Zach Petty Reimagines Networking Around Music with Legato Networks, Connecting Local Music Scenes

Conrad Fargo sits down with Zach Petty, founder and CEO of Legato Networks, a startup platform built to connect local musicians for jam sessions, collaborations, bands, and creative partnerships. The conversation explores how modern social media has become overwhelming, addictive, and fragmented, and how Legato Networks is attempting to strip the experience back to something simple and useful: helping artists meet and create together.Zach explains how the idea for Legato Networks began over a decade ago when he moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Fargo and struggled to find other musicians interested in serious collaboration. After years of travel, time spent in Seattle’s arts scene, and conversations with musicians across different communities, the idea eventually turned into a startup project that has been in development for more than two years.Unlike traditional social media platforms that rely on feeds, likes, and algorithm-driven engagement, Legato Networks is designed with a minimalist philosophy. The goal is to remove distractions and focus on meaningful connections. Musicians can search for collaborators, find jam sessions, connect with venues, and build creative partnerships without getting trapped in an endless scroll.Zach shares the realities of building a startup without funding, recruiting a remote team of designers and developers, pitching to angel investors, and balancing entrepreneurial ambition with everyday work life. The conversation also dives into Fargo’s surprisingly strong arts community, the challenges facing musicians trying to enter local scenes, and how the platform hopes to create opportunities for underdog artists looking for their first collaborations or performances.The episode also touches on Zach’s personal journey from Phoenix to Fargo, his time living in Seattle during the turbulent COVID era, and how those experiences shaped his approach to technology, community, and creativity.Long term, Legato Networks hopes to expand beyond musicians into a broader ecosystem connecting artists, venues, and audiences. The vision also includes supporting music education by funding instruments for underserved schools as the platform grows.If you are interested in Fargo’s music scene, local startups, or the future of creative networking, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how one entrepreneur is trying to build a better way for artists to connect.