Interview with Martin Cox - Formerly on Employment Option of New Deal for Musicians - one of the Transitional Employees and Trainees at Relyte Records. Martin has now found employment as a Music Development Officer in Manchester.

Your route to New Deal for Musicians was slightly different than most of the participants, tell us why, Martin?

I had been studying a PGCE in Secondary School Teaching, but I decided that teaching wasn't the route I wanted to take, so, after doing a temporary job and saving enough to move to Leeds, I found out about the opportunity to work at Beaumont Street Studio's new label, Relyte Records, before I found out about NDfM

After securing a provisional place on the scheme, I asked at the Job Centre if I could go straight onto New Deal explaining that I would be off it in a week. What I, and any musician seeking to survive needs, is professional experience, which is hard to get just anywhere. So, when an opportunity , such as this, arises, you really have to go for it, hellbent for leather!!

Have you ever been appointed a Music Industry Consultant (MIC) under New Deal for Musicians?

No, but, indirectly I have one in my Label Manager, Kath, because she, as well as being, a Music Industry Consultant and a person with 18 years in the Industry, is helping me in a real way. Professional experience is hard to find. There are many people who have a marginal amount of experience who's expertise, in the industry, is negligible. These people can be dangerous and as much use to a musician, as a deaf A & R man at a gig. They are always the first to offer their assistance.

What are you currently doing musically?

Lots of stuff. My main project is doing some twisted Zappa-esque Jazz with a Big Band I have recently formed. It's cool.

Would you say that your experience of New Deal, as brief as the Gateway period was, has been positive for you?

I would say that my experience at Relyte Records has been positive