114. Business Skills for Composers

114. Business Skills for Composers

Author: Inspiring interviews with successful music industry experts May 3, 2018 Duration: 47:35

Chris Boardman, Sebastian Wolff, and Xiao'an Li welcome you to Business Skills For Composers - a Facebook group for composers where discussions center solely around business related practices. It doesn't matter how much or how little experience you have - everyone is welcome to post in line with the group rules and requirements. You will be safe from judgement. A rising tide raises all ships. Let's not compete in a race to the bottom, but push each other to greater heights instead!

Join Business Skills for Composers here

  • Just under 5000 members.
  • My first 4 way live interview.
  • 3 of the admins of the group.
  • Sebastian Wolff - Seattle based, licencing & royalties.
  • Chris Boardman - University lecturer at University of Miami
  • Xiao'an Li -  (C Ow Anne) - Live presentations

During the interview we discuss a number of cool topics such as:

  • Song writing
  • Royalties
  • Music for film, TV and games
  • Commissions
  • Copyright and intellectual property in the United States
  • Music licensing
  • Performance rights organisations
  • Business skills
  • Opportunities for composers - like creating audio brands
  • A.I
  • And especially interesting, as the conversation has a US focus, the differences within different territories

So without further delay here's my conversation with Sebastian Wolff, Chris Boardman, and Xiao'an Li from Business Skills For Composers. I hope you enjoy it!

Also, I've started my own music business Facebook group. I've called it the Music Industry Entrepreneurs Association and we're having some cool discussions in there. If you'd like to check it out then visit www.miea.biz

Thanks so much again for listening. I really appreciate your support and I hope you got something out of today's episode. If you haven't already subscribed to the show - search me in either iTunes or Stitcher Radio and that way you'll never miss an episode.


Rodney Holder sits down with a different guest each week for conversations that cut through the noise of the music industry. Music Business Facts-with Rodney Holder is built on the idea that real, sustainable careers are made from practical knowledge, not just talent. You’ll hear from established professionals-from managers and label founders to promoters and hit songwriters-who discuss the unglamorous but essential work behind the scenes. They share specific strategies for building a brand, navigating contracts, generating revenue, and creating lasting opportunities in a fast-changing field. This isn't about vague inspiration; it's a focused look at the operational truths of turning music into a business. Whether you're just starting out or looking to pivot your existing career, this podcast delivers candid advice and firsthand stories that you can apply directly to your own path. Tune in for a clear-eyed perspective on what it really takes to monetize your passion and build a professional life in music.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Music Business Facts- with Rodney Holder
Podcast Episodes
56. Chris O'Neill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:49
My guest today is Chris O’Neil. Chris is the National Manager of the Writer services department for APRA- Which is The Australaisian Performing Right Association. And they are closely affiliated with AMCOS- Who are the A…
64. Sebastian Bach- I'm a businessman! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ex Skid Row front man Sebastian Bach talks to Rodney Holder from musicbusinessfacts.com Sebastian is one of the great rock metal voices of our time and is also a legitimate businessman in his own right. With over 20 mill…
62. Martine Cotton- Music Industry Trainer. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:51
My guest today is Martine Cotton who is the founder and director of music industry professional development resource/community website: www.musicindustryinsideout.com.au, A site that contains free, weekly how-to articles…
61. Phil Collen from Def Leppard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Def Leppard are an English rock act who have sold 100 million records. They've been awarded the prestigious Record Industry Association of America "Diamond Record Sales Certification" twice. Including (2 X separate recor…
60. Burton C. Bell- The Business of Fear Factory! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:43
Burton C. Bell is a veteran of the music business and in this episode of Music Business Facts he shares a plethora of stories on the music business. He is the vocalist for American heavy music act Fear Factory. Burton is…
59. Max Cavalera- Don't make the music business mistakes I did! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:48
In today’s episode I’m absolutely stoked to be bringing you my interview with legendary metal guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Max Cavelera. Max and his ex band Sepultura where a huge influence on me personally and my…
56. Dan Biddle- How I manage Australia's top country band. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:35
Dan Biddle is a successful artist manager who formed TCO Artists (Taking Care Of Artists) in January2014 to handle Management for The McClymonts & The Adam Eckersley Band. He had previously held various marketing, promo…