Recent Endevours

So it's like 22:10 and I find myself still in the office. Not that I'm complaining, in some sadistic manner I kinda like it this way as unlike the normal work schedule, I get up around 9 (ten-ish..) and then have breakfast, shower, brush my teeth and reply to early morning/overseas emails on the blackberry before heading to edgware rd tube station and jumping on the tube to get to work nr moorgate. It isn't too much of trek, only about 25 minutes door to door and it's been wonderful for my reading ethics.

So yeah, I work/banter with other manager between around 12-6 then everyone else leaves and that's when I start the real work. I find that if you email later at night then you get responses early in the morning before everyone really digs into their day's work.

Highlights of this week including Sone Aluko, laughing at Chelsea losing out on Robinho, American Gangster, an American folk artist called AA Bondy and my Cullen Skink. Yep, that is right. I made Cullen Skink - and I'll tell you what; My very culinary intelligent flatmates stated that it might have been the best soup they ever tasted (and I don't even think they were lying!). Take that Subway! One will now endevour to cook for himself as much as possible.

This weekend I'll probably fire on with some work and watch a bunch of movies, I'll probably end up heading to the Rob Roy (Scottish/Dons supporters pub) to watch the Scotland game and then hopefully (I'm unsure of times..), they'll show the Andy Murray v. Nadal match. If not, BBC 606 it will be.

I'll tell you what though, I'm glad there isn't a transfer window every week, I was up nearly all night glued to the Berbatov saga.

Recently read books have all been business/work related I'm afraid. Here goes...

• The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
• The Future of Music; Manifesto for the digital music revolution
• The Rules of Management - Richard Templar
• How to Start an Independant Record Label
• The Music Managers Bible

The Future of Music was an especially enlightening and interesting read. It basically maps out how they (David Kusek and Gerd Leonhard) see things panning out over the next 3 years in the music business. It's quite coincidental, but these guys work as prinicipals at Berkelee School of Music in Boston, probably the main music college and the States and they actually lecture Kelly, an ex girlfriend of mines (See previous post - aspiring rock star/transatlantic blah blah blah), and I'm actually quite jealous as those dudes are switched on.

They basically say that they see music become an entity that surrounds you like say Water/Electricity/Phones/Internet and that although you will have the option to still buy CD's, you'll be able to access music wirelessly and digitally through any medium that is connected to the internet i.e. pay £10 a month and your phone/itunes/ipod/especially built hifi systems will have access to a database of millions of artists/songs/albums that you can stream, and then for a little more, for the sake of argument say £2; you can buy the record.

Personally, I think it's about right, although for this to happen there has to be a major change in copyright law and also a big standown from major labels. It'll happen though, because majors are losing money hand over fist and nobody's buying CD's anymore. Happy days I think.

I also think that Radio 1 and music publications will continue to become more and more irrelevant as people continue to become empowered by web sites such as myspace and the thousands of music blogs out there. Already, some independantly written music blogs are getting more hits in a day than people buy the NME in a week. I think it's brilliant because although technologically music will be more advanced as ever, it's just an up to date version of tape swapping or making mixtapes and the band's that will become the most successful are the ones that ultimately write the best songs and connect with the people to the most personal level. Gone are the days of HUGE marketing budgets and back handers to radio stations dictating what people buy and like.

Anyways, hope that makes sense; I think I actually wrote that more for myself than anyone else - hope it wasn't too boring.

Looks like the family are heading down in October which will be great times. Heading to Cornwall for Astro Firs next weekend, then going to Prague of all places for a show on 2nd October; My first overseas 'business' trip since Seatronics days (and not a bilge/haul in site!)

If you have a minute, take a look at Kris from Edgar Prais doing an acoustic number for online TV

Take Care,

JA x

London...

So, it's 5 months since I moved.

I've learned...

Peterhead/Aberdeen aren't boring - they're cultural, clean, sociable and the folks are polite - the air is wonderful and fresh.

Everything in the UK music industry is generally dictated from London. Unless, things are done properly, people get behind something and the industry becomes wise to it, and they quickly realise that consumer is king.

The music industry lacks common sense

Marylebone is an near perfect as one could have hoped for in terms of London living location. Dead centre and easy to get everywhere.

Scots are massively well-respected as nice people and hard workers.

London is a sub-culture, disconnected from the rest of the UK, and an expensive one at that.

More people in London, come from out of London than London.

I can build a career and a name for myself quicker here than anywhere else in the world. Financially too, fingers crossed.

Everyone in London gets Hay fever or Dust allergies. It's generally minging.

It's good to have faith in people, but in the music business more people don't do what they say they will than those that follow through on promises.

The record industry is dead. The music industry will grow bigger than ever. They're entirely different beasts.

I'm happy, I've done the right thing but I miss home as well, it'd be unnatural not too...

Awake is the new sleep..

Good Evening folks,

I thought that maybe I should start a little blog for anyone interested and also I guess for myself as a sort of way to express my thoughts and keep people up to date with exactly what it is that I'm up to. I'm planning on keeping tabs of my movements and developments for what I have going on, as well as, randomly posting bits and bobs about things I see that take my interest. Whether that be a Jimmy Calderwood rant, a book I've recently read, a film that I've seen, a band that's blown me away or a simple observation (which will usually be on the state of the 'record' industry at the moment).

If you happen to stumble across this, please feel free to share with anyone you want to, I ain't got nothing to hide or anything too controversial to say, so it's all good. Also, over there on the left you'll see a couple of links to blogs; check them out - it's family, innit.

You'll probably also find that I'll switch from proper English, to a bit of Doric and sometimes I'll just go into brain speak; If I just letting it flow a bit.

Here's my basics...

I'm James Alexander Bruce, 24, born of Stephen and Roselyn Bruce; Academy Place, Peterhead. Attended Clerkhill Primary School and then Peterhead Academy (Bright, Intelligent boy, not reaching potential, excels in chatting, likeable though, likes to be centre of attention...). I left school at the end of 5th year in one quick supersonic blast. Somehow, I ended up as an Electronics service engineer in Aberdeen, and then a student (well, in theory...). At around this time, my dormant love for music erupted and it sort of took over - relationships ended (young and in love/aspiring rock star/the Atlantic ='d disaster), tours came a-plenty, University didn't really work out for me and I found myself stacking shelves in Safeway; Not exactly what one had planned.

From there on out, everything (the last 4 years...) kinda took me by surprise and I've been caught up in a bit of a whirlwind ever since. Somewhere along the line I started working in Moshulu music venue in Aberdeen as a barman, doing odd musical types jobs on the side. Booking the odd band, running the odd gig and putting up posters etc..At some point, long-term friend Ross Morrison left his post as Promotions Manager and yours truly got offered the job. I like to feel like I ran with the opportunity and now I'm glad to say that I'm working in London as a partner in my own business - SuperVision Scotland LLP. We're part of the SuperVision Management Group and collectively we look after bands like Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand, The Cribs, Late of the Pier, Crystal Castles etc...

It's been a funny old time, but with family support and a bit of the old Bruce determination, it seems like I've landed up where I wanted to be; working in music in the place that it all happens. Good times, onwards and upwards one hopes...