My calling to support musicians.

Award-winning contribution music and a passion for nurturing talent, I was fortunate to catch up with Robert Emery.  I was intrigued by the impact he has on the classical music industry and his story.

He started playing the piano at the age of 7, studied at the Royal College of Music and is a teaching descendant of Liszt, Beethoven and Mozart; he now performs around the world, conducting such orchestras as the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Japanese Philharmonic, British Philharmonic, National Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Basel Symphony, Singapore Lyric, Australian Metropolitan & Perth Philharmonic. And he has worked with diverse talent from Sir Simon Rattle through to Russell Watson, Blur/Damon Albarn and Petula Clark.

As an orchestrator or conductor, Robert has worked heavily in Europe, including the world premiers of Der Besuch Der Alten Dame, Dallebach Kari & Gotthelf. He is also a specialist in fusing rock bands with orchestras, & was the creative force behind The Lovebugs/Basel Symphony Orchestra & Seven/21st Century Orchestra; all in Switzerland. He is the conductor of the worldwide production of ‘Ben Hur’, composed & performed by the Police drummer, Stewart Copeland.

 Musical Supervisor, Director or Associate: Tanz der Vampire (Theatre des Westerns, Berlin 2016), Jonathan Antoine ‘Believe’ (national tour 2015), National TV Awards (o2 Arena and live on ITV), Royal Variety Performance (Palladium), Great Festival of Creativity (Shanghai, China), Zorro (Garrick, West End), broadway film A Tale of Two Cities (Theatre Royal, Brighton), Songs of my Life (Garrick, West End), Betwixt (Ambassadors West End), Plague Songs with Damon Albarn (Barbican) and others. 

(www.robertemery.com)

Credentials aside, I wanted to find out more about the man behind the music, his interpretation of how his industry had changed and how he has focused his attention on helping others.

If you try to suppress the arts, then you’re suppressing the deepest dreams and aspirations of a people.

– Barack Obama, 25th May 2016

Do you think that you are born talented, or it’s something that you nurture with time?

I think there is an element of both; he paused to consider his response and proceeded to reinforce his message by repeating his answer. I believe that in my case, there was an element of something natural with a piano; it was a perfect fit.

I could personally relate to this as his response has been similar to other talented people whom I have met along my journey. They have often referred to something that finds the person rather than the person trying to find it. Primary school inspired him; personally, a magical era where music teachers were an inspirational source; evident that Robert was reminiscing when he told me that he was encouraged to play at the school assembly and when pushed, excelled quickly. He talks about the duvet of music, a quirky self-invented expression that he referenced to when talking about finding inspiration as the years progressed. 

If I could get a snapshot of your industry today, how does it compare to last year?

COVID has negative connotations; I feel that handling the situation at government level could be better without getting too political, compared to other countries. We are the second-largest producer of music next to the states, for the powers that be to tarnish one brush over all sectors is a hard pill to swallow. 

As a world we have evolved, the pandemic won’t change my sector in the long term, I can’t see a move online with lasting effect. I had referred to the use of software such as; Zoom, that altered the way musicians perform, turning to technology to find a credible solution to the new now.

How have you personally adapted to change?

He told me that he had bookings until the end of 2021, with hundreds of concerts cancelled. I refused to sit back, so in March, I created a blog realising that musicians couldn’t earn money the same way.

My calling is to support musicians, 33% of musicians have given up, and 30% are thinking of giving up. Asking what the difference was between instruments, Robert’s 4-year-old son was the driving force behind his inspiration. Creating a platform (the most significant resource for musicians, with content from experts) I wanted to provide access to industry experts providing inspiration and helping young musicians, they can generate an income stream from them.  

I felt people who place others before themselves in terms of wants and needs are inspiring, but there is a difference to those who take action. Robert’s were honourable, given the current situation. I sensed a genuine calling to help and a concept sold to me as producing a credible alternative for musicians who are seeking solace in mentors. 

If you could turn back time, what would you have done if you were choosing an alternative career?

I would have been an actor, up to the age of fourteen I was, but my parents explained to me that I needed to focus on either acting or music, so I had to choose between the two.

Empathetic voice tones demonstrated to me that he had made the right choice; his passion for music was more than evident. That said, I sensed that he missed acting by the way he referred to it with affection.

How do you remain creative during covid?

Creativity, it’s inside you. Drawing from experience and getting inspiration from your memories is a natural process. It was a short answer, but the lack of content spoke a thousand words.

Do you think your efforts online will ever compete with the reality of the situation?

I want to make musicians lives more secure and feel of value; If I can change just one person’s life, I have made a difference.

“Helping the younger generation will prevent this industry from suffering and Get musicians working again”.

Robert Emery

The concept of; “Get Musicians Working” is to pay them to write an article about an instrument that young musicians will read, and hopefully give them world-class information that can inspire their music-making. This content is hosted on a new website called; Ted’s List (www.teds-list.com), named after his five-year-old son, Teddy.

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An interview with the artist who wants to inspire young talent. A candid conversation with the person behind the brand. Her single; “Broken” was produced by an iconic music producer: Moses Samuels, a man who has worked with Justin Bieber and Ariana.

I never really know who will be on the other side of a conference call. As the imaginary curtain pulled back, there was something very familiar about the artist who goes by the name of; “Mezurashii”. Confident voice tones and a driven passion for music dominated the conversation, which I might add only created a more profound need to find out more about the person behind the artist.

Born in Ghana, a move to the UK at age four would be facilitated by a job opportunity which was presented to her father. Moving around various locations made it challenging to settle down, particularly at such a young age.

At ten years of age, her journey would see her calling Wales home, albeit for just six years before a move to Hertfordshire would provide a more secure location to call home. Cultural difficulties were at question since there was a fusion between British and African identities, something that would create the unique person that she is today. 

What was one of your most defining moments?

I think that experiencing the Piano at aged two. My love for music would later be attributed to being able to play a multitude of instruments by ear. It was a skill that I assumed everyone had, it wasn’t until much later on that I realised this wasn’t true.

As a creative person, how did you personally find yourself in terms of identity?

My love for creativity spread to art, drawing, and being one of a few girls to play football at school in the 90s. Breaking gender barriers without knowing, my creative confusion made it difficult to decide which path to follow. Still, in the end, it was music because I believed it could empower and touch people.

As an interviewer, I got a sense that when listening to the music she has produced, there was a message buried deep within the lyrics. Perhaps this was reflective in her personal journey of finding her true identity both professionally and personally. 

Her single; “Broken” was produced by an iconic music producer: Moses Samuels, a man who has worked with both Justin Bieber and Ariana. I have met some interesting people as a writer. What still amazes me is how reserved people can be, in a world where everyone has a desire to scream about everything.

What were your demons?

Everyone has them, I faced depression, personal crisis as I fought to find an identity. I was a struggling artist not unheard of in the music industry, so financial concerns also played a part.  Insecurities is a term that I think we can all identify with irrespective of who you are as a person. 

New talent have so much to live up to, especially with social media influencing an image that the public   would find acceptable.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Being in a same-sex relationship. With that, it’s not something I shout out about because I think we should learn to respect whoever we are talking with as a person before we look at anything else. Sexuality, Colour, religion and accepting of people around us are things we should learn to be aware of as a society.  

There are so many young artists who would give up and turn their back on their creativity. I think we all need hope and positive vibes.

“Debates are healthy if kept respectful”.

What’s to come?

I spent just over six years developing as a person, realising that my purpose is to help people through hard times. Passing on my life experiences through music, creativity and being an example of someone who has given up at times but kept pushing forward. 

The aim for 2021 is to continue and keep growing. Empowering people to believe in themselves. Find themselves. Not compare themselves to others but to take inspiration.

Mezurashii is Japanese for “Unusual”, “strange”, “Unique”, “different”. And I want people to be happy knowing we are all different and all can make a difference, but we must learn to be ourselves.

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Introductions

An interview with Tyrone Hinds, an Artist Manager who has worked with iconic artists. A professional with an unquestionable work ethic and want and need to help people. He talks about his past, present and future in the music business.

Chance Meeting 

They say that fate plays a part in everyone’s life and a chance meeting at a coffee shop in London was certainly a day that I will never forget. I’ve known Tyrone for about two years, personally and professionally, you are left feeling that you always need to know more. I managed to catch up with him and got to know a little bit more about how he started in an industry we often take for granted.

Inspiration

A mother’s passion for music and house parties was possibly the main reason, I sat back in my chair as his voice tones created authenticity in his words and there was a sense that he genially enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with me. 

Introductions

It was an introduction from a friend back in 2001 (Vino Joseph) that kick-started his career with up and coming names; DMX & Mobb Deep who were iconic brands at the then Stratford Rex Club.

I was curious about his need to get involved with the promotional side of the business. It soon became apparent that his involvement with Ms. Dynamite was the main catalyst.

He often mentions his desire to be someone who is regarded as a mentor and that is something that resonates with his personality traits. Sympathetic voice tones almost want you to stop talking and just listen. His presence and persona still etched in my mind as I fondly recall the time we spent together at a chance meeting with another of his artists; Chyna Soulstar.

“Hard work is the key to elevation, nothing will land in your lap sitting around doing nothing, contact, communication and hard work is key, try not to follow the ideas of others, but rather learn to listen to the voice within yourself, there are plenty of talented people, but are lazy, not driven and someone who is less talented but is hungry can go that much further, hunger is the most important factor” 

– Tyrone Hinds

Fame

There is no comparison between the industry then and now.

After nine months of touring with her nationally in what could only be described as a true push to establish a brand name, Ms. Dynamite was signed to Polydor/ Universal and management were expected to follow. This was a career-defining event and an opportunity that Tyrone was truly grateful for.

White Label Records

Since the underground scene was being recognised as a formidable force in getting artists known outside the traditional arena, I asked for a definition to define the expression; “White Label” and it’s significance to underground music for the audience and he was only too happy to patiently define it for me. “A white label record is not released via a record label” (a reference was made to Vinyl record formats).  

If you looked at a record and it had a no text display, it was most probably produced mainly for the underground scene but could still hit the sales numbers required to make it a hit.

Underground

Tyrone never underestimated the power of records produced this way, he developed something of a following from DJ’s and magazines.

Bubbling

I already had a picture in my mind of the old days since he and I share the same age but how did it measure up? He paused and took a long breath so I knew he had a lot to say and that it was a fond memory and one that he wanted to share. 

Designer wear, no expense spared in displaying wealth and less skin exposed for both sexes. It was a vibrant scene a sort of elegant finishing that you wouldn’t expect to see today. The Garage scene which gripped the music industry at that time produced hit after hit and was not going anywhere with destinations like Ibiza paying homage to a very different sound. 

The Present Tense

Everyone’s a producer/ promoter or at least involved in some way since technology has turned bedrooms into makeshift studios. Making music is in reach for anyone who has a passion to produce. 

I wanted to know more about how the thought that the music industry would change. This seemed to flow almost as if he has answered this question a thousand times. “ Good music is still good music and that won’t change, making money is down to experience in my opinion”.

Not looking for the next big thing is one way to focus on the task at hand, Tyrone currently has five artists and to shed more light on what he does, I have compiled a list on the following page which I think followers of this genre may be interested in.

As our time was running out, I would like to thank him for the time he has given to the networking magazine and his belief in me as a writer. It was certainly of interest to meet the man behind the music, long may it continue.

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