TMT:77 Sybil Bell On Independent Venue Week & Why Venues Matter More Than Ever
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Sybil Bell, founder of Independent Venue Week. For more than a decade Sybil has helped shine a spotlight on the venues that form the foundations of the entire live music ecosystem - from first gigs and early tours through to artist development and local cultural identity. In their chat, the pair discuss how Independent Venue Week was built, how it has expanded globally, and why protecting venues is more urgent than ever. 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
TMT:76 Aly Gillani On Why Bandcamp Is Music Retail With A Difference & Why AI Is Banned On The Platform
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Aly Gillani, Artist & Label Relations Lead at Bandcamp and Director of First Word Records. From running his own independent record label, to asking for (and receiving) his dream job at Bandcamp, Aly shares his insight into how the platform is different from other music retail sites, putting artists first, and why the platform has banned AI. The pair also discuss how the now-legendary ‘Bandcamp Friday’ is impacting artists around the globe, the reality of streaming economics, and his stance on the music business as a whole. 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
TMT:75 Sumit Bothra On What Artist Management Really Looks Like in 2026
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Sumit Bothra, founder and CEO of SB3 Artist Management, as well as manager of PJ Harvey. With a career spanning over 20 years across major labels, independent management, and executive leadership, Sumit reflects on his long journey through the industry. The pair also discuss what balancing a home family life and being a manager really looks like in 2026, including how he's able to fully disconnect from work. 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
TMT:74 Alex Hannaby On The Unstoppable Rise Of Country Music Around The World
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alex Hannaby, VP of International Marketing & Operations at Big Machine, as well as head of the label’s UK business. From launching Big Machine UK ten years ago, to overseeing international strategy across multiple territories, Alex offers a detailed insight into how country music has moved from a niche genre to a cultural force. The pair discuss why country is connecting with so many younger listeners, how UK radio and festivals are playing a pivotal role, and how country forms the basis of a lot of the pop music we listen to today. 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
TMT:73 Ben Mortimer On How To Break New Artists & The Role Of Majors in 2026
Happy new year from The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Ben Mortimer, President of Polydor Label Group. From starting out as a journalist, to now being in charge of one of the worlds biggest labels, Ben shares his unique insight into how to break new artists in 2026, and why patience is key. The pair also discuss the state of British music, the role of AI, physical media, and the pressures facing modern artists. 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