The Money Trench - The Music Industry Podcast with Mark Sutherland
The Money Trench is a music industry podcast hosted by Mark Sutherland and executive produced by Mike Walsh. Each Monday, it dissects the biggest music industry news stories of the previous week with a top industry executive, followed by a deep dive into that executive's career. The podcast aims to cover all sides of the music business and celebrate the industry.
Episodes
TMT:96 Pat Carr on Why Marketing Remains Essential To the Music Biz
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Pat Carr, legendary marketing and management executive, and founder of the Remote Control Agency.
Through her 40 year career, Pat has marketed many iconic acts such as Ash, Blondie, and Rick Astley.
The pair discuss the changing landscape of marketing, how new social media laws may affect the industry, and why true musical connection
TMT:95 Lucy Noble On The British Airways Arc & The Opportunity For Mid-Sized Venues
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Lucy Noble, SVP of UK Venues for AEG Presents.
Having studied at RCM and spent 20 years working at the Royal Albert Hall, Lucy is an expert in anything and everything live.
The pair discuss the opening of London’s newest venue - the British Airways ARC, the challenges of building a new space, and how venues need to adapt for the futur
TMT:94 John Giddings On 50 Years Working On Live Music’s Frontline
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by John Giddings of Solo Music Agency and the Isle of Wight Festival.
Best known for transforming the Isle of Wight Festival into one of the UK's biggest music events, John shares stories from his time working with some of the world's biggest artists from The Rolling Stones to U2 & Madonna.
The pair discuss the art of building a festival lin
TMT:93 Emma Banks On Life As A Super-Agent
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Co-Head of Global Touring at CAA, Emma Banks.
As a true legend of the live industry, Emma works with huge artists ranging from Katy Perry and Lorde to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse.
The pair discuss how to navigate the live sector, the O2 Silver Clef Awards, and the symbiotic relationship between artists and venues.
NEWSLETTER
TMT:92 Michael Adex On Managing Aitch & Building The NQ Empire
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, recorded live at the inaugural Tixel x TMT Music Industry Retreat at beautiful Cowdray House in West Sussex, in front of an audience of 15 industry leaders from management companies, promoters and booking agencies, Mark is joined by legendary manager and CEO of NQ, Michael Adex.
As manager of Aitch and CEO of one of the UK’s most successful independent mu
TMT:91 Guy Moot on The Art Of Publishing A&R & The Importance Of Songs & Songwriters
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music.
Having enjoyed triumphant stints at EMI and Sony, Guy is one of the most successful music publishers of all time.
Ahead of picking up the MITS Award in November, the pair discuss his career, and why championing future talent is more important than ever.
NEWSLETTER
TMT:90 Dan Chalmers on How The Music Biz Learned To Love YouTube
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Dan Chalmers, Managing Director at YouTube Music EMEA.
Having worked in the major label system for 20 years with a stellar career at Warner before joining YouTube, Dan has played a pivotal role in shaping the current music landscape.
The pair discuss his transition from the label side to the tech world, the power of video and unique c
TMT:89 Martin Talbot On Why The Charts Still Matter
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by former CEO of the Official Charts Company, Martin Talbot.
After nearly 2 decades at the helm of the OCC, Martin is here to share exactly how the charts work, and how they’ve evolved in that time.
The pair also discuss how the wider music industry has changed in that time, and how technology is shaping the future.
NEWSLETTER
TMT:88 YolanDa Brown LIVE On Why UK Music Is Back In The Big Time
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by chair of the BPI, YolanDa Brown, live at the BPI’s In Tune With Tomorrow summit as part of the Sound City+ conference in Liverpool.
As a MOBO-winning artist, entrepreneur, and creative education champion, YolanDa is one of the most influential figures in the British music industry.As the chair of the BPI, YolanDa represents hundreds of r
TMT:87 Miles Leonard on Helping Coldplay To The Top & Getting Into The Arena Business
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by one of the most successful music executives in the game, Miles Leonard.
Having held senior roles across a number of major labels, working with acts such as The Verve, Kylie Minogue and Coldplay, Miles is now working with YTL Live on building a new arena in Bristol.
The pair discuss his transition into the live industry, ticketing pric
TMT:86 Alastair Webber On Fair Deals For Songwriters
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alastair Webber, Co-Founder and CEO of The Other Songs.
Having started at Island Records, Alastair and his brother, Billy, have joined forces at The Other Songs to represent nearly every aspect of the music industry.
The pair discuss his upcoming event - The Other Songs Live, his thoughts on independent labels competing with the major
TMT:85 Kamille On Being A Top Hitmaker & Why Songwriters Still Need More Support
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary songwriter and producer, Kamille.
From Little Mix to Clean Bandit, Kamille has played an integral role in some of the biggest songs ever! Kamille also has her very own solo artist career, and owns a label and publishing company.
Now the recipient of the Music Producers Guild’s Inspiration Award, Kamille discusses what its li
TMT:84 Frank Turner On Making Touring Work For Grassroots Artists & Venues
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Frank Turner, one of the UK’s most successful folk-punk artists.
Having started out in punk band Million Dead before becoming a solo artist, Frank has played over 3000 gigs, including Wembley Arena and the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
The pair discuss his recent South American tour, the realities of the modern streami
TMT:83 Jeremy Lascelles On Building A Game-Changing Indie Music Company
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Jeremy Lascelles, Co-founder and CEO of Blue Raincoat Music.
Having been a manager, tour manager, and a key figure at renowned indie companies Virgin and Chrysalis, Jeremy has had the unique opportunity to work with a wide range of artists.
The pair discuss his career, the evolution of Blue Raincoat into a hybrid music company, and hi
TMT:82 Catherine Marks On The Threat To UK Studios & Recording Olivia Rodrigo In A Day
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary producer and mix engineer, Catherine Marks.
Being a two-time MPG Producer of the Year winner, and having worked with everyone from Wolf Alice to Olivia Rodrigo, Catherine shares her thoughts on the current state of the industry and why UK studios are under threat.
The pair also discuss her work on the Help(2) album for War C
TMT:81 Adam Harris & Callum Read On The Return Of Guitar Music
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Adam Harris and Callum Read, Co-Founders of Touchdown MGMT, and record label Happy Artist.
Having worked with bands such as The Snuts, The Rooks, and Hunny Buzz, they discuss the state of guitar music and why it's back on the rise.
They also discuss the aftermath of the BRITs, grassroots venues, and their mission to break regional tal
TMT:80 Chris Price On How To Get On The BBC Radio 1 Playlist
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Chris Price, Head of Music for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Approaching his 10 year anniversary in the role, Chris reflects on his part in shaping one of the biggest radio stations in the UK, and helping break artists from Coldplay to Charli XCX.
The pair also discuss the state of British music, the slowness of the charts, and how to make t
TMT:79 Tommas Arnby On Mananging Yungblud & Why Rock Is Finally Back
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Tommas Arnby, founder of Locomotion and co-founder/CEO of Special Projects Music.
Having guided YUNGBLUD from the very start all the way to a recent Grammy win, Tommas discusses the return of guitar music, the lessons he’s learnt over the years, and why the industry needs to do more to support British talent on the global stage.
The p
TMT:78 Liz Goodwin On The Secrets Of Modern Music Marketing
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Liz Goodwin, a music industry marketing and strategy expert whose career spans the likes of Polydor, Glassnote and most recently Atlantic Records.
Liz shares her journey from early label experience through to marketing leadership, including her time working across international campaigns for major artists and helping build the foundation
TMT:77 Sybil Bell On Independent Venue Week & Why Venues Matter More Than Ever
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Sybil Bell, founder of Independent Venue Week.
For more than a decade Sybil has helped shine a spotlight on the venues that form the foundations of the entire live music ecosystem - from first gigs and early tours through to artist development and local cultural identity.
In their chat, the pair discuss how Independent Venue Week was
TMT:76 Aly Gillani On Why Bandcamp Is Music Retail With A Difference & Why AI Is Banned On The Platform
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Aly Gillani, Artist & Label Relations Lead at Bandcamp and Director of First Word Records.
From running his own independent record label, to asking for (and receiving) his dream job at Bandcamp, Aly shares his insight into how the platform is different from other music retail sites, putting artists first, and why the platform has banned
TMT:75 Sumit Bothra On What Artist Management Really Looks Like in 2026
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Sumit Bothra, founder and CEO of SB3 Artist Management, as well as manager of PJ Harvey.
With a career spanning over 20 years across major labels, independent management, and executive leadership, Sumit reflects on his long journey through the industry.
The pair also discuss what balancing a home family life and being a manager reall
TMT:74 Alex Hannaby On The Unstoppable Rise Of Country Music Around The World
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alex Hannaby, VP of International Marketing & Operations at Big Machine, as well as head of the label’s UK business.
From launching Big Machine UK ten years ago, to overseeing international strategy across multiple territories, Alex offers a detailed insight into how country music has moved from a niche genre to a cultural force.
The
TMT:73 Ben Mortimer On How To Break New Artists & The Role Of Majors in 2026
Happy new year from The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Ben Mortimer, President of Polydor Label Group.
From starting out as a journalist, to now being in charge of one of the worlds biggest labels, Ben shares his unique insight into how to break new artists in 2026, and why patience is key.
The pair also discuss the state of British music, the role of AI, physical media, and the
TMT: Biggest Music Industry Stories Of 2025
Merry Christmas from The Money Trench! This week, we’re bringing you a very special compilation episode! Sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the key moments from our 2025 episodes. Mark will guide you through the hottest industry talking points from the year, and end with a joyful latest or greatest compilation of the best music industry parties.
NEWSLETTER
Sign
TMT:72 Zena White On Building The World’s Coolest Indie Label
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Zena White, COO of Partisan Records and Chair of WIN.
From working her way up through live music, management, and label services, Zena is now COO of one of the world's most successful indie labels in the world, responsible for acts such as Geese, Cigarettes After Sex, and Ezra Collective.
The pair discuss what it takes to break altern
TMT:71 Paul Lennon On Negotiating The Music Industry’s Big Deals
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Paul Lennon, one of the UK’s top music lawyers and consultant at Moore SGD Law.
From working as in-house lawyer at labels, to becoming the go-to lawyer during the 90s Britpop era, Paul has been at the heart of the music industry for over 30 years.
In Paul’s debut interview, he discusses the glory days of Britpop, how artist deals have
TMT:70 Alexi Cory-Smith On The Catalogue Sales Boom
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alexi Cory-Smith, lawyer, publishing/label executive, and now CEO and founder of Bella Figura.
Alexi is one of the most respected figures in the rights and legal world, and now she’s building her own catalogue acquisition company - Bella Figura.
The pair discuss Alexi’s journey to where she is now, including her time running BMG UK, a
TMT:69 Cam Blackwood Live On The Catalogue Sales Revolution
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined for a special live episode at the Resonate Music Conference in Glasgow by Cam Blackwood, one of Scotland’s most successful producers.
Having worked with George Ezra, Jack Savoretti, and many more, Cam has helped shape UK music across genres for over a decade, whilst also championing creator’s rights.
He is now the co-founder of Rezonate
TMT:68 Craig Logan On Being a Music Entrepreneur
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Craig Logan, a manager and executive whose career spans every corner of the industry.
From his teenage years in Bros, to senior leadership roles at EMI and RCA, and now as the founder of Logan Media Entertainment (LME), Craig’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and a lifelong passion for music.
During their chat, Craig reflects
TMT:67 Nadia Khan On Powering Change In The Music Industry
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Nadia Khan, artist manager and founder of Women in CTRL.
From championing gender equality across the music industry to breaking artists including Lethal Bizzle, Nadia has carved out a unique and influential path in the music industry.
The pair discuss how Nadia built her career from intern to manager, how gender equality in the indus
TMT:66 The Charlatans Frontman Tim Burgess On Being A Musicians’ Champion
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark catches up with Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans.
As The Charlatans prepare to release We Are Love, their first album in eight years, Tim reflects on 35 years with one of Britain’s most beloved bands.
The pair discuss the making of the new album, as well as how the band has survived through tragedy and change, and Tim’s ongoing mission to g
TMT:65 Henry Semmence & Simon Wills On Building A Label Services Giant & Surviving Utopia
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Henry Semmence and Simon Wills, co-managing directors of Absolute Label Services.
As pioneers of the label services model that transformed the modern business, the pair share the story of how they created an independent empire — and how they’re bouncing back after their time under the Utopia umbrella.
With roots in retail, record labe
TMT:64 Rich Castillo On Indie Labels’ Big A&R Opportunity
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Rich Castillo, President of LionBear Music Group and one of the UK’s most influential A&R executives of the past two decades.
From his beginnings as a boy band hopeful, to discovering N-Dubz, signing Tion Wayne, and leading A&R teams at Polydor, Sony, and EMI, Rich’s career spans the past 20 years of British music.
Now running his own
TMT:63 Fraser T. Smith On Producing Adele & Keeping Music Human
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary producer, Fraser T Smith.
With credits ranging from Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” to Stormzy’s “Gang Signs & Prayer”, as well as his own project, Future Utopia, Fraser has helped shape some of the most defining records of the 21st century.
Now he’s here to discuss how he chooses which artists to work with, plus AI, catalogu
TMT:62 Josh Mateer On SoundOn’s A&R Revolution
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Josh Mateer, Head of A&R for Europe, Middle East and Africa at SoundOn, TikTok’s artist and label services platform.
From his teenage days playing in punk bands and promoting shows in Belfast, to stints at Warner and Sony, and working with the legendary Seymour Stein, Josh has built a career that bridges grassroots music culture and the
TMT:61 Matt Riley On CMAT’s Big Breakthrough & What’s Next For AWAL
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Matt Riley, the newly appointed president of AWAL UK.
With a background that spans from DJing and promoting club nights, to cutting his teeth at Hospital Records, and then playing a pivotal role in shaping AWAL’s rise, Matt’s career reflects the evolution of the modern independent music business.
Now at the helm of one of the UK’s mos
TMT:60 Jo Charrington on Discovering Sam Smith & Breaking Olivia Dean
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with a legend in the industry, Jo Charrington, president of Capitol Records.
With a career spanning over three decades at labels including London, Virgin, BMG, Sony, EMI and now Universal, Jo has helped discover and break some of the world’s biggest artists, from Sam Smith and Paloma Faith to 5 Seconds of Summer, Olly Murs, and now Olivia D
TMT:59 Jack Garratt on Artists’ Struggles & The Lessons The Music Industry Needs To Learn
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with visionary British artist Jack Garratt.
Jack first rose to prominence in 2016 after winning both the BBC Sound Of… poll and the BRIT’s Critic’s Choice Award, before earning a gold debut album with Phase. Almost a decade later, Garratt is back with his third album, Pillars.
Throughout their chat, the pair discuss the struggles of a mo
TMT:58 Mark Orr On Taking The K’s To No.1 & Building A Modern Indie Success Story
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Mark Orr, founder of LAB Records.
Starting the company while still at university and promoting DIY shows, Mark has grown LAB to hundreds of releases, while keeping a laser focus on artist development, physical retail, and sustainable growth.
During their chat, Mark also breaks down how Indies compete on the biggest stages, what really
TMT:57 Madeleine O’Gorman on Pendulum’s Big Comeback & Working With The Legendary Michael Gudinski
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Madeleine O’Gorman, General Manager for Mushroom Music Uk & Europe.
Having grown up in Australia’s thriving independent scene before relocating to London, Madeleine has built a career across journalism, agencies, and label management at Liberator and Ivy League before stepping into her current role at Mushroom.
The pair chat about
TMT:56 David Martin On Saving Grassroots Music & Why The Fight For Streaming Reform Must Continue
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artist’s Coalition (FAC).
As a leading voice in championing fairness, transparency, and sustainability in the music industry, David is an expert in management, touring, and advocacy.
The pair explore how the FAC is pushing for streaming reform, supporting artists post-Brexit, and fighting for artist-f
TMT:55 Alistair Norbury On Taking Kylie And Rick Astley To New Heights, Plus Catalogue Acquisitions Done Right
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alistair Norbury, President of UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific at BMG.
Together, they explore how one of the world’s biggest music companies is rethinking deals, rights, and the artist-label relationship.
From signing Kylie Minogue, Louis Tomlinson, and Craig David, to reviving classic catalogues from Black Sabbath, The Kinks, and Gary N
TMT:54 Grace Meadows On How To Promote Positive Mental Health in the Music Industry
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Grace Meadows, Head of Music Minds Matter, the mental health charity supporting everyone who works in the music industry.
From her roots as a music therapist to leading campaigns for Help Musicians and Music for Dementia, Grace has become a leading voice for mental health advocacy in the industry.
The pair talk about the urgent mental
TMT:53 Tom Connaughton on Indie Distribution’s Big Moment & How Spotify Changed The Music World
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Tom Connaughton, former UK & Ireland MD at Spotify, now Partner and Senior Advisor at Canvas Music Distribution.
From pirate radio and Sony Music, to MySpace, Vevo, and Spotify, Tom has lived through every twist in the digital music revolution. Now he’s helping artists navigate a saturated market through boutique distribution and hands-o
TMT:52 Cliff Fluet On The Future Of AI & Why The Music Biz Must Embrace Technology
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Cliff Fluet, partner at Lewis Silkin, MD of Eleven Advisory, and now Chair of Music Technology UK.
Cliff has spent decades helping artists, managers, rights holders, and tech companies navigate the complicated world of law, licensing, and innovation, from the rise of digital media, to the current era of generative AI.
The pair chat ab
TMT:51 David Massey On Bringing Oasis To America & The Future Of Major Labels
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary label exec, David Massey, whose career has spanned over 40 years at labels such as Epic, Sony, Mercury, Island, and most recently Arista Records.
Fresh off his retirement from corporate life, Massey reflects on working with global artists like Oasis, Shakira, Shawn Mendes, and The Killers, while offering his perspective on the
TMT:50 Jim King on Turning BST Hyde Park Into A Blockbuster Event and The Secrets Of Festival Success In 2025
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week we celebrate our 50th episode and Mark is joined by Jim King, CEO of AEG Europe’s Festival Division.
Jim is the driving force behind some of the UK’s biggest live music events, including American Express presents BST Hyde Park, All Points East, and newly launched Lido Festival.
The pair chat backstage at BST Hyde Park to reflect on a career that spans C
TMT:49 Alison Howe on Running Glastonbury’s Epic TV Coverage & Curating Later's Line-Ups
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alison Howe, Executive Producer of Music at BBC Studios, and the driving force behind the BBC’s epic Glastonbury TV coverage.
With over 30 years at the BBC and a background spanning Radio 1, Later with Jools Holland, and iconic music specials, Alison shares her journey from secretarial college to being the BBC’s go-to for live music broa
TMT:48 Geoff Ellis On Promoting Oasis & Dominating The Scottish Live Industry
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts, the Scottish live music powerhouse behind TRNSMT Festival, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, and countless shows across Scotland.
Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Geoff shares the lessons learned from a life spent promoting the biggest stars, including Oasis, Radiohead, and Pulp.
The pair talk during one
TMT:47 Johan Lagerlof On Being The Founding Investor in Abba Voyage And Buying The Avicii Catalogue
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Johan Lagerlof, Managing Partner of Pophouse Entertainment, the company with catalogue investments in artists like KISS, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia, the founding investors of ABBA Voyage.
With a background spanning Spotify, Warner Music, and a career as a songwriter and entrepreneur, Johan unpacks how immersive tech, catalogue strat
TMT:46 Kim Frankiewicz On Fighting for Songwriters and Hanging Out with Michael Hutchence
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Kim Frankiewicz, EVP Worldwide A&R at Concord Music Publishing, and a true veteran of the global business.
From INXS and the Aussie pub circuit, to signing Mark Ronson and Daft Punk, Kim has seen it all. Now she leads one of the most respected publishing teams in the world.
Mark sits down with Kim at the studio of artist merch company
TMT:45 Jamie Oborne On Managing The 1975 & Keeping The Spirit of Independence Alive
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Jamie Oborne, founder of Dirty Hit Records and All On Red Management, and the guiding force behind The 1975, Bleachers, The Japanese House, and more.
Jamie shares his journey from artist to manager to label boss, building one of the most influential independent operations in the UK music industry.
Mark joins Jamie at Dirty Hit HQ fo
TMT:44 Jin Jin On Writing Smash Hits & How Songwriter Contracts Need To Change
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down and chats with multi-platinum UK songwriter and creative entrepreneur, Jin Jin.
With hits for Jess Glynne, Raye, Jax Jones, David Guetta, Becky Hill, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more, the pair discuss the songwriting economy, streaming reform, creative development, and what it takes to build a sustainable career behind the scenes.
Record
TMT:43 Roberto Neri On The 70th Ivor Novello Awards & What Songwriters Need to Succeed
Welcome to The Money Trench! Mark is joined at Dolby Labs in Soho by Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy.
On top of Roberto’s vast career spanning PRS, Bug Music, Downtown, Believe and Utopia, they also chat about the future of songwriting, streaming reform, AI, and championing composer rights.
Roberto brings a unique perspective on music publishing, rights management, and the industry’s
TMT:42 Jon Collins on How The Grassroots Levy Will Reshape The Live Biz, Plus The Big Misunderstanding Over Dynamic Pricing
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined live by Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) and chair of the Liverpool City Region Music Board, at the UK Music Academic Partnership event in Liverpool.
As a figure at the forefront of the grassroots levy, Jon explains the reasoning behind it and how he sees the future of the scheme.
The pair also chat a
TMT:41 Tony Harlow on How to Break More UK Superstars & The Future For Major Labels
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK, to explore his career journey from jazz records to the boardroom, and what it means to lead a major record label in the era of AI, streaming, and cultural shifts.
During their chat at Warner HQ in London, they talk about Tony’s early days in record stores and at Blue Note Records, his global adventur
TMT:40 Robert Horsfall & Sonia Diwan On AI's Big Legal Challenge and the Battle for Better Artist Contracts
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Robert Horsfall and Sonia Diwan, founding partners of Sound Advice.
As leaders of one of the UK’s most respected law firms for artists, songwriters, and music entrepreneurs, from brokering major label deals to championing fairer contracts in the streaming age, Robert and Sonia bring decades of experience - and plenty of stories - to the
TMT:39 Craig Jennings on Breaking Bring Me The Horizon & Why Rock Is Still a Big Noise in 2025
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with one of the most respected managers in rock and metal, Craig Jennings, CEO of Raw Power Management.
Craig shares his stories of shaping the careers of some of the biggest names in the business, including Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, and many more.
Craig also discusses his journey from the early days of the industry, to
TMT:38 Megan Ogleby-Page on Running Record Store Day & How Vinyl Came Back From The Dead
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Megan Ogleby-Page, Head of Operations at ERA and key figure behind Record Store Day UK.
Megan shares her insights on the evolution of physical music retail, the resurgence of vinyl and indie record stores, and how Record Store Day has become a cultural phenomenon.
They also talk about Megan's journey into the industry, the challenges o
TMT:37 Louis Posen On What it Means to be Punk and founding Hopeless Records
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary punk rock executive, Louis Posen, founder of Hopeless Records.
This week, Mark catches up with Louis in Los Angeles during Musexpo week to reflect on 30 years of independent label life, how Hopeless started as a dare, the realities of the modern streaming economy, and what it really means to stay punk in a changing industry.
Lou
TMT:36 Nick Stewart on Why Artists Struggle To Make Streaming Pay, Signing U2 and Not Signing Joy Division
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by a 30 year veteran of the music industry, The Colonel, Nick Stewart.
During their conversation they discuss the latest in the industry, including the financial polarisation of artists, how UK bands may be back on the rise and Nick explains why he thinks some genres are more valuable asset investments than others.
Nick also delves into the
TMT:35 Dr Charisse Beaumont on the Music Industry’s On-Going Diversity Problem and Why The Biz Needs to Take a Stand Against Trump’s DEI Rollback
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Dr Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives In Music.
Discussing one of the biggest issues in the music industry, Charisse explains the need for everyone to step up when it comes to diversity, and for us all to come together to make a real difference. She also explores the idea of embracing new technologies such as AI, and even using them to
TMT:34 Kate Nash on Why OnlyFans Pays Better than Spotify, Getting F*cked Over, & the Constant Fight for Change in the Industry
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by singer-songwriter Kate Nash.
Digging into the current state of the music industry, Kate discusses everything from the harsh realities of touring costs, why she turned to OnlyFans, and the growing challenges artists face to making a sustainable living.
From performing in the Houses of Parliament to using her voice for activism, Kate disc
TMT:33 Steve Tannett on Marshall’s Rock Revolution & What He Learned from REM & Miles Copeland
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Steve Tannett, Director of Platforms at Marshall Group.
From his punk roots to a career spanning multiple sides of the music industry, Steve looks back over his career - moving from musician to label executive, publisher, and manager. He talks about rock’s lasting cultural impact, his work with artists like R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, and Ginger
TMT:32 Kwame Kwaten on The Future of Artist Management, and Working With Legends (Michael Jackson, Prince & Mick Jagger)
Welcome to The Money Trench! In this episode, Mark is joined by manager, record producer and director of Ferocious Talent, Kwame Kwaten.
As well as catching up on the latest in the industry, including the Kanye controversy and canceled Oasis tickets, Kwame shares his perspective on the ever-evolving role of a manager in music, the responsibilities they're now having to take on, and what new deals
TMT:31 Peter Leathem on PPL’s Blockbuster Revenues, A Transformative JV with PRS and Keeping Madonna's ‘Sex’ Book Under Wraps
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Peter Leathem, CEO of PPL.
As well as catching up on the week’s news, including Grammy highlights and mental health provisions from labels, Peter shares his journey with PPL, discussing the changes he’s implemented and the successes he’s achieved in shaping the company’s role in the music industry. The conversation covers how PPL continues
TMT:30 Sammy Andrews on the Music Industry’s Tech Revolution, and Her Most Successful Campaigns (The Prodigy, Annie Lennox & More)
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by the CEO of Deviate Digital, Sammy Andrews.
Catching up at Tileyard Studios, the conversation covers the latest news on streaming services, the future of artificial intelligence within the industry, and thoughts on misogyny in music.
Sammy also shares her journey into the industry, from becoming a touring manager for Ginger Wildhea
TMT:29 Luke Pritchard of The Kooks on the TikTok Ban, Better Care for Young Artists, Connecting with a New Generation of Fans, and Being Naked In Front of Mick Jagger
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark catches up with the lead singer of The Kooks, Luke Pritchard.
Throughout their chat, the pair discuss the latest in the music industry, including the TikTok ban and what it means for artists, the impact of AI, and more on the Los Angeles Wildfires.
Luke also talks through some of the difficulties facing young artists today and what the industry
TMT:28 Ruth Barlow (LIVE at ESNS) on Indie Labels Battling the Majors for Market Share, the Industry Response to the LA Fires, Partying with Adele and Risking Arrest Over Radiohead’s ‘Guerrilla’ Gig
Welcome to The Money Trench! In this special live episode at this year's ESNS conference in Groningen, Mark is joined by Ruth Barlow from Beggars and AIM.
Ruth shares stories from her journey in the music industry, from her early days at Xfm to her current role at Beggars Group and AIM. She chats about how the indie sector is feeling the squeeze, the impact of big deals like Universal’s move on P
TMT:27 Andy Saunders on Creation Records’ Golden Years with Alan McGee, the Best PR Strategy for Crisis Management, and Working with Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell on Labour’s ‘97 Election Campaign
Welcome to The Money Trench. In the first episode of 2025, Mark is joined by Andy Saunders, legendary PR and founder of Velocity Communications.
Digging into the latest industry news, Andy shares his thoughts on the music industry's current state, including record-breaking UK music consumption and the pros and cons of dynamic ticket pricing.
Reflecting on his career, he takes us behind the scene
TMT:26 Julie Weir on the State of Rock Music, Signing Bring Me The Horizon, Rebooting Music For Nations, and How British Rock can Fight Back Against US Domination
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Julie Weir, Director of Sony’s Music For Nations.
Catching up at Sony HQ, Mark & Julie’s conversation digs into the behind the scenes of the rock & alternative industry - discussing running Julie's independent label, Visible Noise, the challenges of touring new acts, and how she is trying to fight the US industry domination.
She als
TMT:25 Steve Homer on Why Concert Tickets Are So Expensive, the New Grassroots Levy, His Views on Dynamic Pricing, & Watching Nirvana on Top Of The Pops with Kurt Cobain
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents.
Throughout the conversation, Steve shares his insights on hot topics like the grassroots ticket levy, festival shutdowns and openings, and the ever-changing world of dynamic ticket pricing. Steve gives his thoughts and opinions as a man very much in the middle of it all!
He also reflects on his jour
TMT:24 Miranda Sawyer on Britpop beyond Blur Vs Oasis, the Continued Importance of Music Journalism, the Power of Kate Nash’s Bum and the Greatness of British Pop Music As Export
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by author, journalist and fellow podcaster, Miranda Sawyer.
Exploring themes from her new book, Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs, the conversation digs into Britpop’s enduring legacy, moving past the Blur vs. Oasis rivalry into stories about Pulp, Suede, and more, while also examining how the era’s stars coped with sudden
TMT:23 Mark Davyd on How the Arena Ticket Levy Will Work, the ‘Cultural Disaster’ of Losing Grassroots Venues, Booking Oasis on Their Debut Tour, and Taking on Simon Cowell
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Mark Davyd, CEO and founder of Music Venue Trust.
Catching up shortly after his front-page appearance with Katy Perry, the conversation highlights the growing international support for the Music Venue Trust, with backing from global stars and prominent UK artists. The conversion digs into the Department for Digital, Culture, Media &
TMT:22 Shabs Jobanputra on How His Refugee Background Influenced His Career, Breaking Everyone from So Solid Crew to Baby Shark, US Labels Poaching UK Artists, and Walking Away from Signing Amy Winehouse
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Shabs Jobanputra, founder and president of Relentless Records.
Catching up at Sony HQ, Shabs shares his journey into the music industry, reflecting on the challenges he faced as an immigrant and recounting the early days of Relentless Records. He discusses the label's first signings and its evolution over the years, offering insights
TMT:21 Lucas Keller on the UK’s Producer and Writer Talent, What the Majors are Not Doing for Songwriters, Being Travis Kelce’s Agents and Why A&R’s Shouldn’t Have Side Hustles
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Lucas Keller, founder and president of Milk & Honey Management.
Catching up after two nights of industry awards and the morning after the U.S. election, Lucas digs into some of the most pressing issues facing his clients. The conversation covers navigating complex deals with multiple songwriters, the ongoing battle for fair streaming
TMT:20 Robert Swerdlow on Protecting Artists, The Digital Entertainment Business Vs The Music Industry, ‘The Algorithm of The Soul’, Managing The La’s, Michael Kiwanuka, and Little Simz, and Getting Artists in the Big Brother House
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Robert Swerdlow, of Starwood Management.
With over 25 years of management experience, Robert discusses the challenges artists face today and his role in protecting them - from issues around selling copyright to the complexities of the digital entertainment industry’s close ties with music. The conversation also touches on the pros an
TMT:19 Gee Davy on the AI Licensing Battle, UMG Buying PIAS, TikTok vs Merlin, and the Latest from the Streaming Remuneration Group
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by AIM interim-CEO, Gee Davy.
Digging into the latest industry news, Gee shares her insights on the Merlin-TikTok licensing developments and GEMA's advancements in AI music licensing. As well as discussing the journey of her winding career, from engineer, to lawyer and now Aim interim CEO, the conversation also covers the impact of Univ
TMT:18 Caroline Elleray and Mark Gale on Signing Coldplay, Using Data for A&R, the Rise of UK Songwriters, and Almost Managing Oasis
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by two of the most influential music publishing execs of the last 30 years, Caroline Elleray and Mark Gale, co-founders of Second Songs.
Caroline and Mark give us an in-depth look at their storied careers in the music industry, sharing the details behind starting Second Songs publishing and management, the dynamics behind working as bot
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