Music careers

It's all about passion. It's all about music being all that you can think about and all that you want to do..."

What is it you do?
I work for a record distribution company selling all forms of dance vinyl.
 
What does this involve?
Describe a typical day.  I get up a little late. Stress out to get to work for 9.30am. Drink Coffee. Discuss new releases. Do a bit of A&R from the pile of new bits I've been sent. Advise people on what to press and how many units they have the potential to sell. Work through lunch and hit the phones contacting all my shops and selling our current stock as well as a bunch of back cat.
 
Roughly outline your career path.
I don't think it works like that in the music industry to be honest.
 
What made you decide to make a career out of music and how old were you at the time?
I've been obsessive about music since I was about 11 and saw Iron Maiden with my older brother. Since then I've always ended up doing stuff involved with music from handing out fliers for my brothers gigs to playing in and managing bands, DJing, promoting, working in record shops and then finally getting here.
 
What training or course has most enhanced your career?
They didn't really offer courses in that sort of thing when I was growing up. 
 
How much has music influenced your life?
It's turned me into a social retard who thinks EVERYONE wants to know about the latest Detroit techno cuts and it's left me with a drinking problem.
 
Do you have a particularly musical background?
My brother is a really good bass player but that's about it.
 
What was your experience of music at school?
Singing ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ in assembly.
 
What sort of music do you listen to for pleasure?
All of it.
 
Who or what has inspired you most?
My brother and about a million musicians, DJs and producers.
 
What is the best thing about what you do?
I get to go to some free parties with free booze. You get free records too but after a couple of years you realise the free stuff tends to be shit. The best thing though is the job satisfaction. You actually want to go to work, which is pretty cool.

And the worst?
It's a really dodgy business. I've seen a lot of people get ripped off for a lot money and there is no guarantee that you'll get anywhere even if you work really hard. The market is really volatile too so there isn't much job security.  Also in my case the job never stops. It's not 9 to 5 as you are always getting calls and always looking for stuff to sell.
 
What is your advice to young people who want to make a career in music?
It's all about passion. It's all about music being all that you can think about and all that you want to do. I don't think there is any advice you can give people on being a successful artist as you either have it or you don't and it's all about timing. If you want to work in the industry I think you have to work in a shop first and learn from the frontline how everything works. Most of the best people involved in the industry work or have worked shops. The top shops offer advice to the labels that is worth millions of pounds while the staff get paid peanuts. It's a crime really!
 
What is your dream job?
I'd love to discover a band or act that really made a difference and influenced a load of people. It would be nice if they were pretty successful too.

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