The Money Trench - The Music Industry Podcast with Mark Sutherland

Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Steve Tannett, Director of Platforms at Marshall Group.

From his punk roots to a career spanning multiple sides of the music industry, Steve looks back over his career - moving from musician to label executive, publisher, and manager. He talks about rock’s lasting cultural impact, his work with artists like R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, and Ginger Baker, and the lessons he learned from I.R.S. Records boss Miles Copeland.

Steve also reflects on the challenges and privilege of launching Marshall Records from the ground up, initially as an experiment to bring the brand into the record industry. He discusses the label’s artist-first approach, and how this sets them apart from the majors. He also touches on signing Nova Twins and what’s next for the label.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

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

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! In this episode, Mark is joined by manager, record producer and director of Ferocious Talent, Kwame Kwaten.

As well as catching up on the latest in the industry, including the Kanye controversy and canceled Oasis tickets, Kwame shares his perspective on the ever-evolving role of a manager in music, the responsibilities they're now having to take on, and what new deals should look like.

The conversation also looks back on Kwame's long career in the business, including his journey from being an artist - performing with the likes of Michael Jackson, James Brown, and more - to discovering and auditioning Shola Ama in Hammersmith Tube station and receiving stagecraft advice from Prince!

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

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

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 Peter Leathem, CEO of PPL.

As well as catching up on the week’s news, including Grammy highlights and mental health provisions from labels, Peter shares his journey with PPL, discussing the changes he’s implemented and the successes he’s achieved in shaping the company’s role in the music industry. The conversation covers how PPL continues to innovate in the music space and navigate challenges such as the DCMS committee inquiry.

Beyond his work at PPL, Peter reflects on his early career as a lawyer, shares how he found his way into the music industry, and talks everything from Taylor Swift's gigs to Madonna's 'Sex' book!

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

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

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. In this episode, Mark is joined by the CEO of Deviate Digital, Sammy Andrews.

Catching up at Tileyard Studios, the conversation covers the latest news on streaming services, the future of artificial intelligence within the industry, and thoughts on misogyny in music.

Sammy also shares her journey into the industry, from becoming a touring manager for Ginger Wildheart to working with The Prodigy and Annie Lennox. She explains why she adopts new technologies early and digs into the impact of social media on music.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

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

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. In this episode, Mark catches up with the lead singer of The Kooks, Luke Pritchard.

Throughout their chat, the pair discuss the latest in the music industry, including the TikTok ban and what it means for artists, the impact of AI, and more on the Los Angeles Wildfires.

Luke also talks through some of the difficulties facing young artists today and what the industry needs to do to support them, as well as sharing stories of his journey to success - including working on the band's legendary debut album, and kicking Alex Turner of The Arctic Monkeys in the face!

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

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

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! In this special live episode at this year's ESNS conference in Groningen, Mark is joined by Ruth Barlow from Beggars and AIM.

Ruth shares stories from her journey in the music industry, from her early days at Xfm to her current role at Beggars Group and AIM. She chats about how the indie sector is feeling the squeeze, the impact of big deals like Universal’s move on PIAS, and what it all means for independent labels.

We're also treated to stories from her time working with legends like The White Stripes, Adele, and Radiohead.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

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

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. In the first episode of 2025, Mark is joined by Andy Saunders, legendary PR and founder of Velocity Communications.

Digging into the latest industry news, Andy shares his thoughts on the music industry's current state, including record-breaking UK music consumption and the pros and cons of dynamic ticket pricing.

Reflecting on his career, he takes us behind the scenes at Creation Records during its mid-‘90s heyday, working alongside Alan McGee. He shares stories of collaborating with New Labour during the pivotal ‘79 general election and recounts a memorable incident at The Music Week Awards. We also hear the highlights from his time at Velocity Communications, including PR tips and his approach to managing a recent high-profile crisis. 

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

PPL 

The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL who celebrate their 90th year in business this year.

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

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. In this episode, Mark is joined by Julie Weir, Director of Sony’s Music For Nations.

Catching up at Sony HQ, Mark & Julie’s conversation digs into the behind the scenes of the rock & alternative industry - discussing running Julie's independent label, Visible Noise, the challenges of touring new acts, and how she is trying to fight the US industry domination.

She also looks back on signing a young Bring Me The Horizon, reflecting on why they were so successful, and talks through the importance of artists being in touch with every aspect of the industry.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

PPL 

The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL who celebrate their 90th year in business this year.

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

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. In this episode, Mark is joined by Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents.

Throughout the conversation, Steve shares his insights on hot topics like the grassroots ticket levy, festival shutdowns and openings, and the ever-changing world of dynamic ticket pricing. Steve gives his thoughts and opinions as a man very much in the middle of it all!

He also reflects on his journey into live music promotion, recounting memorable stories such as bringing Eminem to the UK for the first time, experiencing Nirvana’s legendary Top of the Pops performance with the band themselves, and revealing what industry rivalries are really like.

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

PPL 

The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL who celebrate their 90th year in business this year.

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

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. In this episode, Mark is joined by author, journalist and fellow podcaster, Miranda Sawyer.

Exploring themes from her new book, Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs, the conversation digs into Britpop’s enduring legacy, moving past the Blur vs. Oasis rivalry into stories about Pulp, Suede, and more, while also examining how the era’s stars coped with sudden fame.

Miranda also reflects on her journey into music journalism, from landing her first role at Smash Hits to writing for iconic magazines like Q and Loaded. We discuss the rise and continued importance of music journalism, the challenges of working in indie music as a woman, and why the prominence of bands in the alternative scene has faded.

Find out more - Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs

NEWSLETTER

Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories.

PPL 

The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL who celebrate their 90th year in business this year.

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

PPL 

Earth/Percent

Tom A Smith

Aimless Play

Fourth Pillar

Sennheiser

Junkhead Studio

Tape Notes

Executive Producer: Mike Walsh

Producer: Tape Notes