20MinutesWith – Details, episodes & analysis

Michel Lambot and Kenny Gates, co-founders of [PIAS] reflect on their 40th anniversary as one of the world’s largest independent music companies. This podcast comes as [PIAS] receives IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution award in 2023 for their work promoting and developing the diversity of European independent music over the last 40 years. In what was our late podcast curator Juliana Koranteng’s last ever recording, Michel and Kenny talk about their ambitions, challenges and solutions over the years, as well as winning IMPALA’s award.

On Michel’s playlist: Television, Nick Cave, Arno, Meskerem Mees and more.
On Kenny's playlist: Confidence Man, Neil Diamond, Donald Byrd, Sonny Rollins, Clifford Brown, Hank Mobley, Thelonious Monk, Wes Montgomery

Remi Harris and Tamara Gal-on, co-founders of Music Leaders Network, the two-year-old women’s leadership programme that aims to boost the career development of women in the music sector. They talk about how the programme can help women and gender minorities to grow their career, how to reach their full potential and value their work in the sector, which impressive results they noticed following up with participants of previous years, their ambition to see the programme developing in Europe, what’s on her playlist and more.

On Remi’s playlist: Kabantu – Freehand album featuring Delia Stevens

 On Tamara Gal-on’s playlist: Fever 333, P!nk

Noemi Planas, general manager of WIN, on the Worldwide Independent Network turning 15 and activities to celebrate it. She talks about how WIN was created, defining moments and how they connect independent music associations globally. Noemi also highlights WIN’s annual conference WINCON, The Fair Digital Deals Declaration and WINTEL. She also shares what they’re currently working on and their plans for the future. As usual, discover what’s on her playlist.

On Noemi’s playlist: Tu Que Vienes a Rondarme by Maria Arnal i Marcel Bages

Curator, host and business journalist Juliana Koranteng with Brussels-based script writer and podcast producer Romuald Dagry, hosted by IMPALA’s Lucie Jacquemet, on their careers and their work on 20MinutesWith podcast series. Our guests talk about their experience working with independent music sector’s executives during the pandemic context, what they learnt from making IMPALA's podcast series and why this kind of content is especially needed when the cultural sector is shut down. They also talk about their future projects and share what’s on their playlists.

On Juliana’s playlist:  Jerusalema by Master KG Feat. Nomcebo, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tom Petty, B.B.King and John Mayer - Hummingbird, Dimitri Shostakovitch, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Renegades: Born in the USA (podcast series)

On Romuald’s playlist: La Jungle

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Brix Smith, with equality and diversity campaigner Vick Bain, on the F-List for Music. They talk about the first directory of its kind to list UK-based female musicians, songwriters & composers from every genre. The new F-List president Brix and Vick discuss what this new directory is, how to use it, what the goals are behind it and why promoters should use it to achieve more equality on stage. They also talk about their personal careers, diversity and inclusion in the music industry and what’s next for them.

 On Brix’s playlist: Bishi

 On Vick’s playlist The F-list playlist, Brix & The Extricated – Dinosaur Girl, Faultress, Ruth Lyon, Alice Hubble, Greenness, Bishi

Keith Harris OBE, one of the most high-profile and respected executives in the music business, a brilliant artist manager and record label executive, talks about his career, diversity and inclusion in the music industry, his IMPALA Outstanding Contribution Award, and his current work with IMPALA’s diversity task force. Keith also talks about the open letter he sent for Blackout Tuesday, and how important it is to speak out to bring change in the industry. He shares his plans for the future, and what’s on his playlist.

On Keith’s playlist: Tiken Jah Fakoly

Csaba Nasz, co-president of HAIL, on developing the independent music sector in Central and Eastern Europe, how HAIL was created and what has been achieved in the past 5 years. Csaba talks about the business potential of the region and what’s needed to support the local music scene, including more studies and relevant data on the industry. He also explains recent developments in Budapest with the showcase festival BUSH, the Music competence center project and what’s next to come. And, always, discover what’s on Csaba’s playlist.

On Csaba’s playlist: Garry Clark Jr, Green Day.

Guilhem Cottet, managing director of UPFI on France’s unique national approach to culture, the implementation of the EU copyright directive, cultural diversity, regulation mechanisms, loan guarantees and more. He talks about how the covid crisis impacted the sector and what the CNM did to support creators during this period. Guilhem also explains what UPFI’s goals are for the future and what he’s currently working on. As always, discover what’s on his playlist.

On Guilhem’s playlist: De Pelicula by The Liminanas and Laurent Garnier, Mogwai

Vick Bain from vbain consulting and Arit Eminue of DiVA Apprenticeships on their careers as equity, diversity and  inclusion specialists, how they got started, as well as the projects they are currently working on. Vick and Arit give us an insight in what's it like to deliver EDI training for IMPALA's members, revealing why it's important for businesses to talk about diversity with their talent, what you can do to get started and, as always, what's on their playlists. 

On Vick's playlist: various playlists on The F-List profile, Yijia

On Arit's playlist: Leela James's Loving You More, Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Aretha Franklin

Ana Rita Feijão from AMAEI and Sonia Durán from UFI on developing independent conferences and awards shows on the Iberian Peninsula. Our guests talk about how they developed these events and why they were needed in these regions. Find out what benefits they bring to the local markets and how award schemes help talent to grow. Essential listening for national associations in the independent sector all across Europe. Our guests  also talk about their current projects and how impatient they are to attend live concerts again.

On Ana Rita’s playlist: For Emma by Bon Iver 

On Sonia’s playlist: Mujeres