MARTIN MYERS – Brief background
Updated 30 September 2022
A UCT graduate, and founder of the NPC Music Exchange, publicist and music manager, Martin Myers began his career in the music industry running UCT Radio, at the University of Cape Town, back in 1985.
He graduated and headed towards the corporate world when the music business teased him away out of leftfield.
His big break came when Martin organised a gig for the legendary Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse at UCT in 1985. Their personal and professional relationship was established and has remained solid over the past 35 years.
Together they have worked on numerous projects, including the 46664 Mandela Day concert in New York in July 2009, Baxter Theatre and Soweto Theatre shows. Sipho recently turned 70 and was on the cover of the Dec Jan 2021 /2022 issue of GQ South Africa.
For 16 years, Martin was BMG/ Sony Music’s Cape Town publicist, working closely with local and international acts, including Vusi Mahlasela, BLK Sonshine, Shayne Ward, Just Jinger, SSQ and John Legend, amongst many more local and international artists.
He was also a partner in SMD Technical, which he helped build up over 15 years and co-founded Crew U.
SMD did parties and events, and they delivered the glitz and glamour to events across the Western Cape. Examples include Sol Kerzner’s New Year’s Eve parties, DJing for Elton John and hundreds of weddings and corporate parties and events. Martin also curated music for many prestigious fashion shows, i.e., The Good Hope Designer Collections, the Nederburg Fashion Show, the Smirnoff International, the J&B Met Best-Dressed Couple, and the honour of working on Miss Namibia for over 21 years, with Mary Reynolds, Conny Maritz and JP Willson.
In 2009 Martin founded Music Exchange (#MEX).This non-profit body organises an annual music conference and monthly masterclasses designed to empower people in the music industry, especially young artists, with the knowledge necessary to turn their passion into a sustainable livelihood.
Music Exchange, recognised as South Africa’s leading independent music conference, has grown significantly and now hosts regular workshops throughout the year, along with leading figures from the world of music.
Now in its 12th year, the conference is held annually in November and has, over the years, brought many highly respected international speakers to Cape Town.
World music leaders include Charles Goldstuck, and Dr Trevor Jones, who Martin manages in South Africa, Trevor is one of the world’s top film composers based in Hollywood and London.
From Australia, Stuart Rubin (former Head of Marketing for BMG) and David Vodika (Chairman of Rubber Records Australia;); and, in 2014, from Germany, Tim Renner, the Minister for Culture for Berlin, and from the United States, Mos Def.
In 2015 #MEX hosted Bryan Michael Cox, the nine-time Grammy winner, and Brandon Bakshi, Head of BMI London. Two major international songwriting camps have also been held.
The conference is a meeting of minds and strategic advice and direction regarding talks and masterclasses come from my mentors who help guide the conversation on relevant topics with the express purpose of achieving attainable outcomes for artists, people like Jason Curtis, Lesley Wells, Arthur Goldstuck, Moreira Chonguica, Neill Johnson, John Fishlock and Stephen Werner and Jarrod Aston always have sage input to shape topics.
Martin currently manages RJ Benjamin, Siphokazi Jonas, and Dr Trevor Jones’ work in South Africa and Sipho“Hotstix”Mabuse.
Martin also consults with various artists, especially within the Western Cape.
Twitter @martinmyers @musicexchange
Email martmyers@gmail.com
Martin Myers 