Jen Long, a long-established figure within the music industry, has been working in the business for over ten years. In that time, she’s managed a recording/rehearsal studio, helped promote new artists, written for numerous music magazines such as NME, Clash magazine as well as worked as a Music Editor for DICE. She’s even driven a band in a van throughout Europe, with the help of Google Maps.
However, too many music fans and enthusiasts out there she fronted the new-music radio slot on BBC Introducing… in Wales, which eventually became BBC Introducing… in the UK. Unfortunately, it came to an end after a big reshuffle (budget cuts). Hopefully, we might hear her again on the radio.
Since that time, she has kept herself busy by supporting new artists promoting them, and runs a record label, and still continues to write about the music scene. A big passion of hers. You can see some of what she does on The Line of Best Fit.
Jen Long: “I got to know people, made myself useful, and kept in touch with everyone”
Adam Humphries: So, you’ve been working in the music industry now for over a decade, how do you feel about what you’ve achieved so far?
JL: There have been ups and downs, some achievements, and plenty of failures. I have some good pub stories, that’s for sure. I have no regrets and I’m grateful for all my experiences and opportunities.
AH: In the early days of your career, whilst you were still at uni when was it that you decided that a life in the industry was something you wanted to pursue?
JL: I think it was something that just happened. I didn’t really know what the music industry was when I was at uni, I just wanted to work in radio. But the more I got involved with music both locally and nationally, the more I discovered how much I enjoyed everything about the industry, the people, and the artists.
AH: Since uni there are a number of things that you have done including helping in the running of a music studio, touring a band whilst in Europe (with the help of Google Maps), and promoting.
JL: Yes, indeed. And still many more things I’d like to try my hand at!
AH: How did you end up getting involved with radio, where did you first begin?
JL: I joined the student radio station at Cardiff and just went from there. I was also DJing at clubs and bars in town. I started a podcast in 2006 and did some work experience for XFM, eventually working on the XFM South Wales license.
AH: During that time did you ever get involved with local community radio?
JL: I did not, no. Just the student radio association!
AH: So, with your music experience building how did you end up becoming a presenter for BBC Radio 1?
JL: I was very involved in the local music scene and was asked to be a tipster on Huw Stephens’ Radio 1 show. Then I won a week’s work experience on Newsbeat – a prize for winning Best Interview at the student radio awards. After one day in Newsbeat, it was clear I didn’t belong there and they sent me down to the specialist music office. I got to know people, made myself useful, and kept in touch with everyone. Eventually, I got a part time job as a broadcast assistant when BBC Introducing in Wales launched in 2007. I took over from Bethan as the presenter in 2011.
AH: Did your musical know-how come in useful when you took over the BBC Introducing in The Nations slot?
JL: Absolutely! I think it’s the reason they gave me the job!
AH: Before you took it over did the out-going presenter Bethan give you any advice?
JL: Yes. She told me, “Don’t be free, be cheap”. I’ve won a lot of work with that in mind.
AH: For quite some time there was a trio of you; Phil Taggart, Ally McCrae and yourself. As presenters and music enthusiasts did the three of you gel well?
JL: We did indeed! Ally and I are still very close.
AH: Obviously, by that point, the titles of the shows went from being regional to one big main one BBC Introducing in the UK. So how did it feel when it was just you and Ally McCrae?
JL: It was lovely to co-host with Ally. We became very good friends and had such a laugh. I did miss having a production team though. I got on really well with my old producer Ed in Wales and I loved the freedom we had to create features and play music I felt passionate about. I also missed the technical side of the show – being able to drive the desk and run things. The show was produced in Glasgow and I broadcast remotely from London, so I was just sitting alone in a studio till 2am with Ally on a bad video feed. Occasionally the cleaners would come in and start hoovering when I was on air. It was a bit Alan Partridge at times.
AH: So, come the day when the current format was being completely overhauled how did that feel?
JL: When I got the sack? That was probably the worst day of my life.
AH: I openly admit that as a music enthusiast myself BBC Introducing was one of my favorite shows when it was on and would happily stay up till 2 am just listening to you, Ally and Phil.
JL: Thanks! Yeah, it was a good time and I felt very proud seeing the acts we supported achieve success.
AH: So, going from radio to editorial how did that feel?
JL: I actually started out as a writer in Cardiff writing for a magazine called Kruger and then I started writing for Best Fit, Clash, NME. I love writing and still work for The Line of Best Fit.
AH: Did it feel different working at a magazine, DICE, compared to being on radio?
JL: Dice is actually a ticketing app! I was in charge of all the copies across the app, from the micro-copy in-app to the editorial in the events. It was a great experience and I learned a lot. The biggest shock was going from working at the BBC (no money) to working in tech with all the unlimited holiday, free snacks, and nice offices.
AH: And now of course you run your own management company, Take Care Management, was that something you had been thinking about for someone, or was it just completely out of the blue?
JL: I’ve been ‘helping out’ bands for a long time, usually acts who I released on my label, Kissability. Management is something that happened very slowly but made sense for me. I really love learning about all the different aspects of the music industry from live to press to labels to royalties. Management is a great mix of admin and creativity and I really enjoy it.
AH: Also, how did you get involved with Straight and Narrow Artist Management?
JL: They were looking for someone in London (as they are based in North America) and I was recommended by someone at a record label. We had a delightful breakfast at Dishoom one December morning and the rest is history!
AH: You’re also a contributor to The Live of Best Fit, how did you get involved in that?
I’ve been writing for the site for eleven years! I met the founder Rich Thane on a Songkick message board in 2009, I think. Best Fit has always been a big part of my life.
AH: Going back to the radio era for a moment as there are many people who remember you from your time on the airwaves, would you ever consider returning or contributing to the radio if the opportunity were to present itself?
JL: Absolutely!
AH: So, you help look after and manage artists as well as contribute to a music publication, before the current COVID situation how much hard work did it involve with the two?
JL: I was mostly focused on management in 2019/last year and just running partnerships for Best Fit. In the past ten months I’ve had more time due to lockdown so have been writing more. It’s always just a balancing act – some days you’re really busy, especially if one of your artists has a record coming out. Other days are quieter and you can go for a nice run at lunch.
AH: Since March last year and January this year we’ve been in lock-down, has that made much of an impact on the way you work?
JL: I miss meetings in real life. I’m very bored of being stuck in my bedroom. It’s been awful canceling tours and festivals and gigs. I miss them so much too! But I know I am lucky I still have work when so many colleagues are struggling. So, I try to look at the positives and stay hopeful that one day we can stand shoulder to shoulder and watch live music in a sunny field with a cold pint.
AH: Describe a day in your life, one from pre-COVID and one from current-COVID
JL: Pre-COVID-19… Wake up and listen to the news. Send some emails. Pack a bag and go to the gym. Send some more emails. Maybe do a meeting or two. More emails and a call. Eat a sandwich at Pret and go to a gig.
Nowadays… Wake up and listen to the news. Send some emails. Go for a run. Send some more emails. Do a few calls. Make dinner and watch TV.
AH: And finally, what can we expect from you for the rest of 2021?
JL: Plenty of Instagram stories of Pancake, my cat.
AH: And where can people find you on social media?
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jenlongrules
Twitter @jenlong
Instagram – @jenlongrules
