How to Break into the Music Industry in the UK
From the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd to Elton John, right through to the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Oasis, the United Kingdom has a rich tradition of popular music which has successfully been exported all over the world. In a nation where creative pursuits are highly valued, the music industry is one of its most vibrant sectors; made up of bands, composers, singers, producers, managers, advisors, artists, roadies, hype-men, photographers, tea-boys, writers it's a never ending list, and a hugely dynamic environment. The estimated value of this many-headed beast? A whopping 5 billion per year. So how, I hear you ask, can I get a slice of the scone? How does one go about breaking into the music business in the United Kingdom?
Whether you see yourself as a future Simon Cowell, talent spotting your way to a mighty music empire (he started as an A&R man that's "artist and repertoire" for the uninitiated), or fancy yourself as the next 50 Cent (about 25p at the current exchange rate), the place you start out is probably going to be the same that's right, the bottom. As with many areas of the entertainment world, qualifications and diplomas often do not speak as loudly as experience. Be prepared to get your hands dirty anything you have to do to get your foot in the door, do it (try to keep your dignity intact kids): the music industry tends to favour those who do not give up at the first sign of a knock back. Write letters, e-mails lots of them - direct to companies which interest you. Research record labels which release music you are enthusiastic about. Ask if you can shadow the A&R guy, or the press liaison officer, for a day. Offer to hand out fliers, or deliver test vinyl pressings to local DJs. If you are an artist, pester everyone with your demo. Develop your online presence. Write reviews for your local newspaper or college magazine. Come up with fresh, exciting ideas for viral campaigns. Make tea; this is the UK remember, make lots of tea.
If dance music is your thing, then one fantastic resource which many in the business swear by is the Music Industry Manual, or MIM. It is a comprehensive contacts book, built from the grassroots up, featuring details of all the movers and shakers in the underground and beyond. Labels, clubs, bars distributors, promoters, DJs, VJs it's all there. It's also packed with essential advice on the issues you will be confronting how to press up a record, how to promote a night; top notch advice from those in the know.
The MIM is an established resource and can be found on the mantelpiece of many an aspiring music mogul. However, the world has moved on, and as you undoubtedly know, much of the most useful info is now found online.http://www.useyourears.co.uk/ is a UK-specific networking site for anyone involved in the industry, and a valuable resource. Whatever you may feel about online social networking, there is little doubt that sites such as Myspace have galvanised the music industry. The old power structures are, to an extent, breaking down if you want to be taken on in an entry level position at any kind of label or organisation, you must be au fait with how these sites work. As the way people produce and consume music rapidly changes, you must keep abreast of these changes in order to be as employable as possible. 15 years ago, the idea of carrying around our entire music collection on tiny digital players would seem laughable 15 years from now, the paradigm could easily have shifted again. Stay on top of developments!
A career in music will not come to you on a plate it takes hard work, dedication and a lot of self-motivation. In the UK, especially in London, there will be a long line of people willing to take your place should you fall by the wayside. This is why you must be as persistent, adaptable and as well informed as you can be. Although music is your passion, you cannot lose sight of the fact that it is a business, often quite a hard-nosed, competitive one. I shall end with a quote from one of our recent musical exports
"You've gotta be business savvy really, or elso you get the piss taken out of you." Melanie B, Spice Girls
