Time: ~32 min.

It’s Episode 88! This week I’m breaking down some big power shifts currently happening in the music industry. Growing fallout at Wasserman and artist departures, and the ongoing Live Nation and Ticketmaster antitrust lawsuit and why consumer advocates are worried it won’t move forward. I also talk about TikTok’s new hyper-local “Local Feed” feature, what it could mean for artist discovery, and the privacy concerns involved.

Plus, I share new indie music, a marketing tip on why the best time to promote is before you need it, and a heartwarming good news story about an the youngest Grammy winner ever. As always, it’s music, industry insight, and real talk about how these changes impact independent artists and creators navigating today’s landscape.

LINKS:

JOIN US AT MONTAPALOOZA! https://montapalooza.com/

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER! http://eepurl.com/i77C9U

Get your merch! https://scenemomsays.threadless.com/

Join the exclusive group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/965285292398533

Wasserman Artists drop the label https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/02/19/wasserman-artist-exits-2026/

Live Nation working with Trump to make suit disappear? https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/02/12/live-nation-litigation-ncl-statement/

Tik Tok rolling out a hyper local feed https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/02/12/tiktok-us-precise-location-local-feed/

Napster creating AI powered music tool https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/01/28/napster-ai-music-creation-rollout/

8 year old youngest Grammy winner ever https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/8-year-old-maryland-girl-becomes-youngest-grammy-winner-ever-with-daddy-daughter-album-collaboration/

MUSIC:

Joey Wit – Heavy Crown https://joeywit.com/

KONGOS – Cruel https://kongos.com/

Dorsten – Mountain Song https://dorstenmusic.com/

Paracress – Waste https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/paracress/waste

TELL – Things to do when it’s dark https://telltheband.com/

Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com

Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/

All Things Dani https://linktr.ee/dcutleraz

Time: ~31 min

It’s Episode 87! This week covering a wide range of music industry news, indie music, and marketing insights for artists and creators.

I chat about the Super Bowl’s music spotlight, including reactions to the halftime show and a musician’s response to lip-sync accusations. I also break down why TikTok Shop is ending independent seller shipping, what that means for brands and creators, and how Spotify’s removal of millions of streams from a major album raises ongoing concerns about bots, AI, and streaming integrity, especially for independent artists.

Along the way, I’m sharing new music from independent musicians in New England and Ireland, plus a look back at key moments in music history and a marketing tip on building consistency that goes beyond posting frequency.

I wrap things up with some nerdy good news about The Wizard of Oz (yes, the original film).

LINKS:

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER! http://eepurl.com/i77C9U

Get your merch! https://scenemomsays.threadless.com/

Join the exclusive group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/965285292398533

Kid Rock swears he didn't lip sync, it's just the video was off https://consequence.net/2026/02/kid-rock-swears-he-wasnt-lip-syncing/

TikTok ending independent shipping on site https://www.adweek.com/media/tiktok-shop-to-end-independent-shipping-us-logistics/

Spotify removes 25 million streams from tracks https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/02/03/spotify-removes-streams-21-savage/

The Wizard of Oz coming back to broadcast TV after ~30 years https://nerdist.com/article/the-wizard-of-oz-returns-to-broadcast-tv-after-28-years/

Montapalooza Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montapalooza

Montapalooza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montapalooza.ma

MUSIC:

Hotel Saturn – As Long As It Lasts https://hotelsaturn.bandcamp.com/

Jennifer Tefft and the Strange – A Little More https://jennifertefft.com/

Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures – Hollow Choir https://linktr.ee/TheCosmicVultures

Arrows of Athena – You & Me https://arrowsofathena.bandcamp.com/

Martin Moran – The River https://linktr.ee/soy.martino

Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com

Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/

All Things Dani https://linktr.ee/dcutleraz

Time: ~30 min.

It’s Episode 86! This week I dive into the latest music industry shifts, starting with Bandcamp's bold new policy to officially ban music generated by artificial intelligence to "keep Bandcamp human". We recap the historic wins from the 68th Grammy Awards, where Bad Bunny made history with the first Spanish-language Album of the Year, and discuss why artists should—and do—use their platforms to speak on social issues.

The episode also covers why the Red Hot Chili Peppers are distancing themselves from a new Netflix documentary and provides an update on the Mesa Music Festival's new dates in October. For the creators, I offer a marketing tip on why avoiding "rage-bait" is essential for a sustainable brand. Finally, we wrap up with a positive story about an artist turning a French wheat field into a giant photographic image using nothing but photosynthesis.

LINKS:

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER! http://eepurl.com/i77C9U

Get your merch! https://scenemomsays.threadless.com/

Join the exclusive group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/965285292398533

Montapalooza Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montapalooza

Montapalooza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montapalooza.ma

Bandcamp bans AI music with strict new rules https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/01/26/bandcamp-banned-ai-music-rules/

2026 Grammy winner breakdown https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/grammys-2026-winners-list/story?id=129680335

Red Hot Chili Peppers don't want to give it away now https://consequence.net/2026/01/red-hot-chili-peppers-distance-themselves-from-new-netflix-documentary/

A field of wheat becomes world's largest living photograph https://thelaughingotter.com/2026/02/02/a-field-of-wheat-becomes-the-worlds-largest-living-photograph/

MUSIC:

The Maladapative – Used To It https://themaladaptive.bandcamp.com/

The Grownup Noise – Change Your Mind https://www.thegrownupnoise.com/

The Darts – Apocalypse https://linktr.ee/thedartsus

Paper Foxes – Exodus https://linktr.ee/paperfoxes

Palais Ideal – Here and Now https://palaisideal.bandcamp.com/

Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com

Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/

All Things Dani https://linktr.ee/dcutleraz