The Wholesome Music Podcast

Cameron Ljungkull & Augustus Watkins
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY

The DIY podcast for DIY musicians. Hosts Cameron Ljungkull and Augustus Watkins meet weekly to talk shop about indie music, the creative process, and the music industry.

  1. 6D AGO

    Kanye's Comeback or Crashout?!

    We react to Kanye's comeback, his $33M SoFi Stadium performance, Anthony Fantano's reaction to "Ye's" new album "Bully" and updates on the backlash and evolving situation with cancelation of prominent UK "Wireless Festival" Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    14 min

  2. APR 1

    Setting boundaries to improve your creative output

    We talk boundaries! Cameron shares the reason why he says "no" first, and we talk about how establishing boundaries in your personal and professional life and help your creative career flourish. Next, TikTok and iHeartMedia are forming an unholy alliance, and generating some decent promo ideas in the process. What can you learn from their new partnership? In news, we discuss ElevenLabs' new Music Marketplace, get an update on TaTa Taktumi "signing" to Ne-Yo's Pacific Music Group, as well as discuss an exciting update for Artist Corporations, which represent a brand new way for artists to monetize and own both their work and their labor. Lastly, our Take It Or Leave It Advice is about building career momentum. Links5 Boundaries Every Artist Needs to Set by @kristinerapohina IGTikTok Radio launches on iHeartRadio, as TikTok ends SiriusXM partnership by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide iHeartMedia and TikTok say they developed ‘a new blueprint for artist launches’ with Bruno Mars’ ‘The Romantic’ by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide Having paid $11M to voice creators to date, ElevenLabs launches Music Marketplace to let its users monetize their AI-generated tracks by James Hanley for Music Business Worldwide TaTa Taktumi, Timbaland’s AI Artist, Signs to Ne-Yo’s Label, Pacific Music Group by Harry Levin for New Industry Focus Colorado to introduce A Corps by @artistcorporations IG ArtistCorporations.com Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 12m

  3. MAR 26

    DOs and DON’Ts of playlist pitching

    A recent SXSW panel has lifted the veil on Spotify playlist pitching, and we have the details. Then we talk about Afroman’s vindication in court over the cops who raided his house in ‘22. What can Chance The Rapper’s ongoing courtroom drama with his manager teach us about contracts? Finally, why is HYBE losing money despite BTS’s record-breaking album release? Along the way, we drop hot takes about The Beatles, Star Wars, cats, and more.  And Cameron leaves you with some excellent advice in our Take It Or Leave It segment.  LinksHow to pitch to Spotify by @unhurdmusicRapper Afroman wins lawsuit against police over mocking their 2022 raid in viral music videos by Associated Press Afroman keeps trolling cops after winning “Lemon Pound Cake” defamation case by Ars Technica Afroman - Lemon Pound CakeChance the Rapper prevails in legal battle with ex-manager by Selena Fragassi for Chicago Sun TimesBTS Smash K-Pop Records With New Album Arirang – But HYBE Shares Drop After Comeback Concert Draws Smaller Crowd Than Expected by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 9m

  4. MAR 19

    Why is Rock Music's Hottest Genre Again?

    We close out our History of Music Production series on a high note with a fascinating discussion on the weird history of delay: from hijacking telephone wires to oil cans, it just keeps getting more bizarre. Next, pundits have been saying for a long time that rock music is dead and the future of music is country. But not so fast! Rock music seems to be having a cultural resurgence and we get into why. Then...whew. We have a music news extravaganza for you. First a few stories that serve to illustrate how the music industry is still alive and thriving—from Taylor Swift to boutique hotels. Next, surprising news about the Live Nation antitrust case (file also in the "It's not dead!" department); YouTube takes another crown as the world's largest media company; but it's the subject of an important AI lawsuit; Tidal may be gunning for Bandcamp's business; and Fender wins a lawsuit against Stratocaster copycats in Europe. Finally, we close out with Take It Or Leave It advice about how to be a better live performer. LinksThe Taylor Swift effect: US vinyl sales top $1bn for the first time since 1983 by Owen Myers for The Guardian US wholesale recorded music revenue reached $11.5B in 2025, as paid streaming subscriptions hit 106.5M — adding 6.5M accounts YoY by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide UMG’s hospitality arm strikes JV with lifestyle investment group IMI to develop ‘music-led beach club concept’ by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide Rock Music Fastest Growing Genre by Substream Magazine Live Nation antitrust trial resumes as 30+ states push on despite DOJ settlement by James Hanley for Music Business Worldwide YouTube Lays Claim to Another Crown: The World’s Largest Media Company by Alex Werpin for Hollywood Reporter Tidal Introduces New Feature Allowing Artists to Selel Music Directly to Fans Indie artists sue Google, claiming it mined music from YouTube to train Lyria 3 AI music tool by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide Fender secures legal ruling to protect the Stratocaster body design  by Matt Owen for Guitar World Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 15m

  5. MAR 12

    Beyond Spotify for Indie Musicians

    Our History of Music Production series rolls on with the history of reverb. Just think: they used to dig underground chambers to get the sound that now comes free with every DAW. Next, we discuss a great post by the music marketer Finch Bergling about some things more important than Spotify, which turned into an extended chat on the power of PR. In AI news: you still can't copyright generated material, Charlie Puth has joined an AI music creation platform, and Apple begins requiring distributors to label AI-generated music and assets.  Also, listen as we change our slogan in real time, and discuss some truly spectacular Take It Or Leave It advice about reverb. Links12 things more important than Spotify streams by Finch Bergling Charlie Puth joins AI music creation platform Moises as Chief Music Officer by James Hanley for Music Business Worldwide Apple Music launches AI transparency tags — but only if labels and distributors declare them by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide  Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 11m

  6. MAR 5

    The Music Industry Takes Aim at Suno

    We continue our History of Music Production series (the name for which we can not remember during our recording session!) with a look at the history of equalizers, aka EQ. After that, industry leaders are taking aim at Suno. We look at a couple open letters written by some prominent industry watchers. Don't let the AI bros fool you into thinking AI music is inevitable! Speaking of AI, Sony has released several papers about how their AI detection technology works, and where it still falls short. And a big change is coming to how artists get paid when their music is played on TikTok. Finally, we respond to handful of comments you've all made online. Thank you for joining us, asking questions, challenging us, and even calling out our mistakes! Lastly, our Take It Or Leave It segment explores the two most common things you will do with EQ, which is adding or subtracting—knowing this will seriously help your mixes! LinksOpen Letter: Say No to SUNO by Music Technology Policy An open letter to Suno’s Mikey Shulman by Tim Ingham for Music Business Worldwide Sony Group’s Blueprint for AI Music Detection Tech is Promising. Here’s What It’s Working On… by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide TikTok Is Changing How Music Artists Gets Paid in 2026 by IG @successwithsound Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 2m

  7. FEB 26

    Epstein's Plans for the Music Industry

    Our History of Music Production series carries on with the history of compressors and limiters—from the early radio days to today's exciting plugins and everything in between. This series is not a tutorial, but a bit of background and context so you really know what you're talking about in your next session. Next, Jeffrey Epstein's unrealized plans for the music industry have been revealed. It's as vile as you think, but it says a lot about how elites think of the industry as well as the women who populate it. Composer and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood thinks that music should be elevated above the concerns of politics. We discuss his remarks, and we actually don't entirely disagree with him. In news, Google is making big strides in the AI music production scene with a big acquisition, we'll talk about how that shakes up the AI industry, and close out with a look at Soundcloud's latest report, with tons of actionable items for underground musicians and labels. LinksInside Jeffrey Epstein’s unrealized “P factor” plan for EMI by Casey Epstein-Gross for No Creeps! LA Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood: ‘I’m surprised we all enjoyed the tour so much’ by Richard Morrison for The Times Google Acquires AI Music Platform – and SUNO Challenger – ProducerAi by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide Soundcloud 2026 Music Intelligence Report  Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 8m

  8. FEB 19

    Princeton Offers a New "Women in Hip Hop" Course

    We continue our History of Music Production series with the history of microphones. Then we take a look at some prominent hip hop music college programs, and discuss what the state of hip hop in higher education says about the times we live in (also, Cameron reveals some more of his lore). In news, we discuss Casey Wasserman selling his namesake agency, Spotify's next "AI Derivatives" move, UMG's acquisition of Downtown, and finally finally(!) get some clarity on what Sony's AI strategy is.  Our Take It Or Leave It advice is all about microphone technique. LinksThe first human voice recorded World's oldest recordings Princeton Launches Spring 2026 Course Centering Women as Architects of Hip-Hop by The Source Casey Wasserman to Sell Talent Agency Amid Fallout Over Epstein Files (Report) by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide Spotify eyes AI ‘derivatives’ as new revenue stream for artists – says its tech to let fans make remixes and covers is ready by Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide UMG's Downtown Acquisition Approved by EU Competition Regulator by James Hanley for Music Business Worldwide Sony Group Launches New Tech to Track Copyrighted Material in AI-Generated Music by Harry Levin for New Industry Focus   Send us Fan Mail Recorded live at Secret Spot DTLA http://secretspotdtla.com Cameron Ljungkull https://www.cameronljungkull.com Augustus Watkins https://augustuswatkins.com Cocaine Opera - Music PR https://cocaineopera.com/

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The DIY podcast for DIY musicians. Hosts Cameron Ljungkull and Augustus Watkins meet weekly to talk shop about indie music, the creative process, and the music industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Cameron Ljungkull & Augustus Watkins
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Wholesome Music Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Wholesome Music Podcast