The Music Business Buddy

This episode delves deeply into the evolving role of music supervision, exploring its historical context, current challenges, and future trends. Jonny Amos discusses the dual nature of music supervisors as both creative and business-oriented professionals, the impact of social media and AI on music discovery, and the increasing importance of independent artists in the sync landscape. The discussion also highlights the rise of production music and the need for music supervisors to act as cultural tastemakers in a rapidly changing media environment. Keywords music supervision, future of music, music licensing, AI in music, social media impact, independent artists, sync placements, production music, cultural tastemakers, music industry Key Topics History and role of music supervisors Impact of social media on music discovery AI's role in music licensing and search Changes in sync licensing economics Independent artists and media opportunities Future trends in media and immersive experiences Sound Bites "Music supervisors can break an artist's career" "Music is crucial for storytelling in media" "Independent artists can influence media discovery" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to music supervision and its importance 01:47 Historical evolution of music supervision in film and TV 03:53 Key partnerships: Directors and music supervisors 05:59 Economic factors influencing sync licensing fees 07:59 Social media's role in music discovery and culture 10:00 AI's impact on search, clearance, and creative prompting 12:04 The shift towards independent artists in media use 13:57 Proactive relationships between artists, managers, and supervisors 15:59 Production music and new media experiences 18:08 The future of music supervision in immersive and interactive media 19:58 The human element and integrity in music supervision 21:54 Understanding the evolving role of music supervisors 22:49 Conclusion: The future of music supervision and collaboration

I speak with hit producer Jamie Sellers about how music creation has changed now that artists can get a demo most of the way there on their own, but still need experienced ears to finish a record. Jamie explains why his role has shifted from building songs from scratch to acting more like a finisher and exec producer, and why that experience gap is still the difference between a good demo and a release-ready record. We also get into Jamie’s new label, Caledonia, including why he started it, what kind of artists he signs, and how he is thinking about ownership, licensing, publishing, and building a catalogue of assets for the long term. Key topics Jamie argues that technology and tutorials can get artists about 60 to 70 percent of the way to a solid record, but the final 30 percent still comes from experience, instinct, and nuance. He describes his production role as becoming more like a finisher or exec producer, helping artists bring projects to release-ready standard. The conversation covers the shift in artist economics, where a more efficient model is to let artists build a strong demo first and then bring in experienced help to complete it. He says a senior label contact encouraged him to stop waiting for a label job and instead build his own imprint, using his producer background and network. Caledonia is designed to feel artist-first and music-first, with the values of older label eras but a 21st century approach. He shares that he has signed two artists so far and both came through existing creative relationships. Jamie and Jonny talk through deal structures, including licensing versus assignment, and the long-term goal of building a catalogue of assets through both Caledonia Sound and Caledonia Songs. They finish on the importance of trust, artist motivation, and making sure the label relationship works both creatively and commercially. Timestamps (00:00) Demo-to-record mindset (01:15) Why experience still matters after the first 70 percent (03:11) The final 30 percent only comes from time in the studio (04:36) Why Jamie is moving toward a more selective, finishing role (06:50) Why starting a label made sense (09:12) Interviews, A and R conversations, and the advice that changed everything (14:01) Why Jamie chose to start his own thing instead of chasing a label job (15:26) The need for infrastructure after the studio session ends (17:12) Caledonia’s ethos - heritage label values with a modern approach (19:09) Working artist-first without big advances or big marketing budgets (20:38) Imposter syndrome, then confidence from experience (24:18) Signed potential versus evidence of momentum in modern music (26:46) What Jamie looks for in artists he signs (28:27) Producers as early-stage investors in artist development (30:13) Why trust and work rate matter before signing (31:09) How Dia Day became a key example of the label’s direction (33:34) What her independence and momentum proved (35:46) Balancing artistic instinct with market reality (37:09) Why Jamie still thinks like a producer first (38:08) Picking battles and keeping artists excited enough to promote (40:30) Artists as CEOs of their own careers (41:43) The future shape of the label and possible scaling options (44:20) Assignment deal versus licensing deal (45:19) Why one release was licensed and one was assigned (47:16) Building a catalogue and the Caledonia Sound and Caledonia Songs structure (49:22) Why the name Caledonia felt right (51:13) Scotland, the song Caledonia, and the label identity (52:43) Legacy, ambition, and what comes next (53:16) Closing praise and plans to revisit the label in future

In this episode, Jonny Amos explores the ins and outs of music publishing, focusing on what songwriters should know about choosing the right publisher, deal structures, and long-term relationships. Perfect for songwriters looking to understand how to navigate the complex world of music publishing. Keywords music publishing, songwriters, publishing deals, royalties, sub-publishing, music rights, music industry, publishing contracts Key Topics Role of music publishers in a songwriter's career How to identify suitable publishers Differences between admin and control deals Importance of understanding royalty rates and splits Global collection and sub-publishing nuances Long-term relationships and partnership strategies Negotiating advances and deal terms Metadata and catalog management for songwriters Sound bites "A music publisher is like a songwriter’s best friend." "Choose a publisher that fits your genre and goals." "Know your songs and their metadata." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Music Publishing and Its Role 01:17 What Do Music Publishers Actually Do? 02:15 Long-Term Relationships and Developing Songwriters 04:38 Choosing the Right Publisher: Major vs. Independent 06:22 Genre-Specific Publishers and Niche Markets 07:48 Understanding Collection and Royalties Worldwide 12:05 Admin Deals vs. Control Deals 13:50 Deal Terms: Advances, Term, and Retention 16:38 Royalty Rates and Income Streams 17:35 Legal Aspects and Contract Clauses 19:04 Co-Writing Opportunities and Relationships 20:07 Managing Expectations and Communication 22:01 Preparing Your Catalog for Publishing 25:11 Investing in People, Not Just Songs 26:36 The Language of Songs and Metadata 27:30 Summary and Final Thoughts Resources Kobalt Music Publishing - https://www.kobaltmusic.com True Love Music - https://truelovemusic.com Ralph W Peer and Peer Music - https://peermusic.com

In this episode, Chordal CEO Grayson Sanders joins me, Jonny Amos, for a discussion on the complexities of music licensing in the digital age, the potential of AI in rights management, and the future of micro-licensing for the creator economy. We explore how technology is transforming the industry and what it means for artists, rights holders, and content creators. Keywords music licensing, AI rights management, micro-licensing, digital content, creator economy, rights clearance, TikTok music, music industry innovation Key Topics Music licensing complexities in the internet age AI's role in rights management and licensing Micro-licensing as a scalable revenue model The future of music licensing by 2035 TikTok's music licensing innovations The role of human curation vs algorithms in music discovery Challenges faced by independent artists in licensing The impact of AI on music rights and discovery Takeaways Music rights are owned by multiple parties, making licensing complex. AI is used for rights cleaning, matching, and discovery, not for generating music. Micro-licensing is becoming essential due to internet content volume. Traditional blockbuster licensing will coexist with micro-licensing. Platforms like TikTok are pioneering scalable licensing solutions. Human curation remains vital despite AI advancements. Independent artists often lack knowledge about licensing requirements. AI can help manage rights more efficiently and fairly. Guest Name Grayson Sanders - CEO of Chordal Sound bites "Music licensing is more complex than ever." "AI helps manage rights, not just create music." "Community curation will outpace algorithms." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to music licensing challenges in the digital age 01:57 How music rights are owned and the complexity of licensing 03:53 The impact of the internet on licensing speed and scalability 06:10 Chordal's platform and its role in licensing and rights management 07:57 Expanding licensing to independent artists and creators 11:02 The rise of micro-licensing and its importance 13:58 The influence of AI in rights management and licensing 17:04 Future of licensing in 2035: human vs. platform transactions 20:00 The cultural shift back to human curation and community-based discovery 22:52 The role of AI in managing rights and enhancing discovery 25:56 The impact of platforms like TikTok on licensing and music use 33:01 The importance of fair remuneration and rights holder control 36:00 Final thoughts: coexistence of traditional and new licensing models Resources Chordal Platform - https://chordal.com Music Ally Article on TikTok Commercial Music Library - https://musically.com/2026/05/11/chordal-got-5bn-tiktok-views-for-commercial-music-library-tracks/

In this episode, I am joined by Hekta Music Group CEO Lucas Rizzo who also operates as a Fractional Partner Across Brands, Tech and Capital. Lucas shares insights from his unique journey through music, tech, and startups, highlighting the interconnectedness of these worlds and how they shape his approach to artist development and catalog management. Keywords music industry, startups, artist development, catalog acquisition, authenticity, creator economy, music tech, AI in music Key Topics Interconnection of music, tech, and startups The importance of authenticity in music Data-driven artist development strategies The role of catalog acquisition in music Balancing passion and business in music Takeaways Cross-industry experience provides a unique edge in music. Authenticity remains crucial despite industry pressures. Data and intuition together inform artist strategies. Catalog management is a key to sustainable success. Embracing being lost is part of finding your true path. Guest Name Lucas Rizzo Sound bites "The interconnectedness of it all." "The DSP element is part of market fit." "Getting lost is part of the process." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lucas and His Journey 03:08 Interconnectedness of Music, Tech, and Startups 05:55 Realising Success vs. Fulfilment 09:00 The Transition from Artist to Business 11:52 Goals in Catalogue Acquisition and Artist Development 16:01 Navigating the Creator Economy 20:07 Wisdom from Parallel Lives 22:59 Authenticity in the Age of Social Media 25:59 Finding Your True Self Through the Journey Resources Hekta Music Group - https://hektamusicgroup.com Chartmetric - https://www.chartmetric.com/ Ovo by Drake - https://www.octobersveryown.com/

Your music can be playing in thousands of real-world places right now: cafés, shops, gyms, pubs, restaurants, clubs and grassroots venues. The uncomfortable truth is that public performance royalties are still often calculated from surveys, proxies and best guesses, not from actual usage. That means creators can be underpaid or overpaid, and a lot of value ends up drifting into the black box instead of reaching the people who wrote and performed the work. I’m joined by Ryan Edwards, CEO of Audoo, a company building audio meters that help rights organisations measure what is really being played in venues. Ryan shares the moment he heard his own band’s track in a department store and realised he had no practical way to verify it on a royalty statement. We unpack the scale of the problem, including how limited sampling can distort distributions, and why accurate public performance reporting matters more than ever now that music catalogues are treated like investable assets. We also get properly technical. Ryan explains how Audoo creates a digital fingerprint in real time, matches it against a massive catalogue, and stays GDPR compliant by never storing or transmitting raw audio. We talk about adoption barriers, why some collecting societies move fast while others resist change, and what accurate play data unlocks beyond payments: touring strategy, marketing timing, cultural campaigns, and clearer insight into where music actually lives in the world. If you care about music licensing, PRO reform, royalty transparency, metadata, and fair pay for songwriters and performers, this one is for you. Subscribe for more deep dives into how the modern music industry works, share the episode with a creator who needs it, and leave a review telling me what part of royalty accounting you want decoded next. https://audoo.com Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

Sync is meant to be simple: a great track, a clear brief, a fair fee, everyone gets paid. In reality, it can be weeks of chasing split sheets, conflicting PRO records, missing contacts and approvals that arrive too late to matter. I’m joined by hitmaker and builder Nathan Duvall to talk about what happens when the modern pace of content collides with a licensing system that still struggles to answer one basic question: who owns what, and where? We get into what Nathan is building with SyncIt, including the unglamorous but essential work of collating rights ownership data at scale and reducing the friction that slows down music licensing for adverts, TV, film, games and social campaigns. We also explore why big brands like L’Oreal cannot wait for endless back and forth, how licensing terms can price music out of the market, and why AI is already part of the toolkit whether the industry feels ready or not. Then we zoom out to sport and fan culture. Nathan explains Fanthem, an AI-powered fan engagement platform that lets supporters generate chants and anthems, and why FIFA is trialling it for the Under 17s World Cup. From there we move into artist strategy: building an audience while creating a licensable body of work, the shift towards visual-first music discovery, and the practical reality that expertise still matters when brands need cut-downs, mixes, masters and fast delivery. We close with a straight-talking look at masters ownership, multiple income streams, and the contract details artists overlook, especially retention period and consent clauses. If this helps, subscribe, share it with someone navigating sync licensing or label deals, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. https://syncit.ac Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

You can feel it happening: a quiet revolt against the feed. When music becomes something we scroll past, count, and optimise, we lose the part that actually nourishes us. So I sit down with Keith Jopling, former Spotify global head of strategy and one of the UK’s sharpest music industry thinkers, to talk about the surprisingly radical idea at the heart of his book Body Of Work. We start with the album and why it refuses to die. Keith breaks down what campaigns like Charli XCX’s Brat reveal about culture, timing, and the return of album-era moments, especially among younger fans. From Taylor Swift to Billie Eilish to Olivia Rodrigo, we explore why cohesive projects still matter even when “album consumption” is difficult to measure in the streaming era, and why physical formats like vinyl and CDs can be part fandom, part merch, and part a genuine route back to attention and meaning. Then we get practical for creators: what constitutes a hit record in 2026? We look at how charts have become more industry-facing, what streaming numbers can and cannot tell you, and why the most honest metric might be the song your crowd sings back the loudest. We also challenge the obsession with measurement, including the growing pressure to treat music as a set of financial metrics, and land on the real antidotes: live music, better craft, and rituals like listening parties that make music communal again. If you care about the future of the music business, the creator economy, and the health of music culture, press play. Subscribe, share this with a music obsessive, and leave a review with the last album you listened to front-to-back. https://www.songsommelier.com https://www.songsommelier.com/body-of-work Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

A song can be great and still miss its audience, simply because nobody knows where to place it. That problem sits at the heart of my conversation with Zotz - the strategist, music executive, and CEO of Rocketship Music, a new platform built to help artists understand exactly where their track fits before they spend money promoting it. We talk about the practical reality of modern music marketing for independent artists: choosing a “single”, defining genre and mood, writing targeting, and making decisions with tiny budgets while the industry often waits for TikTok or streaming algorithms to pick winners. Maxwell explains how Rocketship compares your music to similar releases across decades, then uses that historical context to point towards likely audiences and smarter next steps. The goal is not to replace taste or creativity, but to stop creators shooting in the dark and to reduce wasted spend on the wrong channels. We also go deep on what responsible AI in the music industry looks like. Rocketship is not an AI music generator, and Zotz breaks down the legal and ethical hurdles of building “AI that listens” without training on copyrighted recordings in the way most people assume. From there we explore where AI genuinely helps musicians today: saving time on workflows, improving planning, and freeing artists to focus on writing, recording, and performing. Finally, we look ahead to a market where AI increases the volume of new music and raises the stakes for human artists. Our shared takeaway: fandom, live connection, and knowing who truly resonates with your work becomes even more important. If you enjoy these deep dives into A&R, artist development, and music tech, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review. What’s the one question you wish you could answer about your audience right now? https://rocketship.music Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

AI music tools are moving fast, but one issue keeps poisoning the well: models trained on copyrighted songs with little or no visibility into what went in. When creators cannot see the training data, they cannot consent, negotiate, or get paid, and we end up stuck in a bleak loop of scrape first and litigate later. I want a better outcome, and I think we already have a blueprint hiding in plain sight. I unpack how legal sampling works through TrackLib and why it is more than a niche producer tool. It is a rights and provenance system: pick from a cleared catalogue, create, clear before release, and ensure credit and compensation reach the right people. Then I map that logic onto generative AI in the music industry with a licence-first approach: opt-in training catalogues for labels, publishers, artists, and other rights holders; a training provenance database that shows what was included; revenue participation through royalties or usage-based payouts; influence reporting; and clear commercial rights so users know what they can release. We also face the tough questions head-on: scale, value allocation across millions of training tracks, the difference between influence and copying, and the competitive pressure that makes unlicensed scraping tempting. I point to early proof-of-concept signals, including companies pursuing licensed training and partnerships with major rights holders and organisations, and I explain why moving beyond a flawed declaration model matters. If you care about music copyright, AI training data transparency, and building fair royalties for creators, listen through and tell me where you land. Subscribe, share with a creator friend, and leave a review so more people can join the conversation. Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

You can feel it happening: people are watching less legacy television, and the internet is filling the gap with an endless stream of short-form video, livestreams, indie games, podcasts, and creator-led brands. That shift doesn’t just change how audiences consume media, it changes how music needs to be licensed. I’m looking at micro licensing, a model that could become a major force over the next five to ten years as the modern music industry scrambles to match the speed and scale of the creator economy. We unpack what micro licensing actually means in practice: moving away from a slow, negotiation-heavy sync licensing process built for rare, high-value placements, and towards instant clearance for thousands (or even millions) of smaller uses. I talk through why the pricing model matters, why creators sometimes default to AI-generated music when licensing is too hard, and how a long-tail revenue economy could create meaningful income for rights holders if the infrastructure is right. Then we get honest about the risks: value dilution, messy global rights, and the growing chaos around AI ownership and attribution. I also explore what could make this workable at scale, including strong metadata, smarter rights databases, and API-driven licensing that distributors could potentially plug into. Finally, I share a standout early market mover I’ve been researching, and why I’m pushing for independent artists, songwriters, and producers to be included rather than left behind. If you want to understand where music licensing is heading and how to prepare your catalogue for what’s next, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a fellow creator, and leave a review with your take: does micro licensing empower independents, or does it risk making music feel disposable? Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

Most artists don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they rush, chase the wrong signals, or hand over control before they understand what they own. I’m joined by John Hart, A&R consultant and artist management specialist, for a straight-talking look at what sustainable artist development really means in today’s music industry. We get specific about what a good manager looks for and it’s not “who might get a hit”. John explains why he backs long-term career potential, why songwriting still sits at the centre of modern revenue, and how authenticity is built through clear identity rather than rigid genre rules. We also dig into audience thinking: who your fans are, what they value, and how that should shape everything from your visuals to your live strategy. From there we go deep on deal structures and rights. We talk publishing deals that fund recording, working with producers as true creative partners, and why keeping control of masters can open up options later through licensing deals, catalogue value, and smarter investment. We also cover the unglamorous money: neighbouring rights, mechanicals, and metadata, plus the mistakes artists make by releasing too early and treating Spotify like a shop instead of a discovery platform. We finish with the big shifts ahead, including AI, market fragmentation, and the resilience you need to survive rejection and keep moving. If you’re building a serious independent music career, hit subscribe, share this with an artist mate, and leave a review. Which part of your career needs a clearer plan right now? Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

Most music producers spend years trying to be louder, faster, and more impressive in the room. Tenroc argues the opposite;l the real edge is knowing what the song needs, then doing only that. Jonny Amos sits down with the New York songwriter-producer behind work connected to artists like Jon Bellion, Rihanna, the Jonas Brothers and Julia Michaels, and pulls back the curtain on how modern sessions actually function. We dig into the messy, practical question every producer faces - am I here to write, to build tracks, to programme drums, to play instruments, or to get out of the way? Tenroc explains how he reads the room, protects the creative flow, and builds relationships that last even when the song never gets released. He also shares a personal turning point: moving from behind-the-scenes work into putting out an album as an artist, driven by a clear sense of purpose. If you love craft, you will enjoy the nerdy details. Tenroc breaks down how he learned “commercial” sound through chart study and reverse-engineering, why emotion is often innate, and how tools like GarageBand, Logic Pro and FL Studio shaped his workflow. We also tackle the underrated skill that gets producers paid: finishing songs, using song structure to hold attention, and understanding when a verse, pre-chorus, hook, or bridge should appear. Finally, we talk music publishing in plain language - what a good publisher actually does, and why taste and collaborator fit matter more than chasing the biggest name on paper. If you want practical music production advice, major label session reality, and a clearer path for artist development, press play, then subscribe, share with a producer friend, and leave us a review. Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

The music industry does not just need more songs and artists. It needs more people who understand how the whole machine fits together and who can help artists build sustainable careers. That is why I brought three of my former students onto the podcast: Natalie Brown, Lotty Evans and Chris Beswick. They have just finished their degrees at BIMM University in Birmingham (UK) and they already sound like the next wave of UK music executives. We get into what they actually want from the next few years, from freelancing in music marketing and branding to artist management and development, to music journalism and editorial pathways. They talk honestly about competition, building a portfolio career and why “getting in” often starts with showing your work in public. We also dig into how education changes your music business understanding, especially around publishing vs distribution, copyright, contracts and the practical value of music law when you are trying to protect artists early. If you want a clear look at modern music industry careers, artist development and what actually makes someone employable in music, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a mate who is trying to break in, and leave a review with the biggest lesson you are taking away. Chris Beswick - Artist Development Professional https://chrisbeswickmusic.wixsite.com/portfolio Instagram @chrisbeswickmusic Tik Tok @chrisbeswickmusic Natalie Brown - Media and Marketing Professional https://www.morethanjustmusicblog.com Instagram @morethanjustmusicblog Tik Tok @x_natalie_b Lotty Evans - Freelance Music Marketer Photography, PR, Marketing and Journalism under her professional brand Charlie Brook Media. www.melomaniablog.co.uk I'm Losing It @imlosingitfanzine online Instagram @charliebr00k TikTok @.charliebr00k Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

When you approach crowdfunding with a plan, it becomes one of the most powerful tools an independent artist can use to fund an album, a tour, a music video, or the next career step without handing over control. I am joined by Ella Kuijpers and Remy Van Leeuwen, the founders of Crowdable; a crowdfunding platform built specifically for music. Remy and Ella kindly explain why their work is as much about hands on strategic support as it is about raising capital, and what “success” looks like behind the scenes. We talk through the practical mechanics that many artists miss: setting a realistic funding goal, building a clear project page with video and story, choosing rewards you can actually deliver, and communicating with urgency across socials, newsletters, and gigs. One of the most useful frameworks they share is the three group rollout: start with close friends and family to create momentum, then widen to peers and existing fans, and only then reach future fans who do not know you yet. We also get into the emotional side, including the fear of asking for money, and how to reframe a donation as giving supporters a real chance to be part of the work. Along the way, we place music crowdfunding in the wider UK music industry funding landscape as a tool that can sit alongside grants, distributor deals, and label investment, while also proving you have an engaged fan base. If you’re planning a crowdfunding campaign or wondering whether it can fit your artist business model, you’ll leave with a clearer strategy and fewer pitfalls. Subscribe, share this with an artist friend, and leave a review with the project you’d crowdfund next. https://www.crowdable.co.uk/ Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

Episode 100 is a landmark for me, so I went back through the first 99 conversations and pulled out the 10 biggest lessons I want every music creator to use into 2026. If you make songs, release recordings, or collaborate with anyone at all, this is the practical checklist that helps you protect your work, get your royalties paid, and avoid the silent mistakes that cost artists money for years. We start with the unglamorous stuff that decides whether you get paid: song splits, ownership clarity, and registering the right rights in the right places. I talk through why works registration and recording registration are not the same thing, how bad metadata leads to unclaimed royalties and black boxing, and how identifiers like ISWC and ISRC help connect the dots. If you are independent without a label or publisher, I explain why the responsibility lands on you and how to make that manageable. Then we zoom out to the reality of streaming and discovery, where old music competes with new releases and dormant tracks can explode later through playlists, sync, or algorithmic momentum. I also share why music fintech is becoming a real funding route, why catalogue value matters, and what to consider before you lock rights away in long deals. Finally, we get tactical: think globally, embrace AI tools to save time and sharpen strategy, listen to seasoned professionals, map your next 12 to 24 months, build your team your way, and stop waiting to be picked. If this helps, subscribe, share it with one music maker who needs it, and leave a review so more creators can find the show. Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

Royalties don’t disappear, they get stuck. When the data can’t identify you, the system can’t pay you, even if the money has been collected. That’s why I wanted to bring on Amit Dubey from Beat Street Music and Publishing in Mumbai, India; a specialist in the unglamorous back end of the music business - rights documentation, metadata accuracy, publishing administration, royalty tracking, and recovery. We dig into how India’s music rights ecosystem compares with the UK and US, starting with the basics: composition rights, sound recording rights, and usage. From there, Amit explains the real gap in India, not structure but execution. We talk IPRS membership, why many creators still misunderstand music publishing, and the three reasons royalties end up in a “black box”: unclear splits, poor metadata, and missing registrations. If you’ve ever wondered why a track can trend and still not pay properly, this conversation gives you a checklist mindset. We also look ahead at what could improve next: stronger reporting practices across radio, TV, OTT, and public performances, wider cue sheet adoption, and a culture of data discipline at the source. Amit breaks down Sangeet Dwar, India’s push towards a single licensing window for public performance, and we finish on how independent music is growing and how streaming economics and short-form platforms are reshaping creative choices. If you care about the Indian music industry, music publishing, copyright, and getting paid fairly from royalties, you’ll want this one. If it helps, subscribe, share it with one music creator, and leave a review telling us what topic you want next. https://beatstreetmusic.co Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

Confusing distribution with publishing is one of the fastest ways to lose time, miss money, and second guess every release decision you make. I’m Jonny Amos - host of The Music Business Buddy and I’m stripping it back to basics so you can clearly separate what a music distributor does from what a music publisher does, without the jargon and without the myths. We start with the core distinction the industry actually cares about: the sound recording (master rights) versus the underlying song (composition copyright, meaning lyrics, melody, and harmony). From there, I explain how music distribution works in practice, from getting your recorded music onto Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms, to why accurate metadata, credits, artwork and scheduling affect how you appear in searches, libraries and playlists. Distributors may offer extra services, but their main job is access and reporting for the master side. Then we move to music publishing, including why it’s even called “publishing” in the first place, what publishers do for songwriters, and why collection societies and PRO systems do not always catch everything without help. I break down the key publishing income streams, especially performance royalties and mechanical royalties, and I clarify the part that trips people up most: where streaming royalties sit, why both your distributor and PROs can be involved, and how the typical 80/20 split between recording and songwriting tends to work. If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with an artist friend who’s about to release music, and leave a review so more creators can find the show. What’s the one part of distribution or publishing you still want unpacked? Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

China can look like the biggest opportunity in music and the easiest place to get lost. I sit down with Jonathan Heeter, who runs Middle8, an outsourced China division for Western labels and artists, to translate what actually works on the ground and what Western playbooks get wrong. We map the Chinese music streaming landscape through Tencent’s QQ Music ecosystem and NetEase Cloud Music, then dig into why discovery algorithms can feel more sophisticated while staying stubbornly opaque. The real unlock is measurement: when public streaming data is limited, engagement becomes the signal. Jonathan explains why comments on tracks matter, what “memetic behaviour” looks like across Chinese platforms, and how that turns into measurable fandom you can take to promoters and brands. From there we move into monetisation and deal structure. China’s music business often operates holistically, optimising total revenue across streaming, touring, brand partnerships and IP, rather than treating each income stream as a silo. We also get practical about sync licensing in China, why buyouts are common, and why commissioned brand integrations can be far more lucrative than chasing back-end pennies. Finally, we cover must-know platforms for music marketing in China, including Red Note (Xiaohongshu), WeChat, Bilibili and Weibo, plus the realities of expensive paid media and real-name verification rules. If you’re an artist, manager, label or publisher building a China strategy, this is your roadmap. Subscribe for more music business insight, share this with someone planning an international campaign, and leave a review with the one China question you still want answered. https://middle8.agency Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com

The fastest way to stall a music career is to build a following you can’t reach. I sit down with Jack McCarthy from IndieX to get practical about artist ownership: how attention becomes data, how data becomes relationships, and how relationships become reliable income that does not vanish between releases and tours. We talk through a simple framework that turns the fuzzy idea of a “fan base” into something you can measure and improve: audiences on social platforms, contacts on your email list or text list, customers who buy directly, and repeat customers who come back. From there, we get into real-world music marketing moves that pull people closer, from live show list-building to online offers like early access, tour location prompts, and creative drops that feel aligned with your art. Jack also explains the “revenue roller coaster” and why so many artists ride painful spikes around albums and touring. The alternative is always-on e-commerce marketing: lightweight campaigns throughout the year, smart calendars, and a clear customer journey that builds cash flow over time. We also get honest about streaming revenue, how to use streaming data as leverage, and why direct-to-fan should mean fewer middlemen, not new ones hiding behind shiny platforms. If you want a more sustainable music business built on fan data, e-commerce, and direct-to-consumer strategy, hit play, then subscribe, share this with one artist friend, and leave us a review. https://indepreneur.io/services/ Reach out to me ! Support the show Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Music Business Buddy Brief for weekly insights on the future of the music industry, AI, artist development, rights and the creator economy. The podcast explains what's happening. The newsletter explains why it matters. Join The Music Business Buddy Brief for exclusive weekly insights on the future of the music industry. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Newsletter Sign Up https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com