In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Mark Williamson, the Co-founder and CEO of ROSTR, a cutting-edge platform that’s changing the way industry professionals track relationships and data in the music business. Mark takes us on a journey through his fascinating career, from his pivotal role in launching Spotify in the U.S. in 2011 to the creation and evolution of ROSTR, which serves as a real-time music industry directory and data platform.

This conversation covers the rapid evolution of the music tech landscape, the transformation of the live music industry, and how platforms like ROSTR are adapting to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing market. Mark shares his unique perspective on music industry shifts, the increasing importance of AI in music, and the future of direct-to-fan engagement. Whether you’re an artist, manager, promoter, or music tech innovator, this episode provides critical insights into the forces shaping the industry and how professionals can stay ahead of the curve.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The Evolution of ROSTR: Learn how ROSTR began as a tool to help the music industry track relationships between artists, managers, publishers, and booking agents, and how it’s evolved into a dynamic real-time music industry directory offering news updates similar to an Instagram feed for the industry.
• Mark’s Journey from Spotify to ROSTR: Hear Mark reflect on his career, from his experience in the tech world to his pivotal role in launching Spotify in the U.S., where he helped introduce the streaming service to artists and users. He shares insights into the early challenges of educating artists on streaming economics and how he helped build Spotify’s artist relations team to bridge the gap.
• Music Tech Innovation & Data Access: Discover why the need for faster, more accessible music industry data led to the creation of ROSTR, and how the platform uses cutting-edge technology to provide real-time updates and actionable insights to music industry professionals.
• The Shift from Album Sales to Live Music: Mark discusses the shift in the industry from album sales to a focus on live performances, a trend fueled by piracy and platforms like Napster, and how ROSTR supports this new live music ecosystem by connecting artists and industry professionals in real time.
• The Role of AI in the Future of Music: AI is changing everything, and Mark shares his thoughts on the exciting potential and uncertainty surrounding AI’s role in music tech. He discusses how AI-driven tools will offer new opportunities for both music creators and consumers, and what that could mean for jobs in the industry.
• The Future of Direct-to-Fan Engagement: In today’s digital age, the need for artists to connect directly with their audiences is more important than ever. Mark explores how major platforms limit these connections and why innovation in direct-to-fan strategies will become critical for future success.
• The Changing Music Job Market: Learn about the current state of the music job market, including how layoffs have shifted the balance of power from candidates to employers. Mark also shares the success of ROSTR’s job board, which has attracted thousands of weekly visits and has posted over 1,000 job opportunities to help connect the right talent with the right roles.
• Building Products in Music Tech: Mark shares insights into the challenges and rewards of building tech products for the music industry, especially when integrating different platforms and services. He discusses how ROSTR is innovating in this space, even as the industry continues to navigate economic uncertainty.