In an industry increasingly dominated by data and algorithms, Talya Elitzer and Godmode represent a breath of fresh air blending creativity, technology, and genuine artist care to reshape how careers are built in modern music. Elitzer, co-founder and leader of Godmode, took a bold seat on Bobby Owsinski’s podcast to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing artists today, including the controversial impact of streaming farms, the rise of music AI, and why thoughtful management still matters more than ever. 

The Story Behind Talya Elitzer and Godmode

Talya Elitzer’s career began far from the executive suite. Starting in the mailroom at William Morris Endeavor, she absorbed the foundational rhythms of the music business from the ground up. This early immersion taught her how relationships, professionalism, and deep industry knowledge intersect lessons that have stayed with her throughout her journey. 

After moving into talent booking and later serving as Senior A&R at Capitol Records, Elitzer gained firsthand experience of how traditional industry systems operate. These roles gave her valuable insight into where the model falls short, especially in terms of developing meaningful, long-term careers for artists. This realization helped fuel her decision to co-found Godmode with partner Nick Sylvester a company where innovation meets intentional artist stewardship. 

At its core, Godmode defies conventional labels by combining management, creative services, publishing, and strategic guidance into a unified, artist-centric platform. Rather than chasing instant virality, Elitzer and her team focus on sustainable growth, cultural relevance, and authentic connection between artists and their audiences. 

Facing Streaming Farms and False Metrics

A standout theme from Elitzer’s podcast appearance was her critique of streaming farms operations that artificially inflate play counts through bots or paid streaming services. These inflated metrics might look impressive on the surface, but they don’t equate to genuine fan engagement, financial success, or sustainable career growth. 

According to Elitzer, the obsession with chasing numbers can distract artists and teams from cultivating real audiences. “You can have a million streams and still not have a real fanbase,” she noted in the interview, emphasizing that true success comes from meaningful engagement, not hollow statistics. 

This perspective reflects Godmode’s philosophy of building careers brick by brick, rather than relying on quick hits that evaporate as soon as they appear. By aligning efforts with genuine listeners and tastemakers, Godmode ensures that its artists are not just heard they’re remembered. 

Navigating AI in Music With Integrity

Artificial intelligence in music creation and distribution has emerged as a hot topic, and Elitzer doesn’t shy away from the conversation. While some fear AI could replace human creativity, Talya believes it can be a powerful tool when used responsibly. 

In her discussion with Owsinski, she highlighted that AI should support artists’ visions, not dilute them. Machines can assist with ideas, workflow, or data analysis, but they can’t replicate the emotional depth and human authenticity that make music resonate. For Elitzer, the soul of a track will always come from the artist not from lines of code. 

This balance embracing beneficial technological advances while preserving artistic integrity is central to the way Godmode operates. Instead of rejecting AI outright, Elitzer encourages thoughtful adaptation, ensuring that the artist remains at the heart of the creative process. 

Prioritizing Long-Term Artist Development

One of the most distinct aspects of Talya Elitzer and Godmode’s approach is their long-view strategy. In an industry that often rewards fast metrics and social media flashes, Elitzer emphasizes patience, craftsmanship, and meaningful fan-to-artist relationships. 

This philosophy resonates strongly in how Godmode builds artist worlds rather than just promoting singles or chasing trends. Each campaign is tailored to an artist’s unique identity and cultural voice, allowing them to stand apart from the crowd and stay relevant over time. 

Such dedication has helped Godmode’s roster which includes genre-defying talents transcend simple category labels and build careers that matter to both fans and the artists themselves. 

A Holistic Human Approach

Elitzer’s leadership isn’t just about strategy; it’s deeply human. She often stresses the importance of emotional support, mental clarity, and genuine connection in the artist-manager relationship. In a world filled with screens, algorithms, and stats, Talya insists that real music is rooted in truth, vulnerability, and experience something no AI, data point, or fake stream can replace.

This human-centered philosophy has become one of Godmode’s defining traits, helping artists feel seen, heard, and supported beyond their creative output. It’s a reminder that, at its heart, music is emotional expression and nurturing that truth is what leads to lasting impact. 

Looking Forward

As the music industry continues to shift and technology evolves, the work of Talya Elitzer and Godmode offers a blueprint for what comes next: a blend of ethical innovation, community-driven growth, and unwavering commitment to the artist’s voice. Through conversations like her podcast appearance and the lasting careers she builds, Elitzer’s influence extends far beyond her immediate circle shaping how we think about artistry, authenticity, and the future of music itself.