Episodes

  • Kerry Gordy on Motown, Major Labels, and Sunday Best

    Kerry Gordy on Motown, Major Labels, and Sunday Best
    Apr 16 2026
    On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner sits down with Kerry Gordy, son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Berry shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in the iconic Motown studios to navigating the evolving landscape of the music industry. They also speak on the state of the industry as it relates to major labels and the distribution ecosystem, and Netflix's documentary Sunday Best, about the Ed Sullivan Show. Through candid storytelling, he provides unique insights into the world of music, marketing, and the impact of technology on artists today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Paramount Merger, WMG Music, & Coachella, with Michelle 'Bizzy' Bell

    Paramount Merger, WMG Music, & Coachella, with Michelle 'Bizzy' Bell
    Apr 14 2026
    In this episode, Seth Schachner is joined by Michelle Bell, a savvy music and brand strategist, to unpack how brands are transforming festivals into immersive marketing zones. Music isn't always the primary act at festivals - luxury glamping, instagrammable moments, and influencer hype are competing for the main stage at event like SXSW, Coachella, and more. Seth and Michelle explore how this shift impacts the music ecosystem, artist revenue, and fan experience, revealing the hidden power of brand-funded content in today’s entertainment landscape. They also briefly touch on the letter signed by over 1,000 actors and film professionals calling for a boycott of the Paramount merger, a potential takeover of WMG, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • The Power of Emerging Music Markets, with Alfonso Perez Soto

    The Power of Emerging Music Markets, with Alfonso Perez Soto
    Apr 9 2026
    Most countries underestimate how local competitors and digital giants like YouTube, TikTok, and others are shaping the future of the music industry by developing emerging markets. Alfonso Perez Soto, a veteran in the global music industry, unveils the surprising role YouTube plays across India, Africa, and the Middle East. He and host Seth Shachner (Strat Americas) share how local initiatives like Boomplay and Wangami fought hard to carve out their space, what the rise of the Latin market means for the future of the industry, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Live Nation & Social Media Trial

    Live Nation & Social Media Trial
    Apr 7 2026
    In our first-ever mini news roundup, Seth breaks down the biggest stories on his radar this week. He kicks things off with the Live Nation antitrust lawsuit, which is heating back up as 33 states continue to pursue claims alleging monopoly practices. Then, he dives into recent trial verdicts in Los Angeles and New Mexico that could set major precedents for social media platforms. These results could potentially pave the way for courts to push platforms like Meta and YouTube to take a more active role in moderating and editing content. Tune in every week for your bite-sized breakdown of what’s shaping the business of music, entertainment and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • The Rise and Fall of Music Journalism | Ira Robbins

    The Rise and Fall of Music Journalism | Ira Robbins
    Apr 2 2026
    Most major music publications were born in the print era, but are now faced with shifting digital landscapes and an uphill battle to compete for eyes and ears. How has the music journalism category adapted as we shift from the paper to platform? How has the democraticization of music coverage changed the way we critique the industry? To answer all these questions and more, we speak with Ira Robbins, founder of Trouser Press. His seminal publication covered legendary artists like Cheap Trick, The Ramones, Brian Eno, The Clash, and more. We discuss how the attitude of his indie, DIY publication covering New York's emerging punk scene in the 70s can be applied today. We also touch on social media, the role of music critique and review for the modern listener, and the importance of honest, informed coverage in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Ivy on Music, Loss, & Legacy

    Ivy on Music, Loss, & Legacy
    Mar 27 2026
    Join us as we explore Ivy's musical journey, from their analog roots to digital evolution. Discover how they navigated the music industry, faced personal loss, and maintained their creative integrity. Featuring insights from band members on resilience, creativity, and the future of music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • How iTunes Saved The Music Industry

    How iTunes Saved The Music Industry
    Mar 25 2026
    The digital revolution in music didn't just change how we listen; it upended the entire industry. From the chaos of piracy and industry decline in the early 2000s to Apple's game-changing iTunes, and now to the streaming era, one thing is clear: the business has never been more unpredictable or more exciting. In this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Shachner sits down with industry veteran Thomas Hesse to walk through the seismic shifts that transformed music from physical to digital to AI. You'll discover how the industry responded to piracy with innovative licensing models, the strategic dance with Apple to launch iTunes with the industry on board, and the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify that redefined access versus ownership. Thomas shares behind-the-scenes stories of negotiating with tech giants, and reveals how the industry’s revenue models changed, from the 99-cent song to subscription ecosystems that keep the industry alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Why Latin Music Grew to Dominate Streaming

    Why Latin Music Grew to Dominate Streaming
    Mar 19 2026
    On this inaugural episode of Breaking Down The Biz, Bruno Del Granado reveals how Latin artists like Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny use streaming and cultural authenticity to achieve global success. Discover how the internet empowers artists to reach audiences worldwide and build independent teams. Learn about innovative strategies and the importance of embracing cultural roots in today's digital music landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 mins