SHREDnews

Tell us a little about yourself

Hey Folks! My name is Poppy and I live near London, UK. I finished my A-levels in the summer and am currently taking a year out of education to travel, work and relax before heading to university next fall to study Music Industry Management. Like most people I love music and try to go to as many live shows as possible! If I hear or see something special I like to share it with others so they can experience it too, that’s part of the reason why I love working for Shred and want to work in the industry. I have a pretty odd sense of humour and am very uncool but I don’t really mind!

How did you get started and how do you know the other staff members?

I originally found out about Shred though the band Conditions but only realized there was a news site when Bekka (Shred) posted a tweet. After checking out the site I contacted Kayley who asked me to write a test article and then put me on trial as a writer. Thankfully I was taken on as part of the staff and this November was lucky enough to be made Co-Assistant editor, something that i’m still completely stoked about! I knew Bekka through Conditions video chats (I think we may have been the only Brits up at 3am for these chats!) and Kayley through those emails! Since then i’ve just been getting to know the rest of the staff through work and things like twitter and facebook, they’re a cool bunch!

First show & favorite show?

I think the first proper show I ever went to was a Steps (cheesy pop group) concert at Wembley Stadium when I was about 7. It’s funny when I think about it now but at the time I was practically hyperventilating at the thought of seeing my crush ‘H’ on stage. I would have been crushed if I’d known he was gay!! I’ve been fortunate enough to go to some absolutely amazing shows and this year my favorite has gone from the foo fighters in Birmingham, to A Day To Remember in Oxford, to VersaEmerge in London,to Underoath in London, to A Day To Remember at Warped, and to Underoath at Warped. However this past Friday I went to a show that I hope I will never forget – Paramore at Wembley Arena. There aren’t even words to describe how perfect the whole night was. The support acts were great (I haven’t stopped listening to Now Now Every Children since!) and I’ve never seen a Paramore show like it! Everyone was so happy, the band played with immense passion (Josh even screamed during ‘My Heart’) and I was with some amazing people so it’s definitely my new favorite!

First record you ever purchased?

It was ‘Pure and Simple’ by the pop-group Hear’say. Oh dear!

Favorite part of your job?

I love hearing feedback from readers, it’s great to hear that someone likes your writing or has checked out and enjoyed an artist you’ve recommended.  Someone actually sent me a link to where one of my articles has been translated into Arabic which was pretty cool to say the least! It’s also great to hear from the artists themselves as it shows that they take the time to listen to what people think. I also love to read the articles from other members of staff as they have great music taste and there are some great moments from interviews!

What’s the most recent interview you’ve done?

My most recent in person interview was with the group Franko but in the New Year i’m hoping to have a series of interviews that look behind the scenes in the music industry. First up will be Eric Kobus of By Tonight Management, he manages the band ‘Crash Coordinates’ and has lots of experience in the industry. Hopefully you’ll get to see the interview towards the end of January!

Do you have a favorite interview?

Before I joined Shred I was lucky enough to interview Jeremy of A Day To Remember which was absolutely amazing as he’s one of my favorite musicians, not to mention he’s actually very funny, so that was a day i’ll never forget! However my favorite interview for Shred has definitely got to be with Azriel as they were so laid back, really friendly and hilarious! Plus they’re an extremely talented band that I know are going to go far so it was great to hear about their new plans.

Is it tough doing press in certain places? (Big venues, small venues, big tours, etc)

I haven’t done much press in person but from what I’ve experienced there can sometimes be problems due to lack of communication. One of the bands I interviewed didn’t actually even know about it until the day even though their management contacted us to see if we’d be interested, and then their whole team was badly organized and often rude. The funny thing was that they were the least well known band I’ve interviewed and yet they were the most difficult!! The bigger bands have tended to be more professional and easier to interview,

Do you have a favorite venue to do press at?

I really liked the Garage in London, it was the first time I’d been there and it had a great atmosphere and size. I’d love to do press at Brixton Academy one day.

Where do you see Shred a year from now?

Hopefully Shred will be gaining more recognition and readership, getting press with more bands, getting some new features and new writers to make the experience even better for our readers. Mainly I hope that we continue keeping people entertained and informed, and that we continue to support new artists. I really believe in the site and the staff so I hope we’ll go far!

Most embarrassing song on your iPod?

Either Bjork – It’s All So Quiet, The Super Mario and Bomberman theme tunes or… JoJo – Leave (Get out!) I honestly have no idea how it got there!

Most embarrassing moment?

I’m pretty much one big walking embarrassment but if I had to pick a ‘highlight’, as such, it’d have to be a tie between getting ‘run-over’ by a 4-year old on a bicycle (with stabilizers!) and my best friend witnessing my mum and dad’s rendition of ‘Golddigga’ by Kanye West (complete with rap!) one morning…horrifying!

Who is one musician, dead or alive, that you’d most like to meet?

Oooh! This is always one of those difficult ones! I’d have to say any of The Beatles or either Jeff Buckley or Dave Grohl.

Give us a random interesting fact about yourself

I used to be pretty pro at football (Soccer) when I was younger and once played in front of the Queen and England Manager! I also just had a nose bleed. Oh, and I have an identical twin!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m so glad I found Shred news! Not only has it kept me sane but it’s also given me so many amazing opportunities that I’m extremely grateful for. I love the staff and readers! Thank you to anyone who’s ever read our articles, re-tweeted them, posted them etc It means a hell of a lot