Getting Started: Halina Rifai (Podcart/Bloc Music)

Off The Record spoke to Halina Rifai (Podcart/Bloc Music) about life in the music business...

Q: How did you get your start in music?

A: A Northern Irish graphic designer called Will McNeilly had been following my blog writing, he approached me and asked if I had thought about starting my own site and the rest is pretty much history. Podcart was born. Olive Grove came 2 years later and I asked Peenko if he wanted to start a label. To be fair, Lloyd Meredith a.k.a Peenko works a lot harder with the label than I do. I have since started doing free online PR for people such as RM Hubbert and others.

Q: What is best thing about your work?

A: This is going to sound really f*cking cheesy, but it is always about listening to the music. Getting that excitement that you might lose control because something is so uplifting, affecting etc. I would never want to lose that. 

Q: Give us one tip for anyone looking to work in music

A: Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something, keep a strong passion for what you do. Push the boundaries and work your arse off. People will take notice and it will open doors for you.