embryonic music consultancy

To newcomers, the record industry can seem like a mystical land where only a few can enter - and only then if you know someone. This of course, is a myth, one of many surrounding the industry. We want to dispel all of these and give you an understanding of what it takes to be successful.

We can help by answering questions such as:

• How do I try and get a record deal?
  
• How do I release my record myself?
  
• How do I get on radio/television/in the press?
  
• How do I get a touring agent who will book gigs and festival appearances?

Embryonic Music is offering a ‘Music Consultancy’ service for recording artists of any genre.
We are ‘high level’ record industry executives, who between us have over 60 years of experience in the music industry.

Based on our huge and varied industry knowledge and our range of contacts, we are able to offer one-to-one impartial, honest advice on all aspects of the music business:
Embryonic Music will listen to your music and give guidance and an overview. We can advise on various aspects of the music business, recommending strategy and creating a concise plan on how to move forward. You will leave us with a full appraisal of your artist, with recommendations and with a potential list of introductions to contacts.

Areas in which we can share our expertise are:

A & R
Advising on the music, the song writing and production as well as the positioning of the artist.

Marketing
Advising on photos, press-releases, making videos, advertising etc.

Promotion
Advising on all aspects of how to get your record on radio and TV.

Distribution (physical, digital)
How to get on iTunes, how to get a distribution deal 
Legal
You will need a lawyer, we can advise on who to approach.

Contracts
We can explain the basics of a record company and publishing contract.

Live
We can recommend the right agents to approach, also tour managers and other live music services.

International
We can advise on a strategy for trying to break outside of the UK.

So, if you (or the artist/artists you manage) are just about to embark on a music career, have been struggling to break through or just want some guidance, then contact us now.

Embryonic's Music Consultancy is also available for independent labels.

the team

David Steele is the former MD of V2 Records, one of the UK’s most successful independent labels. David signed and A&R'd Stereophonics and Elbow - two of Britain’s biggest bands. At V2 he also worked with Paul Weller, Mercury Rev, Ray Davies, Granddaddy, Bloc Party, Estelle and Liberty X, amongst others. Before V2, David worked at Island Records and Virgin Records, working with U2, PJ Harvey, Cranberries, Stereo MC's, Massive Attack, Soul 11 Soul and Lenny Kravitz and many more.

Neil Ashby is a freelance Radio Promotions Manager with over 25 years experience working at Virgin Records, Island Records and V2 Records. Neil has worked with the likes of Paul Weller, Stereophonics, Elbow, Simply Red, Lenny Kravitz, PJ Harvey, Tricky, The Cranberries, Martha Wainwright, Rhydian Roberts, Josh Groban, Estelle, Genesis, Bryan Ferry, Newton Faulkner, Mary Coughlan, Tom Jones, Liberty X, Boy George, Soul 11 Soul and many others across a wide range of genres.

Marsha Shandur is a DJ on London's new-music radio station XFM. During her 5 years at the station, she has presented a wide variety of shows on XFM, including both specialist and mainstream. She writes a regular new music email called " Marsha’s Music Mailer", in which she talks about the bands she believes are about to break. Through the mailer, Marsha is recognised as having discovered Scouting For Girls and, with the support of XFM, helped them achieve huge commercial success. In addition to this, she scouts new bands for a US music publishing company, is a successful artist manager and is the music consultant for an award-winning E4 sitcom.