Podcast · 57 episodes
Drowned in Sound
by Drowned in Sound · English
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.
Latest episodes
Meet The AI Rapper Beloved By The Far-Right - Part 2Part 2 of an investigation into Danny Bones, an AI-generated rapper promoted to far-right audiences via the Node project.8 Sep 2026 · 43 min
Meet The AI Rapper Beloved By The Far-Right - Part 1The Drowning Sound podcast examines how an AI-made “far-right rapper” persona, Danny Bones (from the “Node project”), is used in UK political messaging and rallies, including copyright/consent abuses…1 Sep 2026 · 47 min
Blood Red Shoes on their 7th LP, Support Bands, Crisps and Two Decades As a BandBlood Red Shoes (Stephen Ansell and Laura Mary) discuss their 7th LP, how they write and sing as a duo, DIY touring economics, and how music discovery now happens via video games and algorithms.26 Aug 2026 · 56 min
All episodes
Meet The AI Rapper Beloved By The Far-Right - Part 2Part 2 of an investigation into Danny Bones, an AI-generated rapper promoted to far-right audiences via the Node project.8 Sep 2026 · 43 min · 14 chapters
Meet The AI Rapper Beloved By The Far-Right - Part 1The Drowning Sound podcast examines how an AI-made “far-right rapper” persona, Danny Bones (from the “Node project”), is used in UK political messaging and rallies, including copyright/consent abuses…1 Sep 2026 · 47 min · 19 chapters
Blood Red Shoes on their 7th LP, Support Bands, Crisps and Two Decades As a BandBlood Red Shoes (Stephen Ansell and Laura Mary) discuss their 7th LP, how they write and sing as a duo, DIY touring economics, and how music discovery now happens via video games and algorithms.26 Aug 2026 · 56 min · 14 chapters
Gig Yap: Robyn, My Chemical Romance, Matt Berninger and Los Campesinos!, and Where to StandThis episode of Drowned in Sound is a “gig vicariously” catch-up where co-host Helena Wadia shares four recent concert experiences and practical “where to stand” tips, plus a broader discussion of…15 Aug 2026 · 50 h 15 min · 17 chapters
From Paris Hilton to Andy Burnham: Sean & Helena's Lord Brennan Interview DebriefDebrief of a prior interview with Lord Brennan about the UK fan-led review of music, its 50+ recommendations, and what it means for Andy Burnham’s new government; discussion also ranges to music’s…2 Aug 2026 · 42 min · 17 chapters
What can music fans expect from the PM Andy Burnham era? DiS meets Lord BrennanLord Kevin Brennan, a Labour peer and former MP, discusses his fan-led UK Parliament Culture, Media and Sport Committee review of live and electronic music, the government’s response, and what fans…25 Jul 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 19 chapters
Why Your Favourite Band's Fans Might Not Be RealFake “fans” and manufactured engagement in music marketing, plus how social platforms, clipping, AI, and attention economics distort real fan communities.7 Jul 2026 · 1 h 19 min · 26 chapters
Gomez's Tom Gray: How to Fight Spotify in Parliament and Why One Difficult Conversation a Day Is Enough - Part 2Tom Gray (Gomez) discusses how musicians can fight Spotify and other streaming/AI power using UK Parliament campaigning, plus Broken Record’s push for fairer streaming economics and AI safeguards.1 Jul 2026 · 58 min · 21 chapters
How Gomez's Tom Gray Ended Up Taking On Spotify in Parliament - Part 1Tom Gray (Gomez) discusses how change happens in politics and music, focusing on his advocacy work—especially the Broken Record campaign and later efforts to challenge Spotify’s royalty practices,…23 Jun 2026 · 56 min · 15 chapters
Geoff Barrow (Portishead) Made a Film with a Sleaford Mod and Every Penny Invada HadGeoff Barrow (Portishead) discusses making his film Game (written/produced by him) and how it connects to his work in music, sound design, and Invada Records.16 Jun 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 22 chapters
Sathnam Sanghera on George Michael: Iraq, Wham!, Empire, Fandom, and The Best Hit Rate in Chart HistoryHistorian/journalist Sathnam Sanghera discusses his book Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael, using George Michael as a lens for British Empire history, fandom, activism,…9 Jun 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 19 chapters
Los Campesinos! Part! Two! On Class, Privilege, And The Economics Of Bands vs Solo ArtistsGareth (Los Campesinos!/Nose) discusses the economics of touring vs solo careers, why live music is getting harder to sustain, and how industry delays/fees (visas, PRS, licensing) affect bands’…4 Jun 2026 · 49 min · 17 chapters
You! Me! 10 Million Spotify Streams! How Much?!?!! Why Los Campesinos! Stopped Being Quiet - Part 1Los Campesinos’ Gareth David discusses radical transparency about music money—especially how Spotify streaming and touring economics leave artists with little net income.26 May 2026 · 47 min · 17 chapters
AI & Consent Special with Addison Rae, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift featuring Dr Hayleigh BosherHow copyright and “consent” are being undermined by AI and by tech platforms’ inconsistent enforcement; UK AI policy delays; and why artists and fans should push for stronger protections like…20 May 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 25 chapters
Ticket Touts Rejoice! DiS & Which? React to The King's SpeechUK ticket touting (secondary resale for profit) and Labour’s failure to deliver a promised cap/ban in the King’s Speech; discussion of draft legislation, bots/speculative ticketing, and fan…14 May 2026 · 40 min · 16 chapters
Two Music Fans. One Astonishing Fan-Led Review of Live & Electronic MusicA UK Culture, Media and Sport Committee fan-led review of live and electronic music, commissioned after 4,000+ fans responded.5 May 2026 · 41 min · 15 chapters
The UK government promised to end ticket touting. So why hasn't it?The UK government’s promise to end ticket touting/secondary ticketing (reselling tickets above face value) and why it still hasn’t been implemented. The episode focuses on a Which?28 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 21 chapters
Movements & Music - Introducing Sounds Like ChangeIntroduction to Drowning Sound’s new podcast Sounds Like Change, arguing that music is a serious tool for mental health, identity, and social liberation; protests need soundtracks, and songs can…22 Apr 2026 · 22 min · 11 chapters
Nobody Consented to This: How AI Is Using Artists' Music, Voices and Likenesses Without PermissionIn this episode, host Sean Adams converses with David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), about the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry.24 Mar 2026 · 33 min · 11 chapters
Can £125,000 Make a Difference to the Crisis in Live Music?In this episode, host Sean Adams delves into the challenges facing the UK live music scene despite the industry generating £7.6 billion in revenue.17 Mar 2026 · 48 min · 24 chapters
Why Does Electronic Music Sound Like Shoegaze? Art School Girlfriend on Lean In, positive nihilism, and making music for funWhy Does Electronic Music Sound Like Shoegaze? Art School Girlfriend on Lean In, Positive Nihilism, and Making Music for Fun10 Mar 2026 · 58 min · 24 chapters
What If You Could Taste Music? kwes. on his "dreamy" new LP on WarpIn this episode, host Sean Adams interviews the musician and producer kwes.3 Mar 2026 · 52 min · 23 chapters
The Grassroots Pledge: Wrestling Instagram, Spotify, and the Arts Council with promoter David LittlefairIn this episode of the *Drowned in Sound* podcast, host Sean Adams interviews David Littlefair, a grassroots music promoter from Northeast England.24 Feb 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 26 chapters
When Boycotts Work: Arms, Hope and Soundtracking Brexit with Gazelle TwinIn this episode of the *Drowned in Sound* podcast, host Sean Adams engages in a profound conversation with electronic artist Gazelle Twin (Elizabeth Bernholz).19 Feb 2026 · 56 min · 24 chapters