Business Side of Music

He's Distributed 2 Million Songs. Here's Why Most Don't Break Through | Jorge Brea, CEO of Symphonic

Jorge Brea has spent 20 years watching songs succeed and fail at scale. As founder and CEO of Symphonic, he's distributed over two million songs, and in this episode he gets refreshingly honest about what actually separates the records that break through from the ones that disappear. Sarah and Jorge dig into the three things breakthrough songs have in common, why release day is the start of your campaign and not the finish line, and the uncomfortable truth about the six-week lead time (spoiler: even the distributors don't love it). Jorge also explains why he tells independent artists to skip the album, how to know when it's time to stop pushing a single and move on, why collaborations are one of the most underrated algorithm plays available, and what major labels buying up distributors really means for independent artists. Plus: the release planning tools Symphonic is building, a new feature that will show artists their skip rates and saves on Spotify, and the one piece of advice Jorge gives every artist about control, contracts, and staying in it for the long haul. Whether you're releasing your first single or your fiftieth, this one will reset your expectations in the best way. Connect with Jorge and Symphonic: symphonic.com To stay in the loop, follow Business Side of Music on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, resources, and new episodes.Follow us:Facebook: @tbsompodcastInstagram: @bsompodcastTikTok: @bsompodcastwww.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com© 362 Entertainment 2026. All rights reserved.

The Music Video Strategy Every Independent Artist Needs in 2026

Music videos are no longer just promotional tools. In today's music industry, they are one of the most powerful ways to drive discovery, build fandom, and create new revenue streams. In this episode of The Business Side of Music, Sarah Fleshner sits down with Jordan Glickson, Vice President of Music and Talent at VEVO, to discuss how artists can use visual content to grow their careers in 2026 and beyond. Jordan shares how VEVO approaches artist development, why music videos remain at the center of successful release strategies, and how independent artists can compete without massive budgets. From short form content and YouTube algorithms to connected TV and fan engagement, this conversation is packed with practical advice artists can apply immediately. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why music videos are still essential for artist growth • How visual content turns casual listeners into loyal fans • The ideal content rollout strategy for a new release • How often artists should be releasing video content • Ways to create high impact visuals without spending a fortune • What VEVO looks for when spotlighting emerging artists • How to maximize discovery across YouTube, Shorts, TikTok, and connected TV • The biggest mistake artists make with visual marketing Whether you're an independent artist, manager, marketer, or music entrepreneur, this episode will help you build a smarter visual strategy that drives long term career growth. To stay in the loop, follow Business Side of Music on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, resources, and new episodes. Follow us: Facebook: @tbsompodcast Instagram: @bsompodcast TikTok: @bsompodcast www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com © 362 Entertainment 2026. All rights reserved.

Stop Giving Away Your Rights: Dina LaPolt on AI, Ownership & Artist Power

What does it really take to build power in the music industry? In this episode of The Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with renowned entertainment attorney, activist, author, and artist advocate Dina LaPolt for a candid conversation about the evolving music business and what artists need to know to protect their careers. From her unconventional journey as a musician-turned-lawyer to helping shape landmark legislation like the Music Modernization Act, Dina shares the experiences that made her one of the most influential voices in entertainment law. Together, Sarah and Dina discuss artist ownership, negotiating leverage, catalog sales, streaming royalties, the rise of artificial intelligence, and why business education is one of the most valuable investments any artist can make. Whether you're an independent artist, manager, songwriter, or music industry professional, this episode offers practical insights on building a sustainable career and maintaining control of your creative future. You'll also hear Dina's perspective on why artists should focus on creating great art before chasing deals, how to recognize when it's time to partner with a label, and what the next generation of creators needs to know about protecting their rights in an AI-driven world. If you're serious about understanding the business behind the music, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Street Smart - Dina LaPlolt: https://linktr.ee/streetsmartlapolt [https://linktr.ee/streetsmartlapolt] Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/DSB7inGE08A [https://youtu.be/DSB7inGE08A] Topics Included: Music industry attorney Dina LaPolt, artist rights, music business education, AI in the music industry, artificial intelligence and copyright law, artist ownership, music publishing, songwriter royalties, streaming royalties, Music Modernization Act (MMA), Music Licensing Collective (MLC), mechanical royalties, music copyright law, intellectual property rights, No Fakes Act, AI voice cloning, artist advocacy, independent artist success, record label deals, music industry contracts, entertainment law, music business strategy, catalog sales, music catalog acquisitions, artist leverage, negotiating record deals, music industry trends, creator rights, songwriter compensation, independent music careers, artist development, music management, women in the music industry, building a sustainable music career, protecting your music rights, music industry leadership, future of the music business, digital streaming, music licensing, entrepreneurship for artists, music industry news and insights.

The Battle for the Future of Live Music

In this episode of Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association, for an in-depth conversation about the growing controversy surrounding concert industry monopolization, ticketing fees, artist touring control, and the future of independent music venues. From rising ticket prices and restrictive tour routing to venue consolidation and the challenges facing independent artists, this episode breaks down how today’s live music ecosystem impacts musicians, managers, promoters, venues, and fans alike. Stephen explains the ongoing antitrust lawsuit making headlines across the music industry, why independent venues are struggling to survive, and what changes could reshape the future of concert touring. Sarah and Stephen also discuss: * How major concert companies control touring, ticketing, and venue access * Why independent venues are critical for developing artists * The impact of radius clauses and tour restrictions on musicians * The future of concert ticket prices and resale markets * How independent artists can build touring careers outside the major systems * Why artist advocacy and industry transparency matter more than ever If you’re an independent artist, artist manager, venue owner, promoter, music industry professional, or live music fan, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at the business of touring and the fight for the future of independent music. To stay in the loop, follow Business Side of Music on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, resources, and new episodes. Follow us: Facebook: @tbsompodcast [https://www.facebook.com/tbsompodcast] Instagram: @bsompodcast [https://www.instagram.com/bsompodcast] TikTok: @bsompodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@bsompodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com [https://businesssideofmusicpodcast.com/] © 362 Entertainment 2026. All rights reserved.

Execution Over Perfection: Real Music Industry Leadership for Indie Artists & Managers

In this episode of Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with artist manager and branding expert Leigh Holt to break down what it really takes to build a sustainable career in today’s music industry. From artist management and tour chaos to leadership, team building, and execution over perfection, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for independent artists, managers, and music entrepreneurs. Leigh shares hard-earned lessons from working with major artists, navigating live events, and surviving industry challenges like COVID—covering topics like how to grow a loyal team, why your word is your currency, and how indie artists can succeed without waiting on a record label. If you’re building a career in music, scaling your brand, or trying to stand out in the independent music scene, this episode delivers actionable strategies on leadership, communication, and long-term success in the music business. To stay in the loop, follow Business Side of Music on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, resources, and new episodes. Follow us: Facebook: @tbsompodcast [https://www.facebook.com/tbsompodcast] Instagram: @bsompodcast [https://www.instagram.com/bsompodcast] TikTok: @bsompodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@bsompodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com [www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com] © 362 Entertainment 2026. All rights reserved.