Music:Leeds Launchpad Futures - Careers in Music
Wednesday 3rd March 2021
QUESTIONS FROM THE EVENT
I would really like to get my music out there and have someone pick it up. is there any suggestions on how to write songs and get more people to notice your music??
My band is about announce a release, what advice would have have on the build up to an EP release?
As the panel said - make sure you upload to BBC Introducing, and that the release is the best you can make it. If you want to get on Spotify playlists, make sure you have pitched your music to their team. Put together a press pack and have a look at what other artists at a similar level to you are achieving, who is writing about them, and try and contact any blogs, websites, radio, magazines who are covering a release like yours. We ran a panel as part of the Yorkshire Music Forum event here covering that - whiskas
Do you guys have any ideas of how to get into engineering in music such as sound and stage engineering?
It can take a while to build up experience to be able get into live engineering, and the best advice is to try and look for any opportunities to help, or watch professionals - ay live music venues, festivals or with bands artists, when live events start up again. There are live sound courses that run occasionally, so keep an eye open for them! - whiskas
I am wanting to go to uni after college, what courses should I look at?
The UK Music Career Guide has lots of resources on courses as part of their Music Academic Partnership, and JAMES is the body that accredits all Music Technology courses - whiskas
What apprenticeship opportunities are there in Leeds for music students?
There aren’t lots of formal apprenticeships, but there are opportunities and courses that come up to give young people professional experiences. Check our social media for regular updates - whiskas
How do I get my music on Spotify?
There are a few ways you can get your music on Spotify, and it’s best to your research to find the best platform, as well we reading into what’s the best strategy and way to plan your releases. There’s lots of good information on the Spotify for Artists website and a list of distributors here - whiskas
Do managers help write music with the artists or does the artist have to write it all?
Managers aren’t involved in the songwriting process, but often an artist can work with other songwriters, or a studio producer to help write the best song possible - whiskas
Do you think you can make a career based off of one instrument?
Yes! Many musicians will focus on one instrument, thought it can be useful to be versatile, and have more to offer if playing in an ensemble - whiskas
What is a decent software to use for djing and a good turntable?
I have got pioneer CDJ RX2 as it’s all in one and easy to travel round for gigs. Turntable wise it is compatible with anything, so for vinyl have got numarks 1625 (they are pretty old but you can get second hand). If you are just starting I would look for second hand on eBay or gumtree, as long as you have a good mixer! Also software wise rekordbox I would highly recommend and there’s loads of help videos online - Hannah
How do you perform without getting nervous and keeping the audience entertained? Do you have any advice for performing confidently?
What does a successful gig look like to you?
How do you start getting gigs and finding venues to play in which are right for the genre you play in?
A online live talk from artists and those working in music, on how to build a career in the music industry, aimed at 14-18 year olds in full time education.
The 1 hour session will comprise a series of short interviews with music professionals with a background in the city in Leeds
The session will be bookended by useful resources and signposting to where to find support for developing a music career, either as musician, artist or in one of the many roles supporting the music industries, primarily using resources from Youth Music (here) & UK Music (here).
The event will run live over Zoom as a webinar, enabling attendees to direct questions towards the speakers but not interact with each other.
The format will involve a series of one to one conversations with those in the industry, before Q&A sessions with groups of speakers. Our aim is that the session will be available to watch back as well at a later date for schools and educational institutions only.
Find out more about the speakers:
Launchpad Futures is supported by Leeds 2023, arts@leeds / Leeds City Council, Youth Music using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and as part of PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Partner network.
