In this episode of The Blinding Talent Podcast, Mark Adams sits down with Steve Tannett, Director of Marshall Records, former artist manager, record executive, and one of the music industry's most experienced talent spotters.

Steve's journey began in the heart of the UK punk explosion, playing alongside the era that produced bands such as The Clash, The Damned and the Sex Pistols before being discovered by legendary music manager Miles Copeland. Since then, he has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including The Police, Sting, R.E.M., Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Duran Duran, Nova Twins and The Molotovs.

Together, Mark and Steve discuss:

▪️ The reality of the UK punk scene in the 1970s

▪️ Being discovered by Miles Copeland and signing his first record deal

▪️ Working with The Police, Sting, Black Sabbath and R.E.M.

▪️ How Marshall Records was launched

▪️ The qualities every great artist and future rock legend shares

▪️ The rise of The Molotovs and Nova Twins

▪️ Why grassroots music venues are essential for the future of music

▪️ Artist development, A&R and spotting talent before anyone else

▪️ The impact of AI on the music industry

▪️ Why live music, vinyl and human connection still matter

This conversation is packed with stories, lessons and insights from over 45 years in the music business, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at artist development, record labels, management and the future of rock music.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Steve Tannett's Punk Rock Beginnings

04:00 Getting Signed by Miles Copeland

08:00 Building Marshall Records

13:00 What Makes a True Rock Legend?

19:00 The Rise of The Molotovs

24:00 A&R Instincts and Signing Artists

29:00 The Alarm and Early Success

34:00 The Police, Miles Copeland and Taking Risks

40:00 Why Grassroots Venues Matter

46:00 Nova Twins, Download Festival & The Future of Rock

49:00 AI, Live Music and the Next 10 Years

54:00 Final Thoughts

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Is radio still the greatest music platform ever created?

In this episode of the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast, Mark Adams sits down with one of UK radio’s most respected figures - Jo Hart, founder of Hart Media and a radio plugger with over 36 years in the music industry.

Across her career, Jo has helped secure radio success for an incredible list of artists including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nick Cave, Jamie Cullum, Enter Shikari and many more.

Together, Mark and Jo unpack the real power of radio in modern music marketing - from BBC Introducing and community radio through to national playlists, tastemaker DJs and the role radio still plays alongside streaming, TikTok and social media.

They discuss BBC Introducing, tastemaker DJs, streaming vs radio, TikTok, AI, and how artists like Adele, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Dean and Myles Smith were built over time - proving that lasting careers are rarely created by one viral moment alone.

They also explore:

• Why radio was the original algorithm
• What makes a true “radio record”
• Why one viral moment won’t build a lasting career
• The role of human tastemakers in an AI-driven world
• Why hearing your song on the radio still feels magical

If you’re an artist, manager, label or music marketer trying to understand how records actually break in 2026 — this episode is packed with real-world insight from two people who’ve spent decades at the coalface of music discovery.

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Website: blindingtalent.com

#MusicIndustry #RadioPlugger #BBCIntroducing #MusicMarketing #SpotifyGrowth #ArtistDevelopment #MusicBusiness #Podcast #BlindingTalent #RadioPromotion

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In this episode of the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast, Mark Adams sits down with Judd Lander - a true industry insider whose career spans over six decades of music history.

From the Cavern Club in Liverpool to working with ABBA, Culture Club, Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, Prince and more, Judd has been part of some of the most iconic moments in music - often by accident, always by instinct.

From creating the harmonica on Karma Chameleon in under 30 minutes…to working behind the scenes at the BRIT Awards for over 20 years… to navigating the shift from the 60s music scene to today’s AI-driven industry… This is a rare, honest perspective on how the music industry really works - from someone who’s lived it.

• How The Beatles inspired Judd’s journey into music
• The story behind Karma Chameleon (and how quickly it came together)
• What artists like Michael Jackson, ABBA and Prince were really like behind the scenes
• Inside the BRIT Awards and capturing iconic moments
• The evolution of PR, radio and artist development
• The reality of being an artist in today’s landscape
• AI, streaming and the future of music

1:14 – From The Beatles to Ed Sheeran: Judd’s career journey

2:00 – Liverpool, The Cavern Club & early beginnings

11:30 – First encounters with The Beatles

22:00 – The Karma Chameleon story (created in minutes)

25:40 – Spice Girls studio moment

30:00 – 21 years inside The BRIT Awards

32:00 – Amy Winehouse moment

36:30 – Prince & what makes a true musician

38:00 – What Michael Jackson was really like

42:00 – ABBA: the reality behind the hits

49:00 – AI in music: opportunity vs risk

1:00:10 – The Jeff Beck story

If you're an artist, manager, or building a career in music, this episode gives you something rare:

→ Perspective across decades

→ Real industry insight (not theory)

→ A clearer understanding of what actually builds careers

Blinding Talent helps artists grow with clarity, not noise.

Social • Spotify • Strategy • Management

Built on over two decades at the coalface of the music industry.

👉 Learn more: www.blindingtalent.com

For more real conversations with people who’ve helped shape the music industry.

Please rate, like and subscribe it really helps us get bigger and better guests.

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