Drowned in Sound

• How We Open Music’s Doors to Everyone (Not Just the Rich)

  From grassroots venues and youth music programs to Mercury Prize winners, early support shapes who gets to make music—and who doesn’t. But is access to music a right or a privilege?Music should be for everyone - but is it becoming a luxury only the privileged can afford?Episode one of season 3 of the DiS podcast, explores how Youth Music -a UK charity funding grassroots projects - is fighting to create fairer opportunities for young musicians facing financial, social, and industry barriers.In this episode of the Drowned in Sound Podcast, Sean Adams speaks with Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, about hidden inequalities in the music industry and the work being done to create opportunities for the next generation of musicians.From youth-led projects and grassroots funding to the systemic barriers keeping working-class musicians out, this episode explores how music’s future can be more inclusive, diverse, and fair.This episode also features Ezra Collective’s Mercury Prize-winning speech, where they credit their success to the support they received early on:“This is not just Ezra Collective’s moment, this is a moment for every single organisation that’s championing young people making music.”Read the full speech here:The Line of Best FitThe Drowned in Sound Podcast maps the future of music and explores what's happening in the industry right now, with a strong moral compass. It connects music, culture, and ethics, offering deep dives into the issues shaping the way we create, consume, and sustain music.Why This Matters:Music has the power to change lives - but only if everyone has the chance to participate. Rising costs, funding cuts, and industry gatekeeping are making it harder than ever for working-class musicians to break through. In this episode, we explore what’s at stake, what’s changing, and how we can fight for a better future in music.Topics Covered: Why music is increasingly a career for the privileged From youth projects to Mercury Prizes: why access matters How the industry is shutting out working-class talent The critical role of Youth Music in opening doors The funding crisis: why 25% of grassroots projects are at risk “It’s not a pipeline, it’s flight pathways” – how opportunity shapes careers What real change looks like - and how to make it happenFurther Reading: Youth Music – Find out more and get involved: https://youthmusic.org.uk/ "I Will Forever Remain Faithful" Essay – Read more: Oxford American Drowned in Sound Newsletter – Subscribe for music insights: http://drownedinsound.orgEpisode Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Is Music Becoming a Privilege? 01:15 Why Youth Music Exists & What It Does 04:30 How the Industry Is Failing Young Artists 07:50 What Happens When You Can’t Afford to Make Music? 11:10 From Youth Projects to the Mercury Prize – Success Stories 14:40 The Funding Crisis: What’s At Risk? 18:20 How We Ensure Music’s Future Is For Everyone 21:30 Ezra Collective’s Speech & the Power of Community 40:00 Final Thoughts & Call to ActionJoin the Conversation: Who really gets a chance to make music today? Join the discussion on the Drowned in Sound forum or leave a review with your thoughts. Support Youth Music – Help fund grassroots music projects: https://youthmusic.org.uk/ Get More Music Insights – Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound Newsletter for in-depth analysis on the future of music: http://drownedinsound.org

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• Will music survive the next 25 years? - Season 3 Prologue

  How will music survive until 2050? Will streaming monopolies and economic pressures lead to music’s decline, or can we build a fairer, more sustainable future?In this season three prologue of the Drowned in Sound Podcast, host Sean Adams (founder of Drowned in Sound) reflects on his lifelong love of music, the systemic challenges facing artists, and what the next 25 years could mean for independent musicians, grassroots venues, and the future of the industry.In this series, expect big questions, deep dives, and conversations with artists, industry leaders, and changemakers who are shaping what comes next.Drowned in Sound’s podcast is about a life built around music—but also how music shapes culture, communities, and change.Topics in this episode:Why grassroots venues are strugglingHow streaming giants control music discoveryThe economic realities of being an artist todayLessons from past music movements and how they shaped the industryWhy music’s future depends on the choices we make now🎵 Music by Sound Mirror – https://www.soundmirror.co.uk/📩 Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound newsletter: http://drownedinsound.org00:00 Introduction: The Future of Music in 205000:25 Personal Journey with Music01:45 Climate Activism & Music’s Role in Change02:20 Challenges Facing Artists & the Music Industry03:34 Streaming, Labels & Who Holds the Power06:13 Economic Disparities & the Struggles of Independent Artists07:36 The Importance of Community in Music10:46 Conclusion: The Power & Potential of MusicWhat do you think the future of music looks like?What challenges should the industry fix first?💬 Leave a review on your podcast app.🔔 Follow, rate & subscribe to never miss an episode.

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• Introducing... 2025 Theme: What will music be like in 2050?

  This year marks 25 years since Drowned in Sound launched, and rather than obsessing about the past, we will be gazing into the future, trying to work out what music will be like in 2050. In this prologue episode, Sean Adams, the founder of Drowned in Sound, reflects a little bit on his 25-year journey and examines the current challenges facing music, from economic barriers to the impact of technology and AI. He discusses the importance of grassroots venues, the role of music in our lives, and the potential for both dystopian and utopian futures. Along the way, he plans on speaking with industry experts, musicians, and pioneers to uncover insights and envision solutions for a sustainable and vibrant music ecosystem. Join this open research project to explore how we can shape a better future for music. This was an unscripted ramble, so you can read a little more in our recent newsletter. 00:00 Introduction: The Big Question for 2025 00:35 Reflecting on 25 Years of Drowned in Sound 02:07 Challenges Facing the Music Industry 04:22 Exploring Solutions and Innovations 06:53 The Future of Music: Utopia or Dystopia? 08:36 Join the Journey: Open Research Project

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• How does music get discovered? Favourite venues? Brexit? - Q&A Special: Part 2

  In part two of this Q&A experiment, Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams delves into various topics, including the process of discovering new music, the complexities of the music industry, and nostalgic reflections on MySpace and defunct London music venues. He also touches on the importance of human connection in music curation, potential improvements for music streaming platforms, and the socio-political challenges affecting the UK's music industry post-Brexit. Additionally, Sean reflects on memorable interviews. Thank you to everyone for your questions, please submit any for the next edition to [email protected] and be sure to subscribe to the newsletter at drownedinsound.org

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• Why weren't [insert band] massive? Music's true value? Gaffes? - Q&A Special: Part 1

  To mark Drowned in Sound's 24th anniversary and before we begin a new season of the podcast, Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams answers your questions. Here are some links related to topics covered in the Q&A in case you'd like more context. Listen to: Choose a Bright Morning by Jeniferever on Bandcamp Read: Wendy Roby's brilliant review of Plastic Beach by Gorillaz Listen to: Mystery Jets featuring Laura Marling Read: Mike Diver's 2005 interview with Saul Williams Read: DiScover Santigold Questions for this episode submitted by our social media followers and over on the Drowned in Sound forums: Sweetsonix on Twitter: A nice easy one. How do we return respect to, and appreciation of, the arts? Anthony Gibbons who wrote for DiS in the early days: I've had my fair share of interviewing gaffes in my time, so what is the most cringeworthy question you've asked an interviewee and what was their response?  Body in the Thames: If you had to do it all over again, what one thing would you change? My Yada on DiS forums: What was the first review on the site? Drastic Measures: Were you aware that Drowned rhymed with Sound when you came up with the name, or was it just a happy coincidence? Icarus Smicarus: If you could be a DiS album review, which DiS album review would you be? Jamie Cameron: What happened to Jeniferever? Rose Wiles: Favourite gig at Verdis?! Karl Hamilton: Why weren't Microdisney massive? Sign up to our newsletter at http://drownedinsound.org

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