Music Publishing Made Simple: Why It Matters and How It Powers NuNorthern Soul

When most people think of the music industry, they imagine gigs, streaming, and vinyl records. But behind every track you love, there’s a quieter, more mysterious part of the business that makes sure songwriters get paid, their music finds new audiences, and opportunities pop up in surprising places. That’s music publishing.

A lot of people know me as a DJ and label owner, but there’s another side of what I do that’s far less glamorous — and that’s publishing. Let’s be honest, it’s probably the most unsexy corner of the music business. But if managed properly, publishing can be the most rewarding part of an artist’s career financially — not just in the short term, but across a lifetime, and even beyond.

What I really enjoy is working closely with artists and helping them navigate the world of publishing — making sense of the jargon, spotting opportunities, and making sure their amazing works are properly looked after. It’s about giving their music the best chance to travel, earn, and continue living a life long after the initial release.

At NuNorthern Soul Publishing, we look after the songwriting side of the music we release — making sure our artists are properly credited and paid, and helping their tracks travel far beyond the turntable, often landing in some very unexpected places.

And because NuNorthern Soul has deep roots in the Balearic music scene — with artists and influences stretching from Ibiza to Bali — we understand how to place music in settings where it’s more than just background sound. Whether it’s drifting out of a beachside bar at sunset or soundtracking a boutique hotel playlist in another corner of the world, publishing is what helps those connections happen.

So, what is music publishing?

Put simply, music publishing is about managing the composition — the melody, chords, and lyrics that make up a song. That’s different to the recording (known as the master) which is the finished performance you hear.

In the UK, publishing covers:

• Sync – short for synchronisation, when music is paired with visuals in TV, film, adverts, games, or online content.

• Mechanical royalties – income from physical sales, downloads, and streaming.

• Performance royalties – income from live performances, radio play, and public broadcasts (collected by PRS in the UK).

• Master rights – ownership of the actual recording.

• Publishing rights – ownership of the underlying song/composition.

  
  

Think of it like this: the master is the recording you own on vinyl, but the song exists separately — and it can be recorded, covered, remixed, or performed by others. Both have their own rights and income streams.

A personal connection — from Liverpool to Ibiza

My own journey into publishing started years ago with Sentric Music a company I was involved with in Liverpool, UK. They were ahead of their time in making music publishing accessible for independent artists — offering fair deals, transparent accounting, and a platform that made it possible for DIY musicians to get the same opportunities as major label acts.

That ethos stuck with me. When I set up NuNorthern Soul Publishing, I wanted to keep that same focus: helping our artists make the most of their work, whether it’s being played in a café in Barcelona, on a Balearic radio show in Ibiza, streamed in Bali, or used in a short film in London.

Admin deals vs full-service publishing

In the publishing world, there’s more than one way to work with songwriters and rights holders.

An admin deal is the lighter-touch option — we handle the paperwork, register your works, and collect royalties on your behalf, but you keep ownership of your rights. Perfect if you want someone to manage the admin so you can focus on making music.

At NuNorthern Soul Publishing, we also offer full-service publishing. That’s the complete package — royalty collection, rights management, creative pitching for sync opportunities, licensing, and actively finding new ways for your music to be used and heard. It’s hands-on, collaborative, and works best when there’s a close relationship between us and the artist, producer, or label.

When publishing works its magic

You’ve probably seen music publishing at work without even realising it. One of the most famous examples in the UK is the Cadbury’s drumming gorilla advert from 2007. The track — In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins — wasn’t just a great fit for the visuals; it brought the song back into the charts 26 years after its original release. That sync placement was a publishing masterstroke, benefiting both the rights holders and the artist.

At NuNorthern Soul, we’ve had our own moments — tracks licensed for compilations, boutique hotel playlists, Balearic beach clubs, and film projects. These uses help introduce our artists to brand new audiences, often in places where the Balearic spirit and sound resonate deeply.

Why publishing matters to NuNorthern Soul

For me, publishing isn’t an afterthought. NuNorthern Soul often controls both the master rights (the recording) and the publishing rights (the song). This means we can move quickly when opportunities come in, negotiate fair deals for our artists, and make sure everyone gets paid.

It’s also how we keep the label sustainable — generating income that allows us to invest back into new music, beautiful physical releases, and artist development, while staying true to our Balearic roots.

Let’s talk

If you’re a producer, artist, or even a label and you want to talk about music publishing — whether that’s understanding how it works, protecting your songs, or exploring opportunities for your music — I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned and see how we might help.

I genuinely enjoy helping artists navigate publishing and making sure their amazing works are fully looked after. Whether you just need admin publishing support or want the full-service approach where we actively pitch and place your music (especially within the Balearic scene we know so well), we can chat about what makes the most sense for you.

You can find more about what we do at NuNorthern Soul Publishing, or drop me a message at NuNorthern Soul and let’s start a conversation.