Hug an Engineer
It's not quite a hug, but I'll let her off as it's the first.
Apologies for no post yesterday but I was quite busy. Couple of things of interest I guess, but I'll get onto those in a minute.
Jujitsu was excellent fun. Though I did get bashed a little bit. I realised it's my grading week after next. It almost feels
like I'm doing my GCSE's again (high school exams for the non UK'ers). Already started looking at the next grade and I thought the 'moutain storm' throw was bad enough in this grade there's something called the 'Indian Death Lock', sounds scarey.
Anyhoot. Found a great new artist yesterday. She's 18, produces her own indie-electro tracks and has a voice reminiscent of Bjork. Something special there I think. Will investigate and let you know more.
I don't know if either of the ideas will come to fruititon (such as my night STILL hasn't been sorted) but...
I was to develop the 'real world' aspect of this community a little more. Firstly, I'm looking at the possibility of a partnership with a company who specialises in developing unsigned talent (tbc). They have worked with what are now really big acts, but when working with them they were still at their early stages. I think this would make an additional benefit for artists who are on here but possibly aren't quite ready to be working with a label.
The second idea I've been investigating is the possibility of starting an imprint label within the company for cutting small deals/single deals with artists I find in here. I wouldn't have a budget as such but it would be good to be able to make a decision on an artist and release something fairly quickly and easily. It would be a punt for want of a better word I think. Of course if the artist started to do really well I wouldn't hold onto them, I'd see if I could get them onto one of the labels.
As I say, these are pipedreams at the moment but I am doing my homework and seeing what may be possible. I'll have to chat with my boss about it as both would take some setting up. But I think it might be the natural progression for the community and essentially increase the chances of getting acts on the ladder at different levels.
What do you think about this. Like with my Hug a Sound Engineer post I'm sort of making this up as I go along, though I did do more homework for this one.
Hope all is well out there in noisey voxland.
Comments
I reckon your ideas sound really good... With the standard drawback that it will multiply the number of messages in your inbox saying "CHECK THIS! WE ROCK!" by an inordinate amount.Not from me of course... We're far too apologetic for that!
There are a load of "record labels" out there who will tell you how fantastic your submissions are and that they would love to put out a single or add you to a compilation of theirs... "All you need to do is sign here and send a cheque for a grand etc etc..." I reckon there's loads of acts around (and on here) that may not impress a label enough to get a deal... but just might be worth a punt... a bit of luck and good placement and you never know...
The partnership idea might provide a service where a higher percentage of those making Vox submissions can get the level of feedback and constructive criticism that you dont have the time to dish out in large volumes.
Indian Deathlock: Grab both feet of a fallen opponent, and cross them beneath each other (as if sitting "Indian style"). Place your shins on his knees, and lean forward to apply pressure.... ouch.
Developing unsigned talent... -That sounds interesting, but I'm not sure I understand the whole thing. I'm thinking that they wouldn't be willing to work with artists for free. The way you've presented the idea sounds really hopeful 'tho.
I do also like the idea of the "small deal" kinda thing. It sounds practical, hopeful, and not so pressured as a bigger deal can be. (smiles) Besides, does everyone REALLY think you'll hear their "hawt song" and instantly throw a multi-million dollar contract at them? ha ha ha ;-)
The ideas sound pretty good 'tho.
Hey, I know it's only been like a week since you've talked about this, and I know you've got other things going on... -But, I was wondering if you've made any progress on the "online chart" thing for bands to list their gigs? I still think it was a pretty good idea.
Also, I was wondering if this exam was for another belt, or are you working up to the next belt? -What comes after Green belt, and how many more levels 'till you get to Black? -Just curious.
Good luck to you! -Have a good day, and I'll TTYL!
"Pay us a few hundred quid and we'll... give you a list of contact addresses for music labels!" Very rubbish!
I think you're right, there may be a lot of acts on here with even one or two songs that are good enough to release... they might not have the depth of material to interest a big label... but let's be honest - if you look back on your years making music and you've had ONE song that's made it to some kind of publication... That's more than most achieve!
I'm not promoting restricted ambition, but it could be seen as both a stepping stone to bigger things, and an end in itself, depending on level of potential.
Development is an interesting area as it has pretty much been taken out of the hands of majors through artists continually raising the bar as regards what they get together before approaching labels. Often presenting finished albums, established tours, fanbase, self-released singles etc.
Obviously, within a shrinking industry you need to get more for less £'s which means risks have to be carefully considered. If you end up spending a lot on trying to develop one act, you may have less funds for the campaign of an act you've already spent a lot braking and you end up with a lose lose situation as both acts can't do as well. That's my guess anyway as I've never run a budget. :-)
I'm hoping I could offer advantages over self-release through the fact that I'll have access to the resources and experience of a major, but the flexibility of an independent. But as I said, I could royally be mucking this up and should concentrate on getting to the best acts and getting them to the established labels.
I'm still waiting for news back from Vox as I emailed a while ago as regards the gig chart.
Yes it's the next belt I'll be getting, green. Then I'm pretty much halfway to black. I'll have 4 left - Blue, Purple, Brown then Black. It's going to take about a year I reckon.
IB
Individuality is very important to any artist. I'm hoping that I'll be able to bring the experitise and experience of a major to the artist but still maintain the flexibility and working relationship you get from an independent as it would be me and possibly one other running it.
I'm also hoping that I'd have the ability to have a faster turnaround for releases so I could capitalise on the press, radio, touring etc that the artist has already done as I wouldn't have a budget to really push anything through mainstream media. What I hope to offer are things such as the online campaign being managed properly, a video being put together perhaps. Sorting out the right gigs with tour support if possible. Merchandising, sorting out better methods of distribution and that kind of thing. I'd probably do the plugging for radio. I used to be a plugger so hopefully I've not lost the knack.
Then again. I've never released anything in my life, I'm totally making this up as I type so know doubt as soon as I start investigating I will release how difficult and impractical this is.