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Drowned in Sound

Drowned in Sound
Music Journalism
Running Punks
Drowned In Sound
Music Reviews
Future Of the Left
Mental Health
Sustainable Music Industry
Climate Justice
Arts Appreciation
Music
Corporate Influence
Grime Music
Music Industry
Pitchfork
Jimmy Watkins
Julia Macfarlane
Brexit
Prog Magazine
Technology In Music
Interviews

Music is upstream from politics. Drowned in Sound investigates how the music industry shapes society and how fans, artists, and workers can organise for systemic change. Hosted by Sean Adams, we decode streaming economics, sustainable touring, climate and tech, workers’ rights, and collective solutions with musicians, researchers, and changemakers.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes77Founded11 years ago
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MusicMusic CommentaryMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Drowned in Sound

Latest Episodes

The UK music industry generated £7.6 billion last year. Taylor Swift became a billionaire off the back of a tour. So why are some artists still losing money every time they play a show?

That's the question at the heart of this episode, as Sean sits ... more

What does it mean to lean in? Not to your career, not to the algorithm but to the act of making music itself?

Polly Mackey, the artist, musician, songwriter and producer behind Art School Girlfriend, nearly walked away from releasing music altogethe... more

What happens when a producer and musician working with Solange, Rosie Lowe, Loyle Carner, and Kelela burns out, and a spilled glass of water shows him the way back?

Kwes. (Kwesi Sey) has spent fifteen years at the centre of London's most boundary-pu... more

What does it actually mean to be a grassroots music promoter in 2026?

David Littlefair joins the Drowned in Sound Podcast to discuss the grassroots pledge he's made with Marrapalooza, the DIY festival in Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley - redirecting ad ... more

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Recent Guests

David Martin
CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition
Featured Artists Coalition
Episode: Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?
Roxanne de Bastion
Musician and author, FAC board member
FAC (Formerly involved with FAC)
Episode: Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?
Polly Mackey
Art School Girlfriend, musician and academic
Independent artist; former indie band member; lecturer in music production
Episode: Why Does Electronic Music Sound Like Shoegaze? Art School Girlfriend on Lean In, positive nihilism, and making music for fun
Elizabeth (Gazelle Twin)
An artist known for her unique blend of emotional soundscapes and commentary on societal issues, particularly related to politics and identity.
Episode: When Boycotts Work: Arms, Hope and Soundtracking Brexit with Gazelle Twin
Ella Harris
Musician, singer in the band PVA, and Campaigns Manager at Music Declares Emergency
PVA / Music Declares Emergency
Episode: Why Hope Over Fear Trumps No Music On A Dead Planet: DiS meets PVA’s Ella Harris
Hanna Kahlert
A researcher specializing in the music industry and the creator economy at MIDiA Research.
MIDiA Research
Episode: Can music still cut through in 2026? DiS meets a leading researcher
Tori Tsui
Climate justice activist and involved in various climate initiatives.
Episode: How Music Fans Can Save The Planet - Tori Tsui on Billie Eilish, Brian Eno & Fossil Fuel Treaty
Adam Webb
Campaigner focused on fair ticketing practices
FanFair Alliance
Episode: UK Caps Ticket Resale at Face Value: What Took So Long?
Tom Kiehl
CEO of UK Music
UK Music
Episode: What crisis?! UK Music’s CEO on our £8 billion industry

Host

Sean Adams
Host of Drowned in Sound podcast, focused on how the music industry shapes society and workers' rights; intersects music with activism, climate, and tech.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 49 ratings
  • Always relevant and authentic

    DIS has always been a music channel I can trust, it doesn’t feel sponsored like everything else these days. The music, the attitude and tone, the passion, it’s all on point and real. No one else stands up for the musicians like DIS.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Forward Falling
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Where

    How are you are around

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leo hern
    Canada10 years ago
  • Great Start

    I've long been a fan of the writing on Drowned in Sound and the first couple of episodes suggest this will be great music podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Swodaem
    United Kingdom10 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows potential to become a trusted source for music journalism and activism.
Appreciated for thoughtful analysis and genuine discussion without sponsorship noise.
Consistently relevant and authentic with a clear stance on industry issues.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?
Q: What lessons from past industry practice are informing UKAT's approach?
There is an emphasis on historical underinvestment in touring by record labels and on the need to replace outdated support structures with direct, accessible funding to grassroots and mid-level actors, alongside better data and accountability.
Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?
Q: Who benefits from the fund, and how will beneficiaries be identified?
Beneficiaries include artists, their teams, promoters, venues, and festivals; funding is routed through the Live Trust to grant programs that end up supporting end users, with an emphasis on access and safety measures.
Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?
Q: Why does UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT) need to exist given the current state of touring costs?
UKAT is presented as a timely, targeted intervention to cover acute touring costs and to collect useful data on what artists actually need, with the potential to scale up in monthly or bi-monthly rounds as demand exceeds supply.
What If You Could Taste Music? kwes. on his "dreamy" new LP on Warp
Q: How do you describe the process of creating such an ambient yet rich record, and how does it differ from working with others?
He notes that working solo on this project allowed him to enter a flow state and shape a sound that's both dreamy and transportive, contrasting with the collaborative dynamics of producing for others.
What If You Could Taste Music? kwes. on his "dreamy" new LP on Warp
Q: What was the mindset going into making this record after a long break?
The artist explains that the break helped him reset, avoid overthinking, and approach the record with a sense of fun and openness, which allowed the music to flow rather than be forced.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Drowned in Sound

What is Drowned in Sound about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on how the music industry intersects with society, exploring streaming economics, touring sustainability, climate action, workers' rights, and governance of culture. Conversations typically feature musicians, researchers, organizers, and activists who illuminate systemic issues—from funding and accessibility to gender equity and creator economy dynamics—and highlight practical, community-driven solutions. A standout thread across episodes is a willingness to challenge industry norms by foregrounding grassroots perspectives, access to culture, and the role of fans and artists in driving meaningful change. The format often combines sharp critique with pragmatic strategies, making it useful for listeners who want to understand... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Drowned in Sound?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Drowned in Sound:

1. Novara Media
2. The Rest Is Science
3. The Rest Is History
4. Talk ’90s to me
5. The Louis Theroux Podcast

How many episodes of Drowned in Sound are there?

Drowned in Sound launched 11 years ago and published 77 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Drowned in Sound?

Recent guests on Drowned in Sound include:

1. David Martin
2. Roxanne de Bastion
3. Polly Mackey
4. Elizabeth (Gazelle Twin)
5. Ella Harris
6. Hanna Kahlert
7. Tori Tsui
8. Adam Webb

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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