#316 - Grayson Sanders: Demystifying Music Rights for the Creator Economy

Grayson Sanders is the founder of Chordal, a groundbreaking music rights technology company redefining the future of licensing and sync. With its patent-pending InstantClear pre-clearance technology, already adopted by top music companies including Primary Wave, Reservoir Media, Nettwerk, Mad Decent, Believe, Sentric Publishing, and Neon Gold Records, Chordal streamlines one of the industry’s most complex pain points: clearing music rights quickly and accurately at scale. A former composer turned entrepreneur, Grayson is a visionary voice demystifying music licensing in the age of AI and the creator economy.In this episode, Grayson Sanders shares how AI, sync licensing, and platforms like Chordal are reshaping the future of music rights for independent artists and the creator economy.Key Takeaways:Learn how independent artists can prepare their catalogs to unlock sync licensing opportunities.Discover how AI and generative technology are challenging—and creating new solutions for—music rights management.Explore how Chordal’s InstantClear and upcoming API are making licensing faster, more transparent, and more accessible.---→ Learn more about Grayson and Chordal at chordal.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

James Patrick is a pioneering sound artist, producer, author, and educator who has been shaping the electronic music landscape since the 1990s. As co-founder of Slam Academy, an Ableton Certified Training Center in Minneapolis, he has mentored thousands of students—from beginners to world-class musicians. One of the first Ableton Certified Trainers globally, James has written two influential books on sound design and curated the Spark Festival of Electronic Music. His work bridges technology, education, and artistry, earning him recognition as a thought leader in music innovation.In this episode, James Patrick explores how embracing imperfection, leveraging AI tools, and rethinking education can unlock deeper creativity in music production.Key Takeaways:Discover why perfectionism is creativity’s biggest enemy—and how “making a mess” leads to artistic breakthroughs.Learn how AI and emerging technologies like neural interfaces can enhance (but never replace) human creativity in music.Gain insights into Slam Academy’s mission of providing accessible, affordable education for aspiring musicians.---→ Learn more about James Patrick’s work and resources at Slam Academy.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Romain Vivien is the Global Head of Music and President of Europe at Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies supporting independent artists and labels. With nearly 30 years of experience, including senior leadership roles at Virgin and EMI, Romain has been instrumental in shaping Believe’s global music strategy across 50+ markets. A passionate advocate for fairness and transparency, he continues to champion artist development, identity, and storytelling as essential pillars for success in today’s rapidly evolving music industry.In this episode, Romain shares how independent artists can thrive in a digital-first music landscape by leaning into authenticity, storytelling, and the power of local music movements.Key Takeaways:Why understanding and defining your artist identity is the foundation for growth.How digital platforms are reshaping opportunities for independent artists.The future of music trends, including the rise of local artists and diverse genres.---→ Learn more about Romain and Believe at believe.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Danny Garcia is the founder and CEO of SongTools, an all-in-one music marketing platform designed to help independent artists grow their fanbases with automated, data-driven campaigns. Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Music, Danny has played a pivotal role in democratizing access to effective promotion tools, helping over 1.5 million songs get discovered globally. With a background in artist management, a degree from NYU, and prior ventures like Playlister Club and SpotLister, Danny is a leading voice at the intersection of music, technology, and creator empowerment.In this episode, Danny reveals how indie artists can leverage automation, AI, and data to build sustainable careers in today’s music industry.Key Takeaways:How to create an effective artist funnel that builds community and drives long-term growth.The role of AI and automation in making music promotion more affordable and scalable.New monetization opportunities—from live shows to digital assets like NFTs—that every artist should explore.---→ Learn more about Danny’s work at SongTools.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Alexia Erlichman is the co-founder of MusicGorilla.com, a leading commercial marketplace that connects independent musicians with labels, publishers, and licensing opportunities across TV, film, advertising, and gaming. With a career spanning over a decade in the entertainment industry—including roles at Miramax Films, Tribeca Productions, and Creative Film Management—Alexia blends deep industry expertise with a passion for empowering independent artists. An NYU graduate and advocate for the indie movement, she continues to create opportunities for musicians worldwide, running MusicGorilla alongside her husband Lawrence from the Northeast.In this episode, Alexia shares how independent musicians can cut through the noise, land sync opportunities, and thrive in today’s evolving music industry.Key Takeaways:How to position your music for sync licensing opportunities in TV, film, and advertising.Why building an engaging live performance can accelerate your fan growth and career.How artists can leverage feedback, technology, and platforms like MusicGorilla to gain exposure.---→ Discover more opportunities for your music at MusicGorilla.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Troy Ericson is the owner of EmailMarketing.com and EmailDeliverability.com. Since 2020, Troy and his team have generated over $200M for clients through email copywriting, strategy, deliverability, and list management. His impressive client list includes Publishing.com, V-Shred, SmartMarketer, David Meltzer, Sam Ovens, and dozens more top brands. Ranked the #20 Copywriter in the world by Peter Tzemis, Troy is widely recognized as one of the top email marketers today. Outside of work, he’s a musician and former college baseball player living in Colorado with his wife Julia.In this episode, Troy shares how musicians and entrepreneurs can transform their careers by mastering the fundamentals of email marketing and deliverability.Key Takeaways:Why every musician needs email to build lasting fan relationships and drive sales.How to fix deliverability issues that keep your messages from reaching inboxes.The sales mindset shift artists must embrace to sell more music and merchandise authentically. Discover more about Troy’s work at EmailMarketing.com.---→ Discover more about Troy’s work at EmailMarketing.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Paul Sampson is the Founder and CEO of Lickd, a pioneering music licensing platform that empowers content creators to legally use mainstream music in their videos without copyright risks. With more than a decade of leadership experience in sync licensing at companies like Extreme Music and Music Dealers, Paul has played a key role in bridging the gap between rights holders and the creator economy. Under his leadership, Lickd has partnered with over 10,000 labels and publishers, offering creators access to a vast library of popular chart music.In this episode, Paul Sampson reveals how Lickd is transforming music licensing for creators and explores the future of music in the age of generative AI.Key Takeaways:Discover how Lickd is revolutionizing access to mainstream music for creators and brands.Learn why emotional connection in music remains irreplaceable, even with AI’s rapid rise. Explore the future of user-generated content and what it means for the music industry.---→ Learn more about Paul and Lickd at https://lickd.co/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Justin Boreta is a founding member of The Glitch Mob, the pioneering electronic group whose music has amassed hundreds of millions of streams and sold out tours worldwide. Beyond the stage, Boreta has collaborated with spiritual leaders like Ram Dass and innovative projects like Wavepaths, merging music with mindfulness, healing, and psychedelic therapy. As an advisor and creator at the frontier of music and technology, he’s shaping immersive audio, AI-driven art, and the future of creative expression.In this episode, Justin Boreta reveals how music, mindfulness, and technology are converging to heal, inspire, and transform.Key Takeaways:Discover how music can be a powerful tool for healing, self-exploration, and even psychedelic therapy.Learn how AI and immersive audio are shaping the future of music while keeping the human touch alive.Hear Justin’s advice for artists on taking action, nurturing creativity, and connecting deeply through their work. ---→ Learn more about Justin Boreta’s work at https://boreta.net.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Caleb Shreve, founder and CEO of Killphonic Rights, is a pioneering advocate for artist empowerment and transparency in the music industry. With a career spanning music production, publishing, and rights management, Caleb has worked with Grammy-winning talent while building a company dedicated to helping independent artists collect the royalties they’re owed. His expertise bridges the gap between creative artistry and the often opaque business side of music, making him a leading voice in modernizing rights management and creating fairer revenue models for musicians worldwide.In this episode, we explore how Caleb is challenging the status quo and creating new pathways for indie artists to thrive.Key Takeaways:How “black box” royalties work—and why so much indie artist income goes unclaimed.The role NFTs and user-centric streaming models could play in reshaping music monetization.Practical steps every artist can take to protect their rights and maximize royalty collection.---→ Learn more about Caleb Shreve and Killphonic Rights at killphonicrights.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Natasha Brito is a Creative Director and Marketer in the music industry, and the Founder + CEO of Austere and Artist House. From her beginnings as a MySpace artist to leading creative campaigns at Sony Music, Natasha has helped shape the visual and marketing identities of both emerging and major artists. Her course, The Iconic Artist Blueprint, has empowered over 10,000 artists to build standout brands and viral social strategies. Natasha’s visuals-first approach helps musicians thrive by turning attention into loyalty and aesthetics into impact.In this episode, Natasha shares how musicians can build iconic brands and create viral content that connects deeply with fans. Key Takeaways: Why consistent branding and aesthetics are essential for artist credibility and long-term growthHow to balance organic and paid social strategies to grow your audience fasterProven tactics to turn engagement into email list growth and loyal fan relationships---→ Learn more about Natasha’s work at https://www.artisthousekey.com/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast