This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Bay Area rapper, LaRussell. Known for his backyard shows, revolutionary ticketing and release practices, and motivational freestyling, LaRussell has become a blueprint for modern DIY artistry. His business, Good Compenny, is a multi-media brand that puts on shows, sells merch, and empowers independent artists.

In this episode, Ari and LaRussell discuss when and why it’s important to stay independent as an artist. LaRussell tells Ari how he continues to find joy in making music, even after releasing over 700 songs. He also breaks down his offer-based ticketing model—a game-changing approach that could change the entire live concert industry. Tune in to hear LaRussell’s secrets to community-building, his artistic approach to social media, and loads of inspiration heading into 2026.

https://www.instagram.com/larussell

06:20 – LaRussell explains “out the trunk” direct bookings

08:10 – Origin of the backyard concerts

12:21 – Full backyard experience (hospitality, free food, bounce house)

16:45 – How offer-based ticketing works (“What is this worth to you?”)

18:23 – His $1,000 birthday show that made $250K

20:12 – Full breakdown of all revenue streams

27:02 – Why he stays independent + label philosophy

43:48 – What “Good Compenny” really is (a community)

54:38 – Spending $120K on ads to make $800K back

01:02:01 – Full-circle moment: how the book changed his life

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 Matt B and his wife/manager, Angela Benson. Matt is a Grammy-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and global recording artist whose career spans over a decade. His most recent project, ‘Alkebulan II’, earned him and Angela a Grammy Award, following years of DIY artistry. Over the course of this album, Matt and Angela recorded across Africa, collaborated with artists like Eddie Kenzo and Oxlade, and worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. As a label owner, producer on ‘Alkebulan II’, and longtime Recording Academy member, Angela has been instrumental in shaping Matt’s artistic direction, visual world-building, and global strategy.

In this episode, Matt B and Angela Benson walk through their incredible DIY journey and how they found themselves on the Grammy-winning path. They discuss the challenges of writing and recording in multiple African languages, shooting a full visual album across multiple countries, and balancing the creative workload between artist and manager. The pair break down how independent artists can navigate the Grammy process, the importance of joining the Recording Academy, the role of networking and bartering in major creative endeavors, and most importantly, the communication and patience required to run a music career as a married team.

https://www.instagram.com/mattbworld

https://www.instagram.com/angelavbenson

01:40 – Home Studio & Recent Travels

02:10 – Returning to His Alma Mater After the Grammy Win

03:00 – Life & Opportunities After Winning a Grammy

04:15 – Performing in Uganda & Global Breakthrough Moments

05:20 – Inception of the Akebulan Concept

09:00 – Connecting With Oxlade & Eddie Kenzo

11:00 – Creating the “Gimme Love” Music Video

13:00 – Building a Full Visual Album DIY

17:40 – Finding Producers & Collaborators Worldwide

20:00 – Incorporating the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

30:00 – Navigating Grammy Nominations & Recording Academy Membership

47:00 – Working as a Husband-and-Wife Artist/Manager Team

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 Matt Jones, the CEO and co-founder of Medallion, a platform helping artists own their fan relationships and build new revenue models. Matt was previously CEO of Songkick, another direct-to-fan platform that was acquired by Warner Music Group. He’s now developing new economic models for artists to own their fan relationships.

In this episode, Matt and Ari discuss the direct-to-fan experience and why it’s beneficial to give artists full ownership of their data. Matt explains why traditional models like Patreon and Substack don’t fit the creative rhythms of most musicians. They also dig into the shortcomings of streaming and the need for transparency in artist payments. Tune in to learn more about how major labels might adapt, what lessons can be learned from Bandcamp, and why the next decade of music will be defined by artist ownership and sustainability.

https://medallion.app/

0:00 - Intro

10:45 – Why the term “superfan” has taken over the industry

13:20 – The challenges artists face relying on third-party platforms

15:50 – How Medallion lets artists own their data and build communities

18:30 – Why streaming’s economic model is outdated and unsustainable

21:50 – Why Patreon and Substack rarely work for most musicians

24:15 – The three main artist revenue streams: live, recordings, and merch

28:30 – How Bandcamp paved the way—but why it isn’t enough

31:40 – Handling rights, licensing, and label relationships on Medallion

38:00 – The future of transparency and fan-to-artist payment models

49:50 – Why blockchain and NFTs weren’t the right fit for Medallion

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 acclaimed pianist and composer, Chloe Flower. Born in Pennsylvania, Chloe began playing piano at age two, later studying at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College and London’s Royal Academy of Music. A classically trained pianist turned genre-bender, she calls her unique style “popsical” (a fusion of classical, pop, and hip-hop). She has collaborated with major artists like Céline Dion, Babyface, Nas, and Cardi B (whose 2019 Grammy performance she helped elevate). Beyond music, Chloe is a passionate advocate for music education and anti-human trafficking efforts.

In this episode, Ari and Chloe dive into her artistic journey. They discuss everything from rigorous classical training to creating a hybrid genre that seemed nonexistent before her. Chloe explains how she navigates the music business, and the lessons she’s learned from bridging two very distinct worlds. Ari and Chloe talk about label strategy, collaboration with big-name artists and producers, and maintaining authenticity while scaling. Chloe shares her approach to building a personal brand (both musically and visually), her perspective on empowering women in the industry, and how she sees the future of genre-fluid music and education.

https://www.instagram.com/misschloeflower

05:00 – The Holiday Album and Women Composers

10:30 – Understanding Public Domain and Classical Music Rights

15:45 – YouTube Covers, Metadata, and Going Independent

19:00 – Meeting Babyface and Blending Genres

25:00 – The Viral Grammy Performance with Cardi B

29:30 – Evolving Sound and the Role of Collaboration

33:00 – Running an Independent Label and Revenue Streams

36:00 – Pros and Cons of Major vs. Indie Labels

47:00 – Music Education and Inspiring the Next Generation

54:00 – Performing with Orchestras and Conductors

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 Daniel Rowland, a rare combination of audio engineer, producer, tech executive, and educator. The music he’s worked on has amassed over 15 billion streams, earning Emmy and Oscar wins, Grammy nominations, and multiple platinum certifications. His credits span an eclectic range of artists and projects, including Nina Simone, Nine Inch Nails, Thundercat, Star Wars, Pixar, and John Wick. Beyond the studio, Daniel serves as VP of Strategy and Partnerships at LANDR Audio and a longtime professor at MTSU, where he champions ethical, AI-driven tools that empower creators.

In this episode, Ari and Daniel explore the ever-evolving intersection of music, technology, and creativity. They dive deep into the art and science of mastering for different formats, the rise of AI in music production, and how to maintain authenticity in an increasingly automated world. Daniel also shares his personal journey from musician to educator and innovator, offering invaluable insights for artists navigating the future of sound and creation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowlanddaniel

https://www.landr.com/

00:00 – Mixing vs. Mastering & the Role of AI in Quality Control

02:30 – Introducing Daniel Rowland & His Career Overview

06:45 – Daniel’s Journey from Musician to Engineer & Educator

09:45 – Dolby Atmos & Spatial Audio: Fad or Future?

19:00 – What Mastering Really Is (and Isn’t)

26:00 – The “Curmudgeon” Era of Mastering Engineers

29:00 – Loudness, LUFS, and the Streaming Revolution

36:45 – The Vinyl Comeback: Problems and Pitfalls

47:45 – Automated Mastering & LANDR’s Evolution

54:00 – The Future of AI and Creativity in Music

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

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 Ralph Torrefranca, Executive Director of A&R at Angry Mob Music. With nearly two decades of experience, Ralph has championed emerging songwriters, artists, and producers, working with talents like Jake Scott, Bailey Bryan, and Joe Pepe. He is also the founder of Angry Mob’s New Normal Writing Camp, a diversity-driven initiative, and a respected voice on equity in the music industry. Beyond his A&R work, Ralph fronts the post-punk band Cuffed Up and is an award-winning filmmaker.

In this episode, Ralph offers a candid look at the realities of A&R and independent publishing. He and Ari discuss signing and developing new talent, navigating the politics of song splits, and the growing importance of diversity in writers’ rooms. Ralph also sheds light on the challenges songwriters face in today’s industry and the ongoing fight for fair representation, making this conversation invaluable for anyone seeking an inside perspective on the business of songwriting and publishing.

https://www.instagram.com/rhymeswithralph

https://www.instagram.com/angrymobmusic

00:00:00 Introduction to A&R and Publishing

00:03:00 The Role of A&R in Independent Publishing

00:09:00 Challenges in Signing New Talent

00:15:00 The Politics of Song Splits

00:21:00 Diversity in Writers' Rooms

00:27:00 Advocating for Songwriters' Rights

00:33:00 The Evolving Music Industry Landscape

00:39:00 Songwriting Camps and Collaboration

00:45:00 Defining Success in the Music Business

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 Nicole Zuraitis, a GRAMMY-winning New York-based jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger. Her 2023 album, How Love Begins, won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024. She has performed all over the world from Birdland and Dizzy's Club to Lincoln Center China. She first earned GRAMMY attention in 2019 for her arrangement of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals. She most recently won a GRAMMY in 2025 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

In this episode, Nicole traces her path from early days hustling in the New York jazz scene, collaborating with Christian McBridge, touring in China, and navigating the realities of indie artistry. She digs into the power of networking in her community, the pandemic's impact on NYC venues, why physical release formats still matter, and how grants and private donors help fund albums.

https://www.nicolezmusic.com/

4:53 - Introduction and Nicole's new live album

9:23 - The decision to record live at VIXX

15:53 - Collaborating with Christian McBride

22:38 - Touring in China and working with Jazz at Lincoln Center

29:08 - The Grammy experience and independent artist challenges

36:33 - The role of networking in New York's music scene

44:13 - The impact of the pandemic on jazz clubs

51:43 - The importance of physical music products in the digital age

59:23 - Funding albums through grants and private donors

1:05:53 - Nicole's upcoming projects and future plans

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 Sol Rising, a producer and DJ whose eclectic blend of electronic, downtempo, and lo-fi has inspired millions. Born in Vancouver and raised in Iowa, he went from a childhood rooted in meditation to becoming one of America’s top scratch DJs before evolving into a prolific producer. With over 20 albums, 225M+ streams, and international tours across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Sol Rising shares his journey of artistry and growth.

Sol shares his journey from a turntablist to a successful artist with millions of streams, discussing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the music world independently. They delve into the impact of streaming platforms, the role of AI in music, and the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the evolving landscape of the music business.

05:40 – Introduction and Niche

11:10 – Early Journey

17:40 – Shift to Yoga Music

24:25 – Streaming Platforms

30:55 – AI in Music

37:40 – Creativity and Motivation

45:40 – Future Plans

53:10 – Reflections and Advice

https://www.instagram.com/solrising

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.