Interview with Stephen James Moore (Music With Depth PR)

Music With Depth PR (formerly Independent Music Promotions) was established in 2011 and are one of the world’s most respected Music PR companies. They are passionately musician-run and tell real human stories with no AI shortcuts. Although they are selective, if they work with you, you will get written about, shared and playlisted en masse.

Music With Depth PR is known for its “art and story-first” approach—what does that philosophy mean to Stephen James Moore on a day-to-day basis?

It means trusting that human beings will always love music and they will always need human storytelling, philosophy and mythos. No matter how much shortcuts, prompts and plagiarism are collectively shoved down our throats, we still crave real expression in creative niches, something AI cannot ever replace.

In an industry increasingly driven by automation, why has Stephen James Moore remained committed to a fully human, musician-run PR model with no AI shortcuts?

AI is very useful in research, business automation, science, task delegation, etc, but it is an awkward, unoriginal bystander when trying to step into the artistic sphere. Emotion, trauma, swagger, wisdom and spirit, original philosophy, are all required for art or music, none of which AI shortcuts have. I do not mind being the exception to the rule, and I plan to tell my own story and the stories of my clients manually – original writing from a human heart.

Music With Depth PR has evolved from Independent Music Promotions into an award-winning company—what were some key turning points in that journey?

My book started it all as it gained momentum in musician and industry circles. Then the business grew through a mixture of interviews, press features, guest posts and client word-of-mouth. ‘Music With Depth’ was always the slogan and tagline for Independent Music Promotions, so shifting the name and logo to this ethos made perfect sense.

As both a lifelong musician and founder of Music With Depth PR, how does Stephen James Moore balance the creative and business sides of the industry?

I experience both at the same time and have the blessing of thinking simultaneously from both sides of the equation, so I bring to my clients a brazen and passionate love for pure, uncensored artistic expression as well as practical, tried and true marketing tactics that put the art first.

Stephen James Moore is also the author of Your Band Is A Virus—how do the principles from the book translate into real-world campaigns for artists today?

The principles of the book emphasize taking music promotion step by step and approaching it in a practical fashion. This ensures no overwhelm and favors action over despair. Get a result, take time to pat yourself on the back, then move towards the next small success. Stack them up and build a legacy.

The company is known for being highly selective with clients—what does Stephen James Moore look for in an artist before deciding to work with them?

I want to believe that the artist believes in their expression, that they love it and it’s authentic to them. When this is in place, it usually resonates. I also have to be certain that I can be helpful on their path and provide potent coverage.

With a global network and years of experience, what are the most common mistakes Stephen James Moore sees independent artists making in their promotion?

Giving up because they don’t have organic reach. Nobody has organic reach, and there hasn’t been a time in history where they have had it. This is a common myth that things were better for musicians at a certain point in time. Everything needs to be invested in and advertised.

Music With Depth PR emphasizes “music with depth”—how does Stephen James Moore define depth in today’s fast-moving digital music landscape?

Speaking your truth through music. It doesn’t necessarily mean it has to wax philosophical, but it means not shying away from who you are, so if there is a political message or it leans into relationship experiences, lean into your own energy and pay no mind to perceived outside expectations. Be genuine.

Having released 15 albums and worked across multiple roles in music, how have Stephen James Moore’s personal artistic experiences shaped his approach to PR?

It informs me as to how seriously I want the music to be seen and experienced, and I take that seriousness when working with my clients. I make sure to communicate the artist’s story in a clear and potent way, because context is important.

Looking ahead, what is the long-term vision for Music With Depth PR, and how does Stephen James Moore plan to continue influencing the music industry?

The vision is to keep expanding and continue to, more and more, be the go-to option for artists serious about getting their authentic message across.