What is your job?
Sales and Marketing Director, Audient Ltd.
What does your job involve?
I’m ultimately responsible for sales. My day to day tasks involve making sure everything is running smoothly with the distribution network.
How did you get to this point in your career?
I was working for Apogee Electronics and got picked up by a company called Expotus who were originally distributing Audient products. It just went on from there.
What training did you do and where?
I’ve had no formal training since I left college. I taught myself to engineer in the studio and have tried to pick something up from everyone I have worked with.
Which piece of work are you most proud of?
Beautiful People, If 60s Were 90s.
What do you need to succeed in your industry?
Common sense, organisational skills and a new idea every day.
Who’s your work hero/heroine?
I can’t easily answer that. I don’t think I’m inclined to have heroes.
What inspired you to do this type of work?
After recording for ten years, I wanted to find something that allowed me to keep an interest in recording without being in the studio until midnight every day.
What do your family/friends think of the work you do?
I think my parents are glad that I eventually got a proper job!
What are your tips for anyone wanting to do your job?
Make sure you get on with everyone, be prepared to make some tough decisions and dedicate enough time for thinking about new ideas every day. Eight hours working smartly is much better than twelve chasing your tail.
If you would like advice on creative careers and courses, contact a Creative Way Careers Adviser - either Matt Ball on m.ball@uel.ac.uk / 07889 001764 or Sarah Comerford on s.comerford@uel.ac.uk / 07515 051509
Creative inspirations
Jimi Hendrix
I made an album where we had the rights to sample Hendrix, so listened to many hours of shows and recordings. His colourful approach to writing and performing opened my mind to a non-linear way of making music.
DDA DMR12 mixing console
After owning a number of other consoles, the DDA demonstrated what could be achieved with a console that was properly designed. I started to think more about the music and less about rescuing the sound. I now work with the same design team at Audient - funny old world.
Fostex X15 4-Track recorder
This was a brilliantly simple way of capturing all of my early creative ideas quickly. In a way I miss that immediacy even with the inherent sonic limitations it offered. I still have it so perhaps I’ll dig it out…
Roland S50/ Director S, sampling keyboard/sequencer
This was my first venture into sampling and sequencing. Suddenly there was recorded music beyond the tape machine, marking a new era in recording.
Peter Gabriel 3
This album floored me when it came out. I loved (and still do) everything about it from the songs and performances, down to the sound textures and production.
Simple Minds, New Gold Dream
There’s something cool about this album in that it relies on the sound and mood as much as the songs.
Blade Runner
It still looks good now. It was stunning when it was released. Ridley Scott at his best. If I made films they would all look like this!
Rhodes Stage 73 electric piano
It’s a toss up between this and the Wurlitzer 200, but I’ve had the Rhodes longer so it has inspired me for longer. It’s a good example of how one great sound is better than a choice of 100 ordinary sounds. It feels nice to play too.
Los Angeles
I’ve had some great times there and written many songs influenced by the many trips I’ve made to see friends.
Job, Robert Heinlein
One of the most interesting books I’ve read. I don’t think it directly influenced my own writing (which is usually marketing material or lyrics) but definitely a mind expanding concept.