Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.

Okay, man. I started in the music industry following graduation from a Masters in Magazine Journalism, I went to do internships and work placements with the likes of Rock Sound, T3, Stuff and Metal Hammer in London, as well as newspapers like Hull Daily Mail and York Press. I met a bunch of awesome people (all about who you know...y'know!) in the music and tech sectors, and got some amazing opportunities. While on a night out (covering a burlesque event in Yorkshire), I met a guy (Kieran Schlechter, who became one of my best friends) and I talked to him about this idea I had about building a publication supporting music and the arts, specific to the North of England and cities outside of London. He told me he'd build the platform, so long as I gave it my all, and over-night Soundsphere magazine was born. That was in 2009, and since then I've interviewed everyone from Rammstein, Judas Priest and Incubus to Weezer, via The 1975 and Placebo for the print and online outlets.

Also, you should check out some of the bands (and labels) I've worked with on the PR side too: Warren Records, Anonymous Records, A Joker's Rage, ...And The Hangnails, Haxby Swango, Eureka Machines, Seep Away, Vulgarians and Cannibal Animal are all bloody awesome! 

I've also been able to win some awards (weirdest was being named one of the Happiest People in the UK by the Independent on Sunday in 2012, as part of their Happy List), and cover some cool festivals (Sziget in Hungary is incredible!). Later in my career, using the experience on the mag (which did three years in print, as well as online), I formed a press and marketing agency (Creative Condition) to support emerging bands (like the aforementioned) and small businesses on a budget. It's been amazing. I've been so lucky to have some wonderful opportunities and experiences.

What drove you to choose your career path?

I always wanted to write when I was younger, I'd do a lot of creative writing and stuff like that – fantastical stories and the like, you know? I decided I wanted to act after I left school, and basically right through university, I was doing a performance degree – but I kept getting typecast as an old man. I walk with the aid of two sticks at all time, see. I've got a condition called Cerebral Palsy. It wasn't just that though, I was always like...the weird old man, or the creepy perverted old man, so I decided that I'd go into journalism as I didn't see that career taking me too far! Haha! So yeah, following my degree, I moved into that field.

How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?

Lots of internships and work placements, man. In our industry it's all about who you know. I had time there to make a lot of mistakes, but also learn the ropes. I think you have to be keen, and also really passionate. I often wonder how I got to this point now, and I think more than anything it's passion (and not being completely, utterly shit at your job too). So, yeah. I did some placements, made some contacts and got opportunities to freelance, but also build my own projects from that.

What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?

Emails. Delegating reviews, coordinating features, researching interview questions, and working with partners (schools, colleges and universities) that provide us with a some income – we do a lot of work with young people and students (offering internships and work placements of our own), and we get a some cool funding and support from different creative and educational organisations, alongside other online advertising platforms. We're really lucky in that respect. I also freelance for various publications when I'm not doing Soundsphere stuff, and work on Creative Condition stuff when there's pesky music PR to be done!

What misconceptions do people often have about your job?

That it's a doss (that translates as easy!). I think a lot of people assume I just sit around listening to music all day. Most days I do do that, but it's always accompanying something with a terrifying impending deadline.

What are your average work hours?

Pfft! Average work hours! Haha! Ideally, I'd say 10am – 7pm, but mostly it's 10am – 2am. Most people will tell you there are no set hours when you do any form of creative work. It's ridiculous, I guess. But I don't really know how to do anything else. Ha!

What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?

There are none, really. The industry is super-small. If you take shortcuts, people will know about it. I think for a personal tip, at risk of contradicting myself, I'd say set yourself some solid working hours, not necessarily 9-5pm, but you need to switch off – for your personal life, and your general well-being.

What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?

I drink too much (Yorkshire) tea. And I don't sleep enough. I've heard that I'm 'too nice' to be in the industry as well! I don't know, I feel like I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to sharing opportunities with others. I think that's something that the industry is getting better at.

Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?

Treat people with respect. Often professionals working in the magazine industry (and in PR) give their hearts and souls to support the bands that they work with. All to often, the profession is treated like something that anyone can do – 'Oh, I can write that', or, 'I don't need you to do press for me, I can get in the local paper myself'. Industry-types have been working for years to give them the skills to do this kind of thing, and I believe that it's really important that bands employing a press agent, or indeed any band looking for magazine exposure need to (try to) understand that.

Also, don't be a dick. People in the industry are just really busy, they're (in most cases) not arseholes intentionally ignoring you (whether you're asking about PR, or in a band trying to get noticed), so be patient if you don't hear back in the first instance.

What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?

All the worst bits kinda fade into nothing when a PR campaign goes well, or if an interview or feature looks awesome. I mean, I do get stressed, just like any person in any job role, but you know what? Now that I think about it, everything about the stuff I do is pretty awesome. More money would be nice, of course. So would me getting some robot legs. I'm working on it...

What's the most enjoyable part of the job?

Supporting students and young people to get jobs in the industry off the back of a reference from us, that's by far the coolest thing. Though, it did used to be about getting into stuff (gigs, events) for free, and getting drunk with rockstars.

What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?

I charge an hourly rate of between £20-30 an hour depending on a client's budget. I know some people that make a lot more, and some people that make a lot less. Again, I feel very lucky.

How do you move up in your field?

You graft! Work hard. Get to know the right people. Learn to be passionate even if you're not writing about your favourite band or subject. Diversity and perseverance are key.

What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?

Okay...a few tips! Go on one or two work placements to get experience, and meet great people who will help you develop. Don't be a dick. Use what you've got around you, wherever you are to better yourself and your abilities – it doesn't matter if you're from the tiniest town, or the biggest city, there are things get involved in everywhere. Erm, stay motivated, as you're going to have a lot of challenges, but believe me - you get out what you out in...eventually. Try and get up in the morning at a reasonable time! Try to go to bed at a reasonable time! Drink (Yorkshire) tea.