Anybody on here who works in the music industry or considers themselves a useful contact, please could you post links to your myspace pages?

I could really use some help in getting some more experience and getting involved in projects that could help me lift off into A&R or Marketing after college.

Thank you x

Amanda,

Your best bet is to get active in the industry now. Chat to bands and venues, read as much as you can and meet people on the circuit.

Unfortunately there are a hell of a lot of people trying to get into the industry. I know people with degrees in it that are even having a hard time so don't expect someone to give you an A&R job when you leave college.

If it's A&R you want to break into it's extremely hard. My best advice though is to do whatever you can to get your finger on the pulse. Listen to as much music as possible and maybe do some work with bands. Try to build up a rapport with a couple of labels that you like (i.e. bands on them) maybe ask them what kind of things they are looking for and send them details of bands they may like as if you are actually spotting for them. Then when you finish college you will be in a much better position to see if you can get an internship

DNo

Hi,

My best advice for you is to just be an A&R Scout on your own, and then eventually, if you are persistent enough and determined, people will start to listen to your opinion.

A few things I did during college and after ( I always wanted to work in A&R too.) ;

- Work experience a Record labels (expenses paid only mostly)

- Manage and develop local bands yourself

- Promote and book shows for bands

- Put on your own Live Music Night

- Network with people! get in touch with A&R people at labels and build relationships that way.

- write your own music blog/ review site

- Start your own record label


I have good contacts in the industry with people at Sony / EMI / Warner / RCA / Island and loads of indie labels.It's not just about how good at scouting you are, but timing is a factor. If there isn't an opportunity, then it's just bad timing.

Send your CV out to labels and ask them to keep it on file and let you know when they have any A&R openings.

I have worked in Music for the last 5 years, and even though I have only had one A&R job offer (which I couldn't take due to location! SUCKED!) just go at it alone.

Make sure you are up to date with what and who is hot in the industry, promote artists etc, and you willget somewhere eventually.

Experience in this industry beats education - Trust me. So just do your own thing, but stay in touch with any contacts you make.

I am going to set up my own digital record label soon and see how it goes, stay in touch with me by email dubz.promotions@googlemail.com and maybe we could do something together if you don't get anywhere sooner than you hope!

Hope this helps...

Also, you MUST buy the Music Week Directory. I couldn't live without it. ESSENTIAL!!!!!!!!! =]