Very informative, discouraging and hopeful

2015 was a year of change and unexpected record breaking. In our final episode of the year Larry Miller of NYU Steinhardt talks with Neil Shah of the Wall Street Journal about the three biggest and most important music industry stories of 2015: Adele and the unbelievable success of 25; the multitude of streaming services that launched this year, and a call for revision of arcane music licensing laws from the U.S. Copyright Office.

The 3 Most Important Stories of 2015

Songwriters struggle to get paid while the copyright system designed to protect their rights is partially to blame, but why?

In this episode of Musonomics, Larry Miller takes a look at how the copyright and royalty payment system is failing a new generation of songwriters. Ari Leff, a developing songwriter/producer who records as LAUV, and Nashville songwriter Brett James, who has written huge hits for Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride, share the struggles of modern songwriters. We take a look back at how the collective licensing system was put in place -- and how the Consent Decrees that govern ASCAP and BMI fail to protect the economic interests of songwriters in the modern music-consumption landscape. With ASCAP's Clara Kim, music attorney Chris Castle and The New Yorker's John Seabrook, this episode is packed with expert analysis and insight into how our antiquated music copyright system is breaking down -- and how we might start to mold a better future for American songwriters.

Songwriters, Consent And The Age Of Discontent

In this episode of Musonomics: why are music startups struggling to thrive, or even simply survive? Larry Miller of NYU Steinhardt heeds several perspectives to understand why the space for music startups is so unforgiving, and what music startups can do to be successful. Cortney Harding discusses the recent slowdown in the music startup space. Edward Ginis and his business partner Brady Brim-DeForest, share of their success with their own startup, OpenPlay -- one of the lucky ones able to spin out of a major independent label. David Pakman of Venrock explains why his firm has never invested in a digital media company. Jon Vanhala, formerly of Universal Music and now at Crossfade Partners, offers insight into who can be blamed for the fact that music startups are finding it so hard to make money.  Finally, we hear from Michael Dorf, who turned away from the internet business and is now generating more profit than ever through live music experiences at his City Wineries across the country. 

The Headwinds Facing Music Startups

Now That The Light Is Fading

Alaska

Musonomics is a twice-monthly podcast about the business of the music and culture industries. Hosted by Larry Miller (@larrysmiller) and produced with support from the NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program, we use data, music and interviews with newsmakers and analysts to provide insight into what's happening now -- and what's coming next. Look for our podcast in the Podcasts app, in the iTunes Store, or here on Soundcloud.

Tweet us @musonomics


Songwriters, Consent And The Age Of Discontent

Musonomics

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