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ACM was pleased to welcome A&R, Publishing and Management Specialist Darrin Woodford to ACM to deliver a Business Masterclass session on 2nd October 2013, with the two hour session taking place in Room 38 of Global House from 1.30pm.

This was a fantastic opportunity for all students to hear direct from those in the music industry, about the latest trends, developments and insights that shape the decisions taken by today’s music executives.

About Darrin Woodford
I have been fortunate enough to make a living out of the music industry for over 20 years and have specialised in artist development at record labels, publishing companies and music management.

My career began in my teens, playing in an indie band called The Cherryblades. Their claim to fame was recording one of John Peel’s legendary sessions at the BBC Maida Vale studios. After seeing a good friend form a band called Seymour (which later changed its name to Blur ) I decided my band weren’t going to make it to the same dizzy heights and perhaps my talents could be utilised elsewhere.

So in 1993 I joined The Echo Label in Artist and Repertoire as one of the founding members. I learned at close hands from some of the great UK industry moguls such as Steve Lewis (Virgin/Chrysalis/Stage Three) and Chris Wright (Chrysalis/Heart Radio).

My most notable successes included signing Feeder, Moloko, Ray Lamontagne, I Am Kloot, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Utah Saints and the Acoustic compilation series. Achieving a number of platinum, gold and silver albums and top 5 hit singles,

In 2006 I ventured into the world of management setting up my own company called Bullitt Music Management. I wanted to experience the ever changing landscape of the industry from a different perspective. I worked with some exciting new artists including Jay Jay Pistolet (who later went on to form The Vaccines).

2008 was the beginning of my work with Distiller Records and helping it to develop it into a leading UK indie label, publisher, sync agency and residential studio- successes at Distiller include signing Funeral For A Friend, The Blackout and two writers from La Roux’s album.

So far I have seen the industry change from a business run by enthusiast to one that employs professionals and has established schools for the next generation. However it is working with artists, producers and remixers that have always excited me the most and seeing how a song or an artist can develop from the local level to a radio hit.

Discography

  • Feeder
  • Ray Lamontagne
  • Moloko
  • I Am Kloot
  • The Blackout
  • Darren Berry
  • Co-wrote La Roux ‘Tigerlilly’, ‘Armour Love’ and ‘Colourless Colour’ (Platinum)
  • Ben Hirst
  • Roison Murphy
  • Black Rebel Motorcyle Club
  • Morcheeba
  • Funeral For A Friend
  • Babybird
  • Utah Saints
  • Sound Of Guns
  • Sparrow And The Workshop
  • Lowb
  • Denim
  • Orang
  • Fortune
  • The Chemist
  • White Belt Yellow Tag
  • 44 Top 40s
  • 5 Top 5s

ACM would like to thanks Darrin Woodford for visiting ACM and hope to see him return again soon.

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