Q+A: Nadine Walker (Tenement TV/Material UK)
Ahead of Off The Record in Glasgow on Saturday 11 February we had a chat with Nadine Walker (Tenement TV/Material UK) about her experience working in music and how she juggles working in multiple roles...
How did you get started in the music industry?
Work experience, interning and networking were how I elevated my career right out of university and I was lucky enough to land a really exciting intern role working on T in the Park at roughly the same time I started out with Tenement TV. The two roles have always complimented each other really well and keep me busy.
You have a number of roles in music, working as the Editorial Director for Tenement TV and an Account Executive at Material UK - what are the main responsibilities involved in these jobs?
Both of these roles have taught me so much. With Tenement TV I work to manage and direct the editorial content on our website and social media platforms. This includes helping identify which new music to feature, commissioning writers on features, coming up with creative concepts for video and so on. I also work to help pull together our music festival Tenement Trail. The team behind the core running of TTV is quite small so we have a lot of responsibilities. I absolutely love my job with TTV, so no matter how busy we are it’s always fun. And with Material UK, I work on music and arts accounts developing creative campaigns for brands. In the past I have worked on festivals such as T in the Park, The Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside Festival plus events for SSE’s Hydro and Arena Wembley venues. I have been based in London for the last two years which has been an amazing experience.
What do you enjoy most about your job(s)?
I love working in the music industry and feeling like the work that I do is exciting and makes a difference to the creative industries in Scotland. With TTV we can really get behind artists and watch them grow thanks to that exposure we offer, which is an amazing thing to be part of. The work I do with Material UK is always really exciting; we work with big brands and big events so the talent is often huge and you really have to bring you a-game every single day.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get started in the industry?
It really does help getting in and about the scene. Go to gigs, attend workshops or networking events, speak to people. Every job or opportunity I have received hasn’t just happened. I went out and made it happen. I believed I could achieve whatever I wanted to if I put my heart and mind to it. Make yourself known and unforgettable. You never know whom you’ll meet and who’ll remember you. First impressions are really important and so is passion. The rest you can learn, compassion and determination you cannot.
Off The Record takes place at City Halls, Glasgow on Saturday 11th of February for 14-25 year olds. Tickets are £2, and include free lunch and a release with EmuBands worth £25!