James Carslake is the Head of Music at All3Media overseeing the global strategy and music policies. He works closely with All3Media’s 29 production companies to deliver the highest quality music for their programming.
Do you have any rituals or routines whilst working on a project?
One thing that sticks with me is to just keep a clear head and remember to focus on what you’re trying to achieve. I work in music for TV & Film and it’s easy for a project or deal to spiral when there are so many people involved – composers, tv/film producers, agents, labels, publishers and so on. Music rights are incredibly complex and I see that as a positive; no matter how difficult and fraught a project can become there will always be a way to find a creative solution.
What is something you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?
About 15 years ago some good friends and I started promoting gigs outside of our day jobs. We created the club night ‘BOSH!’ which ran at Camden Barfly and The Old Blue Last right through the London 00’s indie scene. We had so many great artists play for us before they went big – Klaxons, Lethal Bizzle, Kate Nash, Example, Roll Deep, Fratellis, Twilight Sad, the list goes on and on. At the same time, my buddy Ross (part of the BOSH! crew) and I were DJing and managing bands (big shout out to The Natives and later Rogues). It was an incredible few years and a defining period in my life.
Who/what is currently inspiring you?
Musically I’m going through a big Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Neil Young phase, probably influenced by the changing seasons. I find their music really comforting when it’s raining, dark and cold. I also loved the Anderson .Paak and Moodymann records this year for different reasons – you can’t help but smile when listening to Anderson .Paak, there is such positivity in his music. And the Moodymann record is incredible – very intense in places but such an exhilarating listen. I also loved U.F.O.F. by Big Thief and the new FKA Twigs album is just stunning.
What do you want to achieve in the future? What’s on your bucket list?
Career wise I have the opportunity to build something unique here and that is my focus over the next few years. Naturally everyone in this kind of job wants to work on ‘that’ project – the iconic film or tv show that becomes defined by the score/soundtrack, so that’s on the list. Outside of work, if the opportunity arose I’d love to pack everything up and travel for a while. I went straight from college to university to work, so missed out on the gap year experience.
Favourite TV show at the moment?
There was a hungover Saturday not long ago where I discovered Mindhunter and I’m really enjoying it. It took a little while to get into the mindset of the series and now I’m hooked. Another favourite (All3Media plug alert as we’re working on S2 as we speak) is Race Across The World. The first series was everything that a reality competition series should be and just made you want to travel the world.
Last film you watched?
The more respectable answer here is that the last film I saw at the cinema was Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. It wasn’t quite what I expected from a Tarantino film but I really enjoyed it - I think stylistically and in terms of depth and performance, all of his movies are absolutely gripping. The actual answer is that The Hangover Part III was just there on TV at the right time a couple of weekends ago, so I went for it!
Favourite soundtrack?
Where to start with this one! I think you have to admire the masterclass in curation for soundtracks like Pulp Fiction and Trainspotting, both of which had a big influence on me in my early teenage years. And then something like the delicate soundscape that Cliff Martinez produced for Solaris, which I think is one of the finest examples of scoring to picture. However, the first dance at my wedding was ‘Take Me With U’, so the hands down winner here is Purple Rain by Prince.
What are your primary duties as Head of Music at All3Media?
The high-level view is that I’m shaping music policy and strategy across the global business, encouraging investment in original music, and ensuring we’re working with the right partners in each territory to deliver that strategy. Day to day I’m working with our production companies (there are 29 worldwide and counting) to deliver the highest quality music for their programming, which has long-term value to their business both in terms of audience experience and as a revenue generating asset.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Whatever your passion is, to just immerse yourself in it. Whether it’s music, film, sport, politics, make sure that you live and breathe it, learn as much as you can and it will give you the best chance of success. That and just get a haircut!!
If you weren’t you, what role in the industry would most interest you?
I loved what we achieved in those few years of promoting gigs and managing bands, and I was very close to going down one of those roads professionally. As it happened I changed jobs at EMI Music Publishing in 2010 (from Royalties & Copyright to Film & TV) which set me on the path to where I am now.
You previously worked for publishers including Sony/ATV. What’s the biggest change in your role going from a music publishing company to a production company?
In many respects I’m doing the same job at All3Media that I was doing at Sony/ATV Music Publishing. But now being in the TV world I’m getting much more exposure to the pre and post production process, which is absolutely invaluable when you’re trying to create music for a project. I find I’m getting into the music discussions much sooner than I was when on the publishing side, and it makes such a difference being able to help structure the creative & commercial approach early on in a project.
Next big change in the music industry is…?
I think we’re looking at a continuation of recent times in the sense of ‘let’s see where technology takes us’. One particular aspect that I find fascinating is the use of Artificial Intelligence in music composition. There are several companies out there working on this and I’m sure it’s a space that will expand rapidly – I just hope that it assists the human form of composition rather than replacing it.
What have you found the most challenging aspect to be in your role?
A couple of things, the first being that this was a newly created role. On the one hand that’s great because it’s a blank canvas and I can set things up in my own vision. At the same time because it’s a new role there is a hell of a lot to set up! Secondly I’d say just sheer volume. In 2018 All3Media companies produced 3,500 hours of content. Which pretty much means that 3,500 hours of music is needed! It’s an enormous challenge and at the same time such a huge opportunity to work with such a remarkable catalogue.
What do you get up to when you’re not working? Any hobbies?
Music is a massive part of my life, but I think we’ve covered that a little bit in other questions! Pubs are just fantastic places aren’t they? My wife Martha and I have a Beagle called Wilco so we do lots of walks, and love travelling and exploring new places. If you can combine all of the above then you’ve hit the jackpot - we did a road trip around Germany this summer which did exactly that!
What’s next for James?
It’s a big year ahead for me here at All3Media as there are some important strategic developments to complete which will lay the foundations of what we’re trying to do. I’ll then do a tour of our offices to deliver the project, so it’s an exciting time. Outside of work, we have a few trips planned, firstly to Petra and then planning a South American tour later in the year!
