Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Terry Moorehead. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Terry, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

One of the most exciting things about Sonic Scout is that we’ve flipped the traditional industry model on its head. Most radio platforms—even the ones that claim to support emerging artists—still operate through gatekeeping, algorithms, or industry pay-to-play schemes where the artist often has little transparency or creative control.

At Sonic Scout, we’re building a global grassroots movement run by real people—not machines. Our presenters are passionate curators who seek out music from unsigned and independent artists, not just wait for it to land in their inbox. They host shows, introduce each artist with context and personality, and treat the music like the art it is—not background noise.

The biggest divergence from industry norms? We charge artists a modest submission fee—but we turn around and give 45% of that directly to the presenter. Why? Because this isn’t a faceless platform—it’s a growing creative ecosystem where everyone is valued and supported.

I remember one presenter who scouted an unsigned R&B artist from Michigan just from scrolling Instagram. He reached out, featured her track on his show, and the artist ended up being discovered by two more presenters who invited her onto their shows too. She later told us, “This is the first time I’ve felt seen—not just streamed.”

That’s what makes Sonic Scout different. It’s personal. It’s community-led. And it’s entirely devoted to the long tail of talent that the mainstream keeps missing.

Terry, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Terry Moorehead, the founder of Sonic Scout Radio, a 24/7 global internet radio station entirely dedicated to championing unsigned and independent artists. My background has always been rooted in creative industries—radio, music production, and storytelling—but I launched Sonic Scout out of a very specific frustration: incredible music was going unheard simply because it wasn’t part of a label machine or viral algorithm.

Sonic Scout was built to solve that problem. We don’t just “accept submissions”—we curate talent. Our presenters aren’t automated playlists or anonymous DJs. They’re genre-specific music lovers, many of them artists themselves, who scout fresh music across Bandcamp, TikTok, SoundCloud, Instagram, and even at live shows. Each presenter produces a fully immersive two-hour show, introducing each track with real context—who the artist is, why they were chosen, and what makes their sound unique.

We also have a growing team of A&R Scouts who go out and discover new talent, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve in genres like Indie Rock, Synthwave, R&B, Bedroom Pop, Electronic, Hip-Hop, and more. And every song played is logged for royalty tracking via BMI, ASCAP, etc.—something most indie radio stations simply don’t do.

What sets us apart is not just our programming but our philosophy. Artists pay a modest $10 per song to be considered, and that fee is split with the presenter (45%). This creates a mutually supportive ecosystem: artists gain global airplay with context and care, and presenters are rewarded for their effort and ear.

We’re proud to be building a platform where artists aren’t lost in the shuffle—they’re spotlighted. Since launching our pilot phase, we’ve built a presenter roster across the US, and now broadcast globally—partnering with stations and exploring syndication.

What do I want people to know about us? That Sonic Scout is more than a radio station—it’s a movement. We’re building a global stage for musicians who deserve to be heard, not ignored. We’re giving real value, real visibility, and real community to artists and curators alike. If you’re tired of music being filtered through popularity metrics, come join us. We’re listening.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building our audience on social media has been a mix of hustle, authenticity, and community-first thinking. When we launched Sonic Scout Radio, we didn’t have a massive marketing budget or a viral gimmick — we had a bold mission: spotlight unsigned artists around the world. And that mission became the heartbeat of our content.

We started by highlighting our presenters and A&R scouts — making them the faces and voices of the station. This helped build trust and a sense of real people behind the brand. We also created engaging posts that celebrated artists already featured, tagging them and encouraging them to reshare. That kind of grassroots amplification helped us tap into new micro-audiences every week.

We focused heavily on visual consistency, with vibrant, music-forward designs and compelling captions. But most importantly, we showed up every day — commenting on indie artist posts, replying to DMs, encouraging music discovery. The station didn’t grow just from what we posted, but from how we interacted.

We also tested different types of content: short artist bios, song previews, behind-the-scenes from presenters, and even humorous takes on the music submission process. The posts that connected most were always the ones that felt genuine, helpful, or celebratory — not salesy.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

1. Purpose-Driven Positioning

We lead with our mission: championing unsigned, independent artists. This clear, authentic purpose resonates deeply with musicians who feel overlooked by mainstream platforms. It’s not just radio — it’s representation, exposure, and recognition.
2. Building Personal Relationships

We don’t treat artists or presenters like transactions. We engage directly — through DMs, social shout-outs, and personalized messages. Many of our presenters reach out to artists themselves, creating a human-first connection that stands out in an industry full of cold algorithms and gatekeeping.
3. Social Media Amplification

Every artist who submits has the potential to be featured on our social platforms, radio shows, and even curated podcast-style episodes. That exposure incentivizes artists to tell others — creating word-of-mouth growth and artist referrals. Presenters often repost these songs too, doubling the reach.
4. A Simple, Transparent Fee Model

Our $10 per song submission is affordable and clearly explained — artists know exactly what they’re getting. Plus, we log all music with BMI/ASCAP, so artists are eligible for royalties, which adds long-term value.
5. Global Access, Local Feel

We’re live 24/7, with presenters and A&R scouts from multiple countries and time zones. That gives us reach — but our approach still feels intimate, like a curated indie record shop rather than a faceless streaming giant.
6. Empowering Our Team

Presenters and A&R scouts are treated as brand advocates. We give them creative freedom, shout them out publicly, and provide the tools to grow their own followings — in return, they help grow the station. It’s a collaborative flywheel.

Our growth hasn’t come from one viral moment — it’s been the result of consistent storytelling, authentic engagement, and creating an experience where people want to be part of the movement.

And that’s the secret: don’t just sell something — build something people are proud to join.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,sonicscoutradio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicscoutradio/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonicScoutRadio
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-scout-radio

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