How To Get Your Music Signed

Many thanks to Ben Scarr who hosted our latest guest lecture here at the college. Ben is an A&R manager for Island Records and he spoke to students for over an hour about how he worked his way up in the music industry since his days as a student on Point Blank's Music Production Course.

He stressed the importance of networking in the music business and revealed how he started out working on street teams and handing out flyers at clubs in order to start making useful contacts.

Patience and determination were also important factors. Ben gradually progressed to an internship at a South London  recording studio and on to a work experience placement at Mercury Records. Having finally been given the opportunity to show what he could do at a major label, Ben seized the opportunity and was eventually offered a role as an A&R consultant at the legendary Island Records.

He's now been promoted to A&R manager and was happy to answer questions about how artists are signed, how record deals work and what it's like  to work alongside artists including Amy Winehouse, Sugababes, Tinchy Stryder and Taio Cruz.

As you can imagine many students were keen to hand over their own demo CD's at the end of the session and Ben generously gave out his email address and promised to give valuable feedback on students work. We look forward to inviting him back to Point Blank soon.

If you would like to read more about this A&R Masterclass and pick up further tips on getting your music signed or landing a job at a major record label then check out our blog here.

Also look out for our Music Business Course - coming soon.