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PODCAST

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix

Music industry veteran Matthew Rix, with over 25 years of experience in marketing and A&R roles for top record labels, is back with something new to help you, the artist, achieve ultimate success: The Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix.After working closely and helping artists from all over the world with his Music Business audio series “Mattrix Minute” achieving over 25 million sales and streams on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and more, Matthew has turned his focus to

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All Episodes

16:38

Losing Money on Every Music Release

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2026/01/13

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist who’s doing everything “right” releasing consistently, investing in quality, tracking expenses and still losing money on every release. He’s spending $1,200–$1,800 per song, releasing every 6–8 weeks, and pulling in 20k streams per release. On paper, that sounds like progress. In reality, the numbers don’t add up. Streaming revenue barely dents the cost. Shows pay $100–$150. Expenses never

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16:21

Why 81% of Artists Feel Invisible on Spotify

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2026/01/07

In this episode of the Music Business Mewsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a frustrated artist and it cuts straight to the heart of what artists are actually struggling with.This artist isn’t asking for motivation.They’re questioning whether most music business advice even applies anymore.They point out realities artists talk about constantly online:• The majority of artists never cross 1,000 monthly listeners• Streaming feels invisible, not empowering• Promotion eats time and money

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19:39

Is the Music Industry a Scam?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2026/01/05

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an artist who has given up on the music industry and doesn’t hold back.He believes the industry is a scam.He believes most artists never had a real chance.And he believes people like me are just selling hope dressed up as strategy.He’s angry, disillusioned, and convinced that the system isn’t broken it’s working exactly as intended.This isn’t a feel good episode.In this conversation, we talk about: • Whether the

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26:25

How Music Managers Get Artists Signed

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2026/01/02

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a 24-year-old music manager who’s doing everything right but still feels invisible.He’s managing a band he truly believes in.They’ve released music.They’ve toured regionally.They’re growing a small but engaged fanbase.But he’s running into the problem almost every young manager faces:How do you get artists noticed and eventually signed when you don’t have industry connections, money, or a roadmap?He’s hearing the

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13:50

New Year’s Message for 2026

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/12/31

Happy New Year from Matthew Rix. No music Business in this video, just a message of grateful and thankfulness with a softball story in the mix.Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype.SpotifyApple MusicAmazon MusicYouTube

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21:43

Who Actually Makes Money in the Music Business?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/12/26

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist who’s doing a lot “right” but still doesn’t understand how anyone actually makes money in the music business.He’s 29.He’s been releasing music for five years.He has 40,000 monthly listeners, songs with 500k+ streams, tours occasionally, sells merch, and licenses music for small projects.From the outside, it looks like success.From the inside, the numbers don’t add up.Streaming barely covers

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27:55

Platinum in One Year… With One Song?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/12/26

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read one of the most ambitious and honestly wild emails I’ve received in a while.A rapper based in New York City just finished his first official single, and he’s not asking how to release it or build slowly. His goal is obvious:Platinum record. One year. No excuses.He’s confident in the song, confident in himself, and fully prepared to force attention even saying he’s willing to drive to radio stations across NYC, New Jersey, and

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22:50

No Contract. No Payouts. No Access. What Now?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/12/09

Today’s episode of the Music Business Mewsletter with Matthew Rix is heartbreaking.Bob the drummer and unofficial manager of a long-running Swiss punk band reached out with a situation that feels like every independent artist’s nightmare.Here’s what happened:In 2006, they released their album One Day More Walls under a small Swiss label. It was a simple delivery deal: the band paid for the recording, the label paid for the CDs—no digital contract. No streaming. No promises beyond physical

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21:01

AI Artists… Can unsigned Artists Succeed?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/12/08

In today’s episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I’m responding to an overwhelmed independent artist who asked one of the biggest questions I hear right now:“How are indie artists supposed to compete?”He’s watching major-label artists perform for 20,000 people, drop massive marketing budgets, release perfect visuals, and hire entire teams to manage their careers while he’s doing everything alone after work.But now there’s a new layer to the pressure:He’s not just competing with

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20:35

How Do You Get Taken Seriously as a Songwriter Online?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/12/05

In today’s episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I’m reading an email from a 31-year-old former professional swimmer from London who’s trying to break into the Christian and country songwriting scene in Nashville.Her background has nothing to do with the music industry. She spent years competing, then built a successful fitness apparel business. So naturally, her Instagram is full of training clips, gym content, and old competition photos.Now she’s running into a strange

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21:17

Can Introverts Still Succeed in Music?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/27

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read one of the most honest and heartbreaking emails I’ve received in a while.A 26-year-old songwriter from Portland reached out because he feels like the industry is leaving him behind.He loves writing music. He loves the craft. He’s spent years building his sound.But he absolutely shuts down the second a camera turns on.He hates filming himself.He hates watching himself back.And the constant pressure to become a full-time

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11:06

How Much Stage Presence Is Too Much for Small Artists?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/25

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a 29-year-old singer-songwriter from Ohio who might…might be doing a little too much on stage.He’s been experimenting with a new “performance identity,” and it has spiraled into something between:• a youth pastor• a motivational speaker• and Mick Jagger if he tripped over a cableHis band says he “moves like a glitching Sims character.”A bartender called him “a liability.”The sound guy said he’s “a hazard.”And

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24:41

How to Keep Going When You’ve Been Burned in the...

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/22

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read one of the rawest, most honest emails I’ve ever received.A musician in his 30s tired, disappointed, and skeptical wrote in to vent.He doesn’t believe I can help him. He barely thinks anyone can help him at this point.After years in music, he’s been:• Betrayed by close friends• Let down by bandmates who walked away• Ghosted by producers and managers• Fed promises that never turned into anything• Burned enough times that hope

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17:34

If You’re Overwhelmed by Social Media… Start Here.

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/21

In today’s episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I’m answering an email from a 25-year-old indie-pop artist who’s feeling crushed under the weight of social media expectations.He’s been releasing music since 2020 and built a small but real foundation, with 3,500 monthly listeners and a couple of songs in the 10–15k range. However, lately, it feels like he is drowning in advice telling him he needs to be on every platform if he wants to grow.TikTok… Reels… Shorts… YouTube…

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19:28

How Do You Chase Music When You Have No Time?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/19

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a mid-30s country singer who’s convinced he has the talent to become a star, if only he had the time.Between a full-time job, two kids, a wife who wants him present, friends who expect him around, and a borderline-serious pickleball habit, he feels like he’s drowning. And now, the pressure to post constantly on social media is exacerbating the issue.He’s not lazy. He’s not unmotivated. He’s just overwhelmed,

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21:10

Can You Change Your Music Style Without Starting Over?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/18

In today’s episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I’m reading an email from a 27-year-old artist who’s torn between two completely different paths.On one side, he’s creating moody R&B that performs well, with his songs hitting 40–60k streams, around 9k monthly listeners, and a sound that fits perfectly into what Spotify tends to push.On the other side, he’s writing raw singer-songwriter music that feels honest and personal… but doesn’t pull the same numbers.Now he’s stuck in

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15:53

Is paying for PR or radio promotion a scam?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/17

In today’s episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I’m answering a question that almost every independent artist runs into at some point:Is paying for PR or radio promotion a scam?He’s an artist out of Austin, Texas, who has been getting hit with emails and DMs from companies promising playlist placements, blog features, radio spins, and even label attention but only if he pays anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, or signs up for a monthly retainer.On top of that, he’s already been

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18:10

One Bad Night Cost Them a Management Deal…Here’s Why.

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/15

In today’s episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a guitarist from Orlando whose band was this close to signing with a legitimate Los Angeles management firm.For months, everything looked real:-The company flew them out to L.A.-Put them up in nice hotels-Held meetings and even a showcase-Sent contracts to lawyers-All the signs of a serious partnership were thereThen after their third trip, everything fell apart in one night.He and his lead singer had a little

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14:01

Should You Record Your First Single for Free or Go Pro?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/14

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from Sarah, a 22-year-old college student in Nashville who’s finally ready to record her first single but has no idea what a realistic budget looks like.Sarah’s studying in Music City, where opportunities are everywhere, but so are the price tags. Some recording students at her college have offered to record her single for free, but the only available studio time is at night. Meanwhile, professional Nashville

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18:13

How to Find Paying Gigs as a Professional Musician

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/13

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a guitarist who’s been playing for 31 years and still can’t find a serious gig.He claims to be one of the best players in his area. He’s got over $600,000 worth of gear, decades of experience, and a professional-level skill set that most musicians dream of. But the only gigs he can find are with teenagers starting bands or 20-something artists who don’t want to pay.He’s done playing for “exposure” and bar tabs he

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