Jonny Amos speaks with Phil Simpson, founder of First Original Music, about independent music publishing, sync, and why human relationships and taste remain at the heart of the business.

Phil explains how First Original Music works with songwriters across publishing, administration and sync, what he looks for in a writer, and why a strong first approach can make such a difference.

The conversation explores what makes a song genuinely useful for sync, how production and arrangement can affect opportunities, and why metadata, stems, instrumental versions and good presentation can improve a songwriter’s chances of being discovered and placed.

• First Original Music’s approach to publishing, administration and sync.
• What Phil looks for in songwriters beyond simply making great music.
• Why personalised emails get attention while generic industry outreach is often ignored.
• What makes a song sync-friendly, including production, pacing and lyrical flexibility.
• How recording and arrangement choices can make a great song harder to place.
• The role of publishers as sounding boards in a writer’s long-term development.
• The growth of streaming content and the increasing competition for sync opportunities.
• Why metadata, stems, lyrics, instrumental versions and clean presentation matter.
• First Original Music’s move from global administration towards a network of independent international publishing partners.
• Why human taste and relationships remain crucial as technology and AI develop.

00:00 — Introducing Phil Simpson and music publishing
01:00 — First Original Music’s deal models and sync focus
03:06 — What Phil looks for in a writer
05:36 — Why personalised emails get read
07:52 — What makes a song work for sync
08:22 — Production, pacing and lyrical ambiguity
10:44 — When recording choices affect sync opportunities
11:14 — Publishers as sounding boards
12:30 — More opportunities, but more music competing
13:26 — Metadata, stems, lyrics and codes
15:12 — Using stems for an editorial brief
16:34 — Specific songs for brands and shows
17:26 — Taste, timing and interpretation
19:54 — Why First Original moved away from global administration
21:48 — Building international indie publishing relationships
23:11 — Why smaller publishers can respond faster
24:44 — The future of independent publishing
26:09 — Human judgment and the limits of search tools
27:50 — AI, taste and human connection
28:31 — AI, attribution and provenance
29:36 — Building genuine publisher relationships
31:17 — Alignment, values and the importance of a strong first email

Don’t Write “For Sync” — Write Great Songs
The strongest sync opportunities often come from authentic songs that are emotionally flexible and can be interpreted in different ways.

Independent Publishing Is About Adding Value
Great independent publishers bring taste, relationships, industry knowledge and hands-on support — not simply rights administration.

Presentation Matters
Good metadata, lyrics, stems, instrumental versions and organised assets make music easier for publishers and music supervisors to discover and use.

Human Taste Still Matters
Technology can improve discovery and attribution, but human judgment, instinct and relationships remain essential.

“What can we do to add value here?”

“The fatal flaw in AI that will always be there is taste.”

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/

What if I told you billions of dollars in music royalties go unclaimed every year? That's the reality that Antonio Di Puorto discovered during his remarkable journey from frustrated small-town DJ to successful artist manager who sold his agency to Live Nation.

After witnessing talented artists missing substantial royalty payments throughout his career, Antonio founded MoneTunes to revolutionize how independent musicians collect what they're rightfully owed. His platform elegantly solves a complex problem: even music creators registered with performing rights organizations typically don't collect all of their total publishing royalties, with the rest scattered across hundreds of global collection societies.

Many creators face an impossible choice - navigate this labyrinth alone or sign with traditional publishers who often ask for 50% commission, 5-20 year contracts, and control over decisions like sync licensing opportunities. Antonio shares a frustrating personal experience when a major music publisher rejected a modest $2,000 sync deal for his then-emerging artist simply because it was too small for their business model.

MoneTunes offers a refreshing alternative - collecting mechanical, performance, and neighboring rights royalties through a single dashboard while charging just 15% commission with no long-term contracts or signup fees. The platform also maintains artists' control over sync opportunities and has forged strategic partnerships with services like SubmitHub, Groover, and Fiverr to create a comprehensive ecosystem supporting independent creators.

Our conversation explores Antonio's inspiring career trajectory and examines the impact of AI on music creation. Rather than fearing technological change, Antonio advocates for frameworks ensuring artists benefit from rather than are replaced by these innovations. His journey exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives positive disruption in the music industry.

Ready to discover if you have unclaimed royalties waiting? Listeners get an exclusive MoneTunes discount when collecting what's rightfully their by using the following code on sign up:

https://app.monetunes.com/signup/952724

https://www.monetunes.com

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What does it take to spot star potential in today's crowded music landscape? Laurence Hobbs, platinum-selling producer and songwriter pulls back the curtain on artist development with refreshing honesty and decades of wisdom.

Lawrence's journey from songwriter to CEO of SAFO Music Group reveals the profound shifts reshaping how artists build sustainable careers. "Back in the day, you either got a record deal or you didn't. Now you can release however you want," he explains, highlighting how technology has democratized music creation while creating new challenges for those seeking to stand out.

Throughout our conversation, Lawrence challenges conventional industry wisdom with thoughtful observations. He describes spotting that elusive "it factor" in artists like Sam Smith and a 12-year-old singer who's now landing on New Music Friday playlists. Yet he passionately argues there's room for everyone: "Don't tell me in a population of billions you can't find 5,000 fans. You just haven't worked hard enough."

Our discussion takes a fascinating turn when examining how AI might reshape songwriting. Laurence draws from his extensive experience to provide context: "We both remember when samplers came in and musicians thought they were finished." While acknowledging AI's potential to write commercial hits, he maintains human creativity and connection will always have value – especially for artists who understand the business landscape they're navigating.

Perhaps most inspiring is Laurence's commitment to inclusivity across age groups. "Music should never be exclusively for 15, 18-year-olds," he insists, sharing stories of talented musicians discovering their creative voices in their 60s and 70s. His vision of the future prioritizes artist empowerment: "We're in the entrepreneur age. It's your business, your money, your gigs."

Discover the building blocks of a sustainable music career and why Lawrence remains optimistic about the future despite industry upheavals. What might your musical journey look like if you approached it with the right knowledge and community support?

https://safomusicgroup.com

https://www.instagram.com/safomusicgroup/

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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.

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