
Music Ally Focus
Analysing vital music business topics in detail, as they emerge: Joe Sparrow breaks down important stories with expert guests in about 25 minutes. It'll keep you on the cutting edge, and it'll take about the same time as making and eating a good sandwich! (We recommend doing both simultaneously for maximum deliciousness.)
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Latest episodes

May 30, 2025 • 33min
Breaking your music business or artist into new desirable global markets – Symphonic's CEO talks about how they connected successfully with South America and SE Asia
Join Jorge Brea, the visionary Founder and CEO of Symphonic Distribution, and Guji Lorenzana, A&R and Business Development Manager based in the Philippines, as they dive into global music expansion. They reveal their successful strategies for entering Latin America and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of local partnerships and cultural awareness. Learn about common pitfalls in international growth and discover essential first steps for labels looking to make waves in new markets. Their insights are a must for anyone ready to conquer the global stage!

Apr 9, 2025 • 48min
beatBread CEO Peter Sinclair on getting more options, insight and choices in music funding
Ep. 167: We speak to beatBread CEO Peter Sinclair – on getting more options, insight and choices in music funding, and how independent artists, labels and songwriters are getting better deals while retaining ownership of their music using beatBread’s game changing deal comparison tool. Peter chats to Music Ally Editor Joe Sparrow in this episode of MA focus, in collaboration with Beatbread.Website: https://www.beatbread.com/Deal Comparison Tool: https://www.beatbread.com/compareMusic Ally Co-Labs: musically.com/music-ally-co-labs

15 snips
Mar 27, 2025 • 39min
Music Streaming in 2025 – what's the value of music today; and what do superfans want?
Stuart Dredge, Music Ally’s Head of Insight, dives into the future of music streaming and its value on digital platforms. He highlights the growing frustrations around subscription pricing and ad-supported services that undervalue music. Dredge discusses the evolving expectations of superfans, emphasizing their need for enhanced engagement and community features from streaming services. He advocates for innovative solutions to connect artists and dedicated listeners, exploring the revenue potential within this passionate audience.

Feb 26, 2025 • 32min
Getting tomorrow's music income today – looking back on a decade of music financing with Sound Royalties' CEO and founder Alex Heiche
Artists, songwriters and music rightsholders can now free up capital using their music in so many ways, and the old days of simply seeking advances from labels or publishers are long-gone. Sound Royalties provides a way to access tomorrow's music income today: over a decade ago the company pioneered a funding model they call “creative-friendly music finance”, where the company fronts money to artists and rightsholders based on future earnings from streaming – and other sources. Those artists or rightsholders can then use that money to further develop their careers, and then even return to Sound Royalties for more capital – at a new valuation that reflects their newly-developed success.In this Music Ally Focus episode, made in collaboration with Sound Royalties, Music Ally's Joe Sparrow met with CEO and founder Alex Heiche in London –and spoke about what he’s learned from ten years of offering new funding solutions, the new income streams that the company is offering advances for, and what future developments he sees in a world where capital is routinely raised in this way.Sound Royalties: https://soundroyalties.comMusic Ally Co-Labs: musically.com/music-ally-co-labs

15 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 49min
How music marketing will change in 2025 – with Liam James Ward of Something Something
Liam James Ward, CEO of the social music marketing agency Something Something, shares insightful predictions for music marketing in 2025. He emphasizes the shift towards genuine fan connections over viral trends and the rising influence of niche tastemakers. Ward discusses the importance of cultivating online communities and the need for authenticity in marketing strategies. He also highlights how metrics are evolving from traditional KPIs to more qualitative measures, reshaping the future landscape of music marketing.

9 snips
Nov 8, 2024 • 26min
Retraining for new roles in the music industry – with Music Ally COO Patrick Ross
Patrick Ross, COO of Music Ally, discusses the fast-evolving music industry and the need for professionals to adapt. He highlights the impact of recent layoffs and the shift towards smaller, agile companies. Upskilling and continuous learning are emphasized as crucial for navigating this transition. Patrick explores the importance of digital marketing skills and innovative strategies, advocating for a decentralized approach that empowers aspiring artists and industry workers. The conversation is filled with insights and encouragement for those looking to reinvent their careers.

8 snips
Oct 10, 2024 • 47min
Music-tech today and tomorrow: Stuart Dredge gets past the hype, gets to grips with Music AI, and gets excited about music fintech, music ecotech, and music healthtech
Stuart Dredge, Head of Insight at Music Ally, brings his expertise to the discussion on a range of pressing topics. He delves into the evolving role of AI in music, exploring its impact on creativity and the legal challenges it poses. Dredge also discusses the exciting developments in music fintech, ecotech, and healthtech, highlighting how technology is driving sustainability and innovation. He emphasizes the therapeutic potential of music, especially in healthcare, revealing how AI can personalize music experiences to benefit mental health.

8 snips
Sep 30, 2024 • 38min
Selling direct-to-fan and making money even when you're an emerging artist: Mag Rodriguez of D2C platform Even talks about the future of artist commerce
Mag Rodriguez, CEO of D2C platform Even, shares insights on how emerging artists can thrive in the direct-to-consumer landscape. He discusses the benefits of selling directly to fans, often yielding more revenue than streaming services. The importance of leveraging fan data and treating superfans fairly is emphasized, ensuring artists maximize income without exploiting loyalty. They also explore how Gen Z's preferences for experiences over products shape artist commerce and the transformative potential of platforms like Even in the music industry.

Sep 18, 2024 • 26min
Marketing Focus: Lainey Wilson, The Cardigans, and Peggy Gou's recent campaigns analysed
Ep. 160: A marketing-focused episode – Sarah Seukeran analyses three recent notable campaigns and activations from Lainey Wilson, The Cardigans, and Peggy Gou. Featured are campaigns that combine local weather data with music streaming, showcase a good way of getting catalogue to connect with The Kids on TikTok, and encourage fans to design localised merch. It's ideal if you're trying to find good ideas to try out in your own music campaigns!
1. Lainey Wilson:
2. The Cardigans:
https://pro.musically.com/weekly-round-up-21-aug-2024/
3. Peggy Gou:
https://pro.musically.com/weekly-round-up-3/
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Aug 30, 2024 • 42min
Making money as a local venue in 2024: Dhruv Chopra, founder of Brooklyn venue Elsewhere, talks memberships, building community, and how Gen Z gig-goers want more than cheap beer
Dhruv Chopra, founder of the innovative Brooklyn venue Elsewhere, shares insights on redefining local music spaces for 2024. He discusses the shift towards subscription memberships and a vibrant community through digital platforms. Chopra highlights how Gen Z gig-goers demand richer experiences beyond cheap drinks, prompting venues to adapt to new audience expectations. He explores the ongoing struggles of small venues in a competitive landscape and the importance of fostering connections within the live music ecosystem.