Matthew Pressman

Matthew Pressman is a writer, editor, and teacher based in New Jersey. He is the author of the nonfiction book Setting the Record Straight: The Seven Myths about the Music Industry, which was published in 2020 by Hackett Publishing Company. Pressman holds a Ph.D. in music from Princeton University and has previously worked in the music industry, providing research and marketing support for Warner Brothers Records, Universal Music Group, and other record labels. In his writing, Pressman seeks to both celebrate and question the legacy and future of the music industry.

Pressman was born in New Jersey and grew up in a household full of music. His mother had a degree in music education, and his father was an avid music fan. His own musical training began with piano lessons. This experience led Pressman to the music department at Princeton University, where he received his first degree—a B.A. in music composition. During this time, Pressman worked in local recording studios and conducted interviews with professional music producers and sound engineers.

He then went on to obtain his Doctorate in music from Princeton. During this time, he worked in multiple research roles in the music industry, providing marketing and music-industry analysis for various companies. This led him to his current project—research for his book, Setting the Record Straight.

In Setting the Record Straight, Pressman examines seven myths about the music industry and explores the various factors that contribute to an artist’s success or failure. He delves into topics such as the gap between musicians and record companies, the business of marketing and promotion, digital streaming, and online piracy. Through his research, Pressman argues that readers should not accept the industry’s “rules” blindly, but instead they should seek to understand the music business and the complex dynamics that come with it.

Pressman’s research for his book was conducted over a five-year period, during which he interviewed many leaders in the music business, including artists, music executives, lawyers, producers, and industry experts. He believes that readers of Setting the Record Straight will come away with a better understanding of the music industry, enabling them to make more informed decisions when considering how to promote their own music.

"Understanding how the music business works is essential for any artist seeking success in the music industry,” Pressman says. “My goal with this book was to provide a comprehensive resource to help aspiring musicians, music business professionals and fans of all kinds obtain a deeper understanding of the music business and the people that drive it.”

Pressman is currently at work on a new book, The New Sound of Business: Understanding the Web 3.0 Revolution, which focuses on the role of technology and social media in the promotion and distribution of music. He also teaches courses in the music business and music promotion at Rutgers University.

Overall, Matthew Pressman is a highly accomplished author, editor, and teacher whose mission is to explore and explain the complexities of the music industry. His objective is to empower music fans, aspiring artists and music-business professionals with the knowledge they need to become successful in the music industry. His book Setting the Record Straight is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to understand the music business.