Unlike other careers people choose, the music industry is one of the strangest anyone does. Although nothing is guaranteed in life, the path to become a doctor, engineer, accountant, etc., has been traveled by many before and is a reasonably safe journey. When you enter the music industry, there is no path. You only have a vague map to your destination, whatever tools you have with you, and off you go. When you talk to others that have entered the music industry, they can only tell you what worked for them. Sometimes that will work for everyone or it will only work for them. Sometimes you have a guide to point you in the right direction or you won’t have anyone. Sometimes you just throw your hands in the air and see where the wind takes you. It takes a certain kind of person to take on a business like this.
So this is an on-going series for those who are working in the music industry and for people trying to break into it.
While the Band is Playing
by Jesse Davidson
In this edition, we will be interviewing Paul North. Paul North is currently a tour manager for the UK Subs and runs a vinyl selling and tour service business called North Records in the UK. WE caught up with Paul after the UK Subs recent West Coast tour in America.
JD: Can you give you give us some background info about yourself and how you got into the music business?
PN: I’ve always been a music fan, I saw the Damned/ Adverts when I was 14 in 1977. I consider myself lucky to work for the bands I watched as a kid. I had pretty high-end retail positions when I was very young. I got a job with a record company in London but got sick of living down south. I moved back to Blackpool where there was no work available and I started to sell records full time. I started selling records at punk festivals and from there started driving band, selling merch and learned from there. I haven’t had a proper job since ‘89.
After the show in Berlin. Charlie Harper (Center).
JD: Did you have a mentor or anyone to help you out?
PN: Not especially but your always learning when you’re both selling records and working for bands. My dad had no idea what I did but he was self-employed and was always there just to have a chat or lend me cash if I needed it. He was a calming influence on me.
JD: I’ve been checking out the North Records website and I’m really intrigued by it. Can you tell us about it and take us through the day to day of running the business?
Our mail order business is shit. Because, neither me or my business partner have enough time to dedicate to it as we are always working away for our bands. We update it as much as we can but I have lots of vinyl customers I can call up. So most doesn’t get online. We spend a couple of days a week on it, which is all we can do. My job is to find new stuff. Ig (my business partner) puts it on eBay or our site. We account every 6 weeks and split the profit after costs. Very DIY!
North Records: Very DIY!
JD: You and the UK Subs were really cool and professional when I had the chance to work with you, which is what I admire in bands that come through town. What are some ways you feel have helped maintain that reputation with you and the band?
PN: I have a few simple rules.
I only work for people I like.
I don’t work for arseholes.
I only work for bands I would watch as a fan.
We are on time. We do our job as best as we can do.
If you do those things, you won’t go far wrong.
Oh and be honest with the bands. Keep them informed and get them as much rest as possible.
JD: It seems out of any form of music, punk is one of the most unpredictable and wildly exciting forms to work in as a musician, sound engineer, tour manager, etc. What are some pros and cons you’ve experienced working in it?
PN:
Pros:
(+) It’s the best form of music.
(+)There’s less industry nonsense.
(+)The vast majority of people are cool especially with the smaller bands I tour with; where the promoter feeds us and puts us up at his own place. Usually, at his expense. I don’t think that happens in other genres as much..
Cons:
(-) Well there’s not much money for bands
(-) USA and UK venues don’t treat bands well (there are exceptions).
(-)Van breakdown issues are the worst and can destroy a tour financially.
But as a rule, even after a bad tour/gig, you can’t wait to do it again.
On the way to a gig. Lots of this on tour.
JD: How do you manage the stress that can come with being a tour manager and business owner?
I have the best job in the fucking world! If I have a bad day, I think of all the people doing normal jobs. I feel ok then!
Just another day at the office.
JD: After meeting you, I was reminded of Ian, the tour manager character from This Is Spinal Tap. Is there a lot of similarities between the movie and what you experience on the road?
PN: You won’t believe this but I’ve never seen it! But everyone says I should and it’s very relevant! I’m sure it is and one day, I’ll watch it!
JD: Do you have an advice for young people entering into the music business?
PN: Be brave. Give up everything for your band at least until you’re 30! Get one honest organized person to look after money, etc. Split money evenly between band members, the crew, and the manager. Be the absolute best you can be on the stage and not be an arsehole off it!
JD: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us and for playing in Lancaster!
PN: Well touring the west coast with the Subs was a challenge! But we came through relatively unscathed, and the vast majority of people and promoters we met were great.
We had a ball! Thanks to all!!
If you’d like more info on North Records, check out
Unlike other careers people choose, the music industry is one of the strangest anyone does. Although nothing is guaranteed in life, the path to become a doctor, engineer, accountant, etc., has been traveled by many before and is a reasonably safe journey. When you enter the music industry, there is no path. You only have a vague map to your destination, whatever tools you have with you, and off you go. When you talk to others that have entered the music industry, they can only tell you what worked for them. Sometimes that will work for everyone or it will only work for them. Sometimes you guide to point you in the right direction or you won’t have anyone. Sometimes you just throw your hands in the air and see where the wind takes you. It takes a certain kind of person to take on a business like this.
So this is an on-going series for those who are working in the music industry and for people trying to break into it.
While the Band is Playing
by Jesse Davidson
In this edition, we will be interviewing Jarod Woznik. Jarod currently is a songwriter and founding member in pop/indie band THE VENNS, a touring member (guitarist) for Daisy De La Hoya’s rock/alternative project BLACK STAR ELECTRA, and also tour manager for Australian brother-sister rock band, SATELLITE SKY.
Jarod Woznik is a distinguished American Guitarist, Co-Writer, Producer and Manager. He has had the fortune of being groomed and directed from The Steve Miller Band (Multi-Instrumentalist) – Kenny Lee Lewis, and has got to meet and work with several legendary artists.
Throughout it all, Jarod has remained an enigmatic original. A guitarist without the compulsion for fret board pyrotechnics, Jarod’s distinctive tone, skill, and his let the music do the talking style has launched his career in the music scene.
Photo by Melanie Escombie
Photo by Karen Mooreside
How did you get your start? What were your first opportunities?
Well…I am definitely not one of those child prodigies that started making music while in my mother’s womb [laughs]. In fact I didn’t even pick up an instrument until I was 15. All through high school I practiced, played in comical punk bands (I even had the Mohawk, spikes and all), and started my own record label (which failed miserably, probably due to thinking punk bands could ROI), but it was all fun. Sadly to say, my first real live show was paying to play at the Whiskey a Go Go, but man what a night. I started just like everyone else, in a garage playing a guitar with the G string out of tune.
Did anyone mentor you on the business or were you on your own?
Towards the end of High School, I happened to visit a music store looking for a piece of gear. I don’t know how it happened, but the stars & planets aligned and the person that ended up helping me was the Artist Relations manager Kenny Lee Lewis, which I found out later he happened to be the guitarist of The Steve Miller Band. Funny enough, while putting my info in the computer it turns out we lived 5 minutes from one another so he offered me guitar lessons. For the next few years Kenny groomed and directed me on my path in the Entertainment Business.
What is the best way you’ve found to network with other musicians and industry professionals?
I have found that the best way to network is by going out to events, concerts, seminars and meeting musicians and industry professionals in person. Sometimes a friendly introduction on social media site works too!
In many ways, musicians, artists, managers, engineers, etc., are independent contractors. What are things you feel have best maintained your reputation and career in the music business?
The way I look at it is, if you are good at what you do and don’t have personal issues (or a pain to work with), people will want to work with you. As I’ve built my circle of friends and connections over the years, I’ve realized that one’s reputation is only as good as what people have to say about you. Someone may ask a mutual friend about work and they recommend me, and vice-versa. I believe in Karma.
From a business perspective, is being a musician different from being a manager or producer or are they similar?
In my shoes they are very much similar because I’ve worn all of these hats and sometimes have to wear them all at once. They definitely have different roles but the business perspective is relatively the same of figuring out a way to make a living by doing what you love.
Is there any pieces of advice that have stuck with you and changed your perspective?
I have always been a DIY person. My perspective on certain issues and concerns in the industry have changed over time, but I definitely think that staying up to date and constantly learning and being the best you can be is vital to succeeding in today’s market.
Do you have any advice to young musicians trying to reach their goals?
Go soak up as much information as you can, do it yourself and be the best you can be. There is always something to learn. I still enjoy going to seminars and expos! I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes…
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens” – Jimi Hendrix
A healthy music scene is comprised of lots of different people working together to make it happen. For anyone interested in getting involved with throwing shows, but wasn’t sure where to start, I’ve created these cliff notes as a general guide.
Photo taken by Jusy Franco. Band: Little Child Man.
Promoter
The promoter is responsible to organize all aspects of a show – including setting in place and facilitating the roles below. A promoter should not actually fill any of the roles, but act as a liaison checking on them throughout the night. Keep in contact with other promoters and try to book your shows in a way that everyone can succeed.
Bands
Select bands that complement each other musically, but draw different people. The goal would be to get concert goers to show up for their friend’s band but stay and discover more bands they like, building the scene. Bands should show up at least 30 minutes before their set in order to check in and get unloaded. Ideally, they should stay and enjoy each band.
Venue
Talk to businesses that have customers only part of the day and might benefit from an additional crowd (bar, pizza shop, coffee shop, etc). Try to work out an arrangement that benefits both of you.
Door
Arrange for someone to work the door and provide them with:
Cashbox (with cash – the makeup will be determined by the price of the show, but a combination of small bills totaling $250 will work for most shows)
Wristbands
Square – Consider getting one. It’s free to obtain the set up; you only pay a percentage if you actually use it. I don’t use it a lot – but there’s still one or two customers every show I’d lose if I only took cash.
Items such as a copy of the set times, sharpies, scratch paper, blue tape, power strips, ear plugs, 9V batteries – stuff like this is often needed at the last minute.
Ask your door person to track who showed up for what band. This isn’t a popularity contest – it will help arrange shows in the future in a way that will benefit everybody.
Sound
The promoter is responsible to hire and pay the sound engineer. Assuming the normal sound setup (PA, board, etc), you will also want to keep on hand extra cables, microphones, a flashlight and tape.
Security
Security may or may not be necessary depending on the type of event you want to host, or the venue may already have security. If security is needed, the promoter should hire and pay them and act as their point of contact for the evening. I suggest Opsec Specialized Protection as a vendor. 661-942-3999 / 44262 Division St Lancaster CA 93535.
Street Team
Include showgoers in your promotion flow by providing free admission in exchange for work. They drop off flyers at locations they probably already go and it costs you nothing to allow admission. Make sure to get a few different people who will hit different demographics.
Customers
You will deal with unhappy customers. Based on the situation, use your judgment to play peacemaker and try to turn the mood around. Unhappy customers tell everyone how unhappy they are.
Printing/Publishing
Tickets – Presale tickets are helpful because if someone has already bought a ticket they are more likely to show up. If you do well with presales, you don’t have to worry about how the night will go instead of enjoying it. I suggest taticketprinting.com as a vendor.
Flyers – Physical flyers are helpful because they have a chance to get in front of people that aren’t already in your circle. I suggest Donnell Printing as a vendor – 661-942-1449 / 44154 10th St W Lancaster CA 93534
Wristbands – You don’t want to use stamps or other methods – they present a few problems (such as washing off, transferring, being easy to replicate) and wristbands are an opportunity to advertise your brand. I suggest taticketprinting.com as a vendor.
