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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

13:39

What To Do If Your Record Label Closes but You’re...

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/11

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a rapper from Birmingham, Alabama, who’s been carrying the weight of a bad record deal for more than a decade.Back in 2011, he signed with a small indie label that promised him the world. The problem? They never paid for studio time, marketing, or production he made all his music at home on his own. By 2013, the label shut down completely, but no one ever sent him his release papers.Now in his 30s, he has been

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21:47

How to Grow Your Music Career When You’re Broke

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/10

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a 20-something piano singer-songwriter who has been pouring his heart into open mics and coffeehouse gigs, and now he’s ready to take things to the next level.He’s built a small but loyal following: 8,000 monthly Spotify listeners, a few singles doing around 35,000 streams, and a dream of one day playing bigger venues with a full band and a real piano not just the keyboard he’s been lugging around.But here’s the

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18:18

Breaking Into the Music Industry as an Interviewer

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/07

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a 24-year-old from North Dakota who aspires to become a music interviewer.He didn’t find me through the Mattrix Minute he discovered my work through my artist interviews and now he wants to follow a similar path. He’s been reaching out to artists and managers, trying to land his first interviews, but so far… crickets. No replies. No callbacks.Now he’s wondering:1. Should he move to Nashville, New York, or L.A. to

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13:05

Drove 10 Hours to a Show That Didn’t Exist

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/06

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read one of the funniest (and most painfully real) emails I’ve ever gotten from a touring band.A bassist, van-sleeper, and unofficial band therapist, wrote in about a problem every road warrior has faced:They drive 8 hours to a gig… unload the gear… walk into the venue… and find out the show’s been canceled.No text. No call. No warning. Just an empty stage and a crushed dream.To make matters worse, he admits the band doesn’t do any

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23:21

7 Million Streams…Then Everything Fell Apart.

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/05

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I share one of the most heartbreaking emails I’ve ever received.It’s from Sarah, a pop artist who inherited $200,000 from her grandfather and wanted to use it to chase her dream. She recorded a full-length album in Atlanta, spent over $120,000 on production, and trusted a promotional company to help her reach real fans. Her songs hit 3 million streams on Spotify, but then came the nightmare.Spotify pulled her album for fraudulent

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19:17

How Do You Go from small Gigs to Arenas?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist whose band is ready to make the leap from the local scene to the big stage.They’ve been grinding for years pulling solid crowds in clubs, releasing music, and building a loyal following. They have around 18,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, 9,000 on Apple Music, and regularly play to 150-person crowds across Texas.Now they want to know:How do we get booked for bigger shows arenas, festivals,

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21:58

Spotify Playlist Pitching: Smart or Scam?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/04

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an Artist Manager who manages a pop singer just starting to gain traction.This manager has been approached by several “playlist promotion companies” on Instagram claiming they can get his artist’s music placed on major Spotify playlists for a price.Sound familiar?In this video, I break down:-What playlist pitching really is — and how it works behind the scenes-How to spot red flags and avoid scammy promo

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19:47

Should You Sign a Record Deal or Stay Independent?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/11/01

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I respond to an email from a 16-year-old pop artist who’s starting to gain traction.She’s already built up 18,000 followers on Instagram and her first single has pulled in over 4,000 Spotify streams not bad for a brand-new artist. Now, a few small label reps have started reaching out, and she wants to know:Is it smarter to stay independent or try to sign with a label?It’s a question every developing artist faces and the answer isn’t

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28:09

Bandcamp vs. Spotify: Who’s Really Helping Artists?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I respond to one of the most passionate (and brutal) emails I’ve ever received.An artist called me out hard for my opinions on Bandcamp. He says I’m a “Spotify shill” and that if I truly cared about helping independent artists, I’d be telling them to stop giving their music away for free on streaming platforms and focus on Bandcamp, CDs, and direct fan support instead.He lays out some strong points, including:Bandcamp pays artists

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26:29

How Do You Know When to Quit Music?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/29

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I received an email from a 26 year old artist from Indianapolis who’s feeling stuck and burned out.Trey’s been grinding for years, posting freestyles, dropping songs, paying for promotion, and recording in his basement studio, but he feels like nothing’s changing. He’s starting to wonder if he’s just wasting his time chasing a dream that might never happen.It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s something almost every artist has felt at one

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15:43

Should You Sign a 50/50 Record Deal? | Music Industry...

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/28

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I respond to an email from an artist. He is the lead singer of a band that has been grinding it out for 17 years without a record deal until now.After nearly two decades of shows, albums, and DIY hustle, a label finally reached out with a contract… but there’s a catch. Actually, there are a few.Here’s what the label is offering:Take full ownership of their entire back catalog50/50 split on both album sales and publishingMinimal

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22:46

Should Artists Stop Uploading to Spotify and Go Back...

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/27

In this episode of the Music Business Newslettee with Matthew Rix, I respond to an email from an artist who says I don’t really help artists the way I claim to.He believes that if I truly cared about independent musicians, I’d encourage them to stop putting their music on streaming services and instead focus on selling CDs, vinyl, and Bandcamp downloads, where artists actually make money.It’s a fair challenge and one worth having.In this video, I talk about:The truth about streaming payouts and

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11:57

Should You Release a Single or Drop an EP First?

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter, Matthew Rix responds to an email from an independent artist from the United Kingdom who’s asking one of the biggest questions new artists face:Should I start releasing singles one at a time, or wait to drop my first full EP?Jordan has recorded five songs that fit together as a project. Still, he’s heard that singles are better for building momentum, especially on streaming platforms like Spotify, and for growing on social media.It’s a question I get

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12:26

Artist has 312 Followers and Wants a Record Deal?...

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter, I respond to an email from a viewer, and let’s just say… It’s one of those emails that makes you shake your head and laugh a little.This artist has been making music for six months, has 312 followers, and one TikTok that hit 1,100 views and he wants to know why record labels aren’t paying him a salary to sign him. Yep, you heard that right.It’s funny, but it’s also a real look at how entitlement and expectations can derail artists before they ever

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13:29

$500/Month for an Artist Manager?! Music Industry Scam

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/09

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter, I respond to an email from an up-and-coming artist who’s been offered a management deal but there’s a catch. The manager wants $500 a month upfront for representation.The artist says this manager is “exclusive,” representing only 19 artists, and promises to:Handle music distributionMake calls to record labels and agenciesHelp secure a record deal and a booking agentIt sounds tempting especially for someone just starting out. But is it legit? Or a red

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10:07

Can You Rewrite Famous Songs and Release Them? |...

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of the Mattrix Minute Music Business Newsletter, I answer a listener’s question about songwriting and music licensing: Can you take instrumentals or melodies from famous songs, change the lyrics, and release them?Here’s what is covered:Why derivative licenses are almost impossible for new artistsWhy parody/fair use doesn’t protect lyric rewritesHow original collaborations give you freedom and ownershipAction steps to move from writing in your room to recording in the studioIf you’ve

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4:04

Mattrix Minute: Music Business Newsletter

Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix ·

2024/06/17

Music industry veteran in marketing and A&R Director Matthew Rix is excited to announce the next thing to help you the artist achieve ultimate success in the music industry with the Mattrix Minute: Music Business Newsletter.Matthew spent well over 25 years of his life working with artists for different record labels and since 2014 he has specialized in helping artists with his music business program “Mattrix Minute” and live speaking events, now it’s time to answer your questions in the music

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