Sound Connections
Sound Connections explores the world of music entrepreneurship through conversations with founders, artists, industry professionals, and music tech innovators. Hosted by Jakob Wredstrøm of Amplitude Ventures, the podcast combines interviews, industry expertise, and behind-the-scenes stories from the global music landscape. Episodes cover topics such as breaking into the music industry, building a career, and the latest developments in music technology. It is aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs, experienced industry veterans, and music enthusiasts seeking fresh perspectives on the evolving music business.
Episoder
#167: EXPERTS: The Future of Music Discovery Through Context & Emotion: Ty Roberts & Göran Andersson
What would it take to make music discovery more personal, contextual, and meaningful?In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm speaks with Ty Roberts, co-founder of Gracenote and currently Chief Commercial Officer at MusiMap, and Göran Andersson, Head of Strategy at MusiMap and veteran music producer and music technology entrepreneur, about the technology shaping music discovery.They e
#166: FOUNDER: Beyond Generative AI: Building Technology for Musicians: Andrew Carlins
What does it take to build a scalable music technology company in a market many investors consider too niche?In this episode of Sound Connections, host Jakob Wredstrøm speaks with Andrew Carlins, Co-founder and CEO of Play Anything, about how assistive AI is making music learning more accessible.Andrew shares how a Stanford classroom project became a music technology company, developing tools that
#165: FOUNDER: AI and the New Economics of Independent Music Careers: JC Sanchez
What happens when AI takes care of more of the business behind an artist’s career?In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with JC Sanchez, founder of Orphiq and a former music strategist at Spotify, Meta, and Sony, to explore how AI could change the way artists and their teams manage careers.JC shares why the next generation of music technology should reduce complexity rath
#164: FOUNDER: Building the Infrastructure Behind Modern Artist Commerce: Tommy Stalknecht
Artists can have millions of listeners, ticket buyers, and fans, yet still have limited visibility into who those people are.In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm speaks with Tommy Stalknecht, founder and CEO of Single Music, about the infrastructure connecting music, e-commerce, chart reporting, fan communities, and direct-to-fan experiences.Tommy shares how Single started by solv
#163: FOUNDER: Rethinking Music Education Through AI and Personalized Learning: Raul Rodrigues
Learning an instrument has never been more accessible, but keeping people motivated remains one of music education’s hardest problems.Raul Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Upbeat Studio, joins Sound Connections to unpack the business and technology behind modern music education. Starting with drummers, Upbeat is building educational tools designed to move beyond libraries of content and toward a more
#162: FOUNDER: The New Economics of Music Fandom: Jacquelle Amankonah Horton
What happens when superfans stop being treated as the end of the music experience and become part of building it?Jacquelle Amankonah Horton, founder of Fave, returns to Sound Connections to explore how fandom has evolved since our first conversation. Drawing on her background at YouTube and Google and years spent building tools around creators and fans, Jacquelle explains why the next opportunity
#161: EXPERT: The Business of Turning Music Royalties into Growth Capital: Michael Bizenov
Music rights generate value, but turning that income into capital can still be difficult for many creators.In this episode of Sound Connections, Michael Bizenov, Managing Partner and President of Sound Royalties, joins Jakob Wredstrøm to unpack the business of financing music royalties and how alternative financing can give creators access to capital without giving up ownership of their work.Micha
#160: FOUNDER: Exporting African Music: Rights, Revenue, and Global Growth: Yoel Kenan
African music is growing globally, but the business behind that growth is still catching up.In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm speaks with Yoel Kenan, a longtime music executive and entrepreneur whose career has taken him from major-label roles at Universal and BMG to building businesses focused specifically on African music. After founding Africori and helping develop it into a
#159: FOUNDER: Building the Infrastructure for Scalable Music Licensing: Chantal Epp
Music is everywhere, but the systems for licensing it at scale are still remarkably fragmented.In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Chantal Epp, founder of ClicknClear, to explore the hidden challenges and opportunities within music licensing. Chantal shares how her background in music and cheerleading led her to identify a licensing gap in choreographed sports, and
#158: FOUNDER: The Business of Artist Analytics in the Age of AI: Oskar Eichler
Music is becoming increasingly data-driven, but having access to data is only the beginning.In this episode of Sound Connections, Oskar, founder of Songstats, joins Jakob to discuss the business of artist analytics, music technology, and the growing role of AI in how artists and music companies understand their data.Oskar shares his journey from building music-related tools as a young DJ and techn
#157: FOUNDER: The Reality of Building a Music Tech Business: Matt Urmy
Building music technology is often presented as a story of rapid growth. Matt’s journey with Artist Growth tells a very different story.In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob sits down with Matt Urmy, Founder of Artist Growth. He reflects on more than a decade of building software for the business side of music. What began as a product for independent artists eventually led him toward a deepe
#156: FOUNDER: Reinventing the Tools Behind Music Creation: Casey Kolb
Can music software become more powerful without making creativity feel less human?Casey Kolb, founder of Lunacy, joins Sound Connections to explore the changing world of audio plugins and what it takes to build tools that feel as inspiring visually as they sound.From his years as a film composer in Los Angeles to spending a year and a half programming Lunacy’s first flagship product, Cube, Casey s
#155: FOUNDER: Inside the Next Generation of Music Companies: Aidan Schechter
What happens when the future of the music business is built by small, agile companies instead of industry giants?In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Aidan, CEO of Patchbay and Partner at 1916 Enterprises, to explore how music, technology, investment, and entrepreneurship are reshaping the industry's future.Aidan explains why independent music businesses are becomin
#154: EXIT: Building a Music Tech Company Before the Market Was Ready: Vijay Basrur
A missed CD delivery exposed a gap in India's music industry. That moment led Vijay to build OKListen, an independent music platform that spent more than a decade growing alongside a market that wasn't yet ready for it before ultimately being acquired by AWAL.In this episode of Sound Connections, Vijay shares what it was like to build a music tech company in one of the world's largest music market
#153: FOUNDER: AI Is Rewriting the Business of Music Software: Noam Levinberg
Are traditional music production tools entering their last era?Noam Levinberg, founder of Safari Audio, believes the future of music creation may look very different from the world producers know today.In this episode, we explore the rapid impact of AI on music software, why traditional plugin businesses are being challenged, and how the next generation of creators may never adopt the workflows th
#152: FOUNDER: The Metadata Problem Costing Creators Millions: Niclas Molinder
What happens when creators make music, but the industry does not know who to pay?In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Niclas Molinder, songwriter, producer, founder of Session, and one of the music industry's leading advocates for creator rights.Niclas shares how missing rights data continues to cost creators credits, royalties, and recognition, and why solving this
#151: EXPERT: The Business Model Independent Music Is Missing: Thierry Ascarez
Streaming changed music, but it did not solve the business problem for most independent artists.In this episode of Sound Connections, we welcome Thierry Ascarez, Chief Business Officer at Winamp, to discuss how the company is reimagining its role in the music industry after nearly three decades of history.From its origins as the iconic MP3 player that helped define the early internet music era, Wi
#150: EXPERT: From Fan Economy to Artist Economy: John Lister
Most music platforms are built for listeners. This one is built for creators.In this episode of Sound Connections, Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with John Lister, Head of Community at Rap Fame, to explore how a global rap platform is reshaping music creation, discovery, and artist communities.From recording directly on a phone to joining crews, entering competitions, and exchanging real-time feedback,
#149: FOUNDER: Turning Cultural Gaps into a Streaming Business: Faraan Irfan
What does it take to build a music streaming service around culture, access, and long-term value?In this episode of Sound Connections, we sit down with Faraan Irfan, Founder and CEO of Saarey Music, to unpack how he’s solving one of music’s biggest access problems.Saarey is a streaming platform dedicated to South Asian classical music, built on exclusive rights, deep cultural metadata, and a busin
#148: FOUNDER: The Rise of Functional Music in Wellness Spaces: Freddie Moross
Freddie Moross, founder of Myndstream, joins Sound Connections to unpack the growing role of functional music in wellness, hospitality, and care environments.This conversation explores how intentional audio can shape experiences inside spas, hotels, and treatment spaces, and why music should be treated as infrastructure rather than background noise. Freddie explains how soundtracks can guide guest
#147: FOUNDER: What It Takes to Build Music Tech in a Resistant Industry: Mark Bamford
Mark Bamford joins Sound Connections for an open discussion on startup building, video monetization, and the hard truth about innovating in music. As the founder of Viktrs, Mark is working on a new model for video that aims to unlock more value from every view by focusing on engagement, discovery, and data rather than the traditional advertising-driven approach used by major platforms.Mark unpacks
#146: EXPERT: Building Real Fandom in the Age of Algorithms: Rob Abelow
Rob Abelow, product leader at OpenStage, joins Sound Connections to go deep into the infrastructure behind fan relationships and why they are becoming central to music growth.This conversation breaks down how today’s ecosystem fragments fan data across multiple platforms, limiting visibility and control for artists. Rob shares how bringing that data together into unified fan profiles changes how a
#070: EXPERT: Tom Fritz: The Neuroscience of Music: Exploring AI, Culture, and the Future of Sound
Music and neuroscience converge in this episode with Tom Fritz from the Max Planck Institute, where he explores how AI and cultural factors shape our perception of sound. Drawing from his innovative research, Tom highlights the transformative role of music in health, fitness, and rehabilitation, emphasizing its universal impact across cultures and its potential to improve lives through science and
Warner Music Strategically Defies Streaming Slowdown
In this episode, we delve into Warner Music Group's remarkable success in defying the industry's streaming slowdown. While competitors like Universal and Sony faced significant challenges in Q2 2024, Warner reported a standout 10.2% increase in streaming revenue, driven by major global hits and strategic digital partnerships. Join us as we explore how Warner’s focus on hit production and subscribe
#065: Founder: Marzio F Schena: Investing in Melody: The A-Note Music Story
What does it take to thrive in this evolving marketplace of music investment?Marzio, a leading figure at A-Note Music, shares how the platform is revolutionizing music investment by creating unique opportunities for investors and rights holders. In this episode, he delves into the challenges and successes of bridging finance and music through innovative solutions.Highlights:● Creating a marketpla
AI Jake Analysis: Key Insights from the 2024 Luminate Midyear Music Report
Welcome to Sound Connections! I'm AI Jake, your guide to music trends and insights. Today, we explore the Luminate Midyear Music Report for 2024, highlighting the growth of streaming and indie artists' success. We'll also discuss the demand for vinyl, the impact of live music on streaming, and the role of short-form videos.We also look at the global context of audio streaming and evolving consumer
Blackstone's Bold Move: $1.5 Billion Acquisition of Hipgnosis
Today, we explore Blackstone’s $1.5 billion acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund, a deal consolidating over 40,000 songs into Blackstone's expansive portfolio. This acquisition highlights the increasing trend of private equity firms investing in music catalogs, driven by the steady revenue streams from streaming services. With a diverse catalog featuring hits from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin
#046: Worlds First AI Podcast Host
Meet AI Jake, the world’s first AI podcast host, in this special episode of *Sound Connections*. Joined by visionary mentor Jerry, the discussion explores the integration of artificial intelligence into podcasting and its broader impact on the music and media industries. In this episode, Jacob reflects on the full-circle moment of integrating AI into podcasting, addressing the challenges, and the
#031: FOUNDER: Jeff Ponchick: Simplifying the Business of Music with Mogul
Join us on Sound Connections Podcast as we venture into music tech with Jeff Ponchick, the innovative mind behind Mogul. In this episode, we cover Jeff's inspiring journey from his early entrepreneurial ventures to his current role in transforming how artists manage their earnings and achieve financial success. Learn how Mogul centralizes earnings data, provides actionable insights, and empowers m
#018: FOUNDER: Jørgen Iden - Crescat's Quest to Transform Event Management
Step into the world of event innovation as Jørgen Iden, founder of Crescat, recounts his move from classical guitar student to tech entrepreneur. Hear how Crescat addresses real challenges in event planning, fosters collaboration at every step, and pursues an entrepreneurial spirit that’s shaping the industry in Norway and beyond.Highlights:Developing Crescat from a music-based entrepreneurial vis
#010: EXPERT: Hannes Andersson: The Sonic Revolution of Oeksound
We take a close look at how Hannes Andersson influenced Oeksound, a Finnish company known for shaping modern audio production. Hear about the steps behind their standout plugins, Soothe and Spiff, the hurdles they overcame, and why encouraging creative thinking continues to push the boundaries of sound design worldwide.Highlights:● The growth of Oeksound and its influence on the audio industry.●
#003: EXPERT: Stein Bjelland: At the Crossroads of Arts and Business
Stein Bjelland, a global music industry leader and creative expert, shares how to blend artistry with smart business strategies. Drawing from his days as a musician in New York to shaping Norway’s export scene, he reveals proven methods to grow your career on an international stage. Get practical advice for artists, entrepreneurs, and pros who want to excel where creativity and commerce meet. High
BandLab's Milestone: 100 Million Users
In this episode of Sound Connections Podcast, join Jake, our AI co-host, as we explore the revolutionary world of BandLab and its recent milestone of surpassing 100 million users. Discover how BandLab, since its launch in 2015, has become a beacon for musicians globally by democratizing music creation with its array of free, innovative tools. We delve into BandLab's philosophy of making music crea
Introducing JKBX - A New Chapter In Music Investments
In this episode of Sound Connections, we introduce an exciting innovation in the music industry: JKBX. Join Jake, your AI co-host, as we dive into how this groundbreaking music investment platform is redefining opportunities for songwriters, recording artists, and investors. With support from industry giants like Spotify and Red Light Management, JKBX offers a unique way for fans to invest in song
#069: EXPERT: Daniel Rowland: LANDR And The Rise Of The Casual Music Creator
Daniel Rowland, Head of Strategy and Partnerships at LANDR, discusses the evolution of music production tools and their role in empowering a new generation of casual creators. In this episode, he shares his journey from music production and academia to leading innovative projects at LANDR.Learn how LANDR transformed from an AI mixing service into a comprehensive creative platform, bridging the gap
#106: MTEA: Scaling Music Tech: What Control Reach Is Doing Differently || Clémentin Diard
From throwing a DIY festival in his hometown to running a 12‑person, AI‑driven marketing startup in Paris, Clémentin’s journey shows how grit and smart pivots can turn a bedroom idea into a global business tool. In another partnership episode with Music Tech Europe Academy, he shares the highs and lows of building Control Reach, formerly Your Music Marketing —including hard‑won lessons on fundrais
#076: EXPERT: Georgia Taglietti: How To Talk To The Music Industry
Georgia Taglietti, founder of the International Consulting Network for the Arts, joins this episode of *Sound Connections* to share her expertise in the music industry. From mastering communication in a fast-paced sector to mentoring at the Music Tech Europe Academy, Georgia dives into the fusion of technology and culture, offering valuable insights for fostering innovation and creativity in the a
#074: EXPERT: Yvan Boudillet: How AI and Technology are Reshaping Live Music
The live music industry is entering a new era with the integration of artificial intelligence, and Yvan Boudillet is at the forefront of this transformation. In this episode, Yvan discusses his innovative efforts to enhance fan engagement and streamline production techniques through cutting-edge technology. As the co-founder of Musictek Europe, he shares insights from his journey in the digital ev
#130: FOUNDER: The Business of Band Merchandise and Artist Branding || Seamus Menihane
If you’ve ever wondered how merch works behind the scenes?Seamus Menihane, CEO and co-founder of Armada, one of the fastest-growing merch companies in the music industry. From being a touring drummer to leading a 170-person team, he shares his journey of turning a DIY screen-printing hustle into a full-scale merch powerhouse.Armada supports artists in building real, profitable brands through merch
#073: EXPERT: Priyanka Khimani: Decoding India's Music Market: From Copyright to Creativity
India's music industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and Priyanka Khimani, one of the nation’s leading entertainment lawyers, provides a front-row view in this episode. From her journey as a litigation attorney to establishing a top entertainment law firm, Priyanka shares her insights on the evolving landscape of music, copyright, and creativity.Highlights:Understanding India's music
#060: EXPERT: Patrick Ermlich: Artist Development and Music Business Strategies
Artist growth and music industry strategy take the spotlight in this episode featuring Patrick Ermlich, a seasoned expert with 24 years of experience. Patrick shares his unique perspective on blending creativity with entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for personal and professional development.Whether you're an emerging artist or an industry veteran, this conversation is packed with insigh
Nigeria's Music Industry Gets a Major Boost from Warner Music
In this episode of the Sound Connections Podcast, AI Jake explores Warner Music Group's significant expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa with the opening of its first fully-owned office in Lagos, Nigeria. Discover how this move will enhance A&R, operations, and marketing expertise within Nigeria's burgeoning music scene. Learn about the region's rapid growth in recorded music revenues, the intern
#047: EXPERT: Martin Berg: Super Tickets: Reimagining Ticketing for the Web3 Era
Join Martin Berg, CEO of DX, in this exciting episode as he shares how his company is transforming ticketing and venue management. Learn about the innovative 'Super Tickets' concept and how blockchain and NFT technologies are set to reshape the entertainment industry. From graphic design to tech innovation, the obstacles he’s overcome in the ticketing world, and how NFTs could redefine fan experi
#011 FOUNDER: Christian Ringstad Schultz: Mastering Music Tech with Masterchannel
In this Founder Series episode, Christian Schultz, CEO of MasterChannel.ai, shares how his AI-powered mastering service is changing the way musicians polish their tracks. Hear about the challenges of creating a tech startup in the Nordics, the importance of a global outlook, and how creativity joins forces with technology. Christian also highlights the choices that have positioned MasterChannel as
#072: INVESTOR: Thierry Baujard: Bridging Creative Financing Gaps with Music Tech Europe Academy
From his beginnings in film financing to becoming a leader in music tech investments, Thierry Baujard brings decades of expertise to this episode. He shares how his work with the Music Tech Europe Academy and Media Deals is addressing the financing gap in the industry, helping creative entrepreneurs thrive. Thierry also explores the unique challenges of the creative sectors and the powerful potent
#141: EXIT: The Startup Apple Music Had to Acquire: Simon M. Eder
From niche record label to Apple Music Classical Simon Eder shares the journey of building Primephonic, a specialized music tech startup acquired by Apple.We discuss the complexities of classical music streaming, from solving metadata challenges to navigating the shift from physical CDs to digital Hi-Res audio. Simon offers a grounded perspective on startup exits, investor relations, and the real
#042: WISE: The Vision of WISE with Founder Philipp Grefer
In this episode, Philipp Grefer, the founder of WISE, takes us behind the scenes of a groundbreaking platform that bridges music, technology, and creativity. Learn how WISE has evolved from its roots in China to becoming a hub for innovation and collaboration in Berlin. Discover the platform's impact on fostering thought leadership and its role in shaping the intersection of creative industries an
#026: EXPERT: Linda Bloss-Baum: Navigating Performance Rights Within Music
In this conversation, Linda Bloss-Baum, a leading figure in performance rights, explores the ups and downs of ensuring fair compensation in the music world. She reflects on her path from Capitol Hill to SoundExchange, showing how legislation like the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and Music Modernization Act shapes payments for sound recording owners. Along the way, learn about the challenges of
AI Jake Round-Up: Episode #066 EXPERT: Christopher Wieduwilt
Welcome to the first recap episode of Sound Connections! In this condensed summary, we revisit our insightful conversation with Chris Wieduwilt, the AI Musicpreneur. Chris dives into how AI is revolutionizing the music industry, offering tools that empower artists to streamline their workflow and connect with audiences through powerful storytelling. From leveraging AI music generation tools to enh
#128: FOUNDER: Building a Music Career Fans Can Emotionally Invest In || Vishal Ramakrishna
How do musicians break through in today’s noisy creator economy?In this episode with Vishal Ramakrishnan, co-founder of Round music marketing technology, to explore the future of music promotion and digital marketing for artists.Vishal shares how he went from failed film composer to building a data-driven music marketing platform, the tension between authenticity vs. AI-generated content, and why
#068: David Ponte: Founder: From Artist-First to 30 Million Users: Audiomack’s Rise
David Ponte, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Audiomack, shares the story behind the platform’s rise as a leader in music streaming. In this episode, he highlights Audiomack’s mission to empower artists and foster music discovery, with a focus on supporting underrepresented creators. Learn how Audiomack carved out its unique space in the industry, the challenges of building a global plat
#087: Tajdar Khan: Business in Music: Understanding The Challenges and Opportunities
Amplitude Ventures partner, Taj, shares his insights on the evolving music industry in this episode. From blending traditional business strategies with the passion economy to exploring how technology drives innovation, Taj offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the sector. He also reflects on his journey from India to Norway and how his unique background shapes his appro
Tencent Music's AI Revolution and Its Impact on the Music Industry
In this episode of Sound Connections, join Jake, our AI host, as we dive into Tencent Music Entertainment's innovative use of AI in the music industry. Discover how TME's groundbreaking "Predictive Model" is not only predicting the next big hits by analyzing audio and lyrics but also shaping user experiences with tailored playlists and targeted marketing strategies. We'll explore the significant g
#093: FOUNDER: Michael Jacob: Building Ethical AI For Musicians
MJ, CEO of Lemonaide Music, shares his inspiring journey from aspiring rapper to tech entrepreneur. He dives into the challenges and successes of integrating AI into music production, emphasizing ethical AI practices and artist empowerment. Learn how Lemonaide Music is revolutionizing the industry by providing innovative AI-driven tools that support musicians in their creative process.Highlights:
#028: EXPERT: Shain Shapiro - Advancing Music Ecosystems Through Policy and Data
Join us in this enlightening episode as we converse with Shain Shapiro, founder of Sound Diplomacy and the Center for Music Ecosystems. Shain narrates his distinct path from the music industry to an influential role in reshaping how cities integrate music into their cultural framework and policies.Highlights:Understand how Shain's efforts connect music with urban development.Examine Sound Diplomac
#104: FOUNDER: Transforming Music Metadata with AI – A New Chapter with Noctil || Jacob Varghese
Metadata may be the unglamorous backbone of music, but it decides who gets paid. In this episode, entrepreneur and technologist Jacob Varghese explains how his company Noctil uses supervised machine‑learning to link millions of usage logs with the right ownership data, turning “black‑box” royalties into real income for creators. He traces his journey from a 2012 consulting project to a fully boots
#100: EXPERT: "Scott" Yusuke Sugino: Insights From Yamaha
President & CEO of Yamaha Music Innovations, Yusuke Sugino details his 17-year journey from semiconductor sales to European market leadership, and why he was chosen to spearhead this bold initiative. We dive into the challenges of financing music tech startups, the long-term vision for Yamaha’s fund, and how the company plans to support founders beyond capital—leveraging their global brand, cu
#094: EXPERT: Christine Osazuwa: The Reality of Music Careers on Breaking In & Moving Up
This episode delves into the changing landscape of music and data. Christine Osazuwa, founder of Measure of Music and a seasoned expert in data-driven strategies for artists and labels, describes her journey from the US to key positions in London and Stockholm. She explains how she uses data to promote diversity and inclusion, and reveals the forward-thinking methods reshaping the industry.Highlig
#085: EXPERT: Takayuki Suzuki: Superfans and Strategy: How Japan Is Monetizing Fandom
Japan’s music industry, the second largest in the world, is spotlighted in this episode as Takayuki Suzuki, founder of MusicTech Japan, shares his expertise. From the enduring dominance of physical music sales to innovative approaches in monetizing fandom, Taka unpacks the unique characteristics that set Japan apart. He also discusses the role of Web3, AI, and storytelling in shaping the future of
#096: MTEA: Thais Ruiz de Alda: Why Female Artists Are Missing From Your Playlists ft. Music Tech Europe Academy
Thais Ruiz de Alda, founder of Digital Femmes, delves into the barriers women face in tech and music while highlighting the opportunities for change. She shares her journey and the mission of Digital Femmes to create a more inclusive and diverse digital landscape.This episode is produced in partnership with Music Tech Europe Academy: https://www.musictecheuropeacademy.eu/Highlights: Understanding
#062: FOUNDER: Mansoor Rahimat Khan: From Sitar to Startup: Building Beatoven.ai #generativeai
AI-driven music platforms like Beethoven.ai are revolutionizing how music is created and experienced. In this episode, co-founder and CEO Mansoor Rahimat Khan discusses how the platform combines advanced technology with a deep appreciation for musical heritage. From his roots in a family of renowned sitar musicians to leading an innovative music tech company, Mansoor shares his journey, the chall
#052: Discussing AI's Impact on the Music Industry with my AI Avatar
Artificial intelligence is transforming the music industry, and in this episode, the host Jacob, and his AI avatar, AI Jake, dive into its groundbreaking impact. They explore how AI is reshaping music creation and consumption, driving innovation, and challenging traditional methods. From idea-driven creativity to the democratization of music production, this episode unpacks the opportunities and
#044: WISE: Dr. Martin Clancy: Exploring AI Ethics and Music Innovation
Learn about the intersection of AI, ethics, and music innovation with Dr. Martin Clancy, a leading expert and member of the IEEE Global AI Ethics Committee. This episode delves into how AI is reshaping the music industry, from creative possibilities to ethical dilemmas and financial implications. Dr. Clancy shares his journey in music, the foundation of his groundbreaking research, and his vision
#041: FOUNDER: Alex Brees: Empowering Artists: The Rise of un:hurd in Music Promotion
Alex Brees, founder of un:hurd, shares his journey from a tech background to redefining music marketing. This episode unpacks how un:hurd uses data-driven strategies to empower artists, offering innovative tools to amplify their reach and impact. Gain insights into the future of music promotion and the role technology plays in helping artists thrive in an ever-evolving industry.Highlights: Changin
#025: FOUNDER: Mischa Sigtermans - Artist Management Through Music Tech with Stagent
Meet Mischa Sigtermans, founder of Stagent, as he explains how he combined his passion for music and technology to build a more efficient artist management platform. He talks about turning obstacles into opportunities, creating a straightforward system for booking and managing artists, and dealing with the complex nature of the music industry. Hear his insights on the importance of user-friendly d
#022: EXPERT: Drew Thurlow - Decoding AI's Role in Music
This is how artificial intelligence is transforming the music scene as Drew Thurlow, whose résumé spans from the Boston Red Sox to Warner Music Group and Pandora, draws on his varied experiences. Gain insights into how technology intersects with music and the critical role AI plays in shaping the industry’s future.Highlights:AI's influence on the music industry's transformation.The future of music
#014: Caroline Ravn: Navigating the Music Industry as a Young Professional
In this Sound Connections episode, Caroline Ravn opens up about her path through the music industry, from completing influential reports to taking on various roles. She talks about the barriers she faced—especially in the Nordic market—and why she thought about seeking opportunities elsewhere. Caroline also looks ahead, highlighting the changes needed to keep young talent in the music world. Plus,
#013: FOUNDER: Jesper Skibsby WARMing Up the Music Industry
Ready to turn up the heat in the music industry? Meet Jesper Skibsby, founder and CEO of WARM, who turned a single idea into a global radio monitoring service. Hear how he faced funding hurdles, built a committed team, and made real-time radio data available to independent artists, labels, and managers—insights that were once reserved for industry giants. This conversation spotlights the power of
#136: FOUNDER: Epidemic Sound: The Legal Model That Created a New Music Economy: Tom Höglund
Tom Höglund, a key figure from the founding team of Epidemic Sound, breaks down how they built a unicorn by disrupting the century-old music licensing industry.From his early days as a lawyer to creating an alternative model that pays musicians upfront and offers a 50-50 split , Tom shares the controversial journey. Discover the audacious vision to make music licensing simple and global for conten
ESNS 2026: Innovative Ticketing Strategies: Mike van Gaasbeek and Yannick Corbeau
Let's go behind the scenes of live music digitalization in this special Sound Connections session from the ESNS 2026 Conference.We examine the "red ocean" of ticketing with guests Mike van Gaasbeek of Stager and Yannick Corbeau of CM.com, understanding how innovative platforms are easing the heavy daily tasks of event promoters by integrating ticketing, marketing, and payments into a single workfl
#061: ARTIST: Sharmin Sultana Sumi: From Chirkutt's Front Lady to a Bangladeshi marketing CEO
Patrick Ermlich, a music industry expert with 24 years of experience, joins the conversation to share his insights on artist growth, creativity, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, he offers a fresh perspective on guiding artists through personal and professional development while navigating the complexities of the music business. Packed with actionable advice for both emerging and seasoned art
#067: EXIT: Lasse Andresen: From Rockstar Dreams to ForgeRock's $3 Billion IPO
The evolving relationship between music and technology takes center stage in this episode, featuring insights from industry leaders. These are the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the music business and the innovative strategies they’ve used to overcome them. Highlights:Exploring the journey from musical passion to business achievement.Insights into building a sustainable music business in to
#043: FOUNDER: Dmitri Vietze: Mastering the Art of Innovative Storytelling in Music Tech PR
Discover the fascinating intersection of music, technology, and storytelling in this episode featuring Dmitri Vietze, founder of Rock Paper Scissors. Dive into the challenges and triumphs shaping the modern music industry, as Dmitri shares his journey in building a thriving PR firm and fostering innovation in music tech. From the rise of startups to opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs, thi
#045: EXIT: Scott Cohen: From Financial Ruin To Selling The Orchard
Uncover the inspiring story of Scott Cohen, co-founder of The Orchard, in this engaging episode of *Sound Connections*. A true pioneer in music technology, Scott shares his journey from humble beginnings to revolutionizing the industry with the creation of the first digital distribution company. Discover the challenges he faced, the breakthroughs that defined his career—like playing a pivotal role
Music Royalties: The Case for 'Completion'
Join us on Sound Connections as we delve into the evolving world of music royalties with AI Jake. In this episode, we tackle the widely debated pro-rata model and introduce economist Will Page's innovative 'Completion' model. Discover how this proposal rewards fully streamed songs, combats streaming fraud, and offers a straightforward implementation for the music industry. We examine the potential
#36: EXIT: Agnes Chung: The Story of Musicube's AI Metadata Mastery & Songtradr Acquisition
Peek into the evolution of a cutting-edge music search platform as co-founder Agnes Chung delves into Musicube’s origins and its groundbreaking AI-driven capabilities. Gain insights into the startup’s recent acquisition by Songtradr, and follow Agnes’ own path from musicology to entrepreneurship. This episode reveals the hurdles faced, the wins celebrated, and a forward-thinking approach that’s re
#40: FOUNDER: Karl Richter: Building DISCO: Revolutionizing Music Sharing and Discovery
Explore the innovative world of music technology with Karl Richter, the founder of Disco in a detailed discussion about how Disco is redefining music sharing and discovery for music supervisors. Karl provides an inside look into the development of a B2B SaaS platform tailored to the unique challenges of the music tech industry. He shares his strategies for fostering creativity and driving innovati
KISS Sells to Pophouse: A $300 Million Legacy Deal
In this episode of Sound Connections, co-host AI Jake takes us through the substantial deal between rock icons KISS and Pophouse Entertainment, where KISS sold their song catalog, brand, and intellectual property for $300 million. This significant agreement includes their famous face paint designs, shares of master recordings, and publishing rights, marking a notable shift in the music industry's
#114: EXPERT: The Business of Music Catalogs: How Artists can Profit from IP || Yonas Aregai
How does a song become a multi-million dollar asset? With a career that began in talent and label management at M.E.R. Group—home to EDM icon Alan Walker—Yonas brings a unique, full-stack perspective on what gives music lasting value. Now leading operations at one of the most sophisticated music investment funds in the U.S., he reveals the internal mechanics behind valuing music catalogs, why ever
#126: WALLIFORNIA: Music Tech Funding Is Broken – Who Might Fix It?
Reflecting back to Wallifornia Music Tech Conference 2025 July, in this fiery and data-driven conversation, Jakob and Taj challenge the illusions around music tech investment. They talked about why most music startups face poor exits, why B2C music apps struggle, and why B2B infrastructure solutions hold more promise. Drawing on Taj’s tech startup experience and Jakob’s music industry research, th
