Success Strategies for the UK
The UK is one of the most creative and fast-changing musical environments in the world. Success here can often be the springboard you need to lead to worldwide acclaim. Adele, Coldplay, Taio Cruz, The Killers and Kings of Leon have all used success in the UK as an incubator before going global. Gain the information you need to be next. Lay the foundations for global success by building your band in the UK.
Presenters
JULES PARKER joined PRS for Music in 2007. He is currently responsible for artist relations, linking with the creative UK music industry, bringing new writers into the company and creating promotional opportunities.
He started his career as a songwriter and musician, working with BMG, Fiction songs and Warner Bros. He has written songs for acts signed to Universal, released EP’s independently and had songs synced to films in the US and UK. Previous to PRS for Music Jules worked with emerging acts at City Showcase festival in London.
Mike's background is in song publishing, and his focus is very much on music. Having started out booking local acts for Stone Roses manager Gareth Evans, he then went into music publishing where his rise was unstoppable. As a junior scout at MCA he signed Blur and the Smashing Pumpkins. Then landing an A&R role at EMI Publishing where he worked with Robbie Williams and The Verve. While there he signed many exciting new and critically acclaimed acts including The White Stripes, Libertines, Scissor Sisters, Gorillaz, Arctic Monkeys and the ever eclectic and influential Arcade Fire.
Mike quickly became a key player in the publishing giants. After 14 years the chance to head one of the great music labels of all time proved irresistible for Mike and it was with a sense of pride and excitement that he settled into the Managing Directors chair at Columbia Records. Columbia with its incredible legacy stretching all the way back to the 1930’s and encompassing some of the all time legends of the industry including Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, The Byrds, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Simon &Garfunkel and Bruce Springsteen.
Apart from it’s glorious past, Columbia has been building on great international acts such as The Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon, and homegrown legends such as The Manic Street Preachers, Kasabian and The Editors, the past few years has seen breakthrough success from MGMT, The View, Calvin Harris, Ting Tings, Foster the people and the ubiquitous and multi talented Mark Ronson.
In 2012 Columbia Records continues to thrive with new albums from Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, The Vaccines, Calvin Harris, Lissie, Katy B, Miles Kane, Rita Ora, Paul Epworth, The Shins Band of Horses and Ryan Adams.
Rich Castillo began his Music Career in 2005 and has been instrumental in breaking one the UK's biggest urban acts N-Dubz. Rich was responsible for both the A&R of their records and guiding the marketing on a day to day basis.
Now CEO and Founder of 2wo 7even Music, Rich manages & AnR's artist Tulisa, Dappy, Fazer, Encore, Angeline Bell & new signing Kieran Allayne.
Rich has recently taken a Senior A&R role at Universal records UK and is involved in building acts from the ground up.
Thursday, March 15
