A DIY podcast about DIY music. Hosts Cameron Ljungkull and Augustus Watkins meet at Secret Spot DTLA to talk shop about indie music, the creative process, and the music industry.
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Cameron Ljungkull And Augustus Watkins Podcasts
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Creative Restrictions / Billboard Tweaks / Lizzo Sued / Chappell Roan's LGBTQ+ Support / YouTube's Massive Payout
58:33
58:33
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58:33
Can you place creative restrictions on yourself and actually grow as an artist? We use a fun blog post as a jumping off point to discuss how "doing less" can actually fuel your process. Next, we look at how Billboard is tweaking its "Hot 100" charts, and what that means for who will chart (or not). Lizzo—no stranger to lawsuits—is facing another on…
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Crushing It On Gig Day / SoundExchange AI Registry / Timbaland's Soulless New AI Artist / UMG's Influencer App / Beatport Ticketing
1:02:23
1:02:23
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1:02:23
Finally it's gig day! After all the rehearsals and promotion, it's time to jump on stage and show the crowd what you've got. How do you make the best of this day, make sure it goes smoothly, and get the most of your opportunity? We'll share some hard-earned experiences and lessons. Next, we look at SoundExchange's new global AI registry, what it do…
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Pitching Yourself / Handling Rejection / Live Nation / Spotify x ChatGPT / Taylor Swift / The Downfall of Drake
1:25:57
1:25:57
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1:25:57
We break down how to pitch yourself as an artist — from telling your story and defining your “why” to stating your artistic pedigree. Next we also unpack Bob Brody’s piece “Stay True to Yourself – and Fly Closer to the Sun” and his lessons from 50 years of rejection. Then we look at how Portland’s music scene stood up to Live Nation–Ticketmaster, a…
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Marketing Masterclass / AI Music Detection / Ticketmaster CEO Says Tickets are Too Cheap / Ed Sheeran's Plans for Dying / Spotify in Serato
1:12:05
1:12:05
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1:12:05
We discuss a marketing masterclass to help you cut through the noise and get your music heard. Then we look at the newest AI detection measures from Spotify, Universal, and Sony Music. We share Ed Sheeran's plan for his posthumous album. Then we deploy our dueling hot takes about ticket prices. Finally, we look at the new D4VD updates (with a CW fo…
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Cover Songs / Coachella Booking / Avoiding Burnout / GFY Records / Kate Hudson / Green Day / D4VD Update
58:38
58:38
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58:38
We answer one of the most commonly asked questions in music: how do I legally cover other people's songs? Hint: it's easier than you think! Then we take a deep dive into all the agencies, labels, artists, and genres behind this year's Coachella, and what the data reveals about the state of the music industry. Next we discuss tools and strategies fo…
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Reaching Gatekeepers / Bad Bunny Skips America / 21 Pilots vs Temu / King Gizz on Bandcamp / D4VD / Kanye
52:33
52:33
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52:33
Like it or not, gatekeepers are a part of the music industry. We talk about some ways to connect with gatekeepers, and help you get a "Yes!" Next, we discuss how Bad Bunny is protecting his audience from ICE by skipping America on his upcoming world tour. We look at 21 Pilots' lawsuit against Temu, what King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are doing …
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Beating the Algorithm Blues / Musicians Unions / Marketing Automation / Vinyl Safe from Tariffs
41:28
41:28
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41:28
Everyone's talking about AI and algorithms but there are still plenty of people and places to find human-curated music, so we highlight a few places to look. Next we profile UMAW — United Musicians and Allied Workers — who have been doing great work to support indie and DIY musicians. We talk about some tools designed to automate your music marketi…
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Running a DIY Space / SEO for Musicians / Fully Licensed Generative AI / Spotify Messages / YouTube Hype
1:12:46
1:12:46
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1:12:46
We talk about what we've learned from years of running DIY spaces, events, and groups, and how you can apply these lessons to your own career. Then we go over some great tips for SEO and discoverability for musicians. On the AI front, we discuss a new generative AI model that claims to be fully licensed (and how we might be wrong about AI slop), lo…
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Email vs Social Media / Monetizing Superfans / Quitting Social Media / Radio Rate Increase / Lil Nas X
1:14:56
1:14:56
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1:14:56
We discuss the the pros and cons of email marketing vs social media. Then we highlight an artist who has quit social media and streaming entirely. We discuss the new ASCAP and BMI rate increases for radio, go over a service to promote live events on YouTube, and discuss how the streaming economy is unflattening as streaming services look to capital…
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Music Lawyers / The Truth About Recoupment / Fair Use / Money For Songwriters
1:01:59
1:01:59
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1:01:59
Are music lawyers the biggest secret in the music industry? How do major labels ACTUALLY recoup your money — the math is worse than you think! What is "Fair Use" and how is it impacting YouTube? How songwriters are adapting to the new rules of the music industry. Also, Cameron drops his Chappell Roan hot take. Links Fair Use: https://copyright.wp.m…
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Artists Leaving Spotify / Standing Up Against the Genocide in Gaza / Yung Thug and the RAP Act / YouTube fighting AI slop / Certified Generative AI
1:03:04
1:03:04
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1:03:04
A number of established artists are leaving Spotify. Should you? Should we? How artists support each other as they stand up against the genocide in Gaza. Yung Thug and the RAP act. The collective building the next Bandcamp. We have an update on Super Fans. We spotlight ONErpm. What's YouTube doing to combat AI slop on their platform? And how can ar…
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DIY Music Videos pt. 2 / Music Management / Superfans / Soundcloud's AI Policy
1:06:25
1:06:25
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1:06:25
We got so excited to talk about DIY music videos that we came back around for another round. When should you shoot vertical or horizontal? How can you find great locations? What video editing software is best? After that, we look at the proliferation of music business education. How does a degree stack up against real-world experience? We talk abou…
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DIY music videos / New tax breaks for musicians / Warner layoffs / The future of TikTok
43:47
43:47
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43:47
What's it take to make a DIY music video? Also, some rare good news from the government in 2025: the HITS act is a new tax break for indie musicians! We discuss layoffs at Warner Music Group. And what's the latest news for TikTok, and what does it mean for musicians? Links SoundCloud Still Matters for Emerging Artists - Here’s Why by Ben Jolley on …
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Activism / The Velvet Sundown / Social Media / Compilations / Zines / Sample Packs / Artist Corporations
1:00:09
1:00:09
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1:00:09
What is “adding value” on social media? How can musicians use their platform to help others? Zines and other forms of physical media are making a comeback. The co-founder of Kickstarter introduces artist corporations. The death of the middle class musician. We also wade into the fake AI bands controversy, including Velvet Sundown. Links Social Medi…
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Money / Day Jobs / Vinyl Costs / Tariffs / AI Brainrot
46:48
46:48
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46:48
Everyone in the music industry has a day job. The people who make a living in the music industry serve others. Most of us are actually consumers and hobbyists — and that’s okay. Meanwhile, Project 2025 and the administration is coming for your vinyl. Finally, is ChatGPT cooking your brain? LINKS Why Tariffs Are Quitely Undermining The American Viny…
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Analytics / Failed Promo Tactics / AI + Record Labels / Indie Execs Sound Off / Better Rhyme Schemes
1:17:42
1:17:42
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1:17:42
Let's talk about analytics and dashboards! What music promo tactics are cooked in 2025? And what works, according to indie music executives? Suno and Udio's potential licensing deal with major labels could be a major shift in creators rights. New Grammy category. We also explore previously unheard of rhyme schemes. Links What Music Promo Tactics Do…
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Good Collabs / LA in 2025 / Mental Health / TikTok for Artists / Timbaland's Weird AI Take / Goldman Sachs Music Forecast
1:00:36
1:00:36
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1:00:36
What makes a good recording session or a good collaborator? What's really going on in LA in 2025? (Spoiler: it's not an urban hellscape warzone). We'll also share some artist mental health resources, discuss TikTok's new artist tools, and stare deeply at Timbaland's very weird take on AI. A Goldman Sachs report gets reviewed — shout out to global b…
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Social Media for Musicians Who Don’t Like to Do Social Media
46:59
46:59
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46:59
Cameron Ljungkull and Augustus Watkins break down social media strategies for reluctant posters. Then we talk about the way the tech industry has changed the "soft power" of American culture, share some mental health resources for musicians, and discuss the new era of 360 deals. We also tempt fate by calling out UMG's famously rowdy legal team. Met…
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Music Marketing / Social Media / Coachella / Rising Ticket Costs / AI Slop
53:51
53:51
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53:51
Welcome to Wholesome Music Podcast with Cameron Ljungkull and Augustus Watkins. It's our first episode and we're talking about the right time to get a manager, the creator economy, how social media broke capitalism, the economics of touring, AI brainrot music, and more! Links: Why Some Artists Are Rethinking Touring https://hmc.chartmetric.com/why-…
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