Newly Joined Consortium Members
Name: Patrick Graf
Partner Organisation: HearDis!
Could you please give us a short overview of your previous career path and expertise?
My studies in library and cultural management have equipped me with the tools I need to analyze and structure data in a smart way to ensure it creates a positive impact for HearDis!.
In my role as Music Data Manager, I mainly train and support our AI with relevant data. I also work on constantly evolving our in-house development tools and software in synergy with our music curators and developers – always with the goal of delivering a smooth audio experience to listeners around the world.
What do you hope to contribute to OpenMusE?
As I am mainly responsible for providing and interpreting certain (musical) data, my main goal is to bring good quality data and results to the OpenMusE project.
My main task will be to create, manage and optimise the music playlists that we at HearDis! will use for the case study in different stores all over Europe, and then to interpret the data we get back from them.
Who are you outside of work?
I have spent a lot of time in different cinemas, at exciting concerts or just at home in front of my computer. Nowadays there’s always something new to learn and experience in this world, especially with the endless possibilities of the internet, there’s always exciting new worlds to discover at our fingertips, and that’s been exciting for me ever since I was born.
What music do you listen to?
Considering that I work for an agency that specialises in music, my taste in music is very broad.
My main love has always been very old and sometimes very new Hip Hop music. Along with my love for that comes a very soft spot for Soul/R&B music of all kinds, with two of my favourite artists being the legendary Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
Name: Fabio Vieira
Partner Organisation: University of Amsterdam
Could you please give us a short overview of your previous career path and expertise?
I have expertise in statistics and statistical models. During my PhD, I worked on developing new models for social network data. My work was focused on multilevel model, statistical tests and models for data streams with time-varying parameters. Previously to starting my PhD I worked as a Data Analyst at a government institute in Brazil, where I was responsible for updating data bases, providing data to researchers and media, developing statistical studies, and writing reports for government stakeholders.
What do you hope to contribute to OpenMusE?
I expect to contribute to OpenMusE with my expertise in statistics and software development. I will be working on designing sampling studies to estimate quantities associated to tracks, such as popularity. I also hope to be working on the development of a valuation model that can be used to determine how much an artist’s catalog is worth, based on past cashflows and/or residual income streams.
Who are you outside of work?
I am outgoing guy who loves reading and math puzzles. You can find me social dancing to the sound of bachata at “musica Latina” parties.
What music do you listen to?
I am very eclectic. My favorite genre is definitely pop punk, but I listen to everything from salsa to bossa nova. If I am cleaning my house I might be enjoying some hip hop, but if I am working out I will certainly be listening to some heavy metal.
Name: Ferdinand Hintz
Partner Organisation: Sinus
Could you please give us a short overview of your previous career path and expertise?
Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design
2,5 years self-employed as a documentary filmmaker
Master’s degree in cultural studies (graduation in September 2024)
What do you hope to contribute to OpenMusE?
I would like to help ensure
that the great opportunities offered by OpenMuse are also widely recognized by the public (as a trainee; only available until March 31st 2024
Who are you outside of work?
Filmmaker,
cattle-breeder, hiker, sailor
What music do you listen to?
Rock, Classic, Pop
Name: Thomas Margoni
Partner Organisation: University of Amsterdam
Could you please give us a short overview of your previous career path and expertise?
I am a professor of intellectual property law with an interest on technology. For the OpenMusE project, I have a parttime research appointment at IViR.
What do you hope to contribute to OpenMusE?
I am involved in the legal work package where we focus on aspects connected to copyright, data and digital legislation and how they can affect music data and metadata.
Who are you outside of work?
I am mostly my job.
What music do you listen to?
Whatever the algorithm decides!
Name: Kacper Szkalej
Partner Organisation: University of Amsterdam
Could you please give us a short overview of your previous career path and expertise?
I’m a copyright lawyer working in academia. My research ethos and interests are marked by an approach spanning the realm of law, technological regulation and contractual practices within the digital market, and cover a wide array of themes like protection and consumer access to content, remuneration schemes and copyright management, public interest exploitation, platformisation and automation, open access, and copyright enforcement strategies. Before becoming a lawyer I used to work as a technician servicing high-security access equipment around the world.
What do you hope to contribute to OpenMusE?
Of course with legal expertise affecting developments in the music sector and policy directions for future harmonization and regulation of market arrangements. I’m participating in WP D1.3 on improving music data initiatives and D5.6 on policy development.
Who are you outside of work?
With a boom in technology regulation there’s hardly any time left for hobbies. But the benefit of working with copyright law is that you often get to combine work with entertainment. So whilst work is everywhere, so is pleasure. But whenever I can, I enjoy the occasional sauna and cold sea bath escapade or acting as a match official at junior games at my local ice-hockey rink.
What music do you listen to?
Definitely Electronica. Progressive house tops the list but I also enjoy the occasional avantgarde specifically originating in 70’s Germany (and that’s not because I’m a copyright lawyer). But I’m no stranger to other genres and have a few favorite rock and punk bands on my lists that remind me of the festivals I used to go to back in the day.