MUSIC JOURNALISM
AND FREELANCE WORK
The Waiting Room with Harry Gordon
A new music podcast | est. 2018
In 2018, I started an online podcast / radio show so that I can share with the world all the great new music that I'm currently listening to. The show is dedicated to new releases, up and coming artists, and tracks that people may not have heard before. I firmly believe that podcasting is soon due to become a staple of online content creation as it is an effective method of distributing music or information with people in a meaningful way. The podcast is in it's infancy, although I hope to continue hosting and broadcasting this show (or a future incarnation of it) for many years to come. My aim is to grow in listenership and become a regular method of discovering new music for fans of the show.
I currently host the podcast on Mixcloud.com, although I have also created a website for the show, as can be found in the following link:
Wildfire Music
Blog | 2013 - 2016
I ran my own website (www.wildfiremusic.org) that I used to publish reviews and written content surrounding the world of music. Wildfire Music was an ongoing project for me that I enjoyed investing time into between studying and other work based obligations as a means of artistic and journalistic self-expression. I strived to create interesting content for those that read my work, and - most importantly - I always pushed myself to try new writing styles or ideas in order to improve upon my skills.
I also ran social media pages for the website and received many likes, retweets, and kind messages from bands and artists who appreciated my work.
The website is currently offline, although a backup of the site is still available at:
The full archive of all of my articles on the site
is also available here:
wildfiremusicbackup.wordpress.com/project-type/all-articles/
Music Journalism
Come Play With Me
Contributor / Feature Writer | Present
I am currently involved in various projects with the Leeds-based independent music collective, Come Play With Me.
My article discussing the role of rap stars in a mostly sanitised rock music marketplace was featured with a double page spread in the very first issue of their magazine. I will be writing for the publication again in future and will be involved with other projects such as Come Playlist With Me, which hosts curated playlists by people within the music industry.
Read the magazine online: https://issuu.com/cpwm
London On The Inside
Freelance Music Journalist | 2013 - 2015
Alongside running my own blog, I also wrote extensively for the online publication, London On The Inside (www.LondOnTheInside.com). Whilst I was working freelance on the music journalism side of the website, they were featured in the 'Top five London blogs' list by ELLE and 'Top 12 tweeters around the Globe' in BA Highlife.
I have written a variety of content for the website, ranging from song and album reviews, to live event reviews and news stories. These articles required a much different writing style to my blog and were often 'fit for purpose' news stories with exact word limits and time deadlines. Whereas many of my articles tended to be very concise, I also sometimes got the chance to write in my longer, more creative, and preferable style. I really enjoyed this experience as it provided a new and interesting challenge for me.
Some of my articles have been archived at the following website address:
Other Music Journalism
I have also written a host of articles and short pieces for various student publications, including StudentWire and The Uni Paper.
The majority of my work for student publications were music-based, as I was approached to write articles from peers who were aware of my own blog and my work for London On The Inside.
When I was 16, I also volunteered at CPO Media, a youth magazine publisher that is partnered with The Grimsby Telegraph. During my time at CPO Media, I helped to kickstart a brand new magazine and was heavily involved in the entire process; including the design, the promotion, and the content creation.
Freelance Event Work
Frieze Art Fair
Box Office Assistant - 2018
Because of my experience of working festivals - and via the contacts I have made whilst working events - I was invited by See Tickets to work on the box office for the prestigious Frieze Art Fair. Whilst working at this event I was engaging with very high profile clients, assisting with their admittance into the art show. The event gave me an in-depth experience of working with See Tickets ticketing software, furthering my already strong knowledge of ticketing and event management.
Music Event / Festival Work
In the last six years I have worked at many different festivals and music events. My role's have been varied, including; Box Office Assistant, PR Manager, Bartender, Backstage Assistant, Social Media Manager, Marketing Assistant, and many more.
For more information on my freelance festival work, please visit the 'Festival Experience' page
Freelance PR
Oasis Dental Surgery
Internal Comms & Social Media Management - 2016
My mother is the practice manager of a Dental Surgery in my hometown of Grimsby. Knowing my range of expertise and experience gained through my PR and Communications BA (hons) degree, my mother approached me to help with issues regarding both her internal and external marketing strategies.
The practice needed help communicating important messages with their internal staff as their current e-mail based strategy was proving to be ineffective. As a solution to this problem, I started to create a monthly newsletter for the practice that could be posted in the staffroom for employees to see whilst on their breaks.
I also created a social media account for the practice and helped to maintain it. The social media page was made to increase the online presence of the practice and generate a larger intake of new patients. The account also worked as a new point of contact for patients and we were able to reply directly to inquiries through the page. I worked alongside my mother during this time and taught her how to use social media in a more professional and effective manner. Examples of the theories and topics that I discussed with her include ‘native and non-native content’ and PR expert, Gary Vaynerchuk’s, “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook” approach to prioritising relationship building before sales promotions.
Theory59
'Mockingbird' single release campaign - 2014
In 2014, I helped out some of my friends in the band, Theory59, by doing some PR for the release of their new single, 'Mockingbird'. First of all, I collated an extensive list of contact details for blogs, music websites, and influencers. I then created a press pack for the band which included a press release, and a dropbox of download links and press photography. I wrote out professionally-composed custom emails to each individual journalist that highlighted why I was a fan of their work, the reason for my email, and then some basic information about the band, along with the aforementioned press pack.
The band were featured on a number of blogs and websites, including the Earthings! blog, dramatically increasing the amount of views received on their new music video. Despite a some of my attempts to gain coverage being unsuccessful, many journalists - including the incredible Laura Snapes - replied to my email and thanked me for getting in touch and taking the time to personalise each message. I believe that it was due to this approach that the campaign was so successful.
I also managed the social media page for the band during this campaign to further promote the single, and the exposure we gained, among the band's existing fanbase.
JAM Hair Salon
marketing campaign - 2015
I worked with JAM Hair Salon during during the summer of 2015. I was involved in their annual marketing campaign which was aimed at bringing new students from the area into the salon. My photos were featured in the campaign, although I also worked as a member of their promotional team, spreading the news about the salon at university campuses and nearby halls of residence.