How ChatGPT is changing the music industry with Virginie Berger

Here’s a fascinating conversation with music industry expert Virginie Berger about what Chat CPT is bringing to the table and what it isn’t.

by Jamie Ford from Byta

Virginie Berger

Virginie Berger, a music and tech industry veteran, specializes in rights management, digital transformation, and music business innovation. With over 20 years of experience as SVP Global Publishing at Downtown Music-Songtrust, Armonia, Myspace, and Microsoft, she has driven revenue, built partnerships, and championed artists’ rights. A curator, professor, and artist advocate, she excels in music rights innovation and monetization.She is currently an international advisor, helping companies enhance brand awareness, cultivate partnerships, and pioneer rights innovation. Additionally, she is relaunching her media platform, Don’t Believe the Hype, dedicated to music business, innovation, and international expertise.

Who are you? Where do you work?

With a legacy in the music and tech industry spanning over two decades, I specialize in rights management, digital transformation, and music business innovation. My roles as SVP Global Publishing at Downtown Music-Songtrust, Armonia, Myspace, and Microsoft have been instrumental in driving revenue, forging enduring partnerships, and advocating for artists’ rights. I have championed music rights innovation and monetization, leveraging my experience as a curator, professor, and artist advocate.

Currently, I am serving as an international advisor, enabling companies to augment brand awareness, foster strategic partnerships, and pioneer rights innovation. In addition, I am steering the relaunch of my media platform, ‘Don’t Believe the Hype,’ which is a beacon for insights into music business, innovation, and international expertise.

I live in the lively neighborhood of Venice, California. My workspaces? As varied as my projects – from my living room to my garden, and even local coffee shops.

What are you currently listening to?

I often listen to podcasts that cover a range of topics from news and politics to societal issues and history. 

In terms of music, my tastes are pretty eclectic. I’ve been listening to a good amount of indie punk rock recently, with bands like Fontaines D.C. (my favorite, they are magnetic and amazing, all albums) and Squid on my regular rotation. I also enjoy the innovative sounds of Flying Lotus.

Of course, I have a soft spot for bands I’ve loved for years like Pulp, LCD Soundsystem, The Cure, Chicago, and The Pixies. 

And when I need to buckle down and work, I usually opt for classical music…

Give us a small insight into your daily routine…

My day typically kicks off super early, thanks to an internal old-man clock and a particularly spirited cat. The first thing I do is check the news back in France – gotta stay updated. But, I draw the line at emails; they can wait until after I’ve had my coffee.

The rest of the day really depends on what’s on the agenda. It can be a whirlwind of calls, fire-fighting emergencies, or strategy sessions for clients. I try to stack my calls in the morning to keep the afternoon clear for focused work. And thanks to the joys of time difference being in LA, some of those calls can be really early.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I make it a point to step out and head to a coffee shop. Nothing beats a change of scenery and a good walk for some mental downtime.

Recently, I’ve found myself back in the writing groove after a dry spell of a few years. I used to run a media outlet in France and now, I’m gearing up for its US launch with new articles and podcasts. So, yeah, there’s quite a lot going on in my days!

ChatGPT: Innovating the Music Ecosystem

Since its inception, ChatGPT has sparked a lively debate, both laudatory and critical. The question is no longer whether it will revolutionize the music industry, but rather how profound its impact will be, given that it’s already started to shake things up. As professionals navigating the intricate music ecosystem, we employ an array of tools to propel both music and careers. Now, we have ChatGPT added to our toolbox.

Let’s explore some of the ways this innovative tool can potentially assist us…

• What exactly is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI that uses machine learning algorithms to understand and generate human-like text. It works on the principle of predicting the next word in a sentence based on all the previous words. The AI has been trained on a vast amount of data from books, articles, and websites which enables it to generate creative, diverse, and contextually relevant responses.

• How can ChatGPT assist in my creative process as an independent musician?

ChatGPT can be used for brainstorming song lyrics, generating new musical concepts, or even crafting engaging bios and album descriptions. For example, you could prompt ChatGPT with lyrics you’ve been working on, followed by a request to continue these lyrics in a certain style.

For example:

Input: “Here are my lyrics: ‘In the heart of the city, under the neon lights…’. Continue these lyrics in a pop style.”

• Can ChatGPT help me enhance my online presence?

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to generate content for your blog, create engaging social media posts, or even develop personalized responses to fan messages. This can foster a stronger connection with your audience and enhance your online visibility.

For example:

Input: “Write a social media post about my upcoming EP release.”

• How can ChatGPT assist in the administrative tasks of my music career?

ChatGPT can help draft emails, create contracts, or generate polite, firm responses to unfair offers. This allows you to focus more on your music, while the AI handles these necessary but time-consuming tasks.

For instance:

Input: “Draft a response to an event organizer offering less than my standard performance fee.”

• How can ChatGPT help me navigate the complex landscape of music copyright?

ChatGPT can provide preliminary advice on copyright and intellectual property rights. While it can’t replace professional legal advice, it can provide a starting point for understanding these complex topics.

For example: 

Input: “Give me an overview of how my music copyright works.”

• Can ChatGPT create music or melodies?

As of now, ChatGPT primarily operates with text. While it can help generate lyrics or describe musical concepts, it doesn’t create music or melodies.

For instance, you could use it to respond to fans’ comments or inquiries on social media, ensuring each response feels personal and engaging.

• How can I leverage ChatGPT for learning and improving my craft?

ChatGPT can be a great resource for learning about music theory, songwriting techniques, or exploring new genres and styles. 

For instance, you can ask it to explain musical concepts or provide examples of certain songwriting techniques, which can help enhance your understanding and improve your songwriting skills.

• Can ChatGPT help me find opportunities or potential collaborations in the music industry?

While ChatGPT doesn’t search the internet in real-time or browse databases, it can assist you in crafting effective networking messages or emails. 

For example, if you’re reaching out to another artist for a potential collaboration, you could prompt ChatGPT to “Draft a respectful and professional message to Artist X about a potential collaboration.”

• How can I effectively utilize ChatGPT to understand and interpret feedback and criticism?

You can use ChatGPT to help parse through complex feedback, by asking it to explain certain terms or suggest ways to incorporate the feedback into your work.

• Can ChatGPT be used to help me manage stress and maintain mental well-being?

While it’s not a replacement for professional mental health resources, you can engage in constructive conversations with ChatGPT about stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, or strategies to stay motivated.

Where should readers go to find out more? Any further reading or digital gurus to recommend?

This article I wrote on LinkedIn: The Disruptive Symphony of AI and Chatbots in Music Business Strategy.

Go try ChatGPT for yourselves!

Thanks for being part of Byta‘s Digital Dialogue series, Virginie!