Innovative Insights: Music Tectonics Podcast Launches Startup Series
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Music Tectonics
Podcasting has become a fantastic way to discover new content, often through recommendations from friends or family, podcast review websites, or publicists. Publicists, who have a vested interest in the podcasts they promote, can be a reliable source of information. Recently, I learned about the Music Tectonics podcast from Christian Harp at Rock Paper Scissors Biz, a PR firm that created the show. Intrigued, I decided to listen to eight episodes, and Harp was right—it’s an excellent podcast for those passionate about music and technology.
The Music Tectonics podcast is recognized for its exploration of how technology is transforming the music industry. They have recently premiered their new series, “How To Startup,” which aims to provide essential guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs. Hosted by Dmitri Vietze, the CEO of Rock Paper Scissors, each episode features experts from various fields, including licensing, publishing, law, and partnerships, who share crucial steps for launching a successful startup.
In the inaugural episode, titled “How To Startup: Is My Idea Any Good?” Dmitri Vietze teams up with guest host Cliff Fluet, a Digital Media Lawyer and Strategist. They discuss how to evaluate whether your idea addresses a genuine issue. Their conversation stresses the importance of testing your product across various channels, making small and large pivots, and more. Three pivotal insights emerge that can significantly impact a startup's success: actively testing your product in the market, researching competitors with similar offerings, and consulting industry experts.
In the second episode, “The Startup Mindset with Vicki Nauman,” Vietze and Vicki, the founder and CEO of CrossBorderWorks, outline strategies for positioning your startup for success right from the beginning. They discuss when to assemble a team, how to approach funding, the significance of identifying real customers, and much more. This foundational knowledge equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools needed to launch their ventures.
With these valuable insights, those looking to start a business now have a roadmap to follow. Future episodes of the “How To Startup” series will delve into topics ranging from investment rounds and partnerships to brand building.
The first episode, titled "Startups, Start Your Engines!" provides an overview of what it takes to get a startup off the ground, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation.
Chapter 2: Diving Deeper into the Startup Journey
This miniseries encapsulates the mission of Music Tectonics and Rock Paper Scissors to offer the music tech and business community meaningful guidance and educational insights. Established in 1999, Rock Paper Scissors, Inc. is a music tech PR firm with a diverse team that serves clients in various sectors including music technology, gear, B2B music agencies, and more.
With the podcast having been active since December 2018, it has continually improved. Dmitri Vietze stands out as a skilled host—a rarity among CEOs. He possesses the ability to engage listeners effectively, displaying enthusiasm without being insincere, articulateness without arrogance, and humor without forced wit. His strong interviewing skills and attentiveness make for compelling discussions.
An episode aired on March 6, analyzing the TikTok/Universal Music dispute, and Vietze offered clarity on the situation. Another standout episode aired on February 28, 2024, featuring Jim Griffin discussing NIL (name, image, and likeness) for musicians, highlighting potential earnings that many overlook. This episode is particularly valuable for aspiring musicians.
The podcast covers a wide array of topics related to music, ensuring that nothing is off-limits. One of my favorite episodes, titled “The Cool and Creepy History of Artist Estates,” aired in October 2023, exploring hologram tours of deceased artists, the Marvin Gaye "Blurred Lines" lawsuit, and the intricacies of artist estates, including publishing rights and NIL.
I encourage you to explore the Music Tectonics podcast and its miniseries while also delving into their archives. If you're interested in the music business, technology, or artistry, this podcast is certainly worth your time.
The second episode, "Music Licensing for Startups: How to Start Up," outlines essential licensing considerations for new ventures in the music industry.