Show Notes
AI keeps getting called music's biggest threat. Or its biggest opportunity. Both framings miss the point.
The real question is harder: if AI can handle the cognitive work, what's left that actually matters?
We're joined by Jessica Powell, CEO and co-founder of AudioShake, to figure that out. We talked about why experienced practitioners get the most out of AI, what happens to the creators caught in the middle, and whether "AI-generated" is already a useless label.
We also break down how AudioShake works — not generative AI, but subtractive stem separation and why physical media and community could be music's quiet hedge against digital abundance.
CHAPTERS
04:53 Music vs. Code
07:46 Taste and Differentiation
14:27 Should We Label AI Music?
17:41 How AudioShake Works
26:23 Vibe Coding, Jobs, and Disruption
SUMMIT
Get your Trapital Summit tickets here
SPONSORS
Chartmetric: Listen in for our Stat of the Week
Symphonic: Distribute your music to one of the largest networks in the industry. Symphonic delivers your music to over 200 digital service providers ensuring that you’re monetizing every stream and use of your music on Spotify, TikTok, YouTube, and more
TRAPITAL
Where technology shapes culture. New episodes and memos every week. Sign up here for free.
More from Trapital
I sat down with Steve Boom, VP of Audio, Twitch & Games, at the 2026 Trapital Summit to talk about the competition for your attention. Boom oversees Amazon Music, Wondery, Twitch, Audible, and more.
Brazil’s biggest music stars can build massive audiences at home, while Nigeria’s global stars often find most of their listeners abroad. Both are finding success, but the paths to building those audiences look very different.
Kevin Shivers started in an agency mailroom at 31. Today, he’s Co-President of Music at THE·TEAM, representing artists including Tyler, the Creator, Leon Thomas, and Kali Uchis. His approach to building the agency centers on teamwork, developing artists, and what he calls “unreasonable hospitality.”
KevOnStage has millions of followers, a growing production company, and the largest creator deal Tubi has signed to date. But live touring still drives roughly 60% of his revenue, while his TV shows are more about building his long-term business.
I sat down with Primary Wave CEO Larry at the Trapital Summit.