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Michel Lambot and Kenny Gates, co-founders of [PIAS] reflect on their 40th anniversary as one of the world’s largest independent music companies. This podcast comes as [PIAS] receives IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution award in 2023 for their work promoting and developing the diversity of European independent music over the last 40 years. In what was our late podcast curator Juliana Koranteng’s last ever recording, Michel and Kenny talk about their ambitions, challenges and solutions over the years, as well as winning IMPALA’s award. On Michel’s playlist: Television, Nick Cave, Arno, Meskerem Mees and more. On Kenny's playlist: Confidence Man, Neil Diamond, Donald Byrd, Sonny Rollins, Clifford Brown, Hank Mobley, Thelonious Monk, Wes Montgomery

Remi Harris and Tamara Gal-on, co-founders of Music Leaders Network, the two-year-old women’s leadership programme that aims to boost the career development of women in the music sector. They talk about how the programme can help women and gender minorities to grow their career, how to reach their full potential and value their work in the sector, which impressive results they noticed following up with participants of previous years, their ambition to see the programme developing in Europe, what’s on her playlist and more. On Remi’s playlist: Kabantu – Freehand album featuring Delia Stevens  On Tamara Gal-on’s playlist: Fever 333, P!nk

Ben Wynter and Joe Frankland, co-founders of POWER UP, along with Paulette Long OBE (Executive Steering Committee Member), on the initiative’s efforts to support Black British music creators, industry professionals and executives, while also addressing anti-Black racism and other racial disparities in the music sector. Launched in January 2021, POWER UP became the very first recipient of IMPALA’s Changemaker Award in May 2022. The discussion revolves around POWER UP’s work to break down barriers, its ambitions to build a fairer music industry and their reflections on receiving the award and next steps.  On Ben’s playlist:  Sounds of Blackness, Bebe & Cece Winans, 50 Cent, Johnny Hartman, Mace the Great & Jay Z On Joe’s playlist :  Flohio, Sarathy Korwar & Swindle On Paulette’s playlist: Jonathan McReynolds, Kirk Franklin, DOE, PJ Morton, Guvna B & Still Shadey

Suzanne Bull MBE, founder of Attitude is Everything, on improving disabled people’s access to live music. Suzanne talks about the work done in the last 22 years and how Attitude is Everything has become the UK live-music industry’s trusted source of expertise on inclusion and inclusiveness for disabled music fans, artists, volunteers and professionals. She shares the main challenges which need to be tackled, resources available for the industry, her advice to start the work and what’s on her playlist. On Suzanne’s playlist: Gaelynn Lea,  Cola Boyy.

Vlad Yaremchuck from the Ukrainian Association of Music Events (UAME), co-organiser of the Music Saves UA initiative and Atlas Festival’s organiser, on the situation in Ukraine and how to help. Vlad attended conferences and events to raise awareness of the plight of the Ukrainian music business, he’s also raising funds to help local industry including the release of a 136-track Drum’n’Bass compilation.  He talks about how the music community can bring support, what initiatives are already in place and what’s on his playlist. On Vlad’s playlist: Together with Ukraine, Kendrick Lamar.

Eve Horne, founder of Peak Music UK and creator of We Are the Unheard podcast series, on equity, diversity and inclusion in the music industry. She is part of numerous initiatives making change including Keychange, Moving the needle and UK music. She talks about her career, discrimination in the sector and how to tackle it, current projects she’s working on and her advice to take action. Eve is also a producer under the name MAGPIE and she shares what’s on her playlist. On Eve’s playlist: ABBA, Kate Bush (check out MAGPIE’s cover of “Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush)

K7 Music and Ernst Reuter School on their community music project with students. Alexandra Hale & Alice Lambert from K7 Music and Sibylle Polster from Ernst Reuter School talk about their first project together.  Two songs were written and performed with students aged around 14, which were released on May 9th here and here. Our guests talk about the process and how this kind of project helps students access music and knowledge. They also mention K7’s broader work on diversity and inclusion and what’s on their playlists. On Alexandra's playlist: Drake, Kendrick Lamar On Alice's playlist: The school project's tracks: Sweet Dream by Red Roses of Blood and The Nitroman by Light Squad, Mitski. On Sibylle's playlist: Bob Dylan - Not dark yet

Jude McArdle from AIM and Will Hutton from Beggars Group on sustainability in the music industry. They talk about the Music Climate Pact, the global platform initiated by AIM and the BPI as a response to COP26 and the urgent call for collective action to combat the climate crisis. They also explain how IMPALA’s carbon calculator launched with Julie’s Bicycle works, what you can do to help, and what’s on their playlists. On Jude’s playlist: ABBA, Giant Swan On Will’s playlist: Orlando Weeks

Jeremy Sirota, CEO of Merlin, on how it started with IMPALA’s help and where it is today, his career and how he started his new role during the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Jeremy talks about the new members who joined Merlin and what new deals they closed, benefits their members can access and why the creation of Merlin was really needed back in the days. He also talks about the intriguing world of NFTs and shares what’s on his playlist. On Jeremy’s playlist:  Yeah Yeah Yeahs (new album on the way), Turkish psychedelic folk from the 70s, Blood Orange, Johanna Newsom, Snail Mail, Leon Bridges.

Gill Dooley, CEO of AIM Ireland on setting up the Irish association of independents and joining IMPALA's European network. She talks about her career, how AIM Ireland got started and where it's heading, the value a national association of independents needs to offer to members. Gill also touches upon the specificities of the Irish music market and how it was affected by Brexit, including its prolific live sector and the consequences for touring. As usual, discover what's on her playlist.  On Gill's playlist: Aimée, Martian Subculture, The Weeknd, Megan O’Neill, Taylor Swift

Noemi Planas, general manager of WIN, on the Worldwide Independent Network turning 15 and activities to celebrate it. She talks about how WIN was created, defining moments and how they connect independent music associations globally. Noemi also highlights WIN’s annual conference WINCON, The Fair Digital Deals Declaration and WINTEL. She also shares what they’re currently working on and their plans for the future. As usual, discover what’s on her playlist. On Noemi’s playlist: Tu Que Vienes a Rondarme by Maria Arnal i Marcel Bages

Curator, host and business journalist Juliana Koranteng with Brussels-based script writer and podcast producer Romuald Dagry, hosted by IMPALA’s Lucie Jacquemet, on their careers and their work on 20MinutesWith podcast series. Our guests talk about their experience working with independent music sector’s executives during the pandemic context, what they learnt from making IMPALA's podcast series and why this kind of content is especially needed when the cultural sector is shut down. They also talk about their future projects and share what’s on their playlists. On Juliana’s playlist:  Jerusalema by Master KG Feat. Nomcebo, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tom Petty, B.B.King and John Mayer - Hummingbird, Dimitri Shostakovitch, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Renegades: Born in the USA (podcast series) On Romuald’s playlist: La Jungle