Music Matters

Most of the gaps in music businesses aren’t complicated; they’re just not visible.

Music gets released.

Streams come in (or don’t).

Money shows up (or doesn’t).

And it’s not always clear why.

I put this into a short guide.

🎶 link in bio

Harry Styles just released his first new single in years, and it’s good. It’s also a reminder of something I wish we did more often: actually listen before judging.

Because of where he came from, Styles is still often dismissed by some as a solo artist. It’s the boy band shorthand. The assumptions. The eye-rolling before the song even starts. Which is wild, because if you spend any real time with his catalogue, what you hear is a thoughtful songwriter and an exceptional artist.

Apart from being a really great single, Aperture is the perfect track to greet us after all this time. The slow open welcomes us in, lets the feeling arrive on its own, and then trusts the listener to just stay with it. You can hear the LCD Soundsystem influence Styles has mentioned, but I was also thrilled by the subtle nod to OK Computer’s atmosphere, whether or not that was intentional. It’s impossible to pull off that kind of reference and keep it original if the craft isn’t there. You don’t have to be a devoted fan to hear it. You just have to be open to the fact that Harry Styles is a gifted artist (and always has been).

Song of the Week:
Aperture - Harry Styles (written by Harry Styles and Kid Harpoon)

Stream where you listen. Link is in bio if you need it 🎶

It’s Blue Monday, so of course I made a playlist.

There’s been talk amongst scientists about what makes a “happy” song - tempo above a certain BPM, steady four beats, major key, familiar structure. I’m not here to argue the science (or pretend taste isn’t personal), but if certain songs can lift your mood even a notch on (another) snowy January day, I’m open to the experiment, placebo or not.

This week’s pick came out tied for first in the study (alongside Good Vibrations), and when I put it on first thing this morning, it honestly helped. No irony or self-analysis, just momentum and joy that grabs you and keeps moving.

So this week’s SOW is Don’t Stop Me Now, with a Blue Monday playlist alongside it (that checks the scientists’ boxes) for anyone who wants, or needs, the extra push.

—
Science aside, I’m always curious: what’s your go-to happy song? 🎶 Let me know in comments.
—

Song of the Week:
Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

Stream the playlist where you listen. Link is in bio and songs listed in comments. 🎶

Watching the ‘Stranger Things’ finale in the theatre last week, I was fully in, as excited by the song placements as by which fan-theory ending might actually prove true.

And then it started.
The first chords of When Doves Cry and then Purple Rain. Bold, obvious, completely earned. Landslide? Perfect. Heroes? Don’t get me started. As a fan, I was thrilled. As someone who’s spent decades thinking about music in pictures, I was impressed by the choices AND by what it takes to clear them.

But the moment that actually made me gasp out loud?
Margo Timmins’ voice slipping in as Cowboy Junkies’ Sweet Jane quietly closes out that final scene with our favourite older siblings.

I sat up and looked around like… was I the only one who noticed?

Maybe.
A certain demographic in that theatre would definitely have clocked it. For anyone who grew up here, in that time, this wasn’t just a great song choice - it was huge. A Toronto indie band from my teenage years, quietly doing the work ever since, given that kind of space in the finale of the biggest TV show of this century.

Not flashy. Not shouted. Just trusted to carry the moment.

And it does. It’s a perfect placement of one of the best versions of Sweet Jane there is. But beyond that, it was pure hometown pride. Nostalgia, recognition, and that quiet feeling of, of course, it’s this song. I was beaming.

Song of the Week:
Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies (written by Lou Reed)

Stream where you listen. Link is in bio if you need it 🎶

Last SOW before Christmas.

Last night we had an early Christmas dinner with dear friends and the conversation turned to music and ‘what is your favourite Christmas song?’. It’s an impossible question, even after we broke it down to 5 or 6 categories (traditional vs pop vs original in the last 30 years lol…) but one I included without hesitation was O Holy Night.

There are a lot of great versions of O Holy Night out there but I have to share my all time favourite*. This is the one that stops me in my tracks every time. Mahalia Jackson knew exactly how to build a song. When to hold back, when to let it open, and when to give it everything. And she did it in way that made her uniquely her own. Her legendary build to that final ‘fall on your knees’ feels like you’re literally hearing the angels’ voices. It is pure, soulful, gut wrenching and uplifting all at once…pulling you to drop down even if you’re not the praying type.

*I’d also love to share ‘s version but until Roberta records it, do whatever you can to see her perform it live, on the rare occasion she does. It too is fall on your knees worthy.

Song of the Week:
O Holy Night, Mahalia Jackson

Link is in bio and story if you need it.

Top of my Christmas playlist year after year. No explanation needed.

Song of the Week:
Fairytale of New York - Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

Stream where you listen - link in story/bio 🎶

I wasn’t going to do it, but here we are. I’m in the spirit and posting songs for the season.

For fun, I’m kicking it off with a debate that’s come up around here:
Should a great song like this be saved for December only? Answer below or in story.

I’m also curious…do you have songs you only let yourself play in certain months or seasons?

Song of the Week:
Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call - Bleachers

Stream where you listen → link in story/bio 🎄🎶🎄

A quick note on New Music Friday.

Most independent artists focus on the release, and of course, they should.
But what often gets missed is the part people respond to outside of that: the moments, the context, the story around the work.

You don’t need a strategy deck.
You don’t need daily content or oversharing.
You need a consistent, honest thread people can follow and connect with.

I’ll share more on that soon.

     

The music industry shouldn’t feel like guesswork but still, too many artists and teams are trying to build careers on half-answers and old advice.

That’s why Music Matters exists. It’s a place for clear, modern guidance that actually makes sense.

If you’re working in music and you’ve ever thought:
• “I think I understand this…?”
• “…nope, I actually don’t.”
• or “Can someone just explain this properly?”

You’re exactly who we’re here for.

I’ve spent 20+ years across labels, publishers, education, studios, and media. Everything I share here is built from that context.

Expect:
• Tools that simplify the work
• Industry notes that quiet the noise
• Song shares that explore the music (or just because)
• Real support without the gatekeeping

If you want deeper clarity or you need help with something specific, reach out anytime:
[email protected]

Or drop questions below.