When Everyone Has a Label: The New Rules of Music Collaboration with Kyle Watson | EF EP 109

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS.

Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/

Think starting your own label is always the right move? Kyle Watson's insights about the current industry landscape might change your perspective entirely. While everyone is rushing to launch their own platforms, few are discussing the unintended consequences this creates for collaboration, content creation, and building careers.

From running No Context with his wife, Tash, to navigating the realities of social media as an artist, Kyle reveals the challenges and opportunities facing today's music industry. His 15+ year journey offers hard-won wisdom about persistence, authenticity, and building something sustainable in an increasingly complex landscape.

Key Takeaways:

-Why the proliferation of artist-owned labels is changing collaboration dynamics
-How to navigate release decisions when multiple labels are involved
-The reality of social media pressure
-Why content creation has become as important as music creation
-How to balance artistic integrity with business and social media demands
-The reality of learning label management from scratch
-Why having a supportive partner in business can be a game-changer
-How to maintain creative authenticity while building something sustainable
-Why persistence and long-term thinking trump viral moments
-The new rules of collaboration in an oversaturated label market
-How to build genuine connections in an increasingly competitive industry

Ready to level up your music career? Join my artist development program on Patreon for exclusive content and direct access to industry expertise: patreon.com/oliviamancuso

The industry has changed - make sure your strategy has too. Hit play now to understand the new dynamics shaping modern music careers.

Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__

Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx