Podcast
Trapital
Hosted by Dan Runcie · EN
Trapital is where technology meets culture. Hear breakdowns on the most important trends in tech, media, and entertainment. Trapital founder Dan Runcie and various guests break down the moves that shape the rest of society. Learn more
46episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
K-Pop's Paradox: Why BTS Fans Aren’t K-Pop Fans
2d ago00:28:24Summary readyK-Pop is in a unique situation. The genre “feels” like it’s everywhere. BTS, Blackpink, Stray Kids, and KPop **Demon Hunters have topped Billboard and Netflix charts. But recent data shows that roughly 2% of global streams are from K-Pop, and the genre is and trending down. We are joined by Will Page, former Chief Economist at Spotify and author of Pivot. He released a new report on Music Business Worldwide in collaboration with Jeongbeom ‘JB’ Kim, Chief Data Officer at the Korean-based KreatorsNetwork. We discussed how K-Pop’s demand is centralized at the top, why even a phenomenon like KPop Demon Hunters didn't lift the rest of the genre, and what Western labels keep getting wrong when they try to copy the model. We dive deep into Korea's "export or die" culture, and what other sports may teach music about reaching new audiences. CHAPTERS 04:47 The Status of K-Pop 08:28 The Impact of BTS' Hiatus 17:02 The Limitations of Superfan Monetization 24:38 "Export or Die" Model 29:44 Inflation's Impact on Music 31:28 Lessons from Formula 1 SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryArena Tours: The Truth Behind “Blue Dot Fever”
1w ago00:26:44Summary ready"Blue dot fever" is the new phrase floating around for artists whose tours have seat maps full of unsold blue dots for concerts, especially in arenas and stadiums. It’s said to be a precursor to a cancelled tours. The term is catchy, it captures headlines, but is the “problem” a bit exaggerated? With blue dot fever now part of the discourse, we dive deep into the latest in the business, how agents anticipate demand, and what usually leads to a successful or unsuccessful tour. CHAPTERS 03:27 What is Blue Dot Fever? 08:07 Ticket Costs and Pricing 13:06 The Leap to Arena Tours 18:17 Tour Packaging and Residencies 20:35 VIP & Ancillary Revenue SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryMusic Catalogs: Is There Ever A Good Time to Sell?
2w ago00:35:42Summary readyThe multiples for music rights and catalog sales continue to rise, despite high interest rates. Selling can look rational in the moment but great music keeps finding new formats, new buyers, and new value. But it's hard to look at sales are pure financial decisions. As most investors know, there are countless factors that can go into a sale. We are joined by Josh Gruss, founder of Round Hill Music. We dive deep into the deals that he's worked on that blew past expectations (The Offspring, Goo Goo Dolls), the ones that got away, and Round Hill's public and private journey over the past decade and a half. CHAPTERS 01:54 Deal cycles in music rights 06:05 The Wind-up Records miss 12:45 The Offspring breakthrough 15:49 Goo Goo Dolls and "Iris" 24:02 Round Hill going public, then selling to Concord SPONSORS Trapital Summit Tickets Early bird tickets are available until July 15. Capacity is limited. AI on the Lot The largest AI media conference bringing together artists, innovators, filmmakers, media execs, startups, creators, and developers. Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryTroy Carter on Why Suno Changes Everything
3w ago00:36:52Summary readyI sat down with Troy Carter during SXSW in Austin. We talked about Suno role in music, where record labels stand today, artist management, catalog sales, estates, we covered it all! The conversation was hosted by Chaka Mahone at his company, DAWA, 4-day event titled Vision 8291, in collaboration with Venice Music, where Troy is the co-founder and CEO. CHAPTERS 03:30 Stayed Ahead of AI News 08:37 Why Suno Matters 14:38 AI and Fair Use 24:25 Art vs. Content 29:43 Investing in Music Rights 31:26 Prince and Michael Jackson estates SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryArtists and AI: Offense, Defense, and the Future of Music
4w ago00:19:27Summary readyIs “Artists vs. AI” the wrong way to think about music’s future? At HumanX, I hosted a conversation with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava and Universal Music Group’s Michael Nash on how AI can become a creative force multiplier for artists, not a replacement. We discussed why music’s supply problem existed long before generative AI, how artists are using new tools to reduce production friction, and why authentic connection still matters more than infinite output. The conversation also breaks down Splice and UMG’s partnership to build AI-powered music creation tools with artist control, copyright respect, and more. CHAPTERS 01:24 Artists vs. AI 04:27 Splice Tools 06:14 UMG x Splice 08:04 Ethical AI 12:42 Artist Control 14:31 Better Music 17:07 Five-Year Vision TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummarySoundCloud’s Big Bet for the AI Era
Apr 2100:37:23Summary readySoundCloud is at a turning point, and CEO Eliah Seton takes us inside the strategy shaping its future. In this conversation, we break down how SoundCloud evolved into a two-sided marketplace for artists and fans, why it moved on from potential sales, how it's embracing AI, and doubling down on the moves that work best for both creators and fans. CHAPTERS 03:34 Update on a Potential Sale 08:23 How SoundCloud is Structured Today 21:20 AI Principles 33:23 Financial Health and Profitability SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryClive Davis Part 2: Reviving Careers, Industry Power, and Leaving a Legacy
Apr 1400:31:31Summary readyIn part two, you'll hear Clive Davis reflect on strategic decisions made when running a record label and career revivals he helped shape that defined another chapter of his run. He discusses the balance of control and economics in label joint ventures, why hitmakers are not always great talent scouts, and how LaFace became a powerful force through artists like Toni Braxton, TLC, and Pink. Davis also shares how he revived the careers of timeless artists, including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Santana, and Luther Vandross. It’s a conversation about instinct, patience, and the discipline it takes to build lasting success in the music business. CHAPTERS 02:51 LaFace, Label Deals, and Joint Ventures 09:42 TLC, Toni Braxton, and P!nk 12:37 The Cost of Breaking Artists 17:05 Aretha, Rod Stewart, and Santana 21:14 Catalog vs. Career Revival 25:30 Follow-up Call SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryClive Davis Part 1: Whitney Houston, Resilience, and The World's Greatest Party
Apr 1400:31:11Summary readyI sat down with the legendary record executive Clive Davis. We looked back on the career-defining moments that made him one of the most influential figures in music. He shares memories from the Beverly Hills Hotel, where we recorded the conversation. We also discussed the evolution of his famed pre-Grammy gala, and the philosophy behind honoring artists in the room. Davis also revisits being pushed out at Columbia, Arista, launching J Records, and the story behind Whitney Houston recording “Why Does It Hurt So Bad.” It’s a conversation about instinct, reinvention, and what it takes to keep going at the highest levels in business. CHAPTERS 04:21 Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala 11:30 Lessons Learned at Columbia 15:38 From Arista to J Records 23:41 When Whitney Houston and Clive Disagreed SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
SummaryCoachella’s Dilemma: Stadium Money vs. Festival Money
Apr 600:29:34Summary readyCoachella sold out in five days after announcing Justin Bieber as headliner. That's the good news. The bad news? It tells you how hard it's become to book a headline act who can actually move 250,000 tickets for the one of most premiere music festivals in the world.Dave Brooks, a music correspondent at Puck and host of the Decibel and Docket podcast, joins the show to break down the business of festival season 2026. We get into why the biggest artists no longer need Coachella, which festivals are actually profitable, and what's ahead for live music.CHAPTERS07:46 The Bieber Effect08:02 Stadium Money11:50 Why Stagecoach is Different21:13 Lollapalooza23:43 Chris Brown and Kanye WestSPONSORSAll People Powered is a live concert and pitch competition on Saturday, April 11 where three Bay Area founders pitch on stage for $30,000 in real funding. Get your ticket here.Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your , TikTok, YouTube, and more
SummaryTalent Agencies: Who Leads the Next Era?
Mar 3000:30:34Summary readyNow that Wasserman Agency has rebrand itself to "The Team," what's next? Who will lead The Team? Who will the new owner be? What will they do with it? Elsewhere in the talent agency world, CAA has a new managing director for music touring, and UTA's longtime leader has stepped down. Who will lead the next era? I am joined by Ben Sisario from the New York Times to unpack the talent agency business, the leadership and reputational questions surrounding the companies, and what it all signals about succession, private equity, and the future of agency power. CHAPTERS 05:05 Wasserman's Rebrand 08:23 Sale Scenarios 12:52 Margins And Risk 21:16 Why Music Lags 26:08 The Black Box of Talent Agencies SPONSORS Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week Linktree: Share music, sell merch, and connect with fans on one simple link. Linktree is the #1 link in bio tool that musicians and artists use to connect fans to everything they do. Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more TRAPITAL Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
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