Shows
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 58: AI Powered Mixing With RoEx CEO David RonanEver wondered how artificial intelligence might transform music production without replacing human creativity? In this eye-opening conversation with David Ronan, CEO of Roex Audio, we explore the fascinating world of AI-powered mixing and mastering tools that are changing how music creators work.David pulls back the curtain on Roex's innovative products: Mix Check Studio, which analyzes tracks and identifies mixing issues for free, and Automix, which can professionally mix up to 32 tracks in minutes rather than hours. What's particularly impressive is how these tools handle the mechanical, often tedious aspects of mixing while leaving the creative decisions...2025-08-1337 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 57: The Next Generation of The Music IndustryThe future of music depends on nurturing young talent, yet the path for emerging musicians can be as challenging as it is confusing. This episode takes a deep dive into Youth Music's insightful "Sound of the Next Generation" report, examining how the pandemic, economic hardship, and educational cuts have fundamentally altered young people's relationship with music.I share concerning statistics revealing that just 55% of young people now identify as musical (down 10% from 2019), while 48% of 18-25 year olds report feeling lonely in today's disconnected world. Music remains a crucial lifeline, with 70% of respondents agreeing it helps them feel...2025-08-0621 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 56: Exploring Mental Health with Tonic Music's Jeordie ShentonWhat does it truly mean to take care of our mental health in the complex, demanding world of music? This question sits at the heart of my conversation with Jeordie Shenton, Programmes Lead for Tonic Music, a pioneering UK charity dedicated to mental wellbeing for everyone who creates, works with, or simply loves music.Music creators experience significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges compared to the general population. The causes are multifaceted—financial instability, demanding schedules, performance pressure, burnout, and the often isolating nature of creative work. Yet until recently, conversations about th...2025-07-3045 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 55: AI Vocals and Voice Swap with Declan McGlynnImagine transforming your voice into that of legendary vocalists like Robert Owens or Angie Brown with just a few clicks. The future isn't coming—it's already here, and it's raising profound questions about artist rights, compensation, and the very nature of creative identity.In this extraordinary conversation with Declan McGlynn, Chief Creative Officer at VoiceSwap, we explore how ethical AI voice technology is revolutionizing music creation. Unlike many AI platforms that scrape data without permission, VoiceSwap builds all their models with explicit artist consent, using specially recorded training data, and pays artists a 50% split at the moment th...2025-07-231h 12
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 54: How to Pitch Your Music For SyncEver wonder how your music ends up in that Netflix show or smartphone commercial? The path from creation to placement is paved with gatekeepers, contracts, and strategic pitching—and mastering these elements could transform your music career.Jonny Amos dives deep into the sync licensing ecosystem, revealing the crucial professionals every music creator should connect with. From accessible sync agents building music libraries for clients to the coveted music supervisors who can catapult careers with a single placement, understanding these relationships is fundamental to success. The episode illuminates how legendary music supervision moments—like Kate Bush's revival in S...2025-07-1627 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 53: The Key Steps to Sync PlacementsReady to break into the world of sync licensing? Before you can land your music in films, TV shows, or advertisements, you need to master the crucial preparation steps that most artists overlook.Jonny Amos dives deep into the foundational elements of sync success, revealing why understanding your song's true essence is more challenging—and more critical—than most creators realize. "A songwriter could be preoccupied by the emotion felt when writing, yet a different mood emerges in the final production," Jonny explains, highlighting how this disconnect can prevent your perfect track from being discovered by music supe...2025-07-0932 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 52: Setting Up Your Own Remote Marketplace"I just want to make a living as a music creator" is perhaps the most common goal I hear from musicians - and today's podcast explores how the remote marketplace makes that more achievable than ever before.What if those guitar skills you've developed could earn you income beyond your local band? What if those production techniques you've mastered could serve clients worldwide? What if those songs sitting on your hard drive could be monetised without releasing them yourself?The golden age of the gig economy has transformed how musicians can earn from their craft...2025-07-0230 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 51: Hits, Syncs and Serenada - The Lloyd Perrin StoryWhat if streaming platforms actually paid artists fairly? This question has driven acclaimed producer Lloyd Perrin (Papa Zeus) to develop Serenada, a revolutionary social streaming platform that could transform how musicians earn from their music.Perrin's impressive career spans from chart success with "About You" (which brilliantly reimagined CeCe Peniston's "Finally") to scoring films like Street Dance 3D. Despite these achievements, he's witnessed firsthand how streaming economics have devastated artist income. "When I first started, we sold CDs and made money. Then downloads meant less money. With streaming it makes even less money and even less sense,"...2025-06-251h 06
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 50: Q & A with Jonny AmosFifty episodes! What started as a mission to help music creators better understand the industry has grown into a thriving community, and I couldn't be more grateful for your support along this journey. In this episode, I answer questions sent in from the community of listeners. This milestone episode tackles the questions you've been asking about the music business - the confusing parts, the frustrating parts, and the parts where terminology seems designed to bewilder newcomers. Ever wondered why your distributor sends you most of your streaming money while PRS collects another portion? Confused about what "music p...2025-06-1843 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 49: Ethical AI Music Creation with DAACI's Annemarie GaillardStep into the fascinating world of ethical AI music creation with Annemarie Gaillard from DAACI as she reveals how technology can amplify your creative process without replacing the human touch.What makes DAACI fundamentally different from other AI music tools? "We haven't trained an AI, we have taught an AI," Annemarie explains, highlighting their approach based on musicology and music theory rather than scraping existing works. With 30+ years of research and 70 patents behind them, DAACI have created tools that respect artistry while solving real problems for composers and content creators.Annemarie's extraordinary journey from classical...2025-06-1137 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 48: The Roots of Music - An Interview with Youth Music CEO Matt GriffithsWhen we cut the roots, the trees don't grow. This stark reality lies at the heart of the UK's current music crisis, where funding cuts to youth music programs threaten to silence the next generation of creative voices.Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, joins us for a profound conversation about the organization's 26-year mission to equalize young people's access to music-making opportunities. What emerges is a troubling picture: Youth Music currently turns away 83% of applicants due to limited resources, while 41% of their funded partners face closure. Yet music remains young people's absolute favorite activity, according to...2025-06-0440 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 47: Building Artists as a Brand With PR Specialist Ellie SorensenThe worlds of music PR and marketing have merged into a seamless ecosystem, where storytelling reigns supreme and strategy is non-negotiable. In this enlightening conversation, PR manager Ellie Sorensen shares her decade of experience helping independent artists navigate this complex landscape.Ellie pulls back the curtain on how she transitioned from performing artist to PR specialist, revealing the importance of mentorship and persistence in building her career. With impressive credentials working alongside artists like Idlewild, Nova Twins, and Crawlers, she offers a unique perspective on how PR has evolved from traditional press outreach to a multifaceted discipline...2025-05-2851 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 46: Understanding How To Build Growth in The Live SectorStanding at the crossroads of streaming and live performance, today's musicians face a peculiar challenge. You might command millions of streams yet struggle to fill a small venue, or pack rooms with fans while your Spotify numbers remain modest. This disconnect represents one of the most fascinating dynamics in music today.Allow me to take you on a journey through the mechanics of the live music sector, drawing from decades of experience from playing to just two people in a pub to selling out tours within 18 months. I try to demystify the roles that power the live...2025-05-2128 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 45: A Roadmap to Writing Songs for the East Asian MarketsSongwriters seeking to break into lucrative East Asian music markets face unique challenges and opportunities that differ dramatically from Western practices. This deep dive explores the mechanics behind getting your songs cut with artists in Japan, South Korea, and China – three powerhouse territories that consistently rank among the world's top 10 music markets.The pathway to success requires navigating a specific chain: songwriters connect with publishers in their home country who partner with sub-publishers in Asia, who then pitch to entertainment agencies and record labels. Without these established relationships, Western songwriters face nearly insurmountable barriers to entry. China pr...2025-05-1422 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 44: The Unclaimed Royalties Revolution with Monetunes CEO and Tech Entrepreneur Antonio Di PuortoWhat if I told you billions of dollars in music royalties go unclaimed every year? That's the reality that Antonio Di Puorto discovered during his remarkable journey from frustrated small-town DJ to successful artist manager who sold his agency to Live Nation.After witnessing talented artists missing substantial royalty payments throughout his career, Antonio founded MoneTunes to revolutionize how independent musicians collect what they're rightfully owed. His platform elegantly solves a complex problem: even music creators registered with performing rights organizations typically don't collect all of their total publishing royalties, with the rest scattered across hundreds of...2025-05-0745 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 43: The Art of Artist Development with Laurence HobbsWhat does it take to spot star potential in today's crowded music landscape? Laurence Hobbs, platinum-selling producer and songwriter pulls back the curtain on artist development with refreshing honesty and decades of wisdom.Lawrence's journey from songwriter to CEO of SAFO Music Group reveals the profound shifts reshaping how artists build sustainable careers. "Back in the day, you either got a record deal or you didn't. Now you can release however you want," he explains, highlighting how technology has democratized music creation while creating new challenges for those seeking to stand out.Throughout our conversation...2025-04-3049 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 42: Releasing Covers Can Be a Career CatalystCover songs might be the unexpected secret weapon in your artist development strategy. Whether you're an emerging talent trying to build a fanbase or an established artist looking to expand your reach, strategically releasing covers can dramatically accelerate your growth while helping you discover your unique sonic identity.Many musicians mistakenly believe that releasing cover songs requires navigating complex licensing hurdles. The truth? It's remarkably straightforward. On streaming platforms like Spotify, Tidal, and Deezer, you can release completely re-recorded versions of songs without obtaining separate copyright clearance. Your distributor and the platforms handle the mechanical licensing automatically—yo...2025-04-2321 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 41: Inside The Spotify AlgorithmThe secretive Spotify algorithm stands as arguably the most advanced digital recommendation system ever created, yet few truly understand how it works or how to leverage it effectively. As a music producer, lecturer, and industry consultant, I've dedicated countless hours to researching and testing how this mysterious system operates behind the scenes.What I've discovered is that Spotify's algorithm functions through six interconnected elements. Natural Language Processing scans the internet for discussions about your music, collaborative filtering connects listeners with similar tastes, contextual information considers when and where music is being played, audio features analysis examines the...2025-04-1628 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 40: Looking Through The Lens of a Session Player with Rich WatsonGuitar virtuoso Rich Watson takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolving landscape of session musicianship. From touring with major artists to recording remotely for clients worldwide, Rich offers a masterclass in musical versatility and career adaptability.The conversation explores Rich's work across multiple domains – from the technical demands of theatre pit work (where sight-reading is non-negotiable) to the efficient workflow of modern remote session platforms. Rich provides exceptional insights into Musiversal, an innovative platform where musicians undergo rigorous auditions to join a curated roster of session players, offering subscription-based access to high-quality recordings.Wh...2025-04-091h 00
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 39: Understanding Rights Management and CollectionThe music industry is rife with complexities, especially when it comes to rights management, and this episode is designed to unpack everything you need to know to ensure you're not leaving money on the table. Join us as we explore the intricate world of copyrights, neighbouring rights, and the pivotal role of collective management organisations (CMOs) in safeguarding your earnings.We kick off by addressing the foundational concept of copyright and its significance for every music creator. Understanding who owns what is essential to navigating the music business and ensuring that you receive your rightful earnings. Our...2025-04-0224 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 38: An Insight Into Artist Deals with Music Lawyer Mimi CamaraIn this engaging episode, we explore the intricate dynamics of the music industry with esteemed attorney Mimi Camara, who has dedicated her career to helping independent artists navigate the complex world of contracts and negotiations. From balancing her legal practice with motherhood to understanding the current trends influencing music consumption, Mimi shares invaluable insights that aspiring musicians can leverage for success. She highlights the transformative impact of social media in the music business and the importance of viewing oneself as a brand and a business from day one.Mimi's journey exemplifies the power of strategic negotiation, with...2025-03-2631 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 37: Song Presentation and PitchingExplore the intricacies of pitching songs to different types of music industry professionals whilst understanding the nuances that could enhance a music creator's career. Learn why demo recordings often hold the key to capturing early excitement and understand how embellishing your production and tailoring your pitch can make all the difference. Whether you're showcasing your potential as an artist or pitching a finished song to a sync agent, find out what each gatekeeper is really looking for.Join the adventure into defining your unique sound without losing your way. Understand the importance of self-exploration before collaborating with...2025-03-1923 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 36: Exploring the Art of Connection with KnowleDJGet ready to explore the vibrant world of music with Las Vegas-based DJ KnowleDJ; a maestro who knows how to rock a party while championing social causes. Find out how KnowleDJ has skillfully turned his passion for music into a tool for healing and uniting people, creating unforgettable moments for his audience. He opens up about his journey from being a promoter in the late 90s to becoming a DJ and eventually a producer, seamlessly blending his love for traditional vinyl with cutting-edge digital techniques. Listeners will gain insights into how he crafts the perfect atmosphere by reading the...2025-03-1234 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 35: How Songwriting Camps WorkIt is time to analyse one of the music industry's best-kept secrets: songwriting camps. Ever wondered how some of your favorite songs come to life? Join me, Jonny Amos, as I take you on an insightful journey into the collaborative realm of songwriting camps, where creativity knows no bounds. From the dynamic team structures typically involving a producer and two top liners, to my personal stories from the vibrant Scandinavian music scene, this episode offers a unique glimpse into how these camps function and what makes them crucial to shaping the hits we all love. We'll explore how cultural...2025-03-0523 min
The Music Business BuddyEpisode 34: The Global Evolution of Music and Genre TrendsLets dive into today's shifting music landscape and discover the strategic moves propelling solo artists to unprecedented success. What if you could track the rise of an artist from obscurity to the pinnacle of the industry within just a year? Join me, Jonny Amos, on the Music Business Buddy podcast as we explore compelling insights from Chartmetrics, revealing the dominance of solo acts and the remarkable ascent of Chapel Roan. We'll also highlight how industry giants like Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift continue to hold sway, while Colombian artists are making waves worldwide.As the...2025-02-2619 min