News September 17, 2020

Sony Music launches ‘Time to Talk’ podcast series

Head of Content

Sony Music is flicking the switch on podcasts.

Veteran music industry allrounder Sean Sennett hosts a new podcast series ‘Time to Talk,’ an exploration into the worlds of musicians, creatives, thinkers, athletes and many more.

An initiative of Sony Music Australia and New Zealand, the weekly podcast launches today (17th Sept.) on Spotify, Apple and other digital platforms, with ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Braithwaite the first guest.

The stars will roll out in the weeks ahead, with Amy Shark, Josh Pyke, Pete Murray, Ruel, Troy Cassar-Daly, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian, Colin Hay, John Schumann of Redgum, and Daddy Cool/Mondo Rock frontman Ross Wilson booked-in for “conversational deep dives”.

Also confirmed for Q&As are retired athletes Dennis Lillee, Steve Waugh, Johnathan Thurston, and celebrated author Trent Dalton.

sony music office australia

The podcasts are said to be “ambitious in its scope,” drawing from Sennett’s decades of experience.

Based in Brisbane, he was editor and owner of Time Off for 20 years, and has conducted more than 1,500 interviews, from unsigned artists to the likes of Bono, David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen.

As a musician, Sennett has worked with Rob Hirst, Steve Kilbey, Kate Ceberano and many others.

“Working with Sony Music on Time To Talk is a thrill for me,” he says in a statement. “Denis Handlin and the team at Sony Music Australia are committed to bringing the best talent that is possible to the series, creating a special forum for conversation.”

Podcasts are no longer a niche business. Spotify has identified spoken word content as a growth driver for its business and has invested more than $600 million in snapping up podcast networks like Gimlet and The Ringer.

Daryl Braithwaite

Earlier this year, the streaming giant placed it chips down when it tapped Joe Rogan for a blockbuster podcast deal worth an estimated US$100 million over several years.

Sony Music’s leap into the podcast world doesn’t end there.

New Zealand-born Sony Music signing Paige has dropped her own podcast series, which has already generated 10,000 downloads and streams.

Fellow Kiwi artist Brooke Fraser is said to be nearing completion on a podcast to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of her Flags album.

Fraser’s podcast will go live on 12th October.

“I have always had tremendous respect for Sean Sennett and I am so pleased that he has decided to join our company for ‘Time To Talk’,” comments Denis Handlin, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand.

“His unique ability to sit down with talent and make them feel incredibly comfortable to share their story is a gift. I am also really pleased with our New Zealand artists’ own podcasts. Paige and Brooke are fantastic artists and have produced really compelling episodes. I am very excited with where this division of our company is heading as we announce more content soon”.