Top 7 Podcasts for Independent Musicians

In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving music industry, staying informed, inspired, and creatively fueled is more important than ever. Whether you're an independent artist navigating your first release, a songwriter looking to refine your craft, or a producer eager to stay ahead of industry trends, podcasts have become one of the most accessible and insightful resources available. 

With just a pair of headphones and a few spare moments, you can dive into the minds of successful artists, legendary producers, music marketers, and industry insiders, sharing valuable lessons, stories, and advice that can elevate your career.

This blog is your guide to the 7 best podcasts for music, carefully selected for their depth, diversity, and relevance. Each show offers something unique: from mastering the business side of music and building a loyal fanbase, to sparking creative breakthroughs and understanding the power of streaming and sync licensing. 

In this blog, we’re breaking it all down:

1. The Manager's Playbook
   
   
2. Behind The Wall
   
   
3. Neighborhood Art Supply
   
   
4. And The Writer Is…
   
   
5. The MBW Podcast
   
   
6. DIY Musician Podcast
   
   
7. The Broken Record
   
   
8. Final Thoughts
   
   

1. The Manager's Playbook

The Manager’s Playbook is one of the best podcasts for music when it comes to insider information about the industry. It is hosted by music executive Mauricio Ruiz, who has 16 years of experience in the music and entertainment industry. 

In his podcast, he conducts in-depth interviews with top artist managers, entertainment lawyers, and other industry executives from the music industry to share valuable tips, real-world experiences, and expert advice to help navigate the complexities of the music business. It’s especially useful for independent artists who want to understand the industry better and make informed, strategic decisions for their careers.

2. Behind The Wall

Behind the wall is a podcast about musicians, hosted by Daniel Wall, to shine a light on the people & stories behind music, movies, & media. This is one of the top music podcasts in the industry. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Ryan Tedder, Benny Blanco, Jonas Brothers, Jon Bellion, Julia Michaels, etc., where they’ve broken down everything about their journey, their challenges, their learnings and their experiences. If you are looking for good music podcasts, then this is your place to be. It is a great way for independent artists to learn from their stories and avoid making the same mistakes in the industry.

3. Neighborhood Art Supply

Neighborhood Art Supply is a podcast by The Cult Creatives. It is hosted by Chris Alba, who is a music industry veteran, agency owner, and creative director. This is the best music podcast when it comes to building your brand as a musician and navigating your brand identity. 

Each episode is an easy-to-follow guide with applicable knowledge that you can directly use to grow your music career. This is a great place for independent musicians to figure out their story and navigate their journey as musicians.

4. And The Writer Is…

This is a podcast co-produced and hosted by Ross Golan, where every week, they sit down with songwriters to discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. They have hosted some really great and established artists in their pod, like Ryan Tedder, Jon Bellion and Russ. 

Ross Golan is also a multi-platinum songwriter and artist himself. He studied music at the University of Southern California and has released songs with artists like Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, One Direction and many others.

5. The MBW Podcast

The MBW Podcast, produced by Music Business Worldwide, is hosted by its founder, Tim Ingham, who brings deep industry insights and genuine curiosity to the podcast. The episodes of this pod typically feature interviews with high‑profile figures across the global music business, from CEOs, producers, rights buyers, and royalty collection innovators to heads of streaming services. They offer candid perspectives on industry trends, music rights, streaming dynamics, generative AI, and global market shifts. This one should definitely be on your list of good music podcasts.

6. DIY Musician Podcast

The DIY Musician Podcast, hosted by CD Baby’s team, offers independent artists an invaluable toolkit for navigating the modern music industry. Each episode blends interviews with artists, promoters, publicists, lawyers, publishers, and talent buyers, covering everything from branding tips and fan engagement to copyright strategies, sync licensing, organizing your creative workflow, and the shifting role of social media. 

Whether you're just beginning or looking to grow sustainably, the podcast equips musicians with actionable marketing insights, career inspiration, and practical know‑how—without sacrificing creative or financial independence.

7. The Broken Record

The Broken Record Podcast, presented by Pushkin Industries, is hosted by Justin Richmond and features dynamic co-interviewers: music producer Rick Rubin, journalist-author Malcolm Gladwell, and longtime New York Times editor Bruce Headlam, with production support from Leah Rose. 

Their episodes offer intimate, free‑form conversations with artists from legends like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty to contemporary voices like Kali Uchis and Mike Shinoda. Not all good music podcasts look the same. And what’s unique about their podcast is that guests here often break into mini performances, share creative process insights, and play back demos alongside fresh storytelling. This is a podcast about musicians, and they let the light shine on them!

For musicians, this podcast acts as modern “liner notes,” revealing the inspirations, workflows, and emotional journeys behind the music. This is one of the best podcasts for music when it comes to sparking discovery and deepening both creative and technical understanding.

Final Thoughts

The seven podcasts we've highlighted offer a powerful blend of practical advice, creative inspiration, and behind-the-scenes access to the real stories of success and struggle in music. Whether you're tuning in to refine your business skills, spark new ideas, or simply feel less alone on your artistic journey, each of these shows has something valuable to offer. 

As a musician, your growth doesn’t stop at your instrument or DAW—it expands through learning, listening, and staying curious. These good music podcasts don’t just entertain—they educate, empower, and connect musicians to a larger creative community. If you're serious about making music and making it work for you, these podcasts are a must-listen. Pick one that you feel you can queue up next to see how it can support your journey as an artist.

We at GreaseRelease, have a bunch of curators on our network who are looking for new & exciting music to push on their massive playlists. If you make music and want to reach a wider audience, check out our submission platform and get a chance to reach millions of listeners! Submit your tracks now!