The Music Business Buddy

This episode delves deeply into the evolving role of music supervision, exploring its historical context, current challenges, and future trends. Jonny Amos discusses the dual nature of music supervisors as both creative and business-oriented professionals, the impact of social media and AI on music discovery, and the increasing importance of independent artists in the sync landscape. The discussion also highlights the rise of production music and the need for music supervisors to act as cultural tastemakers in a rapidly changing media environment.

Keywords

music supervision, future of music, music licensing, AI in music, social media impact, independent artists, sync placements, production music, cultural tastemakers, music industry

Key Topics

History and role of music supervisors
Impact of social media on music discovery
AI's role in music licensing and search
Changes in sync licensing economics
Independent artists and media opportunities
Future trends in media and immersive experiences

Sound Bites

"Music supervisors can break an artist's career"
"Music is crucial for storytelling in media"
"Independent artists can influence media discovery"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to music supervision and its importance
01:47 Historical evolution of music supervision in film and TV
03:53 Key partnerships: Directors and music supervisors
05:59 Economic factors influencing sync licensing fees
07:59 Social media's role in music discovery and culture
10:00 AI's impact on search, clearance, and creative prompting
12:04 The shift towards independent artists in media use
13:57 Proactive relationships between artists, managers, and supervisors
15:59 Production music and new media experiences
18:08 The future of music supervision in immersive and interactive media
19:58 The human element and integrity in music supervision
21:54 Understanding the evolving role of music supervisors
22:49 Conclusion: The future of music supervision and collaboration

I speak with hit producer Jamie Sellers about how music creation has changed now that artists can get a demo most of the way there on their own, but still need experienced ears to finish a record. Jamie explains why his role has shifted from building songs from scratch to acting more like a finisher and exec producer, and why that experience gap is still the difference between a good demo and a release-ready record. We also get into Jamie’s new label, Caledonia, including why he started it, what kind of artists he signs, and how he is thinking about ownership, licensing, publishing, and building a catalogue of assets for the long term.

Key topics
Jamie argues that technology and tutorials can get artists about 60 to 70 percent of the way to a solid record, but the final 30 percent still comes from experience, instinct, and nuance.
He describes his production role as becoming more like a finisher or exec producer, helping artists bring projects to release-ready standard.
The conversation covers the shift in artist economics, where a more efficient model is to let artists build a strong demo first and then bring in experienced help to complete it.
He says a senior label contact encouraged him to stop waiting for a label job and instead build his own imprint, using his producer background and network.
Caledonia is designed to feel artist-first and music-first, with the values of older label eras but a 21st century approach.
He shares that he has signed two artists so far and both came through existing creative relationships.
Jamie and Jonny talk through deal structures, including licensing versus assignment, and the long-term goal of building a catalogue of assets through both Caledonia Sound and Caledonia Songs.
They finish on the importance of trust, artist motivation, and making sure the label relationship works both creatively and commercially.

Timestamps
(00:00) Demo-to-record mindset
(01:15) Why experience still matters after the first 70 percent
(03:11) The final 30 percent only comes from time in the studio
(04:36) Why Jamie is moving toward a more selective, finishing role
(06:50) Why starting a label made sense
(09:12) Interviews, A and R conversations, and the advice that changed everything
(14:01) Why Jamie chose to start his own thing instead of chasing a label job
(15:26) The need for infrastructure after the studio session ends
(17:12) Caledonia’s ethos - heritage label values with a modern approach
(19:09) Working artist-first without big advances or big marketing budgets
(20:38) Imposter syndrome, then confidence from experience
(24:18) Signed potential versus evidence of momentum in modern music
(26:46) What Jamie looks for in artists he signs
(28:27) Producers as early-stage investors in artist development
(30:13) Why trust and work rate matter before signing
(31:09) How Dia Day became a key example of the label’s direction
(33:34) What her independence and momentum proved
(35:46) Balancing artistic instinct with market reality
(37:09) Why Jamie still thinks like a producer first
(38:08) Picking battles and keeping artists excited enough to promote
(40:30) Artists as CEOs of their own careers
(41:43) The future shape of the label and possible scaling options
(44:20) Assignment deal versus licensing deal
(45:19) Why one release was licensed and one was assigned
(47:16) Building a catalogue and the Caledonia Sound and Caledonia Songs structure
(49:22) Why the name Caledonia felt right
(51:13) Scotland, the song Caledonia, and the label identity
(52:43) Legacy, ambition, and what comes next
(53:16) Closing praise and plans to revisit the label in future

In this episode, Jonny Amos explores the ins and outs of music publishing, focusing on what songwriters should know about choosing the right publisher, deal structures, and long-term relationships. Perfect for songwriters looking to understand how to navigate the complex world of music publishing.

Keywords

music publishing, songwriters, publishing deals, royalties, sub-publishing, music rights, music industry, publishing contracts

Key Topics

Role of music publishers in a songwriter's career
How to identify suitable publishers
Differences between admin and control deals
Importance of understanding royalty rates and splits
Global collection and sub-publishing nuances
Long-term relationships and partnership strategies
Negotiating advances and deal terms
Metadata and catalog management for songwriters

Sound bites

"A music publisher is like a songwriter’s best friend."
"Choose a publisher that fits your genre and goals."
"Know your songs and their metadata."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Music Publishing and Its Role
01:17 What Do Music Publishers Actually Do?
02:15 Long-Term Relationships and Developing Songwriters
04:38 Choosing the Right Publisher: Major vs. Independent
06:22 Genre-Specific Publishers and Niche Markets
07:48 Understanding Collection and Royalties Worldwide
12:05 Admin Deals vs. Control Deals
13:50 Deal Terms: Advances, Term, and Retention
16:38 Royalty Rates and Income Streams
17:35 Legal Aspects and Contract Clauses
19:04 Co-Writing Opportunities and Relationships
20:07 Managing Expectations and Communication
22:01 Preparing Your Catalog for Publishing
25:11 Investing in People, Not Just Songs
26:36 The Language of Songs and Metadata
27:30 Summary and Final Thoughts

Resources

Kobalt Music Publishing - https://www.kobaltmusic.com
True Love Music - https://truelovemusic.com
Ralph W Peer and Peer Music - https://peermusic.com

In this episode, Chordal CEO Grayson Sanders joins me, Jonny Amos, for a discussion on the complexities of music licensing in the digital age, the potential of AI in rights management, and the future of micro-licensing for the creator economy. We explore how technology is transforming the industry and what it means for artists, rights holders, and content creators.

Keywords

music licensing, AI rights management, micro-licensing, digital content, creator economy, rights clearance, TikTok music, music industry innovation

Key Topics

Music licensing complexities in the internet age
AI's role in rights management and licensing
Micro-licensing as a scalable revenue model
The future of music licensing by 2035
TikTok's music licensing innovations
The role of human curation vs algorithms in music discovery
Challenges faced by independent artists in licensing
The impact of AI on music rights and discovery

Takeaways

Music rights are owned by multiple parties, making licensing complex.
AI is used for rights cleaning, matching, and discovery, not for generating music.
Micro-licensing is becoming essential due to internet content volume.
Traditional blockbuster licensing will coexist with micro-licensing.
Platforms like TikTok are pioneering scalable licensing solutions.
Human curation remains vital despite AI advancements.
Independent artists often lack knowledge about licensing requirements.
AI can help manage rights more efficiently and fairly.

Guest Name

Grayson Sanders - CEO of Chordal

Sound bites

"Music licensing is more complex than ever."
"AI helps manage rights, not just create music."
"Community curation will outpace algorithms."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to music licensing challenges in the digital age
01:57 How music rights are owned and the complexity of licensing
03:53 The impact of the internet on licensing speed and scalability
06:10 Chordal's platform and its role in licensing and rights management
07:57 Expanding licensing to independent artists and creators
11:02 The rise of micro-licensing and its importance
13:58 The influence of AI in rights management and licensing
17:04 Future of licensing in 2035: human vs. platform transactions
20:00 The cultural shift back to human curation and community-based discovery
22:52 The role of AI in managing rights and enhancing discovery
25:56 The impact of platforms like TikTok on licensing and music use
33:01 The importance of fair remuneration and rights holder control
36:00 Final thoughts: coexistence of traditional and new licensing models

Resources

Chordal Platform - https://chordal.com
Music Ally Article on TikTok Commercial Music Library - https://musically.com/2026/05/11/chordal-got-5bn-tiktok-views-for-commercial-music-library-tracks/

In this episode, I am joined by Hekta Music Group CEO Lucas Rizzo who also operates as a Fractional Partner Across Brands, Tech and Capital. Lucas shares insights from his unique journey through music, tech, and startups, highlighting the interconnectedness of these worlds and how they shape his approach to artist development and catalog management.

Keywords

music industry, startups, artist development, catalog acquisition, authenticity, creator economy, music tech, AI in music

Key Topics

Interconnection of music, tech, and startups
The importance of authenticity in music
Data-driven artist development strategies
The role of catalog acquisition in music
Balancing passion and business in music

Takeaways

Cross-industry experience provides a unique edge in music.
Authenticity remains crucial despite industry pressures.
Data and intuition together inform artist strategies.
Catalog management is a key to sustainable success.
Embracing being lost is part of finding your true path.

Guest Name

Lucas Rizzo

Sound bites

"The interconnectedness of it all."
"The DSP element is part of market fit."
"Getting lost is part of the process."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lucas and His Journey
03:08 Interconnectedness of Music, Tech, and Startups
05:55 Realising Success vs. Fulfilment
09:00 The Transition from Artist to Business
11:52 Goals in Catalogue Acquisition and Artist Development
16:01 Navigating the Creator Economy
20:07 Wisdom from Parallel Lives
22:59 Authenticity in the Age of Social Media
25:59 Finding Your True Self Through the Journey

Resources

Hekta Music Group - https://hektamusicgroup.com
Chartmetric - https://www.chartmetric.com/
Ovo by Drake - https://www.octobersveryown.com/