What made you write a book?
A few had suggested it and when I sat down and thought about it I realized there was a whole bunch of stuff that happened in my career in the music business, things I may have taken for granted at the time. I thought it a perfect opportunity for people to learn as I had learned from the people I worked with and to understand that risk and opportunity, mistakes and management skills are things that affect us all.
What is ‘Insights from the Engine Room?
It’s a book first and foremost but it’s turning in to a lifestyle for me! It’s what is says it is, it’s the sights from the inside. It’s observations from music industry people and it’s their stories about their experiences. It can benefit us and be applied to everyday life.
Why did you move from England to the USA?
I had spent close to 30 years in the music business and had loved every minute of, but wonderful as it had been it crashes along at such a pace you don’t get chance to take stock, to sit back and reflect. I think when you get older you look at things differently and I realized that the people who had inspired me the most, the real music people were no longer there and the business was changing, and changing rapidly. If I could no longer do it the way I wanted to do it then I didn’t want to do it all. I already had a home in Florida so I thought, time for a change.
Is it a book about the music business?
No, I never intended it to be a book about the music business just because that was where I spent my time working. I wanted it to be a book everyone could benefit from. So much of what’s in it can apply to business in general. There are lessons in motivation, in management and in taking risks. It’s just looking at it a little differently because they involve artists you’ve probably heard of.
What advice would you give a new band starting up?
Just to remember that whatever happens it’s going to be down to you. Don’t even think about a record contract, labels aren’t signing anyone they can’t get a quick return on so if they come after you it’s because of what YOU have achieved and they think they can make some money out of you. Then you can make a decision based upon what they think they can do for you because you’ve done your bit, create awareness. They no longer can or are prepared to spend the time on developing an artist. The one thing that made them the most money they no longer do. There’s logic for you!
How do you get signed nowadays?
As per the above, assume you won’t get signed and that way you won’t be disappointed. The industry has changed so much and the culture of music fans. The people who buy are now buying songs by artists rather than albums and that dictates and will continue to dictate the market. You can retain greater control and make more money by doing things the DIY way than being beholding to a record company. Sell your own stuff and sell it on line, give stuff away, a free download here and there. Build your own your fan base. Like I tell everyone, small steps can create the greatest opportunities for you. People will start to notice the progress you make.
Why is your book under the heading ‘The Insights Collection?’
My original plan was just to do the ‘Insights from the Engine Room.’ When I finished I realized that it had opened up so many opportunities to expand on a bunch of topics, I felt like I’d only just touched the surface. There could be Insights on Motivation, Insights on Artist Management, Insights from Insiders (they are all explained in more detail elsewhere on the site) I had always envisaged the Engine Room being about a whole host of people I had worked with and the Insights Collection allows me to explore different territories in a variety of ways. I’d tell you more but I’m still thinking about them!
What is so different now in the music business of today?
Good question. That’s another book!
What’s Simon Cowell really like?
Simon Cowell is exactly like he is on the TV, opinionated and not frightened of what he says. That’s what I like about him, we didn’t agree about everything and he certainly didn’t like it when some of his records didn’t get played. No matter whatever reason I gave him for people not playing a particular artist it just made him more determined to prove them wrong. He was always a huge believer on TV being a greater tool for breaking artist’s than radio and if you look at his successes so many have come via that route.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to write more books and to tour and speak to more people. I love the interaction and the Q and A’s and I think it’s vitally important to get feedback and to hear what people have to say. I also want to work people who inspire me and motivate me. That way you bring the best out of one another, we all need a reason to get up in the morning.
