Executive Overview
For over two decades, the independent music landscape in the United Kingdom has relied on a handful of fiercely autonomous labels to champion left-field artistry, underground experimentation, and uncompromising indie-rock. Among the most enduring and respected of these institutions is Full Time Hobby. Operating as a cornerstone of the broader Full Time Hobby Music (FTHM) group—which also houses sister label Hassle Records, alongside dedicated publishing and artist management arms—the company has carved out a distinct niche that successfully bridges the gap between avant-garde creative vision and commercial viability.
Now, as the music industry navigates a complex, streaming-dominated era defined by algorithmic shifts and rapid consumer trends, Full Time Hobby is reinforcing its operational core. The label has officially opened recruitment for a Project Manager, a pivotal, full-time permanent role based out of their headquarters in Dalston, London.
For aspiring music executives and industry professionals, this opening represents a rare gateway into the upper echelons of independent label management. Reporting directly to the FTHM Directors, the incoming Project Manager will be tasked with steering album campaigns for a diverse roster of alternative, psych-rock, folk, and indie-pop acts. However, this is far more than a routine administrative vacancy; the recruitment process itself reflects the label’s unique cultural ethos. Candidates are famously required to submit not only their Curriculum Vitae (CV) but also a curated list of their ten all-time favorite albums and the last three live gigs they attended—a testament to Full Time Hobby’s insistence that genuine, deep-seated passion for music must sit at the heart of industry professionalism.
With applications closing sharply at 6:00 PM on Friday, September 4th, and submissions being reviewed on a rolling basis, the race is on to join one of London’s most culturally significant independent music operations.
Detailed Chronology: Two Decades of Independent Resilience
The Genesis: 2004 and the Birth of an Indie Haven
To understand the weight of the Project Manager vacancy, one must examine the legacy of Full Time Hobby itself. Founded in 2004, the label emerged during a fascinating transitional period for the global music industry. Major labels were still reeling from the early disruptions of peer-to-peer file sharing, while the modern digital streaming ecosystem was still years away. In this volatile climate, Full Time Hobby established itself as a safe harbor for artists who defied easy categorization.
From its earliest days, the label rejected the assembly-line approach of major conglomerates. Instead, it focused on cultivating a tight-knit community of left-field singer-songwriters, boundary-pushing folk acts, alternative country stylists, and garage-rock revivalists. This curation-first philosophy allowed the label to build immediate credibility with tastemakers, music critics, and a fiercely loyal fan base.
Expansion into the FTHM Ecosystem
As the music industry evolved through the 2010s, Full Time Hobby adapted by expanding its infrastructure. Recognizing the need for diversification to protect against market fluctuations, the enterprise evolved into the Full Time Hobby Music (FTHM) group. This structural evolution brought sister label Hassle Records under the corporate umbrella, alongside dedicated publishing and management divisions.
This multi-faceted expansion transformed FTHM into a comprehensive boutique music company. It allowed the organization to nurture talent across the entire lifecycle of a career—from initial songwriting and publishing rights management to physical and digital record campaigns and live representation. Within this robust framework, the Full Time Hobby label has maintained its distinct identity as a home for innovative, guitar-driven, and alternative sounds.
The Modern Roster and Artistic Legacy
Over the past twenty years, Full Time Hobby has maintained an enviable hit-to-miss ratio when unearthing and developing vital talent. The label’s historic and contemporary roster reads as a roll-call of critical acclaim in modern alternative music.
Among the notable acts that have defined the label’s sound are:
- Tunng: Pioneers of the folktronica movement, blending acoustic instrumentation with electronic manipulation.
- White Denim: The Austin, Texas-based powerhouse known for blending blistering garage rock, psych-rock, and complex progressive arrangements.
- Timber Timbre: Creators of cinematic, haunting, and noir-infused alt-folk soundscapes.
- Ghostwoman: Modern purveyors of raw, analogue-driven garage and psych-rock.
- Squirrel Flower: The critically lauded indie-rock project of Ella Williams, known for emotive lyricism and expansive sonic textures.
- Sylvie: The harmonious, soft-rock and Laurel Canyon-inspired collective capturing classic 1970s warmth.
- School Of Seven Bells: The influential dream-pop and electronic-rock outfit whose ethereal compositions left an indelible mark on 2000s indie music.
The incoming Project Manager will step directly into this rich heritage, tasked with shepherding the future releases of these artists and discovering the next generation of left-field innovators.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Ethics, Work Culture, and the Modern Music Market
Balancing Art and Commerce
In their official corporate profile, Full Time Hobby proudly states that they "walk the fine line between art and commerce." In the contemporary music business, this is a notoriously difficult tightrope to walk. Major labels often tilt excessively toward algorithmic optimization and TikTok-driven virality, occasionally at the expense of artistic depth. Conversely, micro-indies can sometimes struggle to scale their releases to reach viable audiences.
Full Time Hobby has survived and thrived for over two decades by maintaining high production and marketing standards while honoring the eccentricities of its artists. For a Project Manager, this means possessing a dual mindset: you must be just as comfortable negotiating DSP (Digital Service Provider) playlist placements with Spotify and Apple Music editors as you are coordinating bespoke vinyl packaging for audiophile collectors.
Environmentalism and Corporate Social Responsibility
What sets FTHM apart from many of its independent peers is its active commitment to socio-political and environmental causes. The music industry has historically faced heavy criticism for its carbon footprint—particularly regarding the global manufacturing and shipping of vinyl records, CD production, and international touring logistics.
Full Time Hobby actively confronts these challenges by:
- Supporting and promoting environmental causes across its platforms.
- Encouraging charitable fundraising initiatives integrated into album campaigns.
- Facilitating staff and artist volunteering opportunities where possible.
For prospective applicants, this signals that the label values holistic corporate citizenship. The ideal Project Manager will not only understand release schedules and marketing budgets but will also align with the company’s ethical compass, integrating sustainability and social consciousness into campaign planning.
Role Breakdown, Location, and Work-Life Balance
The position is structured to offer stability within a notoriously fast-paced industry:
- Job Project Manager
- Salary: Competitive / Dependent on experience
- Contract Terms: Full-time, permanent
- Reporting Structure: Directly to the FTHM Directors
- Working Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (with necessary flexibility outside these hours for gig attendance, industry networking, and live promotional events)
- Location: Based out of the label’s creative hub in Dalston, East London, with appropriate hybrid remote-working flexibility.
Dalston remains one of London’s premier creative and cultural epicenters, making it an ideal breeding ground for an independent record label. Proximity to local gig venues, independent record shops, and a vibrant community of artists provides an immersive ecosystem for a music project manager.
Official Statements and Industry Insights
While the job advertisement itself is concise, industry insiders and past label associates have frequently commented on the unique culture cultivated within the Full Time Hobby offices.
Speaking on the ethos of independent label management in the modern era, industry analysts note that the role of a project manager has transformed dramatically. No longer confined to traditional PR coordination and distribution logistics, today’s independent project managers must act as digital architects, data analysts, sync-licensing facilitators, and community builders.
"Running campaigns for left-field artists like Ghostwoman or Timber Timbre requires an entirely different playbook than pushing mainstream pop," notes a London-based independent artist manager familiar with the FTHM ecosystem. "You cannot rely on brute-force marketing spend. You have to build authentic narratives, engage deeply with specialist music press like Uncut, Mojo, and Pitchfork, and nurture grass-roots fan communities. Full Time Hobby has mastered this art over the last twenty years, which is why their team members are universally respected across the UK indie sector."
The requirement for candidates to submit their ten favorite albums and last three attended gigs is not merely a quirky HR gimmick; it is an effective filter designed to ensure that applicants possess genuine cultural fluency. In an industry where burnout is high and passion is the primary currency, FTHM wants to ensure that prospective managers speak the native language of the artists they serve.
Future Outlook: The Road Ahead for Full Time Hobby
As the music industry looks toward the remainder of the 2020s, independent labels face a complex matrix of challenges and opportunities. The ongoing vinyl renaissance continues to provide vital physical revenue streams for boutique labels, even as global supply chain pressures and manufacturing costs fluctuate. Meanwhile, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into music creation and marketing poses both creative questions and legal challenges for copyright-holders.
Within this landscape, Full Time Hobby remains uniquely positioned to weather economic storms. By maintaining a lean, highly skilled team in Dalston, leveraging the multi-faceted resources of the FTHM group (including Hassle Records and their publishing wing), and staying true to their founding commitment to alternative, non-conformist music, the label is built for longevity.
The appointment of this new Project Manager is a crucial step in cementing that future. The successful candidate will inherit a pipeline of exciting releases, a fiercely loyal global audience, and a brand name that carries instant institutional weight.
How to Apply
For qualified professionals ready to take on this challenge, the application window is rapidly closing.
Application Requirements:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A curated list of your ten favorite albums (in any order).
- A record of the last three live gigs you attended.
Submission Details:
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Deadline: 6:00 PM on Friday, September 4th.
- Note: Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received, meaning early submission is strongly encouraged for serious contenders.
As Full Time Hobby prepares to enter its next chapter, the desk in Dalston awaits a new driving force—someone who understands that behind every great record release lies a delicate balance of meticulous project management, fierce artistic integrity, and a lifelong, unyielding love for music.
