Shows
DROPPED"Off With Their Heads": AI Bands, Protest Anthems & Cabin FeverAfter an unplanned break, we’re back and catching up on everything from tech to timber. We dive into how the latest wave of AI music tools are already making their impact on music (and lately even inspiring Greg), and Matt shares what he’s learned building a cabin studio from the ground up - because apparently being an indie musician now means also becoming a part-time builder. Don't forget Greg’s new protest anthem ‘Off With Their Heads’ - will it get him arrested, deported, or just more shadow banned than he is already?
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If you're...2025-07-2352 minDROPPEDFrom public school teacher to co-founding two successful vinyl-focused record labels and a brick and mortar store. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Terry ColeIn this episode we talk to Terry Cole, a public school teacher turned indie label head, producer, artist and co-founder of Plaid Room Records, a brick and mortar record store in Loveland, OH. Terry started selling records out of his car a decade ago and now runs two successful independent record labels; Colemine Records and Karma Chief Records, as well as his popular record store.
Terry gives us much insight into the inner workings of indie labels, as well as what to do (and what not to do) if you’re an artist trying to approach indie la...2025-06-191h 59DROPPEDTommyD on Hits, Hustle & Healing the Music Industry; How Indie Skills Can Build EmpiresIn this week’s episode, Greg and Matt sit down with legendary music producer TommyD, whose near-endless list of credits includes Tom Jones, Beyoncé, Catatonia, Noel Gallagher and even Right Said Fred.
We trace Tommy’s rise from South London’s music shops and clubs to the global stage, including some brilliant Tom Jones anecdotes and the story of how a demo tape exchange with Right Said Fred catapulted him into the big leagues.
Tommy shares the philosophies and hard-won lessons that have guided his journey through multiple careers, from hitmaker to entrepreneur to industry changem...2025-05-262h 00DROPPED"I'm the breadwinner, you're the lottery winner". Amy Wadge on hard times, 'Thinking Out Loud' and an 8-year lawsuitIn this episode we talk with Grammy-winning songwriter and artist Amy Wadge. At 37, Amy was a struggling artist and songwriter, like so many of us searching for some kind of meaning. Enter fresh-faced unknown singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The rest as they say is history...
Sheeran's 2010 EP 'Songs I Wrote With Amy' is exactly what it sounds like: songs he wrote with Amy. In 2014 the two of them co-wrote "Thinking Out Loud", a humongous worldwide hit and the subject of an 8-year plagiarism lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed.
Amy has written with many great artists including...2025-05-051h 11DROPPEDThe Season 2 Comeback: Too Controversial for YouTube, Too Tired for TikTokWe’re back. Season two. Did you also think it might never happen? In this episode, we catch up after a much-needed break, talk about why YouTube banned our channel for using our own music, and unpack the burnout that came from trying to play the social media game.
We cover a lot; from Greg’s bold move to release his new album without streaming, to the fundamental importance of community around music and why we’re both done chasing algorithms. We also share the cover songs we made of each other’s music, which turned out to be bo...2025-04-2159 min
DROPPEDSeason 1 Finale; What We Learned & What’s Coming NextIn this finale episode, we reflect on how far we’ve come, the key lessons we’re taking away, and the ways we’ve grown while making this podcast. We discuss how our conversations - with each other and our guests - have reshaped how we approach our careers and overcome challenges.
Even more significantly, we explore how the lessons we're learning from relaunching our music careers can apply to anyone navigating adversity.
Thank you for being part of the DROPPED journey! We have big ambitions for the podcast and can’t wait to share what we...2025-01-0156 min
DROPPEDHit Songwriting in the Golden Age & Building Something Bigger Than Yourself; A Conversation With Sacha SkarbekIn this episode we speak with Sacha Skarbek; the songwriter behind numerous hit songs including monster hits You're Beautiful (James Blunt) & Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus). In a career at the top which so far spans 20+ years Sacha has worked with artists including James Blunt, Jason Mraz, Lana Del Rey, Robbie Williams, Adele, Alec Benjamin and many many more. We discuss his life changing breakthrough with You're Beautiful, the pitfalls of success, building something bigger than yourself and his current project, guiding the next generation of hit songwriters via The Skarbek Songwriting Academy.
We also catch up on...2024-12-231h 28DROPPEDUnwrapping our Spotify wrapped; What does it all really mean?Tis the season to compare ourselves to everyone else! But why? In this episode we discuss Spotify wrapped and what it means to not only share, but to have these often arbitrary numbers rammed down our throats year after year. Is it all bad? No. In fact, we find a lot of gratitude within this genius, but often misleading marketing campaign from our friends at Spotify. Join us for a side by side comparison of our wrapped numbers, and how we feel about the whole damn thing. Ho ho hold on tight!
If you're enjoying l...2024-12-0934 min
DROPPEDThe state of the music industry; Matt & Greg talk it out!If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast - which you'll get to see early and ad free! - at https://patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg
In this, our 7th episode, we decided to give you all an insight into the current state of the music industry. We share some news of major label artists that have chosen to go independent - including James Blake and Julia Michaels - and we take a look at some of the frustrations they've shared in...2024-11-2553 min
DROPPEDVioletta Zironi's Fierce Journey to Web3 Independence: From X Factor & a Major Record Deal to "1 Song = 1 Bitcoin"In this episode, we have a great conversation with Italian singer-songwriter Violetta Zironi, tracing her journey from her appearance as an 18-year-old ukulele-playing singer on X Factor Italy in 2013 to her position today as one of the most prominent artists in the Web3 music revolution - We caught up with her right in the middle of one of her most ground breaking Web3 achievements to date. Together, we discuss her path, we find out the origins of her incredible relentlessness and we compare notes on our own experiences as signed artists, dropped artists, and independent artists forging a path...2024-11-111h 35
DROPPEDRob Abelow teaches us to foster human fan connections in an algorithmic worldIn this episode we sit down with Rob Abelow, a seasoned music industry professional and the founder of 'Where Music's Going'. Rob’s had a fascinating career, from working at major labels to managing artists, and now mentoring them through his platform. We dive into the changing landscape of the music industry, exploring how technology like AI, web3, and NFTs is reshaping how artists connect directly with their fans. Rob shares valuable insights into navigating this digital age while staying authentic and maintaining control over one’s artistic voice. We discuss the resurgence of vinyl and the potential of musi...2024-10-281h 04
DROPPED"WTF is an Inbetweenisode?" – More on the Challenges (and Why We Almost Dropped Them)In this special shortened "Inbetweenisode" of Dropped we discuss the challenges segment of the podcast. How we almost Dropped it, some of the show feedback we've received so far, unexpected positive experiences that have already come as a result of stepping slightly out of our comfort zones to create more compelling reels, and what we hope to get from this unexpectedly popular part of the podcast!
2024-10-1523 min
DROPPEDBehind the scenes of songwriting; your questions answered!In this special in-person episode of the podcast, recorded at Greg’s studio in Portland, we dive into the nuances of songwriting, creative collaboration, and the highs and lows of writing trips. We respond to a Q&A which leads us to discuss breaking through writer’s block, the emotional depths we traverse in sessions, and how songwriting cultures differ in Nashville, LA, and London. We also touch on the thrill of having a hit, navigating the pitfalls of plagiarism, and the crucial role of networking in the music industry. The episode wraps up with our insights on building lasti...2024-10-0740 minDROPPEDHow did we get here? What trying to make it actually looks like.In this episode, Greg and Matt discuss their transition from being part of a big, shiny record label team to navigating careers as one-man operations. They reflect on their respective journeys - Greg working every part-time job under the sun and Matt playing cover gigs and busking - before eventually finding their own breakthroughs as full-time musicians playing their own music.
They share how early jobs shaped their careers and the experience of overcoming adversity to achieve personal definitions of success. The conversation also delves into the imbalance of earnings within the music industry, the challenge of...2024-09-2357 minDROPPEDHey there superstar, you've been dropped.In this episode, Greg Holden and Matt Belmont introduce themselves and the podcast. They discuss some of their experiences in the music industry, including successes and setbacks. They express their frustrations with the changing landscape of the industry and their determination to adapt and find a new path forward. They also touch on the challenges of reaching and connecting with their audience in the age of streaming and short form content. Overall, the episode sets the stage for their journey of self-discovery and reinvention. Greg and Matt go on to discuss their experiences in the music industry, including their...2024-09-0554 min