Mattrix Minute: Music Business Newsletter

About Mattrix Minute: Music Business Newsletter

Music industry veteran Matthew Rix, with over 25 years of experience in marketing and A and  roles for top record labels, is back with something new to help you, the artist, achieve ultimate success: The Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix. After working closely and helping  artists from all over the world with his Music Business audio series “Mattrix Minute” achieving over 25 million sales and streams on platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and more, Matthew has turned his focus to empowering artists through his free music business newsletter. Now, you can receive insider knowledge and expert advice in his brand-new video and audio podcast, where he answers your burning questions about the music industry. Whether you're struggling with marketing, strategy, or navigating the industry’s complexities, let Matthew be your coach. Best of all, it’s completely free to submit your question! Tune in, get answers, and take your music career to the next level. You can submit your question by visiting the Mattrix Minute website (https://MattrixMinute.com)

Publisher

Soho Artistry

Category

business · music · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jun 2024

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

48 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Signed to a Major Label... Why Can't I Find a Manager? || Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix

   A major label deal should unlock a team, not leave you drowning in bio requests, approvals, travel, and questionable manager pitches. In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter, Matthew Rix breaks down a listener’s question about finding legitimate music management after signing with a major record label. The artist has released five singles, won a Nashville music award, and gained real momentum but is overwhelmed by the business side of their career. Matthew explains how artists can vet a music manager, identify red flags, and avoid signing bad management agreements. He discusses inflated industry connections, fake client rosters, upfront monthly fees, commission percentages, arena-tour promises, and the difference between a manager who wants to build a career and someone who wants a share of your income. You’ll learn: - How to vet a music manager before signing a contract - Warning signs of fake or inexperienced management companies - Why upfront monthly management fees can be a major red flag - How music management commissions typically work - What a major record label should already be helping with - The roles of managers, publicists, business managers, booking agents, and lawyers - Why artists should consult their label team and entertainment attorney - How to protect yourself from misleading industry claims If you’re an independent artist, major-label artist, songwriter, musician, or manager building a music career, this episode offers practical advice for finding the right team and avoiding costly mistakes. Submit your music industry question at https://MatthewRix.com. #MusicBusiness #MusicIndustry #MusicManager #MusicManagement #MusicCareer #IndependentArtist #RecordLabel #MajorLabel #MusicBusinessAdvice #ArtistManagement #MusicIndustryTips #MusicianTips #MusicCareerAdvice #MusicMarketing #EntertainmentIndustry #SongwriterTips #NashvilleMusic #MusicContract #MusicLaw #MusicArtists Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA) Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835) Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA)

2. 

   13 May 2026

   Spotify

   In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from an independent artist wrestling with one of the most talked-about issues in the music business right now: What is Spotify actually doing for musicians and is it still worth the energy we put into it? This artist has listened to the Mattrix Minute for years, appreciates the realistic guidance, and now wants to go deeper on a topic almost every creator finds confusing and frustrating: • Spotify pays very little per stream so even a few thousand plays barely move the needle for most artists. • The algorithm is opaque, with no clear way to predict or control what listeners see. • Streams don’t reliably convert into real fans who buy merch, come to shows, or support you directly. • And with so much global content being uploaded, meaningful discovery feels harder than ever. Spotify still dominates streaming, and it does pay out billions in royalties each year but the way that revenue is distributed often benefits rights holders and major artists far more than the everyday independent musician. In this episode, we explore: • What Spotify’s role should be in an artist’s strategy • The difference between streams, exposure, and true fan engagement • Why chasing metrics alone can be misleading • Alternatives or supplemental paths for independent artists • How to integrate streaming into a wider career plan This isn’t about hating on Spotify it’s about understanding its strengths, limitations, and how artists can think about it realistically in 2025 and beyond. Have a question about the music business or your own career? Send it to MatthewRix.com, include as many details as possible so your question can help others too. Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA) Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835) Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA)

3. 

   23 Apr 2026

   Music Business Questions | Behind The Curtain

   this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a female independent artist who’s starting to notice something most artists eventually run into: There’s the public version of the music industry… And then there’s what actually happens behind the scenes. She’s been doing the right things: * releasing music * building an audience * growing locally But now she’s being approached with “opportunities” in management conversations, label interest, and industry connections, and none of it feels clearly defined. It’s all vague language. No specifics. No clear structure. So she’s asking a deeper question: How does the music industry actually work behind the curtain? In this episode, we break down: * How opportunities really happen (and who controls them) * The role of relationships vs data * What “connections” actually mean in practice * Why perception and timing matter more than most artists realize * The gap between public advice and private decision-making * And how artists can protect themselves without becoming cynical This isn’t about exposing secrets. It’s about understanding the system so you can move through it intelligently. If you’ve ever felt like there’s a side of the industry no one explains this episode will give you clarity. Have a question about the music industry or something you’re navigating right now? Send it to https://MatthewRix.com, include as many details as possible so your story can help others too. #musicbusiness #musicindustry #musicindustrysecrets #musicindustrytips Listen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype. Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q7OIaGiqgG4EDGYTkldPk?si=Z-9e3RbQRGyaGUElsSeQtA) Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matthew-rix/1104156835) Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01EB5VH92/matthew-rix) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrd2qk66ns4cQeqAJwzdlA)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

50 ratings

Contact Mattrix Minute: Music Business Newsletter

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.