Blog

Albums still matter.

Even in a world dominated by playlists, TikTok snippets, and singles designed for short attention spans—there’s something about a full body of work that hits differently.

We live in a music economy optimized for speed. Artists are under constant pressure to drop new content, build momentum, and stay top-of-mind. Individual songs are the easiest way to do that—they’re quick to make, easier to promote, and built to perform in the algorithm.

But when everything is built for instant consumption, what happens to the long play?

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It’s October, which means ADE season! Next week, I’ll be in Amsterdam for ADE — and I couldn’t be more excited.

Why? 

Because some of the most important conversations in music right now are happening there: across creator tech, artist ownership, and the future of independent labels. And I am bringing UnitedMasters right in the middle of it.

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The Money Conversation Artists Are Actually Having

Nobody gets into music just to stare at spreadsheets. But let’s not pretend money isn’t part of the equation.

If you want to stay in the game, you have to think beyond the next single.

Today, success isn’t just about talent. It’s about building attention, converting it into revenue, and sustaining it over time. The artist economy is bigger than ever—but also more fragmented and fragile. There are more platforms, more gatekeepers, more ways to earn—and still, only a few artists making a truly sustainable living. 

(For what it’s worth—I used to work on Spotify’s Loud & Clear project. And the data shows exactly that. Yes, the number is growing, but the percentage remains small.)

So the real question is: Where’s the money, actually?

And what does it take to go get it?

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The headlines said “Post Malone launches a fashion line.” 

But anyone paying attention to music and brand culture knows it’s more than that. It’s a signal—one that perfectly captures two major trends dominating the music industry today: Country is everywhere, and Artists are building brands bigger than their music.

And with Fashion Week in full swing across New York, London, and Milan, there’s no better time to ask: is Post Malone just testing a side hustle—or rewriting the playbook altogether?

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Strategy sounds like momentum. 

Progress. 

Growth. 

It’s the word companies use when they’re feeling bold.

But in practice? Strategy work is messy. It forces decisions you’ve been avoiding, exposes habits you didn’t realize were habits, and reveals whether your team is actually aligned—or just politely nodding.

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Independent music is always on. But this June, the conversation turns inward, as the key players in indie music head to New York for A2IM’s Indie Week.

By the numbers, the indie sector has never been stronger. 

Market share is up. 

Global impact is undeniable. 

Revenue is real.

And yet—independence itself is under a microscope. What does it mean in 2025? Who’s truly independent? Who owns what? And where is all of this actually going?

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Summer is around the corner. What do DIY youth culture, sun-soaked festival weekends, and global investment portfolios have in common? In 2025, the answer is: more than you might think.

If you’ve danced in a field anywhere in Europe over the last decade, there’s a good chance your wristband was backed—at least indirectly—by private equity. Music festivals, once homes for grassroots experimentation and community, have become prime targets for large-scale financial investment.

Why? Because youth culture is valuable—and increasingly, it scales.

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Fan clubs have always been a tricky business. 

They’ve either been hyper-specific—built for one artist, one fandom, one unique relationship. Or, companies have tried to build a platform for fandom, and not succeeded. Fans don’t want a generic platform; they want access, exclusivity, and that feeling of being part of something special. The minute you try to aggregate multiple fan communities under one roof, the magic tends to get diluted.

But here we are, 2025, and people are trying again. 

The rise of Fan Club 2.0 is real, and it’s driven by a simple truth: streaming isn’t paying the bills. Artists need new revenue streams, and superfans are stepping up to fill the gap.

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Ever played a game on mute? Not exactly memorable, right? 

Music in gaming is way more than background noise—it’s an integral part of the experience. Whether it’s the suspenseful strings in a horror game or the triumphant horns when you conquer a level, great gaming music doesn’t just fill silence—it builds worlds, evokes emotions, and keeps you hooked.

But why is music for gaming so important? Let’s dig into how the right soundtrack can shape how we play, how we feel, and how deeply we get immersed in a game.

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“Have yourself a merry little Christmas…” 

But does holiday music still make it merry?

Every year, the festive season rolls in, and with it comes a familiar soundtrack. From holiday classics to timeless classical holiday music, these songs are the backdrop to our celebrations. 

In fact, holiday music might be more important than ever. 

While listener habits are shifting and streaming playlists dominate, these songs provide a sense of nostalgia and connection that’s hard to replicate. Whether it’s a festive party, a quiet evening by the fire, or a shopping spree, holiday music keeps us grounded in the spirit of the season.

But what does that mean for the future? Lets take a closer look at the traditions, trends, and transformations shaping holiday songs today.

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