Odd Numbers Podcast

This week we invited Andy Varley to share his journey thus far and his advice for those starting out in music and entrepreneurship. Andy is an entertainment entrepreneur, having started his first company (the original iteration of Insanity Group) while still in school. Insanity has grown into a global entertainment company representing clients across the areas of broadcast, digital-first, music and podcasting. The likes of Maya Jama, Alice Levine, Shy FX and Tom Grennan all rely on Andy's growing team in one way or another, with offices in London and Los Angeles. with Sony Music's Jason Iley in 2015. Since its inception, Insanity Records has launched the careers of artists including Craig David, Tom Grennan and Joy Crookes.

This week we welcomed our second artist to the podcast- George Riley. George grew up in West London, immersed in music culture, resulting in her signature fusion of soul, jazz, r&b and electronica. In this conversation we track her journey thus far, her collaboration with Sbtrkt and Sampha and how she assembled her team. We chat about boundaries in the industry, and the tricky blurred lines between real and work relationships. And we talk about the themes on her next project and her excitement around performing it. For more George: @georgeriley / For more Odd Numbers: @oddnumbers_ Host: Jack Siggs @jacksiggs Music: Weds in Cali (Novelist). Prod: @Sustrapperazzi_

Our next guest is ASHTON MIRANDA (@ashton.miranda). Ashton is a keys player, producer, musical director and owner of MD agency Kaizen Collective (@kaizencollective). His first ever gig was on ed Sheeran’s live lounge in 2015, and he remains part of the band now - currently touring ahead of Ed's new album. In this conversation we get into his journey from working reception at a Toni and Guy to touring the world. He shares some of the rough times and biggest highlights, and his advice to young musicians and potential MDs, from visualisation to discipline.  He’s just launched a new website to connect artists and MDs with musicians which you can find via his Instagram kaizencollective.co.uk Host: Jack Siggs @jacksiggs Music: Sustrapperazi (Weds in Cali)

This week we sat down with Elijah, a multi hyphenate with impact across the industry, most recently pushing the conversation forward with his yellow squares project, in his words: ‘a daily-ish notes series about creative production, sustainability, DIY mentality, future thinking, memes, jokes, questions’. Spreading the message 'Close the app, Make the ting', he's taking his own advice, releasing an artist project with Jammz on June 30th. An artist manager, DJ, artist, journalist, lecturer and more, we touched on Elijah’s journey so far - from running 'Butterz' to managing Flava D - and hear how he’s adapted to better fulfil his various roles, some highlights and some mistakes, and ran through a few yellow squares.

This week’s guest is Jamie Spinks, who recently moved over to Columbia Records to head up A&R. We spoke about his journey into the industry, having studied audio engineering, and how he developed his “suburban”, commercially successful taste. He shared an insight into his recent successes with Venbee (Messy in Heaven, Low Down) and how tiktok has accelerated her genuine talent - and the difficulties surrounding that. Host: Jack Siggs Edit: Lauren Arch  Music: Sustrapperazi - Weds in Cali 

This week we welcome Elspeth Merry to the Odd Numbers Podcast. Founder of Artists’ Way - a creative publicity agency - Elspeth works with the likes of Sigrid, Flo and Glass Animals to elevate their stories. In this conversation we unpack her journey from journalism to publicity (previously at Island Records), how she fits into an artist’s team, managing campaign expectations, and how her role is changing. She shared advice on finding mentors and allies, and spoke on coming out of her shell to become a better publicist. ` Host: Jack Siggs Edit: Lauren Arch Music: Sustraperazzi's Weds in Cali 

This week we welcome pop powerhouse Sigrid to the Odd Numbers podcast, the first artist of the series. The conversation spanned her journey into the industry - playing at fisherman's conferences in Norway, to performing at the likes of Glastonbury and Wembley - to singing to music execs, finding balance, TikTok, and her relationship with the press. She shared advice for those starting out, especially around building a team and finding confidence to weather the storm. Host: Jack Siggs | Edit: Lauren Arch | Music: Sustraperazzi (Weds in Cali by Novelist)

This is the Odd Numbers Podcast with Radha Medar, manager of Mahalia, co-manager of FKA Twigs and others. In this conversation we spoke about her journey into the industry, from studying audio engineering to working for the likes of Atlantic and Asylum, and touched on finding balance, artist development, tiktok, and a whole lot of music which you can find on the odd numbers Spotify account.

This week we welcome Chris Melian to the Odd Numbers Podcast. Chris is an artist manager, providing guidance and strategy for Beabadoobee signed to the label Dirty Hit. He has previously worked as an A&R, first scouting for Odd Numbers’ own Nick Worthington, and in publishing too. In this conversation Chris shares his journey into the industry, scouting with a view to managing (“Look hard and be quick about it too”), the value of a label and management company working hand-in-hand, the story of Beabadoobee’s success, Tiktok (“TikTok’s like a radio station”), and plenty more. Host: Jack Siggs | Editor: Lauren Arch | Music: Sustrapperazi 

In this, the first of the Odd Numbers Podcast series, we meet with Joel Quartey.  Joel is the new Director of Marketing at Warner Records, having just closed out 8 years at Columbia, leaving there as Head of Marketing. He has been pivotal in the careers of Koffee, Wizkid and Davido, and earlier worked across George Ezra, Snakehips and more. In this podcast (the first interview Joel has given), we touch on his experience of breaking into the industry, marketing international artists, the value of network, the evolution of his role and his plans for Oak Agency. He gives advice on scoping out the culture of a company, what questions to ask yourself before making career decisions, and keeping cool in stressful situations. To stay in the loop, check out our Instagram (@oddnumbers_), website (oddnumbersmusic.co.uk) and Spotify (shorturl.at/rtvCU - where you'll find a companion playlist by each guest) Thanks to our editor @lauren4rch, and @sustrapperazzi_ for the music ("Weds in Cali" by Novelist).