How Did You Manage That?

*BONUS EPISODE* In our most star / management-star studded podcast yet, we bring you this episode from backstage at the Artist and Manager Awards 2019 (sponsored by Selina). We chat the winners of the night including the likes of Team Achievement winners Team Merky (Stormzy and Tobie), the Artist’s Artist award recipient Nile Rodgers, Entrepreneur of the Year Andy Varley, Breakthru Manager winner Sophie Bloggs and so much more. So sit back have a beer (Sophie def did) and enjoy some really special words of wisdom from the people behind the biggest names in music, given their night to shine.

The Artist and Manager Awards are co-hosted, co-organised by the MMF and the FAC (Featured Artists Coalition).

*BONUS EPISODE* Ahead of the glitzy London Artist & Managers Awards sponsored by Selina and hosted by the Music Managers Forum on November the 14th, we run through the nominees for this year and hear from some of last years winners. Ally is worried about his outfit.

Matt Greer, based in London is one of the team at ATC Management, starting out as a scout then building his own roster, he has managed Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes through thick and thin through their three albums, the last of which, released this year hit the top five in the UK album charts, no mean feat for a proudly independent artist. Matt also manages the UK affairs of Half Moon Run, as well as being a key part of the ATC family. With as much passion for music, and specifically live music as the acts themselves, Matt has learnt a heck of a lot in his relatively short time in the industry, and along with his day-job, he actively helps other managers in their journeys on the regular, making him a brilliant guest for our last episode in this season. 

We will be back with a few special episodes over the next few months, from some events, so keep an eye on your feed for that, before we come back with season two in 2020. A huge thanks to our sponsors AWAL for having the balls to support us in this first series, and the the Music Managers Forum who made the whole thing possible (an extra shout to the brilliant Fiona McGugan, now former GM of the MMF, who has recently moved on for a career in law, all the best Fiona you star!). 

Finally, a huge thanks for checking us out, we hope you got a lot from these conversations, and will continue to. 

Say hey @managethatpod on socials. 

Ally & Sophie x 

This episode’s guest Vicky Dowdall, has a management story like no other. A manager with limitless belief in what their artist can achieve no matter what’s going on, and someone who’s loyalty to her acts over the years has really paid off. Covering everything from the merits of indie campaigns lessons from the life of girlbands you really need this episode in your life. Vicky manages the brilliant Nina Nesbitt and Olivia Sebastianelli and writer Robbie Jay, not to mention consulting on the forthcoming Ella Henderson campaign. She understands the world and pressure of big pop, but ultimately loves it, and as you’ll hear, right gives a crap. Enjoy.

Give us a shout on socials (@managethatpod), feel free to review us where you listen to your audio, and as ever a massive thanks to AWAL, our sponsors and fav distributor babes, and the Music Managers Forum for their support.

This episode Sophie and Ally hit up the newly formed Ditto Management offices in London (so new, there wasn’t even desks in there) we met up with Matt Dodds, manager of UK rap artist Big Zuu. Recorded in May 2019, only three months since Matt has left his friend and mentor who brought him into the industry and taught him the ropes - so what better time to sit down with a manager in the absolute thick of it, to find out how he’s managing. If this is your first time with us, bare in mind, this isn’t a series about dishing out unsolicited advice, more a series where we hear how music managers, some of the boldest and most interesting people we know, are making it work and working it out for their artists and themselves. Enjoy. 

As ever How Did You Manage That? Is sponsored by AWAL, who we thank immensely for their support, commitment to new artists and this fancy new landing page they made us - https://www.awal.com/mmf-hdymt

This episode, Sophie sat down with writer/artist manager Danny Desai, who manages Dyo, Ay Em and the writer/producer Maestro. He’s a manager, like so many, obsessed with learning the intricacies of every area in the business, but his wide and varied experiences before getting into management are what’s pushing him forward these days. 

As ever, give us a shout about anything that jumps out at you mid-listen on Twitter or Instagram @managethatpod 

Big love x 

Director of Renowned Management (Wretch 32, Hamzaa, Knox Brown), not only has this episode's guest been alongside one of the most influential and well respected rappers since day one of his career, Zeon Richards is also the Head of A&R for Ministry of Sound, after several years as A&R consultant for Polydor, signing Stefflon Don, Steel Banglez and Ramz. Discussing everything in management from platinum selling records, gut belief in songs, to anxiety, grief and the power of going in with a plan. 

During the episode Zeon wanted to shout out the Richard Antwi Scholarship, a fund set up in memory of his friend, to continue the well-loved music lawyers legacy with a full scholarship covering fees and living expenses for one aspiring music business practitioner to the University of Westminster's MA in Music Business Management, each year. The applications for 2019 close on the 31st July, if this sounds like it's for you... DO IT! You can apply here: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships/richard-antwi-scholarship 

Big thanks to Zeon for the time, advice and wisdom.

Say hey on socials @managethatpod / follow Zeon @zeonrichards

New Ep in another fortnight. 

Ally and Sophie. x 

If you manage Nile Rodgers, one of, if not the greatest songwriters of all time, do you really need an introduction by a wee podcast like ours? No, you probably don't, even less so when you've managed Elton John, Guns n' Roses and ran the management company that looked after actual Beyonce, to name but a few over a glittering career in the business. Much like his artist Nile, Merck Mercuriadis is a man of many talents, starting off in A&R, getting out and becoming wildly successful manager, while at the same time now entering the 'song management' game - something he fills us in on, along with some amazing insights, some utterly massive names and some great stories. 

As ever thanks to our podcast sponsors AWAL, one of the biggest innovators in the distribution space, empowering artists to reach new heights, while still owning all their rights, and our supporters the Music Managers Forum. 

Say hey @managethatpod on Instagram or Twitter, we'd love to know what you think, or even better, rate and review! Enjoy! 

Oh, and P.S. Ally went off on one about his love of Scottish act The Blue Nile, who Merck used to manage, but there was so so so much more in the episode we wanted to get in, that slightly gushy section was dropped, we'll maybe save that embarrassment for a bonus episode. Bless him. 

This episode we bring you the manager (and story behind) one of 2019's real breakout successes from the UK.  Simon King manages Brit Award winning, number one album, gold-record-selling artist Tom Walker, but it's been a long road to get there with his company Covert Management. It's a story that, tested this managers charisma, determination, and ability to consistently juggle many things (and sometimes jobs), and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. A balanced, calm and super engaging guest, Simon's episode is one you don't want to miss, and one to definitely Leave A Light On for.... (sorry! - AM)