Surveying the Horizon of Music and Tech: Rock Paper Scanner

On today's episode we talk with Bomo Piri, Chief Brand Officer at Native Instruments. Our conversation begins with the techno Berlin roots of the brand and dives into what’s happening today with their strategic partnerships -- like the London based Young Urban Artist Foundation, and a very cool sounding recent collab with Mustard at Coachella. We chat about Bomo's unique marketing approach as well as the importance of authentic community engagement, and how they see that as a throughline to most of their marketing efforts.   The News! US music publishing revenue jumped 13.4% to $7bn in 2024, outpacing the growth rate of recorded music   PlayStation’s concert series is coming to the US   UMG JV with investment firm WTSL focuses on ‘artist-led IP’   Sony Music CEO Talks AI: ‘We Are Going to Do Deals for New Music AI Products This Year’   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

On today's podcast we have a truly amazing talk with Damien Riehl, a musician and technology lawyer who is one of the masterminds behind All the Music Project; an algorithmically generated catalogue of 471 billion melodies, which was then put into the public domain in an attempt to protect musicians from being sued for copyright claims. It is a fascinating conversation. Damien’s Ted Talk here   News! Gen Z is embracing a digital detox and the ‘Martha Stewart summer’   Apple Intelligence Is Gambling on Privacy as a Killer Feature   The iPhone is your karaoke mic in tvOS 26's Apple Music Sing   Nothing will stand in the way of independents (and why the world’s first three-person indie unicorn is only a matter of time away)   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

”Create a flurry of content.   But do not put $10,000 aside for a celebrity to come in and talk about your brand. I want you to go after thirty smaller creators with followings between ten and thirty thousand.” Today we hear from Adam McHeffey, the former CMO of Artiphon and current Chief Creative Officer at Rock Paper Scissors to discuss effective strategies for marketing musical instruments. Key points include the significance of IRL networking, the importance of strategic planning, and the role of traditional PR. Adam also provides some very clear step-by-step marketing strategies. This episode is a must for anyone looking to launch a new product or musical instrument.   News! Events-tech firm Fever raises its latest nine-digit funding round   AI, bot farms and innocent indie victims: how music streaming became a hotbed of fraud and fakery   Do not settle.   AM Radio Mandate is Moving in Congress — But Should It Pair with Performance Royalty Requirements?   ‘Ethical’ AI Music Firms React to the Majors’ Suno-Udio Licensing Talks: ‘We Just Get Left Behind’   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

Today we bring you the recording from our latest on-line Seismic Event, “Artist Careers in a Parallel Universe.” It was an exploration into the livelihood of three working artists; Clara Venice, Vivek Agrawal, and The Phronetic. RPS Chief Creative Officer, Adam McHeffey talks with them about how they are using new technology to fuel their creative visions, how they've built brand relationships, and importantly, how they're monetizing their networks. Great insight into how they make it work. Also! stick around for the news.   Seismic Activity Guests Vivek Agrawal The Cassette Speaker The Oasis   Clara Venice Locket   The Phronetic   Sign up for the next Seismic Activity!   Links to the News What Is Going On With the Chaos At the Copyright Office? Fake Podcasts EU artists generated more than $1.8 billion on Spotify in 2024, up 15% YoY   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

On today’s news roundup show Dmitri and Eleanor tackle the week's music tech news. They discuss Spotify's app store changes, Apple Music's new transfer tool, and so many AI music industry developments, including the $10 million AI music fraud case.    News you might want to read: Spotify says App Store changes have boosted its subscriptions   Apple Music’s new transfer tool simplifies switching from other streaming services   Martina McBride Speaks Out Against AI Deepfakes at Senate Hearing: ‘It’s Just Terrifying’   Udio launches mobile app using Apple’s in-app purchases system   OpenAI has hardware ambitions – and a $6.5bn deal to ignite them   ‘A Billion Streams and No Fans’: Inside a $10 Million AI Music Fraud Case   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

In today’s episode we welcome pioneering innovator Ty Roberts, founder of Gracenote, and former CTO of Universal Music Group. We talk about some of the pivotal moments in his career including Gracenote's role in the development of iTunes, and working with David Bowie on generative music. We discuss the future of visual music experiences, the rise of AI in music creation, and the possibilities for personalized live events using advanced technologies.    Shoutouts from the News Are Tech Bros Hijacking the Music Industry? An Urgent Look at the Latest AI Developments SoundCloud Says Users’ Music Isn’t Being Used for AI Training Following Backlash Licensing AI music: the industry is focusing on the wrong problem U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Report on Legality of AI Training, Suggesting Law Is With Rightsholders on Key Issues Taco Bell launches record club with 2025 Feed The Beat class   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

On today's episode, Dmitri and Tristra discuss the news of the week. They review recent acquisitions like Monstercat and BANDS, and discuss the economic confidence of the music sector despite economic downturns. They also talk about the evolving role of AI and the implications of recent legal copyright cases on AI training data. It’s a lot of news to round up!    Shoutouts Create Music Group acquires again, swooping for indie electronic label Monstercat Jay Penske Takes Control of SXSW: Will Profits, Politics Overtake Festival? Trump signals willingness to extend TikTok ban deadline again Arts agency terminates dozens of grants after Trump proposes eliminating NEA Are Music Companies Seeing Consumer Pullback? This Week’s Earnings Calls Offered an Answer Live Nation predicts ‘historic year’ despite revenue decline Judge in Meta case warns AI could 'obliterate' market for original works Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Report   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

Today we are talking with Valeska Pederson Hinz, partner at Perkins Coie, about what’s happening in the world of music tech investment. Valeska has extensive experience in guiding companies and investors from Series A to IPO and has an indispensable vantage point. Our conversation includes the current state of venture capital funding, the impact of generative AI on the industry and the ongoing legal debates surrounding fair use versus licensing in AI training data. She also has practical advice for startup founders from the legal standpoint of someone who guides growth stage companies.    News Shoutouts UMG generated $3bn+ in Q1 Spotify posts record-high operating profit for Q1 Splice acquires Spitfire Audio Epidemic Sound acquires AI startup Song Sleuth  NMPA says Spotify’s Q1 growth due to ‘undercutting of songwriters’ via audiobook bundling Jack Dorsey’s ‘Delete All IP Law’ post highlights the hypocrisy of Big Tech Billionaires Hearing Things   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

Today Dmitri talks with Cherie Hu, music industry analyst and founder of Water and Music. We start by discussing the Ouroboros project which maps the complicated and intertwined stakes in the music industry held by various entities, including private equity firms, media conglomerates, and tech companies like Tencent. We also talk about shifting power dynamics between the majors and the independents, the impact of AI – particularly generative AI, and trends in rights management and live music.    Shoutouts Water and Music Ouroboros Map Water and Music Soundcloud Reverb Sold By Etsy to Fender Parent and Firm Led By SoundCloud Alum A24 Makes Its Move Into the Music Scene 'You Are Somehow a Villain If You Use It' JPMorgan CEO Says Something Everyone Can Agree On: "Kill Meetings" and Corporate Jargon   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.  

In this episode, Dmitri speaks with Mark Mulligan, veteran tech analyst and leading digital thinker from MIDiA Research. Topics include the slowing growth of streaming revenue, shifts in market share among major and independent labels, the rise of the global south in subscriber numbers, and the impact of super-premium subscriptions on monetization. We also talk about the future potential disruptions from AI and legal challenges and how the music industry might adapt and innovate in the face of these changes.   News Shoutouts! The Music Industry Wants Solutions. But Do Listeners See Problems?   Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt: AI That is ‘as smart as the smartest artist’ Will Be Here in 3 to 5 Years   ​​Tariff-Proof, Recession-Proof Music Industry Will Thrive Despite Global Uncertainty   AI Music Invasion Doubles on Deezer: 20,000 Bot-Created Tracks Now Uploaded Each DAY to Streaming Platform   Record Scratch: How Tariffs and Uncertainty Are Hurting Vinyl Manufacturing in America   China Halts Critical Exports as Trade War Intensifies   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri’s Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.