DROPPED

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of maintaining the podcast amidst busy lives and the evolving music industry landscape. We discuss the difficulties of balancing creative pursuits with the demands of social media marketing, reflecting on their past experiences and the pressures of online engagement. The conversation shifts to the impact of AI on music creation, with both of us contempl...

In this special New Year episode, we ask one of our all time favourite former DROPPED guests - artist, producer, songwriter and entrepreneur TommyD - to share some wisdom for the year ahead. With over 9 billion streams to his name, work with top artists “from Kylie to Kanye,” and multiple successful business ventures, Tommy has learned a thing or two. This episode is adapted from a piece on his Su...

Human thoughts on AI generated music. Matt pondering what it's all for, what it all means and most of all just... why? This DROPPED notes podcast was made entirely by a human. Imagine that? Let us know what you think about hearing from us more regularly with these shorter musings between the full length episodes at droppedpod@gmail.com --------------------------------------- If you're enjoying lis...

This week on DROPPED we hung out with the brilliant Garrison Starr, Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and artist. The conversation starts with a wide ranging catch up and many anecdotes (Her and Greg have been close friends for a long time!) before getting into the story of how she has shaped a long, meaningful career in this tough industry and how she (and we) believe that artists should stan...

Greg launches our new short segment with some late night/early morning musings around creativity! Let us know what you think about hearing from us more regularly with these shorter musings between the full length episodes at droppedpod@gmail.com --------------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future e...

After a summer of building (literally and figuratively) in the dark, seemingly non-existent real music world outside of social media, we’re back! We catch up on our breaks, swap a few stories, and ease into a conversation about one of the murkier corners of the music industry: PR 📰 This week we’re joined by Nicole Poulos, founder and CEO of Sideways Media, whose work behind the scenes has helped...

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...

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 m...

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 catapu...

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...

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 mus...

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 anyon...

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 breakth...

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 com...

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 In this, our 7th episode, we decided to give you all an insight into the current state of the music industry. We share some news of major label artists...

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. Toget...

In this episode we sit down with Rob Abelow, a seasoned music industry professional and the founder of 'Where Music's Going'. Rob’s had a fascinating career, from working at major labels to managing artists, and now mentoring them through his platform. We dive into the changing landscape of the music industry, exploring how technology like AI, web3, and NFTs is reshaping how artists connect direct...

In this special shortened "Inbetweenisode" of Dropped we discuss the challenges segment of the podcast. How we almost Dropped it, some of the show feedback we've received so far, unexpected positive experiences that have already come as a result of stepping slightly out of our comfort zones to create more compelling reels, and what we hope to get from this unexpectedly popular part of the podcast!

In this special in-person episode of the podcast, recorded at Greg’s studio in Portland, we dive into the nuances of songwriting, creative collaboration, and the highs and lows of writing trips. We respond to a Q&A which leads us to discuss breaking through writer’s block, the emotional depths we traverse in sessions, and how songwriting cultures differ in Nashville, LA, and London. We also to...

In this episode, Greg and Matt discuss their transition from being part of a big, shiny record label team to navigating careers as one-man operations. They reflect on their respective journeys - Greg working every part-time job under the sun and Matt playing cover gigs and busking - before eventually finding their own breakthroughs as full-time musicians playing their own music. They share how ear...

In this episode, Greg Holden and Matt Belmont introduce themselves and the podcast. They discuss some of their experiences in the music industry, including successes and setbacks. They express their frustrations with the changing landscape of the industry and their determination to adapt and find a new path forward. They also touch on the challenges of reaching and connecting with their audience i...