What does a manager do?
Given the variable nature of the management/client relationship it's difficult to give a definitive list of what a manager will and won't do for their client and vice versa. Whatever the nature of the relationship, we would recomment getting a contract drawn up to cover the expectations of both parties.
Generally a manager should:
- Get you a publishing deal
- Get you a record deal
- Get you an agent who will get you great support slots
- Get your record released
- Deal with press, promotion, marketing, international and sales
- Make sure your record is on the HMV shelves on the Monday of release and on iTunes the week before.
For your part of the contract, you should:
- Be serious about your career
- Support your manager in supporting you
- Ensure that your income is correctly received and reveal any income paid directly to you, as specified in your contract.
- Keep your manager fully informed on expenditure
Simon Banks, of SB Management, is currently riding high with a roster that includes KT Tunstall, plus new acts Grace and Assylum.
How does an act find a manager?
To start with an act should know what sort of management they want. A big company is likely to have a very different ethos to a small one. Try all routes. A lawyer is always a good start, but sometimes just sending an email with an mp3 can do it as well.
There's one school of thought that contends you need a manager right from the outset. Would you agree?
Absolutely not. It is totally act-specific and dependent on the genre and personality of the artist. I would say they would certainly need practical help if they go on the road but don't always need a full-on manager. However, it can be useful for them to have a representative who can communicate with labels and spot the subtext and pick the right battles to fight.
Jonathan Shalit has looked after the careers of household names such as Jamelia, Charlotte Church, Big Brovaz and Javine, and is about to launch the career of highly rated newcomer Linda Kiraly. Along the way Shalit has been involved with record sales in excess of 10 million units, so would he consider taking on a completely unsigned act?
I often do. However, talent is not enough on its own. The artis has to understand they work in the music 'business' and they have to meet the requirements of that environment. Of course they need to be talented, but they also need to have that elusive star quality and celebrity factor that's needed to sell millions - and that's not found too often in completely unsigned acts.
You wouldn't get involved with an act unless you felt it was a potential million-plus seller?
No. I'm interested in artists who wish to sell millions. If an act wants to make an album that's artistically 'pure' but not likely to sell in any great numbers, then I'm not the manager for them.
Does a manager actually generate money for their act?
A good manager generates significant money for their act. The problem is there are simply not that many good managers in the UK. As it become harder and harder to recoup on record deals, it is imperative managers develop other income streams for their acts.
How does a new act find a good manager?
To start with I'd say contact the Music Managers' Forum. In fact, I'd go as far as suggesting that artists only consider managers who are MMF members. I would also recommend looking for 'career' managers - ones who have been successful with at least three acts or more.
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