First Episode with James Rhys Edwards

In our debut episode, host Mark Adam Harold sits down with Dr. James Rhys Edwards, the project director of OpenMusE, to discuss how data, metadata, and technology are reshaping the music landscape. From the impact of COVID-19 on local music scenes to the challenges of fair compensation in the streaming era, we dive deep into what it takes to build music ecosystems that are truly competitive, fair and sustainable.

Second Episode with Marcel Čas

In this episode, host Mark Adam Harold sits down with Dr. Marcel Čas, former head of Slovakia’s Institute for Culture Policy, to explore the challenges of implementing data-driven cultural policy. From navigating political discontinuity to building trust in post-communist societies, Marcel shares insights on why evidence-based decision-making in culture is both crucial and difficult to achieve.

Third Episode with Alona Dmukhovska

In this episode, host Mark Adam Harold speaks with Alona Dmukhovska, from Music Export Ukraine, about the extraordinary resilience of Ukraine’s music industry during wartime. Alona shares how Ukrainian artists are building international bridges, navigating live events under air raid threats and redefining what it means to thrive through streaming and cultural advocacy.

Fourth episode with Martin Cloonan

In this episode, host Mark talks with guest Prof. Martin Cloonan about the experiences and lessons learned from running live music censuses across European cities. They discuss how local organizations and political backing play a crucial role in encouraging participation and the strong community value placed on small grassroots venues.

All episodes are also available on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.