When Songs Mean Business

Latest Episodes:

Understanding Publishing and Licensing with Jon Bahr Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

On today's episode, Steph talks to Downtown Music Holdings Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, Jon Bahr. Jon's expertise lies in his deep knowledge of publishing and monetization in streaming and content production, as well as maintaining long-lasting relationships in the music and entertainment industry. He has more than 20 years experience in music marketing, publishing, intellectual property, copyright, royalties and licensing and he shares some incredibly valuable advice here.

Key Moments:

4:33 - Concerts as a social necessity

10:02 - A national power outage and a Hammond B3 in an elevator

13:00 - What's the goal?

22:52 - YouTube copyright claims and the spread of misinformation

28:28 - What's Jon listening to these days?

31:10 - All that Downtown Music Holdings is doing for musicians

46:49 - Aloe Blacc and Mi Burrito Sabanero

53:37 - On relationships: The music business is very small

Check out Downtown Music's businesses:

https://cdbaby.com/

https://soundrop.com/

https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/

https://www.songtrust.com/

https://found.ee/super

https://www.downtownmusic.com/

Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whensongsmeanbusiness

Join the Level UP your Business Bootcamp: https://stephbelcher.com/levelup

Being Self-Employed in Music with Chesney Walters: a Coaching Session Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

Chesney Walters is a musician, business student, event and production assistant, songwriter, and band leader, and in this episode, she asks Steph for specific advice about how to balance self-employment in the music industry. Key topics include starting a music business LLC, partnerships in music, filing a music industry tax return, publishing, when to hire an attorney, expense reimbursements, and more.

For more on Chesney: https://ffm.bio/soundslikeotto

Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whensongsmeanbusiness

Join the Level UP your Business Bootcamp: https://stephbelcher.com/levelup

Disclaimer: Consult an attorney or CPA before making any business decisions. Nothing in this episode is meant to be blanket legal or tax advice. Always remember - it depends. Talk to a lawyer or local accountant whenever you have questions about your own business or tax situation. xo

How to Set Goals and Reach your Dreams in 2022 Dec 28, 2021

Show notes

Ready to explore your full potential in 2022? This episode explores some practical ways to dream big and reach your goals.

Key moments:

03:19 - Why I thought I wasn't good enough to own a business

07:24 - Musicians need an exit strategy for their businesses

11:35 - Setting a 26-year goal for your music marathon

13:23 - You can only focus on one goal at a time

16:20 - A guided meditation to help you find your dreams

22:26 - Writing down your 10 dreams will change your life

28:27 - Turning your dreams into SMART goals

Collecting Music with Nate Dorough Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

As the talent buyer for Audiotree Presents, Nate Dorough is on the forefront of upcoming talent. A collector of music, from bootlegs to tapes to live shows, Nate listens to it all.

Creator / host of the Here For Now podcast. Vice President of the Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association (MIVPA). Creator of @MichSongs. Supporter of Michigan music and creativity. Proud husband, father. Collector of cassettes and LEGOs.

Get to know everyone's favorite Michigan promoter.

Key Moments:

3:19 - The sound of opening a cassette tape

12:42 - The magic of listening parties

19:18 - But *does* Nate listen to music?

23:53 - On going to concerts without having heard the band (with Bad Bad Hats teases)

32:52 - A fan letter to Our Lady Peace

45:42 - Learning the music business with Wu-Tang Clan

52:17 - A fan letter to Jax Anderson and Flint Eastwood

1:07:04 - The emotional payoff

https://www.instagram.com/natedorough/

https://twitter.com/natedorough

https://www.instagram.com/audiotreepresents/

https://twitter.com/audiotreeshows

https://www.instagram.com/michsongs/

https://twitter.com/michsongs

audiotreepresents.com

Level UP Your Business Sign-up: https://bit.ly/levelUPyourbiz

This podcast is a production of Steph Belcher Business Management, LLC. This episode was hosted, produced, and edited by Stephanie Belcher. For more information check out stephbelcher.com

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whensongsmeanbusiness

THANK YOU!

Developing Relationships in the Music Business with Sabrina Underwood Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

It started with Prince. Sabrina was 7 years old, listening to the "Prince" album when she fell in love with the music that played on the record player. She knew then that she wanted to work in music.

As a multi-passionate entrepreneur, Sabrina currently operates as General Manager and business partner to 2x Grammy award winning music producer/artist Denaun "Mr. Porter" Porter and their production companies Mr. Porter Production Group & Planit Dope. She also provides marketing and project management services through her business, Earth Tones Enterprises.

Throughout more than 20 years of professional experience, she has climbed the ladder from the ground up in the business, operating in various marketing and sales roles, ending her tenure with the "majors" as a Radio Promotions Manager for Columbia Records. This also included time at BMG and the now defunct "SonyBMG".

Sabrina was also contracted by Paisley Park to develop and execute grassroots promotional plans for Prince projects & tour support. Talk about full circle! She has been instrumental in helping to launch many of the biggest careers in music, of all genres, as well as cool indie artists as Label Manager for Original 1265 Records - owned by the Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME). She was also employed by ASCAP as an Area Licensing Manager, working on behalf of songwriters around the country.

As a one-woman juggling act, Sabrina passionately elevates and celebrates the beauty, fun and sometimes quirkiness of womanhood, via her women's lifestyle brand "I. Am. Drama" via her budding small business, the Drama Queen Company. She is definitely a Jill of all trades!

To connect with Sabrina: https://www.instagram.com/earthtonesent/

Follow When Songs Mean Business on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whensongsmeanbusiness

Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whensongsmeanbusiness

Building Community around Music and Art with Audra Kubat Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

Award-winning songwriter, community activist, and educator Audra Kubat is building a creative arts space called the Detroit House of Music, and on today's episode, she sits down with Steph to chat about what it means to build community around art. They talk about her songwriting collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts, how she got started in music, and what it was like for her to grow up in Detroit. They discuss Audra's songwriting process, struggles she has in business, and so much more.

All music in this episode is written and performed by Audra Kubat and can be found on all streaming services or Bandcamp: https://audrakubat.bandcamp.com/

5m32s: Ann Maria - Audra Kubat - The Sliver and the Salve

22m29s: Someday - Audra Kubat - The Sliver and the Salve

42m19s: Some Comfort - Audra Kubat - The Sliver and the Salve

47m11s: Oh Mother - Audra Kubat - The Sliver and the Salve

64m23s: Good Old Days - Audra Kubat - The Sliver and the Salve

66m56s: Gray Glory Parade - Audra Kubat and Jessica Care Moore - single release

Follow Detroit House of Music on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroithouseofmusic

and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detroithouseofmusic

Follow Audra on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/77UQztH4JDwgLRVXJOur8q?si=l-sHyTYhTuKkp2lqVB5B1g

Audra Kubat Music: https://audrakubatmusic.com/

Audra's Songwriting Workshops at the DIA: https://youtu.be/LQWAF0LYi3Q

DIA Inside|Out: https://www.dia.org/insideout

Steph's Essential Songs - Version without Music Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

In this first episode, get to know me, your host Steph Belcher, by listening to some of my favorite songs. Starting with my first favorite song when I was 4 years old, and going through all the different phases of my schooling and career, I explore my favorite songs and the life and career lessons I learned along the way.

When Songs Mean Business Trailer Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to When Songs Mean Business! This podcast will explore the intersection of real life, music creation, and business. I'm your host, Steph Belcher, and I'll be interviewing songwriters, producers, musicians, and industry reps to discuss their favorite songs, moments in their lives that inspired their love of music, and business lessons they've learned along the way. Stay tuned!

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