#317 – Rene McLean: From Street Marketing to Music Catalog Mogul

As the co-founder of MusicGorilla, Alexia Erlichman has built a powerhouse platform that connects independent musicians with top industry opportunities in film, TV, advertising, and gaming. A graduate of NYU, Alexia began her career in production with Miramax Films, Tribeca Productions, and Robert Rodriguez before launching MusicGorilla with her husband, Lawrence. With over a decade of entertainment experience, she now champions artist empowerment, helping musicians get their work discovered, licensed, and celebrated—all while running the company from the Northeast with their spirited rescue dog, Crusoe.In this episode, Alexia Erlichman joins Michael Walker to explore how independent artists can harness technology, community, and creative collaboration to thrive in the evolving music industry.Key Takeaways:How AI and digital tools are reshaping music creation—and why they’ll never replace human creativity.The power of collaboration and community in building a sustainable music career.Practical strategies for artists to get their songs heard, licensed, and monetized in today’s industry.---→ Learn more about Alexia and her work at: musicgorilla.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Yanik Silver is a serial entrepreneur, author, and champion of conscious business who reimagines growth as a catalyst for joy and impact. He's the founder of Maverick1000, a collective of visionary CEOs, and the creator of the Cosmic Journal. Blending direct-response roots with creativity, spirituality, and community, Yanik helps leaders align profit with purpose, play, and progress. His work invites entrepreneurs to connect head, heart, and higher purpose through creative experiments, journaling, and bold adventures—so they can deliver their greatest gifts while building companies that light up a thousand suns. In this conversation, Yanik shares how to reconnect with your artistic self, link head–heart–higher purpose, and use intention, journaling, and “cosmic alarm clocks” to build a business—and life—filled with creativity, meaning, and momentum.Key TakeawaysTurn daily creative practices and intentional questions into clarity, confidence, and consistent progress.Align profit with purpose by integrating art, play, and spirituality into your entrepreneurial operating system.Replace rigid goals with experiments and intentions that spark self-discovery, fulfillment, and human connection.---→ Learn more about Yanik and his work at maverick1000.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Jay Gilbert is a veteran music-industry executive turned independent strategist and creator. After years on the road as a musician, he held leadership roles at Universal Music, Sony, and Warner—most notably as VP of New Media & Online Marketing at Universal Music Enterprises—before co-founding the consultancy Label Logic. Today he publishes the influential Your Morning Coffee newsletter, co-hosts multiple industry podcasts, guest-lectures at UCLA, USC, and Columbia, mentors through GrammyU, and continues his creative work as a photographer and educator, helping artists and teams navigate a fast-changing, digital-first music business.From AI and algorithms to old-school storytelling, Jay breaks down what actually works now in music marketing—and how indie artists can build community, momentum, and sustainable revenue without selling their soul.Key Takeaways:Build true fans, not vanity metrics: Turn audience insights into a compelling narrative and consistent engagement across platforms and live shows.Monetize beyond streams: Use premium merch/vinyl, live experiences, memberships, and sync to create multiple, fan-aligned revenue streams.Decide with data (and smart AI): Read platform analytics, run simple tests, and double-down on what moves the needle—plus where AI tools really help.---→ Learn more about Jay and his work at: label-logic.net.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

Rene McLean is a culture-first music executive and entrepreneur whose career has redefined how artists, brands, and culture intersect. From helping break Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, and Eminem through street-level promotion, to founding the Mixshow Power Summit, to co-founding Influence Media Partners and building SLANG, Rene has consistently been ahead of the curve in artist development, catalog investment, and brand partnerships. Today, he works with icons like Future, DJ Khaled, and Will Smith, while empowering a new generation of creators through innovative artist-led strategies.In this episode, Rene shares how artists can thrive in today’s hyper-competitive music landscape by building authentic communities, finding the right partners, and embracing creative entrepreneurship.Key Takeaways:How indie artists can build their audience and identity before seeking major label deals.Why consistency, creativity, and community are the real drivers of sustainable success.The role of strategic partnerships and rights management in building both legacy and future value.---→ Learn more about Rene and his work at influencemediapartners.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

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