The New Music Business with Ari Herstand

Ari's Take

**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, tactics, and strategies that listeners can use to run successful careers of their own. Ari offers straight talk with no fluff and doesn’t let his guests off easy. If there is a way, Ari will find it. To learn more follow @aristake_ and @ariherstand Visit aristake.com to join the newsletter. -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. GRAMMY Winning NYC Jazz Singer/Songwriter/Arranger Makes It Work

    5 DAYS AGO

    GRAMMY Winning NYC Jazz Singer/Songwriter/Arranger Makes It Work

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Nicole Zuraitis, a GRAMMY-winning New York-based jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and arranger. Her 2023 album, How Love Begins, won Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 66th GRAMMY Awards in 2024. She has performed all over the world from Birdland and Dizzy's Club to Lincoln Center China. She first earned GRAMMY attention in 2019 for her arrangement of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" with a GRAMMY nomination for Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals. She most recently won a GRAMMY in 2025 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. In this episode, Nicole traces her path from early days hustling in the New York jazz scene, collaborating with Christian McBridge, touring in China, and navigating the realities of indie artistry. She digs into the power of networking in her community, the pandemic's impact on NYC venues, why physical release formats still matter, and how grants and private donors help fund albums. https://www.nicolezmusic.com/ 4:53 - Introduction and Nicole's new live album 9:23 - The decision to record live at VIXX 15:53 - Collaborating with Christian McBride 22:38 - Touring in China and working with Jazz at Lincoln Center 29:08 - The Grammy experience and independent artist challenges 36:33 - The role of networking in New York's music scene 44:13 - The impact of the pandemic on jazz clubs 51:43 - The importance of physical music products in the digital age 59:23 - Funding albums through grants and private donors 1:05:53 - Nicole's upcoming projects and future plans Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m
  2. Finding Accidental Streaming Success in a Niche Market

    22 OCT

    Finding Accidental Streaming Success in a Niche Market

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Sol Rising, a producer and DJ whose eclectic blend of electronic, downtempo, and lo-fi has inspired millions. Born in Vancouver and raised in Iowa, he went from a childhood rooted in meditation to becoming one of America’s top scratch DJs before evolving into a prolific producer. With over 20 albums, 225M+ streams, and international tours across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Sol Rising shares his journey of artistry and growth. Sol shares his journey from a turntablist to a successful artist with millions of streams, discussing the challenges and triumphs of navigating the music world independently. They delve into the impact of streaming platforms, the role of AI in music, and the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the evolving landscape of the music business. 05:40 – Introduction and Niche 11:10 – Early Journey 17:40 – Shift to Yoga Music 24:25 – Streaming Platforms 30:55 – AI in Music 37:40 – Creativity and Motivation 45:40 – Future Plans 53:10 – Reflections and Advice https://www.instagram.com/solrising Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  3. Suno and Udio SUED By Indie Musicians - The Lead Attorney Tells All

    8 OCT

    Suno and Udio SUED By Indie Musicians - The Lead Attorney Tells All

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Top Music Attorney, Miss Krystle. Miss Krystle is an entertainment attorney, independent artist, musician, and CEO of Delgado Entertainment Law. She hosts the Top Music Attorney podcast and popular YouTube channel, and has sold tens of millions of dollars in music catalogs. As leader of the class action lawsuit against A.I. generative companies Suno and Udio on behalf of independent artist, producers, & songwriters; she continues to champion creators’ rights while teaching artists how to think like major labels and build six-figure careers on their own terms. In this insightful episode, Ari and Krystle, delve into the complexities of the music industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in music creation. They discuss the ongoing legal battles against AI music platforms, the importance of copyright registration, and the evolving landscape of music licensing. Tune in to learn how independent artists can navigate these changes and protect their creative rights. https://www.instagram.com/misskrystlelive 00:00 - Introduction and AI's Impact on Music 03:00 - Legal Challenges and Copyright Issues 06:00 - Class Action Lawsuits Against AI Platforms 09:00 - Independent Artists and AI 12:00 - The Role of Copyright Registration 15:00 - Spotify's Approach to AI Music 18:00 - Fair Use in AI Music 21:00 - Future of the Music Industry 24:00 - Strategies for Artists to Protect Their Work 27:00 - Closing Thoughts and Takeaways Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m
  4. ​This Music Publicist Has Upended the Entire PR Model

    6 OCT

    ​This Music Publicist Has Upended the Entire PR Model

    Enrollment for Ari’s Take Academy CLOSING SOON: https://aristakeacademy.com (use code NMB for 10% off!) Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business here: https://book.aristake.com This week on the New Music Business, Ari is joined by the founder of Purple Bite PR, Mikel Corrente. In the last few years Corrente adapted a “Zero-Risk” guaranteed or money back system that is very uncommon in the PR industry but it’s more transparent and fairer than the traditional PR system. Some examples of artists and companies that Corrente has worked with are: Sony Music, Kat Graham, Red Light Management, Mix Master Mike, Elohim, Jesse Jo Stark, Lauren Ruth Ward, BIIANCO, and many more. 05:52 Welcome / background 10:20 PR model ten years ago, shifting from publications to playlists 15:55 What PR is and what a publicist does 25:21 Evolution of press rates and artist feedback 31:24 Relationship with fashion and music publication Lady Gun 41:58 Pay-to-play PR model 47:03 What is the point of music press right now? 53:21 Purple Bite’s business model 01:05:03 How Purple Bite guarantees placements 01:09:50 What it means to make it in the New Music Business Subscribe to The New Music Business: https://aristake.com/nmb Watch more discussions like this: https://bit.ly/3LavMpa Connect with Ari’s Take: Website: https://aristake.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/aristake_ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@aris.take Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArisTake YouTube: https://youtube.com/user/aristake1 Connect with Ari Herstand: Website: https://ariherstand.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariherstand Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariherstand YouTube: https://youtube.com/ariherstand Connect with Mikel Corrente: Website: http://purplebite.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikelcorrente TikTok: https://.tiktok.com/@mikelcorrente Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikelCorrente Edited and mixed by Maxton Hunter Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take #MusicPR #MusicPress #MusicMarketing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 12m
  5. The FTC Sues Live Nation and Ticketmaster - NIVA Responds

    1 OCT

    The FTC Sues Live Nation and Ticketmaster - NIVA Responds

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which represents over 1,500 venues nationwide. Together, they discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which alleges deceptive pricing practices that have enabled scalpers to exploit both artists and fans for billions of dollars. Ari and Stephen break down the logistics of the case, its potential impact on the future of ticketed events, and the incriminating evidence pointing to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s complicity. They also explore the broader issue of monopoly power in the live music industry, the push to separate the two companies, and the policy and legal strategies that could protect venues, artists, and consumers moving forward. https://www.nivassoc.org/ https://www.nivassoc.org/fixthetix/model-legislation 5:10 Introduction and Overview of Live Nation's Situation 10:10 FTC Lawsuit Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster 15:10 History of Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger 20:10 Role of NIVA and Its Advocacy Efforts 25:10 Impact of Ticket Scalping and Resale Practices 30:10 Discussion on Ticketing Reform and Legislative Efforts 35:10 Challenges Faced by Independent Venues 40:10 Artists' Perspectives on Ticketing Issues 45:10 Future of Ticketing and Live Events 50:10 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  6. This Merch Company Has Paid Artists $30+ Million

    24 SEPT

    This Merch Company Has Paid Artists $30+ Million

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Seamus Menihane, CEO and Co-Founder of the merch company, Downright Merch (now known as Armada). This merch company has paid out over $30 million to clients and they currently manage over 250 merch stores for artists including Thrice, Tom Morello and Death Row Records, as well as clients such as Grillo’s Pickles, Every Day Astronaut and Matty Matheson.  In this episode, Ari and Seamus dig into all things merch. They discuss online versus touring merch sales, fanclubs, pre-sale campaigns, and large-scale transparency issues that come up between venues and promoters. Seamus and Ari also discuss which merch platforms work best for musicians, how to ‘merchandize’ your audience, and the importance of superfans. You’ll also get the inside scoop on Downright’s recent merger with Overcast to create their new brand Armada, and the exciting new ways they plan to operate.  https://www.poweredbyarmada.com/about 04:14 – Intro 05:29 – Indie Merch Merger 09:44 – Impact of Merger 15:59 – Brand Management 19:14 – Case Examples 24:44 – Online vs. In-Person 29:14 – Online Strategies 35:59 – Tech in Merch 39:14 – Future of D2C 44:14 – Closing Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  7. Krewella on Collabs in EDM, Going Indie and New Fandom

    17 SEPT

    Krewella on Collabs in EDM, Going Indie and New Fandom

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with sisters Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf of the groundbreaking electronic duo, Krewella. Krewella has earned billions of streams, a devoted global fanbase, and a place among the first women in EDM to reach major milestones. Featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and performing at Coachella, Lollapalooza, EDC, Tomorrowland, and beyond, Krewella has left an undeniable mark on the scene. After time with Columbia Records and a brief hiatus, they’ve returned with a new single, “Crying on the Dancefloor.” Jahan and Yasmine dive deep into the business of music—covering collaborations, royalty splits, AI tools, and the ever-changing industry landscape. They reflect on how much has shifted over the past nine years, offering candid insights on balancing algorithm demands with authentic artistry. Most importantly, they share their perspective on staying true to yourself as an artist—creatively, spiritually, and personally—in an era of constant external pressure. https://www.instagram.com/krewella/ 04:37 – Intro 06:31 – Slower, intentional process 11:18 – Indie team setup 13:49 – Indie vs. major 19:35 – Grow vs. nurture fans, algorithms 31:09 – song death/rebirth, reviving old songs  35:11 – Collabs & producer roles; splits 45:05 – Remixes/AI/Splice; self-sampling 1:01:05 – Live show: safe, sober, caring 1:08:13 – Making it Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m
  8. Save the Music Brings Music Education To Schools in Need

    10 SEPT

    Save the Music Brings Music Education To Schools in Need

    This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save the Music Foundation which focuses to provide equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide. They do so by donating instruments and music technology to schools, providing resources for music educators and advocating for them on a national level.   In this episode, Ari and Henry explore the future of music education in 2025 and how to support Save the Music Foundation. Henry shares the history of the J. Dilla Music Technology Grant—launched with Pharrell’s support—and its impact in classrooms nationwide. They discuss the shift from band and theory toward production and technology, the inequities faced by schools of different socio-economic backgrounds, and how we can all help ensure students have access to music today and in the future https://www.savethemusic.org/ 3:19 Introduction 4:19 Role of Music Education in the Industry 8:19 Ari & Henry’s Personal Journeys 13:19 Save the Music Foundation Mission & impact 23:19 Issues in schools 33:19 Cultural Influence: Local culture’s role 43:19 Modern Trends in Tech & Production 53:19 Future: Where music education is headed 58:19 Wrap-up & Call to Action Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp Music by Brassroots District Produced by the team at Ari’s Take Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m

Trailer

About

**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, tactics, and strategies that listeners can use to run successful careers of their own. Ari offers straight talk with no fluff and doesn’t let his guests off easy. If there is a way, Ari will find it. To learn more follow @aristake_ and @ariherstand Visit aristake.com to join the newsletter. -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You Might Also Like