Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
DAMIAN HARRIS (SKINT / VICIOUS CHARM RECORDS) speaks with ROBERT LUIS as part of the MAPS, ADVICE & STORIES series. Part 2 of 2
The conversation continues with the final part as Damian talks about how samples became an issue at Skint, not having the vocabulary at the time to communicate to Norman Cook as an A&R about the 4th Fatboy Slim album, Napster using a quote of Damian’s to promote Napster, some great advice on being a better A&R and trying to get an A&R job within the music industry and Damian’s new label Vicious Charm.
Part 2
1.32.00 Having fun with samples changes with a certain level of success
1.39.00 Working X-Press 2, Dave Clarke and Freq Nasty as the crash in the music industry in the 2000’s was happening
1.42.00 The rise of the CD burner
1.42.30 Napster using a quote of Damain’s to promote Napster!
1.46.00 Beginning not to enjoy the business part of the music business
1.48.40 The first time there was a struggle on the A&R side between Damian and Norman and everyone feeling the pressure
1.51.40 Damian suggesting maybe to kill of the Fatboy Slim name to take the pressure away which did not go down well at the time.
1.54.00 Damian moves to Paris to record his second album
1.59.00 Big Beach Boutique
2.01.00 The A&R dilemma of Fatboy Slim at the time and not having the vocabulary to deal with it
2.07.50 What happened next with Skint and the office becoming less fun. Other people doing A&R for Skint because Damian had moved to Paris.
2.09.30 The importance of enthusiasm at a label and the feeling it was time to sell the label.
2.13.00 The earning structure as an A&R and co-owner of a label that is doing well
2.19.00 Working with Crooked Man and working with Roisin Murphy on Skint with BMG
2.20.30 Inspired to start the new label Vicious Charm
2.23.00 The readjustment to the current music industry
2.27.30 Damian’s advice for anyone wanting to be an A&R from his experience
2.35.00 Working on communication vocabulary with artists
2.37.30 Damian reveals he has never spoken to Parrot / Crooked Man and all A&R has been done on email
2.42.00 Some artists you do not need to A&R too heavily
2.43.00 The next chapter and being in a good music place
Damian Harris online:
instagram.com/_generalisation_
instagram.com/theviciouscharm
Website: theviciouscharm.com
Robert Luis online:
instagram.com/robertluis
facebook.com/robert.luis.5203
twitter.com/ROBERTLUIS
tiktok.com/@robertluisdj
robertluis.com
Tru Thoughts Online:
facebook.com/truthoughts
instagram.com/tru_thoughts
soundcloud.com/tru-thoughts
twitter.com/tru_thoughts
https://bsky.app/profile/truthoughts.bsky.social
DAMIAN HARRIS (SKINT / VICIOUS CHARM RECORDS) speaks with ROBERT LUIS as part of the MAPS, ADVICE & STORIES series. Part 2 of 2
The conversation continues with the final part as Damian talks about how samples became an issue at Skint, not having the vocabulary at the time to communicate to Norman Cook as an A&R about the 4th Fatboy Slim album, Napster using a quote of Damian’s to promote Napster, some great advice on being a better A&R and trying to get an A&R job within the music industry and Damian’s new label Vicious Charm.
Part 2
1.32.00 Having fun with samples changes with a certain level of success
1.39.00 Working X-Press 2, Dave Clarke and Freq Nasty as the crash in the music industry in the 2000’s was happening
1.42.00 The rise of the CD burner
1.42.30 Napster using a quote of Damain’s to promote Napster!
1.46.00 Beginning not to enjoy the business part of the music business
1.48.40 The first time there was a struggle on the A&R side between Damian and Norman and everyone feeling the pressure
1.51.40 Damian suggesting maybe to kill of the Fatboy Slim name to take the pressure away which did not go down well at the time.
1.54.00 Damian moves to Paris to record his second album
1.59.00 Big Beach Boutique
2.01.00 The A&R dilemma of Fatboy Slim at the time and not having the vocabulary to deal with it
2.07.50 What happened next with Skint and the office becoming less fun. Other people doing A&R for Skint because Damian had moved to Paris.
2.09.30 The importance of enthusiasm at a label and the feeling it was time to sell the label.
2.13.00 The earning structure as an A&R and co-owner of a label that is doing well
2.19.00 Working with Crooked Man and working with Roisin Murphy on Skint with BMG
2.20.30 Inspired to start the new label Vicious Charm
2.23.00 The readjustment to the current music industry
2.27.30 Damian’s advice for anyone wanting to be an A&R from his experience
2.35.00 Working on communication vocabulary with artists
2.37.30 Damian reveals he has never spoken to Parrot / Crooked Man and all A&R has been done on email
2.42.00 Some artists you do not need to A&R too heavily
2.43.00 The next chapter and being in a good music place
Damian Harris online:
instagram.com/_generalisation_
instagram.com/theviciouscharm
Website: theviciouscharm.com
Robert Luis online:
instagram.com/robertluis
facebook.com/robert.luis.5203
twitter.com/ROBERTLUIS
tiktok.com/@robertluisdj
robertluis.com
Tru Thoughts Online:
facebook.com/truthoughts
instagram.com/tru_thoughts
soundcloud.com/tru-thoughts
twitter.com/tru_thoughts
https://bsky.app/profile/truthoughts.bsky.social
