

The Money Trench - The Music Industry Podcast with Mark Sutherland
The Money Trench
The Money Trench (TMT) is The Music Industry Podcast from presenter Mark Sutherland and exec producer Mike Walsh, produced by Tape Notes and supported by Sound On and Tixel. Each Monday, we will dissect the biggest music industry news stories of the previous week, in the company of one of the industry’s most influential executives. Followed by a deep dive into that exec’s career in music, including their thoughts on where we’re at and where we’re heading. Now, TMT is here to look at all sides of the music business and celebrate the most exciting industry on the planet. Don’t start your music week without it…
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 2min
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

Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 3min
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

Dec 15, 2025 • 41min
TMT: Biggest Music Industry Stories Of 2025
Merry Christmas from The Money Trench! This week, we’re bringing you a very special compilation episode! Sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the key moments from our 2025 episodes. Mark will guide you through the hottest industry talking points from the year, and end with a joyful latest or greatest compilation of the best music industry parties.
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

Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 4min
TMT:72 Zena White On Building The World’s Coolest Indie Label
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Zena White, COO of Partisan Records and Chair of WIN.
From working her way up through live music, management, and label services, Zena is now COO of one of the world's most successful indie labels in the world, responsible for acts such as Geese, Cigarettes After Sex, and Ezra Collective.
The pair discuss what it takes to break alternative music in the streaming age, why artist development still matters, the challenges facing British music worldwide, and what happened when Fontaines D.C. left Partisan.
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

Dec 1, 2025 • 58min
TMT:71 Paul Lennon On Negotiating The Music Industry’s Big Deals
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Paul Lennon, one of the UK’s top music lawyers and consultant at Moore SGD Law.
From working as in-house lawyer at labels, to becoming the go-to lawyer during the 90s Britpop era, Paul has been at the heart of the music industry for over 30 years.
In Paul’s debut interview, he discusses the glory days of Britpop, how artist deals have evolved, and how much lawyers actually get involved in artist’s careers.
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

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
TMT:70 Alexi Cory-Smith On The Catalogue Sales Boom
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alexi Cory-Smith, lawyer, publishing/label executive, and now CEO and founder of Bella Figura.
Alexi is one of the most respected figures in the rights and legal world, and now she’s building her own catalogue acquisition company - Bella Figura.
The pair discuss Alexi’s journey to where she is now, including her time running BMG UK, auditioning to be One Direction’s lawyer, and what it’s like when Mick Jagger, Barack Obama andThe Pope are all in the same room!
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

Nov 17, 2025 • 57min
TMT:69 Cam Blackwood Live On The Catalogue Sales Revolution
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined for a special live episode at the Resonate Music Conference in Glasgow by Cam Blackwood, one of Scotland’s most successful producers.
Having worked with George Ezra, Jack Savoretti, and many more, Cam has helped shape UK music across genres for over a decade, whilst also championing creator’s rights.
He is now the co-founder of Rezonate Music Rights, a music rights company offering transparent valuations and non-exploitative investment options for producers, writers, engineers and artists.
RESONATE MUSIC CONFERENCE
Recorded live at the Resonate Music Conference in Glasgow!
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

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
TMT:68 Craig Logan On Being a Music Entrepreneur
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Craig Logan, a manager and executive whose career spans every corner of the industry.
From his teenage years in Bros, to senior leadership roles at EMI and RCA, and now as the founder of Logan Media Entertainment (LME), Craig’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and a lifelong passion for music.
During their chat, Craig reflects on his remarkable journey, from playing to next to no one in clubs, to working with stadium-filling icons like Pink and Tina Turner.
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

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h
TMT:67 Nadia Khan On Powering Change In The Music Industry
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Nadia Khan, artist manager and founder of Women in CTRL.
From championing gender equality across the music industry to breaking artists including Lethal Bizzle, Nadia has carved out a unique and influential path in the music industry.
The pair discuss how Nadia built her career from intern to manager, how gender equality in the industry has progressed, and what needs to happen next in order for true equality.
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

Oct 27, 2025 • 51min
TMT:66 The Charlatans Frontman Tim Burgess On Being A Musicians’ Champion
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark catches up with Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans.
As The Charlatans prepare to release We Are Love, their first album in eight years, Tim reflects on 35 years with one of Britain’s most beloved bands.
The pair discuss the making of the new album, as well as how the band has survived through tragedy and change, and Tim’s ongoing mission to give back to the music world that shaped him, including championing grassroots venues and retail, his Twitter Listening Parties and his Merch Market initiative.
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


