This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dave and JJ Heller to discuss building a completely independent music business for a niche audience of moms. JJ Heller is a Nashville-based Christian folk-pop singer-songwriter known for her gentle voice, heartfelt lyrics, and monthly single releases that have earned her over a billion streams. Rising to prominence with the 2008 hit “Your Hands,” Heller has since built a devoted fanbase through her lullaby-themed I Dream of You album series and relatable songs about faith, family, and mental health. Alongside her husband and creative partner Dave Heller, she continues to blend sincerity with soothing melodies, making her a comforting presence for listeners of all ages.

In this episode, Ari, JJ, and Dave dive into the Hellers’ journey from college bandmates to full-time independent artists. They explore the ups and downs of DIY success, the shift from physical albums to streaming, and how their lullaby project became a thriving cornerstone of their business. The conversation also touches on viral growth through social media, the role of AI in music, and what it truly means to “make it” in today’s ever-evolving music industry.

04:12 Ari introduces Dave and JJ Heller and sets up their story.

06:27 How they got started as a college band and grew into full-time musicians.

14:42 Their DIY strategy, self-releasing music, and staying independent.

24:57 Shifting from physical sales to finding success in streaming.

34:12 How their lullaby albums took off and became a cornerstone of their business.

44:32 Navigating viral moments and the unpredictability of social media.

54:22 Their thoughts on AI’s impact on music and the value of human connection.

01:04:12 Reflecting on what it really means to “make it” in today’s music industry.

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

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.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Rick Farman. Farman is an experienced entrepreneur, co-founder, and executive at Superfly, the event production company behind Bonnaroo and San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. With roots dating back to Superfly’s founding in 1996, Farman has overseen event operations, business development, and strategic partnerships that have shaped some of the country’s most iconic festivals . As a key architect of Outside Lands since its launch in 2008, he helped build the festival’s signature blend of music, sustainability, and Bay Area culture, emphasizing local food, art, and ecological responsibility. A holder of a BA in anthropology from Tulane University, Farman splits his time between overseeing Superfly’s expanding portfolio and investing in emerging companies across wellness, tech, and entertainment.

Ari and Rick delve into the intricacies of festival creation, exploring everything from the art of booking talent to designing immersive, multidimensional experiences that go far beyond the music. Rick shares valuable insights into the business side of running large-scale events, including sponsorship, logistics, and long-term brand building. He also emphasizes the importance of fostering community, highlighting how festivals can serve as cultural touchstones. Throughout the conversation, Rick reflects on how the festival landscape has evolved over the years, shaped by shifts in technology, audience expectations, and the growing demand for authenticity and purpose-driven programming.

00:00 Introduction – Ari introduces Rick Farman and his festival background.

02:15 Origins of Outside Lands – Rick shares how the festival began and its San Francisco roots.

10:30 Booking Artists – How lineups are built and talent is curated.

20:45 Festival Business – The economics of festivals and artist compensation.

30:00 Immersive Experiences – Rick on designing interactive festival environments.

40:15 Bonnaroo’s Evolution – The rise of Bonnaroo and its industry impact

50:00 Music & Community – Why building community is essential in music today.

55:30 Conclusion – Final thoughts on success in the modern music business.

https://sfoutsidelands.com/

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

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.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Jess Furman—a creative executive, Emmy-nominated composer, and music industry leader whose work spans TV, film, Web3, and beyond. Named one of Billboard’s Top 40 Industry-Shaping Executives, Jess blends creative vision with business savvy. She founded Sound Revolver (now part of Big Noise Music Group), where she led award-winning music campaigns and earned Tellys, Clios, and RIAA Gold certifications. Her credits include Moonlight, Westworld, My Little Pony: Pony Life, Littlest Pet Shop, and campaigns for brands like Ralph Lauren. As a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Jess’s music has been featured on Sesame Street, MTV, Drop Dead Diva, Sundance, and SXSW.

In this episode, we follow Jess’s journey from New York singer-songwriter to a leading force in the world of sync licensing in Los Angeles. She shares what it takes to write custom music for film, TV, and branded content—and breaks down the creative and business challenges that come with it. In the second half, things get lively as she and Ari debate the future of AI in music. Jess previews her next project: an AI-generated artist built to test a blockchain-driven brand model. The music is created by AI, refined by humans, and designed to support real artists through tech. Jess sees promise in it. Ari isn’t so sure—and questions the ethics and long-term effects of AI-generated content on platforms already flooded with music.

https://www.instagram.com/jessfurmanmuse

05:45 Introduction and History

11:16 Journey to Sync Licensing

21:31 Founding Sound Revolver

31:06 Custom Music for TV and Film

45:56 AI in Music Creation

1:01:16 Debating The Future of the Music Industry

1:15:46 Final Thoughts and Making It in Music

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

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.