The Future of What

Latest Episodes:

Bitch Media / Tom Tom Magazine / She Shreds Magazine Feb 20, 2016

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Episode #31: If women and girls are one of the fastest growing markets in the music industry, shouldn't they be better represented in media? That's what some, like our guests this week, are striving to do. A greater number of magazines and blogs oriented toward women and girls means that many of these aspiring musicians can finally recognize themselves in the publications they consume. But giving focus to women musicians isn't just a good cause — it's a good business investment. This week we host a roundtable to talk media and its portrayal of women musicians. Joining us are online editor of Bitch Media Sarah Mirk, founder of She Shreds Magazine Fabi Reyna, and Mindy Abovitz, founder of Tom Tom Magazine. GUESTS Sarah Mirk (Bitch Media) Fabi Reyna (She Shreds) Mindy Abovitz (Tom Tom Magazine) MUSIC Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business" EXEC "Going Under" CTM "Cézanne" Palace Winter "Menton"

Spotify's Unpaid Royalties: Melissa Ferrick / Howell O'Rear / Chris Castle / Christiane Kinney Feb 13, 2016

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Episode #30: Could two multi-million dollar lawsuits be the downfall of one of music's most popular streaming services? Earlier this year, two class-actions were brought against streaming giant Spotify by musicians David Lowery and Melissa Ferrick. The plaintiffs allege that Spotify knowingly distributes copyrighted material without obtaining the proper licenses. So what do these suits mean for musicians and the industry as a whole? We discuss with lead plaintiff Melissa Ferrick, lawyers Howell O'Rear and Chris Castle, and musician and music lawyer Christiane Kinney. GUESTS Melissa Ferrick (Musician) Howell O'Rear (Attorney) Chris Castle (Attorney) Christiane Kinney (Attorney, Musician) MUSIC Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business" Melissa Ferrick "Careful" Xiu Xiu "Boy Soprano" Riddle The Sphinx "Judgement Day"

Pitchfork / KEXP / Riot Act Media Feb 05, 2016

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Episode #29: How do you get your music on the "it" blog or radio station? When should you hire a publicist? What does a publicist even do? These questions are common among young musicians looking for their break. In our second installment of Music 101, we talk to tastemakers Sharlese Metcalf (KEXP) and Brandon Stosuy (Pitchfork) about how they discover new artists, then publicist Nathan Walker (Riot Act Media) gives some advice on promoting your band. GUESTS Sharlese Metcalf (KEXP) Brandon Stosuy (Pitchfork) Nathan Walker (Riot Act Media) MUSIC Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business" Hella "Biblical Violence" The Advantage "Super Mario Brothers 2 - Underworld Theme"

The Slants / Charmaine Clamor / Mississippi Records Jan 29, 2016

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Episode #28: In an industry where it's difficult to make a living, musicians have had to become more and more creative to survive, especially with shrinking royalties in their pockets. One way some artists have managed to succeed is to tap into -- or create -- a niche market. Whether it's inventing a new genre or signing to an obscure label, their stories prove that there's not just one path to success in the music business. Our guests on this episode share their unique approaches to what they do. We hear from Simon Tam, founder of Asian American dance rock band The Slants, who saw a lucrative opportunity in playing anime conventions. Charmaine Clamor, creator of Jazzipino, a genre combining Filipino folk songs with American jazz and blues, also joins us. Finally we talk with Eric Isaacson, founder of Portland's enigmatic Mississippi Records. GUESTS Simon Tam (The Slants) Charmaine Clamor (Musician) Eric Isaacson (Mississippi Records) MUSIC The Slants "Capture Me Burning" Charmaine Clamor "My Funny Brown Pinay" Marisa Anderson "The New Country" Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

MusiCares: Neil Portnow / Andrew Joslyn / Jennifer Wit / Michael Farr / Scott Patterson Jan 22, 2016

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Episode #27: Health insurance, a 401K… employment benefits in general? Not so easy to find working in the music industry. Luckily, in 1989 the Recording Academy created the MusiCares Foundation, providing a safety net of critical services and resources for industry people in need. On this episode, Recording Academy president Neil Portnow gives us some background on the foundation and, while the service is confidential, some of the many musicians, managers and crew who have been helped by MusiCares have volunteered to tell us their stories. GUESTS Neil Portnow (Recording Academy) Andrew Joslyn (Composer) Jennifer Wit Michael Farr Scott Patterson (Tour Manager) MUSIC Numbers "Mind Hole" Marnie Stern "Vibrational Match" Deerhoof "+81" The Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

2015 In Review: Kill Rock Stars / Kiran Gandhi Jan 15, 2016

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Episode #25: What do Justin Bieber and weird punk have in common? Well, not much, but we cover both on our last show of the year, where we celebrate the year in music. We also get into 2015 trends in shoegaze pop, comedy, feminism, top 40, and more. Portia brings in the Kill Rock Stars crew, James Reling and Ben Parrish, to hear their favorite songs of 2015. We then wrap up the year with Kiran Gandhi, activist, musician, and former drummer for M.I.A. to talk about major trends in music and what the phrase "The Future is Female" means to her. GUESTS Ben Parish (Kill Rock Stars) James Reling (Kill Rock Stars) Kiran Gandhi (MIA, Madame Gandhi) MUSIC Randy Liedtke "New York" Circuit Des Yeux "Fantasize The Scene" Red Cabin "Secret Stories" The Coneheads "Way Things Am" The Velvet Underground "White Light/White Heat" Draft Dodgers "Why I Want To Fuck Ronald Reagan" Mamman Sani "Zaybanakoy" Silver Shadows "By My Vampire's Side" Straight Crimes "Why Is The World So Bad" Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

Freeform Development / Bandago / Dick Huey Jan 15, 2016

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Episode #23: Subscribers pay about $10 a month for most streaming services -- with that kind of cash, shouldn't musicians be making more from these platforms? For their short history, music streaming services have operated by putting all of their subscription revenue into one big pool. The pool is then divided by the total number of plays — this is called the pro rata method. Some people believe that this system is ripping customers off. Why shouldn't your money go directly to the artists you're listening to rather than into the big pool? Today on The Future of What, we talk to two of the people championing a new way of streaming called subscriber share, Sharky Laguana and Dick Huey. We also talk with Tim Quirk, formerly of Google Play, who argues against subscriber share. GUESTS Sharky Laguana (Bandago, Creeper Lagoon) Dick Huey (Toolshed, Merge) Tim Quirk (Freeform Development, Too Much Joy) MUSIC Red Cabin "Ice Sculpture" Wimps "Old Guy" Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

The Future of Indies: Molly Neuman / Bruce Pavitt / Christiane Kinney / Kevin Breuner / Amy Dietz Jan 15, 2016

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Episode #22: In this episode, Portia moderates a SF Music Tech panel entitled "The Future of Indies," that was chock full of laughs and indie stalwarts of the past, present and future. Her panelists included: Molly Neuman (A2IM, Lookout! Records, Bratmobile), Bruce Pavitt (Sub Pop, 8Stem), Amy Dietz (INgrooves), Christiane Kinney (LeClairRyan), and Kevin Breuner (CD Baby). The panel discussed their individual introductions to music and the music industry, and provided advice to both musicians and tech entrepreneurs from their unique vantage points inside the industry. GUESTS Molly Neuman (A2IM, Lookout! Records, Bratmobile) Bruce Pavitt (8Stem) Christiane Kinney (LeClairRyan) Kevin Breuner (CD Baby) Amy Dietz (INgrooves) MUSIC Bratmobile "Cherry Bomb" Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

tUnE-yArDs / Freeform Development Inc. Jan 14, 2016

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Episode #21: For the 15th annual Future of Music Summit, we headed to Washington DC for a special taping of The Future What. Portia talked with musician and innovator Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs about her creative process, puppeteering past and more. Then we sat down with Tim Quirk, founder of Freeform Development Inc. and former Google Play exec. GUESTS Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs) Tim Quirk (Freeform Development Inc.) MUSIC tUnE-yArDs "Gangsta" Too Much Joy "Long Haired Guys From England" Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

Grammys In My District: Kris Orlowski / Daryl Friedman / Brandon Bush Jan 14, 2016

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Episode #19: When people hear about the Recording Academy, some scratch their heads in wonder, while others immediately recognize them as the organization that puts on the Grammy Awards every year. However, both of these responses bely the true effort and intent behind the organization, as they are just as involved in awards shows as they are in advocacy for musicians on Capitol Hill and beyond. After several successful years of doing the music industry lobbying day, "Grammys On The Hill," the Recording Academy decided to take the model that they had developed for Washington, D.C. and bring that back to musician's home districts. This year represents the second time that "Grammys In My District" has happened, and we speak with three different players inside the organization about what's different about this year's event, and catch some soundbytes of the event that took place in Seattle on October 14. GUESTS Kris Orlowski (Musician) Daryl Friedman (The Recording Academy) Brandon Bush (Musician) MUSIC Gospel Music "Automobile" Xiu Xiu "Chocolate Makes You Happy" Kris Orlowski "It Ain't Necessarily So" Sugarland "Stuck Like Glue" Kinski "Flight Risk" Delta 5 "Mind Your Own Business"

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