Legendary A&R Colin Barlow sits down with Blinding Talent CEO Mark Adams and reveals how he signed Girls Aloud, chased the Yeah Yeah Yeahs across continents, and worked with icons like Beyoncé, Pharrell, and Justin Timberlake. Raw stories, real lessons, and music business gold. “Songs are everything.” A must-listen for artists, managers, and fans.

He discussed:

• The Relentless Importance of the Song
• Gut Instinct vs. Data in A&R
• Artist Development Takes Time
• Eclecticism as an A&R Superpower
• The Cultural Shift in Pop: From Polished to Wonky

Timecodes

02:00 Colin celebrates Skeelo’s iconic single and how even brief success can hold lasting impact.

3:05 From UB40 to early cover decisions, Colin explains the timeless power of reimagined music.

5:05 How a call about a Newcastle band sparked the Wildcard label—and birthed The Lighthouse Family.

9:10 Listening to UB40, Depeche Mode, hard rap, and beyond gave Colin the edge in spotting diverse hits.

10:15 Discusses genre tribes, fashion as identity (camouflage, baseball caps), and discovering vocal powerhouses like Dina Carroll.

12:20 From being ANR for Boyzone to shepherding Ronan's solo career, including “Life’s a Rollercoaster”—one of Colin’s proudest hits.

15:00 Signing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs changed Polydor’s reputation and opened doors to alt-rock and crossover acts.

18:20 The bold signing that unlocked a wave of alternative influencers like Snow Patrol and Scissor Sisters.

20:10 Praises Sam Fender's songwriting, authenticity, and potential to be “the UK Springsteen”.

22:00 Colin reveals he shaped Sound of the Underground from day one, embracing odd beats and daring creative vision.

23:30 Why great songs penetrate—regardless of origin. The golden rule: find your unicorn songs.

25:15 A crucial reminder that instant viral hits rarely build sustainable artist careers.

27:00 Tributes to Diane Warren, Paloma Faith, Gary Barlow, and true artist identities.

31:00 How Bring Me The Horizon and other acts that found massive streaming success without mainstream exposure.

33:00 The story of The Wanted’s school tour army redefining gatekeepers' decisions.

36:00 Argues against stats-first approach, advocating for belief, instinct, and long-term development.

40:30 From Beyoncé and Alicia Keys to Justin Timberlake—“Americans do it better” in production and precision.

44:15 A warm anecdote about sending Bowie a Golden‑Years rug—and getting a signed, quirky note back.

47:00 Reflections on Bowie and Prince’s fearless trial-and-error and artistic courage.

49:00 How RCA won a chart war, embraced Pharrell, and rode that joyful wave globally.

51:00 Memories from filming Eminem and Dr Dre and the enduring impact of The Defiant Ones documentary.

53:00 Critique of homogenisation in music and film, urging confidence and independence in artistic decisions.

55:00 How great A&R work requires being a psychologist, cultural curator, and song-shape shifter.

57:00 The demo that became Take That’s comeback single—pure A&R instinct in action.

60:00 Lessons about reunions and the pitfalls of missing original members for legacy acts.

62:00 From AI-powered Elvis concerts to how technology might bring Bowie & Beatles back to stages.

64:15 Colin warns against losing institutional memory and urges mentorship for next-gen music execs.

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About this Episode: Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Sol Parker, legendary UK live music agent and major figure in the music industry. Sol has helped shape the careers of The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Take That, Steps, Westlife, and many more. From his early days growing up around nightclubs and arcades in North Wales to representing some of the world's biggest acts, Sol shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, valuable career advice, and the realities of surviving in the fast-changing world of live music.

Highlights include:

🎤 Working with iconic artists like The Prodigy, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Take That.

🎸 Sol’s unforgettable career moments — including tea with Kurt Cobain!

🎟️ How the live music industry evolved from the ‘90s to today.

❌ The power of saying "NO" – and how The Prodigy refused to appear on Top of the Pops.

🚀 The critical importance of songs vs. brand for new artists.

📲 How TikTok and social media changed artist discovery forever.

📈 The essential role of fan engagement and building a loyal audience.

🏆 The challenges independent artists face today — and practical tips for success.

🤒 A fascinating dive into the future of live music and music marketing post-COVID.

👥 The rise of stadium tours and why live music is booming again.

🎶 Advice for aspiring musicians: How to land those dream support slots.

Perfect for:

Musicians | Managers | Industry Pros | Live Agents | Aspiring Artists | Music Fans

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more exclusive interviews with industry experts!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major streaming platforms.

Follow Blinding Talent Podcast:

🔗 Listen: https://blindingtalent.online/the-blinding-talent-music-industry-podcast

🔗 Instagram: www.instagram.com/BlindingTalentInsta

🔗 TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@BlindingTalent

🔗 Website: www.blindingtalent.com

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In this unfiltered, emotional, and wildly insightful episode, Blinding Talent CEO and former Channel 4 Director of Music, Mark Adams sits down with powerhouse manager and label boss Jamie Osman for a deep-dive into his journey from a 15-year-old record store clerk to managing arena-selling bands. They unpack the highs of music industry success, the chaos of self-doubt, substance abuse, and the pressure to "always level up."

From sobering truths about addiction in music to game-changing conversations around mental health, fan engagement, and why social media might be your worst enemy — this episode doesn’t just talk about the music industry; it challenges it.

Whether you’re an artist, a manager, or a curious fan — this is the conversation the industry didn’t know it needed.

🚀 Topics Covered in This Episode:

✅ His humble beginnings working in a record store at 15

✅ Mental health struggles in an industry fuelled by pressure, alcohol, and perfectionism

✅ What artists get wrong about streaming, social media & building fanbases

✅ Why accountability, CRM tools, and sober living changed everything

✅ Hilarious “pinch me” moments with Incubus and festival planes full of rock legends

⚡ Whether you're a musician, music manager, or industry insider, this episode is JAMMED with real talk, raw truths, and smart strategies for surviving and thriving in the biz.

Trigger Warning: Includes discussions of addiction, mental health, and grief.

📢 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more exclusive interviews with industry experts!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major streaming platforms.

Follow Blinding Talent Podcast:

🔗 Listen: https://blindingtalent.online/the-blinding-talent-music-industry-podcast

🔗 Instagram: www.instagram.com/BlindingTalentInsta

🔗 TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@BlindingTalent

🔗 Website: www.blindingtalent.com

#MusicIndustry #JamieOsman #ArtistManagement #IndependentMusic #MentalHealthInMusic #BuryTomorrow #EasyLifeRecords #MusicPodcast #SpotifyTips #RockAndRollMoments #RecordLabelLife

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