The A-Z Of A&R
A deep-dive one day masterclass covering
everything you need to know about the major record label decision makers
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Philadelphian born Soul Singer Ivy Chanel’s talent knows no limits. She regularly mesmerizes audiences with her soulful melodic voice. Part African American, French and Native American (Cherokee & Blackfoot) singer, songwriter, top-liner, producer, and vocal coach now London based is unleashing her unique vocal style and uplifting songs in the UK.
Simon Cowell instantly became a fan of Ivy’s voice and her tutoring skills. Ivy has tutored performers from X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, The Voice as well as many major label stars around the world.
She has performed for President Clinton, Tony Blair and shared the stage with legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, John Legend and her brother, Hip Hop legendary DJ Cash Money.
Ivy is no stranger to the UK music scene having won Best Compilation Award 2005 at the UMA’s (Ivy’s vocals feature on the lead single ‘It’s a Music Thing’ – Union Black), Ivy also released ‘Wind Blows’ in 2012 which hit number 1 on Amazon’s UK New Release Chart and was included on Giles Peterson’s infamous ‘Brownswood Bubbler Seven’ compilation album.
Ivy believes that music is the second universal language and her singing ability is a gift to the world from Creator. Within her music and vocal lessons, she promotes Love to help and inspire others to walk into their purpose.
Andy began his musical career playing in bands across south Wales in the mid 2000’s, before packing his bags and moving to the outskirts of London to study. He spent around 3 years on the road across the UK & Europe as a tour manager before joining One Little Indian Records in 2011.
Andy ran the International department until May 2017, contributing to global campaigns for Björk, Asgeir, Cody ChesnuTT & Sinead O’ Connor amongst others, before joining Believe Distribution services in June 2017 as a Senior Label Manager, running global campaigns for direct artist deals and acting as a label manager for Believe’s digital distribution clients
Danny is A&R manager at Decca records, signing and managing his own projects. He has been involved in music for as long as he can remember, being inspired by his parents’ love of music. After playing and recording in a successful local band in and around East Anglia, he later enrolled in a local Music Performance course whilst promoting gigs in his spare time. Danny studied Music Industry Management at Hertfordshire University and, whilst studying, took on a regional A&R scouting role for EMI and also ran his own new music radio show. Danny achieved a first class degree with distinction, before moving to London where he landed his first job working in music PR. After a year, Danny moved to work at Universal Music. He has worked in the A&R team at Decca Records for 5 years working his way up from an intern, to A&R assistant, to A&R scout to signing and managing his own projects. Danny says he feels very lucky to wake up every morning to do the job he always dreamed of!
Martin Sutton is the founder of The Songwriting Academy and multi-platinum songwriter and producer. Starting as a young busker on the streets of Norwich, he spent years developing the craft of songwriting, traveling the world to work with other writers, learning about the music business and honing his production skills. He is now a successful songwriter/producer and has sold millions of records in nearly 50 countries around the world.
His work includes Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Celine Dion, Gary Barlow, Pixie Lott, Mark Owen, Olivia Newton-John, Andrew Roachford, Brian McFadden, Lulu, Mike & The Mechanics, K-Pop superstars Super Junior and X-Factor/Idol winners worldwide.
His teaching methodology and ethos have been described as “life-changing” by many of his students and over the years he has shared his knowledge and experience with thousands, opening their eyes to the world of professional music making. His diverse programming and production skills are widely sought after, from orchestration for Celine Dion and Andrew Lloyd Webber to quirky programming and beat-making for K-Pop/J-Pop artists, and rich country productions for artists including LeAnn Rimes.
ADDRESS VIEW MAP
37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP
4th September 2017 9:45 am – 5:00 pm
This groundbreaking one day masterclass covers everything you need to know about the world of A&R including expert advice on how to make powerful connections, get signed to a major label and get your songs recorded by major artists.
A&R (Artists and repertoire) is the division of a record label or music publishing company that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters.
Our major label A&R executives will give live feedback on song submissions! Tracks will be played anonymously to our panel who will treat it as a regular A&R session. Will you get switched off after 30 seconds or keep the panel listening to the very end?
Everybody stands to gain something from this course.
Songwriters
Professional songwriters
Producers
Songwriting “hobbyists”How do I receive my discount for the course?
Please e-mail members@thesongwritingacademy.co.uk with your society membership number to receive your discount coupon code to use at the checkout.
Should I bring an instrument to the course?
No. As this is primarily a theory based course, you will not need to bring an instrument along.
How Do I Submit A Demo For Critique?
If you wish to take part in the live A&R session, send ONE mp3 to members@thesongwritingacademy.co.uk by midnight 31st August and we’ll randomly select tracks on the day to play anonymously to our panel. Label your email A&R DEMO
I have had the most amazing mentoring session with Martin Sutton. So inspirational and energizing! Thank you Martin, you Rock!
Dominic King… Absolutely Inspirational!!!! Almost did not take up this session, wanted to play it save, but thank God I didn’t !!! Risk aversion you’re a bloody thief. Thanks
Wonderful uplifting day restoring faith in my path
Another incredible mentoring session with Charlie Dore tonight! Really great feedback. So so much to work on and a good challenge but excited to get working on it!
Another superb mentoring session today with @lovesongwriting “I really like the emotion and honesty in the song” 🙂
Feeling thoroughly inspired after a mind-blowing chat with Luc Floreani of Floreani Management. So thankful that he’s willing to share his enthusiasm and give me some new ideas.
Brilliant. Entertaining. Humorous. Good for business.
Absolutely brilliant! Informative, fun, engaging, great opportunity to network with like-minded people. Great atmosphere!
Special people. Thank you all for some beautiful and amazing times
Just finished an awesome mentoring session with Charlie Charlie Dore what an inspiration you are Charlie. Thank you for all the excellent advice and guidance.
Finished yet another epic, inspiring and all round fantastic 1-2-1 with the awesome Luc Floreani So exited for the plans we’ve got cooking up…
The day went far too quickly
rocket fuel for the soul
I am SO totally buzzed that I took the plunge and committed to this program!
The passion of all the lecturers was amazing to see. The sharing of their life experiences that enabled them to get a career in the industry was inspirational and has made me reinforce in my mind it’s truly possible for me!
10/10 – I really enjoyed the day and look forward to the Bootcamp
Great mentoring session with Luc Floreani last night! Really encouraging and so many good tips for upcoming events!
So enjoyed my mentoring session with Mark Cawley yesterday – from now on I will be hanging out in bookshops looking shady – thanks mark x
Just had my first mentoring session with Martin Sutton, what an amazing experience, so grateful and ready to face my first exercise. Thank you Martin.
Had a great and informative mentoring session with Mark Cawley, nice guy, had some interesting left of field ideas for me to try. Thanks Mark
10/10 – Well worth the travel. I would do it all over tomorrow. I feel a lot more confident now with what I’ve learned.
Thank you so much for this weekend, really was such a fantastic experience. I’ve learnt so much that I wasn’t able to sleep all last night thinking about it.
Excellent thought provoking and inspirational
Fantastic mentoring session with Martin Sutton today, thank you Martin! Great feedback as always
Great organisation and inspiring evening
10/10 – The one day course far exceded my expectations. Full of useful information backed up by eveidence. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in the process of writing a song
Just had an amazing mentoring session with Charlie Dore. Great suggestions and inspiration, along the lines of possibly becoming a ‘superwoman’!
Just when I thought it could not get any more inspirational, I have another mentoring session with Luc Floreani!
I’m so freaking excited to be on this songwriting retreat!! Have written with some awesome people so far and have created some beautiful songs already! Yesterday’s was incredibly emotional
Amazing and inspiring to be around wonderful like-minded people who live, breathe and love music like I do
Great atmosphere and great for meeting other writers
If I hadn’t have come I don’t think I would have believed in myself. you and the course have inspired me and sparked something inside of me to pursue my dream.
Just had a fantastic mentoring session with Martin, my first on my platinum membership! Feel completely boosted and grinning away ready to take this year by the horns! Positivity all the way
Just completed my first mentoring session with Mr Martin Sutton … got direction .. critique ..structure .. ongoing goals and targets …lots of advice and a real motivation boost !!! AWESOME !!!
I’ve finally found myself and my confidence has come back! That is down to what The Songwriting Academy has done for me and given me the boost I needed. I can’t thank you enough
Such a great day enjoyed meeting everyone and learned so much!
10/10 Thoroughly enjoyed this course, lovely group of people, fun and informative
Thank you Martin Sutton for your continued excellent support during the monthly 1:1’s, general encouragement, and kicks up the rear to keep on improving.
Very engaging, high energy and motivating content and delivery. I would highly recommend to anyone.
An enormous amount of information and tips to take away, digest and act upon!
