The Indie Artist’s Playbook: Jesse Flores on Scaling, Streaming, and Team Building

What if the difference between “out now” and “taking off” was simply three weeks of planning and the right people answering your email? We sit with Jesse Flores, VP of Artists and Label Partnerships at Intercept Music, to map the modern indie playbook—how to keep your masters, design smarter releases, and turn attention into a durable career.Jesse takes us from his mixtape‑selling college days to national roles at EMI, then into the services world where distribution is only half the story. We talk through the shift from record stores to streaming, why singles now anchor most strategies, and how playlisting and editorial pitching actually work on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. He’s candid about who is ready for a services deal and who should start DIY, what signals tell him an artist can scale, and why proactive, responsive support is the secret advantage in a crowded market.We also get into AI’s role—useful for bios, press materials, and workflow, risky when it fabricates artists or fuels fraud—and the surge of cross‑genre collaboration as hip‑hop blends with Latin, Afrobeats, and even country. Jesse shares his “Fantastic Five” team framework: a strong distributor, manager, publicist, entertainment lawyer, and digital strategist. Add focused networking at Music Biz, ASCAP or BMI events, and industry weekends, and you’re not just releasing music—you’re building leverage. If you’ve been wondering when to drop, how to pitch, or what it takes to move from hobbyist to pro, this conversation lays out the steps with clarity and heart.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a friend who’s plotting their next release, and leave a quick review to help others find us.Thank you for stopping by.  Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share.  You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support AATJ by shopping at our STORE - Or by and buying us a coffee. We'd appreciate that greatly.  Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER:  As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast.  Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.