Bruce Dickinson's business tips compilation

Never too early

One of my earliest ventures was when I was nine years old. I realized there was a shortage of pencils at school, so I started Rent-a-Pencil. But I made a fundamental mistake. Everybody stole my pencils.

I think the best way to find out about something is to try to do it to the max. A lot of people take up a hobby or sport and then find an excuse not to carry on with it. Once I start something, I won't stop until I'm as good at it as I'll ever be.

Niklas Sundin Interview

First of all, we would like to know how did you start being interested in arts and illustration and how did you end up being a professional graphic designer.

It's hard to say when the interest started, but for as long as I can remember I've enjoyed drawing. I guess that most kids get a pencil put in their hands at some point, but for me it just stuck. While my classmates were busy with stick figures, I tried to apply real perspective and shading (with dubious results, but still...) to my dinosaur drawings. When getting involved in the underground metal scene in the late ’80’s, I started making demo tape covers and flyers for bands, which often just were favors or done for free in a “support the scene” mindset, but it was a good starting point. I then studied art at the university for a while before getting involved with web design and after a while I started taking artwork commissions on the side and found myself being "professional", at least in the sense of getting paid for designing, ha ha!

Sean Yseult Interview

Besides being a respected musician, you have also been involved with photography and design. When did you start being interested in those subjects?

As a child I was always drawing abstract designs; our parents surrounded us with abstract coloring books and psychedelic rock posters, so it seemed normal. In high school I attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, and received a scholarship to stay on campus for the fine arts department. I clicked with photography immediately and had a great instructor, Michael Avedon. From high school I received a scholarship to Parsons School of Design in NYC. This is where Rob and I met and started White Zombie – we were both attending Parsons, as were our first drummer and guitarist.

What are your memories about your first days as a designer and as a photographer?

For photography, it was just exciting to create scenarios and put exactly what you want in the frame. I delved into infra-red film for quite a while too, and always loved the ghostly effects. For design, I loved creating the design, and then seeing the finished product, but loathed the whole business side of having to sell product.

Henry Rollins Interview

During the years you’ve written several books. What inspires you?

I am inspired by what makes me curious. Most of my books are travel oriented as in touring and seeing the world. A lot of that comes from curiosity. So, the writing goes outward from there. When I was younger, the writing more self-involved and introspective and now it’s more journalism. Perhaps that’s an age thing.

If you could make a movie or documentary based on any of your books or even asong lyrics, which one would you choose? Why?

It would probably be the new book Occupants, which is photographs and essays. It would have been great to have had a film crew on some of those trips where I got the photos.

Matt Barlow Interview

What were the reasons that made you want to become a police officer?

I really felt a sense of pride and personal responsibility because each of my family members had served in the military / law enforcement.  I wanted to contribute to the community and have a stable environment for raising a family.

Do you remember your first assignment as a police officer? How did it go?

I remember trying to get used to shift work…man, that was rough!  It’s pretty difficult working through the night on a twelve hour shift.  I’m much better at it now…I think.

Angela Gossow Interview

A few months ago Arch Enemy teamed up with Amnesty International on tour to support the “Expression of Freedom” campaign. Can you tell us a little about the experience and the message behind it? it sounds very interesting

AI is running a campaign called Art4Amnesty, where all kinds of artists with different ethnic, political and social background get involved in actively promoting AI’s human rights messages. We support the ‘Freedom Of Expression’ campaign as the topic is naturally very close to our hearts. We are fortunate to live in a part of the world where we can communicate our thoughts and beliefs without being threatened or punished for it. We want to raise awareness that this freedom is not the norm in other parts of the world. Many artists are being punished by governments for their visual art, music or general message. We hope one day everybody will be able to express themselves freely! AI came along with us on tour in Europe and the US, they had booths and campaigners at our shows, collecting signatures, giving out flyers and recruiting new supporters. The collaboration was very successful and I am proud of our fans and the metal scene to have the courage to get actively involved and practice.. not just preach!