Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix

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Music industry veteran Matthew Rix, with over 25 years of experience in marketing and A&R roles for top record labels, is back with something new to help you, the artist, achieve ultimate success: The Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix. After working closely and helping  artists from all over the world with his Music Business audio series “Mattrix Minute” achieving over 25 million sales and streams on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and more, Matthew has turned his focus to empowering artists through his free music business newsletter. Now, you can receive insider knowledge and expert advice in his brand-new video and audio podcast, where he answers your burning questions about the music industry. Whether you're struggling with marketing, strategy, or navigating the industry’s complexities, let Matthew be your coach. Best of all, it’s completely free to submit your question! Tune in, get answers, and take your music career to the next level.  You can submit your question by visiting the Mattrix Minute website

  1. This is the laziest Artist in Music

    FEB 10

    This is the laziest Artist in Music

    Today on the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I received an email from the laziest artist in music. If you have a question in the Music Industry that you would like me to answer, go to https://MatthewRix.com and give me as many details as possible. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #musicindustrysecrets #matthewrix #artists Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    15 min
  2. What Actually Makes an Artist Legendary?

    JAN 29

    What Actually Makes an Artist Legendary?

    In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a nu-metal band asking a question most artists are afraid to say out loud: How do you become a legendary band not just another act that had a moment? They’re not looking to be a throwback. They’re not chasing nostalgia. They’re not satisfied with being “pretty good.” They want longevity, impact, and a legacy especially in a genre many people think already peaked. In this episode, we talk about:  • What actually separates legendary bands from successful ones  • Why talent alone never creates legacy  • The role of identity, culture, and mythology in heavy music  • How bands stay relevant without chasing trends  • Why some genres never really die — they just evolve  • And what artists misunderstand about longevity This isn’t about streams or virality. It’s about building something that lasts beyond cycles and algorithms. If you’re in a band that wants more than momentary success this episode is for you. Have a question about the music industry or building a career? Go to https://MatthewRix.com and include as many details as possible. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #upcomingmusician #musicindustrytips #matthewrix Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    18 min
  3. Audience vs Community: What Artists Get Wrong

    JAN 20

    Audience vs Community: What Artists Get Wrong

    In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist who’s asking a question many artists quietly struggle with: What does it actually mean to “build a community”? This artist has:  • thousands of followers  • consistent releases  • people showing up occasionally But they’re realizing that numbers don’t always translate into real support. In this episode, we break down:  • The difference between an audience and a community  • Why engagement metrics can be misleading  • How real fan connection is actually built  • Where online platforms help and where they fail  • When artists should stop chasing growth and start deepening relationships This isn’t about tricks or hacks. It’s about sustainability. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still missing something real this conversation will resonate. Have a question about the music industry or your career? Send it to http://MatthewRix.com. Include as many details as possible your experience might help someone else too. Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    18 min
  4. Losing Money on Every Music Release

    JAN 13

    Losing Money on Every Music Release

    In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist who’s doing everything “right” releasing consistently, investing in quality, tracking expenses and still losing money on every release.  He’s spending $1,200–$1,800 per song, releasing every 6–8 weeks, and pulling in 20k streams per release. On paper, that sounds like progress. In reality, the numbers don’t add up.  Streaming revenue barely dents the cost. Shows pay $100–$150. Expenses never stop. And the hardest part? Everyone keeps telling him he’s “doing well.” In this episode, we break down: Why streaming numbers don’t equal sustainabilityThe dangerous myth of “consistent releasing”When investing in quality actually works — and when it doesn’tHow artists confuse progress with momentumThe difference between building leverage and burning cashWhen to slow down, reassess, and change strategy This is not a motivational episode. It’s a reality check for artists who are serious about the business side of music.  If you have a question about the music industry and want me to answer it not just to help you, but to help other artists in the same situation head over to https://MatthewRix.com and send it in. Please include as many details as possible so the answer can be useful to others. Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    17 min
  5. Why 81% of Artists Feel Invisible on Spotify

    JAN 7

    Why 81% of Artists Feel Invisible on Spotify

    In this episode of the Music Business Mewsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a frustrated artist and it cuts straight to the heart of what artists are actually struggling with. This artist isn’t asking for motivation. They’re questioning whether most music business advice even applies anymore. They point out realities artists talk about constantly online: • The majority of artists never cross 1,000 monthly listeners • Streaming feels invisible, not empowering • Promotion eats time and money with little return • Support systems like distributors and royalty services are hard to reach • Artists do the work while everyone else takes a cut And the big question underneath it all: Are we being honest enough about how few artists actually “win”? In this episode, we talk about: • Why most artists feel invisible no matter how hard they work • The gap between strategy advice and real-world outcomes • Why “just keep releasing” isn’t a plan • Where business advice breaks down for artists without leverage • What realistic success actually looks like today • And how artists can make informed decisions instead of chasing myths This isn’t about killing dreams. It’s about replacing vague hope with clarity. If you’ve ever felt like the music industry advice you hear doesn’t match reality this conversation is for you. Have a question, critique, or experience from the music business you want to share? Send it to https://MatthewRix.com. Honest conversations help artists more than hype ever will. Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    16 min
  6. Is the Music Industry a Scam?

    JAN 5

    Is the Music Industry a Scam?

    In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an artist who has given up on the music industry and doesn’t hold back. He believes the industry is a scam. He believes most artists never had a real chance. And he believes people like me are just selling hope dressed up as strategy. He’s angry, disillusioned, and convinced that the system isn’t broken it’s working exactly as intended. This isn’t a feel good episode. In this conversation, we talk about:  • Whether the music industry is actually “winnable”  • Why do so many talented artists feel used and discarded  • The difference between education and hype  • Whether the strategy actually changes outcomes  • Who really benefits from streaming, content, and constant output  • And where artists cross the line from optimism into delusion I don’t dismiss his frustration. I don’t mock it. And I don’t pretend the system is fair. But I do challenge the idea that understanding the business is the same thing as selling false hope. This episode is for artists who feel burned, skeptical, tired, or angry, and for anyone who’s questioning whether continuing is worth it at all. Have a question, criticism, or strong opinion about the music business? Go To https://MatthewRix.com. Honest disagreement is welcome the real conversations matter most. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #musicindustrysecrets #matthewrix Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    20 min
  7. How Music Managers Get Artists Signed

    JAN 2

    How Music Managers Get Artists Signed

    In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a 24-year-old music manager who’s doing everything right but still feels invisible. He’s managing a band he truly believes in. They’ve released music. They’ve toured regionally. They’re growing a small but engaged fanbase. But he’s running into the problem almost every young manager faces: How do you get artists noticed and eventually signed when you don’t have industry connections, money, or a roadmap? He’s hearing the same advice over and over: “Network more.” “Build relationships.” “Get in front of the right people.” But no one explains how to actually do that when you’re young, unknown, and trying not to look amateur in rooms full of veterans. In this episode, we break down:  • What labels actually look for before they sign artists  • Why most young managers focus on the wrong metrics  • How managers build credibility without a resume  • When chasing a label makes sense — and when it doesn’t  • The difference between artist development and industry validation  • How to avoid burning bridges early This episode is for: -young managers -self-managing artists -bands wondering why “being good” isn’t enough Have a question about the music business? Please send it in at https://MatthewRix.com include as many details as possible so the answer helps others too. #artistadvice #artistmanager #musicbusiness #musicbusinesstips #matthewrix Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    26 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    New Year’s Message for 2026

    Happy New Year from Matthew Rix. No music Business in this video, just a message of grateful and thankfulness with a softball story in the mix. Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music YouTube

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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About

Music industry veteran Matthew Rix, with over 25 years of experience in marketing and A&R roles for top record labels, is back with something new to help you, the artist, achieve ultimate success: The Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix. After working closely and helping  artists from all over the world with his Music Business audio series “Mattrix Minute” achieving over 25 million sales and streams on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and more, Matthew has turned his focus to empowering artists through his free music business newsletter. Now, you can receive insider knowledge and expert advice in his brand-new video and audio podcast, where he answers your burning questions about the music industry. Whether you're struggling with marketing, strategy, or navigating the industry’s complexities, let Matthew be your coach. Best of all, it’s completely free to submit your question! Tune in, get answers, and take your music career to the next level.  You can submit your question by visiting the Mattrix Minute website

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