2023 Talks Archive

You’ve made the decision – you’re starting a label. What next? How can the labels and music companies of the future be set up for success from the start? Who do you hire first and how do you create an inclusive culture? Our panel will talk through best practices from day one to day one thousand, making sure your label and your artists live long in the mind of your audience.

With: Paulina Vu – Founder, Highnote, Jeremy Burchard – Founder, Rootnote

The Immigrant and Music Initiative (I AM I) celebrates the diverse cultural contributions from immigrants that make New York City the world’s leading music hub. Music creators from around the world will have the opportunity to learn from, network, and connect with each other and continue an important conversation about the significant impact of immigrants on the music industry.

This session will give insight into how the music industry is structured and what are the many areas and opportunities that an immigrant music creator can explore – from songwriter, producer and engineer to A&R, management and marketing. Attendees will learn how to leverage their cultural background to forge career pathways in the music industry

MIXER EVENT TO FOLLOW

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

What is music publishing & how do you collect on it in full? We’ll answer this in a clear, simple & direct manner w/ guest Matthew Wang – an award-winning film & TV composer, producer & multi-instrumentalist from NYC.

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

For a new artist or label, getting noticed by the press isn’t easy. You need the network to help you grow but need to grow to develop a network. It’s a catch-22. So what should you do to get in front of the media and how do you capitalize on each and every bit of coverage you get, whether it’s a review, blog article, or full-blown artist feature? This panel will help you shape your press strategy and provide best practices to make journalists and writers sit up and listen.

With: Emma Cordell – Senior Communications Manager, FUGA, Katie Bain – Director of Billboard Dance, Billboard

Artists, creative directors, and agency executives share the stories and strategies behind hip hop’s greatest commercials and brand partnerships.

Moderator – Bonsu Thompson – Writer, Journalist, and Culture Critic
Bevy Smith – Author, TV & Radio Host, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur
Coltrane Curtis – Founder and Managing Partner, Team Epiphany
Katina Lee – Culture Creator, Storyteller, Producer, Marketer, Mentor, Co-Owner of Lost Luggage Films
Lemon Andersen – Nuyorican Playwright, Television Writer, Brand Creative, and Tony Award-winning poet

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

This episode covers how to release your music in a way to set yourself up to make the most money possible. +The covers the future of distribution.

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

Moderated by BMI VP, Creative, Film, TV and Visual Media Tracy McKnight.

Go behind the scenes as songwriter/producer Ali Dee and composer/songwriter PT Walkley give an insider’s look into the creative process behind some of the most memorable songs that have helped shape the narrative for countless films and television shows. Dee’s music can be heard in the new Super Mario Bros. Movie released this past April, the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, the hit Netflix series Julie & The Phantoms, Mattel/Netflix’s He-Man: Masters of the Universe reboot, Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies, Noggin, Sponge On The Run and more. Walkley’s current projects include Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues and Team Umizoomi, and Netflix’s highly successful Gabby’s Dollhouse. His film and tv credits include Public Morals and Purple Violets, among others. Listen as these music creators delve into how they got their break, the relationship between directors, studio heads and composers and songwriters, what inspires them to create and so much more.

Moderated by BMI VP, Creative, Film, TV and Visual Media Tracy McKnight.

Whether it’s for a feature film, network TV, streaming platform, gaming, or other visual media source, music can make a storyline more memorable with the perfect score. Featuring some of today’s top composers with music in films screening at Tribeca, this panel will dive into the creative process of composing, how to bring a director’s vision to life, the stories behind what inspires them to create every day, getting your music heard by the right people and more.

Celebrity guests will greet our 150 artists, songwriters and producers in a series of in-depth interviews, kicking off a week full of music creation and live events. Last year included Nile Rodgers, JP Saxe, Rob Thomas and Rostam from Vampire Weekend.

And then our Anti Social Women Running Music panel conversation will dive into music production and gender inequity in the music industry. Last year included Linda Perry, Ebonie Smith and Ann Mincieli, moderated by Spotify.

Anti Social Camp is the biggest songwriting camp in the world. From June 12 through June 17, there will be 100 recording sessions in 3 days, along with a packed calendar of events with the mission to reinvigorate the NYC music scene.

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Guest Junae Brown, CEO of Browned 2 Perfection Agency, is the Beyoncé Of Marketing. Need we say more?

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Guest Peter Shapiro is the best known & most influential concert promoter of his generation. We’ll cover how to book & promote shows & more!

Networking to follow until 1:30pm

New audiences can be found in every corner of the world on platforms that exist to serve every interest. With so much unchartered territory to explore, how does an artist and their team find and engage the fans of the future? Speaking to the platforms and companies that have mastered the art of community, taken audience targeting to new levels, and pioneered the way fans engage with each other, this panel gives unique and actionable insight into the tools and tips needed to discover and activate the fans you didn’t know existed.

With: Melissa D’engelbronner – Head of Audience Strategy, FUGA, Jason Hobbs – Founder, found.ee, Maria Gironas – Founder, Cool Shit, Cool People

The Immigrant and Music Initiative (I AM I) celebrates the diverse cultural contributions from immigrants that make New York City the world’s leading music hub. Music creators from around the world will have the opportunity to learn from, network, and connect with each other and continue an important conversation about the significant impact of immigrants on the music industry.

Join for a masterclass with multi-Grammy Award-winner and NYU Adjunct professor, JC Losada, “Mr Sonic”. This seminar will focus on the creative and technical aspects to successfully create, deliver and promote an industry standard master recording while taking advantage of your multicultural background. Starting with the inception of an idea and the songwriting process to a fully commercially and “radio ready” track to promotion and branding, this class will outline how independent artists can combines different cultural elements.

MIXER EVENT TO FOLLOW

Music Publishing is a complicated business, but if you understand it, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to get the most out of your music. Our panel of experts will take you through the essential parts of publishing that everyone should know, what you’re missing out on if you don’t have your publishing locked down, and how to collect the revenue that you’re owed.

With: Chantelle St.Clair – Director, Brand & Content Marketing, Songtrust, Sarah Davis – Senior Manager, Global Client Services, Downtown Music Publishing

Join us for a conversation, Q&A, and performance showcase with hip hop artists who were shot and left paralyzed/disabled due to gun violence. The artists will highlight how hip hop music helped them overcome their setbacks and tough times.

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Host Emily White’s #1 recommended platform for quality on-demand merch is Fourthwall. Find out why & get to know more w/ Co-Founder & COO Eli J. Valentin

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

Whether it’s TikTok or Youtube (to name just two platforms) UGC is a core part of any artist’s plan. This panel will help artists and their teams understand how to get the most out of their UGC content, where and when to post, and then when it’s live, how to maximize their revenue.

With: Amanda Balthazar – Director, Operations, FUGA, Matt Whitmire – VP, Business Development, FUGA, Samantha Cope – Director of Digital Accounts Strategy – Americas, FUGA

Join Mehmet Dede, talent buyer at Drom and author of “Make It Live: The Handbook for Getting Gigs,” for this intensive to learn how live music works including the booking, planning and marketing processes. 

Some of the things you’ll learn in this masterclass include: 

• How to get booked into clubs
• How to promote your concerts
• The do’s and don’ts of playing venues

In addition to the in-person workshop, participants will have access to instructional videos ahead of the masterclass and meet their cohort online to start networking. Those interested will also present their 30-second elevator pitches and receive feedback. 

Anyone looking to build a career in the live music sector will walk away with practical knowledge and clear starting points to book and market their live performances.  

The masterclass is open to both beginners-level artists as well as emerging performers.

The Immigrant and Music Initiative (I AM I) celebrates the diverse cultural contributions from immigrants that make New York City the world’s leading music hub. Music creators from around the world will have the opportunity to learn from, network, and connect with each other and continue an important conversation about the significant impact of immigrants on the music industry.

For the final session, we will focus on immigrants’ contributions to NYC’s music business. An in-depth conversation with top NYC-based immigrant music executives and creators where they will share best practices and tips on how to navigate some of the challenges they faced as immigrants. You will also learn how to use your multicultural background as your “super power” to stand from the crowd as a music creator. This session will include a music showcase by a notable immigrant artist based in NYC.

MIXER EVENT TO FOLLOW

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

This episode covers every revenue stream owed to you if you write, record / release music, play live & more.

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

Kreyól Fest is hosting, as part of its panel discussion series, an engaging debate on the State of the Haitian Music Industry (HMI). The focus is on the HMI’s rich history and exploring strategies for breaking barriers, propelling the HMI onto the international music stage, and captivating a diverse audience with its distinctive cultural expressions. This discussion is aimed to ignite collaboration and innovation, shedding light on the immense potential of the HMI to captivate global audiences and carve its path in the international music landscape.

Produced by Kreyól Fest powered by TENOIR TV, Renew 1804 and VDM.

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

You’ve made it through your first modern & sustainable release! Now what? It’s time to go back to the beginning to grow & thrive longterm.

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

Neighboring Rights are one of the fastest-growing parts of the music industry, but what are they? And why should they matter to artists and labels in the U.S.? Downtown’s Neighbouring Rights team will explain why more and more countries are signing up to work with the U.S. and why this often forgotten right is becoming a hidden goldmine for artists and labels all over the world.

With: Allie Barbera – FUGA

Creative AI may be the most disruptive technology for the music business since the Napster era of piracy. Generative AI tools for audio, text, and visual art have picked up tens of millions of users, forcing us to rethink traditional notions of creativity, ownership, and attribution.

At this critical juncture, join us for a candid panel discussion bringing the public hype (and fear) around music AI down to earth — distilling what about the technology is critical for artists and music-industry professionals to know today, and why. Moderated by Water & Music founder Cherie Hu, this discussion will feature the perspectives of local stakeholders forging new paths for music AI on the ground in NYC. Hear from founders building cutting-edge creative tools for artists and business leaders leading new forms of licensing deals and industry partnerships taking unique nature of AI-assisted creation into account. We will cover practical tips for navigating music AI from a commercial, legal, and ethical perspective, grounded in first-party research from Water & Music on the AI landscape at large.

Season 3 will be a series of live podcast tapings & in-person interactive workshops during New York Music Month this June at Tower Records’ new Tower Labs space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Duckwrth manager Xtina Prince & Host Emily White explore when & how to build a team to support all you have learned throughout this podcast.

Networking to follow until 6:30pm

Join us for an in-depth conversation about the different revenue stream opportunities available to musicians, organizations such as performing rights organizations and collection societies that can help you collect money, best practices to maximize your potential earnings, and other opportunities that enable musicians to make a living. Gain insights into how to set yourself up for success and learn tools and tactics needed to make it as a professional musician.

With:

Emily White – Founder, Collective Entertainment, #iVoted Festival
Nicholas Judd – Founder & CEO, Leftbrain & RYLTY
Peter Schwinge – Co-founder & CEO, Nybac Media
Sean Garner – Judah Priest, 144 Records

Learn business strategies and insights on how to achieve greater success through equitable business practices.

During this interactive session, our expert panel of music industry professionals and entrepreneurs will share their success stories, discuss business strategies and provide insights on how to achieve greater success through equitable business practices. 

We’ll touch upon streaming platforms and new business models. Ultimately, through open dialogue we hope to cultivate an atmosphere where innovators and creatives are celebrated as essential assets to all facets of the music industry. Don’t miss this unique opportunity for growth as we strive towards building a more inclusive future!

Participants will be encouraged to ask questions, offer their own thoughts and experiences on the topics discussed, and gain insight into how they can achieve greater success through equitable business practices.

With:

Nikisha Bailey – GM, Nvak Collective; VP, The Recording Academy, New York Chapter 
Jonathan Azu – Founder & CEO, Culture Collective
Lisa Robinson – VP, Community & Social Engagement, Downtown Music Holdings
Janishia Jones – CEO, ENCORE Music Tech Solutions

Many musicians are nervous and concerned about AI. Many don’t know how exactly it relates to them.

Ariel Hyatt (Cyber PR)  will walk you through how ChatGPT is about to change everything we know about music marketing and how we can harness it to save us hundreds of hours on tasks that drive us all crazy and hog up too much time. 

In this mini masterclass, we will teach you 

• How to create 29 social media posts (for all platforms) in 11 minutes flat
• The exact prompts to use to identify your ideal target audience
• How to use ChatGPT and other AI to help you write press releases and monthly emails

By the end of this one-hour session, you will walk away with a roadmap that shows you how AI can be your music marketing assistant.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to interact with experts about navigating music licensing and placements! You’ll learn the differences between publisher side and label perspectives when it comes to music placement, potential opportunities presented by advertising, trailers, film & TV and how music supervisors help define a brand identity through their work. 

Plus, you’ll gain invaluable insights on best practices to get placement and earn more while avoiding common pitfalls in this industry – all while being able to participate in the livestream by asking questions of the experts.

With:

Adrian Womack – Creative Producer, Racket Club
Brooke Primont – EVP, Sync, Concord Music Publishing
Josh Rabinowitz – Music Consultant, Brooklyn Music Experience
Julie Hurwitz – President, Global Synch and Creative Operations, Hipgnosis Song Management