James’ journey: balancing passion and career through music

 

CF spotlights takes a look at the young creatives from Creative Futures Lewisham, Lewisham Music’s creative careers development programme supporting young people aged 18-30 who are looking to kickstart a career in the creative industries. 

 

James Brown

 

 

Meet James, a full-time charity worker based in Southeast London, whose day-to-day job involves improving clients’ well-being through various workshops. But beyond his 9-to-5, James has another passion—music. Every week, he plays with his band, immersing himself in jam sessions. However, despite his dedication, breaking into the music industry has been a challenge.

 

His musical journey has recently been gaining momentum, though. By enrolling in a specialised course, James is now actively working to integrate music into his professional life, with a keen focus on songwriting and music production. His dream? To build a community that supports library music and perhaps one day secure a publishing deal.

 

 

“I now see myself as a songwriter in the professional space.”

 

 

 

Why James chose the course

 

 

James joined the course with clear goals in mind. He wanted to improve his production skills and gain a deeper understanding of the music industry, especially the business side of things. For James, it wasn’t just about making music—it was about making a career out of it. His ultimate goal is to write songs for other artists and eventually land a publishing deal.

 


Starting out

Skill level and challenges

 

When James first embarked on this course, he was no novice but certainly not yet a seasoned professional. His experience in recording bands had given him a foundation, but he was still learning to apply his skills in a more polished, professional context. He particularly wanted to improve his mixing and songwriting abilities.

 

However, balancing his passion with a full-time job presented real obstacles. James often found himself struggling with time management, and despite taking time off to focus on music, burnout was a constant threat. It was difficult for him to dedicate long stretches to dive deeply into his creative process, which hindered his workflow.

 


Overcoming obstacles

The course experience 

 

 

The structured approach of the course was exactly what James needed. It offered practical sessions, networking opportunities, and mentorship that helped him push past his comfort zone. Unlike previous experiences, the course’s focus on networking and collaboration really stood out to him. He learned not only about improving his music but also about navigating the music industry—skills that had long eluded him.

 

 


 

Key skills and growth

 

 

Throughout the course, James experienced significant growth. His mixing and mastering skills improved tremendously thanks to the guidance of mentors. He also learned about music licensing and the importance of building a professional image—crucial knowledge for anyone hoping to break into the industry. Moreover, networking, a previously intimidating task, became more approachable as he understood how to build and maintain professional relationships.

 


Reflecting on the course

 

James had nothing but praise for the course, stating, “The course delivered exactly what it aimed to teach. It felt exceptional and very different from other courses I’ve done.” For him, the mentorship and networking focus were transformative. He now sees himself as a professional songwriter and has gained the confidence to take his career in music more seriously.

 

 

The course delivered exactly what it aimed to teach.

   

 


Achievements and opportunities

 

The progress James made throughout the course was tangible. He completed multiple tracks for his first EP—a collection of chill guitar music—while also working on a second EP focused on indie folk and acoustic compositions. This body of work has given him a real sense of accomplishment and boosted his confidence in his abilities.

 

Not only has James grown creatively, but he has also begun securing opportunities in the industry. He landed a paid gig with Plus Tribe, creating guitar tracks for £100 per demo, along with the chance to earn 25% of any win fees. He has also expanded his network by attending various industry events, including Sync Drinks and PRS networking sessions. These connections have been vital to his growing confidence and visibility in the music space. 

 

 


 

 

Future aspirations

Short and long term

 

In the short term, James is focused on releasing his first EP and continuing work on his second. With the help of the course’s mentoring sessions, he has already set up a website to showcase his sync and library music, and he’s actively promoting his work through social media.

 

Looking further ahead, James envisions a future where he can balance his current role in charity with a full-time career in music production. His long-term dream is to create bespoke music and library tracks, all while being able to live off his music—a vision that feels more attainable than ever thanks to the progress he’s made.

 


Reflections and instructor feedback

 

Reflecting on his journey, James noted the importance of mentorship and networking, stating, “I now see myself as a songwriter in the professional space.” This mindset shift has propelled him to actively pursue more opportunities in the music industry, a change that hasn’t gone unnoticed by his instructors. According to the instructors, James has shown remarkable growth, particularly in his confidence to reach out to potential collaborators and employers. This shift in both skill and self-assurance marks him as a promising emerging artist with a bright future ahead.

 


The impact of the course

 

This course has been nothing short of transformative for James. It not only sharpened his technical skills in music production but also gave him the confidence to navigate the competitive music industry. From feeling overwhelmed by his dual passions for charity work and music, James now embraces both, fully committed to building a future where his love for music takes centre stage in his career.

 

James’s journey highlights the profound impact that structured learning, mentorship, and networking can have on someone striving to make their passion a profession. It’s clear that this course has helped him move one step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a full-time music producer and songwriter. 

 

This case study reflects the inspiring path James has taken and showcases the positive effects of the course on his musical ambitions. We look forward to seeing how James’s journey continues to unfold as he works toward his goals. 

 

 


 

 

CF spotlights

 

 

Funder shoutout

 

Start creating your future now 

If you’d like to find out more about Creative Futures Lewisham, including upcoming courses, talks, mentoring, and workshops, please click the link below, and start creating your future now!