TEDxCUNY 2026

All Music Is Local

Supporting independent music isn’t just a cultural benefit, it’s the key to a sustainable, human-centric local economy. The music industry, as a microcosm of our communities as a whole, faces many of the same problems that affect these same communities. Rev. Moose, a highly accomplished music industry leader, walks through the current issues that threaten local access to new music. Moose’s work helping drive systemic change within and for the music industry has earned him global recognition as an advocate for artists and music entrepreneurs alike. Rev. Moose is a highly accomplished music industry leader with experience in artist development, marketing, advocacy, non-profit management, and international program development. Through Marauder, he helps companies, organizations, and government entities develop strategies and events that drive systemic change and foster growth within the independent music sector. He is the founding and emeritus executive director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF). In 2018, he brought Independent Venue Week, a series that spotlights locally owned and operated performance spaces, to the U.S. market. Before founding Marauder in 2015, he expanded The Syndicate’s reach and developed CMJ’s initiatives working with foreign music export bodies. He earned recognition from the Clio Awards, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, and A2IM.