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 Liv Judd, Audience Development Intern at Partisan Records.
From spending eight years building her own artist project to landing her first label role at 27, Liv’s journey is proof that taking the more unconventional route can be the smarter play.
She shares how her artist project, music writing and freelance work gave her the kind of hands-on experience that actually matters in audience development, and why showing up to a focus group months before applying to her current internship turned out to be the move that got her in the door.
She’s refreshingly honest about not having it figured out at 22, and her take on young people ditching the chronically online lifestyle is an exciting pointer to where audience engagement might be heading next.
Read the full Q&A with Liv below 👇
What’s your current role in the music industry?
I’m an Audience Development Intern at Partisan Records.
What does your general day to day look like?
My day to day is usually pretty different, which is one of the things I love most about this role. Some days, I get to head out to shoots to capture content with artists, or I am editing video cutdowns for them to share on their socials.
Other days, I’m doing audits and deep-diving into an artist’s data and analytics, trying to better understand what types of content works for their current and prospective audiences across digital platforms. It’s fun to get into the nerdy side as well as the creative.
What steps did you take early in your career to gain experience and build skills to get you where you are now?
This is actually my first label job, but I’ve spent the last eight years building my own artist project. Through this, I’ve gained first-hand experience of virtually every aspect of being an artist - from the conception of a song to how to release and market it. This really laid the foundations for what I now do at Partisan.
What opportunities did you explore early on that were particularly valuable?
Alongside my artist project, I spent last year writing for music magazines and outlets, as well as freelancing for a marketing agency called Lemontank.
Both of these roles helped me to become more well-rounded and versatile in my marketing and communication skills, as I had to broaden my understanding of digital strategy beyond just my own project.
Has the opportunity landscape changed since then?
Yes and no - the nature of the music industry is incredibly transient and I think the job opportunities that are available reflect that.
The kind of jobs labels or agencies are hiring for adapt with the ever-changing and evolving landscape, which can make it feel unstable, but I think it’s exciting and it’s just about having multiple strings to your bow.
Are there any specific internships, projects, or initiatives that you would recommend to newcomers looking to pursue a similar role?
Lemontank definitely helped with landing the internship, namely because I actually attended a focus group for one of Partisan’s signings a few months prior to getting the job here.
This meant that, when I applied for the role, I had already met my now manager and formed a connection; she could put a face to the name on my CV. I also networked a lot, and I think meeting people and forming relationships are paramount to any creative career. You never know who you might meet!
What advice do you have for building and leveraging a professional network in the music industry?
Go to as many in-person networking and music events as you can. I have gone to countless events over the last eight years and it is hands down the best way to get your foot in the door.
I am fortunate to have always lived in London or Brighton, and completely recognise the privilege of living in or near where the music industry predominantly exists, but even if you can try and make it to an industry event every few months, it’ll be worth it.
How has the evolving digital landscape impacted your role, and where do you focus to stay ahead?
I think you’re increasingly expected to be able to wear several hats in any role nowadays, which can feel daunting, but I think it’s about finding which skills you naturally enjoy utilising the most, and then develop and build upon those.
You never know what random skill might become invaluable and the reason you get hired for a certain role, so experiment and follow what you genuinely enjoy. I’m an artist and never saw myself getting a label job, but the skills I built through that have become so valuable to the role I do now.
What trends or changes do you see on the horizon for the music industry, and how can early career professionals prepare for them?
I’m seeing an increasing trend in young people moving away from the digital world. There’s a growing distrust in social media platforms due to AI, and I think people just don’t want to be so chronically online anymore.
I find this really exciting and I would encourage early career professionals to keep an open-mind to ways the music industry can engage and nurture audiences outside of the digital realm.
What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
Firstly, do what brings you joy. Secondly, you don’t have to have it all figured out as soon as you leave school or university. I’m 27 and this is my first ‘proper’ industry job, and I’m glad I got into it now because I have accumulated so much more experience - both professionally and personally.
Build something on your own first and figure out what you do and don’t like. Forming your own path will set you aside from other people and help you to learn more about yourself, which will be your most powerful asset.