I live in the UK and would very much like 2 work in the music industry & was wondering if any1 has any advice on how easy it is 2 get a job @ a record label. I would like 2 work in A&R/Marketing so if any1 has any advice & contact addresses then it would b appreciated.

Thanx in advance!!!

thetimefan said:

if you dont mind making tea & coffee, theres plenty of jobs for you at any record label. Thats not me being sarcastic, thats really how it works here in the uk & I think its the same most other places you go. You wont just walk walk into that A&R/Marketing job, not unless your a reputed name & have been doing it for about 10 years.

You'll have to start off in a pretty unimportant job like the tea boy for a while but its a foot in the door. The best producers in the world started off as tea boys

I've GOT friends in the music industry. I worked in the music industry - if you consider "making posters and flyers and cd covers for a rock nightclub" as being IN the industry. While there, I met lots of folks in the industry

And an ex-girlfriend was the tour manager for Whitney Houston, (long long ago) and Doyle Bramhall II, and others. She STILL lives off of her daddy's money. She's been doing this for over a decade, and is still making pennies. I have friends who started at record stores, back when they WERE records, and they're now working for Universal. Their job is to make sure the posters are up, displays are up, mailing out records... executive gophers, basically.

All this to say, there's so many people trying to get INTO the music industry that it doesn't pay a dime. Well - no - those friends at Universal do alright, I guess, but it took a long long time to get there.

I WILL say this; those friends of mine ALL have a DRIVE to be in that industry. They love music, they love meeting artists, they love what they do, so the money and glamor, sorry mate, glamour, and fame aren't a part of it. I think it's like being a teacher - you do it cuz you love doing it, not because you're after the coin.

So, if this is something you really want to do, look into the industry and decide where you want to be, and then go contact someone who does that. Most times, they'll LOVE to talk to you about it and give you help. You'd be surprised.

Once you've found what you want to do, work your way backwards and find out how to start climbing the ladder. With A&R, it usually starts with booking bands at local clubs. With promotion, it usually starts with working at record stores, learning how the machine works from the front line. If it's studio stuff - producing, engineering etc, then you definitely should look into a school. I've been recording crap for years and can't hold a candle to a 20 yr old out of a music institute.

Good luck!

cloud9mission said:

That's cool for some, but sometimes, from what I have heard, you not only have to be a tea boy/girl, but you end up having to to tea BAG your way to the top also, and I ain't down with that.

Promotional ideas and PR is probably the best route for someone with limited time, unless you really just want to work for peanuts at a low end job in the recording company.


Peace,
JD

i work in the live music industry in London and i will be the first to tell you now, there is absolutely nothing glamorous about it. and the pay is rubbish. it really is.
you have deal with demands and silly requests from silly people all the time. i have been managing venues now for nearly three years and in that short time i have realized that the worst people to work for and with are music bizness people. they are the most ungrateful people i have ever come across. not all of them but most of them. they are rude, inconsiderate and have never heard the words, "thank you".
the upside is that you do get to be near music and i have been fortunate to have witnessed many many great artists and people i love to listen to.
if you want a start in the music biz, a very good place is a live venue.
want to learn how to pour a pint?

Oh no, I am about to be called a hippie by yamomma, but I have to say this.

Music is supposed to be about community and communal atmosphere. The arts are supposed to be like a refreshment stand for the mind and soul- there are many choices, styles, and varieties to choose from, no matter what your inspirational need is. The NFO is, in theory, here to promote such artistic behaviors. By doing so, music is kept free.

Peace,
JD

Milty said:

Thanks for the reality check.

Flashpointe said:

Groovy.

Flashpointe said:

While that's true JD, you KNOW that the NFO is quite the opposite of the establishment. So, unless this guy wants to move to mid-west US, let the tea bagging begin.

otan said:

Thanks 4 ur advice Otan, its appreciated . I would really like 2 work in the music industry and understand how competitive it is but I really do have a great interest in music, espically R&B/Soul/Funk and Rap music and have all my life.

As 4 contacts?...does any1 have any?, I would appreciate any advice as I would very much like 2 work in marketing/A&R at a record label. Being in the UK its difficult cuz there isn't that many record labels 2 my knowledge.

Also what about Internships?, and what record labels in the UK offer them?

Anyway thanx again Otan!!!

cloud9mission said:

Thanx4 the advice Cloud9, I know alot of people started of making tea and coffee and I understand that I would not immediately walk in2 a marketing/A&R job. But was wondering how best it is 2 get started. If u or any1 else can help it would b appreciated

Thanx

Milty said:

Thanx 4 this info. I understand that not all jobs in the industry r exciting and glamourous. Nonetheless I'd still like 2 work in the music industry.

otan said:

No tea baggin' 4 me . 4 me it would b about music and promoting good music 2 as many people as possible, not making cups of tea and coffee .

thetimefan said:

Anyway, any1 want a or with their cup of tea