Podcasts have taken a diverse range of approaches to different music-related topics, and you can too. You may do a deep-dive into the songwriting, recording, and production process, or navigate someone through the business of music and performing. You may highlight a specific genre, time period, or label, or you may track a single individual's career. Your hosts and guests can be musical - they can even be the artists themselves - or they can come from an entirely different field and bring a new perspective on whatever you're investigating.

Any framework is appropriate, and in terms of structure, you should put thought into whether your podcast concept works as a regular weekly podcast, a daily on-going series, or as a multi-part narrative. Each lends itself to certain types of subject,

Finally, if you are already developing a podcast or a story for a podcast, you may also include additional information about individuals or sources you have access to, intellectual property you control, or other reporting that may be relevant, as well as any podcast production capabilities you bring to the table. If the Sponsor responds and wants to pursue it beyond the scope of this project, we'll reach out.

REFERENCE PODCASTS FOR INSPIRATION OR TONE:

• Song Exploder
• Disgraceland
• Dolly Parton's America
• Mogul
• Popcast
• Questlove Supreme
• Switched on Pop
• Dissect
• Punch Up the Jam

TONGAL ORIGINALS INCUBATOR & THE SPONSOR:

• This project is part of the Tongal Originals Incubator program, and we're partnering with a premium content studio to make it happen. You can learn more about the program itself HERE, but the Sponsor has elected to remain hidden for the initial phase of this project. We can tell you that they're able to develop, produce, or finance any podcast, but you'll be able to learn more if your submission is selected and the Sponsor wants to pursue it beyond the scope of this project.

OWNERSHIP/PARTICIPATION: 

• If the Sponsor responds to your concept submission and you have included additional information about individuals or sources you have access to, intellectual property you control, or podcast production capabilities that you have, the Sponsor may want to pursue your participation beyond the scope of this project. If that is the case, it will be negotiated in good faith with the Sponsor, and covered by a separate agreement.

When you really love music, it's not enough just to listen to your favorite artists and tracks: for real fans, you want the backstory, the context, the influences, the inspiration, the composition, the process, the personalities. Past, present, future - on or off stage - we want to understand it better so we can enjoy it more - and luckily, the podcast world has embraced that, with sensational shows like Song Exploder or Mogul bringing new stories and new perspectives to really blow your mind. Now, Tongal's teaming up with one of Hollywood’s premium content studios - we're talking A-list here - and we're looking to you for the next great big music podcast! 

 

The studio is open to any concept that revolves around music, and that could mean looking at the artists, the instruments, the albums, the tracks, the genres, or some adjacent but relevant topics like the social context around a song or the historical impact of an album. They're looking for new perspectives, novel storytelling formats, and exceptional hooks, with a keen interest in taking listeners behind the scenes in some way. Don't shy away from including major artists and bands either - this can be as big as you want it to be.

 

Do you produce podcasts? Or are you just an obsessive listener? It doesn't matter. This ask is wide open for anyone - and the studio can help develop a budding podcast if you've already been working on something relevant here. In that case, you have the option to include additional info with your concept submission, and we'll reach out if the Sponsor responds and wants to pursue it beyond the scope of this project.

 

DELIVERABLES: 500 character concepts for a new music podcast.

 

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

 

EXPOSURE: The studio may develop a podcast for any audio platform.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Who doesn't like music? The studio is open to podcasts aimed at any adult audience, so you can target a broad demographic.

 

TONE: The studio is open to a wide range of tonal executions, so this can be dramatic, irreverent, insightful, emotional, weird, quirky, exciting, intense, or any mix of these. It can be educational and conversational too, so long as it's a compelling format that will hook a listener.

In order to be considered, you must include the below materials in your concept submission. Remember, a concept is not a detailed script - it is a spark of inspiration or a distillation of what could happen in the podcast. As always, concepts should be clever, original, and engaging.

• TITLE (REQUIRED): Include a potential title for your podcast.
  
  
• CONCEPT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing your concept for the podcast.
  
  
• ADDITIONAL INFO (Optional): If you'd like to share more information that could help the studio understand your concept, you may attach it to your submission. If you are working on an existing podcast or story for a podcast, you may also include additional information about individuals or sources you have access to, intellectual property you control, or other reporting that may be relevant, as well as any podcast production capabilities you bring to the table. This attachment might include a short treatment, news articles, additional research, reference images, or even a short video.
  
  
• LINK (Optional): If you'd like to include helpful reference links to relevant stories or articles, or other existing podcast executions that also might demonstrate something similar to what you're proposing, please feel free to include those too. 

1. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

2. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

3. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

4. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

5. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

6. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

7. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

8. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.

9. Winners must submit the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

10. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.