The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

Ari's Take

In this show, Ari deconstructs the brightest minds in the music industry, digging deep to find the tools, tactics, and strategies that listeners can use to run successful careers of their own.

  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Noga Erez on her Major Label Debut Album and Dealing With Hate

    This week Ari sits down with alt-pop singer, rapper & multi-hyphenate, Noga Erez. Her breakout album Off The Radar earned worldwide acclaim and her sophomore project KIDS brought even greater success. She recently released a new record THE VANDALIST, which has further cemented her place as a one-of-a-kind artist of the modern era. 


    Noga Erez has garnered fans across the world, including superstars like Billie Eilish, Missy Elliott (who Noga collaborated with on her 2022 single “Nails”), Gal Gadot, and Finneas. She has sold out the Bowery Ballroom in NY, El Rey Theatre in LA, and Menora Arena in Tel Aviv on her headlining tours. Erez has performed at Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as well as The Kelly Clarkson Show.


    In this episode, Ari and Noga talk about the creation process and the craft of songwriting. They also delve into themes from her latest record, including: how social media has affected society and the ways releasing music has changed in recent years. THE VANDALIST is Noga’s first record on a major label, so she shares details of what that experience has been like for her. Noga also talks about what it means to be an Israeli artist in a larger global context, and how that has impacted her life and work.


    https://www.nogaerez.com/


    00:00 The Meaning of Music in Life

    01:05 Introducing Noga Erez and Her New Album

    02:42 Navigating the Music Industry Chaos

    03:36 Being an Israeli Artist in Today's World

    04:36 The Creation Process of 'THE VANDLIST'

    06:31 Collaborating with Real Musicians

    11:35 Exploring Themes of PC Culture in Music

    16:55 The Impact of Social Media on Society

    24:41 The Sad Generation and Its Challenges

    30:00 The Role of Music in Finding Purpose

    34:43 Songwriting Process and Collaboration

    37:26 The Creative Process Behind Songwriting

    42:07 Navigating Major Label Dynamics

    46:40 The Impact of Social Media on Artists

    55:18 The Challenges of Being an Israeli Artist

    01:10:48 Defining Success in the New Music Business


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 November 2024, 5:06 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    How Partisan Records Markets Artists

    This week Ari sits down with Zena White, the chief operating officer at Partisan Records. Partisan is an internationally renowned independent record label headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Zena has overseen global strategy for #1 charting, Grammy-nominated, Mercury Prize-winning album campaigns across Partisan’s diverse roster that includes IDLES, PJ Harvey, Cigarettes After Sex, Blondshell, the Fela Kuti estate and many more. Zena is also on the board of organizations like World Independent Network, A2IM, RIAA, and is a Recording Academy Member. Prior to Partisan, Zena was Managing Director at The Other Hand marketing services company in London, where she worked with artists such as Run The Jewels, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley, and more.


    Zena tells Ari about ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts) a nonprofit she’s involved with that uses research to demonstrate the economic, social, and cultural value of music. Then later, she takes us behind the scenes of Partisan Records, explaining where they spend their marketing money, how much they spend, and more. Ari and Zena discuss ‘old-school’ marketing tactics like radio, PR, print media, digital and TV, and Zena sheds light on how artists get on Late Night shows… along with how much that costs. Yep—it costs. Ari and Zena also dive deep into the world of ‘new media’ and discuss how Partisan spends its money in the new age of social media. Tune in to hear stories about how Cigarettes After Sex got off the ground and to get a glimpse into the inner workings of indie labels!


    https://partisanrecords.com/ 

    https://www.orcaformusic.com/


    00:00 Investing in Artists: The New Music Business

    04:48 Inside Partisan Records: A Label's Journey

    10:00 Cigarettes After Sex: A Case Study in Success

    24:42 The Balance of Data and Creativity in A&R

    34:06 Marketing Strategies for Independent Artists

    40:50 The Evolving Landscape of Music Marketing

    46:28 Public Relations and Its Impact on Artist Development

    52:13 Navigating Television Appearances and Their Costs

    55:30 The Role of Local Press in Ticket Sales

    01:02:26 Influencer Marketing and New Media Strategies

    01:08:58 The Formation and Purpose of Orca

    01:19:05 Defining Success in the New Music Business



    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 October 2024, 4:04 am
  • 58 minutes 19 seconds
    Billboard Exec on Linkin Park and the state of Music Journalism

    This week, Ari is joined by Jason Lipshutz, the Executive Director of Music at Billboard. Jason has written about music for over a decade and has penned cover stories on Taylor Swift, U2, Blink-182, Lorde, Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, among many others. He was formerly a deputy editor at Fuse Media and has contributed to VIBE, The Hollywood Reporter, Spinner, and Popjustice. Jason recently released a book about Linkin Park called It Starts With One.


    In this illuminating interview, Jason shares his perspective on the state of music journalism, how he approaches conducting interviews, who decides what gets reviewed and who goes on the cover at major music publications. Ari and Jason also trade stories about their experiences with publicists and managers trying to squash stories to protect client images. If you're interested in the inner workings of the music journalism industry, this episode is for you!


    Check out Jason’s new audiobook: https://aristake.io/ul1wx7 


    00:00 The Balance of Music Journalism

    03:10 Writing a Book vs. Cover Stories

    05:56 The Evolution of Linkin Park

    13:02 The Art of Interviewing Artists

    18:09 The Changing Landscape of Music Journalism

    29:19 Navigating the Pressures of Music Journalism

    36:05 The Editorial Process at Billboard

    41:44 Balancing Traffic and Storytelling

    45:04 Personal Fandom in Journalism

    48:14 Writing a Book on Linkin Park

    56:33 Championing Creativity in the Music Industry


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 October 2024, 4:06 am
  • 53 minutes 24 seconds
    Managing Hit Songwriters and Producers

    This week Ari sits down with Lucas Keller, the Founder & President of Milk & Honey, an entertainment management company that represents some of the world’s biggest songwriters, artists, and producers. Established in 2014, Milk & Honey is a hybrid agency that works in both the music and sports industries and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Dallas and London. On the music side, Milk & Honey represents world-class creators including the writers behind Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” BTS’s “Butter,” Justin Beiber/Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” and many other international hits. Lucas and Ari talk about the state of music publishing and go deep into the ethics of royalties and producer points. Lucas explains how publishing and record deals work these days and gives his inside scoop on major catalog sales. Lucas also shares Milk & Honey’s process for setting up hit songwriting sessions.


    If you’re a songwriter, artist, producer, or anyone in the industry who wants to learn more about the ins and outs of music publishing, this episode is for you. 


    https://www.milkhoneyla.com/


    00:00 The Art of Songwriting: A Daily Grind

    04:51 Understanding Music Publishing Terminology

    10:04 The Financial Landscape for Songwriters

    15:11 The Impact of Collaboration on Songwriting

    19:50 Navigating the Complexities of Publishing and Royalties

    24:52 The Future of Songwriting: Challenges and Opportunities

    26:20 The Evolution of Songwriting and Collaboration

    34:04 Understanding Publishing Deals in Today's Market

    48:07 The Growing Importance of Catalog Sales

    51:56 Defining Success in the New Music Business


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 October 2024, 4:06 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    John Summit on Collaboration, His New Record Label and Advice to Aspiring DJ/Producers

    This week Ari sits down with John Summit, one of the most sought-after DJ/producers in the global dance world. John is a superstar DJ, producer, and owner of his own label, Experts Only. He has nearly a billion all-time global streams across his own catalog, two number 1 US dance radio hits, and two top 10 tracks on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Summit has sold out iconic venues such as BMO Stadium, MSG, the Forum, Coachella, EDC, Tomorrowland and other major festivals all across the globe.


    John tells Ari all about how he got his start (making music with a day job, producing songs in his parents' basement), and how those humble beginnings led to him touring the world as a celebrated artist. He talks about how he got his career “break,” and gives practical advice to aspiring DJ/producers. John also talks about running Experts Only and how he hopes to develop the label.


    Keep up with John Summit at: https://www.instagram.com/johnsummit/


    00:00 Breaking Out of the Local Scene

    06:07 Creating an Album vs Singles

    08:59 Staying Inspired Creatively

    12:12 The Evolution of Live Performances

    14:53 Navigating the Pandemic: A Turning Point

    17:47 The Power of Persistence

    24:00 Collaborating Remotely

    33:16 Designing Arena Shows vs Festival Shows vs Clubs

    38:46 Behind The Curtain of Experts Only Label

    47:20 Experts Only Party Nights and Community Building

    51:14 Marketing Support for Artists on Experts Only

    53:04 Advice for Aspiring DJ/Producers


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 October 2024, 5:04 pm
  • 1 hour 27 minutes
    How Sub Pop Records Develops and Funds Artists

    This week Ari sits down with Tony Kiewel, the President of Sub Pop Records and co-founder of ORCA (Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts). Sub Pop has repped iconic artists like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Beach House, The Postal Service, Flight of the Conchords, Iron & Wine, Father John Misty, and many more. Tony’s organization, ORCA, is a “think tank comprised of international independent music labels committed to increasing music’s economic, social, and cultural value.” ORCA has done incredible research to demonstrate the tangible value of music in our society. ORCA also works with numerous record labels to increase financial and contractual transparency between labels and artists. 


    In this episode, Tony shares the inner-workings of his experience at Sub Pop. He breaks down how independent record labels function in 2024 and how exactly his label invests in the future of their artists. Ari and Tony discuss how ORCA’s research could help influence law and policy changes for the music industry and how the organization helps people outside of the industry understand how things work. Tony talks about what Sub Pop looks for when it comes to signing new artists, how they develop current artists on their roster, and how they go about working with undiscovered artists vs. artist on the cusp of stardom. If you’re interested in the inner workings of indie labels, you won’t want to miss this episode!


    ORCA: https://www.orcaformusic.com/ 


    “Setting the Stage: How Music Works” study by ORCA: https://aristake.io/orca


    00:00 Understanding the New Music Business

    05:26 The Formation of ORCA and Its Goals

    10:16 The Importance of Transparency in the Music Industry

    16:07 The Challenges Facing Independent Artists

    22:42 The Role of Indie Labels in Artist Development

    33:56 Artist Development Strategies at Sub Pop

    42:58 Investments in Emerging Artists

    51:15 Revenue Streams and Financial Models

    01:00:19 Marketing and Tour Support Budgets

    01:10:36 Trends in Physical vs. Digital Sales

    01:17:26 Mutually Beneficial Artist-Label Relationships


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 September 2024, 4:04 am
  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    Paying To Get on Spotify Playlists Legally?

    This week Ari sits down with Dorian Perron, the co-founder of Groover, a platform that connects artists who want to promote their music with media outlets, radio stations, record labels, playlist curators and industry professionals seeking emerging talents. Ari and Dorian go in depth about how artists can safely pitch their music and receive constructive feedback from industry professionals. They discuss the current state of playlisting—specifically how to avoid botted playlists and streaming fraud while promoting your music. You’ll also get to hear Ari’s unfiltered thoughts about Groover and other playlisting platforms in this deep-dive conversation. If you’re an artist who self-promotes their music, this episode is for you.  


    Get 15% off your first campaign with Groover with the code ARISTAKE


    Website: Groover.co 


    Variety Article (Streaming Fraud): https://variety.com/2024/music/news/spotify-artists-streaming-fraud-1235965379/ 


    00:00 Artists' Goals and Varying Needs

    01:18 Introduction to Groover

    02:08 Streaming Fraud and Shady Companies

    03:35 The Ecosystem of Playlist Curators

    05:28 What is Groover?

    09:41 Evolution of Playlists and Curators

    12:26 Starting Groover in California

    13:21 The Rise of Playlists

    14:17 Types of Playlists on Spotify

    17:05 Groover's Focus on User-Generated Playlists

    18:28 The Impact of Playlists on Artists' Careers

    19:26 Nourishing Different Types of Playlists

    22:38 Pitching Songs to Playlist Curators on Groover

    26:53 Paying for Consideration, Not Placement

    28:21 The Streaming Fraud Issue

    35:42 Verifying Legitimacy of Playlists

    40:26 Factors Affecting Success on Groover

    44:46 Defining Success in the New Music Business

    50:42 Tailoring Music to Please Curators

    56:26 Quality vs. Tailoring in Groover Campaigns

    01:05:39 Varied Results on Groover

    01:09:18 Finding Your Own Pace in the Music Business


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 September 2024, 4:06 am
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    A Human Classical Pianist Composing With AI

    This week, Ari sits down with AyseDeniz, a classical pianist and composer with a Bachelor's from Eastman School and a Master's from the Royal Academy of Music. In 2022, she was listed as one of the 20 under 40 Young Shapers of the Future of Music by Encyclopaedia Britannica, alongside notable artists such as Adele, Lil Nas, and Lorde. In this episode, AyseDeniz talks about how she collaborates with AI to compose new works of music. AI tools have changed AyseDeniz’s career trajectory as an independent artist, even though she’s an incredibly skilled classical musician. Ari and AyseDeniz discuss the ethics of composing and collaborating with AI and how she has used these tools to propel her career forward. Check out AyseDeniz at: https://www.adpianist.com/


    00:00 Exploring the Classical Music Industry and AyseDeniz's Background

    02:14 Using AI to Create Classical Piano Compositions

    03:43 The Emotional Component of AI-Generated Music

    04:11 The Ethics of AI in Music Creation

    05:06 AyseDeniz's Journey in Scoring for Film and TV

    06:32 The Future of AyseDeniz's Music Career

    47:35 Creating AI-Generated Compositions

    50:07 Authenticity in Music Performance

    51:06 Ethical Considerations in AI Music Generation

    57:49 The Need for Regulations and Laws

    01:13:25 The Future of Music with AI


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    4 September 2024, 4:04 am
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    This Record Label Prioritizes Timeless Music Over Streams

    Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    This week, on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with Louis Marks and Fabian Brown of Ropeadope Records, a label that’s been around in the jazz world for 25 years and has worked with Snarky Puppy, Christian Scott, Greg Spero, Terrace Martin, Questlove, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Taj Majal, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and so many more. In this episode, Louis and Fabian talk about how most of their artists cannot make a living just from streaming revenue. They share the ways they’ve been evolving, as a label, to elevate and lift their artists in the ever changing landscape of the new music industry. This conversation discusses the ins and outs of streaming, social media, physical sales, downloads, bandcamp, touring, patronage, community, and so much more. 


    00:00 - Introduction

    04:55 - The Mission of Ropeadope Records

    18:43 - Rethinking the Value of Music

    24:22 - Preserving Contemporary Music

    31:32 - Re-Educating Fans and Focusing on the Connection

    44:44 - The Limitations of Streaming Platforms

    53:29 - Exploring Alternative Models for Artist Support 


    Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

    Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

    Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa


    Connect with Ari’s Take:


    Website: https://aristake.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take

    X: https://twitter.com/ArisTake

    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1



    Connect with Ari Herstand:


    Website: https://ariherstand.com

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand

    X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

    YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand


    Connect with Ropeadope Records:


    Website: https://ropeadope.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ropeadope/

    Bandcamp: https://ropeadope.bandcamp.com/

    X: https://x.com/ropeadope

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ropeadope99


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 August 2024, 5:05 am
  • 56 minutes 14 seconds
    R&B Artist Jaylon Ashaun on World Building and the Hustle

    Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    This week, Ari sits down with Jaylon Ashaun, a talented R&B artist currently based in LA via Atlanta and Houston. Jaylon found success by regularly releasing music and building a direct artist-to-fans community online. His song “Strawberries and Wine” took the digital music world by storm, with over 25 million streams of its various versions. Last year, Jaylon toured the US with major R&B acts Xavier Omar and Hojean. Ari and Jaylon discuss the importance of connecting with fans directly, how to capitalize on and move past viral moments to build a sustainable career, and how Jaylon has built his superfan community, Global Nomads, online.


    Chapters:

    00:00 Taking Risks and Putting Out Music

    14:24 The Power of Regularly Releasing Music

    19:37 Developing a Super Fan Community

    27:52 Perseverance, Collaboration, and Artistic Identity

    28:22 Building a Community and World Around Your Music

    31:16 Engaging with Fans and Nurturing Your Community

    33:06 The Power of Physical Merchandise

    40:18 The Evolving Music Industry and the Importance of Adaptability



    Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

    Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

    Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa


    Connect with Ari’s Take:


    Website: https://aristake.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take

    X: https://twitter.com/ArisTake

    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1


    Connect with Ari Herstand:


    Website: https://ariherstand.com

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand

    X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

    YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand


    Connect with Jaylon Ashaun:


    Website: https://www.jaylonashaun.me/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaylonashaun

    Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jaylonashaun

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dhseP7KiICmkxT5waM1Md


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 August 2024, 6:06 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    This Singing Couple is Making It by Diversifying their Business and Writing Great Songs

    Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com


    This week, Ari sits down with Ni/Co, the musical duo of LA-based couple Dani Brillhart and Colton Jones. Their most recent song “On Purpose” has taken the internet by storm with over 6.2 million streams on Spotify and YouTube. Ni/Co built their early career by releasing covers on YouTube and placing their songs in sync. They have garnered over 75 million views on YouTube and have landed 6-figure sync deals with their music. However, as their covers became more popular and they wrote under various monikers for sync, Dani and Colton had to make a decision: did they want to prioritize these paths or re-center their career around original music? This conversation dives into the details of publishing and label deals, Ni/Co’s journey through sync, their experience going viral on TikTok, and how they clarified their artist identity to stay true to their vision along the way.


    00:00 - Introduction and Background

    10:39 - The On Purpose Journey and Release

    15:47 - Meeting and Starting as a Couple

    26:23 - Signing a Publishing Deal and Sync Placements

    30:11 - Separating Covers and Originals

    42:52 - The Success of 'On Purpose'

    49:05 - Influencer Campaigns, Viral Songs, and the Importance of Diversifying Revenue Streams

    1:13:20 - Challenges and Scams in Revenue Collection


    Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/new-music-business-podcast/

    Ari's Take Academy: https://aristakeacademy.com

    Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa


    Connect with Ari’s Take:


    Website: https://aristake.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take

    X: https://twitter.com/ArisTake

    Threads: https://www.threads.net/@aristake_

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1



    Connect with Ari Herstand:


    Website: https://ariherstand.com

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand

    X: https://twitter.com/ariherstand

    YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand


    Connect with Ni/Co:


    Website: https://nicomusicofficial.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ni.co_official

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ni.co_official

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2IR0GSCHsTo7gSw8HHLBnr


    Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

    Music by Brassroots District

    Produced by the team at Ari’s Take


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 July 2024, 6:42 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App
© MoonFM 2024. All rights reserved.