16 May The Conversation with Louis Bloom –President of Island Records
Written by Aadi and Matvej, edited by Mrs Nguyen
The event took place on Thursday 3rd March 2022.
We were the lucky students chosen to join the audience and listen to Louis Bloom –the President of Island Records.
As soon as the auditorium was filled with students, Louis joined the ZOOM virtual meeting platform. The laptop camera was turned towards the excited audience and there it went, the flow of questions from us….
Do you know that:
Island Records’ history spans over 60 years?
The Company’s Jamaican heritage still remains a vital source of inspiration?
Island Records work with music stars such as Dermot Kennedy, U2, ArrDee and international stars such as Drake the Weeknd, Ariana Grande and many many more?
Here are some Q&A of the talk….
How were your school days as a teenager?
It was a long time ago… I enjoyed my school days I have to say. I come from Manchester and went to schools in the area. Of course there were times I pushed the boundaries and got into trouble. I was silly at school, careless but when I hit 13-15, something clicked in me and I became more sensible, worked hard and studied properly for my GCSEs and then A levels. After that I went to university to do my degree and it all paid off in the end.
Which subjects did you like best?
I have always loved history and music. I am obsessed with history. I like to learn about how people lived, the different cultures from the previous eras. And it was the same with music, studying, in a very informal way, musical history and reading about, watching and listening to music all the time.
What is ONE thing you would tell your teen-self to do if you could rewind the clock?
I think passion is the key! You’ve got to find something you love and go for it. Be committed. You will be successful. There have been times I feel very anxious about too many things. Having that passion and developing the mind-set of being able to ‘chill-out’ and remembering to take a step back will help you achieve your goals.
In your teenage years, did anyone doubt you and your dream? If so, how did you get through it?
When I was 13 or 14 I was told I had no musical talent or musical appreciation. I knew that wasn’t true so it didn’t bother me. I went on working hard and I have proved those people wrong, and their perception on me. I moved from Manchester to London to pursue my dream and found that by thinking positively and by believing in myself and having inner confidence, I could succeed.
On-the-spot questions from the audience
What do you do? What does your typical day of work look like?
I started out as a tea boy (something that doesn’t exist anymore) and have been at this label – Island Records – for 20 years. After graduating as a talent scout, I would go to bars/clubs to find talent: bands, singers. Then I would report back to my boss. That job is called A&R (short for Artist & Repertoire).
A&R remains central to what I do but the President role involves being across all areas of the business, from marketing and promotion to legal and finance and most importantly working on a daily basis with artists and management, helping them make the best music they can and trying to ensure that the world gets to hear and appreciate it. It’s a real privilege and thrill to watch an artist go from virtual unknown to household name or global superstar. It’s all about the music at the end of the day and every artist is unique and it’s not always about commercial success.
When you went around looking for talents, who did you discover to be the most successful?
I found Busted, Mumford & Sons, Hozier and Keane and during my time at Island have seen many great artists come through such as Amy Winehouse, Florence and The Machine and many more.
How do you feel being in charge of Island Records?
It’s a BIG responsibly. I always treat new talents as human beings first and foremost. I want them to enjoy the process. I take my job very seriously but it’s also important to enjoy the incredible experiences we have and the relationships we build. I never forget how lucky I am to be running such an amazing label with such a great team. To work with everyone from newcomers like ArrDee to Mumford & Sons and global superstars like Ariana and The Weekend is a joy.
Do you have a favourite talent at Island Records?
If I had to pick one artist I’d say Amy Winehouse as she made such an enormous musical and cultural contribution not only in the UK but all around the world. She really is unique and has left an incredible legacy.
What is your favourite music genre?
I love bands from the 60s particularly the Beatles. When growing up, and coming from Manchester I loved Oasis. My tastes have become much more varied and I now listen to a lot of hip-hop and rap music too. Stormzy is an amazing talent.
What was the worst mistake you have made in your life? None of us ever get everything right and there’s always ‘one that got away’ but it’s important not to dwell on it, move on and find the next superstar.
How do you get in touch with top artists and manage to work with them?
In the past, it was all about speaking directly to the artists and managers and lawyers but now with the Internet, our Research Department are another way to discover new talent and we can contact with them directly through socials.
Some snapshot questions about Louis himself
What is your guilty pleasure?
I like to listen to pop music such as ‘Shout out to My Ex’ by Little Mix.
What is your favourite movie?
I like gangster movies ….The Godfather.
Question from Louis to the audience
What is your favourite band or music or music artist?
Mr Bailie (Executive Headteacher of the Finham MAT):
My favourite band was The Stone Roses.
Aman –Year 9:
One Direction.
The talked ended before our lunch break. We loved all the stories Louis shared with us as they were so relatable to us all.
The moment it took Louis time to answer Dylan’s question on his favourite book, possibly because of the hectic flow of daily life, Louis didn’t have much time left for reading. His honest answer of reading factual books about historical figures –good or bad; once again, makes us remember how much Louis loved History.
The question Zak of year 7 asked Louis of the reasons how Louis has become so successful and his advice to hang around with the right people or people who are more talented, better than you – were so true. It is teamwork that decides success.
Thank you to Louis and his Team and Island Records.
Thank you to Speakers for Schools who have given us this opportunity to feel inspired and more reflective on our school journey ahead.
