Page 39 - Black Velvet Issue 89

BV89 pg39 bvcv_BV89 pg39 28/06/2016 22:56 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 39

Name, Age & location: but I would be lost without the good old fash-
Rob Town, 39, Norfolk, UK ioned hard copy assets. Every morning I make If you could meet one of your inspirations
a list, check my diary and schedule my work and ask them one question, who would you
What do you do - or what do you aim to do? load for the day. And then, a curve ball gets like to meet and what question would you
I run Stampede Press UK, a music promotion thrown my way and all the plans get changed, ask?
/ artists support / consultation agency. haha! I’ve been very lucky to meet some influential
and exceptional people in the music business,
How long have you been doing it for - and Have you had any professional training or who have imparted great advice to me. Price-
what made you choose this career? taken part in any courses to improve your less gems that make you stop and think “aha!”
Officially, July 2016 will be the company’s 4th career along the way? I’m not sure I can pin down one person to be
anniversary but in terms of music PR, market- As a musician, I spent the best part of ten honest.
ing etc, a lot longer. I sort of fell into self-em- years either touring or helping co-manage the
ployment, after I left my ‘traditional’ full time band, so in terms of qualifications for that, I’ve Advice to others that may want to follow in
career in 2004, so I could focus on a band I a pretty good amount of experience. For Stam- your footsteps?
was in (Panic Cell). Everything that happened pede, I’ve attended various courses, read a Be prepared, get ready to sacrifice and work
after that led me to forming Stampede Press number of books and taken online courses, to hard. Most of all, have FUN. Find a way to re-
UK. I loved playing in the band and after that help keep me on my toes. The best way to im- tain and drive the passion within you. Like any-
came to an end, I still wanted to work in some prove, in my opinion, is just by ‘doing it’. I’ve thing in this world, the moment something
capacity in the music business. I quickly learnt learnt more from experience than I have from stops becoming fun, it’s time to assess the sit-
that job positions in the music industry are far educational assets. That’s not to say courses uation. The music business is one of the hard-
and few between, so I decided to try and make etc. aren’t important, but the school of life gets est ever, but there are rewards to be had at the
a name for myself through my own venture. I my vote. right time, right place. Nothing gets handed to
set up Stampede as I wanted to help make a you, so whatever you do, make it count.
difference, not just via PR campaigning but Highlight(s) of your career so far?
also giving musicians the benefits of my expe- Again, as a musician, there’s a fair few, like Where do you go from here?
rience, both as a musician myself and now a opening for the Big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, I’m working on plans to grow the company. I’ve
business owner, working within the music in- Megadeth, Anthrax and Alice in Chains), tour- taken things pretty far on my own in a short
dustry on a daily basis. ing with Disturbed, various slots at Download, space of time and whilst I still have lots to offer,
Sonisphere, Wacken, Bloodstock etc. Price- 2016 will see some positive changes for Stam-
What does a general working day or week less moments that I’m very lucky to have ex- pede. Whilst it is a business, it’s my passion
usually consist of? perienced. As Stampede, I’ve been fortunate and one I want to share with others. If it con-
It’s very varied and requires a fair amount of enough to work with artists that I’ve been a fan tinues to help others and helps enhance this
multi-tasking. The bulk of my work consists of of (e.g. Winger/Kip Winger, Toby Jepson (Little industry, great!
PR campaigns, marketing, social media, artist Angels), Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate) Richie Ra-
support and advising musicians on their ca- mone (The Ramones) etc., as well as help as- Plans for the future?
reers, where necessary. No two days seem to piring bands like Buffalo Summer, BlackWolf, Top secret, sorry, haha. I hope to be making
be the same. Krysthla Anti-Clone etc. There’s a host of great an announcement about Stampede’s future
bands out there, at varying stages in their ca- sometime this summer.
Best purchase that's helped to improve reers, and rock/metal genres have so much
your career? variety, everyday I’m discovering new music. Website for more info:
Can I say three things? Diary, ‘To Do’ pad and This work is more of a pleasure than a job, www.stampedepressuk.com
pen. Computer devices are absolutely crucial that’s a highlight for sure!

Eatin’ Ain’t Cheatin’ - More Than Meat

‘Can everyone who maintains that eating meat is vital, humane and necessary please watch
cowspiracy.com’ tweeted Ginger Wildheart on World Meat Free Day in June.
This issue we’ve been trying More Than Meat’s range of products. They state that More Than
Meat is ‘revolutionary health food’. All of their products are suitable for vegans and vegetarians as
well as meat eaters who’d like to reduce their meat intake. Even if you love meat, try More Than
Meat! More Than Meat is an independent UK-based company based in the South of England. Prod-
ucts include vegan lamb casseroles, beef burgers, jerk burgers, jumbo sausage rolls and lorne
sausages. Aside from all being meat substitutes, these are extra healthy with high protein, no cho-
lesterol and no added fats. We’ve never actually had a lorne sausage so trying a vegan one was
exciting, although our favourite of the lot would have to be the jumbo sausage roll. We couldn’t wait
to heat it in the oven and eat it. It was super-nom! More Than Meat are only in a few independent
stores at the moment but we think they deserve to be everywhere. You can order directly from their
website though - which is www.morethanmeat.co.uk Their range extends the vegan range and is
further proof that vegans and vegetarians don’t just eat lettuce!

BV CV / EATIN’ AIN’T CHEATIN’