The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast, hosted by music industry expert Mark Adams, dives into the essential strategies for success in today’s music industry with guests including Musicians, Managers, Producers, Record Label Executives and Entertainment legends.
Mark Adams has worked with high profile music brands including 4Music, Kerrang!, Kiss, Q, Magic and created innovative and industry first formats with Spotify and YouTube, whilst also playing a pivotal role in helping to amplify and break many A-list superstars including Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Pink and Ed Sheeran to name just a few.
Découvrez des podcasts liées à The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast with Mark Adams. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
I Worked With Michael Jackson… He Wasn’t What You Think
Saison 2 · Épisode 5
lundi 13 avril 2026 • Durée 01:06:18
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.
From creating the harmonica on Karma Chameleon in under 30 minutes…to working behind the scenes at the BRIT Awards for over 20 years… to navigating the shift from the 60s music scene to today’s AI-driven industry… This is a rare, honest perspective on how the music industry really works - from someone who’s lived it.
IN THIS EPISODE
How The Beatles inspired Judd’s journey into music
The story behind Karma Chameleon (and how quickly it came together)
What artists like Michael Jackson, ABBA and Prince were really like behind the scenes
Inside the BRIT Awards and capturing iconic moments
The evolution of PR, radio and artist development
The reality of being an artist in today’s landscape
AI, streaming and the future of music
KEY MOMENTS
1:14 – From The Beatles to Ed Sheeran: Judd’s career journey
2:00 – Liverpool, The Cavern Club & early beginnings
11:30 – First encounters with The Beatles
22:00 – The Karma Chameleon story (created in minutes)
25:40 – Spice Girls studio moment
30:00 – 21 years inside The BRIT Awards
32:00 – Amy Winehouse moment
36:30 – Prince & what makes a true musician
38:00 – What Michael Jackson was really like
42:00 – ABBA: the reality behind the hits
49:00 – AI in music: opportunity vs risk
1:00:10 – The Jeff Beck story
WHY THIS MATTERS
If you're an artist, manager, or building a career in music, this episode gives you something rare:
→ Perspective across decades
→ Real industry insight (not theory)
→ A clearer understanding of what actually builds careers
ABOUT BLINDING TALENT
Blinding Talent helps artists grow with clarity, not noise.
Social • Spotify • Strategy • Management
Built on over two decades at the coalface of the music industry.
👉 Learn more: www.blindingtalent.com
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
For more real conversations with people who’ve helped shape the music industry.
Please rate, like and subscribe it really helps us get bigger and better guests.
One Direction, Simon Cowell & Prince - The Truth About Building Pop Fame
Saison 2 · Épisode 4
mardi 3 mars 2026 • Durée 52:39
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 actually like behind closed doors?
How did One Direction build global fandom before TikTok and streaming?
What was the pressure like during Prince’s “symbol” era?
We explore music PR, TV promotion strategy, reality TV, X Factor, burnout, overexposure and how the music business has evolved from fan mail to social media.
This is a rare inside look at how pop stars are built - and what it costs to sustain fame.
In this episode
00:00 – Working with Prince, Beyoncé & global icons
01:13 – How it all started: Spandau Ballet fan club
04:03 – Fan clubs vs social media: what really changed
06:58 – Breaking into PR: Ferret & Spanner
09:23 – First major breakthrough: East 17
10:43 – Building Westlife before social media
15:23 – Prince’s “symbol” era chaos behind the scenes
17:40 – Reality TV: Pop Idol, X Factor & the snobbery debate
22:08 – What Simon Cowell was really like
24:09 – Did Little Mix outgrow the “girl band” label?
26:31 – The rise of One Direction
29:22 – “The fandom was outrageous. Scarily so.”
Stephen Budd, A&R, Producer Manager: Direct Connection Between The Artist and the Fan is Everything
Saison 2 · Épisode 3
samedi 31 janvier 2026 • Durée 51:32
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 DIY 7” singles and walking into Rough Trade, to managing Tony Visconti and helping shape events like The Great Escape, Stephen breaks down the practical reality of building careers - not through “hacks,” but through tenacity, timing, and fan connection.
He also delivers straight-talking “hot takes” on AI-generated music flooding DSPs, what streaming platforms should do about monetisation, the social media paradox for musicians, and what record labels are actually for in 2026.
This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO, Founder of Blinding Talent and former Channel 4 Music boss with over 20 years music industry experience.
They explore:
⬛ Early hustle - roadie life, punk-era survival, learning every job on the road
⬛ Direct-to-fan before DMs - the 15,000-fan phone call story and why it still works
⬛ Producer power - Tony Visconti, studios, and pioneering producer management
⬛ The Great Escape - why it worked, how booking really happens, and what artists need
⬛ Momentum & metrics - signals bookers look for (team, shows, buzz, and credibility)
⬛ AI & streaming - why “bots shouldn’t earn money” and what DSPs must change
⬛ Labels today - when they help, when to go independent, and scaling internationally
⬛ The next 10 years - grassroots venues, copyright battles, and deeper fan relationships
Mental Health Expert: AI Can Be A Tool, But It Can’t Replace The Human Relationship
Saison 2 · Épisode 3
dimanche 11 janvier 2026 • Durée 52:14
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 managing artists, to retraining as a counsellor during COVID, Lauren breaks down the real pressures behind the industry: identity confusion, burnout, comparison culture, and the always-on demands of social media.
She also unpacks the emerging role of AI in mental health - what it might help with, what it can’t replace, and why safeguarding and human relationship still matter.
This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, Founder of Blinding Talent, a leading UK management and marketing agency.
They explore:
⬛ DIY roots - finding the scene, putting on gigs & learning by doing
⬛ PR → management - why “industry connector” is the real job
⬛ Therapy as self-care - not just for crisis moments
⬛ Identity & boundaries - onstage/offstage roles and lifestyle careers
⬛ Social media pressure - authenticity vs obligation (and TikTok fatigue)
⬛ AI & counselling - tools, risks, ethics and safeguarding
⬛ The next 10 years - keeping wellbeing and humanity at the centre
⏱ Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:06 Meet Lauren - finding the alternative scene
04:08 First gigs & the community feeling
Jo Gardner, Artist Manager: REAL Careers Aren’t Built By Chasing Trends
Saison 2 · Épisode 2
dimanche 21 décembre 2025 • Durée 01:03:44
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 management company UNHOLY - Jo shares the real mechanics of longevity: branding that’s actually you, fan ecosystems built on intention not virality, and live shows that create impact instead of just competence.
She unpacks the difference between growth and “going viral,” why the live world still fails women, and how artist managers survive the emotional, operational, and financial pressures of modern music.
This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent — brand expert, strategist, and former Director of Music Programming across Bauer, Emap, and Channel 4.
They explore:
⬛ The early spark - music magazines, gigs & the path from journalism to PR
⬛ Artist management reality - boundaries, burnout & why no one should start in management
⬛ Branding beyond buzzwords - authenticity, extraction & what artists get wrong
⬛ Familiarity & fan psychology - why great brands feel “inevitable”
⬛ Live shows that convert - technology, theatre & leaving a mark as a support act
⬛ The hidden bias of live crews - microaggressions, credibility & why allyship matters
⬛ The 10% rule - tastemakers, community & why real breakthrough happens offline
⬛ Data that matters - core fans, superfans & why 500 people can power a career
Best of 2025: AI, Sobriety, Superfans & Sync - This Years Most Watched Clips
Saison 1 · Épisode 11
dimanche 30 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:00:46
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.
Hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert and industry leader with 20+ years at Bauer, Emap and Channel 4, working with major artists and global platforms including YouTube and Spotify.
This Best Of explores:
⬛ Kurt Cobain’s death, empathy in journalism & Eddie Vedder’s most emotional interview
⬛ MTV, Seattle & the bands who held each other—and the media—together
⬛ Spice Girls, Debbie Harry & Alanis: how 90s women rewired confidence and expression
⬛ “Queen of Metal”: women in heavy music and the OGs today’s presenters stand on
⬛ Sleep Token: anonymity, branding and why great songs come first
⬛ From broken arm → Metallica’s stage: fandom turning into career moments
⬛ AI as drum machine 2.0: tool vs threat in mixing, mastering & Atmos
⬛ Duty of care: managers, mental health and confidence wobbles
⬛ “Put your phone down”: social media as dangerously brilliant and toxic
⬛ Direct-to-fan 2.0: Open Stage, data capture & owning your audience
⬛ ChatGPT & sheets: predicting ticket sales and supporting artists, not replacing them
⬛ AI artists & virtual stars: switching talent “off” and the ethics of synthetic personalities
Roman Tagoe: Class, NOT Race, is Music’s Biggest Gatekeeper
Saison 2 · Épisode 1
mercredi 12 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:03:28
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 DSP strategy at Deezer and Napster, and now steering streaming for one of the UK’s most storied indie labels, Roman Tagoe shares how class, access, curation, and AI are reshaping the music industry (for better and worse).
Hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert, and industry leader with 20 years’ experience at Radio and TV (Channel 4) - working with global artists and brands including YouTube and Spotify.
They explore:
⬛ “It’s class, not race” - access, privilege & getting in the room
⬛ MiniDiscs, Mr. Brightside & the student-radio break that changed everything
⬛ 6 Music to Radio 1 - how broadcast crafts story, pace & audience-first thinking
⬛ Playlists ≠ careers - building heat and community outside DSPs
⬛ Independent vs major - access, advantage & why the race isn’t fair
⬛ Catalog that converts - Clash, Kate Bush, Paul Hardcastle & TikTok funnels
⬛ Content that works - authenticity, consistency & native storytelling
⬛ Label culture in 2025 - artist freedom, RAYE’s reset & hot takes
⬛ AI futures - bots, deepfakes & “Velvet Sundown”: make or ruin streaming?
⏱ Episode Timestamps:
00:49 Meet Roman & his 20-year journey across radio, DSPs & labels
Simon Jones: As LGBTQ people, We’ve Had To Fight For Our Authenticity
Saison 1 · Épisode 10
samedi 11 octobre 2025 • Durée 01:00:39
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 & Dec for decades, riding the One Direction juggernaut, relaunching Louise into the Top 10, championing RAYE, and elevating queer culture through Mighty Hoopla and Drag Race UK stars The Vivienne, Bimini and Tia Kofi—Simon shares the playbook (and the pitfalls) of modern fame.
This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert, and music industry leader with 20 years’ experience at Bauer, Emap, and Channel 4, working with major artists and global brands including YouTube and Spotify.
Together they explore:
⬛ From “flop pop star” to powerhouse PR: using early failure as fuel
⬛ The SMTV/CD:UK effect—why rooms, not emails, build careers
⬛ Ant & Dec: how trust, time and team culture create national treasures
⬛ One Direction’s Leicester Square takeover—what scale really feels like
⬛ Singles vs albums: why bodies of work still build fanbases
⬛ Louise’s return: beating ageism, ditching the “heritage act” box
⬛ RAYE’s rise: the public roots for authenticity (and album freedom)
⬛ Labels, risk and reality—why “more PR” ≠ “more streams”
⬛ Queer fandom = credibility: Mighty Hoopla and the pop ecosystem
Jacob Rickard: Posting On TikTok Every Day Isn’t A Strategy, If It Has No Emotion, No One Will Care
Saison 1 · Épisode 9
samedi 6 septembre 2025 • Durée 01:28:07
⚠️ 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 worked with the biggest artists in the world and has been at the centre of how radio, streaming, and social media shape the charts.
This conversation is hosted by Mark Adams, CEO of Blinding Talent, brand expert, and music industry leader with 20 years’ experience at Bauer, Emap, and Channel 4, working with major artists and global brands including YouTube and Spotify.
Together they explore:
⬛ Why virality isn’t a strategy (and why TikTok is breaking bad music into the charts)
⬛ How Gen Z treat all music as “new music” no matter when it was made
⬛ Why labels are failing by ignoring their youngest staff
⬛ How followers are not the same as fans and why community beats clout
⬛ Why forcing artists to post daily content is killing creativity
⬛ How radio still breaks artists but doesn’t make them cool anymore
⬛ Why the next big artist will break every formula you think you know
⏱ Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:11 Why “going viral” is NOT a strategy
06:42 The rise of bad music through TikTok
11:20 Why labels should listen to young people in the room
16:45 Followers vs. fans — what really matters
Samuel Jack: From Singing Drunk at the Pub to 100+ Sync Deals & a Global TikTok Hit
Saison 1 · Épisode 8
vendredi 8 août 2025 • Durée 38:15
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 turning points, and viral-worthy moments, this is a must-watch for anyone chasing a dream in music.
🎧 Listen on Spotify/Apple: https://blindingtalent.online/music-industry-podcast
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Please rate, like and subscribe it really helps us get bigger and better guests.
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