Episode 62: Why Artist Communities Matter More Than Ever

What if artists owned the platforms where they connect with fans? Matt Jones, CEO of Medallion, is bringing this radical vision to life with a revolutionary approach to artist-fan relationships.Most musicians face a fundamental problem: they build audiences on platforms they can't control, then struggle to reach those same fans when promoting tours, merchandise, or new music. Medallion solves this by creating artist-owned communities where creators maintain complete ownership of their fan relationships and data.As Jones explains, the current music ecosystem leaves artists capturing just 10% of their economic value – a striking imbalance given their cultural significance. "I just don't see a world where the artist is not the platform in the future," he states, highlighting how Medallion empowers musicians to regain control without relying on algorithmic platforms or intermediaries.Unlike traditional subscription models that pressure artists into unsustainable content schedules, Medallion adapts to musicians' creative cycles. Artists simply debut content to their most dedicated fans before wider release, typically seeing 2-3 times higher engagement than email or text marketing. The platform has evolved from siloed communities into a unified network where fans following one artist discover others, creating organic growth opportunities for musicians at every level.This innovative approach has attracted investment from music heavyweights including Metallica, Disclosure, and My Morning Jacket, with communities from Greta Van Fleet, Girl in Red, and Jungle already thriving on the platform. For independent creators, Medallion offers a turnkey solution that complements existing strategies while providing something increasingly rare in today's music landscape: true ownership.Ready to take control of your fan relationships? Download Medallion from the App Store or Google Play Store today and join the movement putting artists at the centre of their own ecosystem.https://medallion.appReach out to me ! Support the showEnjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters.Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry.Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.comWebsiteswww.jonnyamos.comhttps://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/[email protected] Sign Uphttps://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com