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Artwork for The New Music Business

The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

Ari's Take
Music Industry
Spotify
Tiktok
AI In Music
Songwriting
Youtube
Royalties
Distrokid
Social Media
Publishing
Fan Engagement
Streaming Services
Sync Licensing
Streaming Fraud
Artist Development
Dance Music
Royalty Model
Fly By Midnight
Independent Music
Music Production

**WEBBY AWARD FOR BEST MUSIC PODCAST**

“#1 music industry podcast to help keep you in the loop” -Spotify

“The 10 Best Music Business Podcasts of 2022" – Variety

Ari Herstand is the best-selling author of How To Make It in the New Music Business. Forbes calls him “The poster child of DIY music.” In this show, he deconstructs the brightest minds in the music industry, digging deep to find the tools,... more

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Artwork for The New Music Business

Latest Episodes

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Adam Gross, the president of Ineffable Records. Adam founded Ineffable Records in 2019 and later became a co-owner of Ineffable Music Group, now Billboard’s top independent reggae label ... more

YouTube

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Joseph Pepin, artist manager, producer manager, and founder of a boutique management company that has helped artists like GoldFord build massive audiences while remaining independent.

J... more

YouTube

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Eliah Seton, CEO of SoundCloud. Eliah breaks down how SoundCloud is evolving beyond streaming into a creator-first platform focused on fan relationships, monetization, and artist discove... more

YouTube

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Ash Avildsen, founder of Sumerian Records. Ash shares the story of building one of the most influential independent labels in modern rock and metal, from booking DIY tours in the MySpace... more

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Recent Guests

Eliah Seton
CEO of SoundCloud
SoundCloud
Episode: Has SoundCloud Cracked Superfandom and AI Music?
Ash Avildsen
Founder and CEO of Sumerian Records
Sumerian Records
Episode: Breaking Hard Rock and Metal Bands with Sumerian Records
Red Leather
Anonymous artist known for distinctive hat/face-covering branding
Independent artist turned international touring act
Episode: Going Viral In The Right Way Allowed Him To Turn Down Record Deals and Sell Out Venues Around The World
Oskar Med K
Oslo-born electronic producer and artist
Unknown (artist project)
Episode: He Went from 40K Listeners to 11 Million and a Coachella Slot in Under a Year as an Indie Artist
Ethan Berlin
Founder/Executive at Arrival Artists, now part of Roam
Roam (formerly Arrival Artists)
Episode: New Global Booking Agency from ATC and Arrival Artists Now Reps 800 Artists
Skully Kaplan
Executive at ATC, now part of Roam
Roam (formerly ATC)
Episode: New Global Booking Agency from ATC and Arrival Artists Now Reps 800 Artists
Mark Orr
Founder and head of Lab Records
Lab Records
Episode: How This UK Indie Label Sold 25K Records For 1 Band First Week
Michael Turner
CEO and founder of Rebellion Records; artist Platinum
Rebellion Records
Episode: This Artist-Run Record Label is Competing with the Majors in a Big Way
Brian Hobbs
VP of Music Festival at South by Southwest
South by Southwest (SXSW)
Episode: How SXSW Works For Music

Host

Ari Herstand
Host of The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 857 ratings
  • Best podcast for DIY musicians

    love how it’s straight talk no fluffff

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    catpostmedia
    Canada3 months ago
  • Great podcast for musicians

    Ari Herstand’s The New Music Business podcast is hands-down one of the best resources out there for anyone serious about navigating today’s music industry. He’s got this perfect mix of real-world experience, sharp insight, and a genuine desire to help artists succeed on their own terms. The guests are top-tier — managers, songwriters, label heads, and innovators — all sharing practical advice that actually applies to real life, not just theory.

    What I love most is that Ari breaks down complex t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liam USA
    United States8 months ago
  • Words have power

    I was happily listening to this podcast a couple years ago and one comment from Ari during one episode had had me completely stop listening (until I recently decided to give it another try) Over reaction? Perhaps. But also a testament to how incredibly powerful words can be to sensitive artist types like me working so hard at creating and believing in their Quixotic vision… the comment was something along the lines of telling artist that the one thing they should not do if they want to become su... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Orson Horchler
    United Statesa year ago
  • Music Biz Education

    Every episode is a learning experience for anyone in the modern music industry. I like to cherry pick episodes based on what I’m working on at the time, and there’s almost always something that helps me out or at least points me in the right direction.

    Thank you Ari!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lunarmysteria
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such an awesome podcast for any independent musician

    Absolutely love this podcast. been listening for quite a long time and bought his book which is great. Now I really want to find the Ricky Montgomery episode! Ari is just awesome! I really want to go have a beer with him. or if you are ever in Santa Fe New Mexico I would love to show you around.

    Nial Connolly

    Singer songwriter on DistroKid because I heard about it from this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yantraimages
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critique the host's airtime versus guest depth, but overall high appreciation for the content quality.
Many note the guest lineup offers real-world, actionable insights for career growth.
Listeners praise practical, no-fluff guidance for independent musicians.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Breaking Hard Rock and Metal Bands with Sumerian Records
Q: How has the live touring aspect evolved, and what is the role of tour buys in sustaining tours?
Tour biomes and strategic openers remain essential; buying slots can be ethical when it helps sell tickets and build momentum, but it's a delicate balance with artist integrity and long-term brand considerations.
Breaking Hard Rock and Metal Bands with Sumerian Records
Q: Why are music videos so important, and how is Sumerian trying to rethink video strategy?
Music videos are vital for fan engagement and storytelling, but they are expensive and historically loss-making; Ash discusses Bands, a Bands.com vision, to create more sustainable video models that support artists financially while preserving the artistic value of videos.
Breaking Hard Rock and Metal Bands with Sumerian Records
Q: What does it mean to break an artist in the current landscape, and has that changed over time?
Breaking an artist today still hinges on aligning with their goals and delivering a momentum-building plan, but the metrics vary widely—from achieving moderate touring success to selling out large venues—so the approach depends on the artist's target and the label's ability to execute a cohesive, well-branded rollout.
Going Viral In The Right Way Allowed Him To Turn Down Record Deals and Sell Out Venues Around The World
Q: What does making it in the New Music Business mean to you personally?
Making it means continuing to release albums I'm deeply proud of, touring to connect with fans live, and achieving a level of artistry and resonance where people sing along and are moved by the music, with a long-term, sustainable path.
Going Viral In The Right Way Allowed Him To Turn Down Record Deals and Sell Out Venues Around The World
Q: When did the Empire deal actually come together, and what made that partnership feel right for you?
After a second viral surge in 2025, I had multiple meetings and finally found Empire to be the right fit because they prioritized the art, had genuine belief in my story, and offered a scalable, artist-centric plan rather than just chasing numbers.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The New Music Business

What is The New Music Business about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on the evolving music business from the perspective of independent artists, managers, and labels. Episodes frequently explore DIY careers, artist development, and the shift toward direct-to-fan models, with deep dives into indie label strategies, live touring economics, and the impact of technology like AI and short-form media on promotion. Notable throughlines include hands-on rollout tactics, global booking dynamics, and the balance between authentic artistry and scalable marketing. A distinctive angle is freeing artists from gatekeeping by emphasizing community, transparent deals, and fan-centric business models, making it especially useful for creators and managers navigating today's rapidly changing landscape.

Where can I find podcast stats for The New Music Business?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The New Music Business. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The New Music Business and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The New Music Business get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The New Music Business has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of The New Music Business are there?

The New Music Business launched 6 years ago and published 238 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The New Music Business?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The New Music Business?

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What guests have appeared on The New Music Business?

Recent guests on The New Music Business include:

1. Eliah Seton
2. Ash Avildsen
3. Red Leather
4. Oskar Med K
5. Ethan Berlin
6. Skully Kaplan
7. Mark Orr
8. Michael Turner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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