Did you know that music and technology go hand-in-hand? In fact, most of what we know about the ‘music business’ today was ignited because of technology – and that’s exactly the topic me and Daria Gassanova discuss in episode 16 of The Curious Creator podcast. If you don’t know by now, I am also a musician, so I’m highly fascinated with Daria’s background and how she managed to evolve through the intersection of her love of music, technology and of course, entrepreneurship. That’s exactly what we talk about, including: - Daria’s journey from being a musician to an entrepreneur (music export Ukraine) and how it's led to her being a product manager Kobalt Music  - How social media platforms have changed the way the music industry discovers talent and what makes for a great discovery (from an A&R POV)- How to define and manage what being a successful independent musician is (songwriter, musician, artist, singer or music producer) and the approach indies should take when navigating the new music business- How important it is to follow your passion and how to integrate multiple interests and skills to find your Ikigai (your best self and calling) If you’re an entrepreneurial creative (of any sort), this is a must-watch. Lots of interesting nuances to our conversation, and one I would gladly do again. 01:35 Daria's Background 02:41 Being a Product Manager06:16 Technology & Music Publishing08:37 Musical Roots and Inspirations11:06 Cultural Influence and Music15:27 Building a Fan Community19:20 The Business Side of Music23:26 The DIY vs. Major Label 30:40 Defining Success in the Music Industry36:48 Discovering Artists40:03 The Impact of TikTok and AI 50:10 Navigating Career Paths58:28 Embracing a Multifaceted Career https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-gassanova-a3b701124/https://www.kobaltmusic.com/ #musicindustry #musicbusiness #independentartist