Industry-ready with Island Records

A visit from Darcus Beese OBE, President of Island Records and one of the most influential figures in the UK music industry, was the catalyst for the start of an incredible relationship between the record label and Falmouth University.

Darcus is an Honorary Fellow of the University and the creative vibe, potential of the students and the nurturing, open structure of the course captured his imagination and eventually led to the creation of the Island Record Internship Award, which awards one student a year long paid internship with the prestigious label.

Island Records, home of artists like U2, Bob Marley and Mumford & Sons, attracts nearly 12,000 applicants for their internships each year, and it's not hard to see why. Popular Music graduate, Dom Mckiernan, began his internship there in 2016 and has since gone on the work with XL Recordings and Warner Music.

"I worked in the digital marketing team during my time at Island," Dom says. "I got to meet great people, make good friends and learn a lot from everyone around me. It was an invaluable experience." 

Dom was also involved in running the social media accounts for Island, which saw him meet and photograph a whole range of different artists including Dizzie Rascal, Sigrid and Donae'o. He also helped with Island's annual party set on a private island.

Dom says the environment at Falmouth's Academy of Music and Theatre Arts was key in helping him get to the position he's in now.

"Falmouth is such a tight-knit community of multidisciplinary artists, there's someone doing a bit of everything," he adds. "It's an amazing environment to be in and to have the opportunity to collaborate with people was key. It was a brilliant place to grow."

Find out more about BA(Hons) Popular Music