You Found Music

What You Found Music does

You Found Music is a privately held, founder-operated music platform headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, that promotes independent, singer-songwriter, and roots-genre artists and connects them with fans through discovery content, curated playlists, and intimate live showcases. The company is structured as You Found Music LLC and was founded by James "Sarge" Carter, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with prior operations experience at Row Entertainment in Nashville and venue booking experience at Old Shawnee Pizza and ULAH KC in Kansas City. Its core products are an Artist Discovery Platform, monthly Live Sessions house-style concerts capped at 40 attendees, an Artist Resources directory linking to third-party distribution, licensing, and streaming tools, a curated weekly Spotify playlist, a music news blog, and an online merchandise shop. The Live Sessions are held every third Thursday in rotating Kansas City venues, with 100% of ticket sales passed through directly to performing artists.

There is no proprietary technology platform underlying the offering. You Found Music functions as a discovery, curation, promotion, and event-orchestration service rather than a technology company — its infrastructure is built on standard web content management (GoDaddy-hosted site), third-party ticketing via Eventbrite, Spotify for the curated playlist, and organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook) for marketing. The business model is therefore not technology- or subscription-driven. Revenue appears to derive from a combination of e-commerce merchandise sales, ancillary sales at Live Sessions (food, beverage, merch on-site), and unspecified artist promotion and booking services, none of which are publicly priced. Ticketing is explicitly a pass-through to artists, meaning ticket volume is not a company revenue line.

Go-to-market is community-led, leaning on dense memberships across Americana Music Association, Women In Music, BMI, Folk Alliance International, Heartland Song Network, and Midwest Music Foundation, plus Kansas City-local partnerships with community radio stations, arts organizations, and independent venues. The platform is bootstrapped with no disclosed funding, parent entity, or institutional ownership, and operates without disclosed headcount. Featured artists span globally recognized independent acts (Waxahatchee, Sierra Ferrell, John Moreland, Maggie Rose, Amythyst Kiah) alongside regional Kansas City talent, indicating a curation strategy that mixes credibility-anchoring acts with local discovery.

Name

You Found Music

Legal name

You Found Music LLC

Website

https://youfoundmusic.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

You Found Music is a Kansas City-based independent music platform that promotes singer-songwriters and roots-genre artists through curated discovery content, a weekly Spotify playlist, monthly intimate Live Sessions, and an Artist Resources directory serving both independent musicians and music fans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Music Promotion Services

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Discovery & Curation Platforms (Recommendations, Playlists) (MPAIACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Live Music Booking (Bands, Soloists, DJs) (HSACAHAA)

Keywords

• Independent music promotion
• Live music showcases
• Artist discovery platform
• Music event production
• Roots music curation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Live Event Ticketing: The company generates revenue through ticket sales for its Live Sessions events held monthly in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Currently, 100% of ticket sales go directly to the performing artists. The company likely retains revenue from ancillary sales such as food, beverages, and merchandise at these events.
2. Shop / Merchandise Sales: The company operates an e-commerce storefront (Shop section) on its website where merchandise is sold to consumers.
3. Artist Promotion and Support Services: The company provides artist promotion, booking, and support services across various capacities including venue and festival booking, record release promotion, fan base growth assistance, and pitch services to publishers and labels. The revenue model for these services is not explicitly disclosed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

You Found Music operates an independent music discovery and artist promotion platform that connects singer-songwriters, local artists, and independent musicians with engaged fans. The company curates featured artists on its Discover page, publishes a weekly Spotify playlist and blog content, and produces monthly intimate Live Sessions showcases in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with 100% of ticket revenue going directly to performing artists.

Product overview

You Found Music operates as a music discovery and promotion platform with a core Artist Discovery Platform at its center, complemented by monthly Live Sessions events featuring intimate concerts in Kansas City. The company also provides an Artist Resources hub containing curated directories of distribution, licensing, and streaming platforms for independent musicians, along with a Blog for music news and a curated Spotify playlist. The offering functions as a unified platform connecting independent artists with audiences through discovery features, live events, and educational resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist Discovery Platform (website Discover page)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of Live Session ticket sales go directly to artists

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EventbritecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEventbrite is used as the primary ticketing platform for You Found Music's Live Sessions events. The company maintains an Eventbrite organizer page (You Found Music - 19868265078) for ticket sales, with March 2026 and April 2026 events listed.
• Old Shawnee PizzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld Shawnee Pizza serves as a primary venue partner for live music events. Founder James Carter previously held a booking position at this venue (under 300 capacity) for approximately 1.5 years. It is also listed as a Live Session partner with food and drink service.
• Ben McBeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBen Mc Bee is listed as a Live Sessions partner, appearing alongside Shawnee Pizza as a partner for these events.
• Americana Music AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proud Music Industry Member. The Americana Music Association is a trade organization serving the Americana music genre community, which aligns with the company's focus on independent and roots music artists.
• Women In MusiccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proud Music Industry Member. Women In Music is an organization supporting women in the music industry, providing networking and advocacy — relevant to the company's mission of artist support.
• Heartland Song NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed both as a Proud Music Industry Member and as a Proudly Partnered organization. Heartland Song Network is a regional music industry organization serving the Midwest, directly aligned with You Found Music's Kansas City base and regional music community building.
• Midwest Music FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. Midwest Music Foundation is a Kansas City-based nonprofit supporting musicians and music education, directly supporting the local music ecosystem the company operates within.
• Art in the LoopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. Art in the Loop is a Kansas City arts organization. The partnership likely relates to event promotion and venue/access coordination for Live Sessions.
• Downtown Kansas City (downtownkc.org)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. Downtown KC partnership supports Live Sessions event promotion within the downtown Kansas City area.
• Big Dudes (bigdudes.com)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. Big Dudes appears to be a Kansas City music retail/wholesale entity, suggesting a merchandise or retail partnership.
• KKFI (kkfi.org)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. KKFI is a Kansas City community radio station, likely partnering on music promotion and audience reach.
• Bridge 909 (bridge909.org)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. Bridge 909 is a Kansas City-area community radio station (89.1 FM), partnering for music promotion and audience reach.
• ULAH KC (ulahkc.com)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Proudly Partnered organization. Founder James Carter has been booking ULAH Live Sessions, a boutique showcase with capacity under 50, for approximately 8 years. ULAH is a core partner in the company's live event programming.
• BMIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proud Music Industry Member. BMI is a performing rights organization (PRO) representing songwriters and music publishers. Their Artist Resources page links to BMI licensing tools.
• Folk Alliance InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proud Music Industry Member. Folk Alliance International is a global folk music organization, aligning with the company's Americana/folk artist focus.
• Americana Music Association UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Proud Music Industry Member. The UK chapter of the Americana Music Association expands the company's international music network.
• MusiCaresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. MusiCares helps musicians in need with health, disaster relief, and addiction recovery. Supports the company's mission to help artists.
• Jazz Foundation of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Jazz Foundation of America supports jazz musicians with financial assistance and housing. Supports the company's artist welfare mission.
• Women Who RockminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section as part of the Amplify Her Voice initiative supporting women in music.
• The Blues FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. The Blues Foundation supports blues musicians and preserves blues music heritage.
• Sweet ReliefminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Sweet Relief provides financial assistance to musicians and music industry professionals.
• Music Maker FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Music Maker Foundation supports roots music artists with grants and services.
• Safe Gigs For WomenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Safe Gigs For All promotes safety and inclusion in the music industry.
• Operation SongminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Operation Song supports military veterans in songwriting and music creation.
• No Divide KCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. No Divide KC is a Kansas City-based organization supporting music community building.
• Manor RecordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Manor Records is a Kansas City-based independent record label, potentially collaborating on artist promotion.
• SpotifycoreTechnology or IntegrationListed in the Artist Resources section and used for the company's weekly curated You Found Music playlist. Spotify For Artists is linked as a resource, and the company's playlist is published via Spotify.
• Apple MusiccoreTechnology or IntegrationListed in the Artist Resources Music Streaming Platforms section. Apple Music For Artists is also linked. Artists featured by You Found Music are promoted via Apple Music links.
• SESACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources Music Licensing section. SESAC is a performing rights organization (PRO) for songwriters and publishers.
• SoundExchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources Music Licensing section. SoundExchange handles digital performance royalties for sound recordings.
• Mid-America Arts AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Mid-America Arts Alliance supports arts and culture across the mid-American region.
• Lawrence Music AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources nonprofit organizations section. Lawrence Music Alliance supports the music community in Lawrence, Kansas.
• Live Nation Women FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources Amplify Her Voice section. Live Nation Women Fund supports women in music and live entertainment.
• Gender AmplifiedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources Amplify Her Voice section. Gender Amplified supports women and gender-expansive people in music technology.
• Calling All CrowsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources Amplify Her Voice section. Calling All Crows is a fan-action network for social change in music.
• NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in the Artist Resources Amplify Her Voice section. NSAI supports and advocates for songwriters.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bandcamp: Major indie music marketplace for artist-direct sales, merch, and discovery. Comparable audience (independent artists and fans) but operates at vastly larger scale with a transactional, not editorial, model.
• WFUV / All Of It with Alison Stewart (public radio): Public/community radio with curated indie, folk, and Americana programming and live in-studio sessions. Comparable as a curated discovery and live-session platform in the indie/roots space.
• KEXP: Community radio station known for curated indie/roots programming, in-studio live sessions, and editorial content. Comparable as a non-algorithmic discovery platform, though KEXP is a much larger nonprofit institution.

Direct peers

• Sofar Sounds: Operates intimate, invite-based live music shows in cities worldwide with capped attendance. Direct peer for You Found Music's Live Sessions concept, though Sofar is much larger and globally distributed.
• Aquarium Drunkard: Independent music blog/Americana-focused editorial site covering artists and releases. Comparable as a discovery and curation outlet for indie/roots music.
• Paste Magazine: Long-running indie music discovery outlet combining editorial coverage, curated playlists, and live event programming. Closely comparable to You Found Music's blend of artist promotion, playlists, and live showcases.
• Hear Nebraska: Regional music discovery nonprofit combining editorial coverage, live event programming, and community building in a single U.S. Midwest market. Closely mirrors You Found Music's KC-rooted community model.
• No Depression: Roots, folk, and Americana music editorial platform covering independent artists. Comparable editorial/discovery function for the same audience You Found Music targets.
• The Bluegrass Situation: Americana/roots-focused music discovery platform with editorial content, curated playlists, and live events. Highly comparable genre focus and community-driven curation model.

Regional players

• Manor Records: Kansas City-based independent record label also listed as a You Found Music partner. Operates in the same regional indie/roots ecosystem with overlapping artist roster and audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/you-found-music

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about You Found Music