate, Graeme's work sits at the intersection of music, technology, and brand experience in ways the music industry rarely talks about.

In this episode, Graeme and Dmitri dig into why congruent audio and visual together are 1,200% more effective than either one alone, how commercial music licensing pays artists significantly more than residential streaming, and why the rise of AI-generated music in public spaces could trigger a second era of elevator music that cuts artists out of the equation entirely.

They also get into the growing world of biophilic soundscaping, adaptive AI playlist curation, and what it means for a brand like 7-Eleven to use music not as background noise but as a core part of its identity.

If you work in music tech, artist services, or brand strategy, this episode reframes where the money is and where it's headed.

The News

• What's Next Now That Live Nation Has Been Found to Act as a Monopoly

• The MLC Re-Designated by the U.S. Copyright Office

• Suno raises over $400 million, pushing valuation to $5.4 billion

• Board Raises $20M Series A Led by Union Square Ventures as It Expands From Gaming Hardware to AI-Powered Creation Platform

• Ableton Extensions will let you code your own tools and actions for Live

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Remember when the best music recommendation you ever got didn't come from Spotify's algorithm, but from your coworker, your cousin, or a stranger in another country who loves the same obscure band you thought only you knew about?

Eric West is the founder of Music League, a competitive music discovery platform with nearly 200,000 monthly active users across 160 countries. Players compete in themed rounds, submitting songs and voting on each other's picks, which means people actually listen rather than just passing along a link and forgetting about it. The result is something the streaming era largely eroded: real music discovery driven by real people whose opinions you have a reason to care about.

This week on the podcast, Eric talks with our head of new business Jade Prieboy about how a music taste game accidentally became a community-building tool for workplaces and families, what the daily-to-monthly active user ratio reveals about how people actually engage with the platform, and what phase two looks like when artists get direct access to fans who have already been repping them inside the game for months.

If you work in music tech, artist development, or fan engagement, this one reframes how discovery and community can work in the streaming era.

The news

• The "quiet money" behind $4 billion music catalog deals

• Bollore urges UMG to reject Ackman's $64 billion bid

• Qobuz Is Suddenly One of the Fastest-Growing Streaming Music Platforms. But Why, You Ask?

• Why Spotify (SPOT) Is Up 19.0% After New AI Remix Deal And 2030 Targets

• The Active Listening Era of Music Begins

• Can you own a voice? Taylor Swift's latest legal move raises big questions for AI and copyright

• Swedish startup Tonada is making AI music for retailers

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Why are most brands still stuck licensing royalty-free tracks nobody recognizes while short-form content runs on music? 

This week, we're sharing a conversation Jade Prieboy had at SXSW with Ferris Bseiso, founder of Cipher Music, breaking down how TikTok rewrote the economics of sync licensing, why major brands are getting hit with eight-figure copyright lawsuits over Instagram posts, and how Cipher is creating a volume-driven sync market designed specifically for the creator economy.

Also on this episode, Jade and Dmitri swap takeaways from Music Biz in Atlanta and Mo Forum in New York. They dig into AI voice cloning and the concept of style laundering, Andrea Gleason's provocative idea about generative AI and streaming platforms, the rise of institutional catalog investment from companies like Apollo and Primary Wave, and what the KISS hologram deal signals about the future of artist IP.

Music, technology, and internet culture are colliding in real time. This episode is right in the middle of it.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!

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Emmanuel Zunz, the CEO and founder of ONErpm, has spent 16 years building one of the fastest-growing independent music companies in the world, across 40 territories, with a staff of over 500, and without a single round of outside investment. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how that happened.

This week on the podcast, Emmanuel and Dmitri get into why the traditional definition of independence is outdated, why Taylor Swift can be on a major label and still be completely independent, and what it actually means for an artist or company to be in control of their own destiny.

They also dig into the convergence happening right now between distributors and labels, the race to the bottom on margins that's pushing funded indie companies toward acquisition or collapse, and why Emmanuel believes the label of the future is built on scalable technology, diversified deal structures, and a global roster rather than big advances and market share at any cost.

If you work in music distribution, run an independent label, or are trying to build a sustainable creative business on your own terms, this one is worth your full attention.

The news

• The live-music boom has convinced some artists they're bigger than they are

• Live Nation pushes back on 'blue dot fever': 'It's a normal touring year'

• Listeners engage less deeply with music labeled as AI – even when it's actually human-made, academic study finds

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What does it actually look like to build a music career from the ground up as an artist in 2026? 

This week Dmitri sits down with Aryyzona, a Brazillian-born, LA-based artist who has been posting videos on YouTube since 2009 and recently released her hyper pop EP Gacha World, complete with a custom video game. 

With over a million YouTube subscribers and a devoted following across TikTok and Instagram, Aryy has a perspective on the creator economy that challenges a lot of assumptions. She breaks down why she refuses to call herself a social-first artist even though she posts constantly, how she balances paid brand partnerships with creative integrity, and what the traditional music industry gets wrong about creators who built their audiences outside the label system.

They also get into the emotional reality of being a music creator, including separating your self-worth from your analytics, navigating hate comments, and staying grounded when engagement is unpredictable. Plus, Aryy shares a story how her ukelele videos once landed her on a Southwest Airlines flight to Hawaii to teach an entire cabin of passengers how to play ukulele. 

If you are a musician trying to understand the creator economy, a content creator wondering whether you can make it as an artist, or someone who wants an honest look at building an audience and a music career at the same time, this episode if for you

The news

• Sony in advanced talks to buy Blackstone's Recognition Music for up to $4B, reports Bloomberg

• YouTube allows creators to replace music with copyright issues with genAI songs

• Zuckerberg Personally Authorized Massive Copyright Infringement to Train AI, Multiple Publishers Allege

• Suno CEO Calls AI Platform "Ozempic of the Music Industry"

• How Duetti Finds Big Value in Small Catalogs: 'It's Not About Aggregating Rights… It's About Taking Care of Them'

• Nebula becomes latest fan-to-artist investment platform

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Most artists have no idea who their fans actually are. They know follower counts and streaming numbers, but they don't own the relationship, and according to Rob Sealy, that single problem is costing the music industry billions.

Rob is the co-founder of OpenStage, a platform helping artists from emerging talent to global icons like Paul McCartney, Oasis, and Lana Del Rey reclaim their fan data and build businesses that don't depend on platform algorithms. In this conversation, he shares why the music industry is massively undersized compared to sport, what it looks like when artists go directly to fans before they even book a tour, and how knowing your fans changes everything from ticket sales to merch to revenue you didn't know you were leaving behind.

Also in this episode: part two of our AlgoRhythms series where we asked conference attendees "Does AI make you hopeful about the future of music tech?"

The News

• The $6.4 Billion Bid Changing the Music Industry: Why UMG Is Selling Off Its Spotify Stake

• Spotify is now a fitness app too

• There's now a collecting society just for AI-generated music

• Why superfan subscriptions are dying out

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What if the most surprising thing happening in music right now isn't what AI is creating, but what fans are reaching for instead? 

This week on Music Tectonics, we're bringing you highlights from the AlgoRhythms conference last month, where our team spent time on the ground talking to researchers and innovators about where the music industry is heading.

First, Tristra NewYear Yeager sits down with Olivia Jones, senior analyst at MIDiA Research, whose latest report on fan behavior surfaces some unexpected data about how listeners are buying merch and discovering music. 

Then, Adam McHeffey speaks with Valtteri Salomaki, CEO of Edge Sound Research, about Embodied Sound that turns any material into something you can both hear and feel. Val's work is rooted in a simple question: if a creator makes something, how do you know the listener actually experienced it the way it was intended? 

Both conversations kept circling the same idea: as music gets more digital and more algorithmic, fans seem to be craving something more physical and tangible.

Finally, we asked a handful of AlgoRhythms attendees whether AI makes them hopeful about the future of music creativity.

The news

• How AI Rights Are Changing Record Contracts — and Why Music Attorneys Are Pushing Back

• AI Is Already Training on Music. The Real Question Is: Who Gets Paid?

• AI And Music Publishing Licensing – How Do We Get There?

• Social media doesn't feel social anymore – so where does online community go from here?

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

What happens to music when everyone is only listening to what they made themselves? 

In this episode, Jade Prieboy sits down with Adam Neely, composer, bassist, and YouTuber educator with over 1.8 million subscribers. They go deeper than the usual AI debate, exploring what we actually lose when music stops being something we share. 

Adam draws a clear line between stem separation tools he genuinely uses and commercial generative AI platforms like Suno and Udio, explaining why lumping them together under the AI label distorts how people understand the technology. He also shares why he is cautiously optimistic about attribution models and how AI-generated lyrics reveal the limits of what machines can feel. 

The conversation turns philosophical when Adam introduces the idea of solipsistic listening, the tendency to only love music you personally generated while tuning everything else out. He then offers practical advice for musicians trying to build community and makes the case for why constructive critique from a real listen might be the most valuable thing a musician can receive 

If AI is changing what music is for, Adam Neely is one of the people asking whether we actually want to go there

The news

• UMG's Michael Nash takes aim at 'false narrative of artist replacement' by AI – and 3 other things we learned from his HumanX panel with Splice's CEO

• Streaming platforms give us access to new music, so why are fewer people listening to it?

• Jury Finds Live Nation Acts as a Monopoly in a Victory for States

• Warner makes strategic investment in TuStreams – a distribution platform focused on Latin music

• Latin Music generated over $1 billion in US wholesale recorded music revenues in 2025, up 4.2% YoY

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What if every fight over music technology throughout history has actually been the same fight, and we're just now facing a version of it we've never seen before?

In this special episode, Dmitri shares a keynote he gave at the Algo Rhythms conference last month called "Is Music Making Up For Grabs?" Drawing on four hundred years of disruption in music, from the harpsichord to amplification, Dmitri traces the pattern of how every generation has fought over new tools and every generation has been wrong about what those tools would destroy.

But this episode isn't just a history lesson. It's a live argument, complete with the Kalyuka, the WARBL, and few sounds you won't expect. Along the way, the stories of T-Pain and Blanco Brown show exactly where the pattern holds and where it finally breaks. Because the question Dmitri lands on is one no generation before us has had to answer. Not what counts as an instrument, but whether the creator is still human.

The news

• Selling a $3B Spotify stake, Michael Ovitz as Chairman of the Board, and a $100B+ company: Welcome to Bill Ackman's plan for Universal Music Group.

• After Universal, Warner, and Merlin deals, now Udio inks licensing agreement with Kobalt

• https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-universal-warner-and-merlin-deals-now-udio-inks-licensing-agreement-with-kobalt/

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What happens when a beat-selling side hustle accidentally becomes a social media phenomenon? 

In this episode, music producer and content creator Hunna G  (@hunnagbeats) joins Dmitri to talk about building "Take a Seat, Rap on the Beat," a series now sitting at over 150 million views and more than a million followers. 

Hunna G covers the origin story, the most memorable guests (like 2 Chainz and MGK to name a few), what the music creator economy actually looks like, and how independent artists and producers can build a brand online.  

The news

• OpenAI Is Shutting Down Sora, Its A.I. Video Generator

• WMG to buy Revelator in wake of UMG's Downtown Music acquisition

• https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/soundcloud-launches-superfan-feature-that-lets-artists-release-music-exclusively-to-followers-before-wider-release/

• Rapper BigXThaPlug Sent Fans on a Scavenger Hunt — Here's What Happened.

• Instagram sets out its stall as a 'music superfandom' platform

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week, Dmitri is joined by Dom McLennon, artist producer, and creative strategist from Hartford, Connecticut. Best known as a lead vocalist and assistant producer for BROCKHAMPTON, Dom also runs COURTVISION, a creative agency connecting artists and brands across gaming, education and community. 

We cover a lot of ground on this one, from treating music technology as a sandbox, to bringing music-making tools into public libraries, to why community outreach is actually a smarter marketing play than chasing virality. 

Along the way, we dig into gesture-based instruments, creative strategy for independent artists, music education, and how the history of Black artists reimagining technology laid the foundation for modern music innovation. Dom also shares how he has been integrating the Orchid by Telepathic Instruments and the Tembo by Musical Beings into his creative process in ways their makers probably never imagined (To see Dom demo these instruments, check out the video version on YouTube. 

It's a wide ranging conversation you won't want to miss. 

The news

• Study reveals €1.06bn of private copying royalties in 2024

• This Music Festival Company's $30 Million Fundraise Proves AI Isn't the Only Hot Sector for Investment

• Live tours face a huge challenge this summer

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What happens to an artist's reputation the moment they admit they used AI? Does admitting how they used AI make a difference? New research suggests the stakes are higher than most realize, and the answer is far from simple. 

This week on the podcast, Dr. Joel Carnevale, assistant professor of Management at Florida International University, joins Dmitri to break down the findings from his recent article in The Conversation that put that question to the test. Using a music composition scenario with Hans Zimmer asa stand-in for established reputation, Joel and his co-authors designed experiments to find out how disclosure affects the way listeners evaluate a creator's competence and credibility.

The conversation covers why authenticity is at the heart of the debate, what different types of AI disclosure actually signal to audiences, and why how you disclose may matter more than whether you disclose  Dmitri and Joel also explore what all of this means for a music industry where nearly every working producer is already using AI in some part of their process. 

The news

• Global recorded music revenues hit $31.7B in 2025, up 6.4% YoY; users of paid music subscriptions reach 837M

• Why Mark Cuban Thinks Music Is (Basically) 'the Worst Industry Ever' for Investors

• Live Nation Employees Bragged About 'Gouging' Customers and 'Robbing Them Blind' In Dozens of Leaked Exchanges—Here's a Look at the Unsealed Documents

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Everyone's talking about the AI boom in music, but is the industry's infrastructure actually ready for it?

Bjorn Lindvall, CEO and co-founder of MusicInfra, has spent his career at the intersection of music rights and finance, first as co-founder and COO of Hipgnosis Songs, where he helped build a multi-billion dollar catalog acquisition business, and now building the infrastructure to fix one of the music industry's oldest and most expensive problems: getting rights holders paid correctly and on time.

In this episode, Bjorn breaks down what it actually means to prepare the music supply chain for the AI boom. We dig into why the royalty math is about to get dramatically more complex, what the wave of generative AI licensing deals signals for publishers, labels, and everyone downstream, and why fixing the back end of the music industry might be the most important thing the industry does this decade  If you work in music rights, royalties, music technology, or music publishing, this one is essential listening. 

The news

• Could you tell if your favourite song was made with AI? The viral Papaoutai cover controversy suggests not

• Gaming giant Steam faces legal action from the UK's PRS over alleged music copyright infringement

• US blindsides states with surprise settlement in Live Nation/Ticketmaster trial

• YouTube now generates more ad revenue than Disney, NBC, Paramount, and WBD — combined

• Survey suggests TikTok may be losing its lustre for Gen-Z

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Is gaming really the next frontier for music, or is that just wishful thinking? 

In this episode, Dmitri sits down with Jenn Garcia, co-founder and CEO of Metamoki, the mobile gaming studio behind Mob Wars and Wiz Khalifa's Weed Farm. With nearly two decades of experience in mobile gaming, social gaming, and community building, Jenn brings a fresh outside perspective on where the music industry is leaving opportunity on the table.

They dig into what early social gaming taught Jenn about monetization and emotional connection, why artist involvement is the single biggest factor in whether a music game succeeds or fails, and what music startups can borrow from gaming's rapid prototyping and product cycles. 

If you work in music tech, music marketing, or the creator economy, this conversation will challenge how you think about fan engagement, music monetization, and building products that actually last. 

The news

• An open letter to Suno's Mikey Shulman.

• WMG boss: 'There's clearly more share of the wallet left for music'

• Apple Music Introduces Tagging for AI Songs, Its First Regulation on AI Use

• Qobuz/Deezer High-res music service Qobuz joins France's Deezer in flagging AI-generated tracks on its platform

• Feds point to Taylor Swift ticket fiasco as evidence of Live Nation and Ticketmaster's monopoly

• https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/as-live-nation-antitrust-trial-begins-doj-tells-jury-the-concert-industry-is-broken/

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What happens to a rock band's legacy when the touring stops forever? 

When Pophouse acquired the KISS catalog, brand, name, image, and likeness rights, they didn't just buy music. They bought the blueprint for keeping one of rock's most iconic bands alive indefinitely through digital avatars, biometric data, and AI-driven live experiences. This deal, built on the success of ABBA Voyage and developed in partnership with Industrial Light and Magic, may be the most forward thinking music IP acquisition ever negotiated. 

In this episode, Dmitri unpacks it all with Spencer Klein, chair of Morrison Foerster's Global Mergers and Acquisitions Group, who represented KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in the deal. Together, they explore how music catalog valuation is expanding beyond audio rights into merchandise, transmedia storytelling, and immersive concert experiences. They also dig into what this means for the broader music industry as artificial intelligence and digital avatar technology begin reshaping how artist IP is valued, monetized, and preserved for future generations.

Whether you follow KISS, entertainment law, or the future of artist brands, this episode offers a rare inside look at how the music industry is evolving beyond the limits of what any band can do in a lifetime. 

The news

• Mogul says it has tracked $1.5B in music royalties, raised $5M in funding | TechCrunch

• Neptune Raises $1.5 Million to Scale Digital Music Education in the UAE

• AI Sample Generator Just 4 Noise Closes $1 Million Round

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Most founders think about building. Fewer think carefully about selling.

In this episode, Dmitri talks with Phil Barry, the founder of music rights and licensing platform Blokur, about what he learned from nearly a decade of building and ultimately selling his company to Music Reports in 2024.

Phil opens up about the early challenges of finding product-market fit, the long relationship-building that made the acquisition possible, and the operational details that can make or break a deal. He also reflects on what he'd do differently, why he'd push back harder on pressure to grow too fast, and what it felt like to finally step away after years of startup intensity.

Whether you're an early-stage founder or mapping out your exit strategy, this episode is full of honest, practical perspective from a founder on the other side of the exit

The news

• Why YouTube Is the Sleeping Giant of Music Catalog (Guest Column)

• Did Taylor Swift and Lyor Cohen Just Give the Music Streamers a Video Strategy?

• Apple Music's iOS 26.4 beta introduces AI-powered playlist tool

• Deezer debuts 'Flow Tuner' to help listeners tune its algorithm

• TikTok tests letting users stream full songs through Apple Music without leaving the app

• Apple Music Strongly Hints That It Won't Be Lowering Prices Following Spotify and Amazon Music Increases — How Much Will This Matter In 2026?

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Where does AI stand in the music industry as we move through 2026? In this conversation, Dmitri talks with Mike Pelczynski, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Voice-Swap, about the evolution from fear to curiosity around AI in music, and why building ethical AI systems from the ground up creates long-term value. 

Mike shares about how his work architecting fan-powered royalties at SoundCloud connects to his current mission of building fair, creator-centric AI voice models. We explore VoiceSwap's approach to licensing, attribution, and ongoing royalties for artists whose voices power AI models, and discuss what happens if the broader marketing doesn't prioritize fairness. Mike also introduces the concept of voice models as a "source of truth" for identity and ownership in an AI-powered future 

The news

• the musical self-expression spectrum

• Spotify eyes AI 'derivatives' as new revenue stream for artists – says its tech to let fans make remixes and covers is ready - Music Business Worldwide

• The music industry's boiling frog moment

• New York Senator Wants to Ban Ticket Scalping Forever

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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For Part 2 of our NAMM 2026 recap, we explore how music creators are building sustainable careers outside of the traditional music industry model. As streaming revenue continues to fail musicians and CD sales decline, artists are pioneering new paths through direct-to-fan experiences and developing products instead of traditional merchandise. 

One great example of this shift is Tarun Nayar from Modern Biology. After going viral on TikTok making music with plants and mushrooms, Tarun reinvented his music career by skipping traditional album releases, creating immersive live performances like Mushroom Church, and co-developing the Pocket SCÍON, an affordable biodata sonification device that lets anyone make music with plants. His journey from viral content creator to instrument developer reveals emerging opportunities for artists beyond streaming platforms and merchandise sales, showing what creative sustainability looks like in the modern music industry.

Pocket SCÍON- https://modernbiology.xyz/products/pocket-scion 

The News

• DistroKid is latest music firm rumoured to be exploring a sale

• Fan burner accounts: music's latest dirty secret

• So, AI music charts are a thing now…

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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For the next two weeks we'll be talking about all things NAMM and getting into some of the exciting innovations we spotted on the show floor, along with some trends that we noticed this year, starting with AI's inflection point in the music industry.

Last year, the conversation around AI was tense with creators expressing fear over being replaced by AI. This year, we saw more AI tools designed to support creators, and in some case, become integrated directly into software and hardware that musicians already know and use.In this episode, you'll hear two conversations from NAMM that capture this shift. 

Daniel Roland from LANDR discusses how creator-first AI tools are evolving, LANDR's new Layers feature that adds real musician performances through AI, and why the technology is becoming less about replacement and more about expanding creative possibility. (Recorded in the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus).

Jun Usui from Yamaha demos a prototype that integrates Boomy's AI sample generation directly into Yamaha's Seqtrak hardware, showing a glimpse into a future where AI lives in your instruments, not just the cloud.

The news

• US TikTok App Uninstalls Jump 150% Following Transfer to US Ownership

• TikTok users in the US can't write 'Epstein' or see anti-Trump videos

• Social network UpScrolled sees surge in downloads following TikTok's US takeover | TechCrunch

• Report: music is now a third of all viewing time on YouTube

• Stationhead and Mellomanic Merge, UMG Invests In 'Ultimate' Direct-to-Fan Platform

• Native Instruments GmbH is in preliminary insolvency - CDM Create Digital Music

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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What happens when AI starts reflecting an artist's voice back to them?

This week, Dmitri talks with artist, songwriter, and producer Blanco Brown. Blanco first broke through with the viral hit "The Git Up," becoming a defining voice of the intersection of country and hip hop, also known as "country trap." 

Last year, an AI generated artist called Breaking Rust released a song called "Walk My Walk," in which many listeners noted a striking resemblance to Blanco's voice and style. So what does Blanco do? He re-records the song himself, bringing his own humanity, faith, and musicianship into a track originally created by AI. 

We talk about what that process was like, questions of ownership and likeness, and why Blanco believes soul and lived experience are things technology can't replicate. We also explore what embracing AI, rather than fearing it, might look like for artists navigating what comes next. 

It's a great conversation about AI and what comes next for musicians. 

The news

• Investor Who Helped Lead Kobalt Acquisition Launches Artist Advance Platform

• Pipeline raises over $200m to fund independent music firms

• Sphere Entertainment reveals first 'mini Sphere' location in US - Music Business Worldwide

• On… Warner's cutbacks, and the bigger story. - Music Business Worldwide

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week, Dmitri chats with Russell Wedelich, the President and CTO of Eventide Audio. Eventide has been shaping Eventide has been shaping recorded music since 1971, and Russell has used his background in both electrical engineering and musical engineering to help create products like the Space Stomp box, H9000, Physion, and Temperance reverb just to name a few. 

They talk about Eventide's history and philosophy of creating audio tools, re-releasing legacy software, and why Russell believes fear and creativity are opposite's when it comes to AI's impact on music. They also talk about NAMM and why it is still worth going in 2026 (if you're going this week, make sure to check us out at Booth 10607 in Hall A.

The news

• Spotify hikes price for Premium subscribers in the US, other markets

• Music streaming platforms now host quarter of a BILLION tracks. Where does it end?

• Matthew McConaughey tackles deepfakes with trademark filings

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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Episode 400! This week, we thought we'd do something a little different and talk about trade shows and whether or not they're still worth it in 2026. 

Fresh from CES 2026, Dmitri shares why trade shows remain valuable for business development and lead generation in the music tech industry. He also discusses innovations at CES from companies like Crosley, Sleevenote, Vrch, and Vobble, along with what the team is looking forward to at NAMM next week.

Whether you're considering NAMM, SXSW, or the Music Tectonics Conference in October for your 2026 strategy, this episode makes the case for why IRL experiences still drive real business results in an increasingly digital world.

The news

• Spotify expands messaging feature with live friend activity and 'Request to Jam'

• Spotify Is Now Sunsetting the 'Basic' Music-Only Subscription Tier — And Further Reducing Songwriter Royalties In the Process

• UMG's latest major AI partnership arrives via tech giant NVIDIA, with promise of 'antidote to generic AI slop'

• Report: 56.9% of new independent songs in China are AI-generated

• Musician Sues Stability AI for Training Despite Opt-Out Requests

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week, we're kicking off 2026 with our opening keynote from last year's Music Tectonics conference: "Optimization is Not Enough: Are You Ready for Streaming's Reckoning?" 

In this keynote, Tatiana Cirisano from MIDiA Research joins Dmitri to ask a provocative question: Is the music industry so focused on optimizing streaming revenue that it's missing what comes next? 

Tatiana argues that streaming has removed so much friction from music that it's accidentally removed fans' emotional connection (especially for Gen Z and Gen Alpha), and that music's real competitor isn't a new format but the attention economy (social video, gaming, etc). 

We explore what the industry can learn from gaming's "productized friction," why Asian streaming services built around fandom might show the way forward, and whether platforms should actually make the experience harder, not easier. We also tackle audience questions about user-centric payment models, AI-generated music, and whether scarcity could return to digital music.

If you've wondered whether streaming is coasting on past success, this conversation will challenge how you think about music's future.

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week, we're wrapping up 2025 with something special: three rapid-fire interviews from last month's conference with companies that represent some of the most fascinating developments happening at the intersection of music and tech

First, we'll hear from Rachel Francine of SingFit, who's pioneering music as medicine by bringing therapeutic singing programs to senior living communities 

Next, we have Matt Sherman from Str3amcore Labs sharing how he's helping IP owners manage their catalogs with blockchain technology, drawing on his family's hundred-year legacy in music (his grandfather wrote "It's a Small World"). 

Finally, we have John Gearty from PulseJet taking us inside the future of music entertainment, with immersive VR experiences, including a nine-song album with Björk where you can literally walk around inside the music. 

These conversations were all recorded at the Shure podcast booth right on the conference floor. Three very different innovations, three conversations that show just how diverse and exciting music technology is right now

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  

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As 2025 comes to a close, Dmitri and Tristra look back at the year's most significant music tech stories and what they mean for the industry ahead. 

From AI music settlements and catalog securitization to sustainability initiatives at live music venues and the future of streaming royalty rates, this year-end roundup covers the trends that shaped music and technology in 2025  Dmitri and Tristra discuss Billboard's biggest stories, analyze the financial tools transforming music rights, and explore how AI is becoming normalized in professional studios, even as questions about fraud and attribution remain unresolved. 

They also touch on overlooked but critical issues like healthcare access for self-employed musicians, plant-based catering's climate impact at festivals and the legal battles that will define 2026. 

Whether you're wrapping presents or planning for the new year, this episode offers the perspectives you need to understand where music tech has been and where it's headed.

The news

• 14 Questions for the Music Business in 2026: AI, Live Nation, Spotify, UMG-Downtown & More

• The 23 biggest music business deals of 2025: From Taylor Swift to Tencent Music, Live Nation, and Chord. - Music Business Worldwide

• Year-End Roundup: The Biggest Music Business Stories of 2025 (And a Look Ahead to 2026)

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week, we're continuing our Conference Conversations series from last month's conference with a panel called "Brands and Creators: Creative Collaborations Everyone Can Agree To."

This panel covers all things brand partnerships, from what makes brands say yes to working with artists, as well as some stories about what not to do.

This panel includes Ryan Roth from Pioneer DJ, Mario Ponce from Shure, Kate Sheets from Blipblox and is moderated by our very own Emily Francis.

If you're looking to land your first brand deal in the new year, this one's for you.

The News

• On… Suno, Songkick, and a Reddit Revolt

• African Artists Are Reaching More Global Listeners With Help From Audiomack

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week, we're continuing our Conference Conversations series from last month's conference with a panel called "Betting on the Future: Where Investors See Creator Tools Thriving Alongside AI."

In this panel, Andrew Kahn from Yamaha Music Innovation sits down with three venture investors who are actively shaping the future of creative technology: David Ma from Powerhouse Capital, Jason Yeh from Patron, and Connor Sunburg from Amplify.

They dive into what actually excites investors in the creator tools space, why most creative tooling companies probably shouldn't raise venture capital, and how to think about building products that people will use for thousands of hours instead of just experimenting with for a week.

Whether you're pitching investors next month or simply curious about the creator economy, this panel offers valuable insights on what separates fundable ideas from the rest.

The News

• Why YouTube Recap flopped and Spotify Wrapped is buzzing

• Did Spotify Wrapped Just Make a Comeback?

• YouTube introduces its own version of Spotify Wrapped for videos

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week on Music Tectonics, we're continuing our Conference Conversations series with highlights from the Music Tectonics Conference. Over the next several weeks, we'll be sharing our favorite discussions, interviews, and panels that capture what's happening right now in music innovation.

Today, we're featuring a conversation with Ethan Millman from the Hollywood Reporter. Ethan breaks down one of the biggest music industry trends: the blurring lines between music distribution and record labels. We explore how label services are evolving, why distribution deals have become the hottest topic in music business, and what artists need to know when choosing between distributors and record labels.

Whether you're an independent artist navigating distribution options, a music industry professional tracking the latest trends, or a music tech founder building solutions for the creator economy, this conversation offers essential insights into the future of music distribution and artist services.

The News!

• Baby Shark creator Pinkfong goes public with $372m valuation

• AI Music Platform Suno Valued at $2.45 Billion

• Suno will be reading Robert Kyncl's new blog post very closely, as WMG CEO vows to 'legislate, litigate, license' in the era of AI music creation

• Explosively Viral Track 'I Run' by HAVEN Yanked From Spotify and Other Platforms Over AI 'Artist Impersonation' — Turns Out Suno Is Where It All Started

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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This week on Music Tectonics, we're doing something different. We're kicking off a series of highlights from the Music Tectonics Conference that wrapped up just a couple of weeks ago. Over the next several weeks, we'll be sharing our favorite discussions, interviews, and panels that capture what's happening right now in music innovation.

We start with a conversation recorded at the Shure podcast booth with Andrew Kahn and Conor Healy from the Yamaha Music Innovation Fund. Andrew and Conor share how Yamaha is investing in music tech startups, what they look for in founders, and why solving real problems for creators matters more than chasing AI trends or other hype cycles.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Yamaha's Innovation Fund is expanding beyond traditional musicians to support all creator types

• What makes a music tech startup fundable in today's market

• Why streaming infrastructure and creator economy businesses still offer opportunities

• The importance of building new revenue streams for creators

• What investors learn from startup speed dating sessions

Whether you're a music tech founder looking for funding or just curious about where the industry is headed, this conversation offers valuable insights into what investors are actually looking for.

The news! 

• AI Is Sure to Transform the Music Biz. Opinions Vary on Exactly How.

• As AI Artists Breaking Rust & Cain Walker Rule a Country Chart, Nashville Execs Weigh in: 'It's Incredibly Detrimental'

• Spotify and NMPA strike a deal… on 'audiovisual opportunities'

• Music Videos Are Coming to Spotify in the U.S. and Canada

The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think! 

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