MusicTank

Mike Smith enjoyed his first break in the music industry as a talent scout for MCA Music between 1988 -1991 during which time he signed Blur.

He joined EMI Music in 1992 as an A&R Manager. In 1999 he became Vice President A&R and Senior Vice President A&R in 2001. This came on the back of a string of strong signings including Supergrass, Elastica, Teenage Fan Club, Doves, Beta Band, Avalanches, Starsailor, Guy Chambers, The Libertines and The White Stripes. He also brought Blur over to EMI and signed Gorillaz.

In 2002 Mike became a Director of the company and in the Spring of 2005 he assumed responsibility for running the A&R Dept as Director of A&R. He played a key part, alongside Guy Moot in landing The Scissor Sisters and has added Arcade Fire and the Arctic Monkeys to his list of signings. Whilst at EMI Mike also worked with Robbie Williams, Beth Orton, PJ Harvey& The Verve.

Now as MD of Columbia Records his roster includes Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Avril Lavigne, Kasabian, The Zutons, Editors, Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, The View and many others…