Video by Ditto Music via YouTube
Videos
Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
Why Dropping Singles Is Killing Indie Artists w/ LiveMixtapes Founder
Video by No Labels Necessary via YouTube
Kato on the Track sits down with Pesh, Co-Founder of LiveMixtapes, for a deep dive into 20 years of mixtape culture — and what independent artists are getting dangerously wrong in 2025.
Pesh built the platform that launched Future, Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, Migos, Wiz Khalifa, and a generation of Atlanta artists. Now he’s back with a rebuilt LiveMixtapes, and he’s not holding back on what it really takes to build a fanbase, why singles are a broken strategy, and why the royalty rate debate is the wrong conversation entirely.
We get into the real math behind LiveMixtapes paying $13K per million streams vs. Spotify’s $4K, the lost emotional power of mixtape culture, why streaming didn’t devalue music (your marketing did), and what the next era of independent distribution actually looks like.
If you’re an independent artist, manager, producer, or just a student of the music industry — this one is essential.
🎙️ Guest: Pesh — Co-Founder, LiveMixtapes:
https://www.instagram.com/pesh22/?hl=en
📍 Host: Kato on the Track:
https://www.instagram.com/katoproducer/?hl=en
🎧 Platform: No Labels Necessary
🔗 LiveMixtapes: https://livemixtapes.com
0:00 — Intro & Kato welcomes Pesh (Co-Founder, LiveMixtapes)
2:10 — How LiveMixtapes started in 2006 & the problem it was solving
3:52 — TRUE OR FALSE: Did the mixtape era create stronger fanbases than streaming?
5:04 — The artists LMT broke: Gucci, Future, Waka, Migos, Wiz & the Atlanta legacy
5:33 — What’s missing today: emotional connection & why fans can’t vote music down anymore
9:46 — Every artist is a walking brand — managing your social currency
10:11 — TRUE OR FALSE: Music is marketing first, product second
10:52 — Artists say streaming devalues music — but they gave it away free in the mixtape era
11:38 — Streaming does NOT devalue music — it’s a YOU problem, not a platform problem
13:39 — 98% of songs get under 1,000 streams — what that actually means
17:01 — Mixtape culture vs. streaming: reach & curation vs. retention & monetization
21:27 — LiveMixtapes’ comeback: rebuilding the ecosystem for 2025
22:19 — Why it’s NOT a singles market — drop projects, not singles
26:34 — TRUE OR FALSE: If you can’t get streams, D2C will be even harder
26:47 — Pesh makes the case for direct-to-consumer: knocking on doors beats smart links
33:42 — The full release strategy: LMT first → DSPs → jail systems
37:06 — TRUE OR FALSE: Mixtape era trained fans to support; streaming trained them to consume
40:35 — Future, Drake & Wiz prove why projects beat singles every time
46:47 — How LiveMixtapes pays $13K per million streams vs. Spotify’s $4K — the math
52:47 — Was the streaming model planned? Pesh on following the money
54:06 — Final advice for every independent artist watching
If you’re serious about building a real career as an independent artist, start here:
➤ Take our Free Artist Diagnostic and Grow Your Music Career:
https://nolabelsnecessary.com/nln-career-stack-guide?utm_source=youtube
Most artists focus on the wrong things.
They think success comes from dropping music and going viral…
But the artists who actually win are building systems.
On this channel, we break down:
• Worldbuilding & artist identity
• Marketing & content strategy
• How artists actually grow and monetize
🎯 Work With Us
If you want help building your artist world, brand, and strategy:
➤ Take our Free Artist Diagnostic and Grow Your Music Career:
https://nolabelsnecessary.com/nln-career-stack-guide?utm_source=youtube
🔒 Join The NLN Community
Get exclusive breakdowns, deeper strategy, and behind-the-scenes content:
➤ Join here
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🎥 Want to Be on NLN Shows?
We’re casting artists & creators for The Divide and future NLN series.
➤ Apply here
https://forms.gle/aN9AFq6N1mUwFdRU8
📌 About No Labels Necessary
No Labels Necessary is a media platform and network for independent artist education & entertainment.
We create shows, interviews, and breakdowns that help artists understand how to build real careers in today’s music industry.
#NoLabelsNecessary #indieartist #musicmarketing
New Global Booking Agency from ATC and Arrival Artists Now Reps 800 Artists
Video by Ari’s Take via YouTube
This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ethan Berlin and Skully Kaplan of Roam Artists for an inside look at the realities of booking and touring in today’s music industry. They unpack how booking agencies build and manage their rosters, what it really takes to develop artists on the road, and how deals—from guarantees to ticket splits—actually come together. If you’re an artist planning your next tour or trying to understand the live side of the business, this episode gives a clear, candid breakdown of how it all works.
https://www.instagram.com/roam.artists/
Chapters
05:03 – Intro & Rome Agency Origin Story
08:26 – From Partnership to Global Agency
11:32 – Why Artists Need Different Agents by Region
14:59 – Breaking Into International Markets (Asia & Beyond)
19:52 – Why Artists Blow Up in Some Countries First
25:20 – Genre & Market Differences Worldwide
34:48 – The Real Cost of Touring Today
40:16 – How Artists Cut Costs on Tour
44:48 – How Artists Actually Make Money Touring
48:16 – Tour Deals & Promoter Strategy Explained
52:11 – Marketing Tours & Selling Tickets
Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarate
Music by Brassroots District
Produced by the team at Ari’s Take
Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
Korn’s Ray Luzier Returns to Musicians Institute | Pearl Day ’26
Video by Musicians Institute via YouTube
Korn drummer and MI graduate Ray Luzier joins Musicians Institute for Pearl Day, sharing performance, insight, and real-world experience with the next generation of drummers.
Musicians Institute (MI) — Hands-on training in contemporary music performance, recording, production, and music business built for real-world music careers.
🌐 Apply & Learn More: https://www.mi.edu
📍 Hollywood, CA
CONTACT US:
(800) 255-7529 (US/Canada)
(323) 462-1384 (International/Direct)
admissions@mi.edu
FOLLOW US:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MIHollywood
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mihollywood
#RayLuzier #Korn #DrumClinic
Spotify Is Actually OVERPAYING You (Here’s Why)
Video by Music Money Makeover Show via YouTube
Stop letting the "Ghost of 1998" kill your music career by clinging to an outdated business model that prioritizes pennies in sales over a sustainable brand ecosystem. In this video, we break down why Spotify and other DSPs aren’t the villains, but rather the "Netflix" syndication stage of a three-part Hollywood-style funnel designed to turn passive listeners into high-value superfans. By mastering the Trailer phase (social discovery), the Box Office run (direct-to-fan sales), and the Library phase (streaming research), you’ll learn the math of Customer Acquisition Cost versus Lifetime Value and finally understand why your music is actually a "loss leader" for a million-dollar brand.
00:00 – Let’s Talk
01:10 – Act 1: The “Trailer” Phase
03:52 – Act 2: The Box Office Run
08:09 – Act 3: The Syndication Phase
11:58 – #4 The Truth: The Math Behind the “Loss”
13:35 – #5 The “Hard Truth” on Interestingness
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60 DAY RECORD LABEL COURSE
https://www.musicmoneymakeover.com/60-day-record-label-course
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FREE STUFF
Foolproof Solo Record Label Setup (Get In The Game!)
https://www.musicmoneymakeover.com/newlabel
BOOKS & PRODUCTS
The 60-Day Record Label Executive Edition
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Video Copyright © 2025 Music Money Makeover LLC (www.musicmoneymakeover.com)
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Introducing LANDR Strata: A Hybrid Granular Synthesizer
Video by LANDR via YouTube
Unlock a new dimension of cinematic sound design with LANDR Strata—the hybrid granular synthesizer designed to turn organic guitar tones into living, breathing textures. Create everything from gritty, experimental layers to lush, evolving soundscapes with authentic, high-fidelity results that add immediate depth and movement to your tracks.
LANDR Strata features a sophisticated five-module engine that fuses real-world guitar recordings with dual granular processors giving you the power to push beyond traditional synthesis. Build your next film score or complex electronic arrangement and find the missing sonic piece for your project.
Get LANDR Strata: https://get.landr.com/landrstrata
——————
Try LANDR for free:
Subscribe to LANDR on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2BcY9US
Follow the LANDR blog to get the best tips, tools and tutorials for producers: https://blog.landr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landrmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LANDR_music
——————–
#sounddesign #vst #synthesizer
10 years in the making for Sabrina Carpenter✨
Video by Groover via YouTube
10 years in the making ✨
From Disney screens on Girl Meets World 🎬 to stacking eras, sounds, and projects no one was ready for yet…
No instant takeover. Just consistency.
Then “Nonsense” flipped the switch 🎤 “Espresso” took it global 🌎
And suddenly, Coachella crowds screaming every word.
The real glow-up? She never stopped showing up long enough to meet her moment.
👉 Don’t wait for the hit. Build until one finds you… then run it up FAST 🚀
#sabrinacarpenter #coachella #music #indieartist #popculture #pop #musicpromotion
Producers after finishing a beat 🎛️🔥 #producer #independentartist #musicproducer #musicproduction
Video by Ditto Music via YouTube
Artist Management, Consistency, and Finding Your Path with Mike Mowery
Video by Full Stack Creative via YouTube
SHOWNOTES: https://indepreneur.io/episode425
For artists and artist managers alike, wearing many hats is part of the game. So what does it take to do it AND be successful?
In this episode of Creative Juice, Jack and Circa sit down with Mike Mowery, senior artist manager at 10th Street Entertainment and former president of Outerloop Group. With years of experience under his belt, Mike shares his journey from DIY hardcore roots to managing major acts like Ice Nine Kills, TX2, Solence, Charlotte Sands, Scene Queen, Bailey Spinnn, and As December Falls! Learn about the dynamics between artists and managers, the importance of authenticity, and how Mike’s unique journey in the music business shapes his approach to building music careers.
Whether you’re an artist looking to grow your career or a manager aiming to refine your approach, this conversation and Mike’s insight and advice will help you navigate the industry landscape!
DISCOVER:
How To Identify And Prioritize Revenue Streams For Artists
Why Artist Authenticity And Perseverance Are Key To Success
What Makes a Manager-Artist Relationship Thrive
How To Strategically Plan A Release With Tours, Merch Drops, And Content
Why Embracing AI And New Tools Can Benefit Your Music Career
How To Sustain Motivation And Avoid Burnout In A Fast-paced Industry
What Steps Are Vital In Developing An Artist’s Career Trajectory
RESOURCES:
Learn The Top Music Marketing Strategies Inside IndiePRO
10th Street Entertainment
Follow Mike Mowery on Instagram
Join Us In The Indepreneur Discord Server!
Looking to expand your team or need marketing help? Apply to work with IndieX!
How Music Artists Grow On Social Media feat. Dustin Boyer
Video by Andrew Southworth via YouTube
In this interview I talk to Dustin Boyer (Industry Plant) about how artists win on social media, how they can use fan accounts or theme pages, AI music and much more.
Get Dustin’s 5 question framework here: https://geni.us/IndustryPlant5Qs
🏆 Hire us to run your ads: https://geni.us/AdAgency
🚀 Spotify Growth Machine Course: https://geni.us/SpotifyGrowthMachine
🌍 Best website / store / funnels for music artists: https://geni.us/MusicFunnels (get your 14-day FREE trial!)
👥 Fan Growth Machine: https://geni.us/FanGrowthMachine
🎬 YouTube Growth Machine: https://geni.us/YouTubeGrowthMachine
🧑💻 Consultations: https://geni.us/GSConsulting
📰 Join the FREE Music Marketing Monday newsletter here: https://geni.us/GSNewsletter
Affiliate links:
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►► Smart Noise Trial: https://geni.us/SmartNoise
►► FeatureFM: https://feature.fm/andrewsouthworth – use code ASOUTH30 for 30% off for any annual plan!
►► Get 10% off Artist.Tools here: https://geni.us/ArtistTools
Get more from me:
🌍 Website: https://andrewsouthworth.com
⌨️ Chat in the community (FREE): https://geni.us/GSCommunity
🎤 Modern Music Marketing Podcast: https://geni.us/MMMPodcast
IG: https://www.instagram.com/andrew.southworth
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@andrew.southworth
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Contact Me: andrew@generastudios.com
#MusicMarketing #MusicPromotion #SpotifyMarketing #SpotifyPromotion
Some of the links in this description are affiliate links I may receive a kickback from! This helps support the channel and pays for these videos. I only recommend products I would happily share with my friends and family.