Music Rookie

EP 22: David Macias of Thirty Tigers

This week we're talking with David Macias, President and Founder of Nashville-based Thirty Tigers [https://www.thirtytigers.com/]. We'll discuss the origins of the label, how their business model has changed over the years, how they approach A&R as well as artist development, and discuss independent release plans (label or not) ... and David will spill the tea on the current uproar over the streaming economy. Skip to ~22 minutes if you're only here for the Spotify/streaming talk. To read more of David's thoughts on Spotify and the streaming economy in general, check out this piece in Rolling Stone [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/spotify-streams-payouts-joe-rogan-1298101/], as well as David's full written notes here [https://lefsetz.com/wordpress/2022/02/11/re-david-macias-spotify/].

EP 21: Daniel Kohn of SPIN Magazine

This week on Music Rookie is an interview  with Daniel Kohn who is the editor at Spin Magazine. In this conversation from 2021, you’ll hear us talk about Daniel’s journey as a music journalist, what he looks for in a story, and his vision for Spin, now that it is under new ownership.

EP 20: Justin Black of Saw Black, Crystal Pistol Records, Warhen Records

A conversation with Justin Black, a Richmond, VA-based independent musician who runs his own label, Crystal Pistol Records [https://crystalpistol.bandcamp.com/], and also works regularly with another Virginia-based label, WarHen Records [https://warhenrecords.bandcamp.com/]. Justin’s primary vessel for musical output is under the moniker Saw Black [https://sawblack.bandcamp.com/], which I recommend you check out wherever you consume music. Our conversation is based around the premise of independent labels — and answering common questions like...should you start your own label? Should you cut a deal with a small indie? What might that deal look like versus a traditional deal or a "bigger" label deal? We’ll also demystify a lot of the day-to-day of being an independent musician and the music industry at-large.

EP 19: J. Edward Keyes of BandCamp

A conversation with J. Edward Keyes who is the Editorial Director for Bandcamp. We discuss the benefits of using Bandcamp as a direct to consumer platform for musicians. With their editorial arm, BandCamp, Daily, and their plethora of artists tools, the independent platform gives their users unique ways to connect with fans and allows them to actually make money form their art. We highlight allof the special features that users sometimes overlook.

EP 18: Joe Swank, Radio Promotor for Bloodshot Records

A conversation with Joe Swank [http://www.thejoeswank.com/], a freelance radio promoter who previously worked in the radio space at Yep Roc Records [https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/] and Bloodshot Records [https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/]. Joe was also a touring musician in the '90s, hosts his own radio show, and co-founded the Alt-country Specialty Radio Chart [https://altcountrychart.com/] — so he's got a LOT of wisdom to share not only on the radio side, but on building a music industry career in general. As we've heard on other episodes; be ready to stay in it for the long haul, don't bank on overnight success, and constantly (C O N S T A N T L Y) work on developing your network. Also, be nice to people.