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- Martin Atkins: the dude knows.
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- Katie Ball
Picture an irreverent big brother who's been there - done that, and surprisingly lived to tell the tales. Drummer Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails and more) knows the music business. Seriously, he KNOWS it. In addition to being an artist in his own right he also owns the Invisible record label, teaches various marketing courses at Columbia College in Chicago and has written the bible for touring bands, Tour Smart (And Break the Band). But if you're picturing stale data analysis and tired, overused marketing mantras, think again; Atkins is funny, snarky and straight-up about the pros and cons of becoming a “professional” musician.
In this piece Martin Atkins and Katie Ball discuss topics ranging from the messy (and funny) lessons learned in some of his past bands and also what musicians are doing to sabotage their careers, and why.
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Piece Description
Picture an irreverent big brother who's been there - done that, and surprisingly lived to tell the tales. Drummer Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails and more) knows the music business. Seriously, he KNOWS it. In addition to being an artist in his own right he also owns the Invisible record label, teaches various marketing courses at Columbia College in Chicago and has written the bible for touring bands, Tour Smart (And Break the Band). But if you're picturing stale data analysis and tired, overused marketing mantras, think again; Atkins is funny, snarky and straight-up about the pros and cons of becoming a “professional” musician.
In this piece Martin Atkins and Katie Ball discuss topics ranging from the messy (and funny) lessons learned in some of his past bands and also what musicians are doing to sabotage their careers, and why.
Broadcast History
Aired locally in Central Florida on WPRK, 91.5fm (2/18/09), and on 3/7/09 on AM580, WILL-Urbana, Illinois.
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Martin Atkins is a music pro who's played in bands Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Killing Joke, and more. He's also owner of the Invisible record label. He knows the music business. Seriously, he KNOWS it.
Some lessons he's learned the hard way through personal experience, and others he learned by watching friends and colleagues. His newest passion is helping up-and-coming bands learn how to not only get out on the road - but to make it back in one piece.
He's written the bible for touring bands, Tour Smart (And Break the Band). But if you’re picturing stale data analysis and tired, overused marketing mantras, think again; as producer Katie Ball found, Atkins is funny, passionate, and a straight-shooter when it comes to the pros and cons of becoming a “professional” musician.
OUTRO:That's drummer Martin Atkins speaking with producer Katie Ball. Martin is currently on tour to support his book, “Tour Smart (and break the band).”
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bad Baby | Public Image Ltd. | Metal Box. | Virgin | 1979 | 00:00 |
| Fun with Music | Brian Brain | Fun with Music. | Plaid | 00:00 | |
| Unexpected Noises | Brian Brain | Unexpected Noises. | Secret Records | 00:00 | |
| Tailor Made | Pigface | Gub. | Devotion | 1993 | 00:00 |
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