Music
For this last episode of 2021, Canadian Musician Editor-in-Chief Mike Raine shares a special keynote interview with Martin Atkins that was originally livestreamed in November during Indie Week 2021. Atkins’ three decades in the music business spans across genres, borders, and industries. Having experience in nearly every aspect of record production and promotion has given him a unique perspective not only on where the music industry is currently, but where it is going in the future. As a drummer, he known for being a member of Johnny Rotten’s Public Image Limited in the late’70s and ‘80s, and then for managing and playing with Killing Joke and touring with Ministry. In 1990, while on tour with Ministry, he formed his own band, Pigface. He also worked with Nine Inch Nails, performing on the Grammy award winning “Wish” and appearing in the “Head like a Hole” video. Martin began working on the business side of music in 1988 when he formed Invisible Records and then Mattress Factory Studios in 1996. Atkins wrote his book Tour:Smart in 2007 and has since spoken around the world at major industry conferences, universities, and organizations. Atkins currently teaches at Millikin University in Decatur, IL and acts as the Music Business Program Coordinator, leading courses on Touring, Advanced Entrepreneurship, Artist and Event Management, and Online Marketing. Needless to say, the stories and advice Atkins can offer to independent artists are endless, and this is a conversation really worth hearing!