The Music Biz Weekly

Traditional sales department roles within the music industry have been eliminated, leaving artists to handle sales responsibilities. Episode 687: Michael and Blasko discussed a major frustration shared by both as fans and business professionals – the inability to purchase new music releases when fans are most excited to buy them. They identified that the traditional […]

Michael and Blasko discuss their personal music histories in a fun, profile-focused episode. Episode 686: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast featured Michael and Blasko discussing their personal music histories in a fun, profile-focused episode. They shared stories about their first album purchases, with Blasko recalling buying KISS “Destroyer” in 1977 at age 7, and Michael […]

How authenticity applies to artists at every career stage, from new independent artists to established veterans. Episode 685: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast featured Blasko and Michael discussing two essential practices that every band should implement but often overlooks. Blasko emphasized the critical importance of authentic artistic expression, arguing that independent artists must genuinely connect […]

Blasko shares his strategies for staying productive, including using a mobile office backpack with essential tech gear and backups, while on tour Episode 684: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast featured a discussion between Michael and Blasko about managing business while on tour. Blasko, currently on the road with Rob Zombie, shared his strategies for staying […]

How Can Bandcamp Benefit Your Band? Episode 683: Michael and Blasko focus on Bandcamp as their main topic, exploring its features, benefits for independent musicians, and how it compares to other streaming platforms. Michael shared his experience using Bandcamp for BraveWords Records, highlighting its fast payment system, high-quality audio options, and direct artist-to-fan communication capabilities. […]

How AI allows Rudy to realize his artistic vision without the constraints of a record label or expensive studio time. Episode 682: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Rudy Sarzo about his use of AI in music creation. Rudy explained how he uses AI platforms like Suno as a “studio band” […]

Hypebot and Bandsintown work together to help artists build sustainable careers. Episode 681: What happens when one of the music industry’s most influential publications gets a fresh vision? This week on The Music Biz Weekly Podcast, Bruce Houghton, Founder of Hypebot, and Jeremy Young, Editor-in-Chief of Hypebot, join us for an in-depth conversation about the […]

Whether you’re an independent artist or an established band, this episode explains why auditing your online presence is no longer optional—it’s an essential part of building a successful music career in the age of AI. Episode 680: Your fans, promoters, agents, and even AI are forming opinions about your band long before they ever visit […]

If you’ve tried AI and been disappointed, is the technology really to blame? Episode 679: AI seems to be the latest thing that everyone loves to argue about. Some people embrace it, while others seem to hate it on principle. But what is it that people actually hate about AI? Is it really the technology […]

Lots of real practical advice in this episode for anyone touring or playing out live. Episode 678: Bruce Houghton returns and we discuss is Blue Dot Fever real or is it media hype. The conversation then moves on to what musicians and bands can do when touring during tough times. Lots of real practical advice […]

What is the difference and why your fan’s community is everything. Episode 676: Michael and Blasko talk about the difference between festivals in Europe and festivals in the US. What is the difference and why your fan’s community is everything. Your community is your power.   The Music Biz Weekly has moved… to a NEW […]

So much great insight from these two veterans. Episode 675: Giles Lavery joins Michael and Blasko. Giles wears many hats… singing lead in the bands Alacatrazz and Warlord. A&R for BraveWords Records. Managing the bands Girlschool, Warlord, Raven, Lillian Axe and others. Blasko and Giles talk all about managers and managing artists. So much great […]

Remember it is always about the song. Episode 674: We are joined by Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association/NIVA. Stephen joins us ahead of the upcoming judgment, and potential appeal, in the Live Nation case, and the guilty verdict of monopolization. We really dive into what this means for artists, independent venues, and […]

For decades it has been said the music industry shuts down between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Episode 662: For decades it has been said the music industry shuts down between Thanksgiving and the New Year, that you shouldn’t release anything during that timeframe. Does that still hold true? Maybe… we discuss releasing music during […]

We discuss various things fans can do to support and help artists for free Episode 661: HOW TO SUPPORT ARTISTS FOR FREE – This episode we discuss various things fans can do to support and help artists for free… Share their new music on socials Comment more than emojis on their posts Plug their shows […]

Right now radio only pays the songwriters and not the actual performers. Internet radio and streaming do pay the performers. Episode 660: Bruce Houghton from Hypebot, Bandsintown and Skyline Agency joins us this week. Bruce updates us on the news about Skyline closing down. We discuss the American Music Fairness Act which is asking that […]

Separating being a fan from being an industry professional sometimes can be challenging and frustrating. Episode 659: It is that time of the year again, we run the apps and tools with LOVE! Tools and apps that we can’t live without and in some cases use every single day! Michael’s picks: Buffer – https://buffer.com Publer […]

Separating being a fan from being an industry professional sometimes can be challenging and frustrating. Episode 658: We are fans AND we work in the music industry. Sometimes when a artist we love releases a new album/single/video and even though we aren’t working with the artist we can get frustrated when we see what they […]

The importance of professional conduct and following up after events Episode 657: Challenges in Tour Artist Interviews Michael and Jay discussed the challenges of scheduling artist interviews on tour, noting that many artists are reluctant to do interviews while on the road. They highlighted the importance of securing interviews before tours begin, as post-tour interviews […]

Be aware that AI platforms may not always provide accurate information about the sources of their content. Episode 656: Chris Castle joins us to discuss AI from a musicians perspective. Before you use AI in your career Chris goes over a few things you should be aware of with regards to ethics and legalities. We […]

Your subscription, streams, tips, and merch spend go straight to the artists without vague pools or algorithms. Episode 655: Neil Sheehan the President of Vocana joins us. Vocana is where independent music and community come together. Join a music-loving movement, connect with artists and fans who share your taste, discover new music, and stream on […]

Giant Steps is a must-read for fans of prog, rock, hip-hop, and more Episode 654: In Giant Steps, Derek Shulman chronicles a truly incredible life and career in music—first as the leader of the progressive-rock pioneers Gentle Giant, then as the record-label executive responsible for cultivating and signing the likes of Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, […]

Please let us know if this is a feature in Spotify that you want, need, desire. Episode 653: So Spotify is rolling direct messages between users. Awesome, another DM platform for us to get spammed. Please let us know if this is a feature in Spotify that you want, need, desire. Episode inspired by:    • Will you, too, like me, also not use it?   […]