The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast with Mark Adams

Atlanta Cobb - Music Industry Mentor on Artist Development, Social Media & Whether Artists Still Need Record Labels Atlanta Cobb has spent 15 years in the music industry - from street teaming for Columbia Records as a student to managing artists at major label level. When she left the major label world she found something nobody was talking about: a massive gap between what major label artists...

What does it really take to build a rock legend? In this episode of The Blinding Talent Podcast, Mark Adams sits down with Steve Tannett , Director of Marshall Records , former artist manager, record executive, and one of the music industry's most experienced talent spotters. Steve's journey began in the heart of the UK punk explosion, playing alongside the era that produced bands such as The Clas...

Is radio still the greatest music platform ever created? In this episode of the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast , Mark Adams sits down with one of UK radio’s most respected figures - Jo Hart , founder of Hart Media and a radio plugger with over 36 years in the music industry . Across her career, Jo has helped secure radio success for an incredible list of artists including Britney Spears, J...

In this episode of the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast , Mark Adams sits down with Judd Lander - a true industry insider whose career spans over six decades of music history. From the Cavern Club in Liverpool to working with ABBA, Culture Club, Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, Prince and more , Judd has been part of some of the most iconic moments in music - often by accident, always by instinct....

Jacqui Quaife has worked at the heart of the UK music industry for over four decades — from running the Spandau Ballet fan club in the 80s to leading TV promotions at Syco, BMG and Sony Music for artists including One Direction, Westlife, Little Mix, Prince, Beyoncé and Britney Spears. In this episode, Jacqui shares what really happens behind the scenes of pop stardom. What was Simon Cowell actual...

In this episode, Stephen Budd — British music executive, artist & producer manager, festival creator, and cultural entrepreneur - shares what he’s learned from four decades inside the music industry, and why the future belongs to artists who build real momentum, real relationships, and real community. From his first paid gig as a 15-year-old roadie at Motörhead’s first ever gig, to pressing DI...

In this episode, Mental Health Expert Lauren Reading-Gloversmith - former music publicist and artist manager turned person-centred experiential counsellor - shares what she’s learned from a decade on the frontline of alternative music, and why support for creatives shouldn’t begin only when you’re in crisis. From discovering her local scene as a teenager (“grayscale to colour”), to promoting and m...

In this episode, Jo — PR veteran turned artist manager for Pendulum , Knife Party , TesseracT , TRASH BOAT , Saint Agnes and more - breaks down the truth about modern artist development in a world of burnout, algorithm-chasing, and 200,000 new songs a day. From gig-obsessed teenager to navigating EDM’s U.S. explosion, to guiding Pendulum’s comeback through a pandemic, to building her own managemen...

Welcome to the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast – Best of 2025 🎧 This episode rewinds the biggest “did they really just say that?” moments of the year—raw confessions, wild stories, honest truths and practical insights that shaped conversations across the industry. A full year of legends, disruptors and future-shapers dropping their guard and revealing how the business actually works. Hoste...

Class, NOT Race, is Music’s Biggest Gatekeeper In this episode, Roman Tagoe - radio producer turned Director of Streaming at Chrysalis - pulls back the curtain on what actually moves the needle in music: audience-first storytelling over vanity metrics, intent over raw streams, and patient community-building over playlist sugar rushes. From producing shows at BBC Radio 1 & 6 Music, to leading D...

The music business loves a shortcut—but real careers are built, not hacked. In this episode, award-winning publicist and manager Simon pulls back the curtain on how pop stars are actually broken: persistence over “promo stunts,” ruthless focus over doing “everything,” and authenticity over algorithm-chasing. From being a teenage major-label signing to running PR for SMTV/CD:UK , stewarding Ant &am...

⚠️ WARNING: The music industry is chasing TikTok virality and it’s killing real artistry. Jacob Rickard reveals why labels are panicking, how Gen Z really discovers music, and why forcing artists to make content could destroy careers before they start. Jacob Rickard is one of the most influential figures in music discovery today. Formerly a Music lead at Radio 1 and now a Gen Z strategist, he has...

From singing drunk at the pub to landing 100+ sync deals, a global hit written in under 30 minutes, and major label bidding wars — Sam Jack’s journey is pure music industry magic. 🎶🔥 In this episode, Sam shares his unfiltered story — from his South African musical roots and early gigs, to the unexpected Spotify explosion that changed everything. Packed with insider tips for artists, emotional tu...

Legendary A&R Colin Barlow sits down with Blinding Talent CEO Mark Adams and reveals how he signed Girls Aloud, chased the Yeah Yeah Yeahs across continents, and worked with icons like Beyoncé, Pharrell, and Justin Timberlake. Raw stories, real lessons, and music business gold. “Songs are everything.” A must-listen for artists, managers, and fans. He discussed: The Relentless Importance of the...

About this Episode: Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Sol Parker, legendary UK live music agent and major figure in the music industry. Sol has helped shape the careers of The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Take That, Steps, Westlife, and many more. From his early days growing up around nightclubs and arcades in North Wales to representing some of the world's biggest acts, Sol sha...

In this unfiltered, emotional, and wildly insightful episode, Blinding Talent CEO and former Channel 4 Director of Music, Mark Adams sits down with powerhouse manager and label boss Jamie Osman for a deep-dive into his journey from a 15-year-old record store clerk to managing arena-selling bands. They unpack the highs of music industry success, the chaos of self-doubt, substance abuse, and the pre...

Independent Music Industry Insights: Adele, BTS, Super Fans & The Future of Streaming | The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast 🎧🔥 #MusicIndustry #Adele #BTS #Streaming #IndependentArtists #TuneCore #BlindTalentPodcast This week on the Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast, host Mark Adams sits down with Sarah Wilson, a powerhouse in the music industry who has worked with Adele, BTS, Rad...

Get ready for an inspiring, no-holds-barred conversation with a seasoned music manager who's seen it all—from humble beginnings in under-18 gigs to shaping iconic acts like N-Dubz, working with Olivia Dean, and navigating the ever-changing world of A&R. Discover how artists like Tion Wayne, Stefflon Don, and Chase & Status climbed the charts, and hear behind-the-scenes stories of working w...

🎸 What does it take to succeed in today’s music industry? Whether you're an emerging artist or a music business professional, this episode of The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast is packed with insider tips, real stories, and career-defining advice. Join us as Nathan 'Barley' Phillips, A&R extraordinaire and industry veteran, shares his journey from grassroots beginnings to signing icon...

🎤 Join us for an incredible journey into the music industry with Vanessa Warwick, the legendary former MTV Headbangers Ball presenter and the original ‘Queen of Metal’. In this exclusive podcast episode, Vanessa shares her fascinating journey from a reluctant one-day MTV placement to becoming a trusted voice for some of the biggest names in rock and metal, including Eddie Vedder, Metallica, and N...