James, who has been 27 years with Mushroom Music, is much sought after by music industry panels for his wit and no-bullshit commentary on the music industry. Speaking about the acts being signed and the type of young people entering the music industry, he once famously remarked, “I’m not the least bit interested in competency. In fact, what I look for is genius, but I’ll settle for extreme talent.”
James, and Mushroom Music, have long links with the University. James helped set up VU’s Bachelor of Business (Music Industry) in 1998 and has been a regular guest lecturer. One of the developers of the course and its lecturer was another long-time music industry vet, Adrian Marchesani. It was the first tertiary music business course to be established in Australia, and covered record labels, music publishing, live touring, and marketing and promotion.
Mushroom Music has provided internships for students in the music industry program, and four graduates are full time employees at Mushroom Victoria. James said, “It is great how the music business course at Victoria University is growing in reputation. I’m proud to be associated with it and enjoy interacting with the students coming through. They are the future of our business.”
