Roles in the Music Industry

Artistic Roles

• Musician: A performer who plays a musical instrument or uses their voice as an instrument. They may work as solo artists, part of a band, or as session musicians.

• Composer: Creates original music for various mediums like film, television, video games, or live performances.

• Songwriter: Writes lyrics for songs, often working along with a composer. They may also compose the melody or rhythm themself.

• Producer: Often the creative lead for recording, mixing, and mastering music. They guide the sound and overall creative direction of a track or album.

Management Roles

• Artist Manager: Also known as a band manager, they work directly with the artist to advance their career. They manage schedules, negotiate contracts, and seek out opportunities.

• Tour Manager: In charge of the logistics when an artist goes on tour. Duties can include managing travel arrangements, scheduling, liaising with venue personnel, and managing budgets.

• Music Promoter: Helps market and promote an artist, album, concert, or tour. They often work with media, run advertising campaigns, and arrange promotional events.

Technical Roles

• Sound Engineer: Oversees the technical aspects of a performance or recording. This includes mic placement, sound levels, mixing, and sometimes mastering.

• Studio Engineer: Manages the recording, editing, and mixing of music in a studio. They work closely with artists and producers to achieve the desired sound.

• Live Sound Technician: Handles the audio at live events. They set up and operate sound equipment, ensuring the best possible audio quality for the audience.

• Lighting Technician: Responsible for setting up and operating lighting for live performances, often working along with sound technicians and stage managers.

Business Roles

• Music Publisher: Manages an artist’s songs, making sure they get played as much as possible to generate royalties. They also look for new opportunities for the songs, like in adverts or films.

• Record Label Executive: Generally oversee a record label’s operations. This can include everything from signing new artists, marketing and releasing records, to coordinating with distributors.

• Music Lawyer: Specialises in legal issues related to the music industry. These can include copyright law, contract law, and intellectual property rights.

Media Roles

• Music Journalist: Writes news articles, reviews, and features about music. This could be for newspapers, magazines, websites, or broadcast media.

• Radio DJ: Plays music on the radio and often talks between tracks. They can influence music trends and can play a key role in promoting new artists and songs.

• Music Video Director: Creates the visual counterpart to a song. They work closely with the artist to make videos that help amplify the song’s message and help promote the artist.