OUR PHILOSOPHY IS THAT MUSIC IS LIKE FINE WINE. IT’S ALMOST ALWAYS BETTER WHEN DISCOVERED THROUGH PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION OR VIA A FASCINATING STORY WELL TOLD. WE MISS STARING AT THE COVER WHILE THE SONGS PLAY, AND READING ABOUT HOW THE MUSIC WAS MADE. SO, WE BROUGHT IT ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE UNDER OUR CURATION BRAND THE SONG SOMMELIER. MICK’S ARTWORK, PERSONAL SLEEVE NOTES BY THE CURATOR, AND PLAYLISTS THAT TAKE AGES TO PUT TOGETHER. IN 2021 WE LAUNCHED THE ART OF LONGEVITY PODCAST AND THAT STRUCK A CHORD, WITH ARTISTS AND FANS. SO WE DOUBLED DOWN ON THAT TO REACH 13 SHORT SEASONS AND SOON, 100 SHOWS.

WE LEAVE THE ALGORITHMS TO THE ANDROIDS AND FOCUS ON THE ART. ARE YOU IN?

DO SIGN UP TO OUR DISCERNING LISTENERS MAILING LIST BELOW TO RECEIVE CONTENT FIRST, BLOG POSTS, COMPETITIONS AND GOODIES. SEE YOU SOON AND THANKS FOR READING & LISTENING. ARTISTS, MANAGERS & PRS, DO SUBMIT TO BE ON.

KEITH, FOUNDER & EDITOrial

I’ve worked in the music business for 25 years, most recently as an executive consultant in the music industry’s key organisations: major labels, indies, start-ups, trade bodies and Spotify. All the time I’ve spent working on spreadsheets and charts left little room for working with the artists I love and respect so much. But I’ve always listened to the music - vast quantities of it. And I’ve spent thousands of hours reading about how that music gets made. From Lizzy to Lissie, from Duran Duran to Durand Jones, music is fuel to me.

For some time now, people have suggested I share playlists, and so I finally decided I would do just that. That gave me the confidence to expand into album reviews, artist interviews, the Art of Longevity podcast and even books! My first book, “body of Work: how the album outplayed the algorithm and survived the song economy” is out on Repeater Books, February 2026.

Please do get in touch!

MICK, ARTWORK & CREATIVE

Ever since I could hold a pencil I’ve been drawing and ever since I managed to get my hands on some money I’ve been buying music and going to gigs. So when a mutual friend introduced me to Keith and I heard his idea for The Song Sommelier, I was delighted to have the opportunity to fuse my two great loves. I studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art whilst taking every opportunity to see music at Barrowland Ball Room, King Tuts and many other lovely little Glasgow venues. I moved to London to study at the Royal College of Art and 20 years later I’m still here, still drawing and still listening.

I’ve illustrated for the likes of the Guardian and Penguin Books, but took the best part of 10 years off to break the gender stereotypes and push my little children round London in their buggies. The Song Sommelier project came along at the perfect time as my youngest was out for her first year at school, and there was more room for me to paint at the table! I hope the project can bring you some of the joy that it’s bringing Keith and I. Do feel free to spread the word and get in touch.

Please note we do NOT take submissions for playlists! We do accept and review all artist/manager/PR requests to appear on The Art of Longevity podcast.