🌅 Horizon Future Leaders – Claire Hamilton

As part of our Horizon Future Leaders series of interviews, we are connecting with the music industry’s next generation of leaders to gather candid advice and insights into their career journeys. 

This week, we caught up with Northern music industry champion Claire Hamilton. As Project Coordinator of Launchpad+, a Leeds-based programme supporting artists and their teams in maximising revenue, and West + South Yorkshire Representative for Independent Venue Week, Claire is dedicated to building sustainable careers for artists and strengthening the independent music scene in the North. 

Her work spans everything from artist development and royalty collection to grassroots events and advocacy for independent venues.

We spoke to Claire about the experiences that shaped her career, the evolving landscape of the music industry, and her advice for the next generation of music professionals.

Read the full Q&A with Claire below 👇

What’s your current role in the music industry? 

Currently I’m project coordinator of Leeds-based Launchpad+, a programme that supports artists, managers and labels to release their music effectively and maximise their royalty collection. 

In 2024 we helped distribute over 290 releases, made up of at least 400 tracks from over 110 artists. In 2023, Launchpad+ partnered with EMI North and released music from the likes of Chiedu Oraka and Dilettante. 

Alongside this, me and my friend Cheïma put on events under Bloom, and I’m also the West + South Yorkshire rep for Independent Venue Week – the UK’s annual seven day celebration of independent music and arts venues and the people that own, run and work in them.

What does your general day to day look like? 

My day to day includes lots of meetings with artists, listening to what they’re looking to develop and achieve, and trying to aid them on their way. Additionally lining up releases, liaising with press/radio contacts, registering PRS/PPL, pitching for sync and generally tying things together! 

What steps did you take early in your career to gain experience and build skills to get you where you are now? 

I think I’ve definitely tried a bit of everything, and said yes to lots of opportunities – even when I wasn’t sure what they meant or what they’d help me achieve.

I’ve had experience in live events, commercial events, journalism, communications, radio presenting and more – useful even just to decide ‘that’s not for me’. 

I also tried to forge opportunities for myself when I couldn’t find them externally, eg setting up my own music blog, working with a friend to set up a promotions org and book gigs, etc.

What opportunities did you explore early on that were particularly valuable? 

Coming from a rural community where access to creative opportunities is relatively difficult, I was fortunate to come across AMP – previously NYMAZ – doing fantastic work in North Yorkshire. I very much owe everything to them! 

From workshops, to paid festival work, they really laid the foundation for my career. From there, they nominated me to take part in a Launchpad programme called Future Leaders, and I’ve been here ever since. 

Has the opportunity landscape changed since then? 

I think so! There seems to be more inroads to the music industry now, but maybe that’s because I’m more aware of them in my current position. I just hope the funding landscape allows these pathways to continue and grow, allowing further access for all communities. 

I’m loving to see more opportunities in the North, but I really hope this investment/decentralisation continues and forges real careers with meaningful impact for the Northern industry. 

Are there any specific internships, projects, or initiatives that you would recommend to newcomers looking to pursue a similar role? 

I’m probably biased… but I would definitely recommend people following AMP if they’re from North Yorkshire, and Launchpad if they’re from the wider Yorkshire area. 

Launchpad runs a project called Future Leaders – which I was a part of in its first year – which offers a group of emerging music industry professionals the opportunity to develop, learn and engage with others in a similar position. I’ve loved working on this project since I was a part of it, and it’s been wonderful to see how cohorts have been formed and progressed. 

Also Youth Music! Fantastic org for young peeps trying to get into the industry. But generally, showing up to events/conferences/gigs and being a friendly face people trust and recognise.

What advice do you have for building and leveraging a professional network in the music industry? 

Sounds like a motivational poster, but just be yourself and take your time! Don’t feel like you need to bust down the door at every networking opportunity and talk yourself blue in the face. 

Networking isn’t my favourite thing in the world, but I love making meaningful connections, so I approach conversations not as a ‘what can I get from you’ but just generally trying to get to know people, and connect on deeper levels. 

How has the evolving digital landscape impacted your role, and where do you focus to stay ahead? 

Hugely! A large part of the conversations I have with artists is around social media and how to ‘stay relevant’ whilst dealing with digital fatigue. 

It’s not an easy thing to find solutions for, but my focus is solely on artist wellbeing – and how they can satisfy promotion whilst not sacrificing their mental health. Finding balance is key! 

What trends or changes do you see on the horizon for the music industry, and how can early career professionals prepare for them? 

It sounds bizarre to say, but I see the artist being put back at the centre of the industry. Maybe it’s because I’m coming off the back of Doechii and Chappell Roan at the Grammys, but there’s a real call for reform when it comes to artist wellbeing and how they can be treated by ‘big industry’. 

Of course, in many ways I think the industry is healthier than it used to be, but we’ve still got work to do if we want this to be a viable career for artists from all backgrounds, and I’d urge all people wanting to work in this industry to take the time to speak to artists from underrepresented communities to get an understanding of what they’re having to face right now. 

What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you at the start of your career? 

You’re in this for the love of it, not the money. Family and friends might not understand the sacrifices that come with that, but it’s worth it for the job satisfaction of waking up and loving how you spend your 9-5.