Michael Gudinski on the AMID Power 50

Michael Gudinski was awarded yet another accolade when he was placed on top of the inaugural AMID Power 50 list. We caught up with Gudinski to ask his advice on how to succeed in this ever-changing industry, among other things.

MICHAEL GUDINSKI’S GUIDE ON HOW TO TOP THE AMID POWER 50 

“Be open minded. Even if you’ve got a passion for a certain area, the more you learn about the overall business, the better. Find a couple of key mentors or guns. I’m not against people going to university and doing marketing courses and all that stuff, but I’ve found that it’s really about listening and learning from the right people. If you get taught by a bad coach in any sports you pick up habits. We have lots of good people and part of the success I’ve found has been not just due to the artists but the great, great people on that list. A lot of people that used to work with me are on that list.

“The industry is moving so fast you can’t just limit yourself and say, ‘This is what I want to do’ – to do well in the music industry you have to be prepared to find the right people, to back your own judgement, and to be patient; success doesn’t always come as quickly as it deserves to for people. You can see an artist make a couple of great albums, like Gotye for example, then bang, everyone thinks he’s come from nowhere. He could have easily been frustrated and wondered where he was going. It can be a tough business like that. Be a leader not a follower, in your ideas and tastes.

THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE 

“I’m chuffed to be at the top of the list. I was very much a pioneer. I think a lot of things I’ve put into place have really stood the test of time, and make even more sense now. I think it’s really about the people around me. I’m very excited about music at the moment, I think there’s the greatest cluster of Australian acts at the moment, not just the ones we’ve got, but the greatest cluster of Australian acts I’ve seen in my whole career. I just hope that a number of these acts, be it Jezabels, be it Husky, be it World’s End Press, be it Chet Faker – the list goes on, I’d love to see the Australian invasion happen before I go off into another world. I really believe that success breeds success, we’ve got to keep doing what we are doing. Lists like [the Power 50], it’s a compliment, but it’s not really what it is about; it’s about having successful artists, having great people around.

THE AMID TOP 50 – WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? 

A list like the AMID Power 50 is always going to breed controversy, especially considering the sensative nature of ranking the players in such an ever-changing industry. Omissions will be made, and rankings will be questioned. Even the Power 50’s number one player has a few qualms about the list, most notably regarding the absence of many key females who are undoubtedly power players in the Australian music industry.

“I don’t even know how the list was put together, I think it was tragic that there were a number of women who are very high profile in the business left out of there. Rachel Newman runs iTunes, I mean if she’s not a top player I don’t know who is. Nadya [Balzarolo] who’s head of publicity and promotions at Universal, when you think that EMI is now in there, if she’s not going to have power… Even Reegan [Stark] who runs the whole of the Mushroom Group’s promotions. I was surprised that there were a number of women ignored.

“As far as the major labels [many key players at major labels, such as Denis Handlin and Tony Harlow were surprisingly low on the list], I think it’s very fashionable to knock big labels at the moment. I think it’s quite insulting, really, because whatever happens, they control part of the international music business, and they control these television shows, which bring all this pop stuff. Yes, they’ve made many mistakes, and become very antiquated and dated, but they are not going to go away, and I think I’m more surprised at those placings to be honest with you. It was quite short-sighted. In particular Denis Handlin and Tony Harlow, their passion for the business, and for local artists has been unprecedented. Dennis has worked his whole life in that business.

LOOKING FORWARD 

“I think one of the great keys to our success [at Mushroom Group] is that not many people get the opportunity to own their own company, or part of their own company. It’s a great thing for indies, it’s a great thing that a couple of people have followed the way I set things that, in that you’ve got records, you got touring; it’s all about rights, and the overall spectrum. It’s just vindicated the vision that I had. Sure the record business had its heyday, but let me tell you, there’s a new business now. I tell people who’ve been with me a long time, if you’re going to look back, get out. Single sales are at an all time high and it’s a different economy. I think that obviously the fact that I’m a big promoter, I’m involved in publishing etc. etc. is a big factor. When you talk about strength, it’s about working hand-in hand, and I’m very proud of the other people from my company, and the people that used to work with me that are on the list. You never get one of these lists right, there’s always controversy around you. The bottom line is really about success, and success proves itself.

“In the old days, the big saying around Mushroom was, ‘Our artists are our strength.’ Well, to me now, it’s ’Our people are our strength.’ That’s the reason I’m where I’m at: I’ve had great people around me for so long, which allows me to be a true leader, and if I lose a lot of money on something, and muck something up, well, the buck stops here. It’s pretty hard to fire yourself, ‘cos I would have a couple of times a few years ago.

“The biggest change [at Mushroom Group] and I can’t emphasise this enough, is [Gudinski’s son] Matt. He’s over all the labels; he brought Michael Parisi into the camp, Johann [Ponniah] into the camp, plus all the success he’s had with Bliss N Eso, and he’s just done the Kimbra tour. He’s really working hand in hand with me, and he’s got great respect and love for the staff. I think Matt Gudinski is the most important factor, aside from a few artists, that’s going to keep me there [at the top of the AMID Power 50].

“It was up to me, though, I’d give that number one up for a number one record for The Rubens.”