A Cuppa with Tash Curly

Video director, artist manager and aspiring media mogul Tash Curly took my 'Anyone for Coffee' banner literally and dropped by for a cuppa and a natter.

In exchange for a cup of my finest brew the industry's behind the scenes man was happy to get in front of my camera and answer my questions.



You used to work at Channel U what was your role there?
I was there in the early days. I directed and edited the first season of the Illout Show and I was also responsible for all the graphics.



What do you think of the channel now?
I left in 2004 and at first I used to watch the channel all the time. Back in those days it was everything, when I was working there my phone was always going somebody always needed something innit. So I would watch it all the time to see what was happening, it was like staying connected.

Since then I haven’t really watched it you know; just on & off in the last couple of years. Personally I think it’s gone backwards, it’s lost its credibility. When it first came on it was fresh, they spent a lot of time on their content and were particular about what they showed. They even had guidelines to ensure only quality product made it on. I hear those guidelines have become even more stringent but even back then they were open to bias.

What: 'money under the table' type of bias?
Like I said them guidelines were open to bias, people had their own agendas, make of it what you want.

I can’t speak for what goes on now, I know a lot of the old staff have left. But watching the channel now hurts man. It’s like they’re just charging people £200 for round the block street fame. And they’re doing it to the people who don’t have the money. Look at the demographics man; you ain’t seeing well-to-do middle class kids on there. It ain’t right. Plus I see a lot of negativity on there like gun clicking and hoodies, etc. It’s mad; we’re helping ourselves be alienated.



Do you think that’s a reflection of the urban scene on a whole?
Well yes and no. Like I said I see a lot of negativity in the urban scene and that just plays into the stereotype. Then I see artists like Sway and it’s like there are people out there trying to be fresh and innovative.

I know you’ve worked with Sway did you feel at the time that he would become as big as he did?
Yeah man, I did the cover for Sways first mixtape. He’s an excellent example of someone that spent a lot of time thinking about promotion and marketing. He’s a very intelligent guy and he realised early on that it’s about reaching the wider audience. You’ve got to understand that urban music is a niche market in this country and to push units you’ve got to break out of that mould and reach the wider audience.

So your doing this Silverhawks thing now, where is that at?
I was thinking I’ve worked on projects for various artists and I’ve got all these contacts and all this knowledge. And I’m thinking I need to use it to help aspiring artists so I set up this management company Silerhawks.

Even with that I’m learning; like at first all my artists were urban because that’s what I know, but now I’m thinking a lot bigger than that. Keep a look out on the myspace - www.myspace.com/silverhawksmanagement - you’re gonna see a lot of changes. Firstly I’m not gonna overstretch myself managing a lot of acts I’m gonna focus on my main player. Work on my strengths that’s what you’ve got to do.



Would that main player happen to be Soul Nana?
It’s really hard to market Soul because he’s so diverse and talented you can’t find a sole angle to concentrate on. We had problems with the whole Ghetto thing, people were saying it was too street for an R&B artist but that’s part of Soul.

What we’re doing now is we’re working on two albums; a street album and a more commercial album. Once the two cds are done I’m gonna take them to the labels while Nana hits the PA circuit.

You have to hear some of his new stuff then you’ll understand what I’m doing. I’ve got high hopes for the boy.



What advice would you give to someone who wants to get involved in the music business?
I’d say watch a wide spectrum of music channels, not just Channel U. Read magazines, find out whose hot and why so you can begin to understand the workings of the game. Also try to learn about the business; when your in HMV or Tesco pick up a CD and look at the back, look to see what label’s putting out the music, who were the producers, etc.

You’ve got to get in a studio and record cause without that you’re not even starting. And get out of that mc mentality you’ve got to think like an artist.

Most importantly ask yourself: Do I really want to do this? Have I got what it takes or do I just want to be just another street mc? And I say this sincerely because if you can’t whole heartedly say this is what you want to do then please do not waste your time and money.

Before you go, what do you think is the best US drama on the box right now: Lost, 24, Desperate Housewives or Prison Break?
Best US drama is Hereos mate. Have you seen it, it’s sick, one guy can freeze time.

With that our cups had emptied and it was time for my guest to retire home.