How Gamers Helped NEFFEX Get 4 Billion Streams Without a Label

In this week’s episode, I spoke with artist NEFFEX (Bryce Savage) and his manager Ryan Sullivan of ATG Group (Against The Grain). We breakdown NEFFEX’s impression release strategy in which he successfully released one copyright free song a week (yes, you read that right!) to eventually surpassing 4 billion DSP streams all independently. We also dive into his previous record deal with 12Tone Music, embracing TikTok’s open verse challenges as well as how he expanded his role as a songwriter and producer.2:20 Welcome3:45 NEFFEX’S backstory6:56 Where NEFFEX’s songs were streaming8:54 Royalty free beats and unauthorized remixes10:17 Driving forces behind promoting a song a week12:10 NEFFEX’s pricing model13:06 To credit or not to credit…14:00 The process behind releasing a song a week15:33 What attributed to the growing streams17:37 What followed after this release strategy19:38 How Ryan began managing NEFFEX26:21 Getting attention from different distributors and labels28:14 Breakin down NEFFEX’s record deal with 12Tone Music35:52 The harsh reality signing with a label43:04 How NEFFEX’s model evolved by embracing TikTok47:07 TikTok’s open verse challenges48:54 TikTok followers translating to NEFFEX’s own music53:58 Remastering and re-releasing old catalog58:51 Designing artwork with a quick turnaround1:00:36 Why spending money on music videos is a waste1:03:05 Engaging with fans and what’s on the horizon for NEFFEX1:12:05 Final questionSubscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/nmbAri's Take Academy (use code NMB for 10% off): https://aristakeacademy.comWatch more discussions like this: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc1Fatf4celK3kYoJ6FUdN7qtYSCvAAMYConnect with Ari’s Take:Website: https://aristake.comAcademy: https://aristakeacademy.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.takeTwitter: https://twitter.com/ArisTakeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aristake1Connect with Ari Herstand:Website: https://ariherstand.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstandTwitter: https://twitter.com/ariherstandYouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstandConnect with Bryce Savage:NEFFEX Website: http://www.neffexmusic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neffexTwitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/neffexSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3z97WMRi731dCvKklIf2X6YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBefBxNTPoNCQBU_Lta6NvgConnect with Ryan Sullivan:Against The Grain (ATG): https://www.againstgrain.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-sullivan-a31713b4/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsryansullivanEdited and mixed by Maxton HunterMusic by Brassroots DistrictProduced by the team at Ari’s Take Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.