The Music Business Buddy

Jonny Amos
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The Music Business Buddy is a podcast about the future of music careers. Each episode explores how artists and creators are navigating today’s evolving music industry — from AI and streaming to publishing, sync licensing, branding and fan growth. Featuring conversations with music executives, creatives, entrepreneurs and innovators, the show offers practical insights into how the modern music business really works. The Music Business Buddy is hosted by award winning UK based music professional Jonny Amos. Author of The Music Business For Music Creators (Routledge, 2024), Jonny is a music industry consultant, artist manager, producer and educator.  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. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.riverside.com

  1. 1 day ago ·  Video

    Episode 121: Why Is Gen Z So Wary of AI?

    This solo episode from Jonny Amos focuses on the tension between AI and Gen Z, especially in music and creative tech. Jonny explores why so many young creators feel discomfort, distrust, or outright disgust toward AI, and why understanding those fears matters more than forcing adoption.He pulls together observations from artists, builders, investors, conferences, and workshops to unpack the real concerns around generative music, perfection, attribution, over-reliance, water use, replication, and exploitation. Key topics He separates AI into distinct layers, arguing that a prompt-made song, AI-assisted mixing, and software that suggests guitar patterns are not all the same thing.He shares a concern that young creators may feel pressure to make “perfect” work in an AI-shaped environment, and that this expectation can be psychologically damaging.He highlights a major generation gap in createch, where builders and investors may be focused on Gen Z without actually understanding Gen Z’s attitudes.He discusses training data and attribution, including the idea of isolating what was used in training and turning that into some form of royalty split.He compares AI training to sampling, asking whether using parts of existing work to create something new is fundamentally different from older music practices.He raises the fear of becoming reliant on Gen AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, and whether that could reduce learning or memory in the same way GPS changed navigation habits.He addresses environmental concerns, especially water use, while arguing that the narrative around AI’s footprint can sometimes become an excuse to reject the technology outright.He notes another core fear among young creators: being replicated, exploited, or treated as replaceable by tools built by big tech companies.He argues against telling young people they must embrace AI, and instead says they should understand what AI can do, what it should do, and what humans can still do without it. Timestamps (0:03) Why this episode is about Gen Z and AI now (1:09) AI is already embedded in music, not coming later (2:08) Young artists’ fear and disgust toward AI (3:36) Builders saying they target Gen Z but may not understand them (4:44) The question: how do you build a sustainable creative career? (5:31) Jonny’s research approach: listening to Gen Z fears (7:00) Why “AI in music” is not one single issue (7:44) Prompt-made songs versus AI-assisted human creativity (8:33) Hidden AI inside software instruments and workflows (9:14) The pressure to create perfection (10:43) Training data, attribution, and music copyright problems (11:11) Nano royalties and companies trying to split value from training data (12:09) AI training compared with sampling (13:05) Fear of over-reliance on ChatGPT and Claude (13:32) GPS as a comparison for cognitive dependence (14:38) AI, data centers, and water use concerns (15:47) Why AI’s environmental footprint is not the whole story (16:39) Fear of being replicated by AI systems (17:28) Why age and experience shape how people judge risk (18:39) AI becoming associated with exploitation (19:11) Trust issues with big tech companies building AI tools (20:05) Why Jonny avoids telling young people they must use AI (21:04) The questions creators should be asking about AI (21:33) The size of the generational disconnect (22:46) Why Jonny presents this as a thought piece, not a verdict (23:42) The future may help independent artists, but not every tool will fit (24:44) Closing reflection and call to keep thinking critically

  2. 20 Oct ·  Video

    Episode 120: Music Distribution Decoded (Singles, Surprise Drops & Metadata with Jake Williams)

    In this episode, UK based music executive Jake Williams shares insights into modern music release strategies, metadata management, and the role of AI in music distribution. Discover how data-driven decisions and innovative approaches are shaping the future of the music industry. Jake Williams is Founder of Penance Music Group and also works in digital operations at Republic of Music.  keywords music distribution, release strategy, metadata, AI in music, digital distribution, music marketing, artist management, sync licensing, music industry trends key topics Music release strategies and trends  The importance of metadata accuracy and management The role of AI in music distribution and metadata Building artist careers through strategic releases and networking Sync licensing and how to positioning music for media use  Takeaways Shorter, surprise releases are becoming more effective than traditional long campaigns. Metadata accuracy is crucial for reporting, royalties, and discoverability. AI tools help reduce human error and streamline distribution processes. Building a strong fan base through grassroots and social media is essential for emerging artists. Networking and strategic collaborations can significantly boost an artist's growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:57 Current trends in music release strategies 04:01 The shift towards shorter and surprise releases 06:02 Impact of social media and organic growth 07:58 Case study: Surprise album drop by Public Music 10:03 The importance of metadata and how to manage it 12:00 Using AI to improve metadata accuracy and avoid errors 14:57 Metadata for discoverability and fan engagement 18:00 Building a music label and artist management strategy 20:10 Artist development and release planning 22:04 Sync licensing and positioning music for media 24:03 The role of AI in distribution and rights management 26:04 The evolution of Jake Williams' career and future plans 28:04 Advice for emerging artists and building a career 30:01 The importance of social media and YouTube presence 32:07 The significance of networking and collaborations 34:06 Future trends in music and metadata management 36:04 Final tips for artists starting out 37:59 The potential of AI for sync and creative positioning 39:47 Closing remarks and future outlook Links Penance Music Group  https://linktr.ee/penancemusicgroup Republic of Music https://www.republicofmusic.net

  3. 13 Oct

    Episode 119: What Does Success Look Like ? (With Dan Scott)

    Spotlight Advisory Group CEO and Co-Founder Dan Scott shares his unique perspective on the value of creativity, ownership, and legacy in the music industry, emphasising purpose over profit and exploring how AI might shape the future of human creativity. keywords music industry, ownership, legacy, purpose, AI, creativity, wealth, success, purpose-driven life, artistic freedom key topics The philosophical view of money and success The importance of purpose and legacy in art How industry influences artists' decisions on ownership The impact of AI on creativity and the future of art The concept of 'enough' versus more in financial freedom The distinction between entertainment and true art The role of free will in choosing a creative life The importance of purpose in legacy planning The influence of societal pressures on artists' success The future of human creativity in a digital world  sound bites "Money is a game, not a human experience" "Selling your legacy is short-sighted" "Focus on living your purpose, not more money" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dan Scott's background and expertise 02:17 How different worlds of music, law, and wealth shape perspectives 04:28 Philosophy of money and success in the creative industry 07:50 The shift from traditional success to purpose-driven legacy 11:07 Legacy versus estate: what truly matters for artists 14:23 Why artists often misunderstand ownership and value 16:30 The short-sightedness of selling music catalogs 19:01 The importance of purpose and legacy in wealth preservation 22:31 The idea of enough versus more in financial freedom 31:53 The future of AI and human creativity 35:32 AI's role in entertainment versus true art 40:41 The potential of AI as a liberator, not destroyer 41:13 Final thoughts: embracing purpose and authenticity in the future of art https://www.spotlightadvisorygroup.com https://www.theexperienceoffinancialfreedom.com

  4. 6 Oct ·  Video

    Episode 118: Can We Build a Better Music Business? (With Andre Mullen)

    Music Industry Executive Andre Mullen shares his insights on transforming the music industry through faith-based, integrated IP models, long-term artist development, and the role of technology in building authentic artist-fan relationships. keywords music industry, artist development, integrated IP, faith-based, music technology, independent labels, long-term success, fan engagement, rights management, Paradigm key topics The flaws of traditional record label models The concept of integrated IP and its practical application Faith as a guiding principle in music business Long-term artist development versus short-term gains The role of technology in artist-fan relationships The importance of relationships and face-to-face networking The balance between independent and major labels The impact of industry fragmentation and emerging territories Advice for young artists and executives Patience and consistency as keys to longevity sound bites "Protect your craft, ownership, and peace" "Deals you decline shape your career more than the ones you sign" "The industry rewards patience far more than it admits" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 02:48 Why the traditional record label model is broken 06:28 The importance of long-term thinking in artist development 08:37 What integrated IP looks like in practice 09:30 Faith as an operating system in business 11:07 Genuine artist development in the algorithm age 13:12 The advantages of independent labels 16:26 The role of technology in artist-fan engagement 23:22 Caution in adopting new fan tech platforms 28:36 The evolution of tech adoption in music 31:32 Advice for the next generation in music 34:10 The importance of mentorship and relationships 43:46 The value of face-to-face networking 45:40 Building a lasting career in music 55:58 Closing remarks and gratitude https://www.weareparadigm.co

  5. 29 Sept ·  Video

    Episode 117: How Artists Can Build Real Fan Relationships

    How OpenStage Is Changing the Artist–Fan RelationshipWhat if artists could build a direct relationship with their fans — rather than relying on social platforms, streaming services and other third parties? In this episode of The Music Business Buddy, Jonny Amos speaks with Rob Sealy from OpenStage about the gap between having an audience and actually knowing who your fans are. The conversation explores why follower counts and streaming numbers don't tell the whole story, why consented fan data matters, and how artists can build deeper relationships with the people who genuinely support their careers. In This EpisodeRob’s financial services background and how it shaped his approach to music.How his son’s band highlighted the disconnect between artists, fans and audience data.Why artists may know their follower numbers without knowing their most valuable fans.The financial reality facing artists and why gross income doesn't always mean sustainable earnings.Why streaming, social media and mailing lists can create a false sense of audience ownership.Why genuine fan relationships can be more valuable than raw reach or follower counts.How OpenStage helps artists capture consented fan data and build direct relationships.How personalised access, rewards and tiered experiences can build loyalty.How fan insight can improve touring, ticketing, marketing and campaigns.Timestamps00:00 — Introducing Rob Sealy and OpenStage 01:12 — Rob’s background in financial services 03:18 — How his son’s band sparked OpenStage 05:42 — The disconnect between artists and fans 07:15 — Why artists don't always know their real fans 09:03 — The 7–10% revenue reality for artists 11:26 — The problem with streaming and social platforms 13:48 — Reach versus genuine fan relationships 15:32 — How OpenStage works 17:41 — Consent, fan data and audience ownership 19:56 — Creating personalised fan experiences 22:14 — Rewards and building loyalty 24:36 — Fan insight, touring and ticketing 27:02 — Understanding engaged fans 29:18 — Turning data into meaningful relationships 31:42 — Examples of OpenStage in action 34:05 — The future of the artist–fan relationship 36:12 — Why direct relationships matter Key TakeawaysReach Isn't the Same as Relationship Followers, streams and views don't necessarily mean an artist has a meaningful relationship with their audience. Understanding and engaging with fans directly can be far more valuable. Artists Need Greater Ownership Social platforms and streaming services provide huge reach, but artists don't control those platforms or necessarily have direct access to their audiences. Consented, first-party fan relationships can provide greater control and insight. Data Should Create Better Experiences Fan data is most valuable when it leads to better engagement — from personalised access and rewards to smarter touring, ticketing and marketing. The Future Is More Personal As technology makes it easier to reach huge audiences, genuine artist–fan relationships may become even more important. The question isn't simply: “How many people can I reach?” It's: “How well do I know the people who genuinely care about what I do?” About OpenStageOpenStage helps artists build stronger, more direct relationships with their fans through consented audience data and tools designed to create meaningful fan experiences. https://openstage.live

  6. 22 Sept ·  Video

    Episode 116: From Songwriting to Sync - Inside Independent Music Publishing

    Phil Simpson on Independent Music Publishing, Sync and the Power of Human TasteJonny 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. In This EpisodeFirst 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.Timestamps00:00 — 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 Key TakeawaysDon’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. Notable Quotes“What can we do to add value here?” “The fatal flaw in AI that will always be there is taste.”

  7. 15 Sept

    Episode 115: The Future of Music Supervision - Sync, Streaming, TikTok and AI

    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

  8. 8 Sept ·  Video

    Episode 114: Building a Record Label From Scratch in 2026 (with Jamie Sellers)

    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

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About

The Music Business Buddy is a podcast about the future of music careers. Each episode explores how artists and creators are navigating today’s evolving music industry — from AI and streaming to publishing, sync licensing, branding and fan growth. Featuring conversations with music executives, creatives, entrepreneurs and innovators, the show offers practical insights into how the modern music business really works. The Music Business Buddy is hosted by award winning UK based music professional Jonny Amos. Author of The Music Business For Music Creators (Routledge, 2024), Jonny is a music industry consultant, artist manager, producer and educator.  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. Subscribe: https://themusicbusinessbuddy.beehiiv.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themusicbusinessbuddypodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/jonny_amos/ Email jonnyamos@me.com Websites www.jonnyamos.com https://themusicbusinessbuddy.riverside.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jonny Amos
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jonny Amos
  • Show Website
    The Music Business Buddy

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