R/E/P Community

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

Pages: 1 2 [All]   Go Down

Author Topic: Contacts at Record Labels...  (Read 14092 times)

Conner

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 75
Contacts at Record Labels...
« on: April 13, 2005, 10:21:07 AM »

Just curious as to how many of us out there have any contacts at record labels (whether it be major or independent). A&R contacts are good, but I was wondering if anyone has any other types of contacts at these labels, whether it be PR, admin., or whatever.
If anyone knows of, or has a database with any of this info., I'm sure many of us could find it useful. I'd actually be happy to help compile some of these things and post our findings here for all to benefit from(with consent from our moderator of course.)

If you have any of this info, or know of where I can find some, please pm me and I can start making a list.

I know there are books published with this sort of info, but to keep it up to date it'll cost you an arm and a leg to stay with the times. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

-Conner
Logged

j.hall

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3787
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2005, 11:00:51 AM »

my consent....hahahaha

you're so polite!!!!!!!!!!

um, why not start an excel spreadsheet, and we'll all pass it around and add what we can.

i can host the spreadsheet on my FTP

every one just has to agree to be cool about it and not screw up the formating.

if we do this, you HAVE to make certain your info is correct.  granted, people at labels get fired and such.  but addresses don't change that often.

maybe picking up a current copy of the "indie bible" and getting allt he labels in there on a spreadsheet is a good start.

then we can update and add to it as we go.
Logged

lord fear

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 52
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2005, 02:30:21 PM »

this is a great idea, we should include all contacts at any label big or small
Logged
"Rock N'Roll 'Aint Noise Polution"

TunaSafeDolphin

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 59
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2005, 03:08:23 AM »

This is a bad idea for a number of reasons. What do you expect to do with the contact information? Cold call them?!

-C
Logged
Christian - Professional Mixer/Producer/Engineer
http://www.mixmymusic.net

j.hall

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3787
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2005, 01:50:52 PM »

i can't see a reason why simply having a spreadsheet with contacts on it could be a bad thing.

and i don't recall anyone saying we should track down phone numbers or private email addresses.

as far as i'm concerned, very few people have offered their helping hand to me or my band.  so if can compile my own list of resources a person could use to "help themselves" i can't even begin to understand why that would be a bad thing.

this is exactly how the 80's punk rock thing got going, and that gave birth to everything we in the underground have come to hold dear.

so we aren't mail ordering vinyl records from sst out of the back of a tiny fanzine, or mailing lists of all ages venues we can play at in rural towns across america to one another.

we're using the internet to network with each other, share resource, and further ourselves as independent bands fighting for a common goal.

i'm so sick of every one that gets anywhere acting like they just got accepted into some secret club that no one is allowed into.

"don't tell other bands what we're learning here, they might rise up and be better then us.................."

gimme a break.  
Logged

TunaSafeDolphin

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 59
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2005, 05:41:34 PM »

No disrespect intended - I recognize you're the moderator of this forum and all, and believe me I'm as DIY as they come...

However, what I should have explained is that this could easily turn into a "shoot yourself in the foot" situation. Improperly used, the compiled information could easily, and possibly unintentionally, do more to hurt an individuals cause than help. That being said, the reason I brought it up the question of "What do you plan to do with this information?" was to help those involved be smart about what they're doing in the business.

-T
Logged
Christian - Professional Mixer/Producer/Engineer
http://www.mixmymusic.net

bloodstone

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 268
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2005, 04:53:50 AM »

CMJ used to publish a printed resource guide that cost about $99/year.  It covers radio, press, A & R, Radio Promotion, Publishing.  I used it for years to great effect.  It also tells you all the college radio stations info, including wattage, format and student population.  You can use this to target what stations to mail your disc to.  Now it's only available in on-line form.  http://www.cmj.com/company/faq.php#dir5.  It's worth looking into.  

I've been cold-calling labels, distributors, managers, music departments of film studios & publishers for 20 years off and on.  Also, "cold-mailing" press kits followed by a cold call.  Now and then you'll get a reaction out of someone.  I've received quite a few emails and letters from the effort of "cold-mailing".  You might only get a 10-20% success rate out of the effort, and it may feel like a message in the bottle mentality.  You'all also spend quite a bit of money doing it.

I've also had situations where people I don't even know pass a disc along to people they know in the business.  Then you get a call or email out of the blue.

Once I met a guy at a gig whose sister was married to the guitarist of the Psychedelic Furs.  A phone call and a press kit later, I was corresponding with the Furs guitarist and we were discussing plans to get someone prominent in the biz to take us under his wing and possibly set us up with some kind of deal.  

When we were with RedEye USA (distributor), they gladly provided me with an extensive mailing list that covered many important areas.
   
Ultimately, what I'm saying is you have to put yourself out there as much as you can afford to with the public, press, radio, and labels.  A lot of your packages may end up in the trash can unopened, but that's the risk you have to take unless you can find someone willing to represent you to the industry.
Logged

j.hall

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3787
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2005, 08:16:58 AM »

personally i can't worry about how someone else will use the list.

if they ruin their career by being an idiot, then they probably would have done just that anyway.  having a list of contacts will only accelerate their plan to fail.

Logged

Conner

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 75
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2005, 10:04:42 AM »

I was actually planning on using it to call some cool indie chix for a date...no harm in that right? If I don't call them how will I know what the new orange is?
Logged

George_

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1234
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2005, 10:56:28 PM »

ok lets start.. this is not for the pussywimps;) sorry;) no, these are mainly blackmetal, deathmetal, metal labels, mostly in europe.. they were checked 2 weeks ago, so the mailadds schould work..I put it in quote with lil hope, email robots cant scan that shit..

Quote:



adipocere@wanadoo.fr
alex@deathgasm.com
alex@undercover-records.de
ALHuman@aol.com
andreasherrlin84@hotmail.com [Satanic Propaganda Records]
animate-records@web.de
apocalyptorrecords@iinet.net.au
Arcadia@arcadia666.com
arcanomusica@arcanomusica.com
arise@arisemetal.com
asenath@usa.net
ashenproductions@gmx.net
asphyxiate@iinet.iinet.au
axekilleronline@yahoo.fr
benni@cf-records.de
bestialburst@blackmetal.fi
bestialr@banat.ro
bjarke@targetdistribution.dk
blackearth@gmx.net
blackhate@gmx.de
blacklegion@evilhorderec.com
blacklegion@evilhorderec.com
blackmark@telia.com
black-tower@bluewin.ch [Black Tower Records]
blackwidow@tin.it
bloodbathrec@hotmail.com [Bloodbath Records]
bloodbucketproductions@hotmail.com
bloodyfanzine@yahoo.es [Bloody Productions]
BWHQ_BlackGoat@hotmail.com
ccp@privat.at
chris@twilight-vertrieb.de
christfuck@abv.bg
churchofdoom@yahoo.com [Church Of Doom Recordings]
Cityofthedead@gmx.de
Cohortrec@aol.com
comatosemusic@bellsouth.net
contact@freeandvirgin.com
contact@immensestorms.de
contact@jcmrecords.com
contact@melancholia-records.com
coopmusic@mcleodusa.net
corvus@gbg.bg
counterattack@dir.bg
cxxtbxxcher-rec@gmx.net
dan@bluelight.co.uk
darkhorizon666@hotmail.com
darkhorizon666@hotmail.com
darkmusic@netcabo.pt
david@gentlemen.ch
deviantrecords@gmx.de
domenico@theoath.it
doomcapital@hotmail.com
dr.blast@nuclearblast.de
dreamevil@adriacom.it
dunkelwald-productions@gmx.de
earoz@earache.com [Earache]
eclipse@online.no
eclipse-prod@sf.cz
el_diablo@divisionrecords.com
elegy666@elegyrecords.com
eodprod@interfree.it
espen@tubarec.com
eternaldark@hotmail.com
ewigerhassprod@linuxwaves.com
filip@agoniarecords.com
filippo@scarletrecords.it
fire@goodliferecordings.com
floydestudios@hotmail.com
folter.rec@snafu.de
furias@ssdnet.com.ar [Furias Records]
gametworecords@hotmail.com
general@leviathanrecords.com
godfather@lifeforcerecords.com [Life Force Records]
godismythrecords@hotmail.com
gorerotted@btconnect.com
grafik@massacre-records.de
graphics@necropolisrecords.com
grenyes@voliac.com
greywinged@yahoo.co.uk
grimort@hotmail.com
grodhaisn@seznam.cz
groo@netcom.no
gurkkhas@aol.com
hagal@usa.com
hailmim@alphalink.com.au
hammer@hammermuzik.com
harshbrutalcold@hotmail.com
heathendoom.music@swipnet.se
HellonEarthrec.@gmx.de
HellsHeadbangers@neo.rr.com
heretic_sound@sapo.pt
hhr@hammerheart.com
hiberica@hiberica.com
hmrock@hmrock.com.br
i_hate_records@hotmail.com
info.dtm@telefonica.net
info@.mastervox.fi
info@afm-records.de
info@afm-records.de
info@aggressorprod.com
info@anaelmusic.com
info@armageddonshop.com
info@atwar-records.com
info@avantgardemusic.com
info@avantgardemusic.com
info@avernusrecords.com.br
info@beyondprod.com
info@blackdevilrecords.com
info@blacklodge.se
info@blackmark.net
info@blacksun.se
info@bloatedgoatrecords.com
info@butchery-music.com
info@cacophonous.com
info@cacophonous.com
info@centurymedia.de
info@coldmeat.se
info@conquerec.com
info@crashmusicinc.com
info@cybermusic.nl
info@darkwind-records.de
info@diamondprod-e-shop.com
info@diehardmetalshop.dk
info@dissidentrecords.freeserve.co.uk
info@dragonslayer-records.ch
info@earth-ad.com
info@eerieartrecords.com
info@eibonrecords.com
info@empire-records.com.pl
info@fear-dark.com
'info@firebox.fi'
info@fmp666.com
info@forensickmusic.com
info@foreshadow.info
info@foreshadow.info [Foreshadow Productions]
info@foreverunderground.com
info@frontiers.it
info@gmrmusic.se
info@goregorecords.com
info@haceldama.com
info@hall-of-sermon.de
info@inchproductions.com
info@insideoutmusic.com
info@limb-music.de
info@massacre-records.com [Massacre Records]
info@massproduktion.y.se
info@medusarecords.net
info@metalblade.de
info@metalbloodmusic.com
info@metalrealms.com
info@no-colours-records.de
Info@northernblaze.com
Info@northernblaze.com [Northern Blaze Records]
info@no-sign-of-life.com
info@nuclearabominations.com
info@nuparadigmmusic.com
info@omegarecords.de
info@ozproductions.com
info@paganrecords.com.pl
info@plastichead.com
info@plastichead.com
info@poemproductions.com
info@primitiveartrecords.com
info@primitiveartrecords.com [Primitive Art Records]
info@prophecy.cd
info@pulsarlight.net
info@redblack.cz
info@regainrecords.com
info@regimentalrecords.com
info@revengeproductions.com
info@riseaboverecords.com
info@rivelrecords.com [Rivel Records]
info@schwarzdorn.de
info@s-c-r.de
info@s-c-r.de
info@season-of-mist.com
info@sleaszyrider.com
info@southernlord.com
info@thespew.org
info@thundering-records.com
info@trauma-musicstore.ch
info@trisol.de
info@unitedguttural.com [United Guttural Records]
info@vortexmotions.com
info@warlordrecords.com
info@weirdtruth.jp
info@xtreemmusic.com
info@xtrememusic.co.uk
information@napalmrecords.com
iso666@info-black.com
iwradio@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
j.mitchell@coldspring.co.uk
jason@ariserecords.com
jason@intolerantmessiah.com
jean_marc.werly@club-internet.fr
Jeannette@christhuntproductions.com
jorn@soulsellerrecords.com
julie@visiblenoise.com
karl@napalmrecords.com
ketzerdistro@37.com
kingdoms449@aol.com
kontakt@van-gbr.de
korgull@chartermi.net
kral.cedric@tiscali.fr
ktokrecs@hotmail.com
Kunsthall@gmx.ch
label@gwnrecords.com
lisa@peaceville.co.uk
listenable@wanadoo.fr
listenable@wanadoo.fr
lustritual@hotmail.com
mail@blackholemag.com
mail@centurymedia.de
mail@earache.com
mail@earache.com
mail@earache.com [Earache]
mail@nuclearblastusa.com
mail@rageofachilles.com
mail@roadrunnerrecords.de
mail@silverdust.de
mail@supernalmusic.com
mail@thecodebreaker.net
mailinglist@monsternation.se
mailorder@pervertedtaste.de
mailorder@pervertedtaste.de [Perverted Taste]
makahru@juno.com
make@medusa.tutka.fi [Faustian]
manager@osmoseproductions.com
mark@psycheDOOMelic.com
matt@bluelight.co.uk
metalblade@metalblade.com
metalblade@metalblade.com
metalbreath@volny.cz
metalwar@metalwarprod.com
mfn@music-for-nations.co.uk
michele@code666.net
michele@code666.net
michele@dreamcell11.com
minnesotapete@themightynimbus.com
MiriquidiProd2@addcom.de
moonfog@online.no
moonfog@online.no
morbidrecords@morbidrecords.de
morbidrecords@morbidrecords.de
morbidrecords@morbidrecords.de
Mordant@online.no
motosierra@ya.com
Munin@ostfront.info
nr@neurosis.com
nykta@hotmail.com
office@cudgel.de
office@demonware.com
office@impact-records.com
ordealis@hotmail.com
orders@darksymphonies.com
orders@sound-cave.com
osmose@osmoseproductions.com
ostara@oldlegend.com
oupiric@kaluga.ru
painiac@pandora.be
paul@necropolisrecords.com [Necropolis Records]
paul@peaceville.co.uk
PJH1029@aol.com
planet12th@hotmail.com
post@valgalder.com
powerviking@hotmail.com
press@sentinelireland.com [Sentinel Records]
promo@adrenaline.it
promo@coldbloodindustries.com
promo@cruzdelsurmusic.com
promo@eibonrecords.com
promo@equilibriummusic.com
promo@masterpiecedistribution.com
promo@mutilatedrecords.com
promo@neurotic-records.com
promo@neurotic-records.com
promo@osmoseproductions.com
promo@redstream.org
promo@redstream.org
promo_merciless@freenet.de
promo_merciless@freenet.de
promos@darksymphonies.com
promos@darksymphonies.com [Dark Synphonies]
promotion@karmageddonmedia.com
promotion@karmageddonmedia.com
promotion@spv.de
promotion@spv.de
Regin@westwall44.de
relapse@pettingzoo.nl
relapse@relapse.com
reto@steelefortress.ch
Retribute@aol.com
Retribute@aol.com
rich@lostdisciple.com [Lost Disciple Records]
ritchie@dunklerpoet.de
roadrunner@roadrunnerrecords.com
roman@displeasedrecords.com
ron@displeasedrecords.com
ron@displeasedrecords.com [Displeased Records]
ron@rottenrecords.com
rotten@rottenrecords.com
rotten@rottenrecords.com [Rotten Records]
ruholm@online.no
serenade4@yahoo.co.uk
service@CursedProductions.com
shadowflameprod@yahoo.co.uk
shindy@telecom.cz
shredded@t-online.de [Shredded Records]
SNEAK@SHIFTYRECORDS.COM
snoozyq@spii.net [Baphomet Records]
sound@lowlifemedia.net
soundriot@mail.telepac.pt
soundrioteurope@terra.com.br
spinefarm@spinefarm.fi
spinefarm@spinefarm.fi
steve@eclipserecords.com
stilldead@stilldead.com
sturt@start.no
support@blackmetal.com
sysadmin@wizardis.com.au [Impact Records]
theend@theendrecords.com
thorkraft@gmx.net
unfold@imagin.net
unifiedresistance@yahoo.com [Crimes Against Humanity Records]
ursprache@wanadoo.fr
usamail@earache.com [Earache]
utterlysomber@juno.com
void@debemur-morti.com
volker@merciless-records.de
warpath@wanadoo.fr
webmaster@ars-metalli.de
webmaster@centurymedia.de
webmaster@cudgel.de
webmaster@infernalfields.cjb.net
webmaster@ravenmetal.com
webmaster@redstream.org [Red Stream Inc.]
webmaster@trauma-musicstore.ch
webmaster@unholyrecords.com
webmistress@napalmrecords.com
WNocera@aol.com
Wolfgang.Funk@bmg.com
wounder@tin.it
zeenon@hotmail.com

Logged
"BORN A ROCKER, DIE A ROCKER"

George Necola

J.J. Blair

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 12809
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2005, 05:28:44 PM »

For $75, Pollstar sells a roster of everybody's name and number, etc. Record labels, publishers, you name it.
Logged
studio info

They say the heart of Rock & Roll is still beating, which is amazing if you consider all the blow it's done over the years.

"The Internet enables pompous blowhards to interact with other pompous blowhards in a big circle jerk of pomposity." - Bill Maher

"The negative aspects of this business, not only will continue to prevail, but will continue to accelerate in madness. Conditions aren't going to get better, because the economics of rock and roll are getting closer and closer to the economics of Big Business America." - Bill Graham

j.hall

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3787
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2005, 09:59:47 PM »

that's one heck of a list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW.
Logged

George_

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1234
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2005, 11:15:33 PM »

well, and you (all) are welcome to continue it..Wink

and the best with the list.. the most emailadresses are working.. because we made the list 1 month ago, mailed em, and checked it 2 weeks ago..

but I don't know how usefull it is for you, because of the style the labels trade..
Logged
"BORN A ROCKER, DIE A ROCKER"

George Necola

Ross Hogarth

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2512
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2005, 09:13:31 AM »

contacting labels or anyone in the biz in a place of power should be done with forethought and grace with purpose.
check out this link
it is the only real certified and updated place for the absolutely confirmed information
one must pay for it but like every good service it is well worth it if this is what you truly need and want
those of you who will complain about paying for it are probably not in need enough to really want it
since this is not a hobby for me
when i need the real deal contacts
i will pay for the A&R Registry so i don't have to fuck around with the wrong ones
this is because these damn A&R guys and their assistants are changing all the time

http://musicregistry.com/frame.html
Logged

The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.

The standard of success in life isn't the things. It isn't the money or the stuff. It is absolutely the amount of joy that you feel.

www.hoaxproductions.com

George_

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1234
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #14 on: April 24, 2005, 11:00:16 PM »

well,

my list is now 5 weeks old.. it's for damned free!! and you have nothing to loose.. Smile

Logged
"BORN A ROCKER, DIE A ROCKER"

George Necola

Ross Hogarth

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2512
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2005, 09:28:09 PM »

but who are you emailing ?
your list is one long string of address's with no source
great, i love flying blind
from the look of your list, i might as well be playing darts with a blindfold
if i can be so bold as to say go for it but take my advice you only get one chance many times with these people
and an email coming out of the blue with no purpose is as good as deleted before it even gets to the server ... be it as it may
What the fuck do i know anyway ? i only do this for a living ....
sorry i tried to help ....
i'll leave you to your own devices
see ya
Logged

The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.

The standard of success in life isn't the things. It isn't the money or the stuff. It is absolutely the amount of joy that you feel.

www.hoaxproductions.com

wwittman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7712
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #16 on: April 25, 2005, 10:14:30 PM »

The one thing you NEVER want to do if it can be avoided is a letter OR email to "Dear sir or madam"... you need to get a NAME, at the very least.

take it for what it's worth, from a former major label A&R weasel... i wouldn't pay any attention to someone who couldn't even bother to find out who I was before he contacted me.
Logged
William Wittman
Producer/Engineer
(Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield, Hooters...)

George_

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1234
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #17 on: April 25, 2005, 10:34:01 PM »

ok ok..

then ignore my list..

*shakehands*
Logged
"BORN A ROCKER, DIE A ROCKER"

George Necola

Bob Olhsson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3968
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #18 on: April 26, 2005, 09:59:18 AM »

wwittman wrote on Mon, 25 April 2005 21:14

...take it for what it's worth, from a former major label A&R weasel... i wouldn't pay any attention to someone who couldn't even bother to find out who I was before he contacted me.


A couple questions that people might find your answers to very instructional:

Which would you have acted on first, a tip from some kid behind the counter of a record store that came to you by way of your sales department or the next demo in "the pile" that was addressed to you personally but came from somebody you had never heard of?

What percentage of bands you went to check out were told that you had been there if you decided you weren't interested and the band hadn't been expecting you at the particular gig?

wwittman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7712
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #19 on: April 26, 2005, 06:12:34 PM »

Bob Olhsson wrote on Tue, 26 April 2005 09:59

Which would you have acted on first, a tip from some kid behind the counter of a record store that came to you by way of your sales department or the next demo in "the pile" that was addressed to you personally but came from somebody you had never heard of?


Well i was a staff producer FIRST, so not the most active of A&R weasels...
But I was probably AS likely to listen to either.
If someone made contact and convinced me it was something worth hearing, i'd listen.
And I listened to everything that came in to me.

But i didn;t take blind mailings, in part because that was company policy at both labels (RCA and Columbia)

I was actually leery of sales or promo dept. "tips" as they tended more to the generic "what's on the radio NOW" stuff...

But I was always open to one musician mentioning another one to me.
And of course it's great to find it on your own...
which leads to:

Quote:

What percentage of bands you went to check out were told that you had been there if you decided you weren't interested and the band hadn't been expecting you at the particular gig?



I often went to see things that I wasn't sure about and didn't announce my presence or make a big thing out of it.
And if it wasn't for us, I might NOT tell them I was there... unless the manager or someone rang the next day and asked.

The only time I WOULD say something is if it was a near miss that i felt some input might bring closer.

I don't think in general that a band has too much to leaqrn from people who pass on them.. unless a pattern emerges.
Really you want advice from people who GET you, not people who just don't!

The exception is the pattern... such as, 4 different guys say 'love the band and the songs but the singer has to go..." or something equally unanimous.
Which is rare.
Logged
William Wittman
Producer/Engineer
(Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield, Hooters...)

thomsbrain

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2005, 12:09:52 AM »

Is there any point in contacting local A&R reps and inviting them to shows or asking for permission to mail a CD?

On the one hand, there are a lot of small bands out there trying to claw their way up and it seems like it would be good to at least get the band name floating around in their brain, but on the other hand, every time I listen to an A&R guy speak or read something about them, I get the impression they don't want to be hounded and I hear a lot of "don't give us your CD, we won't listen to it, let us find you." Of course I understand the value of having a band big enough that people can't help but notice, but should those of us who have yet to make that kind of noise play "look at me!" or are we just going to alienate themselves as pesky amateurs?

wwittman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7712
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2005, 11:12:41 PM »

There's ALWAYS a point in self-promotion even if it doesn;t work.

It never hurts to send a cd and a press kit and any recent reviews and invite the person down.
You never know.

I'm not on the whole terribly enthusiastic about the current state of A&R.
Far too trend and attorney and marketing driven.

The list of MAJOR important, world changing, influential artistes who could never get signed if they were new today would be a long, sad one.
Logged
William Wittman
Producer/Engineer
(Cyndi Lauper, Joan Osborne, The Fixx, The Outfield, Hooters...)

rdwilkins

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #22 on: May 12, 2005, 09:27:26 AM »

Have seen this one from both sides.  When I was an agent I would get tons of press kits and most were from people putting the cart before the horse.  When I did my first good demo with a well-known producer I sent it out to specific contacts I had met at various functions. And even some of those were returned "unsolicited". If you're just trying to get a record contract then put out an album yourself and sell it. Learn how to write a press release surrounding gigs as well as any news about the act (adds to radio, new album etc).  Order a media guide (possible "Bacon's" is still the one to use)of some sort and fax said release to radio, print and TV in markets where your band is playing.  If you're at all "alternative" (whatever that means these days...) try to get interview/live-in-studio-performance day of show on college/public-supported station. You can forget commercial FM stations for the most part but still send them that fax. Also start out regionally.  Chances are your band is not going to be able to go out on tour for weeks at a time if you're all working day gigs still.  Start with your hometown then find 3 or 4 other nearby towns and always have CDs to sell at your gigs.  

When you've got between 5k-10k cds sold then approach a record company if they haven't already approached you.  If you don't have this "base" then you have no bargaining power. This may all seem oversimplified but it does work.  

Logged

gtoledo3

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 172
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #23 on: May 12, 2005, 10:55:26 AM »

I think this is a good idea, at the heart of it, but definitely frocked with potential disaster, heheh....


As a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, I was brought up in a world where live performance is key.

I am sure who I am going to mention is obscure, but a very close friend of my family's is Mike Pinera (Ride Captain Ride, Blues Image, Iron Butterfly, Alice Copper, etc.).

Growing up, and seeing that guy perform....he is a monster! Crazy, but a great performer.

It was always kind of imprinted in my mind, that at the end of the day, it is live performance that is king. But, the older I get I wonder if it is really that way anymore. I know it SHOULD be that way!

I think that the labels don't put enough stock in seeing a band perform live. If it can be edited together and seems trendy, then that is good enough.

I wonder- if a tape with Dylan was sent in to the execs, would they even bother to check it out?

I think that nowdays the only real answer is to network as much as you can, and try to get as much feedback as possible. Six degrees of seperation and all that jive!
Logged

rdwilkins

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #24 on: May 13, 2005, 08:41:40 AM »

And even in the case of Dylan, remember he was known as "Hammond's Folly" (referring to A&R man John Hammond) until he started to sell records which wasn't really until his 2nd album. And the label had little to do with that.  Dylan had cemented his reputation through his live gigs.  

This is also something to be aware of when dealing with any label, major or indy.  Even if they are bankrolling your album production(unless it was already in the can and it's maybe just a licensing deal) and then providing pressing and distribution, someone's still gotta sell the album. One of my clients was on Geffen and had two incredibly well-received albums.  Both made all sorts of critic's top ten lists and fans were made by these critic's reviews. But when it came time to duplicate the sounds of these albums on the road the label offered little to no tour support and finally stopped actively promoting him with the third album.  I had to midwife many publicity efforts as they had basically dropped the ball in that direction.  Even getting promo cassettes and cds was like pulling teeth.  I finally started effectively becoming a publicist but it was a great lesson.
Anyway, I'm rambling here but basically I think you can have a contact at a record company who loves your band and then signs you and gives you 5k or 500k and even gets the rec. co. to spring for a video but if the rest of the team at the rec.co. is not totally behind the release and the artist is not performing live in key markets and doing lots of radio and print interviews etc, nothing (usually) is going to happen.  Even if all those things are in place the odds are still against you. I'm not even including someone specifically working to get P.D.s to add songs to playlists, someone merchandising at local record stores (if still applicable-we only have one store in Savannah that would still hang posters...unreal)and a host of other things that should be done.  Try finding a good booking agent and manager.

I think a grass roots approach like I mentioned before is the safest and sanest way to go.  What's ironic is it's not really that different a game than it was in the U.S. in the 1950s.  The radio part of it has changed.  There is too much homogeneity due to people like Clear Channel but there's college and public-supported stations that, while not operating unfettered either, will sometimes still take a chance on a new, unknown act.

So driving around in a van with a bunch of copies of your cd and advancing the gigs as much as possible will slowly grow your fan base.  Hell, ask R.E.M., and also note how "calmly" they have operated throughout their career.  They've always had control of the direction they went in.  But they started out extremely small in terms of fanbase, gigs, radio play, etc.  They didn't just call Warner Bros or MCA and ask them to sign them.  When it came time for R.E.M. to get signed to a major, the labels were all lining up.  



Logged

rdwilkins

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #25 on: May 14, 2005, 02:58:04 AM »

Logged

jackthebear

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 631
Re: Contacts at Record Labels...
« Reply #26 on: May 16, 2005, 06:25:59 AM »

wwittman wrote on Fri, 06 May 2005 13:12



I'm not on the whole terribly enthusiastic about the current state of A&R.
Far too trend and attorney and marketing driven.



Ain't that the truth!!

Not wanting to sound like an old WWII veteran but I remember back in '86 in my old CBS days meeting an A&R cat named John Mervros ( I think that's how you spelt it).
Anyway he was VP of A&R for Columbia NYC.

He was a guy who embodied what I thought made A&R great.

He had a PASSION for music.
He had VISION.
He was PRO-ACTIVE.
He'd be at gigs at least 5 nights a week.
He had his finger on the pulse.
He knew an RE-20 from an SM-57.
He had some knowledge of recording and studios in general.
He had great broad knowledge of music in many genres.
He was a TOP bloke.
He could party pretty hardy.

Sure there are other traits a good A&R rep should possess but these days I refer to most of them as UM & AH guys.

On the idea of a list....I think it can be a good resource.
You gotta be in it to win it but it's the way you approach the labels that will ultimately open the door for you. Then you gotta cut the mustard between the cheese.

It's better to say you're "sorry you did it" than "I wish I had".

Hey J. Hall I think this is my first foray into your forum so please forgive me for polluting it....
Very Happy

Cheers,
Logged
Tony "Jack the Bear" Mantz
Glorified Tape Copy Boy and
Audio Janitor
Deluxe Mastering
Melbourne, Australia
deluxemastering.com.au
+61 419234100
Facebook | twitter | MySpace
Pages: 1 2 [All]   Go Up
 

Site Hosted By Ashdown Technologies, Inc.

Page created in 0.092 seconds with 19 queries.