Music Tectonics

Lyrics are more than words on a screen. They're a source of revenue, a tool for music discovery, and a way for artists to build deeper connections with fans around the world. In this episode of Music Tectonics, Dmitri Vietze sits down with Darryl Ballantyne, CEO and co-founder of LyricFind, to explore how artists and labels can unlock the untapped revenue in lyrics and music videos. Darryl shares how lyrics drive listening engagement, help fans discover music, and open doors to international audiences through translations. He also explains why official lyric videos matter, how they can generate YouTube revenue, and what artists stand to lose when unofficial videos capture the views. Plus, Darryl announces Artist Unlimited, a new subscription tier within LyricFind's Verified Artist Platform that gives artists access to unlimited video creation through Rotor Videos. From lyric videos and music videos to Spotify Canvas and Apple Music motion art, the offering makes it easier and more affordable for artists to create the visual assets they need across their releases and back catalogs. Whether you're an independent artist, songwriter, or label professional, this conversation explores how to make lyrics work harder for your music and how overlooked assets can become meaningful revenue opportunities. The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri's Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

What will the music business look like in 2033, and which of today's bets will get us there? This week, we're sharing the kickoff keynote from last month's Music Tectonics pre-conference called "Future Echoes: The Music Business of Tomorrow Being Built Today," from Leon Farrell, senior music analyst at MIDiA Research. Leon looks back at the tech the industry was betting on in 2026, like VR and media streamers, and what changed the business instead: artist distribution, label services, and the creator economy. Then he looks ahead with MIDiA's forecasts on ARPU, the fan economy, and expanded rights like merchandise, licensing, and brand partnerships. We have a Q&A with MIDiA's own Mark Mulligan at the end, who argues that the bigger business opportunity may be in background listening rather than fandom.    The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  Get Dmitri's Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

AI in music is about more than generating songs. How could it transform the business behind the music?   This week on the podcast, Dmitri talks with Matt Urmy, co-founder and CEO of Artist Growth, about how AI can help music companies work smarter, connect their data and systems, and spend less time on operational challenges and more time supporting artists  A former touring musician, Matt built Artist Growth to solve business problems he experienced firsthand.   They explore why the music industry needs technology built around its unique needs, where AI could have the biggest impact on day-to-day operations, and how the industry can capture more of the value music creates beyond records and streams. As the conversation around AI moves beyond the hype, Matt shares a perspective on the less visible ways technology could reshape the music business.   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!    Get Dmitri's Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

What does a rising tide look like when the whole music industry rows in the same direction? This week, we close out the Rising Tide miniseries witha recap conversation between host Dmitri Vietze and Eleanor Rust, director of marketing at Rock Paper Scissors and Music Tectonics, recorded in the Seismic Studio. Dmitri shares why Music Tectonics chose a theme for the first time in 8 years, how a coffee shop in Portland led to the rising tide theme, and what the series taught him about why music is still a smaller industry than it could be. Then, they walk through some of the sessions in this year's conference that put the theme to work for startups, labels, managers, and creators, including some things that are new for returning conference goers.   It's not too late to get tickets to the conference, October 27-29 on the beach in Santa Monica (hint- there might be a discount in this episode for podcast listeners). Get your tickets here- https://www.musictectonics.com/    The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find shownotes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  Get Dmitri's Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.

What happens when music becomes more than something you stream, but instead something you can hold? This week, we're wrapping up the Rising Tide miniseries with the 8th and final revenue multiplier: new products for the music buyer.  First, Jennifer Sullivan of KiTbetter explains how the KiTalbum pairs a physical collectible with a digital experience. Then, Jaime Marconette of Luminate breaks down the latest trends in physical music, including the rising interest of CDs and the emergence of Smart Media. Finally, Tarun Nayar of Modern Biology returns to talk about how he turned the experience of his music into an instrument, and what he's learned from selling that at shows instead of just a vinyl or t-shirt. This episode is part of the Rising Tide miniseries, working through the revenue multipliers that grow the value of the music industry, and building toward this year's Music Tectonics Conference theme in Santa Monica this October. Get your tickets now   The Music Tectonics podcast goes beneath the surface of the music industry to explore how technology is changing the way business gets done. Visit musictectonics.com to find show notes and a transcript for this episode, and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  Get Dmitri's Rock Paper Scanner newsletter.