The Wholesome Music Podcast

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The Wholesome Music Podcast

Cameron Ljungkull & Augustus Watkins

22 episodes

6 days ago

Part three of our "How Musicians Get Paid" series zeroes in on how performers get paid, including the ins and outs of distribution, SoundExchange, and a couple little-known revenue sources for session musicians. We look at TIDAL's new direct upload feature and what this means for indie musicians and the culture. We profile a recent Spotify acquisition and their new efforts to offer more robust credits and discuss SUNO's new fundraising. Finally, we react to "Walk My Walk," the new AI-generate...

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Music Commentary

Performing Arts,

All content for The Wholesome Music Podcast is the property of Cameron Ljungkull & Augustus Watkins and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Part three of our "How Musicians Get Paid" series zeroes in on how performers get paid, including the ins and outs of distribution, SoundExchange, and a couple little-known revenue sources for session musicians. We look at TIDAL's new direct upload feature and what this means for indie musicians and the culture. We profile a recent Spotify acquisition and their new efforts to offer more robust credits and discuss SUNO's new fundraising. Finally, we react to "Walk My Walk," the new AI-generate...

Show more...

Music Commentary

Performing Arts,

Episodes (20/22)

The Wholesome Music Podcast

How Performers Get Paid / TIDAL's New Upload Feature / Spotify Buys WhoSampled / Suno Fundraiser / AI-Generated Country Is Charting

Part three of our "How Musicians Get Paid" series zeroes in on how performers get paid, including the ins and outs of distribution, SoundExchange, and a couple little-known revenue sources for session musicians. We look at TIDAL's new direct upload feature and what this means for indie musicians and the culture. We profile a recent Spotify acquisition and their new efforts to offer more robust credits and discuss SUNO's new fundraising. Finally, we react to "Walk My Walk," the new AI-generate...

6 days ago

1 hour 16 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

How Songwriters Get Paid / Publishing Deals / Spotify’s Payola Lawsuit / Ireland’s UBI / Kanye West's “Apology”

Part two of our "How musicians get paid" series dives into how songwriters make money, followed by a discussion on publishing deals. Then we break down Spotify’s new “payola” lawsuit, look at Ireland’s universal basic income for musicians, and talk about Kanye West’s recent public apology. A lil’ music-biz, a lil’ legal tea, and a whole lot of game for songwriters trying to level up. LinksHow Songwriters, Composers, and Performers Get Paid by Copyright.gov Class Action Lawsuit Ac...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 1 minute

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Origins of Music Copyright / No Rap In Top 40 / PRO's Allow Partial AI / Billie Eilish Calls Out Zuck / Cam'Ron vs. J. Cole

For months we've been promising you a breakdown on how to get paid in the music industry, and we launch part one of this discussion with a quick overview on the history of music copyright, to help us understand why music copyright is so convoluted. After that, we look at why there are no rap songs in the Billboard Top 40 — the first time since 1990. In AI news, ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN have announced new plans to accept some kinds of AI authorship. Next, we cheer on Billie Eilish for calling out...

3 weeks ago

1 hour 6 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Creative Restrictions / Billboard Tweaks / Lizzo Sued / Chappell Roan's LGBTQ+ Support / YouTube's Massive Payout

Can you place creative restrictions on yourself and actually grow as an artist? We use a fun blog post as a jumping off point to discuss how "doing less" can actually fuel your process. Next, we look at how Billboard is tweaking its "Hot 100" charts, and what that means for who will chart (or not). Lizzo—no stranger to lawsuits—is facing another one about an unreleased song, presenting an interesting wrinkle in how samples are monetized. We celebrate Chappell Roan's Midwest Princess Project w...

4 weeks ago

58 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Crushing It On Gig Day / SoundExchange AI Registry / Timbaland's Soulless New AI Artist / UMG's Influencer App / Beatport Ticketing

Finally it's gig day! After all the rehearsals and promotion, it's time to jump on stage and show the crowd what you've got. How do you make the best of this day, make sure it goes smoothly, and get the most of your opportunity? We'll share some hard-earned experiences and lessons. Next, we look at SoundExchange's new global AI registry, what it does (and doesn't) do. Then, our first villain Timbaland (see ep. 3 for more) returns with a new AI artist called Tata Taktumi, and we react to "her"...

1 month ago

1 hour 2 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Pitching Yourself / Handling Rejection / Live Nation / Spotify x ChatGPT / Taylor Swift / The Downfall of Drake

We break down how to pitch yourself as an artist — from telling your story and defining your “why” to stating your artistic pedigree. Next we also unpack Bob Brody’s piece “Stay True to Yourself – and Fly Closer to the Sun” and his lessons from 50 years of rejection. Then we look at how Portland’s music scene stood up to Live Nation–Ticketmaster, and dive into Spotify’s new ChatGPT integration that’s changing how artists get discovered. Finally, we briefly dunk on Drake for losing his lawsuit...

1 month ago

1 hour 25 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Marketing Masterclass / AI Music Detection / Ticketmaster CEO Says Tickets are Too Cheap / Ed Sheeran's Plans for Dying / Spotify in Serato

We discuss a marketing masterclass to help you cut through the noise and get your music heard. Then we look at the newest AI detection measures from Spotify, Universal, and Sony Music. We share Ed Sheeran's plan for his posthumous album. Then we deploy our dueling hot takes about ticket prices. Finally, we look at the new D4VD updates (with a CW for violence and grooming). LinksSymphonic Masterclass Recap: Fueling Your Next Release with Marketing Drivers by Randi ZimmermanSpotify has delete...

1 month ago

1 hour 12 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Cover Songs / Coachella Booking / Avoiding Burnout / GFY Records / Kate Hudson / Green Day / D4VD Update

We answer one of the most commonly asked questions in music: how do I legally cover other people's songs? Hint: it's easier than you think! Then we take a deep dive into all the agencies, labels, artists, and genres behind this year's Coachella, and what the data reveals about the state of the music industry. Next we discuss tools and strategies for avoiding burnout when it comes to the business side of your career. Then some news about Kate Hudson, Green Day, and songwriter Julia Michaels' n...

1 month ago

58 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Reaching Gatekeepers / Bad Bunny Skips America / 21 Pilots vs Temu / King Gizz on Bandcamp / D4VD / Kanye

Like it or not, gatekeepers are a part of the music industry. We talk about some ways to connect with gatekeepers, and help you get a "Yes!" Next, we discuss how Bad Bunny is protecting his audience from ICE by skipping America on his upcoming world tour. We look at 21 Pilots' lawsuit against Temu, what King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are doing on Bandcamp, get juicy with the D4VD gossip, and round it out with a Kanye West's Donda Academy — who could have possibly expected Ye wasn't up to ...

2 months ago

52 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Beating the Algorithm Blues / Musicians Unions / Marketing Automation / Vinyl Safe from Tariffs

Everyone's talking about AI and algorithms but there are still plenty of people and places to find human-curated music, so we highlight a few places to look. Next we profile UMAW — United Musicians and Allied Workers — who have been doing great work to support indie and DIY musicians. We talk about some tools designed to automate your music marketing, and go over the latest on tariffs and vinyl. LinksWhy Local Radio Is The Antidote To Your Algorithm Blues by Elliott Nielson for Mixcloud Blo...

2 months ago

41 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Running a DIY Space / SEO for Musicians / Fully Licensed Generative AI / Spotify Messages / YouTube Hype

We talk about what we've learned from years of running DIY spaces, events, and groups, and how you can apply these lessons to your own career. Then we go over some great tips for SEO and discoverability for musicians. On the AI front, we discuss a new generative AI model that claims to be fully licensed (and how we might be wrong about AI slop), look at the latest developments on Suno's indie artist lawsuit, and how a lawsuit in the book publishing industry could impact musicians. Finally we ...

2 months ago

1 hour 12 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Email vs Social Media / Monetizing Superfans / Quitting Social Media / Radio Rate Increase / Lil Nas X

We discuss the the pros and cons of email marketing vs social media. Then we highlight an artist who has quit social media and streaming entirely. We discuss the new ASCAP and BMI rate increases for radio, go over a service to promote live events on YouTube, and discuss how the streaming economy is unflattening as streaming services look to capitalize on superfans. We talk about Lil Nas X, Taylor and Travis, Chance The Rapper's comeback, and finally Apple Music's new LA studios. LinksPromotin...

2 months ago

1 hour 14 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Music Lawyers / The Truth About Recoupment / Fair Use / Money For Songwriters

Are music lawyers the biggest secret in the music industry? How do major labels ACTUALLY recoup your money — the math is worse than you think! What is "Fair Use" and how is it impacting YouTube? How songwriters are adapting to the new rules of the music industry. Also, Cameron drops his Chappell Roan hot take. LinksFair Use: https://copyright.wp.musiclibraryassoc.org/statement-on-the-copyright-law-and-fair-use-in-music/More Fair Use: https://digitalpromise.org/initiative/360-story-lab/360-p...

3 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Artists Leaving Spotify / Standing Up Against the Genocide in Gaza / Yung Thug and the RAP Act / YouTube fighting AI slop / Certified Generative AI

A number of established artists are leaving Spotify. Should you? Should we? How artists support each other as they stand up against the genocide in Gaza. Yung Thug and the RAP act. The collective building the next Bandcamp. We have an update on Super Fans. We spotlight ONErpm. What's YouTube doing to combat AI slop on their platform? And how can artists use AI to help their careers — without generating songs? LinksMassive Attack, Kneecap, Brian Eno, Fontaines D.C. announce formation of musici...

3 months ago

1 hour 3 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

DIY Music Videos pt. 2 / Music Management / Superfans / Soundcloud's AI Policy

We got so excited to talk about DIY music videos that we came back around for another round. When should you shoot vertical or horizontal? How can you find great locations? What video editing software is best? After that, we look at the proliferation of music business education. How does a degree stack up against real-world experience? We talk about superfans, their importance, and caveats when promoting to them. What kinds of communities will develop as a backlash against AI music? And a l...

3 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

DIY music videos / New tax breaks for musicians / Warner layoffs / The future of TikTok

What's it take to make a DIY music video? Also, some rare good news from the government in 2025: the HITS act is a new tax break for indie musicians! We discuss layoffs at Warner Music Group. And what's the latest news for TikTok, and what does it mean for musicians? LinksSoundCloud Still Matters for Emerging Artists - Here’s Why by Ben Jolley on Chartmetric.com https://hmc.chartmetric.com/soundcloud-trends-2025-josh-baker-electronic/HITS Act becomes law in a Big Win For Independent Artists...

3 months ago

43 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Activism / The Velvet Sundown / Social Media / Compilations / Zines / Sample Packs / Artist Corporations

What is “adding value” on social media? How can musicians use their platform to help others? Zines and other forms of physical media are making a comeback. The co-founder of Kickstarter introduces artist corporations. The death of the middle class musician. We also wade into the fake AI bands controversy, including Velvet Sundown. LinksSocial Media Replaced Zines. Now Zines Are Taking the Power Back by C. Brandon Ogbunu for Wired https://www.wired.com/story/zines-social-media-power/The ...

3 months ago

1 hour

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Money / Day Jobs / Vinyl Costs / Tariffs / AI Brainrot

Everyone in the music industry has a day job. The people who make a living in the music industry serve others. Most of us are actually consumers and hobbyists — and that’s okay. Meanwhile, Project 2025 and the administration is coming for your vinyl. Finally, is ChatGPT cooking your brain? LINKS Why Tariffs Are Quitely Undermining The American Vinyl Comeback by Chris Castle for Music Technology Policy https://musictechpolicy.com/2025/06/19/why-tariffs-are-quietly-undermining-the-american-viny...

3 months ago

46 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Analytics / Failed Promo Tactics / AI + Record Labels / Indie Execs Sound Off / Better Rhyme Schemes

Let's talk about analytics and dashboards! What music promo tactics are cooked in 2025? And what works, according to indie music executives? Suno and Udio's potential licensing deal with major labels could be a major shift in creators rights. New Grammy category. We also explore previously unheard of rhyme schemes. LinksWhat Music Promo Tactics Don't Work Anymore? by Yona Marie https://www.indieonthemove.com/blog/2025/6/what-music-promo-tactics-dont-work-anymoreWhat Suno And Udio’s AI L...

4 months ago

1 hour 17 minutes

The Wholesome Music Podcast

Good Collabs / LA in 2025 / Mental Health / TikTok for Artists / Timbaland's Weird AI Take / Goldman Sachs Music Forecast

What makes a good recording session or a good collaborator? What's really going on in LA in 2025? (Spoiler: it's not an urban hellscape warzone). We'll also share some artist mental health resources, discuss TikTok's new artist tools, and stare deeply at Timbaland's very weird take on AI. A Goldman Sachs report gets reviewed — shout out to global banking, we love you. Oh, and our transition game is impeccable. LinksArtists Often Pay For Their Own Health Care — This Is Their Biggest Expense ...

4 months ago

1 hour