My .4 Cents

Brian Andrews, a rising country artist and political content creator, discusses his journey in blending activism with his music. He shares insights on authenticity in a digital music landscape and the importance of storytelling. The conversation tackles his experiences writing political songs and managing public backlash. Andrews also sheds light on content strategy, suggesting a balance between quantity and quality for social media posts while emphasizing the need for artists to engage with contemporary issues.

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

Jesse Cannon welcomes his longtime friend Matthew Molnar—a true veteran of the music world with an impressive, decades-spanning resume that includes being a musician, record producer, manager, and concert booker. The conversation explores Matt’s deep roots in the DIY and punk scenes, his work booking shows at iconic New York venues Market Hotel and Trans-Pecos, and his passion for supporting rising talent and building local music communities. They dive into topics like the evolution of shoegaze, the importance of self-promotion, the challenges new artists face breaking into the scene, and the fine art of helping bands develop their sound without losing their identity. Filled with reflections on New York's music history, witty anecdotes, and critical insights into what makes a band truly stand out, this rich and sprawling discussion offers invaluable wisdom for anyone looking to navigate the modern music industry.Find My .4 Cents On Your Favorite Podcast App And Subscribe Here https://beacons.ai/mypoint4centsFollow Andrew Southworth@andrew.southworthhttps://andrewsouthworth.com/https://www.youtube.com/andrewsouthworthFollow Jesse Cannon @jessecannonjessecannon.comFollow Dustin Boyer @dustintheindustryplant Follow MattBacon@bacons.bits  dropoutmedia.netsapphireeye.net  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matthew Molnar, Brooklyn talent buyer for Market Hotel and Trans-Pecos with DIY roots, joins to debate waterfall vs countdown release tactics. They unpack Spotify popularity and pre-save strategies, discuss playlist and ad targeting ideas, and share how bands get noticed and booked by being present, promoting creatively, and translating live energy into records.

Brian Zisook, co-founder and leader at Audiomack who built a discovery-first streaming platform for independent creators. He talks about Audiomack’s roots in hip-hop, rapid growth across Africa, Latin America and diasporic markets. Short takes on human curation, geo-targeted playlists, creator tools like in-app messaging, and strategies for fan clubs and regional music communities.

Brian Zisuk, co-founder and EVP of AudioMac, shares his insights on music promotion across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. He discusses how algorithms impact artist visibility and the importance of platform-specific strategies. Brian highlights AudioMac’s role in supporting independent artists and the unique challenges of promoting regional music, particularly from Africa. The conversation also touches on community engagement and the vital need for innovative content over mere trends in the competitive music landscape.

In this engaging conversation, Chris Greenwood, known as Manafest, shares his inspiring journey as an independent musician and entrepreneur. He reveals his remarkable triumph with a six-figure Olympic sync licensing deal. Chris discusses transitioning from live performances to harnessing the power of streaming and digital marketing, including the strategic use of Facebook ads. He offers essential insights for emerging artists on navigating the complexities of music rights, maximizing revenue streams, and branding through merchandise, while also addressing both the challenges and perks of today’s music industry.

Chris Greenwood (Manafest), independent musician with hundreds of millions of streams and major sync wins, shares career highlights. The conversation digs into Spotify's popularity index and the stream thresholds tied to algorithmic playlists. They also cover sync licensing, direct-to-fan funnels, and how concentrated marketing can trigger discovery.

James Rhodes, the President and CEO of FiXT Music, shares insights about empowering artists through equitable deals and sustainable careers. The discussion dives into the balance artists must strike between personal branding and music promotion on social media platforms. Rhodes elaborates on the importance of fair profit-sharing, particularly the 50-50 model he advocates. Trends in artist-label relationships and the complexities of the live music economy, including financial challenges in big cities, round out a thought-provoking conversation about navigating today's music industry.

Victor, known as Goshfather, is a Disco House musician celebrated for his energetic performances and unique Soviet-inspired aesthetic. He shares his remarkable journey from nearly quitting music to a revitalized career, thanks to his commitment to releasing a song every week. Victor discusses the significance of authentic storytelling and building communities through social media, while also emphasizing the importance of completing musical projects. With insights into mentoring emerging artists, this conversation is filled with inspiration and practical advice for budding musicians.