Music Management — London
Name, where are you from?
Benjamin Smallwood. I spent equal parts of my life in London and Brighton.
What do you do?
I work in creative music management and records, direct videos – mainly music videos naturally, but I stray from my lane every now and again. I design album artwork too which I love, especially when it’s printed on vinyl. Yummy.
Describe your style in three words:
Changes most days.
Which music defines the teenage you?
The Libertines, we were primed for it, most of my nearest and dearest knew every word to every song, grew up with the story.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound?
If I had a sound it would be inspired by Mark E Smith.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Prince at Hop Farm. I’ve never been in a better mood my entire life, the stars aligned for me if you know what I mean.
What was the first song you played on repeat?
Not sure maybe SUM 41 - 'Fat Lip’ was the first that I really tore to shreds, I was like 11 years old pumping it out jumping on the sofa head banging and kicking cushions.
A song from your favourite album?
Too hard to name my top album, so I’m going to say ‘Wanted You' - Twin Peaks. Their last album ‘Down In Heaven’ is sensational and is up there somewhere for me.
A song you wish you’d written?
'Killing Moon' - Echo & The Bunnymen or maybe ‘Wish You Were Here' - Pink Floyd, but the issue there is if I wrote them I'd probably hate them by now and that’s the last thing I want.
What is the last piece of music you bought?
‘Big Fish Theory' - Vince Staples.
It’s a really good album, I streamed it a lot and liked the artwork so I bought the picture disk vinyl - the postage from the US cost the same as the disk itself, but I love stuff like that.
Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
“Roll with us or get rolled over, the time is now, the wait is over.”
Best song to bring people together?
I think after this year, it’s 'Don’t Look Back in Anger' - Oasis, it’s sort of been used as an anthem of solidarity.
Best love song of all time?
Very hard to answer, but one which always gets me welling up is 'I’d Rather Go Blind' - Etta James.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Loads I imagine, 'All Rise' - Blue.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
Celeste, Sorority, White Room, Moondude, Haus, Theo Verney, Benny Mails.
Name, where are you from?
Benjamin Smallwood. I spent equal parts of my life in London and Brighton.
What do you do?
I work in creative music management and records, direct videos – mainly music videos naturally, but I stray from my lane every now and again. I design album artwork too which I love, especially when it’s printed on vinyl. Yummy.
Describe your style in three words:
Changes most days.
Which music defines the teenage you?
The Libertines, we were primed for it, most of my nearest and dearest knew every word to every song, grew up with the story.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound?
If I had a sound it would be inspired by Mark E Smith.
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Prince at Hop Farm. I’ve never been in a better mood my entire life, the stars aligned for me if you know what I mean.
What was the first song you played on repeat?
Not sure maybe SUM 41 - 'Fat Lip’ was the first that I really tore to shreds, I was like 11 years old pumping it out jumping on the sofa head banging and kicking cushions.
A song from your favourite album?
Too hard to name my top album, so I’m going to say ‘Wanted You' - Twin Peaks. Their last album ‘Down In Heaven’ is sensational and is up there somewhere for me.
A song you wish you’d written?
'Killing Moon' - Echo & The Bunnymen or maybe ‘Wish You Were Here' - Pink Floyd, but the issue there is if I wrote them I'd probably hate them by now and that’s the last thing I want.
What is the last piece of music you bought?
‘Big Fish Theory' - Vince Staples.
It’s a really good album, I streamed it a lot and liked the artwork so I bought the picture disk vinyl - the postage from the US cost the same as the disk itself, but I love stuff like that.
Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
“Roll with us or get rolled over, the time is now, the wait is over.”
Best song to bring people together?
I think after this year, it’s 'Don’t Look Back in Anger' - Oasis, it’s sort of been used as an anthem of solidarity.
Best love song of all time?
Very hard to answer, but one which always gets me welling up is 'I’d Rather Go Blind' - Etta James.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Loads I imagine, 'All Rise' - Blue.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
Celeste, Sorority, White Room, Moondude, Haus, Theo Verney, Benny Mails.