The Future of What

Latest Episodes:

Episode #265 — What It Means to Win A Clio Award: A Chat With Michael Kauffman Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

The Clio Awards have celebrated advertising & creative works across industries dating back to the 1950s, diversifying into different programs over time, including Clio Music in 2014. In this episode, we speak with Michael Kauffman of Clio Music on the three pillars of The Clios, and break it down further into the three award areas of the music branch, along with how to enter. Michael also expands on the true value of recent winning campaigns from around the globe, and the importance of cause-based work & recognition through awards in the music industry and beyond.

Episode #264 — How Has Music Evolved Into Such a Viable Asset Class? Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

In the past, artists needed to sign with record labels who would take out bank loans in order to provide financing. Now thanks to companies like Sound Royalties, artists can receive financing via advances without giving up any ownership. Possible income generating streams for artists have also grown from few to many, transforming music into a viable asset class. In this episode, Alex Heiche discusses how this evolution occurred, the importance of educating artists on where their income is coming from, and more on Sound Royalties – including where & how they operate and the solutions they provide.

Episode #263 — Assessing the State of AI in Music with Voice-Swap's Mike Pelczynski @ Music Biz 2025 Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Mike Pelczynski has been a part of many important conversations on the subject of AI as the Chief Strategic and Innovation Officer of voice conversion platform, Voice-Swap. These discussions revealed that general sentiments towards AI have shifted from fear to that of constructive concern. In this episode, Mike examines how some issues posed by AI can be addressed using solutions we are already familiar with, the importance of strategic partners for major stakeholders, how the music industry's approach to AI guides other industries, and more!

Episode #262 — Inside Soundstripe's Music Licensing Strategy with Global Head of Partnerships, Angela Abbott! Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Soundstripe is a tech-enabled music licensing company working with brands, agencies and rightsholders, housing 1.5 million users in 160 countries. In this episode, Soundstripe's Angela Abbott walks us through their licensing process, emphasizing how the platform ensures artists maintain sonic identity. She then imparts advice to early-level professionals, and addresses aspects of licensing that may be overlooked, such as microsync, the importance of valuing licensed music to ad spend, and differences in monetization models from platform to platform.

Episode #261 — Independent Sector Happenings with A2IM's Lisa Hresko @ Music Biz 2025! Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

At Music Biz 2025, Lisa Hresko of A2IM moderated a panel on growth strategies for independent music companies, a topic which she touches upon in this podcast recorded live at the Conference! She further expands the conversation to discuss how artists can "choose their own adventure" in the industry today by tapping into the independent community. Lisa also speaks on A2IM's current projects, including advocacy for the HITS Act and other legislation.

Episode #260 — Dissecting the State of Physical Music: A Conversation with Carrie Colliton @ Music Biz 2025! Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

We spoke with Carrie Colliton of DORS & Record Store Day at Music Biz 2025 about the recent sales surge at indie record stores, how sales data from record stores was on the verge of exclusion from Luminate reporting, and the power of community that brought about the deal to keep that data counted. The conversation also touches on both the positive and the negative effects of streaming on indie music, as streaming helps new fans discover albums they want to own on CD or vinyl but can also devalue music through lower price points. Carrie also talks about how physical music continues to be an expression of personality for music fans, and how it allows for true ownership in the digital age.

Episode #259 — Democratizing Artist Marketing: A Conversation with Chuka Chase of SymphonyOS @ Music Biz 2025! Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

We sat down with Chuka Chase, co-founder of SymphonyOS, during Music Biz 2025 to talk about his company, his experience at the Conference, and the convergence of the music and tech industries. He discusses his professional journey which led him from the tech space to music, as he compares and contrasts how both industries operate. He also covers how the internet has made the music industry less siloed, and how SymphonyOS continues this democratization of knowledge for today's artists. Finally, Chuka shares his experience speaking on a 2025 panel to an audience of startup founders like him.

Episode #258 — The Impacts Of The Current PRO System On Small Venues Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the motivations behind NIVA's letter to the US Copyright Office in conversation with Tobi Parks of the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF). Tobi disputes the narrative that licensees are just trying to cut costs, explaining how the current PRO system, combined with a lack of education provided to licensees and artists, leaves an untapped pool of money waiting to be fairly distributed. She also dives into the unique issues faced within the US due to having multiple PRO entities, and how discounts provided to large venues, combined with other economic factors, end up hurting small artists and venues.

Episode #257 — A Conversation With Virginie Berger @ Music Biz 2025 Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

We caught up with Virginie Berger, Founder of Don't Believe the Hype and Advisor at MUSICx; fmr. MatchTune during Music Biz 2025 for a conversation covering the sentiments of fear and concern surrounding the uncharted territory that is AI. She addresses the complications and confusion today's music market faces, current copyright wins & losses, the fine line AI walks in terms of what is & isn't forbidden, and MatchTune's AI detection and audio fingerprinting solutions. Touching on legislation in the US, UK and Europe, she explains how rushed governance in the past failed to take into account the issues we are facing now. Virginie also discusses her Music Biz panel on what lessons the music business can learn about embracing new tech from the adult entertainment industry, and how the Conference serves as a forum for all types of topics.

Episode #256 — Jonathan Azu of Culture Collective Talks the State of the Live Industry & More! Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

This week we speak with Jonathan Azu, founder of Culture Collective, on the state of the live industry, along with some exciting projects & collaborations he's working on! Jonathan discusses how important it is for executives to diversify themselves in the same way today's artists do, highlighting the multi-hyphenate approach he has taken for his business by working on tours, TV specials, philanthropic and DEI-related work, and developing artists. Jonathan provides us his expertise, evaluating the consistency of our industry's DEI initiatives born out of the self-reflection that came from the COVID era, and how large-scale change comes from those in power. He also examines how the live industry has ebbed and flowed as a result of the pandemic, tying together how no matter what venue, city or capacity, a show itself must be great to have longevity.

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