What happens when award-winning music supervisor Frederic Schindler takes on the challenge of modernising a broken licensing system? The result is Catalog - a groundbreaking platform that's transforming how music gets paired with visual media.

Frederic Schindler has seen it all in his two-decade journey through music supervision. From his early days promoting French culture abroad to winning the Association of Independent Music's 2025 Music Supervisor of the Year Award, he's crafted soundtracks for iconic brands like Chanel, Hermès, and Prada while supervising acclaimed films including Jim Jarmusch produced "Uncle Howard."

The disconnect between today's content explosion and outdated licensing processes created a perfect storm. With brands now producing hundreds of assets annually instead of just a handful, the painstaking manual work of clearing commercial music became unsustainable for smaller projects. The result? A massive shift toward generic library music, which now generates twice the revenue of all record labels combined.

Schindler's solution brings together approximately 50 leading independent labels and publishers - including Beggars Group, Ninja Tune, and Domino - on a streamlined platform that maintains artistic integrity while eliminating friction. "We have so much outstanding music not created for visual media," Schindler explains, "that with the right curator who identifies that piece and puts it in the right context, we don't really need music specially created for visual media."

The platform unlocks forgotten gems - album tracks and singles that didn't achieve commercial success but possess extraordinary artistic quality. For emerging artists, these sync opportunities can make the difference between continuing their career or abandoning it. For established artists, it breathes new life into overlooked catalogue material.

Ready to discover how music supervision is evolving? Listen now to this illuminating conversation about the past, present and future of pairing sound with vision.

https://www.instagram.com/catalog.ac/

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The age-old belief that viral social media moments convert seamlessly into genuine fans may be crumbling before our eyes. Drawing from some outstanding research by MIDiA titled "All Eyes No Ears: Why Virality is not building fandom," this episode explores the troubling disconnect between social media visibility and actual music consumption.

For years, the music industry has operated on a seemingly logical assumption: create viral content, convert those views to streams, and transform casual listeners into devoted fans. But what if this funnel is fundamentally broken? The research reveals that nearly half of consumers never stream music they discover on social media, and fewer than a third become actual fans. Most alarming for artists focusing heavily on TikTok - only 26% of TikTok followers actually listen to more music from artists they discover there, significantly lower than other platforms.

We dive deep into what this means for music creators and marketers alike. Rather than posting relentlessly across platforms, artists might need to focus on making meaningful first impressions that put their identity and narrative at the forefront. The data suggests we should prioritize platforms where listening is a natural next step (like YouTube and streaming services) rather than feed-based platforms where moving from discovery to consumption creates friction. For labels and rights holders, it may be time to reconsider massive investments in viral marketing campaigns and instead focus on building sustainable artist platforms that encourage genuine fandom.

Have you noticed changes in how social media impacts your music discovery and listening habits? Has your strategy as an artist evolved to address these challenges? Subscribe to Music Business Buddy for more insights that help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of music marketing and fan development.

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Meet Anya Jasmine, a remarkable young musician who's mastered the art of social media growth while building an impressive multi-faceted career. What started as consistent guitar content on Instagram unexpectedly blossomed into viral moments and a substantial following that's opened doors throughout the music industry.

Anya breaks down her accidental social media success with refreshing honesty, describing how she treated posting like "putting lottery tickets in" - the more quality content shared consistently, the greater the chances of algorithm success. After years of persistence, she began seeing patterns in what worked, particularly with trending audio clips that function almost like hashtags. Most fascinating is her ability to predict which audio might trend next, getting her "foot in the door first" for maximum visibility.

The conversation reveals surprising differences between major platforms. While Instagram fostered genuine connection and professional opportunities, TikTok proved more volatile with followers who rarely return unless you constantly battle to stay relevant in the algorithm. Anya's insights into platform-specific content strategies are gold - professional videos work on Instagram while TikTok users respond to casual, conversational content that provides immediate value.

Beyond social media, we explore her journey as a session guitarist touring Europe with artist Delilah Bond, her formative education at Leeds College of Music during the pandemic, and her production skills. Most exciting is the revelation of her upcoming artist project under the name "Anja" - a culmination of years developing her unique sound with plans to eventually use her platform to raise awareness for an under-researched medical condition she experienced.

Ready to improve your music marketing strategy? Follow Anya on social media for inspiration on how authenticity, strategic patience, and platform-specific content can build meaningful career opportunities in today's music landscape.

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The world of music production has undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days when producers were confined to traditional recording studios, working exclusively with signed artists. Today, the landscape offers a rich tapestry of opportunities that extend far beyond conventional production work.

In this eye-opening episode, I dive deep into the multiple pathways available to modern producers, revealing how diverse the role has become. One fascinating aspect we explore is how the same title—"producer"—can encompass wildly different responsibilities depending on the project. For some artists, you might simply polish an existing demo; for others, you could build an entire track from scratch based solely on lyrics. Understanding these variations is crucial for setting expectations and determining fair compensation.

Speaking of compensation, we carefully examine various pricing models and intellectual property arrangements. Should you charge hourly, daily, or per track? When might it make sense to work for reduced rates in exchange for master rights or songwriting credits? There's no universal answer, but clarity and communication are essential for sustainable success.

The episode also unveils multiple alternative income streams that have transformed the producer's career landscape. From creating sample packs for platforms like Splice to licensing beats through BeatStars, from developing virtual instruments to designing sounds for video games—each pathway offers unique possibilities for monetizing your production skills. We also explore the growing opportunities in remote session work through marketplaces like SoundBetter and the recurring income potential of production music libraries.

Throughout our journey, we don't shy away from practical considerations like managing self-employment, tracking expenses, and handling taxes—essential skills for thriving in the creator economy. Perhaps most importantly, we discuss the often-overlooked soft skills of patience, kindness, and effective communication that separate truly successful producers from the rest.

Whether you're an established producer looking to diversify your income or an aspiring creator wondering if production offers a viable career path, this episode provides a comprehensive roadmap to navigating the exciting possibilities of modern music production. The future is bright for those willing to adapt and explore!

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Unlocking the secrets of the East Asian music markets requires insider knowledge, passion, and a forward-thinking approach. Join host Jonny Amos as he speaks with rising music industry professional Kristin Hurst, who serves as A&R for K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop at both DWB Music and ARC Music Publishing.

Kristin's remarkable journey began with a university K-pop songwriting camp that caught the attention of industry veterans, launching her career at the intersection of Western songwriting and Asian music markets. She shares invaluable insights into the mechanics of pitching songs internationally, including the critical importance of keeping all your production stems (even from years ago), understanding cultural nuances, and delivering the "shock factor" that Korean Label A&Rs crave.

The conversation reveals fascinating differences between Asian music markets, with Kristin noting how K-pop has evolved from following Western trends to becoming a global trendsetter itself. She explains the "JK hybrid space" of Japanese music with Korean influences, and how C-pop sometimes blends traditional Chinese instruments with contemporary production. For songwriters and producers looking to break into these lucrative markets, Kristin offers practical advice about building a strong catalogue, developing genuine passion for the genres, and focusing on exceptional craft rather than just chasing placements.

Whether you're a songwriter, producer, or music business professional, this episode provides a masterclass in understanding tomorrow's global music landscape. The future of music is increasingly being written in Asia – are you ready to be part of it? Reach out to DWB Music or find Kristen on Instagram (@KristenHurst_) or email at kristinhurstcontact@gmail.com if you're a writer or producer looking to connect with these thriving markets.

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Are we witnessing the death of the influencer age? The creator economy is rapidly evolving, and musicians who understand these shifts can position themselves for sustainable success beyond streaming revenues alone.

The landscape has dramatically changed since the TikTok boom of 2020-2021, when seven and eight-figure deals were being offered before artists even met with label executives. Today, labels are taking a more measured approach, focusing on where artists might be in three, five, or ten years rather than trying to capitalise on fleeting viral moments.

This shift coincides with changing audience preferences. The SXSW London Changemaker Report reveals that younger generations increasingly reject overproduced content in favour of authentic, DIY approaches. "Polished content is likely to be questioned in terms of its authenticity, with viewers gauging lo-fi content as more credible," notes the report. This preference extends beyond music into all content creation, suggesting a fundamental rethinking of what constitutes "premium" content.

For music creators, the implications are profound. Many successful artists now develop parallel income streams through non-musical content on platforms like YouTube, with some earning six to seven-figure incomes from cooking shows, shopping videos, or simple video diaries that run alongside their musical careers. As I bluntly state in this episode, "the economic answers are not in music streaming. That's the grown-up truth."

The evolution toward Web3 technologies and decentralised platforms offers another frontier, potentially creating ecosystems that support creators with greater ownership and control. The question becomes not whether music defines you—it does—but how you connect authentically with audiences through multiple channels while maintaining your creative integrity.

Subscribe to Music Business Buddy for weekly insights that help you navigate this rapidly changing landscape and build a sustainable career on your own terms.

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What does it take to build a successful independent music publishing company in today's global market? In this captivating conversation, Greig Watts—the "W" in DWB Music—reveals the unexpected journey that transformed a three-person songwriting team into an international publishing powerhouse.

Greig shares the fascinating story of how DWB discovered untapped opportunities in the East Asian markets, particularly Japan, where understanding cultural business protocols proved crucial to their success. "In Japan, it's honourable and loyal," Greg explains. "If someone sends you an invoice, you pay it." This approach to business helped DWB become the leading UK independent publisher in Japan between 2010-2014, working with artists selling millions of physical copies in a single week.

The conversation takes us through DWB's remarkable Eurovision strategy, which has yielded 16 entries across 10 countries over the past decade. Greig reveals how Eurovision serves as a powerful catalyst for breaking into new territories: "My first entry in Poland in 2017—within a year, we had several number ones there." He dispels common misconceptions about the competition, noting that songs don't need to win to achieve commercial success, with some 17th-place finishes generating over 100 million streams.

Perhaps most compelling is Greig's passionate commitment to mentorship. Having guided 93 songwriters through his program, he applies a team sports philosophy to developing talent: "We see our publishing roster as a football team—we don't want 12 strikers." His approach focuses on accountability, connection, and practical business knowledge, helping writers increase their output from two songs annually to sixty. "Winning as a team is much better than winning on your own," he reflects.

Whether you're a songwriter seeking international opportunities, a publisher looking to expand your market reach, or simply fascinated by the business of creativity, this episode offers invaluable insights into building lasting success through genuine connection and strategic thinking. Subscribe now and join our community of music creators pursuing their goals through a deeper understanding of the business of music.

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