Independent music, industry news, interviews and more with your host Dani Cutler. New shows every Thursday! Dani worked in independent radio for over 16 years in Phoenix, AZ supporting local and independent artists, and was deemed ”Scene Mom” by the community. Since then she has made the move to Massachusetts but will be a cheerleader for indie artists no matter where she lives.
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
30 min
Time: ~30 min.
It's Episode 102. It has been an up-and-down couple of weeks. First I received a very special award. Then last week the Massachusetts music community lost two incredible musicians within a day of each other - Linda Pardee, co-founder of The Chelsea Curve, and Worcester's own Jorge Rodriguez, known to so many of us as Tasteless Jack. This episode is for them. I'm playing music from both artists alongside your regular music news including Warner Music's AI licensing bombshell, YouTube's new view count system, why radio is very much not dead, and Phoebe Bridgers doing something really special for her fans. Plus music history and your marketing tip. Give those close to you a hug. 🖤
LINKS:
Support Life and Music (SLAM) https://www.supportlifeandmusic.org/
SLAM YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SupportLifeAndMusic
Some labels are making deals with AI companies to get that cash https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/08/06/wmg-ai-licensing-deals-suno-cash/
YouTube changed long form view counts https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/08/17/youtube-long-form-video-views-changes/
Ad supported AM/FM reaches further than Spotify https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/28/am-fm-radio-ad-supported-reach/
Phoebe Bridgers Planetarium Experience https://consequence.net/2026/08/phoebe-bridgers-announces-lost-weekend-planetarium-experience/
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
MUSIC:
The Chelsea Curve: In Real Life & Kindawanna https://thechelseacurve.bandcamp.com/album/the-rideout
Tasteless Jack: Weather & As Far As I Get https://tastelessjack.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Aug 13, 2026
Aug 13, 2026
27 min
Time: ~27 min.
It's Episode 101! This week a global coalition of major AND independent labels just proposed a framework to ban AI generated music from official chart rankings worldwide. Payola is strong in social media. Influencers are openly accepting secret payments from record labels to promote music without disclosing it to their audiences. And small community arts organizations across the country are doing the most important work of their lives right now with, in one director's words, the lint from their pockets. Plus music history, your marketing tip, and indie tracks from all over the place! Let's get into it!
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
Local arts groups that shape community culture are facing financial pressure https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/local-arts-groups-that-shape-community-culture-face-financial-pressure
Major and Indie labels unite to take on AI music charting https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/29/labels-indies-unite-to-ban-ai-music-charts/
Influencers are being paid to push music, and not disclosing the information https://www.npr.org/2026/07/13/nx-s1-5849926/influencers-paid-music-promotion
MUSIC:
Franco O’Malley – The Coffee Song https://www.soundbitesevents.com/
Upsahl – I Like It https://www.upsahl.com/
Max Frost - Back In The Summer https://maxfrost.ffm.to/bio
Gunshots or Fireworks – Open Mic https://gunshotsorfireworks.net
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Aug 6, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
28 min
Time: ~29 min.
It's Episode 100!! This week instead of music news I'm doing something a little different: A recap of the top 5 music news stories I've covered across 99 episodes. I also have an important update on the Live Nation DOJ settlement comment period, a personal story about a musician who needs some support right now, music history, and an all-women indie music lineup from Phoenix, Central Massachusetts, and Boston. Thank you for supporting me and the show the past 2 ½ years!
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
Rent help for Chelsey Louise: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rent-help-for-chelseys-healing-journey
Public Comment for the DOJ/Live Nation settlement open until September 4: Email LiveNationPublicComment@usdoj.gov
MUSIC:
Fairy Bones - No One Can Suffer Like I Can https://linktr.ee/fairybonesmusic
Amanda Meli - I https://linktr.ee/AmandaMeli
Jennifer Tefft and the Strange - A Little More https://jennifertefft.com/
Lovina Falls - Tragedy https://lovinafalls.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Jul 23, 2026
Jul 23, 2026
31 min
Time: ~31min.
It's Episode 99! This week Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey just introduced legislation to cap ticket resale prices and it's named after a Noah Kahan album. Sony just filed a brand new lawsuit against AI music generator Udio, and this time we're talking 30,000 songs and $4.5 billion in potential damages. TikTok is testing a deepfake detection tool and it involves scanning your face. Plus I have a very special debut single preview from Vermont artist Shaely O'Dou that I think you are going to love, your marketing tip, music history, and indie tracks from Boston, Vermont, and Missouri! Let's get into it!
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
Ramblin' Roads Country Fest https://www.ramblinroadsentertainment.com/
Public Comment for the DOJ/Live Nation settlement open until September 4: Email LiveNationPublicComment@usdoj.gov
Massachusetts targets ticket scalpers https://www.masslive.com/politics/2026/07/mass-gov-healey-targets-huge-ticket-resale-fees-its-unfuriating.html
Sony is suing, again. https://www.theverge.com/tech/968375/sony-udio-lawsuit-songs-ai-copyright
TikTok testing AI deepfake detection tech https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/20/tiktok-starts-testing-ai-deepfake-detection-tech/
MUSIC:
Girl With A Hawk- Way With Words https://girlwithahawk.bandcamp.com/
Other Brother Darryl – Too Right https://otherbrotherdarryl.com/
Shaely O’Dou – Worth The Risk https://shaelyodoumusic.com/
Megan & Shane – Things Don’t Have To Change https://meganandshanemusic.com
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Jul 16, 2026
Jul 16, 2026
26 min
Time: ~27 min.
It's Episode 98! International artists are being priced and processed out of touring in the US, and the numbers are really alarming. StubHub's CEO was just exposed as a part owner of a fund that scalps tickets on his own platform (yes, really). And the DOJ's proposed Live Nation settlement is now open for public comment until September 4th, meaning you actually have a chance to weigh in before a federal judge decides if it's good enough. Plus your marketing tip, music history, and indie tracks from Phoenix, Boston, and LA/Seattle! Let's get into it!
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
International artists are struggling to tour in the US https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/09/impact-of-us-music-artist-o-1-visa/
StubHub's CEO is scalping tickets https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/10/stubhub-marketplace-scalper-ceo/
The public comment period for the Live Nation DOJ settlement is open https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/14/doj-live-nation-settlement-comment-period/
MUSIC:
The Hourglass Cats - VOODOO https://linktr.ee/thehourglasscats
Glowbox - Junior's Farm https://glowbox.bandcamp.com/
Charming Arson - The Wednesday of My Discontent https://linktr.ee/charmingarson
Mr. Dinkles - Grinding My Teeth https://mrdinkles.komi.io/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Jul 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
29 min
Time: ~30 min.
It's Episode 97! Live Nation is back in court trying to throw out the jury verdict that found them guilty of running a monopoly. Twenty-nine artist and songwriter organizations around the world just sent a very clear message to the music industry about AI consent. And podcast consumption in the US just hit 812 million hours per week, which means if you're not thinking about podcasting as part of your marketing strategy, now's the time. Plus your marketing tip, music history, and indie tracks all from Central Massachusetts! Let's get into it!
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
Prior to DOJ settlement, Live Nation CEO met with Trump https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/06/24/live-nation-ceo-met-with-trump-prior-to-doj-settlement/
And now Live Nation wants to have the verdict thrown out and start over https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/07/06/live-nation-usa-v-live-nation-verdict-appeal/
With how much podcast listening has grown, musicians absolutely need to be taking advantage https://www.edisonresearch.com/total-podcast-consumption-time-up-386-since-2016/
MUSIC:
The Maladaptive – Waiting on the World https://themaladaptive.bandcamp.com/
Tasteless Jack – As Far As I Get https://tastelessjack.com/
John Gerard – New England https://johngerard.com/
Mowesby – Perspective https://mowesby.bandcamp.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Jul 2, 2026
Jul 2, 2026
31 min
Time: ~32 min.
It’s Episode 96! This week's episode is a good one. We've got an indie artist who is suing Spotify over some pretty alarming algorithm allegations, the heartbreaking story of the singer behind Josie and the Pussycats who has seen almost nothing in residuals in 25 years, a guy in the UK who just got sentenced to prison for burning CDs in 2026 (yes you read that right) and Olivia Rodrigo doing something amazing that I really needed to hear this week. Plus your marketing tip, music history, and indie tracks from Massachusetts, Arizona, Connecticut, and London.
Also- I teased the next Montapalooza date in episode 95 and now I can make it official. Mark your calendars for Saturday July 17th, 2027! We're moving to summer and I could not be more excited about it. Tune in and get all the details!
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
An indie artist has sued Spotify for their filtering practices https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/06/23/spotify-lawsuit-filtering-practices/
The singer behind the Josie and the Pussycats film is in a residual battle https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/06/26/josie-and-the-pussycats-singer-residuals-battle/
In 2026, someone went to jail for burning CDs https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/06/19/uk-man-prison-sentence-burning-cds/
Olivia Rodrigo is my heroine https://pitchfork.com/news/olivia-rodrigo-launches-music-festival-daisy-chain-fields/
MUSIC:
Cape Crush – Train in Motion https://linktr.ee/CapeCrush
The Bellwethers – Let Them Down https://linktr.ee/thebellwethers
The Pretty Graves – Walkin’ https://www.theprettygraves.com/
Austel – White Linen https://austelmusic.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
Jun 18, 2026
Jun 18, 2026
35 min
Time: ~35 min.
It’s Episode 95! It has been a very full few weeks and I have a LOT to catch you up on. First and most importantly — Montapalooza happened. Our first ever music festival went down on May 30th and I have so much to tell you about it. This week's music news is wild. Google is arguing that uploading your music to YouTube may have already given them permission to use it for AI training, the musician’s union just turned around and sued Universal and Warner for doing the exact same thing the labels publicly called out AI companies for doing, and Prince's vault is open with ten previously unreleased recordings spanning 4 decades. Plus your weekly marketing tip, music history, and indie tracks from Arizona, Boston, and Ireland. Tap play!
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
Google thinks because you upload your music, they can use it to train their AI https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/06/10/youtube-ai-lawsuit-dismissal-motion/
Musician Union sues Universal and Warner over AI use https://pitchfork.com/news/musicians-union-sues-universal-and-warner-over-ai-use/
Unreleased Prince songs coming in new album https://stereogum.com/2501302/unreleased-prince-songs-collected-on-new-album-timeless/music
MUSIC:
Decker. - Patsy https://www.deckermusic.org/
Jennifer Tefft & The Strange - Silver https://jennifertefft.com/
Dorsten - 9 Miles a Minute https://dorstenmusic.com/
Martin Moran - Sleepchild https://martinmoran.bandcamp.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
May 21, 2026
May 21, 2026
27 min
Time: ~28 min.
It’s Episode 94! This week's episode has a theme that I didn't totally plan but I love: Authenticity. We've got a story about a company that got caught running fake fan networks for major artists, a fascinating look at how music actually lands on Netflix and what that means for indie artists, a marketing tip about humanizing your brand, some music history, indie tracks from Boston, Atlanta, and Central Massachusetts, and some genuinely wonderful good news science story to close things out. Tune in!
LINKS:
JOIN US AT MONTAPALOOZA May 30! 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
Chaotic Good scrubs website after saying all they do is fake https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/05/13/chaotic-good-website-scrubbed/
Can you get your music on a Netflix show? https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/03/25/netflix-music-major-label/
Study shows the arts can slow biological aging https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5818172/study-arts-slow-biological-aging
MUSIC:
Smitt E Smitty and the Fezztones – Big Ass American Car https://smittesmitty.bandcamp.com/
Improvement Movement – Still Cold https://myimprovementmovement.com/
Ron Carlson – Moonbeam https://roncarlsonmusic.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/
All Things Dani https://linktr.ee/dcutleraz
May 7, 2026
May 7, 2026
27 min
Time: 28 min.
It’s Episode 93! This episode has a theme running through it whether I planned it that way or not. AI is everywhere, it's causing real damage to real people, and the industry is starting to fight back. We've got a story about an artist defamation suit that genuinely made my jaw drop, some big moves from Spotify, a wild statistic about how many new podcasts are actually fake, and a science story about sound that took me completely by surprise. Plus your weekly marketing tip, music history, and some great indie tracks. Tap play!
LINKS:
JOIN US AT MONTAPALOOZA May 30! 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
New YouTube tool replaces music instantly https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/05/05/youtube-quick-music-swap-ai/
39% of podcasts are AI generated https://gizmodo.com/more-than-a-third-of-all-new-podcasts-are-ai-generated-2000753786
New Spotify badge shows music that is not AI generated https://www.engadget.com/2161028/spotifys-new-verification-badge-shows-that-music-is-not-ai-generated/
Musician sues Google after AI overview wrongly says he's a sex offender https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/05/05/musician-sues-google-ai-overview-wrong/
The sound of rain makes seeds grow faster https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/the-sound-of-rain-makes-seeds-grow-faster-mit/
MUSIC:
oceans Of emotions - Hearts Doin Time https://cactus-heart.com/
Adam Sherman Band - Miles https://linktr.ee/adamshermanmusic
Sour Ops – Opting Out https://sourops.com/
Feedback: scenemomsays@gmail.com
Submit Your Music: https://danicutler.com/podcast/submit-your-music/