For many, working in the music industry is a dream that is very difficult to achieve. I am in no way claiming to be an expert, but I have picked up a few very simple things that I would love to go back in time and tell my 16 year old self.
For music, as with most industries we begin with education. While it is important to know your chosen field inside out, is your education an integral steppping stone into this industry?
Education
Perhaps an essential step in everyone’s career these days; it seems that more and more kids opt to go to University as opposed to seeking employment straight out of school. With an unlimited line of applicants for a limited number of jobs, I guess people feel that it’s a necessity spend an inordinate amount of money to be educated at a higher level; just so they have something to separate them from the rest. Or perhaps it’s simpler than that, and Uni is as a nice way to put off the real world for a few more years.
Whatever your reasoning for enrolling, once you are there it’s probably best to make the most of it. I realise that sounds like a stereotypical dad line, but it’s not just about going to your lectures (which you should) it’s about making the most of the experience.
Go to events and make friends with people who are interested in similar things as you, ask your lecturers/tutors about the best ways to get your foot in the door, participate in as many (sober) extra circular activities as possible. It’s not enough to just leave with a degree; its highly likely that everyone else in your class of a few hundred has also got one. You need to use the facilities and the people around you to achieve more than that.
Experience
In 2011 Alan Sugar was quoted as saying that University is a “waste of time”; perhaps he was misquoted, although it’s something that I could picture him saying. While education is valuable, experience it seems is king; or as Alan put it “you only become an expert when you roll your sleeves up on the shop floor”.
Same as your education, it’s not just where you are getting experience but what you do while you’re there. Use it as an opportunity to learn what you need to know in a practical way. How do the people around you make contact with clients? How do they write their reports? How do they get things done?
You will find a large portion of companies in this industry are located in London and most starting positions, be that as an intern/assistant/coffee bitch whatever, will be unpaid. If you can’t afford to get yourself there (from where I live, a train ticket is about £70 a day or £500 a month), it doesn’t mean there’s no way for you to build your experience; you just have to do more for yourself. If you would like to get into a record label, perhaps you should find some local bands and offer to work with them, giving advice or even managing them. If you’re interested in PR or journalism you could start your own blog. The best thing about doing these things is it shows people that you have initiative and a drive to be a part of the industry. Much like record labels, which don’t usually sign bands until they have amassed a certain level of following. It’s difficult for people to trust you with a job until you have shown that you are capable of the work required.
Networking
Ever hear the expression “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? It was something I never truly believed until I recounted all of the jobs I’ve had and interviews I’ve been on. My first experience in music was an internship at Ministry of Sound, a lecturer of mine knew someone that worked in the A&R department and sent her my information. I had an interview for iTunes and was probably one of the least experienced candidates (there were about 24 people interviewed over 2 assessment days) but I got my name in there through a friend of mine who knew someone that worked there and set me up to make contact with him. Even for my first paid job when I was a teenager I was recommended by someone I knew who worked there.
From my experience this is probably the most important thing. I have learned to not burn a bridge, you never know where someone is going to be a few years down the line and if they have good things to say about you then you can only benefit from having that contact.