Damian My career started in the late 80s selling Madchester bands t-shirts. It’s a great way to meet people. My address book soon swelled with various musicians, DJs, promoters, and, let’s say, chancers.
In the early 1990s, I sang in an independent band and had some minor successes. It was a great experience, especially when you play live. It was shocking to me how unsigned artists were treated. I decided to create my agency in 1998.
Mark, I started as a drummer and producer and then moved quickly to promote local nights and management. I made many mistakes but learned a lot.
I was a national promoter for Metropolis Music for six years. I built a strong roster of acts. Recently, I decided to leave the promotion and return to management with BIMM Bristol.
What bands have you worked for?
Damian: I was arranging dates with rock star DJs when I started Brave Music. Names like Mani of The Stone Roses, Peter Hook, New Order, Mike & Andy, and dozens of other names that you might know. After-parties were organized for Suede, Oasis and Prodigy tours. It was all good fun.
Before becoming more serious about management, I managed Mike Joyce of The Smiths for a while. I also managed a band called Screaming Maldini for several years. I was able to get them close enough to major label deals before the band disintegrated for various reasons. That experience taught me a lot about managing conflict and contracts.
The Orielles is a band I manage, which I signed to Heavenly Recordings. A representative of Terry Hall, Mike Joyce, and other unsigned acts and DJs is also my agency.
Mark – I promoted acts ranging from George Ezra and Emeli Sande to Netsky and Submotion Orchestra. Oasis and Snow Patrol, among others, were some of the larger tours I worked on. I was also a co-promoter of the Somerset House Series and participated in events such as the Electric Proms or Radio 1 tours.
BOJO Management is my main focus. Other acts that I am involved in are still in development.
How did you meet and find the bands that you manage?
Damian – I was invited by Sound Control to see The Orielles, then under a different name. I was blown away by their music and the band’s performance. They had a whole aesthetic that I loved and bought into: music, artwork, and clothes.
Mark KEIR is a BIMM Graduate and was introduced to me by a friend at Metropolis Music.
What type of agreement have you reached with the band?
Damian, We have a standard Management Contract, but we also have a level of knowledge and trust that you can’t get from paper. I am as passionate about their work as they are and will defend their interests. I will fight for their rights.
Mark – I don’t use contracts during the early stages of management. It all comes down to trust. They will be more inclined to do great work for me.
What is your typical day or week as a manager of a band?
Damian: I have had my role changed slightly in recent years. Before we had a label and agent, press, radio plugger, and publisher, I did all those things.
As a co-ordinator of the larger team, everything flows through me, including financial decisions, planning, budgeting, and diaries. While some days are more hectic than others, it’s still exciting. It’s a joy to see the band succeed. It’s so satisfying.
Mark, It’s different every week. Everything, from setting up record deals with labels to working with CAA on live shows, I do.
The most important part is the basics – the ability to sing the right songs!
How can you make sure your acts are secure?
Damian – We now have an agent for the 3 years we didn’t. This was the most difficult part of my job. As an agent, my knowledge of how to work shows was great, and I had excellent contacts in Europe and the UK. However, I was used to being approached by promoters asking me for DJs. I asked them to book a relatively unknown band.
This was solved by making the band visible as many ways as possible. Bloggers should always have something to write about. This will help keep the buzz going.
Promoters will feel more confident booking you if they see you are working hard on publicity. That’s how we built a solid live reputation. The band and I are more pleasant and professional because of it.
Mark – I am very close with many agents in the UK via my promoting work. So, securing the right agency is an important part of the development.
It’s also about building relationships and contacts. It’s important to get out and meet people.