Each week, Music Week profiles the brightest new talents in the business. This week, Parris O'Loughlin-Hoste, Sony Music UK's urban promotions manager, tells her story...
How did you break into the music industry?
From the age of about 16 or 17, I was a freelance blogger and writer for platforms such as SBTV & Urban Development. After a PR internship at 18, I decided to set up my own publicity company while at university, working with upcoming artists. After getting the Sony internship, I started at Columbia in 2014 as a press assistant. After a year, my current role was created for me and I worked across the urban roster at Columbia and RCA doing specialist radio and publicity. With my understanding of the urban and black music scenes, it was the right decision to move full time into working on RCA’s incredible roster.
And what’s your proudest achievement so far?
Going silver on Yungen’s single Bestie. It’s my first silver record, and working on it has been so fun and collaborative. I’m so proud of the team. We’re going for gold next! Last year I also had four artists nominated for MOBOs. Even my grandma knows what the MOBOs are, so to have her say well done was great!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The unpredictability of each day and my relationships with artists. I’m able to be flexible, this really is not a nine-to-five or a desk job! Every day is different and I love that. Having solid relationships with my artists keeps me motivated, I’m working with exceptional artists and I’m able to take pleasure in being as close to the music process as possible. Those relationships allow for a level of trust and understanding that allows me to deliver results with integrity and authenticity.
What’s your biggest challenge?
Keeping a balanced life. It’s very easy to become nothing but your work, so just remembering to go to gigs, switch off my phone, hang out with friends and have real life conversations about music. Breaking away can enable you to come back more focused and on point.
What advice would you give to those looking to break into the biz?
Look for opportunities, even if they’re unpaid. Use fear as a motivator and always have passionate and solid intentions. If you can, find a mentor. Oh, and coffee - set up a lot of coffee meetings. Don’t be afraid to show you’re passionate and start your own thing! Nothing will get the attention of the industry more than initiative.
What’s your greatest ambition?
I want to shift and impact the culture of black music in the UK by taking it to a global scale with the artists I’m working with. I want to carve my own path so I’m eventually in a position where I can sign, develop, and use innovation to promote UK artists and culture globally.
PARRIS' RECOMMENDED TRACK:
Octavian - Party Here
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