I am Sertaç Oğul, founder of OGUL Law & Consultancy. Also I recently started an initiative called Pro Creative, think thank and accelerator for creative industries.I am currently based in İstanbul.

What are you currently listening to? 

I am currently listening to The Ironsides. Changing Light album is amazing.

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

I generally try to wake up around 7 in the morning and finish my reading and writing tasks. As the day progresses, from meeting to meeting, it becomes difficult to focus. Therefore I would like to finish all the paperwork before noon. Afterward, I usually have video calls and meetings. In the afternoon, I have short meetings with the artists I manage. Towards the evening, I review the planning for the next day.

Over to you, Sertaç…

Artificial Intelligence & Ethics in the Global Music Industry

In recent years, artificial intelligence has deeply affected every area of the creative industries, with music being at the forefront. Just as 2022 saw significant advancements in artificial intelligence for visual communication, 2023 experienced AI’s transformative impact on the music industry. Generative AI, one of the most fascinating results of artificial intelligence, not only analyzes and processes existing music content but also has the capability to create new, original pieces. This ability to generate new music encompasses replication and modification, as well as the creation of entirely new works. It manifests in various ways, such as producing background music for the industry, providing ideas to composers, or generating complete pieces.

Discussions have been ongoing for some time regarding various aspects, from training data for AI tools to copying people’s voices, music production, and the legal protection of this music. When we evaluate the issue from both input and output perspectives, we see different ethical and legal problems. A practical ethical framework for the intersection of music and AI must be versatile enough to accommodate a wide array of applications and the continually evolving technological, legal, economic, and societal landscapes. Ethical considerations should adapt to the rapid pace of the AI industry, unclear legal standards, impending regulations, the fluctuating music industry, and workforce pressures. Technological advances, legal actions, corporate mergers, shareholder interests, online trolls, and social media disputes can significantly alter the context, requiring a flexible approach to ethical decision-making.

It is as crucial to understand what an ethical framework should avoid as it is to know what it should include. Experts in technology ethics caution against treating such a framework merely as a target to achieve or a checklist to complete. Instead, ethics should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a static object.A framework that is too vague can be challenging to implement. Similarly, oversimplifying complex issues into bullet points without adequately acknowledging real-world impacts is problematic. Such oversimplification can lead to moral blindness—the inability to recognize the ethical aspects of decisions—and moral disengagement, where one convinces themselves that ethical norms do not apply in certain situations. Examples of this oversimplification include using euphemisms like “loss of work” or “legal trouble” to downplay serious issues. While it might be more comfortable to ignore the full scope and seriousness of potential consequences, it is essential to confront them thoroughly, even if it is unsettling.

My analysis explores the ethical landscape of artificial intelligence in the music industry by reviewing nine ethical guidelines developed between 2018 and 2023, in the context of the OECD’s AI Principles. These guidelines encompass various initiatives and campaigns, highlighting the music industry’s evolving interaction with AI technologies. These are, from past to present: 

• Ethical Dimensions of Music Information Retrieval Technology (2018)
• Ethics Guidelines in Music Information  Retrieval (2019)
• Human Artistry  Campaign  (2023)
• How ASCAP Is Helping Music Creators Navigate AI (2023)
• UK Music Policy Position Paper on Artificial Intelligence (2023)
• Global Creators and Performers Demand Creative Rights in AI Proliferation (2023)
• YouTube: Our principles for partnering with the music industry on AI technology (2023)
• IMPF Ethical Guidelines on generative Artificial Intelligence (2023)

Transparency is emphasized in all but one set of guidelines (specifically, YouTube’s), highlighting its crucial role in the application of AI within the music industry. The push for transparency is fueled by the growing use of AI for tasks such as music curation, recommendation, and composition. This transparency entails clearly disclosing AI algorithms’ decision-making processes, data sources, and potential biases. Such openness builds trust among musicians and audiences, enabling artists to understand and potentially influence the creative processes affected by AI. Additionally, transparency is essential in preventing biases that could impact the diverse and subjective nature of musical preferences, ensuring AI technologies do not inadvertently diminish the richness of musical expression.“Human-centered values” are nearly as widely supported as transparency, appearing in all guidelines except the 2019 Ethics Guidelines in Music Information Retrieval.

The integration of AI into music creation necessitates a critical reflection on preserving human creativity and values within this technologically advanced context. As AI’s role in music evolves, it is essential to maintain the primacy of human creativity. Ethical considerations must carefully balance using AI to enhance human creativity and using AI as an autonomous creator.

Establishing criteria to distinguish between these uses is vital for copyright integrity and ensuring the unique contributions of human intellect, skill, labor, and judgement are valued. Moreover, AI-generated content should be clearly labelled to maintain consumer transparency and protect recognition and rewards for human creators. This underscores the importance of human authenticity, identity, and cultural significance, even as the industry explores AI’s transformative potential.

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or digital gurus to recommend?

You can check out my recent article:

• In Tune with Ethics: Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Music Industry.

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Sertaç!

The post Digital Dialogue: Artificial Intelligence & Ethics in the Global Music Industry with Sertaç Oğul (OGUL Law) appeared first on Byta Blog.

Amanda Schupf, based in New York City, running my own music tech consultancy – MAX Music – helping to bridge the gap between music rights and talent with music tech companies and investors.

What are you currently listening to? 

Billie Eilish “Lunch”. This song is a bop.

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

Wake up at 5:30, get my first cup of coffee, take my dog out for a walk, feed my son breakfast, go to the gym and then by 8 am I am at my desk responding to emails from the day/night before and diving into the day. For better or worse I continue working until I go to sleep around 8/8:30, around the same time I put my son to bed.

Over to you, Amanda…

Reframing the Narrative: Major Labels Through a Different Lens (Instead of DIY Can We DIT?)

The music industry does not have to be a zero-sum game. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for artists, and in my view, there’s room for diverse strategies and players. TRUE support for artists involves educating them about ALL of their options and helping them navigate the landscape.

On that note, I want to speak on what, from my perspective, has been an increasingly one-sided narrative surrounding the position of major labels within the music industry ecosystem today and how we might consider meeting in the middle a bit more in our dialogues. NB: This is an expansion on a piece I published on LinkedIn a few months ago.

Recently, I have seen more and more criticism of major labels, in part due to/in conjunction with the rise of artist-fan platforms. As someone deeply entrenched both within and outside the major label ecosystem, although having never held a job at one, I feel compelled to address what I believe is a skewed narrative that paints major labels as the arch-nemesis of artists and the music industry at large without much context.

To be clear, the rise of artist-to-fan platforms and other efforts to elevate independent artists signify positive and necessary shifts in the music business. But the conversation has become so one-sided, it overlooks the crucial role major labels can play for some artists, particularly those aiming for stratospheric levels of global success. This includes those artists who find their initial success on these same platforms that are positioning themselves as the antithesis to the major labels.

What no one seems to be addressing is the question of what happens when the platforms do their job, an independent artist succeeds – creating a body of work, accumulating fans, and even achieving financial success – and still has aspirations for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift levels of success? Attaining this while remaining ‘independent’ becomes increasingly challenging.

Even artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who possess significant if not complete control over their masters and creative direction, rely on major labels for essential support, including distribution, promotion, touring logistics, administration, and yes, additional financial backing, despite their own financial means. These artists, and many others, depend on major labels for their global infrastructure and experienced teams, including many of our esteemed colleagues and friends, adept at navigating the intricacies of global markets.

This isn’t to diminish the value of platforms supporting indie artists, or those working to help all artists (including major label ones) earn more and have a more meaningful relationship with their fans (again, I work with several of them). Nor is it to disregard the efforts of artists transitioning away from major labels when they feel it’s the right move for them. I’ve been part of artist teams where we decided to part ways with the label, whether due to a lack of fit or the natural evolution of the relationship. It happens all of the time and it’s healthy and totally understandable.

However, I think it’s important to recognize that behind the flashy press releases, many of these platforms have hidden limitations and despite disparaging press releases, major labels have unheralded strengths. Everyone has their role to play in the music ecosystem, and I’ve seen firsthand my entire career how many stakeholders across the board have and continue to rely on major labels to survive.

Comparing now versus then, the DIY approach that has been flourishing for over a decade or so was a necessary response to a very different industry landscape. Back then, “fighting the man” often meant seizing control from labels that had a near-monopoly on distribution and promotion. Today, however, artists and their teams have far more control over their destinies. I think there is room for the conversation to shift from DIY to DIT—Do It Together. This collaborative approach means partnering with the right entities for each individual artist,  including major labels, that offer the right level of power and resources to match the artist’s career stage and goals.

It’s no longer about fighting against the system but finding the right partners within it. A major label may seem less about artist empowerment and success at first glance, but the reality is that no one, at any level, wants an artist to fail. The support and infrastructure provided by major labels can be instrumental for artists reaching for the global stage. Collaboration is key, and understanding the nuanced roles that different entities play can lead to more informed and balanced discussions.

So, I would like to suggest that we all please add some balance and perspective in our dialogues.

The music industry does not have to be a zero-sum game. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for artists, and in my view, there’s room for diverse strategies and players. TRUE support for artists involves educating them about ALL of their options and helping them navigate the landscape.

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Amanda!

The post Reframing the Narrative: Major Labels Through a Different Lens (Instead of DIY Can We DIT?) with Amanda Schupf (MAX Music) appeared first on Byta Blog.

I’m Melissa d’Engelbronner – VP, Audience Strategy at FUGA. I’m currently based in Amsterdam.

What are you currently listening to? 

Maggie Rogers – Don’t Forget Me (as soon as she announced her album, it was immediately pre-ordered!)

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

I have the privilege of spending the majority of my work days trying to bring artists’ music to their fans in a meaningful way, for both of them. I have a super-talented and creative team who work across digital, social & research and we (try to!) have a lot of fun brainstorming ideas and working together with labels and their artists.

Over to you, Melissa…

Social Media for Artists is Imperative, Not Optional…

The digital revolution has undeniably transformed how artists connect with their audience, carve out their careers, and ultimately, define their success. Social media is not just a tool for personal connection but a powerful platform for musicians to brand themselves, showcase their art, and build a community of listeners. However, so many artists, whether legacy or upcoming, hate social media with almost as much passion as they have for their art. Unwilling to accept that social media is a part of their career despite the fact it’s one of the multitude of tools at their disposal to help them communicate with their audience and connect on a deeper level. If you’re an artist today and you don’t see the point of social media, you’re either creating inauthentic content or you need a reality check. 

Understanding social media’s intricacies, aligning it with personal interests and personality, and embracing its potential rather than viewing it as an evil burden, are essential strategies for musicians aiming to thrive in today’s competitive environment. Whether they agree or not. 

Branding is not just for corporations. For musicians, it’s about creating a unique identity that encapsulates their music, values, and story, making them recognizable and relatable to their target audience. Social media provides the canvas for this branding, offering various platforms (Instagram, Discord, TikTok, etc.) to portray their artistic vision through visuals, interactions, and content that resonates with their audience. By understanding how to leverage these platforms effectively, musicians can create an online presence that helps them either stand out against the noise or find their niche community that’s willing to stand by them no matter what. It’s about consistency in message, aesthetics, and the type of content shared, all of which should align with the artist’s music and personality. 

Social media should be an extension of the musician’s artistry, not a disconnected facade. The most successful artists on these platforms are those who manage to seamlessly blend their interests and personality with their music. This authenticity attracts and retains followers, creating a loyal fan base that feels a genuine connection to the artist beyond the music. Whether it’s sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of their creative process, engaging in causes close to their heart, or simply showcasing their daily life, musicians need to find a balance that suits their comfort level while still engaging their audience. If an artist doesn’t want to showcase their personality or anything regarding their personal life, stick to your art. Lift the curtain and give fans a deeper insight into your creative process. Remember not everyone is naturally gifted at being able to create music or write lyrics so showing how you do this is fascinating for those of us who are musically inept. 

Many artists view social media as a necessary evil, a time-consuming distraction from their true passion: making music. However, this perspective overlooks the immense potential social media holds for career growth, audience engagement, and artistic expression. Rather than a burden, social media should be seen as a powerful tool for storytelling, networking, and marketing. By shifting their mindset and learning how to effectively use these platforms, musicians can unlock opportunities that were previously unimaginable, from viral fame and global reach to direct fan interaction and feedback. 

For musicians who dread the thought of tweeting, posting, or streaming, it’s crucial to understand that their aversion to social media probably stems from a lack of knowledge on how to use it effectively or from misconceptions about its value. If social media feels like a chore, it’s time to reassess the approach. There are countless strategies to make social media management more enjoyable and less time-consuming, such as scheduling posts, focusing on platforms that best suit your brand and voice, or even collaborating with creators and other artists to share the workload and increase visibility.

After all that, if you’re a musician and you still feel that making music is the only thing you want to do, find someone talented enough to do social media for you. Someone who understands you on a deeper level and is going to make sure the content and messaging still feel authentic to yourself and your audience; otherwise fans will see straight through it and you’ll have no one to listen to the music you’ve spent so much time, emotion and effort into creating. 

The reality is that social media is integral to a musician’s career. It’s a platform for discovery, a tool for engagement, and a means of sustaining relevance in a rapidly changing industry. Ignoring its potential can result in missed opportunities and hindered growth. Musicians should recognize the importance of meeting their fans where they’re at, embracing the digital tools at their disposal, and viewing social media not as an adversary but as an ally in their artistic journey.

Understanding social media is no longer optional for musicians; it’s imperative. The future of music lies in the hands of those who are willing to adapt, innovate, and engage in the digital realm.

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or ‘digital gurus’ to recommend?

Sign up to newsletters: Ted Gioia’s ‘The Honest Broker‘ or Rob Abelow’s ‘Where Music’s Going‘.

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Melissa!

The post Social Media for Artists is Imperative, Not Optional with Melissa d’Engelbronner (FUGA) appeared first on Byta Blog.

I’m Jamie Dee Hart, Founder of Hart & Songs. Hart & Songs is an artist development company based in Los Angeles, CA. We specialize in artist and rights management.

What are you currently listening to? 

Too much to count! My favorite thing to do is check out my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist and add my favorites to my very own Jamie’s Jams playlist. The algorithm really understands me and knows exactly what I love. 

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

With wearing many hats, my daily routine is quite dynamic including managing various client tasks. I’m a firm believer in the power of daily to-do lists; they keep me on track. A significant part of my day involves keeping my management clients in the loop. We touch base multiple times a week to discuss upcoming releases, ongoing marketing campaigns, and brainstorm our strategy. I’ve always been a bit “Type A” when it comes to organization.

For my catalog management clients, I often find myself knee-deep in Excel spreadsheets, meticulously gathering metadata for each song in their catalog. Onboarding new rights management clients is a process I’ve honed in to a tee. Making sure we have all the info needed for the master catalog template is a crucial part of my process, and it can be quite overwhelming for clients that thrive on the creative side of things but struggle with the business side of the music industry.

Many of my catch-up meetings mainly involve combing through a client’s SoundExchange account, pinpointing any registration issues, or identifying what’s missing. Catalog management is data-heavy work, and my organizational skills are put to the test daily. Each catalog is unique; some are massive with 3-6 writers per song, while others are more straightforward with only 1 or 2 collaborators on each composition. It’s a mix of big and small tasks that keep me on my toes.

Over to you, Jamie…

Getting Your Artist’s Rights House in Order

As the music industry rapidly evolves, one of the persistent conversations I’ve been engaged in revolves around the complexity of royalty collection. Amid this constant growth, digital rights management often seems to lag behind, struggling to keep pace with the development of online platforms hosting musical content. The challenge becomes stark when considering how independent artists and songwriters struggle to navigate the complicated process of collecting their rightfully earned royalties.

To secure what’s rightfully theirs, these creators require not just knowledge but also a significant investment of time, support, and resources that are often beyond their reach. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram have undoubtedly democratized visibility for creators, this newfound exposure also amplifies the necessity for safeguarding and claiming their copyrights online.

Accurate metadata collection and organization present a critical pain point within the realm of publishing and rights collection. It’s a world where inaccurate data tied to songs is rampant. Virtually every client I’ve worked with has encountered instances where they see their share of a song incorrectly registered or faced the challenge of bad actors falsely claiming their sound recording through content ID on social platforms. The list of issues seems endless. Alongside the barrier to entry that impedes creators’ knowledge in collecting royalties, there exists a convoluted mess of misinformation that demands diligent cleanup efforts.

Looking ahead, I foresee an impending shift in the music publishing and rights management landscape. There lies a great opportunity for specialized companies to step in and alleviate this burden of collection. Presently, traditional music publishers and administration companies grapple with the sheer volume of content, unable to efficiently scale their operations to accommodate this exponential growth. Often, the return on investment for the multitude of writers and creative services available doesn’t align with the needs of the songwriters in today’s expanding landscape.

This presents an opening for dedicated rights management companies to focus solely on the collection aspect until an artist or songwriter is prepared to sign with a publisher. Such entities could serve as an invaluable resource, bridging the gap between creators and the eventual transition to established publishing firms. By specializing in the intricate task of royalty collection, these companies could provide a crucial stepping stone for developing talents, ensuring they receive their due recognition and compensation in the digital sphere.

I love being able to aid remarkable artists and writers in claiming the royalties rightfully owed to them. Whether they’ve been in a transition phase between management, self-managed, or simply required an expert in rights management to support their team, it has been immensely rewarding to contribute to the greater good of creators. There’s a distinct facet within this industry that demands more passionate individuals dedicated to copyright protection, individuals who can adeptly piece together the missing elements. Being a musician myself from a young age, helping artists/songwriters protect and collect their copyrights brings me immense joy. It’s not just a job; it’s my commitment to ensuring artists get the recognition and compensation they deserve. My hope is that we all collectively empower artists and create a fair and thriving creative community through copyright protection.  

My goal is Digital rights management and royalty collection is definitely not the most “sexy” part of the music industry but it’s crucial to giving creators the means to continue to create their art and collect what is rightfully theirs. 

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or digital gurus to recommend?

Companies and organizations to follow:

The NMPA is a great industry leader in fighting for music publishing rights and conducts studies yearly as well as pursues legal action against companies/platforms that do not pay proper licensing fees for musical content.  https://www.nmpa.org/ 

SONA is a great organization that fights for songwriters and played a role in the creation of the Music Modernization Act. They have great resources for their members and make an impact on the landscape of music rights. https://wearesona.com/

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Jamie!

The post Getting Your Artist’s Rights House in Order, with Jamie Dee Hart (Hart & Songs) appeared first on Byta Blog.

My name is Blair, and I am the Founder and CEO of Chaos Creators Entertainment! 

Chaos Creators is a Nashville-based boutique entertainment marketing agency dedicated to out-of-the-box social media marketing, fan engagement, and short form content creation. We are digital storytellers who develop cohesive brands and engaged fanbases for artists and creators. From on-site TikTok filming and editing, to rollout campaigns and content calendars, Chaos Creators uses our extensive knowledge of Gen Z and TikTok culture to merge creativity and strategy.

What are you currently listening to? 

Currently, if I’m not blasting Whitney Houston songs, I’ve had Alexandra Kay’s new album “All I’ve Ever Known” on repeat!

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

As a social media manager and entrepreneur, my daily routine typically involves client brainstorming sessions, going to the studio, music video shoots, and concerts to capture behind-the-scenes social media content, tracking growth and campaign performance, and researching new trends and platform updates.

Over to you, Blair…

How Artists Can Learn From Influencers Like Alix Earle

In the digital realm, the power wielded by influencers is both significant and impactful. These individuals possess the ability to cultivate engaged and dedicated fanbases, resulting in billions of dollars in brand deals. Alix Earle, one of the internet’s favorite stars, serves as a prime example of an influencer from whom artists can analyze and learn to elevate their brand, refine marketing strategies, and optimize their single and album rollouts.

Crafting a Memorable Brand

Alix Earle’s authenticity, openness, and consistent ‘Get Ready With Me (GRWM)’ videos have been pivotal in establishing her relatable brand. This powerful branding has led to a partnership with Benefit Cosmetics featuring some of her favorite GRWM products.

For artists, authenticity is equally important. Sharing personal stories, struggles, and behind-the-scenes glimpses can humanize an artist, fostering a genuine connection with fans. It’s crucial to carve out a unique identity and maintain consistency in messaging and style across platforms. By shaping a relatable and consistent narrative, artists can resonate with their audience and create a recognizable brand.

Creating Platform-Specific Content

Tailoring content to suit each platform’s nuances is vital. What works on TikTok might not necessarily resonate on Instagram or YouTube. Artists need to understand the unique strengths of each platform and create content optimized for each audience. This customization ensures that the content is well-received and optimized for maximum impact on the respective platform. 

For example, Alix Earle primarily posts photo dumps on Instagram and shares podcast videos on YouTube. On TikTok, she shares GRWM videos, trending sounds, and day-in-the-life recaps. Identify what works best for you and lean into those strengths, rather than following trends blindly.

Creating Scroll-Stopping Content

Alix Earle found her niche by listening to her audience. For artists, it’s imperative to experiment but also pay attention to audience responses (aka THE COMMENT SECTION!!!). Understanding what resonates and tailoring content to meet audience preferences is key. Captivating visuals, engaging storytelling, and high-quality content are essential for standing out in a crowded digital space. In today’s saturated media environment, the ability to produce content that captivates attention within seconds is crucial.

To enhance your content, try using ring lights, such as Alix Earle’s favorite Newmowa Clip-On Ring Light that went viral on TikTok! This can be one of the easiest ways to create scroll-stopping content.

Building Community

Alix Earle’s success can also be attributed to her ability to build a community. Artists can cultivate fan communities by actively engaging with followers, encouraging discussions, and fostering a sense of belonging. Interacting with fans on social media, holding virtual and IRL meetups, or providing behind-the-scenes sneak peeks can significantly contribute to community building. Creating an inclusive environment where fans feel valued and connected can foster loyalty and long-term engagement.

Authenticity Sells

Earle’s “real” approach resonates with audiences. Similarly, artists can build trust by being honest and open about their journey. Authenticity builds a strong connection and resonates with audiences seeking genuine connections. By being transparent about both successes and struggles, artists can establish a more profound and lasting connection with their audience.

Setting Boundaries with Fans and Followers

Setting boundaries is crucial. Alix Earle is extremely open with her fans, but until now, has not addressed the drama that surrounds her family’s past. Now that Earle is more comfortable with her audience, she has decided to explore her past familial struggles in her new podcast, “Hot Mess with Alix Earle,” which is part of Alex Cooper’s new “Unwell” podcast network (home to Call Her Daddy).

For artists, while engaging with fans is vital, it’s equally important to maintain personal space and privacy. Establishing clear guidelines and respectfully asserting limits can maintain a healthy artist-fan relationship. This ensures a balance between accessibility and personal space, fostering a healthy and respectful interaction with fans.

Selling Without Being Too Salesy

Marketing without appearing overtly salesy is an art. Earle recently partnered with PJ Place, and to promote the pajama set, she filmed an “Un-Get Ready With Me (UGRWM)” video that is consistent with the content she typically posts on TikTok, creating an authentic branding alignment.

Artists can learn to subtly integrate promotions within engaging content. Whether it’s showcasing merchandise or subtly endorsing a product, the key is to make it feel organic and aligned with the artist’s brand. Building trust with the audience is crucial to avoid coming across as too promotional.

In conclusion, by adopting these strategies and staying true to their unique voice, artists can harness the power of social media to build engaged fanbases, refine their marketing strategies, and optimize their album rollouts, much like the influencer extraordinaire Alix Earle. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, the ability to create engaging, authentic, and platform-specific content while fostering a supportive community is the key to standing out and establishing a lasting impact.

Where should readers go to find out more?

To find out more ways artists can learn from influencers to improve their marketing strategies, check out our “If I Were An Artist” series where we show you how we would implement influencer strategies if we were artists!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifiwereanartist101/
• Website: http://ifiwereanartist.com/

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Blair!

The post How Artists Can Learn From Influencers Like Alix Earle appeared first on Byta Blog.

My name is Derek, and I am one of the co-founders of LabelRadar! LabelRadar streamlines the demo submission process across the music industry, helping artists get heard while also allowing labels and promoters to review new submissions in an efficient and engaging way. We were acquired by The Beatport Group in May 2022! By partnering with Beatport, we are unlocking the true potential of our platform by scaling our development efforts, tapping into their vast network of industry relationships, and further expanding the value we can offer our users.

What are you currently listening to? 

I’ve been taking a break from electronic music recently and have just got back into John Denver, A Tribe Called Quest, and Sister Nancy! When I’m in an electronic mood you can’t go wrong with some: Tycho, Haywyre, Feed Me, and Sickick.

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

Professionally, as the Director of Product Management for the Music Services department at Beatport, I spend most of my time speaking with users to gather product insights, writing white papers for features, working with our incredibly talented engineering and design teams, and, overall, being an advocate for LabelRadar in the industry! We work with teams from inspiring labels like Monstercat, Armada Music, Defected, Anjunabeats, and thousands more.

On a personal level, I enjoy reading non-fiction, spending time in nature hiking and camping, exercising, traveling internationally, embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, speaking with entrepreneurs, spending time with friends and family, and generally enjoying life.

Over to you, Derek…

Building Your Network in the Music Industry

Starting out in the music industry can be incredibly intimidating. The music industry can feel like you’re trying to ‘siege’ a walled fortress – difficult to penetrate and quite overwhelming when you are just beginning your journey. It’s common to experience a sense of doubt and apprehension about where to start and how to forge meaningful connections. However, it’s crucial to push past these feelings and take the first step. Simply getting started and actively seeking opportunities to add value to others can create a ripple effect, leading to more opportunities down the line. Remember, every successful artist was once a beginner. The key to their success was taking that initial step, despite facing numerous challenges and insecurities. This aspiration to make the music industry more accessible for artists is precisely why my co-founders and I started LabelRadar. Our mission is to democratize access to key decision-makers in the music industry, ensuring artists of all levels can get their work in front of the right people in an efficient and transparent way.

Practically speaking, LabelRadar allows artists to upload their unreleased demos and efficiently bring it to market by accessing a huge pool of A&Rs hungry to discover new talent. Artists begin by creating a profile, uploading their demos, and we help match them with relevant and active labels around the globe, receiving real-time updates anytime a label interacts with their demo or profile (among many other exciting features). As of October 2023 we’re working with over 180k+ Artists and 2k+ Labels and Promoters in a variety of genres and geographies. We believe we’re well on our way to accomplishing our mission, but there is still a lot more work to do. Nothing makes us happier than connecting the dots between talented artists and the labels they are trying to reach.

That said, it’s tempting to network only in the digital realm because it’s much more accessible and arguably less ‘intimidating’. That said, it really is hard to compete with meeting people in real life, so try to avoid using only digital channels. You can’t go wrong with identifying and attending music industry conferences (depending on your genre) like Music Biz, International Music Summit, South by Southwest, ASCAP Expo, ADE, and countless more. There you’ll hear from incredible thought leaders, and with the right attitude and mindset, you’ll have no shortage of incredible people to talk to who can help point you in the right direction if you’re just starting out. As an example, when my co-founders and I launched LabelRadar, it was actually at an electronic music industry conference called Amsterdam Dance Event where we pitched and eventually partnered with Monstercat as our first label user! The best part about these events is everyone is there specifically to meet new people and interact with other folks in the industry, so you’re catching people at the right time when they’re most open to forming new connections. The energy at music industry conferences is simply magnetic. Don’t forget to have fun with it, and it’s okay if it takes a while for you to get comfortable at conferences!

As another practical tip, when thinking about networking in the music industry it’s important to try and create win-win scenarios. Instead of asking for favors or help, think about how you can add value to the other person. Can you offer feedback on their work? Can you introduce them to someone who might be beneficial to their network? Can you collaborate with them on a project? By approaching networking with a mindset of adding value, you will be amazed at the opportunities that begin to flow your way. A great resource for improving your networking and relationship-building skills is the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It offers timeless advice on how to approach interactions with others in a way that is positive, constructive, and ultimately beneficial for both parties.

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or digital gurus to recommend?

To hear LabelRadar related updates and to read more you can check out our blog at blog.labelradar.com

The post Building Your Network in the Music Industry, with Derek Clark (LabelRadar) appeared first on Byta Blog.

My name is Beth Raebeck Hall. I’m a lifelong creator and I’m based in Nashville, TN.

What are you currently listening to?

Marc Broussard, Silk Sonic, Chris Stapleton

Give us a small insight into your daily routine…

My day never looks the same, which is great! As a small business owner and Master Mentor for Music Tech startups, it’s critical I stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of the business.  My week always involves a lot of writing, meetings and calls, and spending time with my Founders at The Wondry.

– Over to you, Beth!

The Importance of Music Tech Mentors and Why Founders Need Them

In 1877 David Edward Hughes invented the microphone which eventually became essential technology for any audio or video sound recordings,

Today, thousands of inventions have dramatically altered all areas of the music business, and are lumped into a broad category called ‘Music Tech’.

Now proposed solutions (inventions) are often called ‘startups’. For serious founders, having mentors is essential for success. Starting things is easy, but the reality is that 90% of startups fail in the first year. 

When it comes right down to it – an idea on its own is just not good enough. Like a child, a founder/startup needs nourishment, encouragement, education, guidance and direction, as well as great discipline to succeed. Mentors can provide these things.

Programs like Techstars, view the history of breakthrough technology as the history of people, teams, and partners working in sync to achieve their goals and scale their ideas. They attempt to bring together ambitious founders and corporations, Enabling innovation through creative, powerful relationships. They primarily use the expertise and wisdom of mentors, who are typically volunteers with a desire to pay it forward. Having advised over 80 Music Tech companies, it’s become increasingly clear to me why founders need mentors more than ever. 

One of my advisee companies, Rootnote, has just completed Techstars Sports and it has been a game-changer for them. They have taken advantage  of the incredible networking afforded them and have an enviable list of potential funding sources.

While part of the Project Music cohort, (at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center) they took full advantage of mentors – matching their needs to people and resource connections provided by the mentor team members. To give you an idea, they completed over 500 customer discovery calls to fully evaluate both the viability and functionality of their platform.

Rootnote continued to evaluate and refine its offering, eventually making a complete pivot to the product they now offer, (CODA) which is a white-label SAAS product. They have clarified their message to the following:

“RootNote saves content creators and their teams hours every week by doing the dirty work for them: tracking and analyzing their social, content, and revenue data — from anywhere that matters to them. Turn that precious time into money by using it to create, communicate with and sell to your audience, and land brand deals.”

Currently, they are conducting a 750K pre-seed raise. To learn more visit rootnote.co.

Speaking of funding, it is the hardest piece of the equation and a challenge for even the most seasoned founders. It sounds so sexy to say ‘I own a piece of X company’. But the reality is that most funders at any stage; friends and family, seed stage, Series A are a hard bunch to convince to part with their money.

Funding for startups has never been more competitive, or harder to come by. Mentor experience and wisdom help founders avoid serious mistakes, develop and refine their ideas, evaluate the viability of their product, explore the appropriate funding routes available, and provide much-needed support and guidance. They can assist founders with everything from ‘best practices’ to the right business and revenue models necessary for success. 

The value of mentor guidance, typically free, is priceless. Mentors are service-driven leaders who want a win-win for the teams they work with. 

AI aside, the proliferation of new music tech options is astounding. 

For most founders, navigating the reality of what’s actually needed to solve industry problems, keeping up with similar tech, funding challenges and running a business is pretty overwhelming. 

Sometimes timing does not align with product/market fit. One company I worked with won TechCrunch Disrupt New York as a Wildcard pick. A succession of funding and other opportunities allowed them to gain traction, as well as a ton of global press.

However, the founders decided to move into the blockchain space. Despite tremendous support for the product from a customer need standpoint, the product viability lost it’s lustre because the blockchain/crypto model was too foreign for consumers and for funders. 

Having burned through their runway and years of insane work by the founders, there were simply too many other options available for the consumer once they hit the blockchain dead-end.

And, this company had a stellar group of advisors from the highest levels of industry. But sadly….. the timing of their decision to go left into blockchain ended their journey. Who knows what would have happened had they not switched business models? The road to tech success is littered with great ideas and wrong decisions.

Founders need a safe place to fail and fail forward. Excitement can rapidly turn to frustration when they discover unforeseen problems or knowledge gaps critical to moving their ideas forward.

Mentors have been there and done that. They’ve made tons of mistakes and learned from them. Mentors typically know what works or doesn’t work in sales, marketing and team building. They can advise on funding strategies and allocation for optimum success. Most importantly, mentors know the ‘rules of the road’ and can explain the etiquette associated with each. Many founders simply aren’t aware the rules exist, and stumble because of it,

Nothing is more fulfilling for a mentor than seeing a young founder move forward and develop their confidence. It has been both extremely rewarding and exciting to work with so many incredibly bright and creative founders and teams. And I highly recommend getting involved, you will learn so much and meet incredible people who are changing the world.

Where should readers go to find out more? Any digital gurus to recommend?

Here’s a list of some resources I highly recommend:

• Water and Music – Cherie Hu 
• Techstars Music Accelerator
• Exploding Topics

The post The Importance of Music Tech Mentors and Why Founders Need Them with Beth Raebeck Hall (MusicRow411) appeared first on Byta Blog.

I’m Christian Ringstad Schultz, a 29 year old musician and entrepreneur from Oslo, Norway. I am the CEO & Co-Founder of Masterchannel, a company developing AI tools for automated mastering of music. 

What are you currently listening to? 

I’m currently listening to a lot of deep-house and house mixes from artists such as Nora En Pure and Marsh, as it helps me get in the right mindset when working. 

Give us a small insight into your daily routine? 

My daily routine usually consists of waking up, making a coffee, going to the office and work to make the world a better place for musicians. Luckily I don’t do this by myself, but have an amazing team that keeps on delivering!

Designing AI Tools for Future Generations…

As the new generation grows up in a world filled with cutting-edge technology, it becomes crucial to adapt and design AI tools for music production that align with their needs and expectations. While the music production landscape has transformed significantly since the 80s, the design of tools has not always kept pace. In order to cater to the current status of the industry, where rapid output and high-quality music are paramount, a shift towards simplicity and user-centric design principles is essential.

One of the key aspects of designing AI tools for music production in the modern era is to prioritize simplicity. The complexity of music production software can be overwhelming for newcomers and even experienced producers. The tools designed in the 80s were often built around technical constraints and lacked the intuitive interfaces that today’s generation has come to expect. By streamlining the user experience and removing unnecessary complexity, we can empower a new wave of music creators to explore their creativity without being hindered by the steep learning curve. This means that AI tools should emphasize a user-first approach by prioritizing the user journey and be built to integrate in their creative process. 

To achieve this, AI tools should be designed with a focus on rapid output without compromising quality. The new generation of music creators often seeks, and needs, to produce and release music at an accelerated pace. Therefore, the AI algorithms powering these tools should be optimized for efficiency, allowing users to quickly generate ideas, iterate on their compositions and work with the AI services like a co-pilot. 

This is how we at Masterchannel are building our AI mastering tools. By focusing on simplicity and state-of-the-art quality we allow any kind of musician to understand how to best work with the tool in an efficient way. This provides them with peace of mind that their songs will sound professional enough to be released. This also allows for rapid iterations and that they are able to learn from the process. 

But we also know that musicians today may not want to jump back and forth between a multitude of different services. This is why we have opened up our technology and made it possible for any music platforms, such as distribution platforms, to have direct access to our service. By doing this, we serve the user in a good way by providing them with peace of mind in the platforms they already use and love. In addition, this creates a great asset for the distribution platforms as they can improve the overall quality of releases and generate more revenue, instantly. 

All this leads into how AI tools for music production should be designed, meaning that they should embrace the needs and expectations of the new generation growing up in the digital age. By prioritizing simplicity, focusing on the user journey, and facilitating rapid output with high-quality music, these tools can empower musicians to unleash their creativity and navigate the evolving landscape of the music. And this is what we at Masterchannel are determined to help artists with. 

• Check out AI mastering platform Masterchannel right here.

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Christian!

The post Designing AI Tools for Future Generations with Christian Ringstad Schultz (Masterchannel) appeared first on Byta Blog.

With a legacy in the music and tech industry spanning over two decades, I specialize in rights management, digital transformation, and music business innovation. My roles as SVP Global Publishing at Downtown Music-Songtrust, Armonia, Myspace, and Microsoft have been instrumental in driving revenue, forging enduring partnerships, and advocating for artists’ rights. I have championed music rights innovation and monetization, leveraging my experience as a curator, professor, and artist advocate.

Currently, I am serving as an international advisor, enabling companies to augment brand awareness, foster strategic partnerships, and pioneer rights innovation. In addition, I am steering the relaunch of my media platform, ‘Don’t Believe the Hype,’ which is a beacon for insights into music business, innovation, and international expertise.

I live in the lively neighborhood of Venice, California. My workspaces? As varied as my projects – from my living room to my garden, and even local coffee shops.

What are you currently listening to?

I often listen to podcasts that cover a range of topics from news and politics to societal issues and history. 

In terms of music, my tastes are pretty eclectic. I’ve been listening to a good amount of indie punk rock recently, with bands like Fontaines D.C. (my favorite, they are magnetic and amazing, all albums) and Squid on my regular rotation. I also enjoy the innovative sounds of Flying Lotus.

Of course, I have a soft spot for bands I’ve loved for years like Pulp, LCD Soundsystem, The Cure, Chicago, and The Pixies. 

And when I need to buckle down and work, I usually opt for classical music…

Give us a small insight into your daily routine…

My day typically kicks off super early, thanks to an internal old-man clock and a particularly spirited cat. The first thing I do is check the news back in France – gotta stay updated. But, I draw the line at emails; they can wait until after I’ve had my coffee.

The rest of the day really depends on what’s on the agenda. It can be a whirlwind of calls, fire-fighting emergencies, or strategy sessions for clients. I try to stack my calls in the morning to keep the afternoon clear for focused work. And thanks to the joys of time difference being in LA, some of those calls can be really early.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I make it a point to step out and head to a coffee shop. Nothing beats a change of scenery and a good walk for some mental downtime.

Recently, I’ve found myself back in the writing groove after a dry spell of a few years. I used to run a media outlet in France and now, I’m gearing up for its US launch with new articles and podcasts. So, yeah, there’s quite a lot going on in my days!

ChatGPT: Innovating the Music Ecosystem

Since its inception, ChatGPT has sparked a lively debate, both laudatory and critical. The question is no longer whether it will revolutionize the music industry, but rather how profound its impact will be, given that it’s already started to shake things up. As professionals navigating the intricate music ecosystem, we employ an array of tools to propel both music and careers. Now, we have ChatGPT added to our toolbox.

Let’s explore some of the ways this innovative tool can potentially assist us…

• What exactly is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that uses machine learning algorithms to understand and generate human-like text. It works on the principle of predicting the next word in a sentence based on all the previous words. The AI has been trained on a vast amount of data from books, articles, and websites which enables it to generate creative, diverse, and contextually relevant responses.

• How can ChatGPT assist in my creative process as an independent musician?

ChatGPT can be used for brainstorming song lyrics, generating new musical concepts, or even crafting engaging bios and album descriptions. For example, you could prompt ChatGPT with lyrics you’ve been working on, followed by a request to continue these lyrics in a certain style.

For example:

Input: “Here are my lyrics: ‘In the heart of the city, under the neon lights…’. Continue these lyrics in a pop style.”

• Can ChatGPT help me enhance my online presence?

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to generate content for your blog, create engaging social media posts, or even develop personalized responses to fan messages. This can foster a stronger connection with your audience and enhance your online visibility.

For example:

Input: “Write a social media post about my upcoming EP release.”

• How can ChatGPT assist in the administrative tasks of my music career?

ChatGPT can help draft emails, create contracts, or generate polite, firm responses to unfair offers. This allows you to focus more on your music, while the AI handles these necessary but time-consuming tasks.

For instance:

Input: “Draft a response to an event organizer offering less than my standard performance fee.”

• How can ChatGPT help me navigate the complex landscape of music copyright?

ChatGPT can provide preliminary advice on copyright and intellectual property rights. While it can’t replace professional legal advice, it can provide a starting point for understanding these complex topics.

For example:

Input: “Give me an overview of how my music copyright works.”

• Can ChatGPT create music or melodies?

As of now, ChatGPT primarily operates with text. While it can help generate lyrics or describe musical concepts, it doesn’t create music or melodies.

For instance, you could use it to respond to fans’ comments or inquiries on social media, ensuring each response feels personal and engaging.

• How can I leverage ChatGPT for learning and improving my craft?

ChatGPT can be a great resource for learning about music theory, songwriting techniques, or exploring new genres and styles. 

For instance, you can ask it to explain musical concepts or provide examples of certain songwriting techniques, which can help enhance your understanding and improve your songwriting skills.

• Can ChatGPT help me find opportunities or potential collaborations in the music industry?

While ChatGPT doesn’t search the internet in real-time or browse databases, it can assist you in crafting effective networking messages or emails. 

For example, if you’re reaching out to another artist for a potential collaboration, you could prompt ChatGPT to “Draft a respectful and professional message to Artist X about a potential collaboration.”

• How can I effectively utilize ChatGPT to understand and interpret feedback and criticism?

You can use ChatGPT to help parse through complex feedback, by asking it to explain certain terms or suggest ways to incorporate the feedback into your work.

• Can ChatGPT be used to help me manage stress and maintain mental well-being?

While it’s not a replacement for professional mental health resources, you can engage in constructive conversations with ChatGPT about stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, or strategies to stay motivated.

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or digital gurus to recommend?

This article I wrote on LinkedIn: The Disruptive Symphony of AI and Chatbots in Music Business Strategy.

Go try ChatGPT for yourselves!

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Virginie!

The post ChatGPT: Innovating the Music Ecosystem with Virginie Berger (Don’t Believe the Hype) appeared first on Byta Blog.

Dan Mackta, working out of Qobuz US office in New York City. Qobuz is a France-based high quality music streaming and download platform. 

Fun fact: Qobuz’s name comes from a musical instrument, kobyz/qobyz.

What are you currently listening to?

Various Artists – The Old Town and Barry Soul Survey: https://open.qobuz.com/album/ykhf8w2obr8nc

Great comp of rare ‘60s soul and r&b from classic NY independent labels.

Give us a small insight into your daily routine…

I oversee all our activities in North America, Northern Europe (including the UK), and Australia/New Zealand. I work with the team on music initiatives, marketing campaigns, business development, and everything else. It is never the same two days in a row. The best is when we are doing something unique, for example tonight I am going to Django A Go Go, at Town Hall in NYC, it’s the 20th anniversary of this annual Django Reinhardt-focused festival and Qobuz is sponsoring it this year.

Music Streaming in the Niches Reaches New Audiences

In the course of my job building an audience for Qobuz, I have discovered that for fans of music outside the prevailing pop genres, there are still many misconceptions about how music streaming works. Can you believe it? There are music fans out there who don’t stream! Qobuz has an editorial focus that includes a lot of attention to classical music, jazz, and other non-mainstream genres. Due to this focus we find a lot of new customers in a cohort of older consumers (Gen X and Boomers) who are maybe just a little more serious about their music listening experience. Despite spending large amounts of money and time on their music hobby, these fans are often not participating in the streaming economy and are missing out on the incredible opportunities that modern music streaming offers.

Why would someone go to the trouble of seeking out and acquiring physical copies of music they wanted to listen to when it’s available at a click of a button? The first reason, of course, is that audiophiles and dedicated music listeners have long contended that the audio quality of a CD or vinyl record is superior to what one can get on music streaming services. This belief held true, depending on what country you lived in, until Qobuz launched its service. Most music streaming services to this day offer primarily lossy, digitally compressed audio. Qobuz was the first to offer lossless and Hi-Res (24-bit) music streaming, delivering audio quality equal to or better than that available on CDs. Since our launch, other streaming services have recognized the opportunity and joined Qobuz in offering this kind of fidelity. Now, with high quality streaming hardware and excellent home and portable audio systems increasingly available and affordable, serious music fans who are not extraordinarily wealthy can easily access a massive library of music and enjoy it in full lossless or high resolution beauty. 

Another area where mainstream streaming has let down the veteran music aficionado is satisfying the impulse to learn more about the artists and recordings while listening (liner notes). In this case, niche services and single genre specialists are stepping in to offer experiences that provide this desired context and deeper engagement with the creators of the music being heard. In the case of Qobuz, credits and editorial content, like premium audio quality, have been part of our ecosystem since the beginning. We display all the recording credits that we get from record labels, our own original album reviews, as well as digital booklets that can be viewed inside the Qobuz apps. 

The third objection to music streaming that I hear from our experienced, musically-well-educated audience is that there is no way a computer can know what they want to listen to better than they do. I explain that the tech giants behind the big streaming services have unbelievable resources invested in the research and development of algorithms that in fact actually do know what music they should be listening to! But for music fans who started listening long before the celestial jukebox was anything but a glimmer in an unrealistic futurist’s eye, that just doesn’t cut it. The familiar boutique record store experience, centered around personalized recommendations of new and classic albums, made by individual humans for individual humans, is still sought after in-person by music fans around the world. In its streaming apps, while Qobuz offers some algorithmic recommendations and playlisting, the emphasis is on expert human curation and choices made by genre specialists. In other words, it is a niche service where it’s not computers, but rather super-knowledgeable record store clerk-types telling you what you should be checking out. Only we don’t make fun of you for listening to Billy Joel too. 

Modern streaming is just not well-understood by these music loving niche consumers who are generally not as interested in Top 40 pop and other super-commercial music. These listeners are unlikely to be convinced to join the streaming economy by giant campaigns with famous current pop and hip-hop artists. It’s hard, near impossible, to superserve specialist audiences when also needing to be all things to all people. There have always been people who mainly care about convenience and want to use the same apps that their friends use. However, when it comes to music, where there are significant niches that are left out of the mainstream conversation, smaller players like Qobuz are able to address lots of listeners who otherwise would not be able to benefit from the incredible richness of a quality music streaming experience. By recognizing and encouraging niche streaming services, the music industry will continue to find areas of growth. It’s clear that a great many consumers are curious to hear more than just what’s happening in the mainstream!

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or digital gurus to recommend?

Head to Qobuz for all the information on our service and offering.

And, the Qobuz magazine is right here, no subscription required!

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Dan!

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