Order THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business here.
This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari is joined by the completely independent and incomparable neo-soul artist and producer, Madison McFerrin (recorded live at the Labelcoin x Roland House at SXSW last week). McFerrin has earned accolades from the New York Times, NPR, Fader as well as Pitchfork who named her a Rising Artist of 2018. Questlove himself even dubbed her early sound as “soul-appella.” She’s been performing and touring for years with appearances from Central Park SummerStage to various jazz festivals and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s Show Me Music series. Stay tuned for McFerrin’s debut album, arriving May 12th!
04:47 Welcome
05:23 Debut DJ performance
06:09 Process of creating her debut album
10:32 Production and collaborative approach
12:28 Signature a cappella vocals
14:58 Production and collaborative approach (continued)
18:25 Audience reaction to new musical directions
24:02 Dynamics of her fiancée also being her manager
26:27 Staying “fiercely independent”
34:03 Breaking down the album release process
38:50 Navigating TikTok as an artist in their 30s
46:55 New single “God Herself”
50:56 Q&A: Balancing relationship with manager
53:50 Q&A: Hunger for quality over quantity content
57:02 Q&A: Positive environment for artist and fan relationship
59:44 What it means to “make it” in the New Music Business
Recorded and filmed by Roland Team
Additional editing and mixing by Maxton Hunter
Music by Brassroots District
Produced by the team at Ari’s Take
