Music Conferences=Love?

I just got back in town a couple of days ago from the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN, and it was a really refreshing experience.  I was in a bit of a funk after the CD Release Party I put on for Andrew Duhon in January…months of hard work culminating into one final day of payoff will inevitably lead to a crash.  This particular conference came at the perfect time.  It can become very easy to start feeling isolated in this industry, especially in New Orleans.  New Orleans is the smallest big city you’ll ever find.  Most of us industry folk down here know each other already, and those that don’t are bound to meet through others, so there’s not too much opportunity or necessity for big industry gatherings.  We can all find each other at the corner bar, for the most part.

This being said, I love immerssing myself in these big industry get-togethers from time to time.  It’s like one big brainstorming session with people who actually understand what it is you do.  I love getting fresh, new ideas about how to market an artist or a company and just generally enjoy the opportunity for intellectual conversation.  I think it can become far to easy to get locked into a particular niche or groove in this industry, and it’s very important to get out and meet new people.  You never know where your next big lead might come from.  Always be professional, but allow yourself to be personable, as well.

All in all, this conference reminded me that it’s essential to stay in touch with your fans and the people who support you.  I haven’t necessarily been doing the best job of that lately, as I’ve been holed up in my apartment writing press releases and desigining press kits.  Now as much fun as that is, I’m gonna hop back on this blogtrain and get going.  Apparently some of you out there actually like what I have to say, so I’ll start saying more of it.  I’ve never been one who is afraid to speak my mind.

Fortune Cookie:

Go catch a new artist at a venue you’ve never heard of.  Bring some friends, and make it a special event!  You never know who you might meet!

Listening to:

“Fall In Step” – Jadiohead

YEAH COLLEGE!

I guess that I should mention that I graduated from Loyola New Orleans in May (cue the slow clap).  Those who know me also know that I have some very strong opinions about college and my specific experience at Loyola.  I feel that it is time to share some of those insights for all you ambitious high school students out there thinking about music business as a degree/career.  Here goes:

Insight #1: DON’T

Don’t even THINK about getting into this industry if you’re not passionate about it.  The hours are too long, and the pay is too little for you not to love it.

Insight #2: SLEEP IS A FIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION

It will benefit your career (and freak out your roommates) if you develop a nocturnal lifestyle.  Also, learn how to nap anywhere, anytime, and for 5 minutes…you’ll know what I mean when you have 3 night classes a week (and you will).

Insight #3:DON’T BOX YOURSELF IN

If you decide to go after a music industry degree (or something thereabouts), don’t lose your head if you completely change your original direction after your freshman year.  Take all the opportunities you possibly can, and learn about as many different aspects of the industry as possible.  You never know what you will be doing, and you never know who will call you to record their cat snoring and turn it into a sweet remix.  You wanna be that guy that can say, “Yeah, I can do that.”….you may not think so now, but a paying gig is a paying gig.

Insight #4: IF YOU FIND OUT WHAT THE “REAL WORLD” IS, PLEASE TELL ME.

You will hear nothing but advice about how things work in the “real world” for your entire 4 (or however many) years at college.  I have no idea what this means.  Maybe we live in an alternate universe where cats are dogs and dogs are really cats and…oh my god…it’s so overwhelming…balancing check books, oh crap…responsibility…and, and work and stuff.  Seriously…that’s all bullshit.  Everyone will want you to think that college is your little protective nut where you are safe from deathrays or whatever.  Learn how to take care of yourself DURING college…not after.  You do live in the real world…it’s just a little bit different from your mom’s “real world,” is all.

Plenty more to come on the subject of college at a later date.  Feel free to add some advice if you have anything for our youngsters out there.

Fortune Cookie: Write down all the reasons why you want to work in the music industry and all the reasons why not.  If your list of “Why Nots” exceeds that of the “Why Tos”…Welcome.

Listening to:

“Wolf Like Me” – TV On The Radio

An interesting outlook…

Last week I was priveledged enough to enjoy a seminar featuring music industry giants Don VanCleave (of the Independent Record Stores Coallition), Steve Ralbovsky (A&R for A&M), and Gary Gersh (manager for the Counting Crows, Foo Fighters, Matisyahu, etc). Of course, everyone in the room had their pre-conceived ideas of these speakers merely based on their resumes. For example, most of us are conditioned to believe that A&R people are evil and will bring about the downfall of the industry…although this may be a little harsh. As these speakers described their early careers in the music industry, it became increasingly evident that they were just regular guys trying to help out artists they liked, just like the rest of us. Unfortunately, not all of us are fortunate enough to have discovered the Talking Heads while we were in college, but I suppose these things aren’t entirely outside of the realm of possibility.

The point is, these people have very successful careers working with very successful artists. More importantly, they haven’t had to compromise themselves to achieve that…which is a success in itself. When asked about the state of the industry, all of us expected to hear the typical “doom and gloom” answers involving the words “corporate,” “major record labels,” “free downloads,” and the general loath of the song ‘Crank ‘Dat Soulja Boy.’ Shockingly, we heard all three guests speak up to their personal beliefs that the music industry is really doing pretty well. Gary Gersh quickly responded that the music industry is ripe for change, but one’s outlook on the direction of that change is what can take it in a better direction. He told the audience to stop thinking about the record industry and start thinking about the MUSIC: what a novel idea.

I think that it’s important to note that there are some very influential people in the industry with an overall positive outlook for the future of the music industry. There’s still great music floating around in the never-neverland that is your local record store…you just have to look for it. We’re going back to basics here, people..so turn off MTV, turn off the Clear Channel radio, and go find some music that YOU like. There’s more out there than they want you to think.

Fortune Cookie:

Pretend like you’re 16 again, and it’s time for your Friday afternoon paycheck. Go to the record store and spend some quality time with some physical product. It’s amazing what actually holding a CD in your hand and reading the liner notes can do for the morale.

Listening to:

“Underneath the Apple Tree” – Carmen McRae

Too busy or too lazy?

It never ceases to amaze me how much people in the music industry complain about the amount of work they have to do. We all do it, myself included. Complain as you might, we all enter into this industry knowing full well that this is no 9 to 5 job. We keep late nights and early mornings and typically work several jobs for low pay to maintain the career in music that we really want. So why is it that I’m hearing an increasing amount of the “I can’t. I’m too busy.” excuse? We’re all busy, and we all have very important projects to work on, but I find it very demeaning when people make this excuse and expect me to deem whatever they have on their plates ultimately more important than the task at hand.

When you work in a group and work with other individuals, there is a certain amount of compromise just like any other relationship. I personally have very little tolerance for people who make their social commitments an excuse for their lack of professional commitment. Be respectful of your co-workers and piers and contribute to the relationship you have with them in any way possible…even if it means giving up something you would rather be doing instead. Even if you ARE too busy…find a way to get it done, and don’t make your schedule somebody else’s problem. Reliability is invaluable in this industry and will often make up for a lack of experience. Eventually, that day will come when you will inevitably have to ask a favor of someone you work with. Treat them with the respect due to them and that favor will come easily…otherwise, no promises made.

Fortune Cookie:

Offer unsolicited help to somebody in the industry you respect and would like to know better. Your interest and initiative will catch their attention, and it might even result in a permanent position!

Listening to:

“I Guess I’ll Have to Cry, Cry, Cry (Live)” – James Brown

Introduction and Welcome

Hello readers,

I feel that this blog requires a bit of explanation. I am a Music Industry Studies major at Loyola University in New Orleans, and I am graduating in a month. As I approach “the big day,” I am starting to realize that somewhere along the way, I have lost touch with the things that made me surround myself with music in the first place. I think that I’ve made college the excuse for neglecting the harder task that makes a good person and good career: self-analysis.

As I have spent an increasing amount of time working in the music industry both as a musician and an industry professional, I have started to notice more often than not that I focus on the negative aspects of the industry more than the positive. I have let other people’s lack of ethics affect me so much that I am scrambling to find a little something to hold on to. In the meantime, I have become jaded and am losing my love for the art and the industry.

As I embark on what I think is a long-overdue journey to find my way in this crazy industry, I thought I would share some of my thoughts along the way with whoever chooses to read them. In the end, an industry is only made up of people…and the people are the ones who can change it. I invite you to join me in a quest for self-change and, hopefully, an industry change.

Even as I sit here and listen to the lyrics of my friend John Michael Rouchell’s song entitled “I Wish I Were Someone Good,” I realize that even an attempt at selflessness (such as this), almost always has an alterior motive…this is my attempt at becoming someone good.

Fortune Cookie:

If you are a songwriter, try to write a song without the words “I” or “me.” Feel free to post your results in the comments.

For the non-songwriters, type an e-mail to a friend or business associate without the use of “I” or “me.”

Listening to:

“I Wish I Were Someone Good” – John Michael Rouchell