The networking event for April 20th is upon us… An hour of quick fire ‘speed dates’ with industry pro’s, followed by an hour of general networking and catching up, then a three act showcase. Videos of the three acts at the bottom of the post. We hope you’ll stay around to support the bands… This event is free – we’re doing our best to promote collaboration and co-operation amongst the independent industry. You’re very welcome to come along.

The Address is: The Phoenix Artist Club, 1 Phoenix Street, off Charing X Road, London WC2H 8BU

Here’s the full info on the experts. For those of you who have seen the initial invitation, we’re delighted to be able to add John Sweeney at our allies SESAC to the list. If you’d like to book some slots email networking@karouselmusic.com with your requests in order of preference and we’ll try and get you in with as many of the experts as we can. Doors 5:45pm. Networking starts at 6pm sharp… Please don’t be late if you can help it as we’ll need to start on the nose to fit everything in. It goes without saying that we’re incredibly grateful to all the industry professionals who have given their time for free to us all on Monday – we hope you’ll all take advantage of this ace opportunity to make some contacts and get some top notch advice.

/// THE EXPERTS ///

HANNAH JOSEPH – DECIBELLE – With over 25 years experience in the industry, Hannah Joseph has amassed an extensive wealth of knowledge and experience, including the last 17 years working as a producer/ writer manager. Hannah has worked on numerous high profile records with artists such as Kylie Minogue, David Gray, The Spice Girls, Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine, Jake Bugg, Rihanna, Deadmaus and Clean Bandit to name but a few, across the decades. Cutting her teeth in producer management at Simon Fuller’s 19 Management, then going on to run her own roster under the Crown management group with Sarah Stennett, Hannah then went on to run the Producer/Writer department at 360/RocNation, working with Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia, before setting up her own management company Decibelle, three years ago. Her current roster includes: Grammy award winning mix engineer Wez Clarke; Producer/writer Isabella “Machine” Summers; Ivor award winning producer Steve Booker; Producer/ Writers Crispin Hunt, Dawood, TheConfect; and songwriter/artist Anita Blay. Hannah also co-manages the hotly tipped Scottish singer/songwriter Rory Butler. Hannah will be accompanied by her creative assistant Sophie Paluch, who helps Hannah in the day to day running of Decibelle.

BERKELEY EDWARDS – CLINTONS SOLICITORS – Berkeley is a Partner in the firm’s Entertainment and Commercial department, having joined the firm in 2007 as a trainee. 

His main focus is music work, advising both emerging and established artists, producers, songwriters and managers on a wide range of legal and commercial issues. He also advises a number of record labels, publishing companies and digital businesses.

 Before qualifying as a lawyer, Berkeley worked for a number of years in the music industry – with experience ranging from promotion and record labels to artist management. He is also a keen musician. Current clients include Royal Blood, Jungle, Michael Kiwanuka, Daughter, Shura. www.clintons.co.uk

HENNING DIETZ – NEU MANAGEMENT – Henning is the founder and director of Neu Management LTD, an independent artist management agency based in London. He established himself as an artist manager at IE Music under Tim Clark and David Enthoven and set up his own management company in 2010. He manages The Asteroids Galaxy Tour (DK) as well as The Veils (NZ/UK). Both bands have non – traditional album deals in place, releasing and touring successfully on a global basis. The Asteroids Galaxy Tour have released two albums globally and are one of the first acts to be signed to the newly established BMG Rights Management master model. Their music was used for various international advertising campaigns, including an Apple iPod TV commercial as well as a global Heineken TV commercial, which landed them an award for ‘Best Use Of Music In A Commercial’ at 2011’s Cannes Festival. The Veils have released three albums through Rough Trade Records but will release their fourth album via an independently financed distribution set up in April 2013. www.twitter.com/neumanagement

JOHN SWEENEY – SESAC (COLLECTION) – John Sweeney works as the UK Representative of the US Performing Right Society, SESAC. He looks to partner with acts from outside the US who have good US potential. He previously worked for the PRS as Director of Operations and Director of Membership, where he was responsible for managing the composer and publisher relations teams. John also helped establish the PRS Foundation (PRSF), the UK’s only independent funder of new music across all genres, where he was Chairman. www.sesac.com

ANDY BIBEY – ONE LITTLE INDIAN (LABEL) – Andy began his musical career playing in bands in the South Wales rock scene in the mid 2000’s, before packing his bags and moving to the outskirts of London to study. Andy graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a 1stClass Degree in Music & Entertainment Management. Post university, Andy spent around 3 years on the road across the UK & Europe as a tour manager before joining the team at One Little Indian Records. He has been in charge of the International department at One Little Indian for the last 3 years, handling campaigns globally for Björk, Asgeir, Cody ChesnuTT, The Computers, Samaris & Sinead O’ Connor. http://www.indian.co.uk


JUSTINE DEBICKI – BOOGIE DRUGSTORE – Justine is the co-founder of Boogie Drugstore, an independent PR agency based in Paris. She established herself as a PR agent at Music Media Consulting in 2006 and set up her own company in 2012. Having studied Intellectual Property and Cultural Management, Justine graduated from University College London in 2006 and from Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris) in 2008, and has since worked as a PR agent. Boogie Drugstore’s approach is that of a label’s: making strong artistic choices and accompanying artists in the long run by elaborating a personal promotion strategy. The company mobilizes its extensive network (media, labels, distributors, publishers, tour promoters, etc.) at their service. Be they already signed or not, Boogie Drugstore helps artists develop their career in the very best conditions: by ensuring they get media visibility (Radio, TV, Press and Online) and that they benefit from the specific implication and strategic advice they need at the different stages of their development. Artists Boogie Drugstore are working with: WARP (Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus, Grizzly Bear, Brian Eno, Boards Of Canada), Mute (Yann Tiersen, Swans, Zola Jesus, Cold Specks), Caroline (Saint Vincent, Bombay Bicycle Club, Glass Animals, Nick Mulvey), One Little Indian (Asgeir). Boogie Drugstore is also specialized in music event and festivals PR: Eurosonic Noorderslag, Berlin Music Week, Spot Festival. http://www.boogiedrugstore.net

ERIK NIELSEN – WINGNUT MUSIC – Erik Nielsen is an artist manager and industry consultant who counts Elton John, Bryan Ferry, James Blunt and international management companies Rocket Music and Vector Management amongst his clients. His 10-year tenure as business and label manager with UK legends Marillion launched pioneering direct-to-consumer business models in 1997 – models now widely adopted a decade later across the music and creative industries. Based in Oxford, Erik speaks regularly at industry events and panels, is a board member of the UK Music Managers Forum, Visiting Professor at London Metropolitan University Business School, contributing author to classic guide The Music Management Bible, training consultant to leading digital analysts Music Ally, and once held the Guinness World Record for fastest retail DVD ever produced. www.wingnutmusic.com

PAM LEWIS-RUDDEN – PLUTONIC GROUP (SYNC) – With 20+ years of music industry experience working for several major labels and independent clients in creative positions, Pamela has worked in numerous diverse aspects of licensing including but not limited to: film and television licensing; clearance for compilation use; soundtracks; music searches and music supervision. Her background also includes working with assorted departments including marketing and brand partnerships to augment cross-promotional opportunities available via licensing. From humble beginnings as an assistant at RCA Records, and P.Diddy’s right hand at Uptown Records to running P.Funk Music Video Promotion; to her time as a top executive in the fashion world, Pam has amassed a rolodex of global contacts. Now Vice-President of Plutonic Productions and Creative Sync Licensing agent at PlutonicGroupSyncs – a boutique sync-licensing agency that specialises in songwriting, music production and curation for syncs; and digital & editorial content (Television, Films, Advertising and digital projects). As creative music consultants, they work with a select global network of publishers, labels and artists to bring you the best in music today. Innovation, creativity and skill go into each project – their focus being on finding the perfect soundtrack for every scene. www.plutonicgroup.com


DAN MATTHEWS/JIMMY BARNETT – RAMSHACKLE PRODUCTIONS (VIDEO) – A video production company who love all things music. With connections to some of the best directors and DOPs in London and beyond, we love to work closely with bands and their teams to make sure we deliver strikingly beautiful work that complements an artist’s sound and image. The company was recently founded by Jimmy Barnett and Dan Matthews, both of whom were previously producers at Lovelive and the BPI’s Transmitter, and have worked with artists including Kasabian, James Bay, Two Door Cinema Club, Catfish & the Bottlemen, Jessie J and 5SOS. We offer services to music clients including live concert filming, sessions, EPKs, live-streams, interviews, YouTube channels, behind the scenes, promos and bespoke formats for online / branded content. We’re always happy to offer advise on video content strategies too, so if you’re looking to make the most of online video for your artist, event, product or company we’ll be happy to meet you.

NEIL GOULDING – SUNSHINE HQ – Neil Goulding works in Client Services for Sunshine HQ who power, “Direct to Fan” white label Music E-commerce solutions and successfully drive sales for a wide range of labels and artists from their own branded websites and online stores. Artists include My Bloody Valentine, British Sea Power and Ride, and labels Xtramile, Moshi Moshi, Stolen Recordings and World Circuit. Neil is also an artist manager having over 15 years experience in the Australian market, managing bands at all levels with signings to Sony/BMG, Liberation Music and Shock Records and publishers Universal Music and Mushroom. Prior to that Neil spent 7 years managing the artist endorsement program for musical instrument brands Ampeg. Pearl Paiste, D’Addario, Promark and Remo in Australia. In 2000 Neil started an online electronic producer portal through MP3.com.au establishing one of the first digital only labels. After 26 years in Australia Neil returned to the UK in October 2013 now living near Reading. www.sunshinehq.com

JACK COX – X RAY TOURING – Jack is an agent and scout for X-ray touring. X-Ray represent established artistes such as Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Blur, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Seasick Steve and Bombay Bicycle Club (to name a few) as well as working with emerging talents to help them build long term live careers. Having previously worked in artist management and label at Metropolis, as well as working as an agent for the Hole Agency, Jack joined X-Ray in July 2014. www.xraytouring.com

 

///THE ACTS///