Recorded last year, the episode still holds up, although Cankar Creative has really taken off. JB and Cankar talk about how she navigated her career to get where she is now - growing her own experiential marketing team, still turning bands into brands.

Show Notes: Go check out DoStuff in your city. Learn more about Chicago lore JBTV & Jerry Bryant. I’ve talked about Greg Corner a few times now and probably just need him on the show. And last but not least go check out Cankar Creative.

Sound Wizard: Kyle J. Ross. Intro song: End of Beginning by DePaul University alumnus Djo.

Producer's Note: There are in fact many artists that have gotten a kickstart from TikTok: Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, and Zach Bryant (mentioned in the episode), just to name a few. I heard the old A&R model may make a comeback, but it's likely to remain a combination of old-school intuition and digital tools including social media and data.

General ticket prices for shows are now $75-250, unless it’s Taylor Swift. According to Business Insider, the average resale ticket price for ONE ticket for the North American leg of the Eras tour was $3801. Really, Tay?

Data shows nearly 83% of independent artists are not making money touring in 2025 due to high operating costs, complex visa rules, and increasing inflation. Global independent artists cannot afford to tour beyond their local area. While major artists are still earning significantly, the touring landscape has become financially challenging for the majority of musicians - especially mid-level artists, indie or not. Summer of this past year was being called The Great American Tour Cancellation. Financial and political reasons have been cited. Low ticket sales and canceled visas.

Invest that $7602 in seeing more of your favorite bands. Support your local artists and venues. - JB

Support the show

Follow, rate and share if you dig the podcast. Follow Basile's antics on Instagram, and check out the website for credentials and more.

In the meantime, take care of one another.

Basile and entrepreneur Sarin Kuruvilla (aka DEQR) decipher the current state of indie music, old-school A&R and the magic of development. Focusing on the why of the project or brand creates an understanding of the deeper motivations or reasons behind something. The key to solving a problem, gaining insight and even success lies in exploring the "why" rather than just the surface details.

And never forget, you ARE an artist. Align yourself with the people that believe in magic...

Sound Wizard: Kyle J. Ross

Support the show

Follow, rate and share if you dig the podcast. Follow Basile's antics on Instagram, and check out the website for credentials and more.

In the meantime, take care of one another.

Join Basile and Black Shag's Tommy Daley for his first ever podcast! Discover Tommy's inspiring journey from glam rocker and record intern to Nashville entrepreneur and leader in vintage fashion. Listen as he shares tales from the '90s Sunset Strip music scene, the famed Melrose Avenue, his rise at the iconic Capitol Records and the road to redemption.

Go check out all that is Black Shag Vintage. And make sure you follow their magnetic Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

When in Nashville, Black Shag is a must-visit destination. The flagship store is housed in historic fire station no. 18 at 1220 Gallatin Ave in East Nashville. The new location can be found in Marathon Village.

Producer's Note: Special special thanks to Kyle Ross for his wizardry on summed stems. GTS. (Google that shit.) Holding Tommy to his promise to record a part two so we can hear the behind-the-scenes of the shop's success and perhaps some sordid styling stories. JB

Support the show

Follow, rate and share if you dig the podcast. Follow Basile's antics on Instagram, and check out the website for credentials and more.

In the meantime, take care of one another.