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10 Questions with ... Tom Brumpton
May 27, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I guess you could say I started my career in music when I was about 16. I started playing in a small band, and eventually (and very organically) I began moving further into the business side of things. I started off managing the band I was in at the time, then I moved on to promoting local shows and working as a music journalist.
After a couple of years freelancing for a few web-zines I got my break doing some writing for a magazine called "Zero Tolerance." They mainly cover extreme music and I still do a spot of writing for them today. While this was going on I was working all manner of crappy day jobs. This included a nine-month stint working for the Police as an Emergency call taker. Easily one of my worst mistakes! (Laughs)
Anyway, the final straw came in mid 2009 when I was working as a debt collector for a Utilities company called Anglian Water in my hometown. I hated it but the money wasn't terrible. After two months I was fired (I like to think I was too nice to go asking people for money every day) and I began wondering if I should start another mundane job that I would hate or throw it all in and go for my dream job, working in the industry. It's been four years now and I don't regret it.
I began working small radio and PR projects for rising bands before going on to work for a US based company called the Independent Distribution Collective. I was working for a great guy called Stefan Franz. I've got all the time for Stefan, he was a lovely guy and I had a great time working for them. During this time, I got to work with one of my idols, a guy called Jesse Leach. He sang for (And recently returned to) a huge Metal band called Killswitch Engage. That band helped to shape my perspective on aggressive music and they are still one of my favorites today. From there I started working on bigger projects and eventually through a client met I Amanda Alexandrakis, who I work with over at Music Promotion Inc.
1) What led you to a career in the music business? Who are some of your earliest mentors who gave you a shot in the business?
Ultimately I'd always been a huge fan of music. To this day, I'm still a massive obsessive and I still love hearing good, new artists. The last awesome band I discovered I'm listening to as I write this, Woods Of Ypres from Canada. Great band! As for mentors, I'd say I've had three really important mentors in the industry. The biggest would be Amanda (Alexandrakis). She's a great businesswoman, amazing at her job and is always happy to impart wisdom. The other two were a woman named Kelly who offered some great advice in the early days of my career, and the other was a chap named Adam who was a pretty ruthless businessman and again, imparted some good tips.
2) Can you describe the current music scene like in Europe and the UK?
The British music scene is and always has been a great hub for new music. We've had bands break here that couldn't break in their own countries. A great example would be The Killers. We thought they were English for the longest time! (Laughs) So I'd say its still pretty healthy.
As for Europe, I'd say similar. Festivals have taken a bit of a beating in the economy as the bulk of the industry has but for the most part things are strong. There are some amazing new bands coming out right now. A really important mention is this great Punk band from Norway called Honningbarna. Amazing band! If people are looking for awesome new European music, cast your gaze to Scandinavia.
3) What was the most unique marketing campaign you've ever been a part of?
I don't know about unique, but one of the most amazing was the Jesse Leach campaign. The response was terrifyingly good! We got hits and support from people all over the world. We got picked up by national print and national radio in countless countries and the response to the record on the whole was like nothing else. After four years in the business, it's still the campaign I'm proudest of. I went into that a fan and left it a fan, which doesn't always happen. I also got nominated for two awards for my work on the campaign too, "Freelancer Of The Year" in PR and Marketing.
4) As music purchases have migrated to the Internet, the music industry has transformed back into a "singles business," how can record companies persuade consumers to buy the entire album of their favorite artist?
That's a great question. I think its something that record labels have been trying to figure out for a while now.
I think giving everything away when you're an established artist isn't a good move. When you're dealing with young artists, that's one thing, but the new Black Sabbath album is coming out, should they give the thing away for free? God, no!
I think a big part of it really is cost. If you're on minimum wage and 90% of your income flies out before you even see it, are you going to spend $15 on a CD when you can get it for either a lot cheaper or free? Of course you're not! And that's a reality for a lot of the music purchasing public. Labels need to make a profit, fair enough. But the artists aren't seeing much of anything from these sales and it's just a vicious cycle that's leaving everyone out of pocket.
5) Are you finding that today's "baby" bands are getting a fair shot at radio and more importantly, are they being given the airplay they need to break through to the masses and be recognized?
Yes and no. Smart bands that work hard and recognize how to play "The game" can do OK but it's not a quick fix scenario. The smart bands know they have to go around the block a few times before their exposure builds. In my opinion, Instant success is pretty worthless these days, and again, the smarter bands will see that and develop.
6) What current artist do you see having the ability and skills to stick around for several records in today's instant gratification oriented society?
Again, I've been in the industry for a while now and a lot of the artists I've been a fan of for the last decade are still going strong. Some great examples would be Devin Townsend, The Killers, and The Chili Peppers. But then again, none of these bands are a "flash in the pan." They've crafted careers and they've worked hard for what they have. If a band wants to do well, be prepared to play the long game.
7) Looking back, which years hold the best musical memories for you and who were your favorite acts at that time?
In 2004, I was just getting into the Metal scene in the UK, and it was all very exciting. I was in my first proper band, playing shows and I loved just sitting around geeking with my friends. I think there was just an energy back then that I've never really been able to replicate since, but I'm glad I got to experience that when I did. Band wise, Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil, Chimaira, Anthrax, The Berzerker, Shadows Fall, Atreyu. A lot of metal! (Laughs)
8) What is the biggest thrill about breaking new music to the masses?
That's a tough one. The best analogy I can give is you feel a little like David in the story of "David & Goliath." Recently, one of my artists got picked up on the Jamie Cullum show on BBC 2. That was amazing for me and for my artist, as they tend to only pick about seven or eight tracks per show and its national radio in the UK, "Top of the Top." They heard the track in the mid afternoon and by 8pm that night he was getting played on the show. I nearly cried with joy! (Laughs)
9) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I will listen to pretty much anything, but mostly its Metal, Classical music, bits of Jazz and I love good Folk and Ambient music.
10) What advice would you give people new to the business?
Work hard, develop your craft, and don't be an asshole. Remember: the person you crap on today could be the person who decides if you work in five years time.
Bonus Questions
What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I'm a terribly huge Batman fan. I have a huge stack of graphic novels set proudly on my shelf, and I can sit and debate about the topic for hours.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
It was a Punk band called Goldfinger in Sheffield, England. I had my first mosh pit that night too. I was 16 and I think I hit a guy in the head. Good times!
What are some of the artists we might find on your MP3 player?
I think people would be a little shocked. The last five artists I was listening to were HIM (Finnish Rock band), Woods Of Ypres (Canadian Black Metal band), Katie Melua (Georgian/British songwriter), The Killers (No explanation needed) and Ludivico Einaudi (Italian composer). I love variation in music, I can't abide listening to one genre; its boring.
You are the remaining survivor on a remote tropical island with no chance for rescue. You have a CD/DVD player with endless power. What five CD's are a "must" to have with you? What five movies?
Albums would be:
- Rammstein - "Reise Reise"
- Ludivico Einaudi - "Islands"
- Katie Melua - "The House"
- Nine Inch Nails - "The Downward Spiral"
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Stadium Arcadium"
Movies would be:
- "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas"
- "Batman/Superman - Public Enemies"
- "The Hangover"
- "Paris J'taime"
- "The Millennium Trilogy" (I don't care if this is cheating!)
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