Modern Musician Podcast

Dan Melnick, CEO of Sonicbids and former musician, shares insights on building a live music presence. He discusses creative gig-securing strategies for indie artists navigating a tough landscape. Personal branding and community engagement are highlighted as keys to success. The chat dives into the balance of live performances and digital presence, emphasizing technology's role, including AI, in shaping the future of music. Melnick's experience offers invaluable advice for those looking to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

Derek Ali is a four-time Grammy Award-winning recording and mixing engineer known for his work with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Donald Glover. Self-taught since 2006, Derek’s innovative approach has reshaped audio engineering. As the founder of EngineEars, a platform built for streamlining professional collaborations, Derek is pioneering new ways to empower creatives. In this conversation, Derek delves into creativity, collaboration, and the impact of AI on the music industry, revealing insights from his inspiring journey.In this episode, you’ll learn:How creativity and collaboration fuel great music-making.The role of AI in enhancing—not replacing—human artistry in music.How Derek’s platform, EngineEars, tackles common challenges for audio professionals.----Discover more about Derek Ali and his work on EngineEars: https://engineears.com/for-allBook an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Omer Matz is a musician, entrepreneur, and tech innovator who bridges the gap between music and technology. As the founder of Roadie, an AI-powered music management app designed for independent artists, he helps musicians grow through collaboration, identity cultivation, and mental resilience. With a deep understanding of the music industry's challenges, Omer emphasizes teamwork and a long-term perspective for success.In this episode, Omer Matz discusses how his journey as a musician and entrepreneur led to the creation of Roadie, an AI artist manager that empowers independent musicians. He shares insights on identity, collaboration, and the mental resilience needed to navigate the music industry.Key Takeaways:How defining your identity, fan base, and product is essential for career growthThe role of collaboration in fostering mutual growth and resilience for independent musiciansPractical strategies for building a supportive team and embracing challenges in the music industry----To learn more about Omer Matz and Roadie, visit: https://www.indieflow.me/Roadie discount link: https://bit.ly/3YNU0OmBook an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

John Kohl is the founder and CEO of TuneGO, a groundbreaking platform that bridges the music and technology industries using blockchain, eco-friendly practices, and innovative tools. With a background spanning both tech and music, John’s mission is to transform how artists and fans connect, protect creative rights, and open new monetization opportunities. In this episode, he and Michael Walker discuss TuneGO’s pioneering features and the potential impact on artists worldwide.Dive deep into how TuneGO empowers artists to connect directly with fans, leverage blockchain for creative security, and unlock new monetization strategies.Key Takeaways:The music industry needs authentic artist-fan relationships to thrive.Blockchain can revolutionize fan engagement and secure artists’ rights.Eco-friendly, tech-driven approaches are the future of music monetization.----Learn more about John Kohl and TuneGo's innovative platform by visiting their website: https://www.tunego.com/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

David Israelite serves as the president and CEO of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), advocating for songwriter rights, music publishers, and industry standards. With expertise in copyright, royalties, and government regulations, David is a leading voice for the evolution of music publishing. In this episode, David dives into the challenges songwriters face, the role of the Copyright Royalty Board, and the impact of AI in music creation, offering practical advice to empower independent artists in protecting their creative interests.Episode Highlights:The complexities of government-regulated songwriter royalties and the current 15.2% revenue share from streaming services.How the Mechanical Licensing Collective helps songwriters ensure proper compensation.Practical strategies for managing ownership rights and splits in collaborations.----Learn more about David Israelite and his work at the NMPA by visiting: https://www.nmpa.org/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Rosa Weiner began her music journey as a solo artist, later fronting multiple bands and performing as a session vocalist for independent artists across the North-West. Her career spans several facets of the industry, including roles as a music journalist for publications like Bido Lito!, Liverpool Noise, and We Plug Good Music. After working in events and as an A&R scout for an indie label, Rosa joined Horus Music in 2020. Now as their Digital Marketing Manager, she leads social media, B2B marketing, and digital PR, helping to promote emerging global artists with impactful campaigns.In this episode, Michael Walker dives into an engaging conversation with Rosa Weiner, exploring what it takes for independent artists to thrive in a crowded digital market.Key TakeawaysCommunity as Currency: Why focusing on building a strong community is more valuable than follower countsRevenue Unlocked: Tips on maximizing revenue through fan subscriptions, merch, and lesser-known royalties.AI in Music: How artists can leverage AI while preserving authenticity and creative control.---Learn more about Rosa and Horus Music at: https://www.horusmusic.global/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Oleg Sevirsky is the visionary behind Endel, an innovative company at the intersection of AI, music, and wellness. With a focus on personalized soundscapes, Oleg is redefining how AI can support creativity, focus, and relaxation for users worldwide. Under his leadership, Endel creates adaptive sound environments that resonate with users' needs for productivity, sleep, and relaxation, positioning the company as a leader in merging technology and artistic wellness.In this episode, Michael Walker and Oleg Sevirsky dive into how AI can elevate creativity in music and support artists navigating the digital age. Together, they explore groundbreaking ways AI enhances productivity, personal wellness, and community for today’s musicians.Key TakeawaysDiscover how personalized AI-driven soundscapes can improve focus and well-being.Learn strategies for community-building and monetization in the streaming era.Understand why AI is an enhancement tool for creativity, not a replacement for artistry.----Tune in to learn more Endel visit: https://endel.io/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Louis Marks and Fabian Brown, the powerhouse minds behind Ropa Dope, bring decades of industry expertise and a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of the music business. With their focus on empowering independent artists, they offer practical insights into building a sustainable music career without losing artistic authenticity. In this episode, they discuss essential strategies for navigating the music world and establishing a resilient foundation.What you’ll learn:How to set achievable goals and avoid the pitfalls of comparison in the music industry.Key tactics for building meaningful relationships with fans and industry professionals.Proven methods for diversifying income, including the potential of patronage as a support model.----Visit Ropa Dope’s website: https://ropeadope.com/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Noland Arbaugh is an American quadriplegic and the first human recipient of Neuralink's brain-computer interface (BCI) implant. After a life-altering spinal cord injury in 2016 left him paralyzed, Noland gained worldwide attention for using the Neuralink device to regain digital autonomy. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Noland was an athlete and student at Texas A&M University. Today, he shares his groundbreaking journey, blending technology and music, and his vision for the future of brain-computer interfaces.In this episode, we sit down with Noland Arbaugh, the first Neuralink patient, to dive into his life-changing experience with Neuralink’s brain-computer interface. We explore how music became a cornerstone in his recovery, and together we make history by co-creating the first-ever song using generative music AI.Key Takeaways:Discover how Noland's Neuralink experience transformed his connection to the digital world and sparked his excitement for the possibilities.Learn about the powerful role of music in healing and how technology can push artistic boundaries.Witness history as the first-ever AI-generated song is created live on the show.-----To learn more about Noland Arbaugh and his inspiring journey, connect with him on social media or explore his latest projects: https://x.com/ModdedQuadBook an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Kristen Agee is the founder of 411 Music Group, a leading provider of music for sync licensing across film, TV, and commercials. With a background as a composer, musician, and entrepreneur, Kristen has built a successful business that supports artists in monetizing their music through sync placements. She is passionate about the intersection of technology and music, and advocates for ethical practices in the evolving landscape of AI in the industry.In this episode, Kristen dives into the sync licensing world, sharing insights on how artists can turn their music into a lucrative income stream. She explains what it takes to succeed in sync licensing, the impact of AI on the industry, and how to navigate the complexities of this growing field.Key Takeaways:Discover how sync licensing can help artists monetize their music and reach new audiences.Learn the key differences between writing music for sync versus personal artistry and why it matters.Understand the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the music industry and how to prepare for it.----To learn more about Kristen Agee and her work, visit: https://www.411musicgroup.com/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast