SoundBreaker

Hosted by Bob Shami

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137

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May 2026

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About the show

'SoundBreaker' with Bob Shami, where we uncover remarkable success stories in the music industry. Join host Bob Shami as he chats with industry leaders who defied norms and blazed their own unconventional paths to success. Get ready for raw and uplifting behind-the-scenes stories that unveil how these remarkable individuals made their breakthroughs in the music world.

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60 recent

May 22, 2026Episode 14030 min

Building the Future of Sound with David Ronan

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami welcomes back David Ronan, CEO and Founder of RoEx, for a deep conversation on how technology is reshaping the future of music production.David shares how RoEx has achieved remarkable growth—processing more than five million tracks and supporting over a million artists—while expanding integrations with major platforms and accelerating direct-to-artist services.The conversation explores one of the industry’s biggest shifts: the role of AI in music production. Rather than replacing creators, David explains how AI can simplify technical barriers, improve workflows, and help artists focus on creativity.They also tackle one of the toughest issues facing independent artists today: monetization. From the realities of streaming economics to emerging opportunities through blockchain technology, David outlines where artists may find sustainable revenue models in the future.The episode dives into why audio quality and production standards remain essential in a crowded market, how collaborative partnerships unlock innovation, and what artists should prioritize as the industry continues evolving.If you're an artist, producer, music entrepreneur, or simply curious about where music is headed next, this conversation offers practical insights and a forward-looking perspective.David Ronan : https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmronan1/ | https://www.instagram.com/roexaudio/ | https://www.facebook.com/roexaudio | https://www.threads.com/@roexaudio | daveronan@roexaudio.com RoEx : https://www.roexaudio.com/

May 13, 2026Episode 13939 min

From Vinyl to Viral: Jorge Brea’s Journey with Symphonic Distribution

In this episode of the SoundBreaker podcast, host Bob Shami sits down with Jorge Brea, founder and CEO of Symphonic Distribution, to explore the incredible transformation of the music industry over the past two decades.Jorge shares his journey from passionate DJ and vinyl collector to building one of the leading independent music distribution companies in the world. Together, they discuss the industry’s evolution from physical media to streaming dominance, the explosive rise of TikTok and short-form content, and how AI is rapidly reshaping music creation and distribution.The conversation dives into the opportunities and challenges facing artists, labels, and distributors today—from licensing and rights management for AI-generated music to monetization strategies in an increasingly digital landscape. Jorge also explains what makes Symphonic Distribution unique, how the company approaches acquisitions and expansion, and why adaptability is essential for long-term success in the music business.Whether you’re an artist, music executive, producer, or simply fascinated by the future of entertainment, this episode delivers valuable insights into where the music industry is headed next.Jorge Brea : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgeebrea/ | https://jorgebrea.com/ Symphonic Distribution : https://symphonic.com/

May 1, 2026Episode 13838 min

Why Artists Lose Billions; And How Blockchain Changes Everything

In this episode of SoundBreaker, we meet JC Barat, co-founder of Allfeat, a blockchain infrastructure designed specifically for the music industry. Drawing from a background in wealth management and HR, JC explains how a personal encounter with his daughter’s musical journey exposed a deeper structural issue: the global music rights system is fundamentally broken.Today, more than $2.5 billion in royalties go unpaid every year — not because the money doesn’t exist, but because rights data is fragmented across disconnected systems. Six separate identifiers (IPI, ISNI, ISRC, ISWC, UPC/EAN, and more) live in isolated databases that do not communicate, making it nearly impossible to reliably connect creators to their earnings.JC walks us through how this fragmentation creates “black box” revenue losses, especially when compositions and recordings are not properly linked. He explains how even one missing connection can permanently erase royalty flows for artists.Allfeat proposes a new foundation for music rights: an open-source, blockchain-based certification layer governed by a Swiss non-profit. Through the Allfeat Timestamp Service, creators can instantly register proof of authorship, while the MIDDS (Music Industry Decentralized Data Structure) connects rights metadata across the entire lifecycle of a work.The conversation also explores three major revenue breakthroughs enabled by this infrastructure:Sync licensing, where verified rights drastically reduce clearance frictionAI training rights, where artists can define usage consent at the protocol levelLicensing automation, where machine-readable rights replace static contractsUltimately, this episode raises a bigger question: will blockchain redistribute power in the music industry — or simply reinforce existing structures in a new format? JC argues that only a neutral, open infrastructure can ensure that artists, not intermediaries, benefit from the next wave of digital transformation.JC Barat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbarat/Allfeat: https://allfeat.org/

March 11, 2026Episode 13747 min

Why Super Fans Matter More Than Millions of Followers

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Eric Petersen, founder and CEO of FanzPass, to explore the future of the creator economy and how super fans are transforming the way athletes and musicians monetize their audiences.Eric shares the inspiration behind building FanzPass and explains why the traditional models of streaming revenue and merchandise sales are no longer enough for modern creators. Instead, the key lies in identifying and activating super fans — the most loyal and engaged supporters who drive real revenue and community growth.Drawing from his experience in NFL licensing and merchandise strategy, Eric discusses how sports and music industries can rethink fan engagement by focusing on deeper connections rather than mass audiences.The conversation dives into:How FanzPass creates a new vertical for creator monetizationWhy super fans are the most valuable asset for creatorsLessons from sports merchandising that apply to musiciansThe role of social media, digital communities, and emerging technologiesHow the creator economy must evolve beyond traditional streaming platformsEric also shares his perspective on innovation, belief systems, and why understanding fan psychology is critical to building sustainable revenue streams.If you're a creator, athlete, musician, entrepreneur, or fan of the creator economy, this episode provides valuable insights into the next wave of fan-driven monetization and community building.Eric Petersen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-petersen-5981ba62/ | eric@teamspiritstoreusa.comFanzPass: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fanzpassvip

March 11, 2026Episode 13648 min

From Telecom to Music Tech: Bob Barbiere on the Future of Music Data

In this episode of SoundBreaker, host Bob Shami sits down with Bob Barbiere, Executive Vice President and General Manager at OpenPlay, to explore the complex infrastructure behind the modern music industry.Bob shares his unconventional journey from telecommunications into music technology, and how that background helped him understand the deep structural challenges surrounding music rights management, metadata, and digital distribution.The conversation dives into one of the industry's biggest problems: accurate ownership data. With millions of songs being distributed globally, incomplete or incorrect metadata can mean lost revenue, delayed payments, and confusion around licensing. Bob explains how OpenPlay is building software designed to help music companies manage catalogs, track rights, and improve transparency across the ecosystem.They also explore the cultural and financial impact of DJ culture and remixes, highlighting how remixing and reinterpretation continue to drive discovery, creativity, and monetization in music.Looking ahead, Bob discusses the emerging role of AI and blockchain technologies in improving rights tracking and bringing clarity to one of the most fragmented industries in entertainment.Throughout the conversation, the theme remains clear: better data leads to better outcomes—for artists, labels, publishers, and the entire music economy.If you're interested in music tech, licensing, catalog management, or the future of music monetization, this episode offers a deep dive into the systems powering the global music business.Bob Barbiere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbarbiere/OpenPlay: https://openplay.co/

January 15, 2026Episode 13541 min

AI, Artists, and Adaptation: Inside the Evolving Music Business

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

January 15, 2026Episode 13437 min

The Future of Music Jobs: Streaming, AI, and Adaptation

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/

January 9, 2026Episode 13337 min

Sync, Streams & Strategy: How Artists Win in a Tech-Driven Music World

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/

December 24, 2025Episode 13237 min

Beyond the Tip Jar: How Vocana is Democratizing Independent Music

🚀 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/

December 12, 2025Episode 13149 min

Scoring for Impact: Music in "The Alabama Solution" and "Power Force"

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