Rockonomics

Inspired by Dr. Alan Krueger's research on the economics of the music industry and book, Rockonomics, I created this course in 2021 at the University of California, Riverside. Starting in January 2024, a reimagined version of this course will be offered at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and will incorporate the study of public policy issues affecting creative sectors.

#everythingisrockonomics

Course description:

There is much more to the study of economics than what we see in our first economics courses. Exposure to topics in economics is a worthy pursuit for both students who may need help deciding if economics is the major for them, and for students with only a passing interest in the discipline. This course delves into 10 major topics in applied microeconomics and labor economics through the lens of an industry which has a daily presence in our lives and has experienced massive technological disruption: the music industry. In the words of David Bowie, “Music itself is going to become like running water or electricity.”

Rockonomics Guest Speaker Visits from Winter 2024

Max Brown, music director and multi-instrumentalist, The War and Treaty

Ryan Finley, Senior SEO Manager, Hearst

Andrew Wendler, artist, The Necros

Angelina Burnett, screenwriter, board member, Writers Guild of America West

Jamie Kitman, music manager, Hornblow Group USA

Jennifer Leff, Managing Director, MusiCares

Rockonomics Guest Speaker Visits from Winter 2023:

Marissa Moss, music journalist and author, Her Country

Joshua Epstein, songwriter and artist, JR JR

Rockonomics Guest Speaker Visits from Fall 2022:

Emma Swift, songwriter, artist and owner to Tiny Ghost Records

Richard Edwards, songwriter and artist, Margot & The Nuclear So and So's

Broc Barnes, Third Man Pressing

Lew Prince, Vintage Vinyl

Jamie Kitman, music manager, Hornblow Group USA

Adam Oke, StageIt

Kaley Caperton-Melcher, songwriter and artist

Rockonomics Guest Speaker Visits from Fall 2021:

Alison Mosshart, songwriter, artist, visual artist, The Kills, The Deadweather

Raina Douris, radio host, World Cafe

Jbeau Lewis, talent agent, United Talent

Nick Stern, music manager, Stern Management

Stacey Bedford, CEO, Bandzoogle

Ryan Wines, CEO, Marmoset

Sam Weidman, performer, producer, talent manager, DJ Sam French

Amanda Krieg Thomas, music supervisor, yay team

Rockonomics Guest Speaker Visits from Spring 2021:

Rodve Lewis, songwriter, artist, Ve from LA

Rhett Miller, songwriter, artist, author, podcast host, Old 97s

Rev. Moose, Marauder and the National Independent Venue Association

Shannon Sorensen, National Music Publishers Association

Ashley Joyce, National Music Publishers Association

Marcello Ambriz, tour photographer

Cory Phare, publicist, Itchy-O