Big Music Project - First Foot in the Door

September 18, 2014 by michael lambert

This Sunday, we are delighted to be presenting a panel at the Big Music Project Live event for 16-24 year olds at the Arches, Glasgow.

Titled 'First Foot in the Door', the session will discuss how Hannah Currie (promoter, MILK Glasgow), Jason Edwards (booking agent, CODA), Justine Ward (manager, GR Management), and Michael Lambert (manager, A Modern Way) got started in the business.

Read the panelists bios here:

Hannah Currie (promoter, MILK Glasgow)
Jason Edwards (booking agent, CODA)
Justine Ward (manager, GR Management)
Michael Lambert (manager, A Modern Way)

Free tickets for the Big Music Project Live are available here

In the meantime, why not check out videos from our Off The Record event series for 14-25 year olds, which covers subjects including Promoting Gigs and Recording.

You can also find out how some of Scotland's leading music industry professionals got into the business through a series of blogs we put together earlier in the year. Check them out:

Claire Sawers (The List Magazine) read
Jim Gellatly (XFM Scotland) read
Richy Muirhead (Scottish Alternative Music Awards) read
Jennifer McGlone (Glow Arts) read
Tallah Brash (The Electric Circus) read
Vic Galloway (BBC Radio Scotland) read
Gavin Fort (Verden Studios) read
Hannah Currie (MILK Glasgow) read
Keith McIvor (Optimo) read

Getting Started: Halina Rifai (Olive Grove Records / Podcart)

June 26, 2014 by michael lambert

Ahead of Off The Record in Kilmarnock on Saturday (28th June), we spoke to Halina Rifai (Olive Grove Records / Podcart) about life in the music business...

Q: "How did you get your start in music?”

A: A Northern Irish graphic designer called Will McNeilly had been following my blog writing, he approached me and asked if I had thought about starting my own site and the rest is pretty much history. Podcart was born. Olive Grove came 2 years later and I asked Peenko if he wanted to start a label. To be fair, Lloyd Meredith a.k.a Peenko works a lot harder with the label than I do. I have since started doing free online PR for people such as RM Hubbert and others.

Q: "What is best thing about your work?"

A: This is going to sound really f*cking cheesy, but it is always about listening to the music. Getting that excitement that you might lose control because something is so uplifting, affecting etc. I would never want to lose that.

Q: "Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music"

A: Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something, keep a strong passion for what you do. Push the boundaries and work your arse off. People will take notice and it will open doors for you.

Off The Record takes place at The Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock on Saturday 28th June for 14-25 year olds. Tickets are £2, and include free lunch and a release with EmuBands worth £25! Find out more & book tickets here.

Getting Started: Richy Muirhead (SAMAs)

June 26, 2014 by michael lambert

Ahead of Off The Record in Kilmarnock on Saturday (28th June), we spoke to Richy Muirhead (Scottish Alternative Music Awards) about life in the music business..

Q: "How did you get your start in music?"

A: I started at around 16 volunteering at Roadrunner Records, then found a passion for the live industry from going to so many gigs. Since then i've created the Scottish Alternative Music Awards and worked for brands such as Hard Rock Cafe and Red Bull in events and festivals.

Q: "What is best thing about your work?"

A: Having the freedom to make my own decisions, and listen to music all day long.

Q: "Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music"

A: Invest in ear plugs, especially if you work in the live sector.

Getting Started: Claire Sawers (The List Magazine)

June 25, 2014 by michael lambert

Ahead of Off The Record in Edinburgh on Sunday 29th June, we spoke to Claire Sawers (Music Editor, The List Magazine) about life in the music business...

Q: "How did you get your start in music?"

A: I kept pitching in ideas of stuff I really wanted to write about to papers and magazines. It took a while, but eventually a few gave me a chance and I started doing interviews and reviews. Writing about other stuff - sometimes nothing to do with music (occasionally pretty dull things it has to be said!) also helped me pay the bills.

Q: "What is best thing about your work?"

A: Doing interviews. You have an excuse to chat to the people whose music you love, and ask them pretty much whatever you want. You're normally talking to them because they've been up to something interesting, and if you're lucky they'll be entertaining/ smart/ funny when they go off the topic of music too.

Q: "Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music"

A: It's a fun job, but even fun jobs can be hard work, so figure out whether you want it to be a hobby or a job. If it's a job, make sure you're getting paid fairly.

Off The Record takes place at Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh on Sunday 29th June for 14-25 year olds. Tickets are £2, and include free lunch and a release with EmuBands worth £25! Find out more & book tickets here.

Getting Started: Jim Gellatly (Clyde/Forth 1)

February 27, 2014 by michael lambert

Ahead of next Off The Record event at Platform, Glasgow on the 1st March, we spoke to Clyde/Forth 1 presenter Jim Gellatly about life in the music business...

Q1: How did you get your start in music?

A: I did a media studies course a college and then went for a couple of years work experience at Moray Firth Radio in Inverness. The 2 weeks turned into 3 years and I eventually got paid for doing stuff. I was always interested in new and emerging bands, so radio seemed an ideal platform to share my passion. Somehow I've managed to get away with it for over 20 years now. Not bad for someone who can't hold a note when singing and don't play an instrument. I'm definitely coming at it as a punter rather than muso!

Q2: What is best thing about your work?

A: There's no better feeling than when someone says they've discovered a band through what I do. That really makes it worthwhile. I love sharing new music, and it's great when acts I've supported early on move on in their career. I've got a lot of freedom in terms of what I do on the radio, which is a very rare thing these days in commercial radio.

Q3: Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music

A: Be nice and don't piss people off. First impressions can be very important, and if you come across as genuine it can make a difference. I've met some really nice people and some really horrible people. I know who I'd rather work with and help.

Off The Record takes place at Platform in Easterhouse, Glasgow on Saturday 1st March for 14-25 year olds. Tickets are £2, and include free lunch and a release with EmuBands worth £25! Find out more & book tickets here.

Getting Started: Jennifer McGlone (Glow Arts)

February 26, 2014 by michael lambert

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Ahead of next Off The Record event at Platform, Glasgow on the 1st March, we spoke to Keith McIvor (JD Twitch) from Optimo about life in the music business...

Q: How did you get your start in music?

A: My first involvement in music was through a local organisation called Easterhouse Arts Project who had established a Trad music project in the area, I joined their classes as I wasn't enjoying music at school but desperate to play music. They got me involved in their committee and helping out at different events, teaching. I didn't consider a career in music until a couple of years after leaving school and failed attempt at Biochemistry, I was still teaching classes for them and realised that it was community arts and music that I really loved doing.

Q: What is best thing about your work?

A: Inspirational creative people, everyday I get to work with musicians or other individuals who are deeply passionate about what they do and make exciting things happen.

Q: Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music

A: Be open to people and different opportunities, go and see as much as you can even if you think it’s not your type of thing.