The Portfolio Professional: Jay Harris on Juggling Industry Roles and Artist Life
Hearing from a fellow Bath Spa Commercial Music alumnus is always a unique experience, and Jay Harris’s talk provided a fascinating and highly relatable look into the modern music industry. Graduating in 2021, His journey and insights offered a particularly resonant perspective on navigating the industry’s demands as both an insider and an active artist.
From CM Graduate to Industry Insider: The Early Steps
Jay began by recounting his own university experience, including initially studying English & Journalism at UWE before realising music was his true calling and making the switch to Commercial Music at Bath Spa. This decision, he noted, was one of the most significant in his life so far. What struck me was his emphasis on the value of university time – not just for the formal learning, but for the dedicated space it offers to hone one’s craft and explore different facets of the industry. He mentioned how modules like Think Tank opened his eyes to career pathways beyond the live scene he was familiar with from his upbringing in the New Forest area.
His transition from university to the “real world” wasn’t immediate. Jay shared that it took about a year and a half of persistence to land his first industry job at Unified Songs, a sync publisher. While this role was commission-based and not entirely fulfilling, he stressed its importance in getting that crucial first bit of industry experience onto his CV. This was followed by a position as an Agent Assistant at Midnight Mango, a booking agency, which he described as his first real break. These steps, and a timely tip-off from a friend, led to a paid internship and then a full-time role at San Remo Music just as he was moving to London. His early journey underscored a key piece of advice: persistence is vital, and even seemingly imperfect roles can be stepping stones.
The Industry Hat: A&R and Management at San Remo Music
At San Remo Music, a publishing and management company with a prestigious history, Jay works as a Publishing A&R and Manager. He explained that on the publishing side, they sign artists, songwriters, and producers, providing advances and career development in return for a share of royalties. On the management side, they develop careers for a percentage of earnings. Working within a small, dynamic team, his role is incredibly varied, encompassing booking sessions, pitching songs, constant networking, providing song feedback, and essential admin. He highlighted how working in such a close-knit company offered a “sink or swim” learning environment that provided a comprehensive view of the industry.
The Artist’s Perspective: Fronting The Manatees
Simultaneously, Jay is the frontman and songwriter for the band The Manatees, a project that began during his university years. Their achievements, including Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music support, a live appearance on Made in Chelsea, playing at SXSW in the US, and numerous UK festivals and sold-out shows, are a testament to their hard work. Jay spoke about how working inside the industry has demystified it from an artist’s point of view, breaking down perceived barriers.
Navigating Today’s Music World: Key Insights
Throughout his talk, Jay offered invaluable advice. He stressed the importance of using university time and facilities wisely, the necessity of DIY skills for artists today (given how expensive making music can be), and the critical role of live performance in building a genuine fanbase beyond fleeting social media trends. He also touched upon the challenges of oversaturation in the market but pointed to positive industry shifts, such as labels showing renewed interest in long-term artist development and a growing movement towards fairer pay for songwriters.
Jay Harris’s frank account of his dual roles and his journey so far was both incredibly insightful and motivating. His ability to balance the strategic demands of an industry role with the creative drive of an artist offers a powerful example of how a “portfolio career” can be successfully forged in the contemporary music landscape.