Breadcrumb Home News BICEP On How To Start and Sustain a C... BICEP On How to Start and Sustain a Career in Music Production Posted: 15/10/2020 Copy URL https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/news/bicep-how-start-and-sustain-career-music-production BICEP On How to Start and Sustain a Career in Music Production Posted: 15/10/2020 Copy URL https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/news/bicep-how-start-and-sustain-career-music-production Written by Natasha Moore - as part of Youth Music NextGen.‘Bicep’, not simply the muscle bodybuilders love to flex at the beach, but moreover, the moniker of one of electronic music’s most influential and recognisable duos. The name materialised from their original blog - ‘Feel My Bicep’ that paid homage to their unwavering appreciation of many music genres. But whilst their blog may have given the artists their name, it was their attitudes that garnered them musical success - which in their own words was not overnight! Describing themselves as ‘nostalgic, emotive and hands-on’, it’s no coincidence that they’re ambassadors for Youth Music. They’re passionate about music and share Youth Music’s belief in the life-changing power of music-making. And they play an important role in sharing their experience and knowledge of the music industry with the organisations and young people supported by Youth Music.I sat down with the duo - Andy and Matt - and together they shared more about their career, and their advice for young musicians starting out in producing music. What advice would you give your younger selves if you were trying to break into the industry again?Perseverance is really important. Success often doesn't come fast, take small continuous steps. It can be a slow burn at first.Don’t rush, just be patient. Learn an instrument and some music theory. Without it you can get it right the odd time, but if you don't know why you're getting it right then it's very hard to replicate and grow.What are the three key elements of a competition winning track to you? Emotional connection - music needs to make us feel something.Originality and innovation - be authentic and true to your music. If you take inspiration from others then be innovative, not a copycat. A clear narrative in the track - what do you want to achieve with the track. Where do you place it, in a club, going for a run? If you have too many directions for your track, it can be so easy to get lost.What advice would you give to someone who wants to forge a successful career producing music?Start small with a few little pieces of equipment which you can pick up cheaply second hand. It was three years of DJing before we could afford to buy any synths. Slowly build things up over time. Develop a wide range of skills by researching the industry yourself. From publishing and design, to production and performance, incrementally develop your skillset broadly. Even with management, you still need to understand what is being suggested. Empower yourself with some knowledge in every part of the music industry.Keep music core to what you do. And learn music theory!Any guidance on how to sustain a career in the music industry?Longevity relies heavily on your ability to implement structure. Our studio times rarely deviate except when touring. 9am - 5pm is our norm, we really try and avoid taking work home with us in the evening. The real crux of it all is to simply be authentic. Taking inspiration from someone is one thing, but embracing your mistakes and trusting your own ear may be what truly sets you apart and solidifies your signature style of sound. The individual you are trying to replicate will always do ‘them’ better so look inward and share your own voice. If you take pride in producing music then now is the time to flex your music-making muscles with BICEP (terrible pun). Create the musical content that the industry is missing, but more importantly create the musical content that stays true to yourself! Latest News news Meet the Shift The Scene Recipients Meet the recipients of Youth Music’s Shift The Scene Fund. These organisations are co-creating ambitious, inclusive creative programmes with Disabled young people and shifting how the sector designs access and opportunity. Read more news Youth Music Supported Artists Winning Big Artists supported by Youth Music are gaining major industry recognition, from award wins to festival stages. Discover how early support, including the NextGen Fund, is helping emerging talent break through. Read more news Youth Music’s First‑Ever Fundraising Auction: Young people across the UK are at risk of losing access to life‑changing music projects. Join Youth Music’s first-ever fundraising auction and help protect the future of grassroots music. Your bid can make a real difference Read more news Announcing Our New CEO Youth Music announces the appointment of Adam Joolia as our new CEO. Adam brings two decades of leadership in music and social change and will guide our next strategic phase focused on equity, youth voice and sector partnerships. Read more news a young artist reflects on inequality and the graduate job crisis Sambambo is a 27-year-old session saxophonist, freelance sound engineer and self-producing independent artist. During the final session of our recent Industry Connect Coalition event in Bristol, Sam raised the graduate job crisis as a key ‘elephant in the room’. Here is Sam’s take on what many young people are thinking. Read more news Sam Fender Tour Raises £50,000 for Youth Music Sam Fender has raised £50,000 from 'People Watching Tour' ticket donations, to be match funded through our Rescue the Roots campaign. Read more news Women's History Month: Young Women in Theatre Audio This Women's History Month, NextGen writer Sarah Victoria shares her account of the challenges young women face in theatre audio, from everyday misogyny to unsafe working cultures, and the changes needed across the industry. Read more news Industry Connect Coalition Heads to Bristol Our fourth Industry Connect Coalition headed to Bristol, uniting creatives, industry leaders and young voices to drive change for music and youth futures. Read more news Five Youth Music Funded Projects Breaking the Gender Bias This Women’s History Month, meet seven Youth Music-funded projects that are challenging gender inequality and empowering women and girls across the music industries. Read more news How Music Is Transforming Children’s Experience at School New research shows how band-based music lessons are transforming children’s confidence, sense of belonging and overall school experience. Discover why music matters more than ever. Read more View all latest news Prev Next
news Meet the Shift The Scene Recipients Meet the recipients of Youth Music’s Shift The Scene Fund. These organisations are co-creating ambitious, inclusive creative programmes with Disabled young people and shifting how the sector designs access and opportunity. Read more
news Youth Music Supported Artists Winning Big Artists supported by Youth Music are gaining major industry recognition, from award wins to festival stages. Discover how early support, including the NextGen Fund, is helping emerging talent break through. Read more
news Youth Music’s First‑Ever Fundraising Auction: Young people across the UK are at risk of losing access to life‑changing music projects. Join Youth Music’s first-ever fundraising auction and help protect the future of grassroots music. Your bid can make a real difference Read more
news Announcing Our New CEO Youth Music announces the appointment of Adam Joolia as our new CEO. Adam brings two decades of leadership in music and social change and will guide our next strategic phase focused on equity, youth voice and sector partnerships. Read more
news a young artist reflects on inequality and the graduate job crisis Sambambo is a 27-year-old session saxophonist, freelance sound engineer and self-producing independent artist. During the final session of our recent Industry Connect Coalition event in Bristol, Sam raised the graduate job crisis as a key ‘elephant in the room’. Here is Sam’s take on what many young people are thinking. Read more
news Sam Fender Tour Raises £50,000 for Youth Music Sam Fender has raised £50,000 from 'People Watching Tour' ticket donations, to be match funded through our Rescue the Roots campaign. Read more
news Women's History Month: Young Women in Theatre Audio This Women's History Month, NextGen writer Sarah Victoria shares her account of the challenges young women face in theatre audio, from everyday misogyny to unsafe working cultures, and the changes needed across the industry. Read more
news Industry Connect Coalition Heads to Bristol Our fourth Industry Connect Coalition headed to Bristol, uniting creatives, industry leaders and young voices to drive change for music and youth futures. Read more
news Five Youth Music Funded Projects Breaking the Gender Bias This Women’s History Month, meet seven Youth Music-funded projects that are challenging gender inequality and empowering women and girls across the music industries. Read more
news How Music Is Transforming Children’s Experience at School New research shows how band-based music lessons are transforming children’s confidence, sense of belonging and overall school experience. Discover why music matters more than ever. Read more
