Each week, Music Week profiles the brightest new talents in the business. This week, Megan Page, Record Store Day coordinator in the UK, tells her story...
How did you break into the music industry?
At 21, I started at ERA as an intern helping out with the day-to-day coordination of Record Store Day (RSD). I’d just graduated from King’s College London with a BA in Linguistics, and wanted to ensure that whatever career route I was about to go down allowed me to write and be creative. As a music obsessive growing up, I dabbled with writing for music blogs and the student newspaper at university, but actually working in the music industry was always more of a pipe dream. I was offered the permanent role at ERA after a short while and am now responsible for managing all aspects of the UK leg of the event, which is still a dream!
What’s your proudest achievement so far?
Probably coordinating RSD’s 10-year anniversary campaign. It was the first year we brought on board an official RSD ‘Legend’ to commemorate the event and that legend just so happened to be Sir Elton John. I think working with such an iconic superstar to support a cause and initiative you feel so incredibly passionate about is a real moment I’ll never forget.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
There is absolutely nothing more romantic and reassuring to me than seeing people outside a record shop on Record Store Day morning, absolutely pumped to buy vinyl. So, often I’ll see young kids, children with parents and teenage girls in the queue - and for most of them, it’s probably the first time they’ve bought a record and/or visited an indie shop – and they come away with the vinyl bug and that’s where it all starts. That’s what makes it all worthwhile and that’s what is most important to me.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Hangovers!
What advice would you give to those looking to break into the biz?
Be confident and go for it. Check out all of the amazing networking events designed for young people in the industry. Meet new people. Get work experience. Start blogging. Find a mentor. But most importantly, love what you do and don’t give up at the first hurdle.
What’s your greatest ambition?
Being a part of something that is actively changing the landscape of the music industry for the better. I’d love to see another 10 years of growth in the independent retail sector and keeping the spirit of Record Store Day alive, all year round.
MEGAN'S RECOMMENDED TRACK:
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