NU NEWS ARTICLE - Music matters: Callomon talks business

POPULAR music students got the chance to speak with one of the music industry’s busiest men this month, Cally Callomon.

Callomon gave his guest lecture ‘Half-baked or overcooked: The retreat of perfection’ spanning a life long career within the music industry including work with major labels such as Polygram and Island Records as well as working closely with Elton John, The Clash, U2, Pulp, P J Harvey to mention a few.

Callomon himself started in the 1970s punk band The Tea Set before starting an illustrious career covering artist management, becoming an A & R man (talent scout) and designing album artwork eventually becoming head of art at Island Records art department. Callomon’s portfolio of artwork includes the Kaiser Chiefs albums ‘Employment’ and ‘Yours Truly Angry Mob’ as well as sleeves for the likes of the Scissor Sisters, P J Harvey, Nick Drake and many others.

The talk focused on his first hand accounts as an insider within the ever-evolving industry, illustrating the changes he worked through. Callomon finished with motivational words of wisdom for students aspiring to carve a career within the music industry. He stated the biggest threat in not succeeding within the business was not piracy, low record sales or the death of the record to downloads. It was in fact yourself, inspiring students to start approaching routes into the industry now.

Dr Nathan Wiseman-Trowse senior lecturer in Popular Culture said “Cally Callomon has been involved with such a wide range of significant music acts over the last thirty years that it is a real bonus to get his insight into the workings of the music industry. From Nine Inch Nails and Marc Almond to Elton John and U2, Cally has acted as manager, artistic director, A&R man and label director, and his depth of experience makes him well placed to give a real overview of the contemporary music industry.”

The role of guest lecturers are crucial in creating a unique university experience for students and this was a view Dr Wiseman-Trowse reiterated stating “It's vital that students on our courses get access not only to the academic content that we can deliver, but also to the real-world experiences of those working in the industries that we talk about. It's also great when guest speakers are willing to swap emails and continue contact with our students after they've left. These sessions aren't just opportunities to hear about other's experiences, they are often great opportunities to network and make contacts.”

Callomon now manages Bill Drummond along with The The and is the executor of Nick Drake's estate as well continuing to design artwork.

For examples of Cally Callomon’s work and for more information visit his website antar.cc