ATTAIN THE ATTENTION OF A MAJOR LABEL OR D.I.Y

Everyday, I get asked how do I get signed, how do I become famous.  I go further,  I hear, I am a star, but yet I have never heard of them nor have I heard that individual have ever had a hit song.  Then it never fails, can you be my manager.  Ouch!

When, I decline the latter question - some may feel a way but the truth is I really do not have that time, my cup is filled.  If I did take on all or half of those people it would be total chaos.  Now, if I had the staff it would be  different. Besides when looking for a Manager etc., an artist needs to find one who is passionate about their music and what they are trying to accomplish.  (I will blog more later on this)

However, I will get to the point:

Again, artists believe that getting a label deal is the only way the can become successful.  Wake Up! This is not so, and more and more artists especially in the American culture are starting to figure that out. My Caribbean Artist WAKE UP! To attain the attention of a major label, you need to possess certain qualities: TALENT, PERSONALITY, DRIVE, ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, A GREAT TOURING ITINERARY, A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, AND A STRONG DESIRE TO MAKE IT IN THE MUSIC.

Many artists (reggae artists I am speaking to you in particular) feel that they need to talk about themselves and music or go to studios and the Producers, Executive Producers or the A&R guys, will come and sweep them off of their feet.  It does not work like that.  Artists may feel that the qualities mention will also have these industry folks come and sweep them off of their feet, not realizing that they have already started their careers themselves.  Once artists get those key elements going, you are on your way.  I really do not understand why artists feel the need to give it all away to record companies after they have done all the hard work.

Read some A&R quotes for yourselves:

“I believe in the old adage that ‘real’ artists cannot be created by a record company, either you just ’have it’ or you don’t.”—Tara Griggs-Magee, Vice President, Verity Records

"Basically I listen to the songs looking for something compelling, hooky, lyrically touching, or universally appealing. Obviously having the raw talent to convey those special elements of the song is a MAJOR plus. The tremendous cost per artist of doing business these days has major labels looking to maximize their chance of success, which is why things are so “research” driven these days. An artist creating a story is much more likely to attract the serious attention of a major label in this climate, though true talent and apparent ‘hit’ songs still count for a lot.”—Leigh Lust, Director of A&R, Elektra Entertainment

“Nothing gets my attention faster than proven success. Many bands/artists show up with no experience at all. They are waiting for a record company to come along and make them famous. REAL artists/bands aren’t waiting on anyone. They’re out making noise. That’s what makes me take a second look.”—Dean Diehl, Reunion/Provident Music Group

“The one thing I always tell people when I’m asked or on panels, and it sounds flip, but it’s 1,000% true is: be amazing. If you are truly amazing, we will find you. There is no way U2, REM, Smashing Pumpkins, Josh Rouse, etc., etc. would not get signed. If you are doing something that stands out, you will get noticed—it doesn’t matter if you’re in NYC or in Bosnia. Once you’re noticed, what closes the deal for me is if you have a good infrastructure and if I’m not starting from scratch. It’s very hard to take a band from zero sales to 20k—50k. Ideally, the artist/band has a constituency and fan base and has maybe self-released a few records so they understand the business side a little. Basically, the more you bring to a label, the less the label can take from you.”—George Howard, A&R Manager, Rykodisc

QUOTES CAME FROM: Indiebiz.com, What Are A&R People Looking For? (Appendix 1), by David Hooper

Artists really don't need major record companies to become successful. If you read the quotes carefully you will see to get a label's attention, artists need to have already done a lot of the work. The position that I am in, I always hear the grumbles and the curse words - when record labels or distributors tell the artists that they have to do this and that and the artists get upset.  Well it does not work that way.  You as an artist(s) have to play your part and put your work in.  There are some who have already done exactly that and have not even realized. On a daily basis when you read or listen to the entertainment media you are told that the record industry is in turmoil right now, which means the distribution options are opening up, and the ground is shifting under your feet, you the artist(s) are far better off trying to find a way to DO IT YOURSELF. 

Songwriters, it is not much different for you either. You need to use the path to publishing.  I will blog on this soon.

by: Michelle Arthurton