What We’ve Learned: advice for aspiring artist managers from Jas Moore & Hugh McClure

At next weekend’s Live N Localfestival in Melbourne, you can enjoy not only a heap of free live music events, but also a lot of free advice from industry pros who know what they’re talking about. From demystifying production to expanding beyond music, the free Right Trackprogram of panels is a goldmine of good tips.

One of the best things an act can do early in their career is to get management that’s right for them – but when managers and band are both starting out, what does that actually look like? We asked two of the managers on the Successful Artist Management panel what they wish they’d known at the beginning of their management careers.

Hugh McClure

Good Manners (manages Banoffee, Kllo, LUCIANBLOMKAMP and Planète)

1) Don’t expect financial renumeration straight away. It takes a long time to become financially stable, I find a lot of people assume we’re all making much more money than we actually are –a lot of royalties go back into the band.

2) Find another hobby outside of music – given the huge workload, financial and emotional stress, it’s important to be able to step away from music when you can.

3) Make sure you understand the band’s expectations and their goals –one of the biggest stumbling blocks is not being on the same page with what the band wants.

4) Be emotionally available, but set some boundaries early on around availability expectations and your responsibilities.

5) Don’t do it unless you’re sure you’re willing to commit. Discuss a trial period.

6) Be confident, but be yourself –don’t pretend you’re something you’re not to get people’s attention (you’ll be found out soon enough).

Jas Moore

I Heard A Whisper (manages Sui Zhen, The Harpoons)

1) Watch This Is Spinal Tap, Dig!, Rock The Bells, Control and as many music docos as you can. Not that artists you work with will necessarily be anything like any artists in any music docos, it’s just good to get an idea of the world you’re getting into. Most of them provide a good laugh too. :’)

2) Love what you want to do. You can only become a master of an art or practice if you LOVE it. Don’t do anything for money or fame– it’s not going to work out and it will destroy you.

3) Have the courage of your convictions. If you love it, and you believe in it, do your research, and if you still love it and believe in it, go for it!

4) Make LOTS of mistakes –it sounds very scary but you need to make mistakes to learn and progress. We’re in a constant stage of flux so most rules come and go very quickly. Importantly, make time to review what did and didn’t work.

5) Learn from a pro. Find your ultimate inspiration/mentor and do whatever it takes to learn from them. This will help you avoid a bunch of mistakes and save you some time.

6) Look after yourself first 😉 Acts you work with will benefit most if you’re in your best shape possible!

Successful Artist Management Panel @LIVE N LOCAL FESTIVAL

Saturday 26 August

2.30pm – 3.30pm

Temperance Hall, 199 Napier St, South Melbourne

What exactly does a manager do, and what do you still need to do as an artist? How do you get to market yourself as an artist so you’ll be attractive to a manager? How do you choose a manager that’s right for you? Join some of the leading artist managers in Australia and learn how to get your music heard, and get the right manager on board.

Panellists: Hugh McClure (Good Manners – Banoffee, Kllo, LUCIANBLOMKAMP and Planète), Lorrae McKenna (Our Golden Friend – Jade Imagine, Jess Ribeiro), Jas Moore (I heard a whisper – Sui Zhen, The Harpoons)

Moderated by Rochelle Flack (broadcaster and producer).