The music industry is navigating a complex landscape shaped by data and artificial intelligence (AI). While there are valid concerns regarding the potential misuse of technology, companies in the sector are increasingly finding ways to leverage data-driven models for competitive advantage. One such company making strides in this area is Create Music Group, a Los Angeles-based music technology firm that is integrating data and AI into its operational processes.
Create Music Group has developed a sophisticated data platform that empowers artists and labels to comprehend how each stream of their music translates into revenue. At the core of this platform is Astronomer�s AI and orchestration capabilities, which manage over 600 data pipelines to deliver real-time insights amidst the rapidly evolving data landscape.
Since partnering with Astronomer in 2021, Create Music Group has transitioned from relying on cron jobs and Google Cloud Composer tools to utilizing Astronomer�s managed Airflow service, Astro. This shift, particularly the upgrade from Airflow 1 to Airflow 2, has significantly enhanced the company�s operational efficiency. Miko Chen, Lead Data Engineer at Create, noted that this collaboration has allowed her team to focus more on critical business data rather than infrastructure management, thereby improving their overall productivity.
With Astro, Create has successfully integrated its BigQuery and Google Cloud Storage technologies with APIs from major streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. This integration has streamlined operational activities such as analytics, financial forecasting, and acquisition modeling for label deals, enabling the data team to develop new pipelines 60% faster than before. Chen emphasized that this capability allows her team to provide timely insights to labels and artists, enhancing their ability to track performance and revenue across multiple platforms.
Looking ahead, Create Music Group is set to further enhance its data capabilities by migrating to Airflow 3, which will support real-time orchestration and keep its data platform up-to-date. The company is also exploring AI applications to improve services, such as data-driven marketing campaigns and optimizing tour locations based on streaming data. As Create continues to innovate, Chen is confident that Astronomer will play a pivotal role in orchestrating their future developments, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the music technology industry.
