This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which represents over 1,500 venues nationwide. Together, they discuss the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which alleges deceptive pricing practices that have enabled scalpers to exploit both artists and fans for billions of dollars.

Ari and Stephen break down the logistics of the case, its potential impact on the future of ticketed events, and the incriminating evidence pointing to Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s complicity. They also explore the broader issue of monopoly power in the live music industry, the push to separate the two companies, and the policy and legal strategies that could protect venues, artists, and consumers moving forward.

https://www.nivassoc.org/

https://www.nivassoc.org/fixthetix/model-legislation

5:10 Introduction and Overview of Live Nation's Situation

10:10 FTC Lawsuit Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

15:10 History of Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger

20:10 Role of NIVA and Its Advocacy Efforts

25:10 Impact of Ticket Scalping and Resale Practices

30:10 Discussion on Ticketing Reform and Legislative Efforts

35:10 Challenges Faced by Independent Venues

40:10 Artists' Perspectives on Ticketing Issues

45:10 Future of Ticketing and Live Events

50:10 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Seamus Menihane, CEO and Co-Founder of the merch company, Downright Merch (now known as Armada). This merch company has paid out over $30 million to clients and they currently manage over 250 merch stores for artists including Thrice, Tom Morello and Death Row Records, as well as clients such as Grillo’s Pickles, Every Day Astronaut and Matty Matheson.

In this episode, Ari and Seamus dig into all things merch. They discuss online versus touring merch sales, fanclubs, pre-sale campaigns, and large-scale transparency issues that come up between venues and promoters. Seamus and Ari also discuss which merch platforms work best for musicians, how to ‘merchandize’ your audience, and the importance of superfans. You’ll also get the inside scoop on Downright’s recent merger with Overcast to create their new brand Armada, and the exciting new ways they plan to operate.

https://www.poweredbyarmada.com/about

04:14 – Intro

05:29 – Indie Merch Merger

09:44 – Impact of Merger

15:59 – Brand Management

19:14 – Case Examples

24:44 – Online vs. In-Person

29:14 – Online Strategies

35:59 – Tech in Merch

39:14 – Future of D2C

44:14 – Closing

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with sisters Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf of the groundbreaking electronic duo, Krewella. Krewella has earned billions of streams, a devoted global fanbase, and a place among the first women in EDM to reach major milestones. Featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and performing at Coachella, Lollapalooza, EDC, Tomorrowland, and beyond, Krewella has left an undeniable mark on the scene. After time with Columbia Records and a brief hiatus, they’ve returned with a new single, “Crying on the Dancefloor.”

Jahan and Yasmine dive deep into the business of music—covering collaborations, royalty splits, AI tools, and the ever-changing industry landscape. They reflect on how much has shifted over the past nine years, offering candid insights on balancing algorithm demands with authentic artistry. Most importantly, they share their perspective on staying true to yourself as an artist—creatively, spiritually, and personally—in an era of constant external pressure.

https://www.instagram.com/krewella/

04:37 – Intro

06:31 – Slower, intentional process

11:18 – Indie team setup

13:49 – Indie vs. major

19:35 – Grow vs. nurture fans, algorithms

31:09 – song death/rebirth, reviving old songs

35:11 – Collabs & producer roles; splits

45:05 – Remixes/AI/Splice; self-sampling

1:01:05 – Live show: safe, sober, caring

1:08:13 – Making it

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save the Music Foundation which focuses to provide equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide. They do so by donating instruments and music technology to schools, providing resources for music educators and advocating for them on a national level.

In this episode, Ari and Henry explore the future of music education in 2025 and how to support Save the Music Foundation. Henry shares the history of the J. Dilla Music Technology Grant—launched with Pharrell’s support—and its impact in classrooms nationwide. They discuss the shift from band and theory toward production and technology, the inequities faced by schools of different socio-economic backgrounds, and how we can all help ensure students have access to music today and in the future

https://www.savethemusic.org/

3:19 Introduction

4:19 Role of Music Education in the Industry

8:19 Ari & Henry’s Personal Journeys

13:19 Save the Music Foundation Mission & impact

23:19 Issues in schools

33:19 Cultural Influence: Local culture’s role

43:19 Modern Trends in Tech & Production

53:19 Future: Where music education is headed

58:19 Wrap-up & Call to Action

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, co-founders of Amber Health, an organization dedicated to improving mental health in the music industry. Zack and Dr. Chayim discuss their experience supporting tours for artists like Billie Eilish, Green Day, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, and more. Their work is reshaping the way the music industry supports the well-being of artists, crew members, and even label teams.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Chayim, Zack, and Ari explore the mental health challenges that come with life on the road, the pressures of performance, and the lack of traditional support systems in music. They also share how Amber Health is working to change that—embedding mental health professionals directly into tours and collaborating with labels to build long-term wellness infrastructure. Dr. Chayim and Zack discuss the specific services offered by Amber Health, their impactful work on Olivia Rodrigo's tour, and the broader implications of mental health support in the industry. This conversation underscores the need for sustainable practices and proactive mental health care to ensure the well-being of everyone in the music business.

www.amber.health

3:34 Introduction and Welcome

4:04 Importance of Mental Health in the Music Industry

8:34 Dr. Chayim Newman's Background and Journey

13:34 Zack Borer's Experience and Transition to Therapy

18:34 Founding and Mission of Amber Health

23:34 Challenges and Mental Health Issues in the Music Industry

28:34 Amber Health's Approach and Services

33:34 Case Study: Olivia Rodrigo's Tour

38:34 Future of Mental Health Support in Music

43:34 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Edited and mixed by Ari Davids

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Ari is joined by Matthew Ramsey, lead singer of Old Dominion, to discuss songwriting, touring, and artistic integrity. Old Dominion’s skyscraping anthems and electrifying live shows have put the multi-platinum-selling band at the forefront of country music, with nine No. 1 singles, over five billion streams, and multiple platinum certifications. They are the reigning 8X ACM and 7X CMA “Group of the Year,” holding the record for most consecutive CMA Vocal Group wins. In 2025, they earned their historic 8th consecutive ACM Group of the Year award, breaking all-time records. Their highly anticipated sixth album Barbara (August 22) and the How Good Is That World Tour will take them nationwide in 2025.

In this episode, Ari and Matthew explore Old Dominion's creative journey and the stories behind their latest album. They delve into the inspiration for the iconic album cover, the songwriting process, and the balance between being a cover band and original artists. Matthew shares insights on the importance of staying true to one's art and offers valuable advice for aspiring musicians. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about music, creativity, and the evolving landscape of the music industry.

https://www.instagram.com/mtramsey

https://www.instagram.com/olddominionmusic

3:40 - Introduction and Tour Discussion

5:55 - Who's Barbara?

9:10 - Album Concept and Humor

14:25 - Songwriting Process and "Miss You Man"

21:40 - The Journey to Nashville

29:10 - Balancing Cover Bands and Original Music

36:25 - Choosing Singles and Label Dynamics

43:40 - The Importance of Staying True to Your Art

50:55 - Advice for Young Artists

58:40 - Closing Thoughts on Success in Music

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Tersha Willis, co-founder and CEO of terrible*, a UK-based merch company known for its artist-first approach. With a background in fashion, Tersha brings a fresh and progressive perspective to the merch game. terrible* runs merch for artists of all levels including Japanese Breakfast, The xx, CMAT, King Krule, Fever Ray, and more. She’s been recognized on the AIM Altpower100 Music List and has spoken at events like BBC Introducing, SXSW, and AIM, as well as being featured in outlets including BBC, C4, Wallpaper Magazine, Vox, and MusicAlly for her innovative work in the music merch industry.

Tersha and Ari discuss the challenges artists face in turning fan support into income—especially in an era dominated by streaming and large conglomerates taking cuts from merch sales. Tersha explains how terrible*’s unique approach, including a merch operating system, helps artists create sustainable income through high-quality, data-informed campaigns. The conversation also covers the nuances of live versus online sales, the power of pre-orders, and innovative direct-to-fan strategies that can turn merch into a vital piece of an artist’s long-term success.

https://www.instagram.com/terriblegrp

https://www.instagram.com/tersha_willis/

03:40 – Introduction: Ari welcomes Tersha Willis.

05:41 – The Digital Landscape: Streaming and social media metrics.

09:11 – Terrible Merch: Tersha’s company and approach to merch.

13:41 – Merchandising Operations: How merch companies work.

18:41 – Revenue Models: Ways artists profit from merch.

23:41 – Tips and Merch Sellers: The tipping debate at merch tables.

28:41 – Online and Live Operations: Blending online and live sales.

33:41 – Pre-order Campaigns: Why pre-orders help artists.

38:41 – Creative Merchandising: Engaging fans through merch.

43:41 – Marketing Strategies: Selling artist merchandise.

48:41 – Genre Differences: How genre impacts merch sales.

53:41 – Final Thoughts: Tersha’s view of success.

58:41 – Closing Remarks: Ari wraps up the episode.

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with Naethan Apollo, an independent artist known for blending immersive storytelling with genre-bending songwriting. With over 1.4 million followers on TikTok and more than 500K monthly listeners on Spotify, Naethan has built a loyal fanbase through a mix of creative world-building, DIY ethos, and direct fan engagement. His latest project, Tales From Cazilor: Wyldflowers, an ambitious fusion of concept album, musical, and animated series that showcases his unique narrative vision.

In this conversation, Naethan opens up about the intersection of storytelling and songwriting in his work, and how his creative influences shaped his latest release. He also offers a surprisingly hopeful take on AI in music and reflects on how social media played a major role in his rise. The conversation digs into how he built a dedicated community around his work, the importance of setting boundaries for mental health, and how he’s redefining success on his own terms. Looking ahead, Naethan shares what’s next for his career and what motivates him to keep creating.

https://www.instagram.com/naethan_apollo/

00:00 - Introduction and Naethan's arrival

02:15 - Discussing "Tales from Casalor: Wildflowers"

10:30 - The inspiration behind combining music and storytelling

18:45 - Naethan's creative process and influences

25:00 - Navigating social media and building a fanbase

35:20 - The role of community and fan engagement

45:00 - Challenges of mental health and setting boundaries

55:30 - Future plans and aspirations for Naethan's music and storytelling

01:05:00 - Closing thoughts and Naethan's definition of success in the music industry

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.