While the music is obviously an important component of the music industry (some would even say essential), what really keeps the industry running is people. Each person involved has a specific and important job.
To highlight some of the most important and highly coveted jobs in the music industry and find out just what it takes to get that dream job, as part of an ongoing series Tone Deaf will be speaking to some of the music industry’s biggest and brightest.
Most recently, Tone Deaf caught up with Nigel Melder, one of the great minds behind touring agency Destroy All Lines. In his own words, Melder is “head of touring and the agency”, and he shared on the past, present, and future of Destroy All Lines, Aussie music, and his job, a contender for the best in Australian music.
Coming Into The Fold
I’ve been promoting here for eight years. I was approached by the owner after he split with his old partner and needed someone in the touring department. The timing aligned with me retiring from the road.
Whilst I had promoted shows and small tours for Australian bands, I had never done anything on this scale, but he took a chance on me. I’m not sure if he knew it would work out or if he was just desperate. Either way, here we are heading towards a decade of doing this.
Early Beginnings
Before Destroy All Lines, I was touring for about a decade selling merch, guitar teching, and tour managing. I also had a record label that released just under 100 records, that kept me pretty busy back then as well.
The Australian music landscape back then was very different, I was involved mainly in hardcore and punk bands which were not popular genres. There wasn’t much money floating around and we never got support from the media or mainstream like today.
I think it was a little healthier back then, in terms of heart, and now it’s healthier in terms of dollars. I am not saying one is better than the other, that’s for you to decide.
It is great that if people want to have a career in heavy music then that opportunity is there for a lot more than there once was, especially for the players. There will also always be an underground not connected to the money side of things, which is important.
A Day In The Life
Honestly, it’s mostly boring desk work, very far from what most people presume would be involved. The thing I enjoy the most would be when the show is on and the band walks on stage, that’s what people pay to see and that’s why I have a job.
I always try and stand somewhere decent in the crowd to watch the band walk on, it’s good to see people lose their shit.
Insider Tips
Honestly, getting into the line of work depends on the individual’s reason for wanting to be a promoter. If it is to hang around bands, then pick something else. It’s often a thankless task where you are risking 100 percent of your money against a small percentage of the profit, the margins are slim and anything can go wrong.
The most important thing to consider in my job is the fans – knowing what they want or sensing what you think they will want to see and backing yourself to deliver that.
In order to be successful in this game, you need organisational skills, a solid work ethic, and honesty. The latter is most important, you can only fuck people once, after that you’ll be out of tricks and left out in the cold.
Proudest Moments
I haven’t really had any ‘proud’ moments. I am sure there wouldn’t be a shortage of other people in this industry that would line up to tell you theirs? I’ve done some great things, but at the end of the day it’s band the sells the tickets.
Lessons Learnt
Don’t be a prick on the way up and people will always be there to help you out when you are on the way down. Treat people how you wish to be treated, it’s not really a promoting lesson, but more a life lesson.
Alternate History
If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be a quantity surveyor, legit answer.
The Future
Trends come and go, as do bands, that’s what keeps it exciting. 2015 is very different to 2012, which is completely different to 2010. Five years ago, you would never have guessed the Big Day Out would disappear or Metallica would headline Soundwave in the next few years.
It’s always going to reinvent itself and young people are going to come through and do what’s never been done, that’s important.
If you’re interested in becoming a music industry professional, visit www.aim.edu.au to explore the huge range of music industry courses they have to offer.
