Drowned in Sound
Music
About
This weekly podcast explores how culture, politics, and the climate crisis are reshaping music. From AI and activism to festival futures and the collapse of local scenes, we treat music as an ecosystem, not just entertainment. Guests include artists, changemakers, and organisers reimagining what music can be. Subscribe and join the conversation. Hosted by Sean Adams, founder of Drowned in Sound
Episodes
- Two Music Fans. One Astonishing Fan-Led Review of Live & Electronic Music
Sean Adams and Helena Wadia discuss the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Fan-Led Review into live and electronic music. They examine the report's recommendations, including the Fans' Charter, which proposes changes to ticket touting, t…
- The UK government promised to end ticket touting. So why hasn't it?
Sean Adams, Helena Wadia, and Kat Cereda of Which? discuss the UK government's failure to enact promised legislation against ticket touting. They examine the impact of unregulated secondary ticketing and the broad industry coalition callin…
- Movements & Music - Introducing Sounds Like Change
This episode introduces the new podcast Sounds Like Change, hosted by Ariana Alexander-Sefre. It features a discussion with Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams about the influence of music on personal and societal change.
- Nobody Consented to This: How AI Is Using Artists' Music, Voices and Likenesses Without Permission
This episode discusses the use of artists' music, voices, and likenesses by AI without consent, featuring David Martin of the Featured Artists Coalition. It covers the lack of consent in current record contracts for AI, the perceived scand…
- Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?
Sean talks to David Martin of the Featured Artists Coalition and musician Roxanne de Bastion about the UK Artist Touring Fund. They discuss the challenges of touring, including rising costs and the impact of the new levy-funded scheme on e…
- Why Does Electronic Music Sound Like Shoegaze? Art School Girlfriend on Lean In, positive nihilism, and making music for fun
Polly Mackey, known as Art School Girlfriend, discusses her album Lean In, her research into making electronic music feel human, and the intersection between shoegaze and electronic sounds. She also explores the creative process, the state…
- What If You Could Taste Music? kwes. on his "dreamy" new LP on Warp
Musician and producer Kwes. (Kwesi Sey) discusses his album Kinds, his experiences with synesthesia/chromesthesia, and navigating creative burnout. The conversation covers his career in the London music scene, his production process, and t…
- The Grassroots Pledge: Wrestling Instagram, Spotify, and the Arts Council with promoter David Littlefair
Promoter David Littlefair discusses the challenges of grassroots music promotion in 2026, including his efforts with the Marrapalooza festival. The episode covers issues regarding arts funding distribution, the impact of digital platforms…
- When Boycotts Work: Arms, Hope and Soundtracking Brexit with Gazelle Twin
Elizabeth Bernholz, aka Gazelle Twin, talks with Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams about her experience with successful artist boycotts, her album 'Pastoral,' and activism within the music industry. They also discuss motherhood, touring,…
- GIRLI on Fighting Back: Activism, Safeguarding & Turning Rage Into a Rallying Cry
GIRLI joins the Drowned in Sound Podcast to discuss her new single "Slap on the Wrist," based on survivor testimonies, and the "Just The Way It Is?" Youth Music report. She shares personal experiences of exploitation in the music industry…
- Why Hope Over Fear Trumps No Music On A Dead Planet: DiS meets PVA’s Ella Harris
PVA
- Over A Million Free Tickets: Discover The Ticket Bank's Mission
The Ticket Bank, an initiative discussed in this Drowned in Sound episode, aims to provide access to live music for individuals facing financial barriers. The episode explores its mission, operational infrastructure, and the broader implic…
- From 500 Podcasts to Radio 1: DiS meets 101 Part Time Jobs (Part 2)
This episode features a conversation with Giles Bidder, host of the "101 Part Time Jobs" podcast, focusing on the craft of podcasting, interviewing techniques, and the importance of building listener trust. The discussion also touches upon…
- Why Some Festival Headliners Still Need Part-Time Jobs (Part 1)
This episode of Drowned in Sound features Giles Bidder discussing the economic realities of creative careers in music. It explores the hidden labor, touring economics, class issues, and the gap between music's social value and its financia…
- Kelly Lee Owens: Record Shops, Raves, and Rebuilding Music From the Ground Up
Drowned in Sound sits down with electronic music pioneer Kelly Lee Owens for their 25th anniversary series. They discuss her career, the role of record shops in music education and community, the economics of grassroots music, and her view…
- Our 2026 predictions: New Acts, Big comebacks, Gig ticket laws, and more
In this episode, Drowned in Sound's Sean Adams and Emma Wilkes offer predictions for the music landscape of 2026. They cover emerging artists, the impact of AI, potential comebacks, and the evolving economics of live music and ticketing.
- Flying Rivers, Slipknot Swifts & Musical Frogs: Take This Podcast For A Walk In Nature
This episode explores how music and nature sounds can foster climate action, featuring discussions with conservationists about disappearing swifts and biodiversity, and climate activists on using music in campaigns. It also includes insigh…
- Can music still cut through in 2026? DiS meets a leading researcher
The Drowned in Sound podcast, featuring Sean Adams and Hanna Kahlert, examines the pressures musicians face in the modern creator economy, comparing their situation to YouTubers and streamers. They discuss the challenges of constant conten…
- Spotify Boycotts, Solidarity, and Jet2 Rage: Our Top 3 Moments of 2025
This episode of Drowned in Sound covers the top 3 music news stories of 2025, focusing on artist boycotts of Spotify, the shrinking artist payouts from streaming, and protest movements. Hosts Sean Adams and Emma Wilkes discuss the power dy…
- The Stories of 2025 - Part 1: Megagigs, Grassroots, and AI slop
This episode discusses the major music stories of 2025, contrasting the rise of mega-gigs and economic growth with the pressures on grassroots music scenes. It also examines the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on music creatio…
- Albums of the Year: Emma Wilkes & Sean Adams Pick Their Standouts
Emma Wilkes and Sean Adams share their standout albums of 2025 on the Drowned in Sound podcast, discussing the challenges of music discovery, the collapse of monoculture, and why music criticism remains relevant. The episode features discu…
- How Music Fans Can Save The Planet - Tori Tsui on Billie Eilish, Brian Eno & Fossil Fuel Treaty
Climate activist Tori Tsui joins Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams to discuss how music fans can combat climate breakdown. The episode covers the role of artists like Billie Eilish and Brian Eno, the environmental impact of streaming, an…
- UK Caps Ticket Resale at Face Value: What Took So Long?
The UK government has outlawed ticket resale above face value, a move discussed by Adam Webb of the FanFair Alliance and Sean Adams on Drowned in Sound. They examine the implications for fans, artists, and the live industry, considering pa…
- What crisis?! UK Music’s CEO on our £8 billion industry
UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl discusses the £8 billion UK music industry
- Was Indie Sleaze Even Real? Maxïmo Park’s ‘A Certain Trigger’ at 20
Maxïmo Park frontman Paul Smith and Sean Adams revisit the making of the band's debut album "A Certain Trigger" on its 20th anniversary. They discuss the contradictions of the mid-2000s British indie scene, contrasting "art rock" with "lad…
- Putting the Fans First
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched a fan-led review of live and electronic music, recorded at Sŵn Festival. The review aims to center fan input in decision-making to protect the industry, drawing parallels with fan culture…
- How to Empower Music’s Next Generation - DiSpatch from the Youth Music Awards
This Drowned in Sound episode covers the challenges facing young musicians and grassroots music spaces, highlighting the work of Youth Music and featuring conversations with industry figures and artists.
- Music Industry Misconduct: Why The System Still Protects Abusers
The Drowned in Sound podcast episode features Sean Adams, Emma Wilkes, Sophie K, and Yasmin discussing accountability within the music industry, how systems protect abusers, and the normalization of misconduct across various music genres.
- An ethical guide to quitting Spotify
This episode of Drowned in Sound examines the ethical considerations of leaving Spotify, featuring guests Alexa Speed and Kadhja Bonet. They discuss Spotify's business practices, billionaire ownership, and explore alternative streaming pla…
- Drowned in Sound is 25 today: Big lessons from the past and a new era unfurls
Drowned in Sound celebrates its 25th anniversary with founder Sean Adams and writer Emma Wilkes. They discuss the intersection of music and politics, reflecting on topics like Jeremy Corbyn
- Is music finally ready to confront misogyny? DiS meets CheerUpLuv
This episode features a conversation between Eliza Hatch of CheerUpLuv and Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams about the normalization of abuse and discrimination in the music industry. They discuss the impact of Hatch's investigation into…
- Is national identity in music a good thing? In conversation with Idlewild
Roddy Woomble and Rod Jones from Idlewild explore how Scottish identity and geography have shaped their music, influences, and their latest album, discussing their experiences within tight-knit communities and as outsiders.
- Why it's time to quit Spotify
This episode discusses the artist boycott of Spotify, initiated by Laura Burhenn's protest against CEO Daniel Ek's military AI investments. It covers systemic issues in music streaming, platform alternatives, and the evolution of political…
- Protect grassroots music, save so much more. A chat with Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds
Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari spoke with Drowned in Sound about supporting grassroots music venues through initiatives like the £1 levy, the role of music in addressing societal issues, and the challenges of focusing on activism amidst mul…
- DiSpatch: Raging at Reading Festival - Backstage with Enter Shikari, Sofia Isella, Cliffords, and more
This episode examines Reading Festival 2025, exploring themes of political resistance, climate change, and the crucial role of grassroots venues in supporting festival artists. It includes backstage discussions with acts such as Enter Shik…
- Meet The Music Researcher Making Sense of the Techpocalypse
Cherie Hu, founder of Water & Music, discusses the impact of tech platforms on music, focusing on engagement and profit. Her research examines how giants like Spotify, through algorithms and venture capital, influence the music industry, a…
- How Lore, DIY Music Scenes & The Cure Inspired This Viral Tiktokker (And What Musicians Can Learn)
This Drowned in Sound episode features creator ShoshinBoy, known for viral music history TikToks. Host Sean Adams discusses how DIY punk ethics, analogue aesthetics, and deep cultural research inspired ShoshinBoy's approach to community bu…
- What Great Music Journalists Hear That Algorithms Miss: DiS meets Ilana Kaplan
This episode features Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams in conversation with music editor Ilana Kaplan. They discuss how human curation, trust-building, and editorial strategy in music journalism surpass algorithmic discovery, using exam…
- How to Use Social Media When You Hate It & Why Streaming Math Ain't Mathin' - Q&A Special
This Q&A episode addresses social media burnout and flawed streaming economics in the music industry. It clarifies that high stream counts do not guarantee financial stability and offers advice for artists on building fanbases and utilizin…
- How to Start a DIY Music Business Before You Feel Ready - Girls Twiddling Knobs on Mission Driven Music Careers
This episode features Isobel Anderson discussing how to build a mission-driven music business, even with self-doubt. Key takeaways include starting before you feel ready, the importance of multiple revenue streams, and valuing your creativ…
- Mary Spender - Why Now Is Actually The Greatest Time for Independent Musicians
Mary Spender contends that the present is the most opportune time for independent musicians, despite industry challenges. She shares insights on converting audiences, adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, and exploring alternatives to conve…
- DiSpatch: What a Glastonbury First-Timer Found - Hope, Love, Unity, Resistance & Joy
Music journalist Emma Wilkes details her first Glastonbury festival, describing her experiences with interviews, observations of the festival grounds, and reactions to politically charged performances. The episode covers expectations versu…
- How Can Artists Build A Community? The Five Super Fans Theory
This episode explores building genuine artist communities, challenging the focus on viral moments with the "five super fans" theory. Music strategist Nikki Camilleri discusses sustainable careers, authentic connection over audience accumul…
- How Music Supports Mental Health with Ariana Alexander-Sefre (SPOKE)
This episode of Drowned in Sound features Ariana Alexander-Sefre, co-founder of the mental health app SPOKE, discussing the role of music in mental health. The conversation covers metabolizing emotions through music, the science behind sou…
- Can You Hear Earth Singing? Meet Musicians Using Sound to Protect the Planet
This episode of Drowned in Sound, recorded at Tallinn Music Week, features a conversation on music, ecology, and action. Host Sean Adams and artists from the EarthSonic project discuss how sound can foster emotional shifts regarding enviro…
- Synths, Sound & Music’s Future with Martyn Ware (The Human League / Heaven 17 / BEF / Electronically Yours podcast)
Sean Adams interviews Martyn Ware about the evolution of synths, the impact of AI, and the future of music. They discuss Ware's career with The Human League and Heaven 17, his work in immersive audio, and the role of DIY culture in shaping…
- Offline Joy: The Do-It-Together Spirit Fueling Stealing Sheep’s New Era
This episode features Sean Adams interviewing Becky Hawley from Stealing Sheep about their new label G-IRL, DIY culture, and reflections on 15 years of creative evolution. They discuss the future of music, community over algorithms, and bu…
- A Goth Walked Into Nature To Make a Radio Show. A Zine Walked Out.
This episode discusses the Fresh Hell zine, a project blending goth culture and nature, inspired by Freya Beer's radio broadcast. It features conversations with creators about reframing our relationship with nature and shifting the climate…
- Are Cover Bands Killing Music Scenes? (Q&A Episode)
In this Q&A episode of Drowned in Sound, host Sean Adams addresses listener questions about the current state of music scenes, the ticketing industry, immersive audio, the impact of cover bands, and the effectiveness of album release parti…
- The Report That Shook the Music Industry & Exposed Inequality
Sean Adams interviews Linda Coogan Byrne about her data reports exposing gender and racial disparities in music radio airplay. Byrne explains how data validates experiences and has driven industry change, discussing the challenges and poss…