Songwriting Magazine Podcast: ‘Miss Independent’ with Nerina Pallot

From major labels to independent artistry, the celebrated singer-songwriter talks about the realities, challenges, and rewards of following both paths

Joined by the incredibly talented singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot (Abre numa nova janela) – an artist who has experienced both the highs of being on a major label and the freedom of working independently – we explore the key lessons she’s learned throughout her impressive career.

For many songwriters and artists, the dream of signing to a major label, landing a huge advance, and being embraced by the industry machine still holds a certain allure. But in 2025, that dream feels further out of reach than ever. Instead, more musicians are finding success through independence – seeing their craft as that of an artisan, building something meaningful while finding new ways to reach an audience. Few artists understand both sides of this journey better than Nerina.

With over two decades in the music industry, Nerina has released eight studio albums, including last year’s poignant and powerful A Psalm For Emily Salvi. Alongside her own critically acclaimed work, she’s also written for artists like Kylie Minogue and put her own spin on iconic songs like Love Will Tear Us Apart. In this episode, she opens up about what it’s really like to move from the structure of a major label to the resourcefulness of independence—and why she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nerina shares how she’s learned to treat her music career like a business while staying true to her artistry. She talks about the people who have helped her along the way, the realities of social media, the creative freedom that comes with forging your own path, and the art of saying yes.

Whether you’re an emerging songwriter or a seasoned artist, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate your own journey. Tune in now, and if you’ve got thoughts or experiences to share, drop us a line at podcast@songwritingmagazine.co.uk (Abre numa nova janela)—we’d love to hear from you!

Members can listen to this episode of the podcast using the audio player below, or via Spotify (Abre numa nova janela)