Green Tea is Changing The Game.
In 2015, Barry Rosenblum opened a recording studio with his friend Joni Myllari in Santa Monica to create a safe space for artist development. Now 10 years later, he's growing an ambitious roster of rising artists under his own distribution company in collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer David Dann. With a mission to disrupt predatory music industry practices, Barry aims to create a new culture for the modern music scene. One that centers artistry and community.
“We move very intentionally,” Barry shared. “We want artists to feel…that they're seen and they're heard and their ideas are being listened to.”
Barry’s business, Green Tea Studios, is referred to as a “haven for artists looking to develop their sound,” and while that may not sound out of the ordinary, his efforts to support artists through his brick-and-mortar are quite impressive. Whether he’s listening to new underground music on live, curating playlists, working in the studio, or creating events, all of his focus centers on creating opportunities for artists.
Once an artist himself, Barry recognizes the challenges underground artists face. Though originally from Chicago, Barry grew a cult following during his college years in Binghamton, NY.
“I went out to Binghamton, and it kinda opened my eyes… there's bigger cities where [music] is happening,” He shared.
While in college, Barry formed a hip-hop group, created a DIY studio on campus, and even experienced a viral moment from a brief link-up with Big Sean. These moments were stepping stones, fueling his big move to LA in 2017.
Barry at NOTA in Buffalo, NY.
Once on the West Coast, he began working in media, marketing, and interning at recording studios. At the same time, Barry also connected with Joni Myllari, a friend of a friend, who owned a small recording studio. Quickly learning that recording studios and music labels weren’t as interested in artist development as him, Barry joined forces with Joni to officially build Green Tea Studios.
With a growing base of engineers and devoted clients, Green Tea Studio is the answer to the arguably out-of-touch music industry - Making the music business accessible, affordable, scalable, and devoted to artist development & growth.
“The industry was like refusing to change when it needed to. I don't go against the grain intentionally…I think when there's gaps in markets and people are not being heard, It’s Stupid.” Barry explained.
Sneakvibing Media first linked with Barry and Green Tea Studios in late 2024 through Zak G and The Bridge Upstate. Connecting through live online listening sessions called Green Tea Radio, we shared our love for music and support of rising talent. As our relationship continued to foster, especially as music hubs for our respective areas, the opportunity to bring Green Tea’s “Night On The Aux” event to Upstate, New York, became a reality.
Last Fall, Barry and The Green Tea Team hosted “NOTA” in Buffalo, New York, at the legendary GCR Audio. The event brought in a dynamic range of artists from Rochester to NYC. The live listening event also provided immediate professional feedback by Grammy-nominated producer David Dann.
Owner of the homegrown, LA-based Mind Of A Genius Music Label, Dann’s ear for quality productions and vision for transparency in the industry have built a thriving career and movement towards cultivating growth alongside artist development. With credits from working with unique artists like Zhu, Gallant, and Kwaye, to name a few, Dann’s expertise makes him the perfect leader for Green Tea’s newest venture as a music distribution platform - Green Tea Distribution.
David Dann at NOTA in Buffalo, NY.
“We wanted to be able to partner with someone [who] could provide high-end label services for independent artists without having to sign to a label. That's kind of the premise of Green Tea Distro, so we're [partnering with] David,” Barry shared. “His company Mind Of A Genius - and an independent record label, to provide A&R services, sync pitching, and playlist pitching.”
Green Tea Distribution is a royalty-free, subscription-based service that is currently invite-only, but is looking to scale soon. With a vision to “bring authenticity back,” Barry, Joni, and David are on the move to change the game.
Check out Green Tea’s Artist Community HERE.
You can learn more about Green Tea HERE.
R&BULLY: KANE WAVE FINDS BALANCE WITH “DON’T DRINK THE WATER”
Kane Wave’s eccentric, high-octane 2018 debut Hoodstar was an interesting moment for modern Buffalo Hip-Hop. Bringing the grungy, left-of-underground sound to the city’s forefront, the dynamic rapper’s boldness as an artist has helped him build and refine his music into what it is today - a boundary-less space of thundering 808s, audacious lyricism and pocket croons - or what he likes to call “R&Bully.” The rising artist’s dark aesthetic married with Street Rap and R&B has been on a long, creative journey. But his most recent offering finds a gentler meeting of the 2 genres.
There’s a handful of reasons why Wave’s Don’t Drink The Water sounds grand. For one, we’ve been on this journey with him. Since Hoodstar, the enigmatic singer/songwriter/rapper has experimented with almost every genre. From the soulful ballads on Selfloveclub to steamy, trap-flavored tracks on One Of A Kind to the confessional, rage-induced loose singles throughout his discography, Kane Wave doesn’t hold back when he’s creating - and he’s had impressive execution so far.
Since the last time we spoke with him on the heels of his 2020 R&B record Loverboi release, Wave was fully encompassed in his “Loverboi” persona. Leading with confessional raps and entrenched in his spur-of-the-moment harmonies, the softer side of his sound took center stage - but it didn’t last long before he switched it up ( Cue “Home For Christmas” - a new-gen, novelty, holiday single that dropped late last year). If there’s one thing that we can bet on Kane Wave is that he is unpredictable, and that’s what makes him exciting.
So what stands out on Don’t Drink The Water? Balance. It’s the underlying Midas touch of being a versatile artist. Kane Wave’s gift to fluidly flow between R&B and Rap is in its genius on DDTW, and it doesn’t feel forced. Wave’s rough edges are smoothed out on tracks like “Syndicated Business,” “Got What I Came For,” and “Off Right Now.” He takes the minimal route with great care; his sonics are atmospheric, smooth, and introspective. “Got What I Came For,” is a major standout not only for the impressive features by fellow vocalists Jaymarr and Nelle’, but how well they bounce off of each other. The production value is pristine from the adlibs to the arrangements.
Even as he dials up the energy towards the end of the project, he doesn’t lose the soulful melodies and R&B elements on his more crass tracks. “Slimeball,” “Screws Loose,” “Badnews,” and “Meet Me In Miami” is Kane Wave in his element. Energetic and no-holds-barred is what his listeners love and he delivers. “Slimeball” is an instant turn-up track with thumping percussion and an infectious synth where Kane Wave and K-Pi$tol go back and forth about “trying to get paid,” while “Meet Me In Miami” is a winner’s circle anthem. With calculated bravado and an 80s-inspired groove, Kane Wave finds himself deep in his bag touching on all the parts of being a cocky bachelor. DDTW is such a well-rounded view of Kane Wave’s abilities, it’s not surprising he made his own genre.