In this episode of Soundbreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Mark Meyer, founder and CEO of Random Sounds, the first music distribution company in Paraguay. Mark shares his journey from teenage music blogger and concert producer to becoming a pioneer in Latin America’s music technology space.

They explore how a lack of Paraguayan music on global streaming platforms sparked the idea for Random Sounds, and how the company has since expanded to support independent artists across multiple Latin American countries. Mark also dives deep into the impact of AI in music, the evolving landscape of music distribution, and how emerging technologies like blockchain could reshape music monetization.

Throughout the conversation, Mark emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships in the music industry, adaptability in the face of technological change, and why aspiring entrepreneurs should focus on playing the long game. This episode is packed with insights for artists, founders, and anyone interested in the future of the music business.

Mark Meyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markimeyer/ | mark@sounds.co

The music industry has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations of any creative field. In this episode, Dusan Simic breaks down how technology reshaped the business—from physical sales and downloads to streaming platforms, digital distribution, and AI-driven tools.

We explore how new companies, distributors, and aggregators emerged as the old infrastructure disappeared, creating entirely new job opportunities across the industry. Bob emphasizes that while the tools have changed, the core challenge remains the same: adapt or be left behind.

This conversation dives into the role of artificial intelligence in future workflows, why change is inevitable, and how artists, professionals, and businesses can position themselves to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Whether you’re an artist, executive, or technologist, this episode offers a clear message: the future of music belongs to those who embrace innovation.

Dusan Simic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusan-simic1/ | dusan@2immersive4u.com

2immersive4u: https://2immersive4u.com/

In this episode of Soundbreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Sophie Elizabeth Small, COO of Music Gateway, to explore how technology is reshaping the modern music industry.

With over a decade of experience at Music Gateway, Sophie shares her journey through the evolving music business and explains why legal knowledge, data literacy, and adaptability are more important than ever for today’s artists. The conversation dives deep into the challenges musicians face when it comes to monetization, distribution, and audience engagement—and how platforms like Music Gateway are creating hybrid solutions that combine services, data insights, and creative opportunities.

Bob and Sophie also unpack the growing role of AI in music creation, discussing its potential as a creative tool rather than a threat, and examine how blockchain technology could solve long-standing issues around transparency and rights management. From sync licensing and artist management to the future of music technology, this episode offers invaluable insight for artists, professionals, and aspiring leaders—especially women looking to carve out space in the industry.

Sophie Elizabeth Small: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiesmallops/

Music Gateway: http://www.musicgateway.com/

🚀 New Episode Alert!

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Neil Sheehan, the President of Vocana and a veteran of the music industry with over 30 years of experience. Neil takes us through his incredible journey—from booking metal and punk bands in VFW halls with $900 in his pocket to running StandBy Records and achieving #1 Billboard success with Black Veil Brides.

Now at the helm of Vocana, Neil is on a mission to solve the four biggest problems facing independent musicians today: unfair pay, lack of fan data, editorial gatekeeping, and the "boring" user experience of modern DSPs. We dive deep into the "User-Centric" payment model, the return of social-driven music discovery (think MySpace for the modern age), and how Vocana is providing a sanctuary for the 120 million+ independent tracks that the major labels overlook. Whether you’re an artist frustrated with 0.0003-cent payouts or a tech enthusiast curious about the future of AI and blockchain in music, this episode is a masterclass in industry evolution.

Neil Sheehan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheehanneil/ | neilgsheehan@gmail.com

Vocana: https://www.vocana.co/

Welcome to Soundbreaker! In this compelling episode, host Bob Shami sits down with award-winning composers and producers Mark Batson and Chris Hanebutt. These two incredible talents, hailing from Brooklyn and South Carolina respectively, share their unique journeys into the music industry, from early piano lessons and barbershop quartets to collaborating with music legends like Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Alicia Keys.

Mark and Chris dive deep into their recent impactful work, discussing their powerful score for "The Alabama Solution," an HBO documentary exposing civil rights injustices and a modern-day slavery system within Alabama prisons. They also chat about their adrenaline-pumping contributions to the latest season of "Power Book Force" on Starz.

The conversation takes a critical turn as they explore the evolving landscape of the music business. From the challenges artists face with streaming royalties and the rise of AI in music creation, to the importance of intellectual property and the potential of Web3 and blockchain technologies (like NFHits) to empower artists and ensure fair compensation. They offer invaluable advice to young artists and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the enduring power of the human element in music and the necessity of diversifying skills to thrive in an ever-changing industry. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the past, present, and future of music!

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EZCd485Hovs

In this episode of Soundbreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Jack McCarthy, co-founder of IndieX, one of the leading agencies helping artists unlock new and sustainable revenue through e-commerce. Jack explains why e-commerce is the most overlooked income stream for musicians and how independent artists can use digital tools, data, and direct-to-fan marketing to take control of their careers.

They explore the outdated structures of the music industry, the slow adoption of new technologies, and why ownership—of audience, data, and distribution—is now the key to long-term success. Jack shares insights from Indiex’s strategic approach, the challenges artists face when selling merch or promoting online, and the growing wave of artist independence powered by smarter digital marketing and AI-driven tools.

Whether you're a new artist trying to navigate digital revenue or a seasoned industry professional curious about the future of music marketing, this conversation breaks down what’s changing, what’s working, and what’s coming next.

Contact Jack McCarthy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmccarthy1991/ |

Indepreneur / IndieX: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indepreneur/ | https://indepreneur.io/

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Dr. Kobi Abayomi, Head of Data Science at Gumbel Demand Acceleration & Clinical Asst. Professor of Data Science at Arizona State University and an influential voice at the intersection of music, technology, and analytics. Together, they explore how data science is reshaping the music industry—from understanding audience behavior and predicting music preferences to building the next generation of tools for artists, producers, and rights holders.

Dr. Abayomi breaks down how AI and machine learning can supercharge the creative process without replacing the essential spark of human artistry. The conversation spans the evolution of DJing technologies like Serato, the growing importance of accurate rights attribution, and the rise of personalized, interactive live experiences. He also offers a candid look at how music-industry veterans can adapt to rapid technological change while remaining grounded in creativity and culture.

This episode is a deep dive into the future of music consumption, creation, and performance—rich with insight, foresight, and a passion for the art form. Whether you’re an artist, technologist, industry professional, or music lover, this discussion offers a powerful look at how data and creativity can coexist to shape what comes next.

Contact Dr. Abayomi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kobi-abayomi-7437a17/ | kobi@gatech.edu

Gumbel Demand Acceleration: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gumbel-d-a/about/

In this episode of Soundbreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Joshua Kennedy, Team Lead at FUGA, to unpack the fast-evolving world of User Generated Content (UGC) in the music industry. With years of experience across YouTube, VEVO, and digital rights management, Joshua offers a masterclass on how artists can thrive in the digital age.

From understanding Content ID and music monetization to avoiding common pitfalls when setting up artist channels, this episode dives deep into the realities of today’s online music economy. Joshua also sheds light on Meta’s monetization tools, the ongoing challenges of fraud prevention, and the often-overlooked opportunities hidden in UGC ecosystems.

Whether you’re an independent musician, a label manager, or simply curious about the business of music, this conversation provides practical insights into how to protect your work, grow your audience, and maximize your revenue across platforms like YouTube and VEVO.