After graduating from Kent in 2021 with a BA in Criminology, Harry Burge worked in recruitment for a short period, before he was able to launch his own independent music label, Debunked Records. He continues to work there as CEO and releases his own music under the pseudonym Temple.
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
After leaving Kent I started work in London as an associate recruitment consultant at The Audit and Risk Recruitment Company. I gained a promotion a year into the role and was also top biller of Q4 across the company.
While working in recruitment my music business was growing behind the scenes. Eventually I managed to leave my job in London to carry on my music career full time - which has always been a dream of mine.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
A day for me looks like a few hours in my studio working on my music. Then I will spend another couple hours working on the label, sorting new releases, distributing to music platforms, organising artists work on cover art and signing royalty contracts.
On weekends I will attend club events where I will be performing as the headline artists.
This year I have two large festival bookings coming up, including Canterbury Summer Festival by City Sound Project.
Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?
A highlight of my career would be my music featuring twice on BBC Radio 1, getting to meet fans of my music, and seeing club crowds raving to my music as I perform.
Another highlight was releasing a track with well-known artist Mr Traumatik who I had been a fan of since the age of 15.
How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?
My time at Kent helped me build connections in the music industry and helping with events at The Venue and The Cuban in Canterbury meant I was able to meet event promoters.
I also started DJing in my room in Rutherford halls which is where my career began back in 2019 during my second year.
What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?
My advice would be to do what you love.
If you have a passion work as hard as you can to get there. There will be times when you are told it won't work out or you’ll never get there, but ignore that.
When I started DJing and music producing I never thought I would be able to do it as a full time job, but I am here because of my determination.
Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?
I have too many fun memories to list!
Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?
If I could repeat my time I would join more societies, especially those focussing on sports.
Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?
Yes, I have gained a few friends for life because of Kent.
What are your future ambitions?
My future ambition would be to perform at large events and festivals to crowds of thousands! I would also like one of my songs to hit 1million streams; my largest track so far has hit 262,000 streams on Spotify. Furthermore I would like to sign a record deal with a large record company.
You can listen to Harry’s music on Spotify.
