Welcome to our new series of Q&A’s with music professionals from all walks of the industry. The idea of this series is to provide you with advice and insights into working in the UK Music Industry.
Tony Platt is a freelance Music Engineer/Producer based in the U.K. His career in the music business started at Trident Studios in London but he made his name as an engineer at the now legendary Island Studios and has worked in most of the best studios around the world recording some of the best artists including Bob Marley, AC/DC, Buddy Guy and more recently The Bad Plus.
Q1. What made you want to get into the music industry?
Mostly just a desire to do something that entailed music and tape recorders.
Q2. How did you begin your career in music?
I got a job as a tea boy at Trident studios beofre moving on to Island Studios as a tape operator.
Q3. What was your first experience of success in the industry and how did you build on it?
My first realisation that I had done something that had been noticed was when a person i knew from school stopped me in the street to tell me he had seen my name on a Bob Marley album - and he liked the album! I didn’t build on it because I had no concept of self promotion in those days. It was very much a case of good work got you noticed.
Q4. How has networking with other musicians and in the music business helped you?
In later years networking has been essential - people need to know you are there.
Q5. What sort of networking do you find the most effective for you?
I share a project studio within a larger complex which enables me to meet people just by going to make a cup of tea - you see tea features again! Being a member of the Music Producers Guild is useful too.
Q6. Are you a member of any music industry organisation or professional body?
I am a member of Music Producers Guild and JAMES (Joint Audio Media Educational Services). Both these help me to keep in touch with the trends and attitudes that drive the industry.
Q7. What would you recommend as the most effective method of breaking into the industry or gaining experience?
This depends very much on who you are. I think the most effective way nowadays would be to take a course and use the time there to build yourself a profile and portfolio.
Q8. What would you describe as the best thing about working in the industry?
Music
Q9. What’s the best bit of advice you have even been given about working in music?
Work with it - don’t fight it.
Q10. Who do you admire most in the industry?
I can’t honestly come up with just one person - there is a list that still gets added to year by year.
To view Tony’s UK Music Jobs profile please click here;http://uk.music-jobs.com/fview1.php?uid=753139&type=&start=&position=0&search_uid=&uploads=
