Every Friday, millions of music fans wake up and immediately head to their favorite streaming platform to listen to the latest releases. By Monday, many of those same tracks already feel old in today’s fast-paced world.
For music radio programmers, this unfortunate trend feels all too familiar. It’s taken over not only the music industry, but society in general. Thanks largely to personalized algorithms suggesting, or outright dictating, what audiences should be interested in. Soon after, social media jumps on the trend before eventually peer-pressuring listeners to move on from the very same thing that was just considered a “must-listen.”
In a world dominated by algorithms and viral trends that move faster than a 56K dial-up modem connecting to AOL, famed producer and Goldfinger frontman John Feldmann believes the music itself is what matters in the end.
“The song is king,” said Feldmann, who has produced albums that collectively have sold over 35 million worldwide. “If you’re chasing the latest sound these days, it’s never going to work.”
The Panic! at the Disco and Blink-182 producer’s words ring true for both artists and programmers. They attempt to determine which songs have lasting power versus those that are merely the “hit of the day.”
Algorithm Reliance
Feldmann stresses a Do It Yourself (DIY) mentality. A mindset that he referenced several times during our conversation at Jelly Roll’s Goodnight Nashville location.
“We got in a van and we played shows when Goldfinger first started. I’ve probably played over 10,000 shows in my life,” he said. “If you’re in a band and you’re a new artist, go to every single show and just stand outside and busk — it’s not brain surgery, just busk!”
He mentioned the true way to growth was by earning one fan at a time. Feldman experienced that during his entire career from coast to coast.
“We played 385 shows in 1996, we kept touring,” he continued, while also shouting out KROQ-FM in Los Angeles for being the first to play the band’s 1996 single, Here In Your Bedroom. “That moment when KROQ played the song was huge, but I also had to continually grind after that if I wanted it to last.”
Feldmann believes that same hustle and mentality gives artists their best chance to thrive. Rather than experiencing only a short-lived viral moment. Going viral isn’t necessarily bad, but an artist needs a foundation to maximize and build upon it when, if ever, that viral moment comes.
New Becomes Old Quickly
The DIY philosophy becomes even more important in today’s digital age, as artists compete every week for New Music Friday placement.
“When you listen to New Music Friday. You have the best writers and producers competing against each other song after song. Taylor Swift, Turnstile, Bring Me The Horizon and Megan Moroney all releasing songs on the same day,” noted Feldmann.
With such a competitive field of artists and producers, I asked Feldmann how he approaches creativity in these algorithm-driven times.
“I just make music that I love,” he said. “I don’t make music to chase a trend, or try to get viral on TikTok. I just make music that I love. It takes a lot of other variants, but I still believe that song is king.”
A Winning Formula
One artist Feldmann credited is British singer and songwriter YungBlud, who has grown a massive following. Not only for his pop-punk and alternative music, but also for how he presents and promotes himself to his fanbase.
“I worked a lot with YungBlud and he’s taking over [the industry right now]. He’s hitting everything that an artist needs to. He’s never stopped touring and never stopped writing music,” explained Feldmann. “No matter what the naysayers may say, Dom [YungBlud] is winning. He is absolutely winning.”
Feldmann credits the British musician for using his social media presence to explain to fans the music and songs he is creating. Ultimately, that openness builds a connection listeners appreciate and are willing to support beyond a short-lived viral TikTok moment.
The Programming Lens
Feldmann’s advice applies to music programmers as well. You can’t consistently rely on what is viral at the moment to help your station or brand thrive. Instead, the industry should focus on artists releasing songs with emotional impact, even if they do not strictly follow popular trends.
If they do follow trends, they should elevate the music to another level.
“People in general, but especially creatives are so scared to be judged,” said Feldmann. “If you feel it in your heart and you know it’s what you want to do. Put it out.”
The crowd responded in Nashville with a massive ovation following those words. If you’re a music programmer, artist, or producer, that same ovation could be yours if you believe in yourself.
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‘Gunz’ has been a staple in the music, sports and news industry for over a decade. From his first on-air appearances on MTV and FUSE television as a teenager to broadcasting nationally with Don Imus, to most recently hosting the Vans Warped Tour on Amazon Music, he has become one of the industry’s most insightful and trusted voices. As host of idobi Radio’s ‘The Gunz Show’ (80K+ Weekly Listeners) for the last fifteen years, Gunz has built a reputation for Breaking Bands and Breaking News, including notable debut interviews from bands such as Twenty One Pilots, Cobra Starship, fun., and viral interviews with artists such as Machine Gun Kelly, All Time Low and The All American Rejects. Whether it’s hosting red carpets or exclusive sit-downs with media’s biggest names from Clive Davis to Dana White, Gunz answers not only “What” is happening, but more importantly – “Why?” for programmers, publicists, artists, entertainers and fans alike.
