Getting Started: Sarah Quinn (Academy of Music & Sound)
Ahead of Off The Record in Galashiels on Saturday 5 December, we spoke to Sarah Quinn from the Academy of Music & Sound about life in the music business...
Q: How did you get your start in music?
A: I started running gigs with a friend in Glasgow because we wanted to see some artists play in the city but no other promoter was putting them on. From that, we started running a club night every month where there would be bands and guest DJs playing each month. After a while working in this way, I was offered a job in the Glasgow Barfly as an assistant promoter. This experience was great, and put me in touch with a lot of different people. I moved into Music Education when I moved to Edinburgh and started working for the Academy of Music & Sound.
Q: What is best thing about your work?
A: I love seeing students develop and grow in their time with us. Many students are shy and quiet when they first start with us and as they do more and more performances (for the performance students) or start networking and organising events (on the Business Apprenticeship) they become so much more professional and confident, it’s really great to watch this!
Q: Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music
A: As a competitive industry, the best way to work in music is to get started yourself. Start a band, or put gigs on, work to help manage your friends bands or follow whatever aspect of the music industry interests you, on your own. This is the best way to prove to people already working in the industry that you are serious and willing to work independently and hard! IF you go to a music college or know someone who already works in the industry, use them for advice! Don’t be shy!
Off The Record takes place at MacArts, Galashiels on Saturday 5th December for 14-25 year olds. Tickets are £2, and include free lunch and a release with EmuBands worth £25! Find out more & book tickets here.