SB1 - Lending Rooms Promoter Interview

I messaged this guy through playing gigs at Lending Rooms with my band. I found that I knew absolutely nothing but that he was super helpful and spent almost 2 hours talking me through the industry.

Lending Rooms Promoter Interview

His path into the industry

Studied studio and live sound and then transferred to music management degree.

Took over the management of his own band (Twisted Dolls)

Submitted his CV to anywhere music related (venues) around Manchester

Needed to intern in music promotion for uni so got an internship leasing with artists, booking shows, running gigs and marketing.
Good at monkey see, monkey do
Ended up working with Night & Day for 2 years.

With a course person ended up making a music promotion company. Lost a lot of money initially. 
*Start business with people who aren't your friends but that you have respect for*

Did another internship at a PR company. 
Started managing 3 bands (friends)

He ended up not sleeping...2 internships and a job and 3 bands.

Moved to Leeds because he got offered a part time job at the Library.

*More opportunities in Manchester, cheaper in Leeds*

His business parter started working an independent company where gig prices were high to pay staff
He worked at library where there weren't a lot of staff and gigs cost £5

Began working 10 hours for a venue in a mess in Preston.

Became full time manager at Lending Rooms
Had an assistant. Now is part of a 4 person team (2 part time intern people)

His job as promoter

Book bands (tend to book touring band to headline and 2 local bands)
Contact and sort art out
Marketing - posters, flyers, social media, press releases, mail lists
Sort accounts out
Calendar organisation of venue
Sound engineers
Research bands - 1300 new songs a week, reads DIY Magazine and Kerrang, radio and Spotify for bands on tour

Music Industry Sections

Live (Promoters, Assistants, Accounts, Market)
Record (Artist & Repertoire who scout for bands, Market, Producing, Account)
PR
Publishing
Radio
Photography
Video
Management
Booking Agents (to book a band you have to go Promoter-Agent-Manager-Band)

Advice

Get into the industry through FRIEND or FORCE. No main route in.

In Leeds there are 3 big promoters that monopolise everything and agents flock here.
Brudenell
Super Friendz (Headrow House and Belgrave)
Future Sounds (Wardrobe, Key Club)

Juggling lots of different things toughens you up. Working as a promoter is exhausting and frequently lose money but have to be able to deal with the hits.

Keep badgering. A NO isn't a NO until they tell you.

If working in big companies you need to be in the creative section for there to be a point
-around the process
-in the bubble things pop up 
-follow lots of promoters

Work as an intern and gain experience in the world. Email for internships (try not to be tied down to just Leeds)

Go to music industry panels

Apply for everything that you can. Sell yourself and exaggerate experience. 

Only work in creative bars where you can see the band and chat to people.

Always catch the band after a gig and get them on Facebook.

Illustration wise, send out blog to bands about to play and ask if they would be interested in my live artwork for £.

Grow a hard shell. People will only pay you if you have experience and are worth it.

Research jobs/apply through:
www.musicweek.com/Jobs
www.musicBusinessworldwide.com
Indeed.co.uk
https://www.musicleeds.com/jobswithus/?fbclid=IwAR2P441cfDAQfEU-AJGlzf8I6HqrsOZC0PXlKFs8nqJmRinKrXR1r_i04wQ

Look for words Junior and Assistant. Assistant get to talk to higher people and the progression is to then meet them in person