Music Industry Monday: How Independent Artists Make Money

MIM 136: 13th July - How Independent Artists Make Money with Aly Gillani

What to Expect

Music Industry Mondays (MIM)is a free weekly event series held every Monday, bringing artists, creatives, and industry professionals together with guest speakers from across the music industry. Each session explores a different area of the business - from artists and managers to labels, festivals, publishing, marketing, and beyond. Expect honest insight, practical advice, and real-world experience, followed by an open mic and open Q&A.

Meet This Week’s Guest

Aly Gillaniis the Artists & Labels Lead atBandcamp, the global music platform helping artists and labels connect directly with fans and earn from their work. In his role, Aly works closely with a growing community of independent artists and labels, supporting their development and helping them build sustainable careers through direct-to-fan engagement. He is also the host of Bandcamp's flagship radio show,Bandcamp Selects.

Alongside his work at Bandcamp, Aly is the founder and A&R ofFirst Word Records, the award-winning independent label behind artists includingChildren of Zeus,Allysha Joy, andKaidi Tatham. Since launching the label in 2004, he has built a reputation for championing forward-thinking artists and cultivating dedicated fan communities.

Originally making his mark as a club promoter and DJ, Aly has spent over two decades working across live events, radio, artist development and independent music culture. His experience spans every side of the music ecosystem, making him a leading voice on how artists can grow audiences, retain ownership, and thrive independently in today's industry.

Previous Speakers & Industry Partners

Music Industry Mondays has welcomed leading organisations, companies, and creatives from across the global music industry, including:

Roundhouse, Universal Music, Live Nation, The Great Escape, House Gospel Choir,Attention Management, 7digital, SyncVault, GUAP, Bryde, ROOKES, FUGA, Emily Phillips, PPL, Mahogany Sessions, Sony Music Publishing, Sentric Music, Tracklib, Phoenix Music International, Driift, Utopia, Ivors Academy, Youth MusicandPRS Foundationto name a few.