The Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine & Building Mom + Pop: The Michael Goldstone Interview on the MUBUTV Music Business Insider Video Series is not just a tale about music, but about believing in yourself, following your gut, and knowing the right time to trust artists and their visions.
When you think about the music you love—the kind that makes you feel something big—you don’t always need a huge crowd to tell you it’s great. You just know. And that’s the secret: sometimes, you have to listen to your own heart. In this episode, Ritch Esra sits down with Michael Goldstone, the legendary A&R exec who helped launch bands like Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine, plus founded Mom + Pop Music. Their conversation takes us behind the scenes of big moments in rock and shows why believing in music can change lives.
Let’s break down the highlights of this interview!
The Start: Finding Your Path in Music
Sometimes, your journey begins when you’re just a kid, sneaking into clubs and dreaming about music. That’s how Michael Goldstone started. As a teenager, he was so passionate that he skipped college to work at a music company instead. He said he didn’t want to wait four years just to look for a job he already had the chance to take right then!
That leap of faith pays off in more ways than one. And while a job in A&R felt a little scary at first—Michael wasn’t a musician or producer—his mentor, Steve Moyer, encouraged him to jump in before feeling ready. The lesson? Take a job, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
Discovering What Works: The First Recordings
Making records isn’t just about following a rulebook. Michael told Ritch Esra that when he worked with Charlie Sexton and Broken Homes, he realized every artist needed something different from their A&R. Charlie Sexton, a young prodigy, was ready for the spotlight, while Broken Homes needed special care.
The secret is to build trust and figure out what matters most. Don’t nitpick on the little stuff—instead, focus on the songs that become hits. Michael shared that learning to build authentic relationships with artists and respecting their creative space has been his biggest takeaway.
Artistry Over Consensus: Doing What You Believe
Here’s one of the coolest lessons from Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine & Building Mom + Pop: The Michael Goldstone Interview: Great music isn’t made by committee! A&R isn’t about having ten people agree it’s a good idea. Sometimes, you have to trust your own taste—even if everyone else thinks you’re wrong.
Michael described how he wouldn’t bring records he loved into big meetings, because he didn’t want people to talk him out of believing in great artists. That’s how he signed bands like Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam—he heard so many reasons why they wouldn’t work, but his gut told him they were special. When record executives doubted Regina Spektor, Michael was sure she was exactly the artist they needed. Sometimes being polarizing is a good thing!
Big Wins and Tough Choices: How Bands Came Together
Getting Pearl Jam together was a journey full of ups and downs. After losing the lead singer of Mother Love Bone, Michael supported the remaining band members and helped them discover Eddie Vedder. Hearing the new demos moved him to tears—proof that powerful music speaks for itself!
The cultural impact of Pearl Jam was huge. Back then, rock was all about parties and wild times. Suddenly, Pearl Jam’s album “Ten” came out, talking about serious issues like bullying and family struggles, and it connected with people in a whole new way. It wasn’t just “love you” songs—it was real life, and it stayed relevant for decades.
With Rage Against the Machine, Michael knew within seconds of hearing them—he rushed to call his boss and sign the band. These artists made waves because they were authentic and raw.
From Major Labels to Indie Powerhouses
After working at big labels, Michael wanted more freedom. That’s how Mom + Pop Music was born. He learned to support artists who didn’t need help making records, but needed someone who respected their vision and could help finish or launch their work.
Building Mom + Pop meant learning everything from scratch, including hiring the right people. Major labels had huge teams, but Mom + Pop’s startup crew had to be scrappy—everyone wore lots of hats and worked hard to support artists.
What made Mom + Pop shine was its clean deals. Artists got an honest 50/50 split on streaming income and had direct relationships with the team—no hidden costs or big corporate walls.
Why Artists Kept Coming Back
Even big acts like MGMT and Courtney Barnett chose to sign with Mom + Pop instead of major labels. Why? Because Michael and his team listened to what artists wanted. If MGMT didn’t want to tour, Mom + Pop didn’t force it and found creative ways to help them succeed.
That’s what true leadership means—growing your team, empowering people to make decisions, and building trust. Michael doesn’t just keep employees around longer; he builds an environment where artists and staff can thrive.
The Independent Spirit: Inspiring the Next Generation
Michael hopes the legacy of Mom + Pop inspires young music lovers to start their own companies and keep the indie spirit alive. He wants independent labels to keep breaking new artists and giving them the power to make music on their own terms.
Strong indie labels mean more choices for artists and healthier competition with big companies. And when artists return for multiple records, it means the label is truly doing something right.
Key Takeaways from Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine & Building Mom + Pop: The Michael Goldstone Interview
- Trust your instincts: Sometimes, you know a great song even if nobody else sees it.
- Build honest relationships: Respect artists, give them space, and earn their trust.
- Focus on what matters: Singles change the world—don’t get stuck on tiny details.
- Independence wins: Mom + Pop shows that believing in artists pays off big time.
- Empower your team: Help people grow, let them take charge, and celebrate their achievements.
BEST MOMENTS: Michael Goldstone’s Wisdom
- 💬 “Always take a job you're not ready for. You will figure it out. You will learn how to do it.”
- 💬 “Different artists need different levels of participation and engagement.”
- 💬 “It’s not one of those jobs you can do by consensus.”
- 💬 “Your innate personal taste and confidence have to block out the noise.”
- 💬 “Celebrating the time you have with an artist is the greatest compliment.”
TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW
- 00:00 Starting a career in music
- 05:00 Learning A&R through record-making
- 14:00 Pearl Jam’s rise and cultural significance
- 18:00 Rage Against the Machine’s impact
- 28:00 Founding Mom + Pop Music
- 35:00 Building a team and label culture
- 40:00 Supporting artists’ visions
- 44:00 Inspiring the next generation
VALUABLE RESOURCES
- MUBUTV Music Business Insider Video Series (full episodes)
- Mom + Pop Music: https://www.momandpopmusic.com
- Artist stories: Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, MGMT
LINKS TO CONNECT
- Podcast: https://www.mubutv.com/podcast
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mubutv
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mubutv
ABOUT THE EPISODE GUEST
Michael Goldstone is an influential A&R executive and founder of Mom + Pop Music. He’s helped shape rock history by trusting his gut, supporting artists’ visions, and championing independence in the music business.
In Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine & Building Mom + Pop: The Michael Goldstone Interview, you’ll see how trusting artists and your own intuition can change music—and lives—forever. So keep believing in your favorite songs, and maybe you’ll be inspired to start something big too!
