Where are you based?
Bristol, UK.
Where do you work? What do you do?
I am currently the Chief Marketing Officer and co-founder of Amplify. Previously I was the founder and CEO of Amplify.link which was acquired earlier this year and we formed an exciting new company now known simply as Amplify.
Amplify’s mission is to help artists earn more money and create the new music economy powered by the best of Web2 and Web3.
The three parts of our business include:
AmplifyLink – a FREE music smartlink and marketing platform that allows you to engage your fans, grow your audience and get paid with our highly customisable and industry leading landing pages.
AmplifyLive – We’re creating a Web3 powered solution that provides long-term sustainable income for artists in the live music industry.
Combining the latest Web3 technology, including DeFi and NFTs, we’re changing the way artists can earn. You can see an example of our first proof of concept showcase here.
AmplifyYou – Our 30,000 strong community of artists and experts across our newsletter, Discord and social channels.
Our overall vision is to create a new music economy that works for artists and to build a decentralised organisation, owned by our community.
I am also the Managing Director of LOUDD a full service digital creative agency that focuses on the music and entertainment industry.
What are you listening to?
It changes day to day, I listen to a lot of new music having spent a long time as a working DJ before moving into the business world.
Today I’m listening to a few different Amapiano and Afrobeats playlists. Recently I’ve had the new Joey Bada$$ and Burna Boy albums in heavy rotation.
How do you discover new music?
A few radio shows: Soulection on Apple Beats 1. Benji B, Seanie B, Rodigan etc on BBC Radio 1Xtra.
But mostly through playlists on Spotify or browsing SoundCloud and Bandcamp.
Then of course I have a few WhatsApp groups with friends recommending music to each other constantly and I also discover some tracks via social media.
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?
I have a big collection of vinyl from back in the day when I used to drag them around clubs to DJ, I was so glad when the switch to CD happened as it probably saved my back from irreparable damage!
Nowadays it’s mostly digital streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. It’s just very convenient.
Where do you do most of your music listening?
At home, whilst working and walking to the office. Generally I use in-ear headphones with my phone for home and commuting. In the office I have a pair of Sony MDR 7506 which are studio quality headphones and makes the listening experience much more pleasurable.
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?
Mostly via recommendations of friends who make music, I am on a few mailing lists and still get sent stuff early to listen to. Otherwise it would just be stuff that gets put on SoundCloud type services.
At Amplify we get sent a lot of pre-release music as AmplifyLink has a pre-save functionality that allows artists get traction on their latest release before it is out.
“I used to get a huge amount of links via email, especially in DJing days, often it would just be easier to be able to listen to as a stream before deciding if you wanted to download it.”
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?
I used to get a huge amount of links via email, especially in DJing days, often it would just be easier to be able to listen to as a stream before deciding if you wanted to download it. I definitely notice the ads on places like SoundCloud and the whole experience is a lot less seamless with all the ads now.
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?
I have several Spotify playlists where I keep track of all the stuff I like. I find this the easiest way to be able to go back to stuff.
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?
Same way that I learn about it, WhatsApp groups, Social media and word of mouth.
Anything you want to “promote”?
Just what we are doing at Amplify, any artist reading this can benefit from using our tools, and the stuff we have coming next year, in Web3, may well change the game!
