DMS Mentoring Brochure
"I believe in the importance of tapping into our true purpose and recognising the value of our experiences. I feel it's important for musicians to discover their own route to financial freedom, work/life balance and community connection. In doing so we empower ourselves, inspire others, and increase our chances of long-term sustainability."
- Elroy 'Spoonface' Powell
1. 1 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
Thinking Beyond
A Chart Position:
5 THINGS FOR EMERGING
TALENT TO CONSIDER
2. 2 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
5 THINGS FOR EMERGING TALENT TO CONSIDER
Techniques for long-term sustainability in the music industry from
Elroy “Spoonface” Powell (Spoon)
Learn how to think beyond a chart position:
• IDENTIFY your worth
• INCREASE your brand recognition
• MAXIMISE your revenue potential
To create your own economy
Do you feel your success depends on having a manager? Do you work hard, but not see the results you deserve?
Have you had success, but still struggle to make ends meet? Are you confused by the business side of music?
Are you thrown by changing technology? Do you feel lost in the noise? Don’t know where to start?
“I believe in the importance of tapping into our true purpose and recognising the value of our experiences. I feel it’s important for musicians to
discover their own route to financial freedom, work/life balance and community connection. In doing so we empower ourselves, inspire others,
and increase our chances of long-term sustainability.”
- Elroy “Spoonface” Powell (Spoon)
thinking beyond a chart position
3. 3 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
Where are we now?
A huge number of musicians believe that in order to be successful, they need a presence in a chart. Can
you remember who was number 1 last month? There are so many charts these days, which one should you
enter? Beyond a ‘tap on the back’, why do charts really matter?
Technology has made it easier to reach audiences, so competition is incredibly high. This has resulted in
audiences being bombarded with requests from artists trying to sell their music products. Why should they
listen? Have you taken the time to really consider their needs?
The old way for musicians to create success has been truly disrupted for some time. Physical sales can
not compete with downloading and streaming platforms have become the preferred choice over paid
downloads. Strangely, this has led to music makers earning even less from record sales.
The Internet has helped us with innovative routes to success but there is no concrete answer as trends
continue to change. With all of this in mind you might ask yourself:
• How do I cut through?
• How do I avoid isolation and frustration?
• How do I make it sustainable?
4. 4 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
Where are we now?
• We’re bombarded with ‘buy my single’,
‘come to my gig’, ‘me, me, me’
• Your audience wants access (not ownership)
• The old model of success has been disrupted
• Not everyone will be a chart topping artist
• Innovative ways to create success come and go
I will talk you through the 5 Key Areas and during the consultation walk you through routes to accelerating your growth.
5. 5 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
• Big idea - purpose
• Belief - identify your value
• Build - gain respect amongst your peers
and the wider industry
• Burnout - how to survive and conquer
• Balance - take care of yourself and others
Working longer hours and social media spamming won’t work. Successful industry
professionals lead healthy, balanced lives. For you to achieve the same, you need to consider
a foundation based on these 5 key areas:
‘Here are 5 Key Areas to address in order to Stay afloat long-term’
The 5 B's
6. 6 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
I will help you
• Recognise your strengths and areas to develop
• Create your own long and short-term targets, and an action plan to achieve them
• Detoxify your circle and build a like-minded, supportive network
• Create a long-term mindset of sustainability over quick, unattainable goals
• Develop a stronger sense of purpose
• Identify and overcome ideas that limit your progress
• Stay on track with accountability techniques
• Be the change you want to see
7. 7 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
“I just want to say a big thanks to DMS
for all their support so far and for
placing my song ‘My Mistake’ on the
new Mercedes-Benz advert. Thanks
guys!”
- NINA
Artist (Aztec Records)
“Working with DMS has brought some
great opportunities to Aztec which
helped us grow as a publisher
worldwide”
- Laura Fares and Ariel Amejeiras
Directors, Aztec Records/Publishing
“DMS has opened up new opportunities
for us. Living in a small country (Malta)
with a relatively small market.
We realised that we can get our music
out there through DMS and the results
were terrific!“
- Jean Paul Borg (The Busker)
Writer / Artist / Singer
“DMS has helped deliver
opportunities to songwriters like
myself, that otherwise wouldn’t be
available. With a knack for networking,
and developing a strong social
entrepreneurship, DMS assists in
offering outstanding opportunities and
prospects to songwriters of all genres.”
- Luke Targett
Singer / Songwriter / Producer
Testimonials
8. 8 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
“DMS showed us that there can be
alternative ways to pursue music as
a career. That being an artist doesn’t
mean you must confine yourself to
your own musical efforts and output.”
- Simon Jackman
Songwriter / Artist
“Producing music with DMS has
encouraged me to make the most of
every opportunity, and to diversify my
abilities to create a sustainable career
for myself as a producer and
songwriter in today’s industry.”
- Julien Cordier
Songwriter / Producer
“We were working with an
advertising agency on a Mercedes
advert, we needed a track from an
emerging artist with a cutting edge
sound and the guys from DMS helped
us with the search. We found an
amazing track and the agency loved
it.”
- Roscoe Williamson
Executive Producer (Massive Music)
“DMS have been wonderful to
connect with. It’s great to work with
people who are efficient, pro active
reliable and trustworthy.”
- MIRI
Proactive
Testimonials
9. 9 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
My Story
After speaking at the first ‘Off The Record’ conference (Manchester, 2016), I was inundated with requests
to share more insights. This made it clear to me how important it is for us to recognise the value of our
experiences and how they can be useful to others.
In 2000 I had a number 1 record, sold over a million units and received major mainstream exposure. When
my creative choices were not what was expected my career declined. I reignited my career by doing what I
love and now I’m a Music Publisher, Actor, Voice Over Artist, and Social Entrepreneur.
10. 10 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
Social Impact
Forever Diverse Music Solutions C.I.C. (DMS)
• A social enterprise I founded with help from Investec and the Beyond Business Programme. We help
emerging talent with music publishing opportunities and run community focused projects
• We’ve also donated to child nutrition charity Magic Breakfast, providing meals to school children for a year
• http://bit.ly/dmsmb1a - (watch the video)
“We felt today was a huge success” - Quintin Kynaston School
11. 11 @spoonface1 / @fdmscic works@musicsolutions.org.uk
My Vision
• Build a community of like-minded music makers and lovers
• Establish deeper connections and add value to music through giving
• Create and recognise new ways to use music in and out of the industry
• Contribute to a sustainable economy for disenfranchised communities