Everyone knows quarantine has been especially brutal on the music industry, with lockdown cancelling tours, live shows, and even leading to a drop in streaming. Many companies, such as MusiCares, have stepped up to become a lighthouse in the fog of uncertainty to provide monetary relief to its beneficiaries. Companies such as Tik Tok are giving away millions in ad revenues to small businesses and marketing campaigns(billboard).
But as far as morale goes, staying connected and staying inspired are two of the main struggles the industry faces during a time like this. Here are the best recurring Zoom Panels, News Sources, and Podcasts that the industry has to offer right now.
1.) Zoom Panel: “The Panel” by Human Re Sources
Human Re Sources is a digital distribution company founded by J. Erving, a partner at Maverick and host of “the panel”, a zoom curated by Troy Carter and the Human Re Sources staff. This podcast is sprinkled with industry entrepreneurs, music business powerhouses and big name musicians like Jhene Aiko, T.I. Miguel, and Kehlani just to name a few. Each panel has a leading theme such as Latin, Women in Music, and the city series they held to include Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and others. This panel is the most iconic industry resource that music has to offer right now *Highlight* There is a slack channel you can join after the panel to connect you to the rest of the audience members When: *usually 4PM PT, 7PM ET*, @Human.re.sources & @qandala on Instagram
2.) Zoom Panel & Podcast: Industry Talks
Industry Talks is a live podcast hosted in LA by Roman Perry and founded by Kyle Emerson-Brown. They have lucrative and exciting members on the show like music Lawyer Dinah Lapoldt and music manager Nick Jarjour. They also host a series called “Office Hours” that dissects manager Kyle’s daily inbox. This is a key industry resource for upcoming musicians and industry. *Highlight* They have music features called “hearitnow” where they partner with PlaylistPush to feature one unsigned artist and gift them money towards funding their music. When: 7PM PT, 10PM ET, @industrytalksnetwork
3.) Podcast: “A Waste of Time” by ItsTheReal-now “Quarantine Radio”
A Waste of Time with Jeff and Eric Rosenthal is one of the most entertaining industry podcasts that is also informational. Podcast hosts and brothers Eric and Jeff (who also host the podcast 2 Jews and 2 Black Dudes) are some of the most entertaining and irreverent two interviewers in the business. They rake in big acts and industry like dvsn, Tinashe, Nelly Ortiz, Pink $weats, and so many more. They recently re-titled their podcasts as “QUARANTINE RADIO” and have produced over 33 episodes since its conception. *Highlights* Playful, funny, and well-researched, Jeff and Eric are able to promulgate the lived experiences of their interviewees with ease. The podcast feels listener-inclusive and is a fast-paced and radiant upgrade from your average drolling podcast. When: 1-2 episodes a week, @itsthereal, @itstherealjeff, @itstherealeric
4.) Zoom Discussion: Tour Mgmt
Tour Mgmt focuses on tour management and goes international. This laser-focused podcast includes indulgences of tour history and road stories from seasoned tour managers but also gets technical with lessons of best practices and apps managers should be downloading. This discussion is real and exciting- touching on one of the most storied aspects of the music industry. *Highlight* episodes are posted to Youtube afterwards. When: As posted, usually 11AM PT, 2PM ET, @tourmgmt101, tourmgmt.org
5.) Zoom Webinar: “A&R Sessions” by Eddie Blackmon
Eddie Blackmon of Awal and Kobalt hosts a wildly successful panel featuring A&R heads for live Q&A sessions. This is an especially valuable panel for musicians looking to be scouted or market themselves properly. Eddie Blackmon has been in the industry for over 15 years and uses his industry connections to curate the panel. *Highlight* The live panel caps at 500, but the sessions are recorded and posted for viewing at any time. For those interested in R&B, it may also be worth checking out the podcast Eddie co-hosts called “The CAST of R&B” . When: 4pm PT, 7PM ET as posted @Eddieblackmon
6.) Podcast: Music Biz Weekly
This podcast has been around since 2013- maybe even before podcasting was cool. Seasoned hosts Michael Brandvold, a social media marketing expert, and Jay Gilbert of Universal Music Group have added second weekly podcast to cover all COVID related entertainment. This podcast examines the *how to* side of music business and is ridiculously filled with helpful information including episodes about playlisting best practices, Genius the lyric Community, and new platforms like Audiomack. *Highlight* There are over 413 episodes to get through! This podcast is. good way for younger industry to get in touch with more historic bands and more experienced industry experts. When: Every Friday and Monday of the week airs new episodes.
7.) Zoom Panel: The New Normal by Gupta Media
Hosted by Bill Werde, Director of Bandier, and put on by Gupta Media , a digital marketing, SEM, and Music Marketing company has pledged a recurring series of live zoom panels featuring industry celebrities. Their first panel is hosted powerhouse Ty Stiklorius from Friends at Work and Tunji Balogun from RCA Records. Check out their blog for articles written for advertising and growing audiences for festivals and social media marketing using multiple tools. When: *usually 4pm PT, 7PM ET* guptamedia.com, @guptamedia
8.) LinkedIn Panel: FastFWD
Creative boutique AUSTERE and CAD Management team up with LinkedIn weekly to explore the entertainment business post COVID-19. Topics include “A Music Industry Post 2020 Depression Recovery Plan” and “Bandsintown’s Data First Approach Could Revive the Crippled Touring Business from COVID-19”. Though these headlines may not inspire much hope, this panel delivers news that *Highlight*: Too many panels? Just subscribe to the newsletter on LinkedIn and easily spread the news to your network. When: 3PM PT 6PM ET on Tuesdays, FastFWD Newsletter
9.) Zoom Panel: Women PowHer
Women PowHer Music Q&A Panel is a zoom panel co-founded by Temima Shames, a former Atlantic Records Intern and focused on women in the music industry. Each panel explores a new concept from marketing to touring and features around 9 panelists each. Keep your eye out for upcoming events. When: TBD, @womenpowhermusic
10.) Zoom Club Panel: The FAM at USC
The FAM, a USC club run by students is putting on Zoom panels until their club is starting a panel for career advice. Their panels are usually held at the University and feature prominent figures from LA venues, Labels, and Music Publishers. Tune in and network with some of the best and brightest of the future of music. *Highlight* connect with the future of the industry and the unique scene that is the USC Thornton School of Music When: Thursday at 7 PT 04/30, @thefammusic
Taylor Overstreet 