Musical Differences: Working with Conflict in the Music Industry

By Monica Hanaway

Musical Differences is the first book to focus specifically on resolving conflict among those working in the music industry using an existential perspective to explore the interpersonal and psychological nature of conflict itself.

It considers different ways of addressing conflict, compares litigation to the use of more creative methods such as mediation, and examines skills and strategies to prevent or resolve conflicts without resorting to a third party. As a mediator herself, the author presents a psychologically informed mediation approach through multiple case studies to illustrate how these techniques work in practice. By providing a route for taking musical disputes out of the long antagonistic litigation process, the book offers a way of dealing with conflict-based stress which has less negative impact on mental health and increases well-being while navigating a life in the industry.

This book is written for practicing musicians and those working in the music industry, as well as for students of music, and readers with a general interest in the stresses and challenges of those involved in the music world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1041147465
• ISBN13: 9781041147466
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 210 Pages