BIGSOUND 2019 Speaker Focus: Matt Brinkworth

Position/Title: Head Of Digital at Captured Tracks

How did you first become involved in the music industry and how did you end up where you are today? I started booking and ‘managing’ bands at 17. It's been a decade-long and varied road to today, involving founding my own label and being ‘first hire' at a now Forbes 30 Under 30 tech company. I met Captured Tracks' Mike Sniper in Spain in 2017, the rest was history.

What's been the biggest change in the music industry you've seen over the past 12 months? Countless changes but the ones that excite me are always newfound access to, and the emergence of, growing territories, facilitated by the likes of music streaming or social media. If it's not all about getting music to and receiving music from every corner of the world, I guess I'm lost.

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? The flipside of those changes is always the nature of being beholden to technology companies that, even if originally well-intentioned, find themselves needing to change the existing systems to ensure they are profitable rather than for the benefit of artists. The two aren't always interlinked but are often marketed as such. 

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Step one is obvious, and it's to be a user of new tech to consume music. It's tough to authentically strategise around music fans’ listening habits if you aren't actually among them. Then, diversify your skillsets and get a broader understanding of how your area fits in the bigger picture.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? I always like to provide a very transparent look at how we as a company approach the obstacles and opportunities with all things digital-based. Conference talks can often be very self-promotional with a lot of guarding of secrets, I'm not into that. A large focus will always be the label to DSP interaction and I hope that I have some valuable advice to give for younger artists and digital strategists.

Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND and why? I have a pretty long wishlist, and you'll see me catching many sets, but I'll give a specific shout out to Raj Mahal – All Aboard is fire.

When and where is your BIGSOUND panel? 4 Sep, Labels And DSPs, Crystal Palais, Cloudland, 3.15pm.