Is 'Traditional Media' Still Relevant for New Artists?

Does the music industry still need the music press? Do new acts still care about media coverage? Explore the shifting landscape of music promotion in the digital era with Atlanta Cobb, the award-winning Music Business Coach and manager of multi-platinum selling artists. In this episode, Drowned in Sound's founder Sean Adams delves deep into the existential questions surrounding the relevance of traditional music press in a time of TikTok. Atlanta shares her journey from Florence + The Machine fan site creator to consultant and coach, aiding hundreds of artists in navigating their evolving careers. DiS017 | Season 2 - The Future of the Music Press | EP9 Key Topics and Time Stamps: 00:00 The Changing Role of Music Press 00:13 Audience Consumption Shift 00:51 Insights from a New Generation Music Consultant 01:34 Challenges in Getting New Artists Coverage 02:15 Decline of Music Press Influence 03:48 Rise of Social Media in the Music Industry 05:05 Reality of Music Consumerism 06:44 The Impact of Press on an Artist's Career 09:58 Role of Fan Communities in Music Promotion 10:19 Atlanta's Journey into the Music Industry 21:22 Impact of Press Quotes in Marketing 28:10 Effects of Social Media on Artists 29:51 Power of Audience and Fans in Music 30:55 Potential of Social Media Platforms 36:55 Role of Social Media in Music Promotion 51:00 Struggles of New Artists in Today's Industry 57:10 Need for Adaptation in the Music Industry 58:18 Closing Thoughts: The Love for Music Insightful Quotes from Atlanta Coombs: "Consistency is crucial, both in how press champions artists and how I advise my artists in their promotional strategies"​​. "The industry's trend towards TikTok and social media metrics often overlooks talented artists who lack massive followings or resources"​​. "The music industry needs to find different approaches to adapt and evolve, especially in how artists release music and engage in storytelling"​​. "It's like the wild west out there in the music industry, but having a deep love for it is essential to navigate its complexities and stay the course"​​. About Atlanta Cobb: Atlanta's rich background includes roles at Island Records and Columbia Records, working with artists like Post Malone and Drake. Atlanta was recently a day-to-day Artist Manager at Crown Talent & Media Group, working with artists such as Becky Hill, Ella Henderson, and Camden Cox. Links: Atlanta on TikTok Learn more about Atlanta's mentoring for new artists Subscribe to Drowned in Sound's Substack newsletter for thoughts and advice on the modern music industry Subscribe and Follow: To stay updated with the latest in the music industry and Drowned in Sound episodes, subscribe to our podcast and follow us on our social channels.