West Management
Led by Marc Picken, West Management represents artists including Massive Attack, Young Fathers, Soulwax, and Richard Russell. I've worked on and off with West since 1996, helping to articulate artist visions for creative, commercial or financial partners, co-commissioning music videos and content, introducing diverse collaborators, providing research, and exploring business opportunities both inside and outside of music.
‘90s
I first worked with Marc and West whilst at Virgin Records, working with the legendary Carole Burton Fairbrother (IYKYK), on all videos for Mezzanine. These included ‘Teardrop,’ (d: Walter Stern) ‘Angel,’ (d: Walter Stern) ‘Inertia Creeps,’ (d: W.I.Z.) and ‘Risingson,’ (d: Walter Stern) I also commissioned videos for artists on Massive Attack's Melankolic label, including Alpha, Day One, Craig Armstrong, and Sunna.
‘10s
In 2013, I reconnected with Marc and West, co-commissioning and creatively EP’ing videos for We Are Shining, Acyde & Morgan Zarate’s genius but short-lived outfit, including ‘The Wheel,’ (d: Carl Addy) ‘Killing Me,’ (d: Ed Morris) and ‘Road,’ (d: Carl Addy). In 2015/16, I did the same for Massive Attack’s Ritual Spirit and The Spoils EPs, with videos for ‘Voodoo in my Blood’ (d. Ringan Ledwidge), and ‘Come Near Me,’ (d: Ed Morris.) Massive Attack won Video Artist of the Year at the UK Music Video Awards that year. I also commissioned and EP'd the film ‘Mad Lifeline’ (d: Ed Morris) for 3D’s Battlebox imprint, featuring vocals by Tunde Adebimpe. The film was exhibited at the Hammer Museum of Modern Art, LA. In 2018, I co-wrote and EP'd the video for Young Fathers' ‘In My View,’ (d: Jack Whiteley.) Young Fathers won Video Artist of the Year that year.
‘20s
In the early socially distanced 2020s, I began working with Robert Del Naja, helping to crystallise and articulate his creative vision(s) for partners, broadcasters, and/or financiers. Projects have ranged from an AI-driven reimagining of the Strauss opera, ‘Elektra’, to various film and technology ideas. I’ve also provided research for Soulwax, Young Fathers and others. I continue to collaborate with West artists, and work with Marc to explore business and partnership opportunities to help West fly.
“Andy is a brilliant creative and strategic collaborator and has been for years. He’s empathetic and patient with artists and can get the best out of them. He also knows a shit tonne of people who trust and like him across many different fields. That’s so useful. His network and frames of reference are ridiculously deep and broad.”
Marc Picken