344. Molly Neuman. CD Baby.
Molly Neuman
December 19, 2024
Listen to full episode :
This interview with Molly Neuman, President of CD Baby, explores her journey from Riot Grrrl musician to music industry executive. With experience as a musician, writer, and publisher, she shares her perspective on balancing creativity with business and staying grounded in her values while navigating the industry's challenges.
Discussion points include:
The Genesis of "Riot Grrrl": Neuman reflects on the origins of the Riot Grrrl movement, highlighting the importance of representation and activism within the music community.
Balancing Creativity and Business: Neuman discusses the challenges and rewards of integrating her creative background with her executive roles, emphasizing the need for adaptability and a willingness to embrace change.
The Evolution of the Music Industry: From her early days in the punk rock scene to her current leadership position, Neuman shares her insights on the industry's ongoing democratization and the importance of empowering musicians.
Leading with Vision: Neuman offers valuable perspectives on leadership, delegation, and the significance of maintaining a strong vision while fostering collaboration.
Molly Neuman is President of CD Baby, a leading music distribution company dedicated to empowering independent and self-releasing artists. As President, Neuman is leading strategy and management of Downtown’s primary D2C business which serves millions of artists every day. Neuman was previously CMO of Downtown Music Holdings, CD Baby’s parent company and prior to that, President of Downtown’s Songtrust, which grew under her leadership to manage more than 3 million copyrights for more than 350,000 writers in 145 countries. With a career that has been focused on empowering musicians at all career stages, Neuman has been Head of Music at Kickstarter, Interim President and Vice President of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), and has held senior roles in licensing in digital music, as well as label and artist management. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Women in Music and has previously served on the boards of the Music Business Association, SoundExchange and A2IM. Neuman has been recognized by Billboard in its 2018 Digital Power Players List, as well as its Women in Music Lists for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. Her musical career began as a drummer in Bratmobile, a punk band who were in the first wave of the riot grrrl movement.
Follow & Learn More:
Molly Nueman
CD Baby
Downtown Music