IndieRec interview with Andrew King, September, 2004
By David DiSanzo
http://www.indierec.com

Andrew King has been a success in the music industry since the mid-60's. Currently head of Mute Songs in England, he was once half of Blackhill Enterprises, the management company that discovered Pink Floyd. King rode the waves of the music business straight to the top where he has stayed put for nearly four decades. Read on for his thoughts on today's version of the music industry as well as some interesting comments about working with the Floyd back in 1967.

IR: What drew you into the music business back in the mid-60's?

AK: I thought I'd be rich and have lots of sex and generally a lot more fun than BEA as it then was.

IR: One minute you were a publicist for British Airways and the next you were managing the premier band of the British Underground (The Pink Floyd). While operating Blackhill Enterprises with Peter Jenner you had EMI at your disposal in the form of the Harvest label that Malcolm Jones was running. After proving yourselves with The Floyd and others Mr. Jones was willing to listen to all of your bands. In hindsight, was running with a giant like EMI a good idea or do you feel you could have been better off operating as an independent label negotiating foreign territory rights separately deal by deal?

AK: We never owned the masters during this period. We were recording at Abbey Road, EMI paid for everything and owned everything. Of course in retrospect a huge mistake! We could have owned the Floyd masters......!

IR: How long have you been running Mute Publishing?

AK: About 10 years now.

IR: How connected is it to the Mute label? Are most of the artists shared?

AK: They were sister companies until the record company was sold to EMI. Now MS is an independent owned by Daniel Miller. We have Nick Cave on MS and quite a few others like Plastikman but none of the other major Mute acts.

IR: How and when did you make the transition from managing bands to publishing songs?

AK: Blackhill started doing music publishing in the 70's. We published all the Ian Dury classics, The Clash, Kevin Ayers, Roy Harper, etc. All the bands we managed plus a few others.

IR: Over the years you have successfully navigated music trends managing bands as diverse as the Third Ear Band and Ian Dury and the Blockheads always remaining on the cutting edge, even today with Mute. What hope do you hold out for the music industry in light of internet piracy, consolidation, and music fragmentation? Do you have any advice for those starting labels today or those managing new artists?

AK: If it's good and different and you don't fuck it up, you'll probably get success. Internet piracy is a trivial issue - the real issue is the new ways of experiencing music. What it may bring no one can predict. Who predicted ringtunes? Answer: Nobody!

IR: What do you look for in an artist nowadays when you get a demo for consideration?

AK: Excitement.

IR: One of the most successful bands that you discovered was Pink Floyd. There was a good chance that the band would have dissolved if you hadn't come along with Peter Jenner and inject some well needed funds and direction into the band. You accompanied the band on their first tour of the States which had to be cut short due to Syd Barrett's increasingly erratic behavior. Can you relay what it was like to be with him on that tour as the topic is one that is still surrounded by mystery.

AK: It was Hell and in retrospect (not at the time!) hilarious.

IR: Was Syd aware of the impact that his behavior was having on the band's success?

AK: MMMMMMM....Yes.

IR: You were also present at the infamous 1975 "Shine On" sessions in which Syd appeared in the studio with the band for the first time in years. Can you tell me what the scene was like for you and also what state Syd was in that day?

AK: No, I wasn't there.

IR: Have you seen him since?

AK: Not seen him for many years. Every time I think of him, it still tears me up.

IR: Yes, very sad. Thanks for your time Andrew.