The dream is the music. The longevity is the paperwork. We dig into the real steps that turn a tight-knit band into a professional, protected business without draining the joy that brought you together. From first royalty registrations to company formation, we walk through the decisions that keep friendships intact and revenue flowing when momentum arrives.

We start where money actually tracks you: collection societies. Learn how to register with your local PRO for songwriting royalties and with neighbouring rights organisations to capture income from recordings played in public. Then we move to your identity. A band name is a brand, so we outline practical ways to check for conflicts on DSPs and file an official trademark with the right government office, avoiding scams and needless fees.

Contracts don’t kill the vibe; they protect it. We unpack interband agreements in plain English: who owns the name and artwork, how master rights are split, and how song splits are decided with clear split sheets. We get specific about recoupment, band bank accounts, spending categories, and voting systems that resolve deadlocks. Lineup changes happen, so we plan for exits, additions, and the difficult what-ifs, making sure rights and income remain transparent.

Finally, we compare legal structures that actually suit bands: limited company, partnership, and LLP. You’ll hear the trade-offs on liability, tax, flexibility and member changes, plus when to stay self-employed versus incorporating. The goal is simple: keep the bond, reduce the friction, and prepare for success before it knocks. If this conversation helps you avoid a fight, a fee, or a missed cheque, it’s worth it. Enjoy the episode, and if it resonates, subscribe, share it with your bandmates, and leave a quick review so we can help more creators build sustainable careers.

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What if you could stop guessing your audience and start growing it with proof? I sit down with Waylon Barnes—entrepreneur, musician, and CEO of C2 Management—to map out how modern artists turn attention into a real business. We dig into the mechanics of audience discovery using data and social listening, why so many campaigns miss the mark when they rely on hunches, and the practical steps that make every pound work harder.

Waylon pulls back the curtain on a quiet industry shift: labels increasingly outsource marketing to specialised teams, which means independent artists can access the same playbooks without giving up control. We explore how to structure your strategy so the music sparks attention while the business around the music pays the bills—think sync deals, brand partnerships, merch, touring, and appearances. You’ll hear how streaming acts as public proof rather than a paycheck, why platform virality matters but shouldn’t be your home base, and what it takes to build an ecosystem you actually own.

We also tackle the streaming payout problem and the reforms that would move artists closer to a living wage. To ground it all, Waylon shares three principles for newcomers that cut through paralysis: don’t overthink, don’t fear mistakes, and take yourself seriously. If you’ve been wondering how to choose a single, when to invest in marketing, or how to keep control while scaling your team, this conversation offers a candid blueprint for sustainable growth.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, leave a rating or review, and share it with a music creator who needs a strategic nudge forward.

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What if a 97-year family legacy held the blueprint for making songs travel further, earn more, and outlast the hype cycle? I sit with Ralph W. Peer, Managing Director at peermusic UK and Australasia and VP for Africa and the Middle East, to explore the legacy of a a century-old global publishing powerhouse. From post‑war royalty runs to today’s data firehose, Ralph opens the black box of publishing so creators can see where value is built.

We dig into the art of cross-cultural collaboration and why place still matters. Ralph shares how Australia’s first international writing camp flipped the “fly to LA” script, bringing US writers to Melbourne to capture local flavour and global polish. Expect stories that connect South African Ama piano, Brazilian funk, and drill with mainstream pop momentum, plus practical ways to curate rooms that produce export-ready songs without losing identity.

On the business side, we break down global administration and the quiet power of local expertise. Ralph explains why how some collection societies differ from common law systems, how technology accelerates matching, and why relationships still close the gaps that software can only flag. We chart the new economics of catalogue in streaming—why enduring songs appreciate as frontline hits churn faster—and show how production music and one-stop clearances help supervisors say yes when budgets and timelines shrink.

The AI conversation gets real: inputs versus outputs, transparency, opt-in licensing, and why betting on fair use is a risky business plan. Rather than waiting for courts, Ralph argues for workable licensing frameworks that protect writers and reward innovation. If you create, manage, or monetise songs, this is a field guide to making your rights travel—across borders, formats, and decades.

If this conversation helped clarify the maze, follow the show, share it with a fellow creator, and leave a review so more music creators can find it. Your questions shape future episodes, so tell us what you want to unpack next.

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The safest place in music is the middle of the road—and that’s exactly why Russell C Brennan never stands there. We welcome the multi-platform creator behind Future Legend Records to unpack how he built a lasting indie label, broke new artists with daring strategy, and kept control when the majors came calling. From selling 10,000 units in a month by phoning record shops to turning cult TV and film themes into a launchpad for fresh talent, Russell shows how a clear idea and relentless follow-through can bend the market to meet the music.

We explore the blueprint of indie longevity: why standing out beats chasing trends, how to pick partners who understand your vision, and what to do when “creative accounting” gets between you and your royalties. Russell takes us inside the writing of The Future Legend Records Story, shares candid lessons from leaving Sony and thriving with Pinnacle, and opens his producer’s notebook—tight arrangements, reverb as an instrument, and his ghost guitar technique that captures only effects for a haunting, cinematic feel.

The conversation widens into art and identity, framed by Russell’s connection with David Bowie and the Japanese concept of the geisha as a “total artist.” He explains why he’s known as the last male geisha, what it means to live as a work of art, and previews his upcoming documentary on Bowie in Japan alongside the book Hidden Bowie. We also dive into PsyKick Holiday’s pop noir sound—punk cello, koto, saxophone—and how AI video can elevate independent visuals without sacrificing originality.

If you’re an artist, producer, or label builder, you’ll leave with practical tactics and a mindset shift: nerve and knowledge are your greatest assets. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a creative jolt, and tell us the one bold move you’re ready to make next.

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Ready to turn your music into a steady income without losing your creative spark? I sit down with Lara from The International Musician, to break down the real world of cruise ship performing: who gets hired, how much you can earn, and how ship life can supercharge your skills in months. From orchestra pits to high-energy piano bars, we unpack the roles that exist at sea and the qualities agencies actually look for.

Lara explains the pay landscape in plain terms: around $2,000 per month for many roles, up to $6,000 for strong solo entertainers, tips on some American lines, and premium fees for guest acts. With accommodation, meals, and travel covered, performers can finally save while playing three focused 45-minute sets most days. She shares what success takes onboard: a versatile repertoire that spans decades, strong crowd work, reliable gear like an iPad for charts, and a professional mindset that respects ship culture and schedules.

We also explore the deeper payoff. Repetition and demand turn you into a sharper vocalist, faster accompanist, and more intuitive host. Taking requests night after night becomes a living masterclass in melody, lyric, and audience psychology. Lara traces her own journey from scraping by in London to seven contracts across UK, French, and US lines, and how those seasons at sea changed her voice, confidence, and network. If you’re curious about applying, she offers practical steps for building a two- to three-minute showreel, targeting agencies, and following up, plus details on her Cruise Musician Accelerator for structured guidance.

If you’ve been searching for a realistic, well-paid path that grows your craft and opens international doors, this conversation lays out the map. Subscribe to the show, share this episode with a musician who needs a boost, and leave a review with your biggest question about cruise life so we can tackle it next.

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If you’ve ever wondered what a great artist manager really does—and how to know when you’re ready for one—this deep-dive lays out the playbook with clarity and zero fluff. We break down the day-to-day reality of management across business strategy, creative development, and the soft skills that hold a career together when schedules get messy and deals get complex. You’ll hear why the best managers behave like translators and tacticians, connecting A&R, booking, PR, marketing, and finance into one focused plan that preserves your voice while growing your audience.

We talk timing and traction: what signals tell you it’s time to seek management, which metrics matter beyond vanity numbers, and how to present a compelling offer instead of a hope-and-a-dream DM. You’ll get practical routes to find the right fit—from researching similar artists and mapping their teams, to tapping the Music Managers Forum, filtering industry directories, and discovering ambitious new managers inside universities and contemporary music institutes. We also tackle the big comparison: proven experience versus raw passion. The truth is you need applied momentum—someone who either knows the path or will build it fast.

Money and agreements get straight talk too. We cover typical commission ranges, sliding scales, what counts as commissionable income, and how expenses and recoupment should be handled before emotions get involved. Trials, contracts, and even handshake realities are on the table, along with the one factor that outranks everything: human fit. If you want a manager who can turn your vision into a road map—and keep you profitable without losing the plot—this guide gives you the questions to ask and the steps to take. If it resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who’s manager-curious, and leave a quick review telling us what you’re looking for in a dream manager.

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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.

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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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