The United Kingdom has always had a very dynamic music industry and although, or maybe because, we are in a downturn now, it is still thriving. Many young people are attracted to the music industry and so daydream about getting a job in it.
However, we are not all musically talented and only the very talented get anywhere by following that route anyway, but there are other avenues to go down if you want a job in the music industry.
There is a huge raft of support needed to put musicians on the stage, television and radio, because musicians are notoriously too badly organized to get this work done on their own - especially top level musicians who demand that the stage, the lighting, the facilities and the contracts have to be just so.
Therefore, once a musician has proved his or her worth, somebody has to get him bookings and further his name, get him a record deal and make certain that he is sufficiently remunerated. This will be the music publicist
The label manager works for the recording firm and liaises between the different departments to make certain that the production and release of the artist's CD's are co-ordinated to perfection.
Management always has to have assistants and the music industry is no exception. An assistant to a manager in the music industry will have normal administrative duties not unlike to office duties in other industries, but the papers, contracts, invoices and cheques will be regarding famous, glamorous people that everyone knows from the TV.
The music industry employs research analysts to track and attempt to predict future trends in music tastes. These researchers are sometimes called digital research analysts. This is quite a skilled job and necessitates expertise in the industry, in markets, trends and management.
The Net plays an ever increasing role in the marketing of music and the musicians who make it and so there are now openings for online editorial managers, whereas the career did not exist ten years ago.
The publicists and PR people also need co-ordinating on the Internet and web sites require to be built. Every band has to have a Facebook and Twitter account and any other account in an online phenomenon that is up-and-coming.
There are events producers and junior events producers and senior events producers because live music produces more money than record sales since so much of that is copied illegally these days. Most bands could not survive without live events and most would not want to either, because performers like the limelight quite literally.
The music industry makes use of cheap labour as does even government and there are internships to be had. The pay for an intern is very low and sometimes they do not get paid at all, but they gain a wealth of experience and make very helpful contacts. The most enthusiastic and hard-working interns are usually hired after their internship is over.
There are ways into the music industry that may seem quirky, but if you endeavor some of these avenues you will stand a better chance of getting a career in the music industry.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a variety of topics, but is now concerned with
Bose New Wave Radio. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at
Bose Digital Radio.
Loading...