Balancing Creativity & Commerciality in the Music Industry

In this episode of the Made It In Music Podcast, we’re joined by lifelong friends turned industry pros — Jonathan Gamble, hit songwriter (Seph Schlueter, Ben Fuller, CAIN), and Stephen Floyd, Manager of A&R at Centricity Music.

From growing up together and chasing early creative dreams, to carving out unique roles on opposite sides of the industry, Jonathan and Stephen share a rare dual perspective on what it takes to thrive in today’s music business.

They dive deep into what “commercial” music really means, how to balance creativity with marketability, and what labels are actually looking for in songs and artists. Whether you’re a songwriter trying to make your art more sync-friendly, or an artist navigating the fine line between authenticity and strategy, this episode is packed with real-world insight and encouragement.

You’ll hear stories from the writing room, wisdom from the label side, and honest advice on staying grounded when the industry feels like a rollercoaster.

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