Top 15 Things Record Label A&Rs and Major Label Executives Want To Know
Top 15 Things Record Label A&Rs and Major Label Executives Want To Know
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For the artists out there that are trying to get a record deal I thought it would help for you to know what record industry a&rs want to know when you go into that first all important meeting at the record label. These questions should help you get prepared in advanced.
1. Are you hungry enough to sign a 4 album record contract that is full of loop holes and an advance you’ll never make back?
2. Are you ready to put on all the people in your neighborhood as producers, a&r’s and managers even know they know nothing about making music or working in the entertainment industry?
3.Did you use Fruity Loops to make all the tracks on your album?
4. Do you rap or sing through AutoTune?
5. Do you mind wasting all of your advance money and royalties leasing expensive cars and licing in a mansion in Miami and not paying child support to your babies mama? Trust me this one will get great PR for you.
6. When you get arrested and the police take your mug shot, will you try and keep your D&G sun glasses on?
7. Do you have an issue endorsing pimp cups, drugs, or a high energy supplement called CRACK.
8. Can we make a reality show where you get married, have a child, get divorced and then go to rehab? This would be spread out over several seasons of course.
9. Who is your plastic surgeon?
10. Have any of your S#X tapes been released yet?
11. For your single can we sample and remake a song we already own the rights to? This way we get all the royalites?
12. Can you make an album that is really wack, because we already have a our hands full with better artists but we need some tax write offs?
13. Can you promote drugs and violence because we need more of that on the streets?
14. Can you go get me some Cheesecake?
and last but not least….
15. Whats in it for me?
After reading this hopefully you’ll be prepared with all the right answers for your first major A&R meeting.
You might want to review these questions with your manager, publicist and entertainment lawyer in advance. Answering these questions during your A&R meeting will be essential to getting your record deal.
If you meeting goes bad you might want to look into the resources independent musicans have been using for years.
Distriubtion for your Single, EP, or Album on Itunes.
http://www.cdbaby.com
http://www.tunecore.com
All about music marketing from the best there is Bob Baker.
http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/index.html
All about public relations for musicians.
http://www.arielpublicity.com/
Liscensing your music in television and film.
http://www.taxi.com
http://www.filmmusic.net/
http://www.ascap.org
http://www.bmi.org
This music industry career guide has been brought to you by Gnxmusic.com.
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Copyright Gnxmusic 2009
A&R Power Summit 2009
This year the A&R Power summit is happening May 2 and MAy 3rd.
Industry Panels, Demo Listening Sessions, Networking even a dinner buffet.
A&Rs will be there from Major Labels including Interscope, Def Jam, Jive, Universal and more.
Tickets are $280 a person. Available from www.hiphoppalace.com
10 Reasons An A&R Wont Listen To Your Demo
How Come A&Rs Will Not Listen To My Demo ?
Trying to get your demo heard by an A&R of a major record company
can be close to impossible. If you do not have the right connections
or proper representation it can be down right frustrating. Many people
often ask what the big deal is about A&R’s and why don’t they listen
to your demo. Here are some inside facts to awaken you to the harsh
reality of the music business.
Most A&R do not listen to unsolicited demos for many reasons.
Some of the reasons include:
1. Legal issues concerning copyright.
2. Contrary to belief A&R staff do not sit around and listen to
CDs and demos all day.
3. There are two many demos to listen to. Even a small
independent label can receive up to 20 demos a day.
4. They have already heard so many bad demos .Many times
when A&Rs or interns (yes I said interns) actually do start listening to
demos the majority sound like crap anyway and they stop before they
actually get to the good stuff.
5. An A&R is not looking for demos. They’re looking for buzz.
A&Rs are looking for demos to begin with. The A&R is already well
aware of the talent worthy of getting a deal because they have a
strong buzz.
6. The A&R personnel at the record companies are very busy.
Often the record companies are small and under staffed to begin
with.
7. A&R at a record company is not signing any artists at the
moment. Many record companies already have a large roster of
artists. The majority of an A&R;s time is spent trying to develop and
nurture the acts already signed to the label. Record companies do not
need that many artists to be profitable.
8. A&Rs have jobs too… People that work at record companies are
just like people that work at any other company. Sometimes hey just
hate being at work and having to deal with doing here job. Would you
want to listen to 5 hours of CDS a day?
9. That’s what they have interns for. Many A&Rs use their interns
and assistants to listen to demos. Some interns and assistants listen
to demo just to pass time other actually take notes which get
forwarded to their superior.
10. Most A&Rs already have acts they are interested in trying to
sign.
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