Podcast
Modern Musician Podcast
Hosted by Modern Musician · EN
An educational podcast for musicians looking to grow their audience online and make a sustainable income. The host, Michael Walker provides artists with the tools necessary to create a lasting career in the music industry.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#339 - Max Wild: Done Is Better Than Perfect: The Secret to Finishing More Tracks
1w ago00:20:27Tap to summarizeMax Wild is the CEO and co-founder of 343 Labs, a leading music production and DJ school with campuses in New York City and Berlin. An electronic musician, producer, educator, and saxophonist, Max combines real-world music industry experience with a passion for helping artists build sustainable careers. Through 343 Labs, he has created a global community offering training in music production, DJing, sound design, mixing, mastering, live performance, and artist development. His work focuses on helping producers develop their skills, finish their music, build confidence, connect with others, and turn their creativity into a professional path.In this episode, Max Wild shares the practical playbook for turning music from a hobby into a career by finishing more music, building accountability, developing your network, and treating your artistry like a business.Key TakeawaysFinish more music and break through perfectionism by using deadlines, accountability, and consistent creative habits to turn ideas into completed tracks.Build a stronger music career through community and connections by surrounding yourself with people who can provide feedback, support, opportunities, and collaboration.Treat your music like a business by developing a marketing strategy, consistently promoting your work, and taking ownership of the professional side of your career.---→ Explore free music production and DJ workshops from 343 Labs: https://www.343labs.com/events/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#338 - Dr. Chelsey Green: Inside the GRAMMYs with a Billboard #1 Recording Artist
2w ago00:40:17Tap to summarizeDr. Chelsey Green is a No. 1 Billboard-charting recording artist, internationally acclaimed violinist, educator, and cultural leader. She serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy®, making history as the first Black woman and youngest person ever elected to lead the organization's governing body. An Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, she also serves on the boards of the Latin Recording Academy®, the GRAMMY Museum®, and MusiCares®. Through her artistry, leadership, and advocacy, Dr. Green is helping shape the future of music, creator rights, and the global music industry.In this episode, Dr. Chelsey Green shares her journey to leading the Recording Academy and discusses AI, artist advocacy, and how independent musicians can build sustainable careers.Key TakeawaysLearn how AI is changing the music industry and discover practical ways to protect your music, ownership, and artistic integrity.Get an inside look at the Recording Academy and MusiCares to understand how these organizations support creators and advocate for artists worldwide.Discover why mentorship, community, and live performance remain the biggest competitive advantages for independent artists building sustainable careers.---→ Learn more about Dr. Chelsey Green and her work at: https://www.chelseygreen.com/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#337 - Oskar Eichler: Build a Bigger Fanbase with Better Data, Not Bigger Budgets
3w ago00:39:53Tap to summarizeOskar Eichler is the Founder & CEO of Songstats, the leading music analytics platform trusted by more than 10,000 artists, labels, and industry professionals to track real-time performance across 14 major streaming and social platforms. A serial entrepreneur and music producer, Oskar previously founded and sold Arcane, served as COO of 1001Tracklists, and built a YouTube channel with over one million subscribers. Today, he's helping creators leverage data, AI, and social insights to make smarter marketing decisions while building sustainable careers in music.In this episode, Oskar joins Michael Walker to explore how independent artists can use music data, social media analytics, and AI to make smarter marketing decisions, build stronger brands, and create authentic connections with fans.Key TakeawaysLearn how to use streaming and social media analytics to make smarter release, marketing, and audience growth decisions.Discover why authenticity, storytelling, and branding are becoming the biggest competitive advantages in an AI-driven music industry.Gain practical strategies for building a recognizable artist brand, growing your community, and turning data into long-term career growth.---→ Learn more about Oskar and Socialstats at: https://socialstats.com/Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#336 - Chris Boshuizen: What Seeing Earth From Space Taught Me About Music and Life
Jul 800:41:58Tap to summarizeChris Boshuizen, better known as Dr. Chrispy, is a physicist, entrepreneur, musician, and former astronaut whose career bridges the worlds of science and creativity. As the co-founder of Planet Labs, he helped revolutionize Earth observation through satellite technology before flying to space aboard Blue Origin's NS-18 mission, becoming Australia's third astronaut. Alongside his work in aerospace, Chris creates music inspired by exploration, innovation, and the human experience, producing under the name Dr. Chrispy while encouraging others to pursue bold dreams with persistence, curiosity, and purpose.In this episode, discover how an astronaut, physicist, and musician found a way to merge science, creativity, and purpose—and why pursuing your biggest dreams is always worth the journey.Key TakeawaysWhy perseverance matters more than perfect timing when chasing ambitious goals.How the "overview effect" changes the way astronauts see Earth—and what creatives can learn from that perspective.What the future of space travel could mean for music, creativity, and live experiences like concerts in space.---→ Learn more about Chris and his work at: https://drchrispy.com/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#335 - David Andrew Wiebe: Rich Dad, Poor Dad Lessons Every Music Artist Can Apply
Jul 100:40:03Tap to summarizeDavid Andrew Wiebe is an award-winning composer, bestselling author, and music marketing strategist dedicated to helping independent artists build sustainable careers. As the founder of Content Marketing Musician, he teaches musicians how to combine creativity with proven business systems that generate consistent growth. David has authored more than 13 books on music, creativity, and entrepreneurship, composed the acclaimed work The Nobody Prayer, and hosts a popular podcast where he shares practical insights on marketing, monetization, and personal development for today's independent artists navigating an ever-changing music industry.In this episode, you’ll learn what it actually takes to build a profitable, sustainable music career without relying on luck or chasing every trend.Key TakeawaysHow to build multiple income streams that create long-term financial stability instead of depending solely on streaming revenue or gigs.The mindset shifts and decision-making frameworks that help successful independent artists grow faster and avoid common career mistakes.How to systemize your music business so you can spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time creating meaningful work.---→ Learn more about David Andrew Wiebe and his work at: https://davidandrewwiebe.com/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#334 - Igor Alpatov: The Rise of Free Music Distribution and the Democratization of the Music Industry
Mar 600:33:17Tap to summarizeIgor Alpatov is the Strategic Partnerships Lead at FreshTunes, a fee-free digital music distribution platform helping independent artists release music worldwide while keeping full ownership of their work. With a lifelong passion for music and technology, Igor works at the intersection of distribution, artist growth, and the evolving digital music ecosystem. He collaborates with global partners to expand opportunities for creators and make professional distribution accessible to everyone. Through FreshTunes, he supports the democratization of the music industry by giving indie artists the tools they need to release, market, and scale their music careers independently.In this episode, Igor Alpatov explains how free music distribution is changing the industry, why authentic fan connections matter more than ever in the age of AI music, and how indie artists can grow sustainable careers without giving up ownership. Key TakeawaysLearn how free music distribution platforms can help indie artists release music globally while maintaining full ownership and royalties.Discover why authentic fan relationships and community building matter more than ever in a world increasingly filled with AI-generated music.Understand how independent artists can balance music creation, marketing, and distribution to build a sustainable career in today’s music industry.---→ Learn more about Igor and his work at: https://freshtunes.com/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#333 - Luke Justin Roberts: The Real Reason Your Music Content Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It Fast)
Feb 2400:56:32Tap to summarizeLuke Justin Roberts (LJR) is a nostalgic alternative rock artist and filmmaker from Laurel, Maryland who blends ’80s pop energy with soaring alt-rock and cinematic storytelling. After pursuing engineering and a PhD track at the University of Maryland, he pivoted into full-time video production—first to elevate his own music videos, then to help other artists create pro content on any budget. Today he runs LJR Creative, teaches artists how to shoot high-quality videos (even on iPhone), and builds sustainable content systems that grow audiences and fund the music long-term.In this episode, LJR talks about how independent artists don’t need “perfect” videos—they need a repeatable content system that connects and converts.Key Takeaways Create scroll-stopping videos fast by mastering simple lighting + positioning that instantly upgrades your look on any camera.Stop wasting money on one-off music videos and build a sustainable content pipeline that fuels bookings, growth, and income.Make your story the strategy so your videos resonate emotionally, drive shares, and turn viewers into real fans.---→ Get a chance to apply to work directly with Luke here: https://ljrcreative.com/ultimate-indie-artist-package-mm→ Learn more about Luke and his work at: https://lukejustinroberts.com/.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#332 - Chris Swanson: AI in Music — Opportunity or Threat for Indie Artists?
Feb 1300:47:24Tap to summarizeChris Swanson is the co-founder of Secretly Group, the influential independent music company behind labels including Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans, and The Numero Group. Since co-founding Secretly Canadian in 1996, Chris has helped shape the modern indie label ecosystem and built Secretly Distribution into a global force for independent artists. He’s worked with groundbreaking acts like Bon Iver and has spent nearly three decades helping artists balance creativity, commerce, and long-term career sustainability in a rapidly evolving music industry.In this episode, Chris breaks down how independent artists can navigate record labels, digital distribution, AI, and self-promotion—without losing their creativity or community.Key Takeaways:Learn why major label advances come with high expectations—and how indie labels can offer stronger long-term career development.Discover how DSPs have democratized music, what that means for independent music growth, and how to approach self-promotion strategically.Understand how to manage expectations, avoid “radical doubt,” and use AI as a tool without losing artistic identity.---→ Learn more about Chris Swanson and his work at: ckswanson.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#331 – Matt Adell: Can AI Respect Copyright and Still Power the Future of Music?
Jan 1600:38:48Tap to summarizeMatt Adell is a music tech entrepreneur and the COO & co-founder of Musical AI, a rights-first AI licensing platform designed to protect creators in the era of generative music. With a career spanning influential companies like Beatport and Napster, Matt brings deep experience at the intersection of music, technology, and digital innovation. Today, he’s focused on building ethical AI systems that respect copyright, ensure proper attribution, and create sustainable opportunities for artists as the future of music rapidly evolves.In this episode, Matt breaks down exactly how AI is reshaping music creation, copyright, and compensation—and what independent artists need to know to protect their work and thrive in a generative future.Key TakeawaysHow generative AI is disrupting the music industry and what it means for artists, songwriters, and producersWhy copyright, attribution, and licensing matter more than ever in an AI-driven music ecosystemHow ethical, rights-first AI can create new opportunities without undermining human creativity or fair pay---→ Learn more about Matt Adell and his work at: wearemusical.ai.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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#330 - Chris SD: Why Sync Licensing Is the Smartest Move for Indie Artists
Jan 900:34:43Tap to summarizeChris SD is an award-winning music producer and sync licensing expert who helps indie songwriters get their music placed in top TV shows, films, and advertisements. After producing acclaimed records and winning multiple music awards, he discovered that a single well-placed song could radically change an artist’s career and income. That realization led him to found Sync Songwriter, a platform dedicated to teaching independent artists how to license their music and connect directly with leading music supervisors, agencies, and studios worldwide.In this episode, Chris breaks down exactly how indie songwriters can turn their music into consistent sync income—without a label or industry gatekeepers.Key TakeawaysHow sync licensing really works and why it’s one of the most powerful income streams for indie artistsThe exact mindset and strategies music supervisors look for when choosing songsHow to build real industry relationships that lead to repeat placements---→ Learn more about Chris and his work at syncsongwriter.com.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast
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