In the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry, new platforms are emerging that aim to empower artists and curators alike. One such platform is WallStream, a unique marketplace that facilitates partnerships between artists and curators, influencers, and labels. We sat down with the founder of WallStream to learn more about the platform and its potential to disrupt the music industry.

Q: Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to create WallStream?

A: I am a software engineer and entrepreneur. Together with my partner, we've created several successful platforms, including BlueSnap (formerly Plimus), Audiu.net, and RepostExchange. However, my journey into the music industry was inspired by my daughter, a singer-songwriter. As I watched her navigate the complexities of the music industry, I saw an opportunity to create a platform that would make it easier for artists and curators to connect and collaborate.

Q: Can you share an example of a costly mistake you made while trying to promote your daughter's music?

A: Certainly. One of the most significant mistakes we made was paying for a "Spotify Campaign" without fully understanding that it was essentially a pay-for-play scheme. The result was that her song ended up on irrelevant playlists, which actually damaged her Spotify account for a while. It was a hard lesson, but it highlighted the need for a more transparent and artist-friendly approach to music promotion.

Q: What are the benefits of using WallStream for artists and curators/influencers/labels?

A: WallStream offers a multitude of benefits for both artists and curators/influencers/labels.

For artists, WallStream provides a unique platform to be discovered, bypassing traditional gatekeepers in the music industry. Artists can create campaigns and pitch their tracks to potential partners, offering a percentage of their future royalties in return for promotion. This allows artists to access promotional opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach, and to generate revenue from their music that they might not have been able to achieve on their own.

For curators/influencers/labels, WallStream offers a new revenue stream. By partnering with artists and promoting their music, they can earn a share of the future royalties. This provides an incentive to discover and promote new music. Additionally, they earn a fee for reviewing pitches, providing another source of income.

In essence, WallStream creates a win-win situation for both artists and curators/influencers/labels. It democratizes the music industry, giving artists more control over their careers and enabling influencers to benefit financially from their influence and promotional efforts.

Q: Can you elaborate on the specific ways users can generate income on WallStream?

A: Absolutely. On WallStream, both artists and their partners have several avenues to generate income.

For artists, the primary source of income is the revenue generated from their music. When an artist pitches their track to a partner and a deal is closed, the partner promotes the track on their platform. This promotion can lead to increased streams, views and downloads, which generate revenue. The artist and the partner then share this revenue based on the terms of their deal.

Artists can also raise funds from the public through WallStream's funding campaigns. In these campaigns, artists offer a share of their future royalties in exchange for upfront funding from fans or investors. This can provide artists with the funds they need to produce new music, create music videos, or invest in marketing.

For partners, there are two main sources of income. The first is the share of future royalties they receive when they close a deal with an artist. The second is the fee they receive for reviewing pitches from artists. This fee is paid regardless of whether they accept or decline the pitch, providing a steady income stream for partners who actively engage with the platform.

In addition, partners can also earn money by discovering and promoting new artists. If an artist they've promoted becomes successful, the partner will benefit from the increase in streams and downloads, leading to higher royalty payments.

Overall, WallStream provides a variety of ways for users to monetize their music or their promotional efforts, creating a sustainable business model for everyone involved in the music industry.

Q: What are some of the challenges artists face when trying to get signed by a label, and what changes once they do get signed?

A: The process of getting signed by a label can be incredibly challenging. It involves a lot of networking, showcasing talent, and often, a bit of luck. Even when an artist does get signed, the journey doesn't end there. They often have to navigate complex contracts, relinquish some control over their music, and share a significant portion of their earnings with the label. While labels can provide valuable resources and exposure, the trade-offs can be substantial.

Q: Is WallStream designed only for emerging artists and smaller curators, or can established artists and larger entities also benefit from the platform?

A: While WallStream is indeed a powerful tool for emerging artists and smaller curators, it's not exclusive to them. Established artists and larger entities can also greatly benefit from the platform. The flexibility and transparency offered by WallStream can be advantageous for artists and curators at any stage of their career.

Q: Can traditional record labels also utilize WallStream's services?

A: Absolutely. Traditional record labels can use WallStream to discover new talent, streamline their deal-making processes, and manage revenue sharing more efficiently. The platform can serve as a valuable addition to their A&R efforts. With WallStream, labels can be more efficient as they don't need to spend money on legal, finance, distribution, or worry about the revenue share. We take care of all that.

Q: How does WallStream ensure compliance with Spotify's terms and conditions?

A: WallStream is committed to operating within the guidelines set by all music platforms, including Spotify. We do not engage in any practices that violate these terms, such as pay-for-play schemes. Instead, we focus on facilitating genuine connections between artists and curators, which ultimately leads to organic growth and success.

Q: WallStream has been compared to Uber and Airbnb for its potential to disrupt the music industry. Can you elaborate on this analogy?

A: That's a great analogy. Just as Uber and Airbnb have democratized the taxi and hospitality industries respectively, WallStream aims to do the same for the music industry. Uber enabled anyone with a car to become a taxi driver, and Airbnb allowed homeowners to become hoteliers. Similarly, WallStream empowers any curator or influencer to function like a record label, providing them with the tools to discover artists, close deals, and share in the success of the music they help promote. It's about leveling the playing field and creating opportunities for all.

WallStream is a testament to the power of innovation in the music industry. By providing a platform for artists and curators to connect and collaborate, it's helping to democratize the music industry and create new opportunities for all. Whether you're an artist looking to get your music heard or a curator looking to discover new talent, WallStream is a platform worth exploring.