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This week on the New Music Business podcast, Ari sits down with legendary A&R executive, publisher, and educator Pete Ganbarg.
With more than three decades in the music industry, Pete has helped shape the careers of artists, songwriters, and hit records across multiple generations. In this conversation, he breaks down how A&R has evolved from the days of artist showcases and long-term development deals to today’s algorithm-driven landscape. Pete explains why great A&R is still about connecting great artists with great songs, even as technology and discovery platforms continue to change.
Follow Pete Ganbarg:
https://substack.com/@peteganbarg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peteganbarg/
Check out Ari’s Take:
https://aristake.com
04:21 – The True Role of A&R: What Has Changed and What Hasn’t
09:00 – Artist Development vs. Chasing Quick Hits
13:20 – Why Live Performance Still Matters to Labels
16:05 – TikTok Stars, Viral Songs, and Building Careers
20:50 – The Difference Between a Song, an Artist, and a Career
25:55 – How Pete Discovers and Develops Songwriters
30:10 – Michael Pollack’s Journey to Writing “Flowers.”
35:15 – Songwriting by Committee, Sampling, and Publishing Trends
40:50 – AI, Songwriting, and the Future of Music Creation
48:15 – What Excites Pete Most About the Future of Music
54:07 – What It Means to “Make It” in the New Music Business
Edited and mixed by Ruben Zarat
Music by Brassroots District
Produced by the team at Ari’s Take
Order the THIRD EDITION of How to Make It in the New Music Business: https://book.aristake.com
