As an ex-Spotify employee, I'm often asked how it "really" works. Curious how my fellow ex-DSP employees would answer this question? What would you say to a new artist or manager that's just getting started?

www.instagram.com/reel/DOYa5HD...

Both Sides Now #1: Putting Pen to Paper Or, the creative act and it's unwelcome ripples.

It’s amazing the amount of self doubt one has to fight agains in order to see a creative work through to completion. Just to get past that self doubt and make anything is a victory - more so if you are in the industry.

hipjoint.substack.com/p/both-sides...

#musicindustry #creativeprocess #artists

Follow up to my last post - for those that said, “blogs” or “musician social accounts” - which do you find the most helpful? Likewise for those that said, record store clerks - what are your local spots?

Curious - for my fellow fans of adventurous music (jazz or otherwise) - what is currently your most reliable source of music discovery?

#jazzsky #musicindustry #musicdiscovery

Great list from @natechinen.bsky.social! Thrilled to see #Candid artist #Zacchae’usPaul in the mix too!

Upon a second listen, I can confirm that #FatsWaller WAS, in fact, misbehavin’.

The jury’s still out on #LouisArmstrong and #LeonRedbone though… Will report back.

Supposedly, babies look most like their father in the early months… what does it say that mine is a dead ringer for #WinstonChurchill?

I‘ll accept an explanation from any currently serving MP…

Just an appreciation post for the labels I work with as I head to Durham, NC to ensure an even BETTER 2025 and beyond.

#AlligatorRecords, #BloodshotRecords, #CandidRecords, #DownTheRoadRecords, @killrockstars.bsky.social, #SideOneDummy, #Sundazed, #YepRoc, #PlusOne, #Redeye

Y’all are AWESOME!

All joking aside, Kate is a badass and I’m lucky to have heron one of my labels (@killrockstars.bsky.social). Super proud of her and her awesome new album!!

Kate Nash launches Butts For Tour Buses OnlyFans campaign: "The majority of artists are struggling to be able afford to actually play shows" Kate Nash has launched an ONLYFANS campaign titled Butts For Tour Buses in an effort to raise funds for touring.

Inspired by #KateNash, I will be staying OFF OnlyFans as long as folks support my music…

Trust me, no one wants it… my lawyer informs me it may even qualify as extortion… so, another reason to buy my music instead.

Overheard at #PoliticsandProse Bookstore: “the world is, like, REALLY dark right now, so I can TOTALLY spend $50 on books.”

I approve of this logic, random teenager… #booksky

*Exceleration is a label group that includes Candid, Kill Rock Stars, YepRoc, Alligator, SideOneDummy, Bloodshot, +1, Down The Road, Sundazed, Mom+Pop and more…. We also recently acquired Redeye Distribution which is home to Beggars Group among others…

1) I’m a recent father living in the ‘burbs of NYC.

2) I’m a jazz pianist and composer who’s currently setting up his first release on a label.

3) I’m an 10 year industry vet, first on the indie team at Spotify and now doing label development at Exceleration Music.

Thanks to those who recently followed. Curious to hear more about y’all - I’ll go first (in comments) to break the ice!

Word of the day is ‘librocubicularist’: one who loves nothing better than reading in bed.

(Not easy to say, but I’m glad to know it exists).

@natechinen.bsky.social also has a very good (probably better) one. Check that one too - imo the more jazz starter packs available the better!

Nice! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction :). Will share @natechinen.bsky.social ‘s as well!

Alright - started a jazz starter pack. Feel free to throw names into the mix that I may have missed!

go.bsky.app/EYaSEro

@jeffbetten.bsky.social good one - thanks, man!

Or music ones in general…

Anybody stumble upon a good jazz starter pack yet?

a man in a prison cell says hope is a dangerous thing ALT: a man in a prison cell says hope is a dangerous thing

Alright, let’s give this one a whirl… here’s hoping an egomaniacal billionaire doesn’t enact his bond-villain/robber-baron fantasy with this one too…

…Of course he’ll still be expected to stay up to date on all Dropout content (once he can hold his head up that is).

As a new father I worry about this all the time. Social media wasn’t a factor until we were teenagers and our generation is still kind of screwed up by it - can’t imagine what it’s doing to kids now. I should apologize to my son in advance for what will be likely draconian screen time limits…