The ACM@Metropolis campus was abuzz with excitement recently when music manager Seven Webster visited for a very special Q&A masterclass session, hosted by our very own Ace (ACM’s Head of Creative Industry Development and guitarist in the band Skunk Anansie).
Seven has had years of experience in the music industry, and currently owns and runs 7pm Management – a management company which has launched the careers of many of the biggest names in dance music, including DJs Sasha, Digweed and Carl Cox, as well as the singer-songwriter, Dido. The company also manages UK hard rock band Skindred, Brighton drum and bass act The Qemists and Finland’s Von Hertzen Brothers.
Seven talked about his desire to work with a diverse range of artists, and said he looked to dance music in the ‘90s because there was “less ego” in it, and it had a “great DIY ethos”. This was when he discovered Sasha, and spent time making sure he put the right team together for him.
He helped our students understand the importance of “masterminding the perception of the artist” and putting their product into formats that can be sold.
Ace then asked about his work with Dido. Seven explained that he was trying to get a more rounded roster, and that she represented something a bit different to other artists in that genre at the time. He helped her to develop by teaming her up with other writers, and ultimately got her a sync deal on the soundtrack for Roswell. They waived their fee for it as they wanted the exposure it would bring, and ultimately it lead to her breaking through.
One of the students asked Seven how he goes about finding artists, to which he explained a lot of it is online, but also from gigs: “The best music will get your attention”.
When asked about how an artist should go about finding management, Seven said it’s a two-way street: “If you’ve got something that’s unique, then people are drawn to it. I like the record labels to call me, not the other way around.”
Seven’s masterclass at Metropolis Studios was deemed to be hugely informative by all, covering a wide number of aspects of the music industry. Our students enjoyed asking him questions, not just about his background and experience in the music industry, but about their own careers too… and Seven was only too eager to offer his advice.
“The nurturing and development of talent is the lifeblood of our precious industry, so I was honoured to be asked to give a masterclass at ACM and to be able to both impart advice and meet with emerging talent and talk to the stars of tomorrow in what was an altogether very enjoyable and positive afternoon.”
Seven Webster, 7pm Management
We’d like to say a massive thank you to Seven for coming to see us and presenting such an interesting masterclass. If you’d like to study at ACM and learn from the best in the business like Seven, please call our Admissions Team on 01483 500 841 or visit www.acm.ac.uk/open-days/ to book a place on an ACM Open Day today.
