In this special New Year episode, we ask one of our all time favourite former DROPPED guests - artist, producer, songwriter and entrepreneur TommyD - to share some wisdom for the year ahead.

With over 9 billion streams to his name, work with top artists “from Kylie to Kanye,” and multiple successful business ventures, Tommy has learned a thing or two. This episode is adapted from a piece on his Substack and he recorded it especially for you.

Go show him some love and give his Substack a follow to say thanks and receive regular wisdom from TommyD.

Happy New Year!

Much love, Matt & Greg

Follow TommyD on Substack

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More from Dropped: If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' then please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

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In this week’s episode, Greg and Matt sit down with legendary music producer TommyD, whose near-endless list of credits includes Tom Jones, Beyoncé, Catatonia, Noel Gallagher and even Right Said Fred.

We trace Tommy’s rise from South London’s music shops and clubs to the global stage, including some brilliant Tom Jones anecdotes and the story of how a demo tape exchange with Right Said Fred catapulted him into the big leagues.

Tommy shares the philosophies and hard-won lessons that have guided his journey through multiple careers, from hitmaker to entrepreneur to industry changemaker. We also dive into what’s next in music, touching on Web3, AI and how indie skills may just give us all the edge.

Let us know your thoughts on this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with TommyD - Head over to our Instagram or drop us an email!

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More from TommyD:

TommyD on Instagram

TommyD on X

TommyD Website

More from Dropped:

If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

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After an unplanned break, we’re back and catching up on everything from tech to timber. We dive into how the latest wave of AI music tools are already making their impact on music (and lately even inspiring Greg), and Matt shares what he’s learned building a cabin studio from the ground up - because apparently being an indie musician now means also becoming a part-time builder. Don't forget Greg’s new protest anthem ‘Off With Their Heads’ - will it get him arrested, deported, or just more shadow banned than he is already?

--------------------------------- If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast

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In this episode, Greg Holden and Matt Belmont introduce themselves and the podcast. They discuss some of their experiences in the music industry, including successes and setbacks. They express their frustrations with the changing landscape of the industry and their determination to adapt and find a new path forward. They also touch on the challenges of reaching and connecting with their audience in the age of streaming and short form content. Overall, the episode sets the stage for their journey of self-discovery and reinvention. Greg and Matt go on to discuss their experiences in the music industry, including their successes and setbacks. Greg talks about the massive impact of having a song featured on American Idol and both hosts discuss challenges they faced after being dropped by their record label.

In this episode we speak with Sacha Skarbek; the songwriter behind numerous hit songs including monster hits You're Beautiful (James Blunt) & Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus). In a career at the top which so far spans 20+ years Sacha has worked with artists including James Blunt, Jason Mraz, Lana Del Rey, Robbie Williams, Adele, Alec Benjamin and many many more. We discuss his life changing breakthrough with You're Beautiful, the pitfalls of success, building something bigger than yourself and his current project, guiding the next generation of hit songwriters via The Skarbek Songwriting Academy.

We also catch up on our recent challenges and set an almost overwhelming new one!

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If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

More from Sacha Skarbek

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SachaSkarbek/

The Skarbek Songwriting Academy: https://skarbekacademy.com/

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Tis the season to compare ourselves to everyone else! But why? In this episode we discuss Spotify wrapped and what it means to not only share, but to have these often arbitrary numbers rammed down our throats year after year. Is it all bad? No. In fact, we find a lot of gratitude within this genius, but often misleading marketing campaign from our friends at Spotify. Join us for a side by side comparison of our wrapped numbers, and how we feel about the whole damn thing. Ho ho hold on tight!

If you're enjoying listening to 'Dropped' please consider joining the community and aiding us in creating future episodes of the podcast at patreon.com/droppedpodcast Thanks! - Matt & Greg

More from Dropped:

instagram.com/droppedpodcast

droppedpod@gmail.com

We’re back. Season two. Did you also think it might never happen? In this episode, we catch up after a much-needed break, talk about why YouTube banned our channel for using our own music, and unpack the burnout that came from trying to play the social media game.

We cover a lot; from Greg’s bold move to release his new album without streaming, to the fundamental importance of community around music and why we’re both done chasing algorithms. We also share the cover songs we made of each other’s music, which turned out to be both emotional and a little terrifying (Spoiler: Greg's took 2 hours, Matt's took 2 months).

This season, we’re doing things differently. Less clout-chasing, more connection. If you’re tired of the noise too, you’re in good company. - Matt & Greg

In this episode, Greg and Matt discuss their transition from being part of a big, shiny record label team to navigating careers as one-man operations. They reflect on their respective journeys - Greg working every part-time job under the sun and Matt playing cover gigs and busking - before eventually finding their own breakthroughs as full-time musicians playing their own music.

They share how early jobs shaped their careers and the experience of overcoming adversity to achieve personal definitions of success. The conversation also delves into the imbalance of earnings within the music industry, the challenge of sometimes being asked to work for free, and wraps up with each setting new challenges to push themselves further outside their comfort zones.