In this value-packed episode of Sound Connections, host Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Jesse Flores, Head of Artist and Label Partnerships at Intercept Music, to explore what it really takes to succeed as an independent artist today. If you're producing your own music, wondering how to grow a fanbase, or struggling to market your releases, this is your blueprint. From choosing the right music distributor to understanding how paid ads, DSPs, and Spotify algorithms actually work, Jesse sh...

Streaming isn’t enough. If you're an artist or manager looking to grow real revenue, this episode breaks down how to use merch, email, and digital sales to build a profitable artist business. Jakob Wredstrøm talks with Jack McCarthy, co-founder of Indiepreneur and co-host of the Creative Juice podcast, about the missing revenue stream most artists ignore: direct-to-consumer e-commerce. With actionable steps, mindset shifts, and proven strategies, this episode will help you rethink how...

Veteran catalog expert and CEO of Dynamite Songs, Alan Wallis joins Jakob to break down the real mechanics behind IP rights, music catalog sales, sync revenue, valuations, private equity, and long-term music investing. He shares how he built Mojo Music, acquired classic catalogs, sold to Concord, and now runs Dynamite Songs. Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode: - Catalog valuation & deal red flags - Sync as a revenue driver - Streaming growth and catalog stability - Why son...

Tom Höglund, a key figure from the founding team of Epidemic Sound, breaks down how they built a unicorn by disrupting the century-old music licensing industry. From his early days as a lawyer to creating an alternative model that pays musicians upfront and offers a 50-50 split , Tom shares the controversial journey. Discover the audacious vision to make music licensing simple and global for content creators on platforms like YouTube, challenging the traditional Performing Rights Organizatio...

Discover how Alex Braga built an AI 'Instrument' a decade ago — not to replace musicians, but to rediscover what makes us human. In this episode of the Sound Connections Podcast, Alex Braga, award-winning artist, performer, and creator of the A-Mint AI instrument, joins Jakob Wredstrøm to unpack the philosophy and ethics behind AI in art. From the meaning of human creativity to the illusion of machine consciousness, Alex breaks down what separates creation from generation — and why in...

Who are the people behind the music that shapes how we listen? In this episode of Sound Connections, host Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Overtone Studios CEO Niklas Brantberg, who shares how Epidemic Sound and his label built a new music economy for creators, one where focus playlists turn into real income. Jakob and Niklas unpack the business of mood music, the shift from faceless tracks to artist identity, and the impact of AI in music production. Perfect for music entrepreneurs, produc...

Can finance make the music industry fairer? In this episode, Lior Tibon, CEO and Co-founder of Duetti, shares with host Jakob Wredstrøm how he’s building a platform that lets artists turn their catalogs into opportunity. From Tidal to Duetti, Lior’s journey blends financial innovation with deep respect for creators. Hear how technology, transparency, and smarter capital are shaping a new path for music ownership and catalog investment. This episode offers rare insight for music...

Can AI and infrastructure finally make the music industry scalable? In this episode, Ben Mendoza, CEO and Co-Founder of Beatchain, joins host Jakob Wredstrøm to reveal how AI-driven infrastructure, data analytics, and localization are redefining the future of music entrepreneurship. Learn how Beatchain’s innovative arena model helps independent artists grow careers sustainably, how automation fixes music distribution and discovery, and why building long-term systems, not quick wins, matters...

What does it really mean to own your audience in today’s music industry? In this special partnership episode, host Jakob Wredstrøm joins Taj from The Sound of Startups and Lauriane Saint-Denis, a business developer connecting culture, innovation, and people in music tech to unpack how audience development, fan data, and music tech innovation are reshaping live events. Together they explore why ticketing platforms hold so much power, how festivals can build real fan relationships, and what a...

If you’ve ever wondered how merch works behind the scenes? Seamus Menihane, CEO and co-founder of Armada, one of the fastest-growing merch companies in the music industry. From being a touring drummer to leading a 170-person team, he shares his journey of turning a DIY screen-printing hustle into a full-scale merch powerhouse. Armada supports artists in building real, profitable brands through merchandise, ensures tour merch remains a top revenue stream, and gives independent model artists ...

For over two decades, the music industry has struggled to answer three deceptively simple questions: What do we own? Where is it? Are we making money from it? Edward Ginis, co-founder of OpenPlay and Proto Hologram, shares how OpenPlay evolved from a bold internal project at Concord into an industry-standard platform, breaking down decades of data dysfunction and giving rights holders real control over their IP. From building enterprise tech in a slow-moving industry to parenting four...

How do musicians break through in today’s noisy creator economy? In this episode with Vishal Ramakrishnan, co-founder of Round music marketing technology, to explore the future of music promotion and digital marketing for artists. Vishal shares how he went from failed film composer to building a data-driven music marketing platform, the tension between authenticity vs. AI-generated content, and why micro-influencers often outperform celebrities. His mindset of solving real problems step by ...

What does it really take to turn a viral moment into a lasting music career? Head of US Marketing at 1RPM and a music industry veteran with over 20 years of experience has played pivotal roles in the rise of artists like Shawn Mendes, Elton John, and Nick Jonas, and she shares candidly what it really takes to build artist brands that last. Jenna breaks down real-world case studies, including the marketing behind Shawn Mendes' early success, how to make the most of breakout moments, and why ...

Reflecting back to Wallifornia Music Tech Conference 2025 July, in this fiery and data-driven conversation, Jakob and Taj challenge the illusions around music tech investment. They talked about why most music startups face poor exits, why B2C music apps struggle, and why B2B infrastructure solutions hold more promise. Drawing on Taj’s tech startup experience and Jakob’s music industry research, this honest conversation offers founders, investors, and innovators key insights into ...

It takes just one person to believe in the vision you are building. Using that mindset, Mag Rodriguez, the founder & CEO of EVEN, has been able to create a platform that helps artists sell music to fans before it hits streaming services. He shares his journey from managing artists straight out of high school to leading music initiatives at a venture fund, and finally launching EVEN to make the industry more equitable for creators. Exploring the future of fandom, why EVEN focuses o...

Fiverr is one of the multi-national online marketplaces for freelance services and in this episode with Adam Fine, Head of Music and Audio, we had an eye-opening conversation on how remote collaboration and AI are transforming the music industry. Topics such as the evolving landscape of music production, how AI tools like Suno are streamlining workflows and opening new creative possibilities, are discussed by both parties but even as technology accelerates, both agree on one thing: the irrep...

In another episode with Rebecca Brook, she breaks down what’s really happening with Suno, Udio, and the major labels—who’s suing whom, why startups trying to “do the right thing” feel betrayed, and why the current legal landscape is making things murkier, not clearer. The conversation pulls no punches and tackles hard truths: Are the legal systems built to protect music creators? Are artists being replaced or just drowned out? Is anyone truly safe if training models on commercial music...

Strings, tours and faith. Legendary guitarist tells his story from rejection to global tours and AI innovation. The mindset and evolution of Ryan Roxie, the longtime guitarist for Alice Cooper and a true rock industry survivor shares a brutally honest and inspiring look at life on and off stage. As we explore the darker truths of the music industry through Roxie's eyes — from near-misses with record deals to understanding the harsh economics behind being a hired gun, Ryan opens up abo...

Can Physical Music Make a Comeback? Jennifer Sullivan, CMO and President of North America at KiTbetter discusses how KIT albums—a hybrid physical-digital format originating in K-pop—are transforming music monetization in the West. With insights on artist sustainability, fandom-driven commerce, and cultural shifts in music ownership, this episode explores how tangible fan engagement could reshape the indie artist economy. The conversation covers shifts in fan behavior, the comeback of ...

LyricFind CEO, Darryl Ballantyne, discusses the company's $1 billion antitrust lawsuit against Musixmatch and its parent company, TPG Growth. The lawsuit alleges that Musixmatch's exclusive licensing deal with Warner Chappell Music has created a monopoly in the lyrics licensing market, forcing digital service providers like Spotify and iHeartRadio to source lyrics solely from Musixmatch, often at higher costs. In this episode, Darryl emphasizes the broader implications of such m...