If you are looking for the best advice on how to become an A&R coordinator, then this article with will do the trick. We will also hear some advice given by singer songwriter Natalie Tuvey, with exceptional experience working with major labels. The singer has developed great wisdom over the years on the best approach to getting noticed by A&R representatives. So let’s get started.
What Is An A&R?
A&R stands for Artists & Repertoire. In the music industry, A&R is responsible for discovering and developing new talent. They also coordinate the recording process. A&R representatives scout for new artists, listen to demos, and decide which artists to sign and which songs to record.
They then work with producers and engineers to ensure that the recording process goes smoothly. A&R is also responsible for marketing and promotion of the artist’s work.
How To Become An A&R
If you want a career in A&R, then you need to develop an understanding of the music industry. This is critical. To become an A&R, you need to really understand the music industry. This includes the different roles in the industry and how they interact. We would suggest you read books and articles, attend seminars and workshops. Most importantly network with industry professionals to gain a better understanding.
Secondly, try and learn about music production and the recording process. An A&R must be familiar with the recording process and the technical aspects of music production. Take classes or workshops to gain an understanding of the process.
Thirdly, you need to develop an ear for music – if you haven’t got this already. A&Rs need to be able to recognize good music and talent. therefore, listen to a variety of music and attend live shows to hone your ear.
Want To Learn More About How To Become An AR?
You need to get on board with building a network of contacts. It’s all about networking! Networking is essential in the music industry. So try and attend industry events, join music-related organizations, and connect with other music professionals to build a strong network. You can never make a first impression twice, so make it count. You never know what could happen by meeting that one person at that event.
Another good piece of advice is that maybe you could get an entry-level job in the music industry. Working in an entry-level role in the music industry is a great way to gain experience and contacts. Consider interning at a record label, working as an assistant to an A&R, or getting a job at a music publishing company.
Finally, you just have to work your way up. As you gain experience and contacts, you can move up the ladder and eventually become an A&R. Take on more responsibility and continue to network to increase your chances of success.
1 Tell us a bit about yourself and your background
My name is Natalie Tuvey and I am a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from London. I recently moved to London from Harrogate, North Yorkshire to study music full-time and pursue a career in the music industry. It sounds almost cliche but I honestly have been singing for longer than I can remember. I’ve always known that music is what I want to do. More than anything I want to write not only for myself but for others too and to collaborate and co-write with as many people as possible.
2 How’re you enjoying the platform, what benefits have you noticed so far?
Since discovering Music Gateway things have become so much easier for me. It feels as though people on this website are not on there because they’re looking for money, but because they all have a passion for music and want to meet people with that same passion.
Personally, I didn’t have the right production for my music and music gateway has helped me to find good producers who similarly have an interest in working with me and I am hoping to soon have some good music on the way. Music Gateway is brilliant – I would recommend it to anybody trying to immerse themselves in the music industry – whatever they want to do. There’s a place for everybody.
3 When you first joined the site, what were your needs and goals and have some of them been met?
I joined Мusic Gateway around February primarily because I was looking to topline for people. I had recently had a great topline opportunity and wanted to take my toplining skills further – I just didn’t know how. After browsing the internet I came across Music Gateway and within the first 10 minutes saw multiple topline opportunities. I have been very busy and so I have not yet got around to completing these toplines to the full – but I have 3 tracks through Music Gateway which I am working on and which I hope to be done by the end of the year. In addition to this I have had multiple people approach me, which is more than I expected.
4 You’ve been involved in quite a few projects, what are the main advantages for you when it comes to running projects through the platform as opposed to working with existing connections?
I think that Music Gateway opens up more opportunities for a young aspiring singer/songwriter like myself. In London I am surrounded by people in the music industry, but Music Gateway has allowed me to work with people from across the world and develop some of my favourite music yet. I am really finding my ‘sound’ by working with people through Music Gateway. I honestly mean that.
5 In your opinion, what do you think labels and publishers are looking for in upcoming singers/songwriters?
You will not be invested in if people are not investing in you. I have worked at Universal Music Publishing and been in meetings with those who have signed Adele, Coldplay – and the list goes on. I had the opportunity to perform to these A&Rs too, and I am lucky enough to still be in contact with them. From my knowledge and insight of the music industry I know that you need to stand out. People need to be talking about you before the A&Rs are. Nowadays the way that you get a second look is through word of mouth and so I believe that it seems to be more about who you know rather than what you know.
6 What is the best advice to get an A&R?
My advice for that is to not only network but go to seminars. I heard a piece of advice from Laura Mvula’s manager during a masterclass and it has really stuck with me ever since. He said that if you aspire to be a songwriter you music “write 100 songs and you’ll be taken seriously on your 101st”. I think that what he meant by that was that once you’ve written 100 songs you become bored of writing on your own and so you co-write. This is when your name spreads and gets noticed. I am only young but I know that co-writing is so important. If you’re looking to be noticed by a publisher you need to do more than just write. You need to write for other people, in a range of genres or a specific genre. Make demos, send them out.
More importantly you need to love the music that you are making! If you don’t love what you have written, how do you expect anybody else to? If you’re looking to be an artist, labels will only take you seriously if you are serious. An A&R told me that the biggest mistake they see young artists make is rushing. If you put your music online and an A&R comes across it but the production is not good at all, they will throw it in the bin. I got told that they would rather see a completely stripped back version of a song than a song that is trying too hard to be something it is not yet. In more simple words, don’t rush into the production of your music. It’s much better to wait. Once you get shivers from your own music you know that you’re doing something right – but until then keep that music on the downlow in your private library. Again, more importantly than anything at all – love it. The competition is so high nowadays that you need to stand out one way or the other.
7 Do you have any music being release anytime soon?
I have learnt that it’s bad to rush. I know that it’s not quite ready for online release. Recently I have been sending my music around to my contacts and receiving some of the best feedback. I promise I’m working on it though! However, you take a look at my website here.
8 What advice would you give to other members looking to utilise the site?
Check out and try new opportunities every day! The great thing about Music Gateway is that there’s plenty of them and something for everyone. Мusic Gateway is an ideal platform for all sectors of the music industry. Whether you’re looking for a producer, songwriter, artist, composer. The list really does go on! Мusic Gateway has given me so many opportunities so just keep searching the site. If you miss a day you might miss an opportunity!
Summary Of How To Become An A&R
You need great comms skills and be able to network. Fundamentally have a key eye – or ear I should say for talent and the business as a whole. People need to know that they can trust you with your career. You may have to start from the bottom and just work your way up.
The best thing is to learn on the job. So the more experience you get, the better equipped you will be for future opportunities.
