Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix

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 exposure
How to bal...

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 all the time, and the answer depends on str...

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 get started...

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 distribution
Make calls to record labels and agencies
Help secure a record deal and a booking agent
It sounds tempting especially for someone just starting out. But is it legit? Or a red flag?
In this video, I break down:
✅ The difference...

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 artists

Why parody/fair use doesn’t protect lyric rewrites

How original collaborations give you freedom and ownership

Action steps to move from writing in your room to recording in the studio

If you’ve ever been stuck wondering how to legal...

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 industry with the Mattrix Minute: Music Business Newsletter, absolutely free to submit your question at MattrixMinute.com
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