Speaker Q&A: Nicky Carder (Beyond Presents)
Nicky currently works as a promotions assistant for Beyond Presents and she will be speaking at our Off The Record event in Edinburgh on Saturday 9 December. We chatted with her ahead of the event to find out how she ended up in her current role...
How did you get started out in the music industry?
I got my first taste of the music industry as a performer as a teenager but it wasn't long before I started running my own gigs and managing bands. I went on to run gigs for other people and after a couple of years, I became the live music booker at the Electric Circus in Edinburgh. I then went from being a venue booker to working for the Scottish promoter Beyond Presents where I help organise Scottish tours for a variety of bands.
What made you want to be a promoter and what does it involve?
I became a promoter because there weren't very many opportunities for grassroots artists to play shows in Edinburgh, I wasn't very well connected to the music industry at the time so decided to do it myself. Being a promoter can be quite risky financially so best to start with a smaller venue such as Sneaky Pete's and make sure both the artists and you share the responsibility in order to make the night a success. Put together a list of everything you need to pay for to make the show happen e.g venue hire, poster design, print and distribution, cashier, facebook ads, rider (beers + waters for the artist) and then work out how much money you need to sell tickets for to make the show work, while also giving both the bands and yourself the opportunity to cover costs and make some money.
If you could offer one piece of advice for those wanting to get into the industry what would it be?
Work hard, make friends and try to enjoy yourself. Don't be too disheartened when things go wrong, the music industry is a tough business so don't downplay any of your achievements.
Off The Record takes place at South Bridge Resource and Education Centre, Edinburgh on Saturday 9th of December for 14-25 year olds. Tickets are £2, and include free lunch and a release with EmuBands worth £25!