After an unplanned break, we’re back and catching up on everything from tech to timber. We dive into how the latest wave of AI music tools are already making their impact on music (and lately even inspiring Greg), and Matt shares what he’s learned building a cabin studio from the ground up - because apparently being an indie musician now means also becoming a part-time builder. Don't forget Greg’s new protest anthem ‘Off With Their Heads’ - will it get him arrested, deported, or just more shadow banned than he is already?

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In this episode we talk to Terry Cole, a public school teacher turned indie label head, producer, artist and co-founder of Plaid Room Records, a brick and mortar record store in Loveland, OH. Terry started selling records out of his car a decade ago and now runs two successful independent record labels; Colemine Records and Karma Chief Records, as well as his popular record store.

Terry gives us much insight into the inner workings of indie labels, as well as what to do (and what not to do) if you’re an artist trying to approach indie labels and record stores alike. In our opinion, he embodies authenticity and talking to him was a real treat for both of us. His approach to the music industry is refreshing and we learned so much from him. We know you will too.

DISCLAIMER: This episode contains A LOT of profanity even for us, so maybe don't show this one to your kids. 

Tracklist of Terry's songs used in this episode:

1. Snowcat - Leroi Conroy

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If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast

instagram.com/plaidroomrecords

instagram.com/coleminerecords

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instagram.com/droppedpodcast

In this week’s episode, Greg and Matt sit down with legendary music producer TommyD, whose near-endless list of credits includes Tom Jones, Beyoncé, Catatonia, Noel Gallagher and even Right Said Fred.

We trace Tommy’s rise from South London’s music shops and clubs to the global stage, including some brilliant Tom Jones anecdotes and the story of how a demo tape exchange with Right Said Fred catapulted him into the big leagues.

Tommy shares the philosophies and hard-won lessons that have guided his journey through multiple careers, from hitmaker to entrepreneur to industry changemaker. We also dive into what’s next in music, touching on Web3, AI and how indie skills may just give us all the edge.

Let us know your thoughts on this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with TommyD - Head over to our Instagram or drop us an email!

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More from TommyD:

TommyD on Instagram

TommyD on X

TommyD Website

More from Dropped:

If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

DROPPED on Instagram

In this episode we talk with Grammy-winning songwriter and artist Amy Wadge. At 37, Amy was a struggling artist and songwriter, like so many of us searching for some kind of meaning. Enter fresh-faced unknown singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The rest as they say is history...

Sheeran's 2010 EP 'Songs I Wrote With Amy' is exactly what it sounds like: songs he wrote with Amy. In 2014 the two of them co-wrote "Thinking Out Loud", a humongous worldwide hit and the subject of an 8-year plagiarism lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed.

Amy has written with many great artists including Alicia Keys, Camilla Cabello, Keith Urban, John Legend, Kylie Minogue, our very own Greg Holden, and so many more.

She tells us what it was like for her in the early days, what it felt like to have a huge hit, then get sued and then bounce back. We discuss her passion for music theatre and talk about the difficulties we face in our industry today.

Please enjoy this inspiring conversation with the incredible Amy Wadge.

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Thanks! - Matt & Greg

More from Amy Wadge:

instagram.com/wadge1975

More from Dropped:

instagram.com/droppedpodcast

We’re back. Season two. Did you also think it might never happen? In this episode, we catch up after a much-needed break, talk about why YouTube banned our channel for using our own music, and unpack the burnout that came from trying to play the social media game.

We cover a lot; from Greg’s bold move to release his new album without streaming, to the fundamental importance of community around music and why we’re both done chasing algorithms. We also share the cover songs we made of each other’s music, which turned out to be both emotional and a little terrifying (Spoiler: Greg's took 2 hours, Matt's took 2 months).

This season, we’re doing things differently. Less clout-chasing, more connection. If you’re tired of the noise too, you’re in good company.

In this finale episode, we reflect on how far we’ve come, the key lessons we’re taking away, and the ways we’ve grown while making this podcast. We discuss how our conversations - with each other and our guests - have reshaped how we approach our careers and overcome challenges.

Even more significantly, we explore how the lessons we're learning from relaunching our music careers can apply to anyone navigating adversity.

Thank you for being part of the DROPPED journey! We have big ambitions for the podcast and can’t wait to share what we have in store for Season 2!

Much love,

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If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast

More from Dropped:

instagram.com/droppedpodcast

[email protected]

In this episode we speak with Sacha Skarbek; the songwriter behind numerous hit songs including monster hits You're Beautiful (James Blunt) & Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus). In a career at the top which so far spans 20+ years Sacha has worked with artists including James Blunt, Jason Mraz, Lana Del Rey, Robbie Williams, Adele, Alec Benjamin and many many more. We discuss his life changing breakthrough with You're Beautiful, the pitfalls of success, building something bigger than yourself and his current project, guiding the next generation of hit songwriters via The Skarbek Songwriting Academy.

We also catch up on our recent challenges and set an almost overwhelming new one! 

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If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

More from Sacha Skarbek

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SachaSkarbek/

The Skarbek Songwriting Academy: https://skarbekacademy.com/

More from Dropped:

instagram.com/droppedpodcast

[email protected]

Tis the season to compare ourselves to everyone else! But why? In this episode we discuss Spotify wrapped and what it means to not only share, but to have these often arbitrary numbers rammed down our throats year after year. Is it all bad? No. In fact, we find a lot of gratitude within this genius, but often misleading marketing campaign from our friends at Spotify. Join us for a side by side comparison of our wrapped numbers, and how we feel about the whole damn thing. Ho ho hold on tight!

If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

More from Dropped:

instagram.com/droppedpodcast

[email protected]

If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast - which you'll get to see early and ad free! - at https://patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

-Matt & Greg

In this episode, we have a great conversation with Italian singer-songwriter Violetta Zironi, tracing her journey from her appearance as an 18-year-old ukulele-playing singer on X Factor Italy in 2013 to her position today as one of the most prominent artists in the Web3 music revolution - We caught up with her right in the middle of one of her most ground breaking Web3 achievements to date. Together, we discuss her path, we find out the origins of her incredible relentlessness and we compare notes on our own experiences as signed artists, dropped artists, and independent artists forging a path forward.