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Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary producer, Fraser T Smith.
With credits ranging from Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” to Stormzy’s “Gang Signs & Prayer”, as well as his own project, Future Utopia, Fraser has helped shape some of the most defining records of the 21st century.
Now he’s here to discuss how he chooses which artists to work with, plus AI, catalogue sales and his Future Producer Academy.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Josh Mateer, Head of A&R for Europe, Middle East and Africa at SoundOn, TikTok’s artist and label services platform.
From his teenage days playing in punk bands and promoting shows in Belfast, to stints at Warner and Sony, and working with the legendary Seymour Stein, Josh has built a career that bridges grassroots music culture and the cutting edge of global artist services.
In their chat, the pair discuss how TikTok is shaping the future of music discovery, why data and instinct must work hand in hand, and what it means to nurture sustainable artist careers in a world of viral hits and streaming economies.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Matt Riley, the newly appointed president of AWAL UK.
With a background that spans from DJing and promoting club nights, to cutting his teeth at Hospital Records, and then playing a pivotal role in shaping AWAL’s rise, Matt’s career reflects the evolution of the modern independent music business.
Now at the helm of one of the UK’s most exciting label and distribution companies, he shares insights into what it takes to break artists in today’s rapidly shifting landscape.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with a legend in the industry, Jo Charrington, president of Capitol Records.
With a career spanning over three decades at labels including London, Virgin, BMG, Sony, EMI and now Universal, Jo has helped discover and break some of the world’s biggest artists, from Sam Smith and Paloma Faith to 5 Seconds of Summer, Olly Murs, and now Olivia Dean.
During their chat, the pair discuss the realities of artist development, the pressures and rewards of building global stars, and the evolving role of the major label in today’s fragmented music business.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with visionary British artist Jack Garratt.
Jack first rose to prominence in 2016 after winning both the BBC Sound Of… poll and the BRIT’s Critic’s Choice Award, before earning a gold debut album with Phase. Almost a decade later, Garratt is back with his third album, Pillars.
Throughout their chat, the pair discuss the struggles of a modern artist, the lack of mental health support within the industry, and why streaming your favourite artists just isn’t enough anymore.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Mark Orr, founder of LAB Records.
Starting the company while still at university and promoting DIY shows, Mark has grown LAB to hundreds of releases, while keeping a laser focus on artist development, physical retail, and sustainable growth.
During their chat, Mark also breaks down how Indies compete on the biggest stages, what really moves the UK charts in 2025, and why location outside London can be a superpower rather than a handicap.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Madeleine O’Gorman, General Manager for Mushroom Music Uk & Europe.
Having grown up in Australia’s thriving independent scene before relocating to London, Madeleine has built a career across journalism, agencies, and label management at Liberator and Ivy League before stepping into her current role at Mushroom.
The pair chat about the unique challenges of breaking Australian artists internationally, how Mushroom balances independence with global ambition, and the strategies behind comeback campaigns for established acts like Pendulum and The Temper Trap.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artist’s Coalition (FAC).
As a leading voice in championing fairness, transparency, and sustainability in the music industry, David is an expert in management, touring, and advocacy.
The pair explore how the FAC is pushing for streaming reform, supporting artists post-Brexit, and fighting for artist-first structures across the music ecosystem.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alistair Norbury, President of UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific at BMG.
Together, they explore how one of the world’s biggest music companies is rethinking deals, rights, and the artist-label relationship.
From signing Kylie Minogue, Louis Tomlinson, and Craig David, to reviving classic catalogues from Black Sabbath, The Kinks, and Gary Numan, Alistair walks us through BMG’s artist-friendly ethos and global strategy.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Grace Meadows, Head of Music Minds Matter, the mental health charity supporting everyone who works in the music industry.
From her roots as a music therapist to leading campaigns for Help Musicians and Music for Dementia, Grace has become a leading voice for mental health advocacy in the industry.
The pair talk about the urgent mental health challenges facing artists, freelancers, and executives, the positive steps being made with initiatives like per diem payments for songwriters, and why fostering a culture of care is essential for the industry’s long-term health.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.
SOUNDON
The Money Trench is sponsored by SoundOn.
TIXEL
The Money Trench is sponsored by Tixel.
PPL
The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL.
KEEP UP TO DATE
For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:
Instagram: @the_money_trench
LinkedIn: The Money Trench
Website: The Money Trench
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here!
Thanks to our partners
SoundOn
Tixel
PPL
Earth/Percent
Tom A Smith
Aimless Play
Fourth Pillar
Sennheiser
Junkhead Studio
Tape Notes
Executive Producer: Mike Walsh
Producer: Tape Notes
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