This session offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how A&R professionals discover, develop, and elevate new talent, with each representative sharing the unique approaches and strategies their label or publishing house employs in the search for tomorrow’s stars. Audience members will have the chance to submit music live in advance to the session, receiving real-time feedback from the panel of experts. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, producer, or just curious about the world of A&R, this interactive session promises invaluable insights into the art and science of breaking new talent in the modern music industry.
Chair: Kenny McGoff [Head of Creative - Kobalt Music]
Speakers: Ollie Hodge [A&R] & Mary Davenport [A&R - Ninja Tune]
Speaker Info:
Kenny McGoff (Head of Creative - Kobalt Music)
In 1993, Kenny McGoff embarked on his music career beginning at the legendary 23 Precinct Records in Dundee. This integral start was the catalyst for Kenny's career in themusic industry over the next 30 years. From Dundee, he then moved to HMV in Glasgow, where his talent and passion propelled him to London to manage the prestigious vinyldepartment at HMV's West End flagship. His expertise caught the eye of EMI Records,leading to a pivotal role where he managed the indie retail sector across the UK. During his time at EMI, Kenny’s flare for discovering new talent became apparent, tipping off numerous bands and records that gained momentum. Recognizing his instinct and insight, EMI Publishing brought him on board in 2000, where he climbed the ranks to become Head of A&R.
In 2012, McGoff sought new challenges and entered into a joint venture with Ultra and Sony ATV. His vision for the future of music then led him to the independent publishing company Songs, in 2015, which was later acquired by Kobalt in 2017. Today, Kenny heads up Kobalt’s creative team for the UK and Europe, guiding the careers of a diverse roster of artists and songwriters. Throughout his career, McGoff has worked alongside popular acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, The Zutons, and The Enemy. Currently, he plays an integral role in shaping the success of talents like Gerry Cinnamon and Sam Fender. His passion for electronic music is unwavering, having signed industry giants like Calvin Harris, Eric Prydz, and deadmau5, while championing the next generation of innovators including Barry Can’t Swim, Joy Anonymous, Hannah Laing, and Rudimental. His dedication to songwriters has also led to collaborations with world-class writers like Paul Epworth, Danny L Harle, Naughty Boy, and Foster The People. Kenny’s career is a testament to his visionary approach, fostering creativity across genres and solidifying his position as a driving force in the global music industry.
Ollie Hodge [A&R]
Ollie Hodge has worked as an A&R for over 20 years in both the UK and the US. He started as a talent scout at Warner Chappel Publishing, before joining Columbia Records and then Polydor Records. This year, he started his own record label, Some Action, whose debut release was Home by Good Neighbours, which has gone on to be one of the most successful debut tracks of the year.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to work with some wonderful artists. Highlights include George Ezra, The Vaccines, Peace, Glass Animals, Declan McKenna, Years and Years, The Gossip, Baby Queen, Holly Humberstone, Passion Pit, MGMT and Glasvegas.
Mary Davenport [A&R - Ninja Tune]
Mary has been working at Ninja Tune / Just Isn’t Music for just over 7 years. She works across various aspects of the company but is primarily focused on A&R for both the publishing and recording rosters (finding and signing new talent, sourcing co-writes, providing musical feedback, managing roster relationships) as well as general catalogue management, she oversees all stages of the sync pipeline with the sync and copyright teams.