In the 80s, amidst the whirlwind of the tech boom, a young man found his path intertwined with the evolving landscape of innovation. From envisioning a future in finance to diving deep into the startup ecosystem, his journey was nothing short of remarkable. Notably, he joined the ranks of Facebook (now Meta), playing a pivotal role in shaping the very social networking site billions have come to rely on today.

As he fused his zeal for music and technology, he stood on the cusp of birthing something unparalleled in the music industry. And the visionary behind this impending revolution? It’s none other than… Phillip Rather.

Bonds, Bartending, and Tech

Growing up, Phillip’s future seemed somewhat predestined. His father, a trader in the financial services realm, set a familiar path. “I grew up thinking I’d follow in those footsteps,” he reflects, having started off as an economics major.

But a bartending gig during the dot-com boom era changed everything. Serving lunches to the era’s burgeoning tech ‘millionaires’, Phillip recalls being enamored by their world: “It wasn’t just about trading stocks anymore. The tech boom felt like a much bigger movement.”

Fresh out of college, he found himself immersed in the early-stage startup world.“I wasn’t a particularly great student. Traditional structure? Not my thing. But in these startup environments, I thrived. The autonomy, the problem-solving, it was exhilarating.”

Phillip soon found himself navigating uncharted waters. “I envisioned being the entrepreneur behind a groundbreaking product. Instead, I became the guy offering marketing services to other companies,” he explains, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Yet, destiny had another twist. In 2009, Phillip found love and felt the pull to seek stability. And just around the corner, Facebook was opening its Austin office. Despite a recent setback, he took the chance with Facebook. It turned out to be fortuitous.

His entrepreneurial spirit was a perfect fit at Facebook, even in its massive, well-funded environment. The journey, as Phillip recounts, has been invaluable. From bartending to building businesses, from startups to the corporate behemoth of Facebook, Phillip’s experiences have crafted a unique narrative.

“Being at Facebook, that’s probably why I’m here today. It’s opened doors, granted me credibility.” With a knowing smile, he adds, “It’s been quite the ride. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Why Leave Meta for…Music?

Even as he cherished his years at Meta, Phillip observed the shifting tides. By 2021, it became evident that the resources required to see his visions come to fruition were becoming scarce.

It was around this period that the rise of NFTs, underpinned by smart contracts, piqued Phillip’s interest. “While I was skeptical about cartoonish digital assets being the future, I was wholly convinced about the potential of the smart contracts backing them,” he muses.

However, it wasn’t just technology that inspired him. Phillip’s love for music played a defining role in his next venture. During the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, as he attempted to share music, Phillip encountered a fragmented space: there wasn’t a dedicated storage solution for music, no specialized workspaces, or social networks for the vast and diverse music industry. In essence, the mechanisms for creatives to share their products, or files, were grossly inadequate. This glaring gap led to an epiphany.

And just like that, Phillip took his understanding of software, marketing, and his passion for music, and embarked on the creation of Musical.

What makes Musical so cool?

Phillip’s vision for Musical extends beyond being a simple collaboration platform. He envisions it as a global infrastructure for the music industry, bridging the gap between the 1% represented by major labels and the fragmented 99% of independent artists and creators. The platform aims to empower creative, helping both top-label stars and independent artists, by providing them with the tools they need to navigate the complex music industry.

One of Musical’s distinctive features is its focus on community and collaboration. It offers a space where fans and artists can interact, collaborate, and share moments. This interactive approach aligns with Phillip’s belief that the future of music lies in engaging and interactive experiences.

“Think about the idea of buying a ticket to a show. You literally pay more money the closer you are to the human who’s holding the show. Supply and demand of proximity to a human.”

While other blockchain platforms in the music industry initially focused on royalty sharing, Musical takes a unique approach. Rather than solely emphasizing financial aspects, Musical prioritizes collaboration, community, and ease of use. It seeks to bring together musicians and creators while providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating, sharing, and monetizing music.

What’s Next on the Playlist?

Musical is gearing up to make a splash, and it’s bound to get heads bobbing and feet tapping in the music world. The platform’s robust features, dedication to collaboration, and commitment to the community set it apart from the competition.

Phillip’s journey reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to create something meaningful. With Musical, he’s poised to revolutionize the music industry, empower independent artists, and offer music enthusiasts a platform that truly connects them with their favorite musicians.

As we await its big debut, one thing’s for sure: music lovers, creators, and fans are in for a treat.

• Tags:
• Blockchain
• Future
• NFT
• WEB3