Hello and welcome to 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 dissect the biggest music industry news stories of the previous week, in the company of one of the industry’s most influential executives. That’s followed by a deep dive into the exec’s career in music, including their thoughts on where we’re at and where we’re heading, and our legendary ‘Latest Or Greatest’ Q&A, featuring jaw-dropping stories from the music industry’s inner sanctums.
There’s also a weekly TMT newsletter – featuring Mark’s take on the week’s hottest stories and events; news of our latest episode; influential new music tips; plus an exclusive heads-up on what’s coming up next, including forthcoming TMT events and showcases. You can sign up for that here.
If you’re wondering where the name The Money Trench comes from, it’s a reference to the classic Hunter S Thompson misquote about the music business being “a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs” – before adding: “Of course, there’s also a negative side…”
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…
Mark Sutherland
Mark is a highly respected journalist, broadcaster and editor who has been at the centre of music and the music business for 30 years.
From editing Melody Maker and Music Week to writing for Billboard, NME, Variety, Music Business Worldwide, Kerrang! and Rolling Stone – and presenting on BBC Radio 6 Music – Mark has interviewed all of the key players across this global industry and is a trusted source of news and opinion.
Mike Walsh
Mike is a 30-year veteran of music and media. Starting at the famed Parlophone label of the mid-90s, he went on to run music for XFM and Radio X, before becoming a partner at digital music retailer Serenade which was acquired in 2024.
Mike is an artist manager and consultant for various music businesses. He also works closely with two charities – Brian Eno’s Earth/Percent and War Child.
Tape Notes are the team behind the highly successful Tape Notes podcast that goes deep on the art and craft of music production.
In Tape Notes, John Kennedy (XFM/Radio X) speaks to the likes of Fred Again, Loyle Carner, FINNEAS, Catherine Marks, Paul Epworth and The 1975 about the creative process of music production.
Photo: Louise Haywood-Schiefer