Music Industry Success – An Interview With The Libertines

Music industry success has been achieved by The Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things drummer Gary Powell, recently judged the Indie Final of Live & Unsigned.

Gary Powell also entertained the crowds at  Live Fest, which is running alongside the Live and Unsigned Grand Final at The O₂ in London on Saturday 23^rd July.

The Libertines Success

When The Libertines manager wanted a drummer for the band, Gary Powell’s relentless good humour and outstanding ability made him the obvious choice. Eighteen months later the band signed to Rough Trade Records. Support slots with The Strokes and The Vines led to the media christening them as the great new hopes of music. The Libertines achieved music industry success and became the most loved, feted and influential bands of the era.

The Libertines On The Music Industry

L&U: A lot of drummers are only ever in one band, but you’ve been behind and worked with so many. Has that been a good thing for you?

Gary: Playing with an array of different bands that may not be genre specific has been great as it has assisted me in creating my own approach to performing music and has helped me develop 'feel'.  Each piece of music you perform on, whether you be a vocalist, drummer or otherwise has to have its own dynamic and emotional content, coupled with its own articulated approach. This is all part of the feel that will make or break your music and the best way to get this is to play on a variety of tracks whether at home for fun or in the studio.

L&U: Who inspired you to pick up the drumsticks?

Gary: Dennis Davis who played for Stevie Wonder and Roy Ayres,  Dave Weckl,  Mick Avory,  Cozy Powell,  and Animal from The Muppet Show - to name but a few!!!

L&U: As well as being in some great bands you‘ve worked with some more urban acts as well. Is it all about variety for you?

Gary: I have always been into all music in general. My parents listened to country, rock, classical, folk, reggae - you name it and it was played in the Powell household. As a child I thought that the majority of what they listened to was trite at best, but the older I got I learnt to freely appreciate the diversity and even began to love some of it! You can't beat a bit of Springsteen or Carpenters!

L&U: What do you think of the charts at the moment? Is it worrying that they seem to be dominated by urban acts?

Gary: It isn't worrying that urban acts are dominating at all! It is just a trend and the charts have always been dominated by trends. What is worrying is that when the advent of technology and the internet intertwine, there's no anticipation or excitement for the next great thing because it can be downloaded before release. The industry still seems to lack 'the balls' to take a chance on something creative, knowing full well that this is a very creative period of time for music - primarily because the kids are doing it for themselves. 

L&U: How strong do you think the industry is at the moment?

Gary: The industry is as weak as you like from record companies right down the line. Everybody is more concerned with the rate of return that they will get instead of taking a step back and developing an artist and working with them because they believe in the merits of his/her/their work. That’s the only way to create an environment of longevity. We must remember that there are kids entering the industry still thinking they can sell a million and have a career for life, when the life span of most artists now is only two years. The importance again must be the artist development and in some cases nurturing.

L&U: Has it improved or declined in the years you’ve been in the business?

Gary: With the loss of capital around for artists it has definitely declined - but was it as crap ten years ago regardless of investment? Yeah it was - primarily because of the points mentioned above.

L&U: What direction is the industry heading in?

Gary : Well for me it is heading in the direction of development. It needs more communication with artists to see what direction they wanna take. There is a lack of revenue around for everybody - labels, distributers, press and bands. It's all the same as everybody is trying to make it work on a budget of 25 pence so I think there will be a lot more transparency with respect to how people work together and the artist will have a large say in that.

L&U: Any up and coming acts under the radar that you are tipping for success?

Gary: Check out my label and let me know if you agree (25hourconveniencestore.com). Jeye T, Black Einstein, Antlered Man,  Lizzie Nightingale, Dashikter. The reason I have signed all these acts is because I genuinely like and believe in all of their attributes and will stand by them for as long as I can!!!!

Music Industry Success

L&U: What will you be looking for from the acts performing at Live and Unsigned?

Gary: Individuality, confidence, charisma, musicality and an understanding of what they wanna achieve - but the most important thing for me would be for them to make me believe that they are having fun!!!!

L&U: Any top tips for acts performing?

Gary: Always perform as if it is your last time on stage! Believe in yourselves and I will believe in you!

L&U: How important are competitions like Live and Unsigned?

Gary: More important than people think. Honing your performance skills is vastly underrated. Seeing other bands and listening to how they approach music is a given plus. Just hanging out with your peers from different walks of life who are all making music because of love is inspiring and should not be forgotten 

L&U: What advice would you give to unsigned bands in general?

Gary: Raise the level of your expectation based on the knowledge that you are amazing - then forget it! Just play and have fun! If you get lost in your own ego it will come across in your performance and maybe will turn people off you. Remember that when you got into music as a kid money or fame were not as important as the joy of playing, so use that to propel you to where you wanna be!

L&U: What successful ingredient do you see in acts that make it?

Gary: In today’s market?  Money.

L&U: You’ve worked with many creative individuals including Pete Doherty. What’s it like working with someone as creative as him?

Gary: It is great working with creative folks because it brings out the creative juices in you! In order for any band to work the engine has to be firing on all cylinders which means your input is as important as everyone else's.

L&U: What’s more important, creative flair or a focused attitude towards your music?

Gary: You can't have one without the other. People go to 'see' shows not to just listen to them. So you have to be able to put on a show based on your personality and be focused enough to know when it is right or wrong.

L&U: How important is it to build your own fan base?

Gary: Ground roots are so important! With the advent of viral communication people are getting completely lost in 'how many hits you can get’. This now seems to be a determining factor in bands survival, but I still believe that word of mouth is as important and this can be ascertained from having a ground roots base. You can have as many fans on Facebook as you like, 30,000 hits on YouTube - but does that mean these folks will all come to your next show? 

The Libertines On Music

L&U: You’ve played some amazing gigs and festivals down the years. Who’s the best act you’ve shared a stage with?

Gary: I loved playing with Supergrass! They were inspirational as people and I never missed a show they played on tour.

L&U: Who’s your favourite band or act at the moment?

Gary: I'm loving Metronome, James Blake and Janelle Monet.

L&U: Best gig ever been to?

Gary: Mucky pup gig in Staten Island. I got involved in the mosh pit, knocked down, stamped on and kicked and then picked up by a Nazi skinhead after I had mistakenly kicked him in the head! He dusted me of and pushed me and we started all over again! Genius! 

L&U: Best festival played at?

Gary: Coachella, the first time. We got kicked of the stage after 5 minutes! The stage was crawling with cops with flash lights and the crowd went mental as we were headlining the other stage, then roll forward a few years South by Southwest with Dirty Pretty Things! We played for about 20 minutes and then got kicked off the stage by the police! Again the stage was crawling with police - our tour manager was pinned up against a wall by security. Oh and last year Reading and Leeds of course!!!!

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