Episode Summary:
Would you play a guitar without tuning it? Of course not. So why use AI music tools that you can’t control? That’s the thinking behind Koup Music.
In this episode of Pick My Brain, Kartini Ludwig, co-founder and CEO of Koup Music, shares her vision for an ethical, artist-first AI music platform. Kartini explains how Koup allows artists to fine-tune and collaborate with AI models to unlock new sonic possibilities, while still maintaining creative control.
Alan Jones dives deep into Koup’s pitch, offering tactical advice on simplifying IP rights, presenting a stronger fundraising narrative, and testing paid marketing before hiring a CMO. They also explore why community-driven tools need clear go-to-market strategies, and how to make investors feel safe in uncharted territory.
Episode Sponsors:
Chapters:
01:33 – Kartini’s background, creative roots, and how Koup Music began
03:00 – What Koup Music is: empowering artists with tunable AI music models
04:50 – Industry validation: APRA stats and ethical concerns in AI music
06:05 – How Koup Music works: live performance demos and remix capabilities
09:35 – Alan’s feedback: clarify visuals, showcase real artists in action
11:22 – Business model: pay-as-you-go credits, future subscriptions, and a model marketplace
14:39 – Who owns AI-generated music? IP rights, artist licensing, and transparency
18:42 – Fundraising strategy: what $1M in seed funding will achieve for Koup
22:04 – Growth goals: 100K users, CAC targets, and early marketing experiments
Resources:
🙋🏻♀️ Kartini Ludwig – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartiniludwig/
🎶 Koup Music – https://www.koupmusic.com/
