In this value-packed episode of Sound Connections, host Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Jesse Flores, Head of Artist and Label Partnerships at Intercept Music, to explore what it really takes to succeed as an independent artist today.

If you're producing your own music, wondering how to grow a fanbase, or struggling to market your releases, this is your blueprint. From choosing the right music distributor to understanding how paid ads, DSPs, and Spotify algorithms actually work, Jesse shares hard-earned insights that empower indie artists to take control of their careers.

We cover:

• How to choose the right distributor
• Why creative control matters
• What $1,000 can do for your music
• Smart ways to grow without a label
• What makes indie artists succeed today

Whether you're a bedroom producer, emerging artist, or music entrepreneur, this episode will change how you think about launching and scaling your music in today’s digital landscape.

Follow us NOW and learn tips on how to take ownership – creatively, financially, and strategically.

Streaming isn’t enough. If you're an artist or manager looking to grow real revenue, this episode breaks down how to use merch, email, and digital sales to build a profitable artist business.

Jakob Wredstrøm talks with Jack McCarthy, co-founder of Indiepreneur and co-host of the Creative Juice podcast, about the missing revenue stream most artists ignore: direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

With actionable steps, mindset shifts, and proven strategies, this episode will help you rethink how you earn from your art.
Perfect for:
- Independent artists
- Artist managers
- Music entrepreneurs
- Music-tech founders
- Digital marketers in music

About Indiepreneur: https://indepreneur.io/

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Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.venturesFollow on;

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Veteran catalog expert and CEO of Dynamite Songs, Alan Wallis joins Jakob to break down the real mechanics behind IP rights, music catalog sales, sync revenue, valuations, private equity, and long-term music investing.

He shares how he built Mojo Music, acquired classic catalogs, sold to Concord, and now runs Dynamite Songs.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

- Catalog valuation & deal red flags
- Sync as a revenue driver
- Streaming growth and catalog stability
- Why songwriters decide to sell
- How investors price risk and return
- What the next decade of catalog buying looks like

A must-watch for anyone exploring the intersection of music, finance, publishing, and IP ownership.

Learn more about Dynamite Songs: https://www.dynamite-songs.com/

Tom Höglund, a key figure from the founding team of Epidemic Sound, breaks down how they built a unicorn by disrupting the century-old music licensing industry.

From his early days as a lawyer to creating an alternative model that pays musicians upfront and offers a 50-50 split , Tom shares the controversial journey. Discover the audacious vision to make music licensing simple and global for content creators on platforms like YouTube, challenging the traditional Performing Rights Organizations (PROs).

Hear the grind, the early struggles, and the international mindset that fueled this Swedish success story.

Know more about Epidemic Sound: https://www.epidemicsound.com/
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Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.ventures


Follow on;

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Discover how Alex Braga built an AI 'Instrument' a decade ago — not to replace musicians, but to rediscover what makes us human.

In this episode of the Sound Connections Podcast, Alex Braga, award-winning artist, performer, and creator of the A-Mint AI instrument, joins Jakob Wredstrøm to unpack the philosophy and ethics behind AI in art.

From the meaning of human creativity to the illusion of machine consciousness, Alex breaks down what separates creation from generation — and why intention still defines everything.

🎧 In this conversation:

- Why AI-made music often lacks meaning — and what “meaning” really is
- How algorithms mirror our cultural biases
- The ethics of data scraping and AI training
- Why we must learn to use technology without losing ourselves
- Why “We Are Technology” — and what that means for the future of creativity

Alex doesn’t see technology as the enemy — but as a mirror reflecting how conscious (or unconscious) we are in how we use it.

This is a partnership episode with Music Tech Europe Academy: https://www.musictecheuropeacademy.eu/

Find out more about A-Mint AI here: https://www.alexbraga.me/a-i
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Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.ventures

Follow on;
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2omT8uLhBamH3GFeih4oo3?si=45206dd146a84ae1

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Who are the people behind the music that shapes how we listen?

In this episode of Sound Connections, host Jakob Wredstrøm sits down with Overtone Studios CEO Niklas Brantberg, who shares how Epidemic Sound and his label built a new music economy for creators, one where focus playlists turn into real income.

Jakob and Niklas unpack the business of mood music, the shift from faceless tracks to artist identity, and the impact of AI in music production.

Perfect for music entrepreneurs, producers, and founders seeking inspiration on creating sustainable careers in today’s music tech landscape.

Find out more about Overtone Studios here: https://www.overtone-studios.com/
__________________________________________________________________________

Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.ventures


Follow on;

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2omT8uLhBamH3GFeih4oo3?si=45206dd146a84ae1


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soundconnectionspodcast/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundconnectionspodcast?igsh=bDZzbnhrYXBlNHBr

Can finance make the music industry fairer?

In this episode, Lior Tibon, CEO and Co-founder of Duetti, shares with host Jakob Wredstrøm how he’s building a platform that lets artists turn their catalogs into opportunity.

From Tidal to Duetti, Lior’s journey blends financial innovation with deep respect for creators. Hear how technology, transparency, and smarter capital are shaping a new path for music ownership and catalog investment.

This episode offers rare insight for music founders, investors, and creators redefining what it means to own music.

Listen for lessons in creative business growth.

Find out more about Duetti here: https://www.duetti.co/
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Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.ventures

Follow on;

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2omT8uLhBamH3GFeih4oo3?si=45206dd146a84ae1

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundconnectionspodcast?igsh=bDZzbnhrYXBlNHBr

Can AI and infrastructure finally make the music industry scalable?

In this episode, Ben Mendoza, CEO and Co-Founder of Beatchain, joins host Jakob Wredstrøm to reveal how AI-driven infrastructure, data analytics, and localization are redefining the future of music entrepreneurship.

Learn how Beatchain’s innovative arena model helps independent artists grow careers sustainably, how automation fixes music distribution and discovery, and why building long-term systems, not quick wins, matters for global creators.

Tune in NOW for practical insights on scaling success in the music tech and creator economy revolution.

Find out more about Beatchain here: https://www.beatchain.com/
__________________________________________________________________________

Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.ventures

Follow on;

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2omT8uLhBamH3GFeih4oo3?si=45206dd146a84ae1

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