Can you place creative restrictions on yourself and actually grow as an artist? We use a fun blog post as a jumping off point to discuss how "doing less" can actually fuel your process. Next, we look at how Billboard is tweaking its "Hot 100" charts, and what that means for who will chart (or not). Lizzo—no stranger to lawsuits—is facing another one about an unreleased song, presenting an interesting wrinkle in how samples are monetized. We celebrate Chappell Roan's Midwest Princess Project which is donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to LGBTQ+ organizations, and finally look at YouTube's massive $8B music industry payout and implications for your social media output, as well as the music industry as a whole.

• Restrict yourself to grow as an artist by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog via Indie on the Move
• After months of the same songs on the Hot 100, 'Billboard' tweaks its rules
  by Stephen Thompson for NPR
• Lizzo sued for alleged copyright violation in unreleased song snippet referencing Sydney Sweeney jeans ad by Daniel Tencer for Music Business Worldwide
• Chappell Roan Launches The Midwest Princess Project for LGBTQ+ Support
  by Ron Yates for New Industry Focus
• YouTube’s ‘twin engine of ads and subscriptions is firing on all cylinders,’ says Lyor Cohen, as platform makes $8bn+ payout to the music industry over the past year by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide

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/

Finally it's gig day! After all the rehearsals and promotion, it's time to jump on stage and show the crowd what you've got. How do you make the best of this day, make sure it goes smoothly, and get the most of your opportunity? We'll share some hard-earned experiences and lessons. Next, we look at SoundExchange's new global AI registry, what it does (and doesn't) do. Then, our first villain Timbaland (see ep. 3 for more) returns with a new AI artist called Tata Taktumi, and we react to "her" music video. Next we discuss UMG's new influencer app and initiative called "House of Carmen" before turning our attention to Beatport's new ticketing initiative and what it could mean for the future of ticketing in the music industry.

In this episode, observe Cameron desperately try and hold it together as Augustus uses his most egregiously thick Minnesota accent to throw him (and everyone) off their game.

• SoundExchange Developing Global AI Sound Recording Registry https://www.soundexchange.com/news/soundexchange-developing-global-ai-sound-recording-registry/
• Beatport Launches Ticketing Platform Exclusively for Dance Music Events by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/beatport-launches-ticketing-platform-exclusively-for-dance-music-events/
• Timbaland Debuts AI ‘Artist’ TaTa Taktumi’s First Music Video and It’s as ‘Soulless’ as You Expected It To Be by By Stephen Andrew Galiher for Vice https://www.vice.com/en/article/timbaland-debuts-ai-artist-tata-taktumis-first-music-video-and-its-as-soulless-as-you-expected-it-to-be/
• Tata Taktumi - Glitch x Pulse (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/JXFn32yhvh4?si=GOYc4vR5zq3R_py8
• Beatport Launches Ticketing Platform Exclusively for Dance Music Events
  by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/beatport-launches-ticketing-platform-exclusively-for-dance-music-events/
• Build excitement for your tour with Set Lists via Apple Music https://artists.apple.com/support/5551-build-excitement-for-tour-set-lists

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/

We break down how to pitch yourself as an artist — from telling your story and defining your “why” to stating your artistic pedigree. Next we also unpack Bob Brody’s piece “Stay True to Yourself – and Fly Closer to the Sun” and his lessons from 50 years of rejection. Then we look at how Portland’s music scene stood up to Live Nation–Ticketmaster, and dive into Spotify’s new ChatGPT integration that’s changing how artists get discovered. Finally, we briefly dunk on Drake for losing his lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar.

• ‘Stay true to yourself – and fly closer to the sun’: what I’ve learned from 50 years of rejection via The Guardian
• Musicians Against Live Nation–Ticketmaster via Jacobin
• Spotify Brings Music Recommendations to ChatGPT Via New Integration via Music Business Worldwide
• ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Now Has Four Songs in Top 10, a Historic First via Variety
• Sir Lucian Grainge on UMG’s AI policy: ‘We will NOT license AI models that use an artist’s voice without their consent.’ via Music Business Worldwide
• Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ shatters US sales records, dominates singles chart via Music Business Worldwide
• Drake lawsuit against UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ dismissed by US court via Music Business Worldwide

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/

We discuss a marketing masterclass to help you cut through the noise and get your music heard. Then we look at the newest AI detection measures from Spotify, Universal, and Sony Music. We share Ed Sheeran's plan for his posthumous album. Then we deploy our dueling hot takes about ticket prices. Finally, we look at the new D4VD updates (with a CW for violence and grooming).

• Symphonic Masterclass Recap: Fueling Your Next Release with Marketing Drivers by Randi Zimmerman
• Spotify has deleted 75m+ ‘spammy tracks’ – as it unveils new AI music policies
  By Murray Stassen for Music Business Worldwide
• Universal and Sony Music partner with new platform to detect AI music copyright theft using ‘groundbreaking neural fingerprinting’ technology by Daniel Tencer for Music Business Worldwide
• Ed Sheeran Says Wife Cherry Will Help Him Select Songs for Posthumous Album Eject: 'It's Actually in My Will' By Marina Watts for People
• Spotify is Now in Serato DJ
• "Ticketmaster CEO says concert tickets are too cheap!"
• Justin Bieber has made history as the highest-paid performer in Coachella
• Even, direct to fan Platform expands

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/

We answer one of the most commonly asked questions in music: how do I legally cover other people's songs? Hint: it's easier than you think! Then we take a deep dive into all the agencies, labels, artists, and genres behind this year's Coachella, and what the data reveals about the state of the music industry. Next we discuss tools and strategies for avoiding burnout when it comes to the business side of your career. Then some news about Kate Hudson, Green Day, and songwriter Julia Michaels' new label, GFY Records. And an update on the D4VD story.

BONUS: We got through an entire episode without talking about AI!

• Who Booked Coachella? The companies & data behind 2026's lineup by Mark Williamson, CEO of The ROSTR Group
• How To Build a Scalable Music Business Without Selling Your Soul
  by Randi Zimmerman for Symphonic Blog
• Cops Search House for Near Tesla D4VD Location via TMZ
• Green Day References 'Boogie Nights' Dialog During Acceptance Speech at iHeartRadio Music Awards

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/

Like it or not, gatekeepers are a part of the music industry. We talk about some ways to connect with gatekeepers, and help you get a "Yes!" Next, we discuss how Bad Bunny is protecting his audience from ICE by skipping America on his upcoming world tour. We look at 21 Pilots' lawsuit against Temu, what King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are doing on Bandcamp, get juicy with the D4VD gossip, and round it out with a Kanye West's Donda Academy — who could have possibly expected Ye wasn't up to the job of running a school?

• Bad Bunny skipping America on his world tour because of fears of ICE
  by Suzy Exposito in i-D
• 21 pilots Suing Temu for Merch Trademark Infringement by Daniel Tercer in Music Business Worldwide
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are back in the news this week with a Bandcamp story by Lars Brandle for Billboard.com
• Free albums from The Gizz
• Singer D4VD Body Found In Tesla, first day of tour - Gave away FREE Labubus in Minneapolis same day via TMZ
• Breaking Bad's - Raymond Cruz arrested for hosing down his neighbor's daughter with water via TMZ
• KANYE HAS TO GO TO COURT - The Rise & Fall of Donda Acadeny via TMZ

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/

Everyone's talking about AI and algorithms but there are still plenty of people and places to find human-curated music, so we highlight a few places to look. Next we profile UMAW — United Musicians and Allied Workers — who have been doing great work to support indie and DIY musicians. We talk about some tools designed to automate your music marketing, and go over the latest on tariffs and vinyl.

• Why Local Radio Is The Antidote To Your Algorithm Blues by Elliott Nielson for Mixcloud Blog
• Bandcamp Launches Human-Curated 'Bandcamp Clubs' at $13 a Month by Daniel Tencer for Music Business Worldwide
• UMAW Is Changing How We Think About Musicians’ Rights by Ryan Dombal for Hearing Things
• As AI Reshapes Music, Artists Embrace Marketing Automation by Andrea Zarczynski for Forbes
• Vinyl records and CDs spared from Donald Trump’s new US import tariffs by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide

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/

We talk about what we've learned from years of running DIY spaces, events, and groups, and how you can apply these lessons to your own career. Then we go over some great tips for SEO and discoverability for musicians. On the AI front, we discuss a new generative AI model that claims to be fully licensed (and how we might be wrong about AI slop), look at the latest developments on Suno's indie artist lawsuit, and how a lawsuit in the book publishing industry could impact musicians. Finally we look a couple new features from streamers, including YouTube Hype and Spotify's messages.

• SEO for Musicians: Why It Matters and How To Use It by Randi Zimmerman for Symphonic Blog https://blog.symphonic.com/2025/07/15/seo-for-musicians-why-it-matters-and-how-to-use-it-2/
• Beatoven.ai Luanches 'Fully Licensed' Music AI Model - With Artist Payouts https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/beatoven-ai-launches-fully-licensed-music-ai-model-with-artist-payouts/
• Anthropic Settles Authors' Lawsuit Over Pirated Books ... And It Could Be a Gift for Universal Music Group's Lawyers by Mandy Dalugdug for Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/anthropic-settles-authors-lawsuit-over-pirated-books-and-it-could-be-a-gift-for-universal-music-groups-lawyers/
• Suno argues none of the millions of tracks made on its platform ‘contain anything like a sample’ by Tim Ingham for Music Business Worldwide https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-argues-none-of-the-millions-of-tracks-made-on-its-platform-contain-anything-like-a-sample/
• Spotify: Introducing Messages, A New Way To Share What You Love on Spotify with Friends and Family https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-08-26/introducing-messages-a-new-way-to-share-what-you-love-on-spotify-with-friends-and-family/
• Hype: Giving Fans a Stake in the Success of Their Favorite Emerging Creators https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-hype/

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/