Venus & Mars Music … Ria John Bob & Sam Smith
Indie label, Venus & Mars Music, like most indies, plays a specific role in the music biz. That role is helping aspiring artists to uncover their arts, skills and creative / personal direction to the maximum benefit in their personal and professional life.
“All creatives need time and space to explore and uncover their talents and skills. They then need more time to develop and hone those talents; then, and only then, should they seek fame and fortune. Our philosophy derives from our fundamental belief that in the right environment talent can only grow”.
While uncovering and developing the arts and skills of artists, we are simultaneously protecting young artists, from instant, often damaging, exploitation while they themselves have not yet discovered their own source creativity. The next step is to provide space and platforms so the artist can learn, practice and promote their newfound arts and skills.
A prime example of our work is Global popstar Sam Smith.
Sam was introduced to V&M in 2007 by their unsung hero, Bobby Pearce (of ‘Ria John Bob’). Full story of ‘When Sam Met Bob’ is published in the book titled ‘Ria John Bob Walking To A Different Beat’.
Bob was the first to discover Sam and he directed Sam from musicals (which Sam was considering as his future career) to pop to V&M. Sam came to us armed with only one dream “I want to be a Star”. His inner undiscovered talents were obvious to us, no one could give that to any artist but, without that inner talent being spotted and developed, no artist can grow into their full potential. At that time Sam had no professional experience and had not yet discovered their personal or creative direction so, they would not have been able to achieve their one and only dream of becoming a star. V&M stepped in and provided all Sam needed.
And so started a 3-year journey for Sam with V&M who created a personal development plan designed specifically for Sam. After 3 years, Sam emerged liked a butterfly from a cocoon as an informed person and a burgeoning pop star with all their professional firsts already achieved … including First charts, studio album & singles, photoshoot, documentary, self-penned album and so much more.
“V&M took Sam to the edge of his awesome career on which he could and did paint the landscape of his future”. Betty Kane V&M Director 2010.
Major labels ‘usually’ step in when the work of the indie is complete; they ‘usually’ appreciate the indie’s role in making the artist ready for them and their massive resources, before sweeping the artist off to heady headlines and success on the world music stage.
However, in Sam and V&M’s case that was handled differently by Sam’s new Camp.
Sam’s new Label: Capitol Records (UMG) | Management:- Method Music …Jack Street, Sam Evitt and Mansion Artists-Elvin Smith | Sony Publishing | Parents: Kate Cassidy, Mark Harris, Fred Smith | Complicit corporate collaborators include:- Apple | Spotify | Tidal | BBC.
Although all were (are) aware of Sam’s life-defining journey with V&M, they chose to ignore the truth and fabricated a whole new history for 21-year-old Sam. Sam must now live with those lies for the rest of their life! And we (V&M) pointed that fact out to Sam’s new Camp at the time as we were genuinely concerned for the still young Sam now swept into a dreamscape more than even Sam could have imagined.
If you believe that any detail in this statement is untrue, we will welcome and respond to questions or challenges regarding their validity.
However, one lone journalist recognised the truth…
“Smith has the background to succeed and seems to have been groomed for pop stardom” Tim Jonze, Guardian 2014
The decision of Sam’s camp to bury Sam’s real history, and consequently our work, was their decision. We do not publish these facts for sensation; we publish for validation of our work and the work of our team. We are happy that Sam’s history, which was achieved through our work, is finally told.
‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’ – Sam’s true history is taken from step by step multimedia records of Sam’s journey with V&M
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
‘THE BOOK OF SAM’
Sam was a consummate communicator from the start and communicated almost daily. The Book of Sam, via communications between V&M and Sam, tells the entire story of Sam’s 2007-2010 V&M journey.
2007 “I Want to be a star”
2008 “Wow Wow Wow Wow. I am well and truly, happy. I really made a great decision going with V&M. They are changing my life. I have achieved things that people spend a lifetime trying to do. Do. All I can say is thank you so much, thank you, thank you.
2009 “I’m feeling found” and “I’ve gone on an incredible incredible journey with the first album, it taught me my art.
2010 “V&M taught me that LOVE is vital” .
‘The Book Of Sam’ 450 pages paint a definitive picture of Sam’s entire journey with V&M.
No Memories
No Hearsay
Just History