Music Expo 25 is bringing its own bold, culture-shifting energy to the heart of the industry. For years, Music Expo has served as a creative hub where artists, marketers, producers, and innovators gather to exchange ideas and redefine what music-making means today. Join more than 750 artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, DJs, and engineers at Music Expo 25, San Francisco’s go-to music gathering for creating, connecting, and leveling up your craft. Held November 14–15, 2025 at The Midway SF, the event brings two full days of workshops, conversations, gear demos, and real opportunities to meet mentors and collaborators. Whether you’re shaping your sound or stepping into the industry for the first time, Music Expo isn’t just informative, it’s a catalyst. After a packed 2024 edition, it returns with a program designed to support every corner of the creative process and help you keep your music moving forward.
This year, one session in particular is already turning heads: “Everyone is High, Drunk, or Distracted: Market Accordingly.” Taking place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, this talk is more than just a cheeky title, it’s a brutally honest look at the modern audience, and a roadmap for anyone trying to reach them. Balanced Breakfast co-founder Stefan Aronsen will moderate said panel at 2P on November 15th. The goal is to introduce five key principles designed for today’s overstimulated digital landscape: Plan, Personify, Promote, Plug-in, and Play. These aren’t abstract theories they’re actionable frameworks that help artists build stronger identities, choose platforms with intention, craft content that breaks through endless noise, and meet fans exactly where (and how) they’re paying attention.
And like all standout Music Expo programming, Balanced Breakfast’s panel is backed by a powerhouse panel. Joining Stefan Aronsen, co-founder of Balanced Breakfast will be the stage are Saul Spady, CEO of Cre8ive Empowerment; Trixie Rasputin, booking agent and promoter; and Maria Chaos, founder of Doll Fest. Each brings a distinct perspective shaped by years of navigating real crowds, real markets, and real digital chaos making this session essential for emerging artists, content creators, and seasoned marketers alike.
While the 2025 edition of Music Expo offers a packed schedule of mixers, workshops, demonstrations, and panels, this talk stands out as one of the most forward looking. It taps directly into the cultural moment where multitasking is the norm, algorithms rule discovery, and creators must compete not only with each other, but with every distraction their audience is juggling.
Earlier editions of Music Expo have already set the bar high, gathering thousands of industry professionals for immersive programming, hands on education, and legendary networking moments. From breakthrough artist showcases to deep-dive conversations about technology, branding, distribution, and creative identity, the event has consistently shaped the future of music careers. This year promises to push those boundaries even further.
“Everyone is High, Drunk, or Distracted: Market Accordingly” is poised to be one of the defining sessions of this year’s expo not only because of its provocative title, but because it speaks to a fundamental truth: the world is distracted, but the creators who understand that reality can gain an edge. If history is any guide, this talk will spark conversations long after the expo ends and may become one of those rare sessions people look back on as a turning point.
Music Expo 25 is ready to raise the bar again. And this session is one you won’t want to miss.
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Use code BB15 for 15% off tickets!
Speakers:
- Oak Felder — Producer, Songwriter, Composer
- Khris Riddick-Tynes — Producer, Songwriter, Creative Architect
- JVNA — Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist
- DECAP — Producer, Sound Designer, Educator
- Ching-Shan Chang — Composer, Pianist, Orchestrator, Conductor
- Natalie Bibby — Mastering Engineer, Lathe Cutter, Executive Director, MPG
- Marcela Rada — Audio Engineer, Educator, Researcher
- Linney — Singer, Songwriter, Producer, DJ
- Sarah Jones — Music Industry Journalist
- Karina Flonnoy — Founder, Studio X Recording; Artist & Engineer
- Michael Romanowski — Grammy-Winning Mastering Engineer
- Count — Grammy-Winning Producer & Mixer
- Matt Boudreau — Engineer, Mixer, Host of Working Class Audio
- Tony Brooke — President, Sound Credit
- Jessica Thompson — Grammy-Nominated Mastering & Restoration Engineer
- Anna Frick — Mastering & Restoration Engineer
- John Merchant — Producer, Engineer, Professor; Director, Focusrite Professional (Americas)
- Clayton William — Head of A&R, Empire Dance
- Thomas Garcia — Head of Dance, Create Music Group
- Elaine Huang — Founder, Neon Owl & Open Door Sessions
- Saul Spady — CEO, Cre8ive Empowerment; Founder, Quality of Life Coalition
- Spencer Salazar — CTO, Output
- Juan Elias — Co-founder, Auribus
- Alejandro Koretzky — Head of AI & Audio Science, Splice
- Heidi Trefethen — Audio Engineer, Musician, Composer, Professor
- Sam Gutman — Touring Musician & Music Educator
- Tyler Reese — Artist, Vocal Producer, Recording Engineer
- Michael Gross — Executive Producer & Managing Director, Squeak E. Clean Studios
- Whitney Nichole — Vocal Coach, Entrepreneur, Founder of Songbird Studios
- Andre Pessis — Multi-Platinum Songwriter
- Larry Batiste — Producer, Vocalist, Publisher, Arranger
- Chrissy Tignor — Producer, Engineer, Educator, Content Creator
- Jai Josefs — Songwriting Coach
- Jeff Straw — Producer & DJ
- Stefan Aronsen — Co-founder, Balanced Breakfast
- Trixie Rasputin — Booking Agent & Promoter
- Maria Chaos — Founder & Director, Doll Fest
- Sonnet Simmons — Co-founder, 2Indie Music & Sync Executive
- Elaine Ryan — Co-founder, Unicorn Sync; Songwriter & Author
- Lucas Cantor Santiago — Composer, Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, Author
- Asia Lopez — Producer & Audio Engineer
- Lauren Anderson — Label Consultant, LabelWorx North America
- Darlene Hall — Director of Distribution, Create Music Group
