Insomniac Magazine recently participated in an interview with Julian Lennon to discuss his new release and a brand new company called theRevolution LLC. Lennon and music industry professionals Michael Birch (sold Bebo to AOL for $850 million) and Todd Meaghe (created the first 50/50 artist music store) started the company as a new approach to releasing music and working with artists. The company scouts talent, and then helps set up these artists with their own businesses. The company assists the artists with a variety of business endeavors including: finance, development, digital and physical distribution, promotion, and other important aspects of their careers.
In this first segment, Julian talks about this new approach to the music industry.
Julian is also one of the first artists on the label. His new release, a four-track EP, was co-written and co-performed James Scott Cook. The title track “Lucy” is about his childhood friend that inspired his father and The Beatles to write and record “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Lucy Vodden recently died from complications of lupus. theRevolution is donating a portion of proceeds to various lupus foundations. Cook’s grandmother, also named Lucy, also died from the same illness.
As a child, Julian created a drawing of Lucy. This image was the inspiration for the classic Beatles’ song. In this interview Lennon discusses his thoughts on the industry, his motivation for theRevolution, and he speaks about Lucy. As well, he talks about forgiving his father for not playing a significant role in his upbringing. Lennon has had significant previous success of his own with releases such as “Valotte,” which the Grammy nominated “Too Late for Goodbyes” was a single from.
Despite his successes, and the fact that his father is one of the most acclaimed artists in the history of music, Lennon has still had a rough time as a recording artist. This is part of his motivation for starting theRevolution. The company’s slogan is “Turning the music business into the musician’s business.” It is Lennon’s desire to help artists be in business for themselves. – Israel Vasquetelle
During the talk, Lennon provides further insight into his life in music.
(Julian Lennon on the Music Industry)
(Julian Lennon on forgiving his father)
