Comments on: KOAR’s Advertisers and Industry Trends http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:09:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: denimdemon http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-345 denimdemon Mon, 10 Apr 2006 20:49:21 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-345 Well, another major problem is not only does one A&R guy have to be excited and willing to go to bat for an artist, but the whole damn company has to have several meetings discussing why any particular artist that one of them is excited about shouldn't be signed. So if the guy in marketing doesn't like it, and the publicity staff doesn't like the band name, or whatever, you're already out of luck. Maybe if they didn't spend hundreds of thousands of dollars making the records in the first place, it wouldn't be such an issue. And yeah, there's plenty of crap out there, and finding fresh, yet commercial/catchy AND cool sounds seems like it's harder and harder. But, I'm from Nashville where there's a quiet scene brewing of unsigned rock acts that aren't chest thumping modern rock, not 70's rehash garage rock, and not some strain of emo. Just new, cool, catchy rock that's completely different from anything out in there in any other city right now. Here's four to get you started. The Privates myspace.com/theprivates Listen to the track "Pocari Sweat" Slack myspace.com/slack Listen to the track "End of the World" Feable Weiner myspace.com/feableweiner Listen to the track "San Deem Us Ready" De Novo Dahl myspace.com/denovodahl Listen to the track "I Wanna Be Your Man" The Clutters myspace.com/theclutters Listen to the track "You'll Never Be Famous" I could go on and on, but five is enough for now. Cheers! Well, another major problem is not only does one A&R guy have to be excited and willing to go to bat for an artist, but the whole damn company has to have several meetings discussing why any particular artist that one of them is excited about shouldn’t be signed. So if the guy in marketing doesn’t like it, and the publicity staff doesn’t like the band name, or whatever, you’re already out of luck. Maybe if they didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars making the records in the first place, it wouldn’t be such an issue.

And yeah, there’s plenty of crap out there, and finding fresh, yet commercial/catchy AND cool sounds seems like it’s harder and harder.

But, I’m from Nashville where there’s a quiet scene brewing of unsigned rock acts that aren’t chest thumping modern rock, not 70’s rehash garage rock, and not some strain of emo. Just new, cool, catchy rock that’s completely different from anything out in there in any other city right now.

Here’s four to get you started.

The Privates
myspace.com/theprivates
Listen to the track “Pocari Sweat”

Slack
myspace.com/slack
Listen to the track “End of the World”

Feable Weiner
myspace.com/feableweiner
Listen to the track “San Deem Us Ready”

De Novo Dahl
myspace.com/denovodahl
Listen to the track “I Wanna Be Your Man”

The Clutters
myspace.com/theclutters
Listen to the track “You’ll Never Be Famous”

I could go on and on, but five is enough for now.

Cheers!

]]> By: Dallas http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-337 Dallas Fri, 07 Apr 2006 02:42:31 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-337 "now I’d give $10 to the first 18 year old who can Identify what the A and R stands for……." I'm 17. Artist & Repetoire(Sp?)... “now I’d give $10 to the first 18 year old who can Identify what the A and R stands for…….”

I’m 17.

Artist & Repetoire(Sp?)…

]]> By: Syntenic vox http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-335 Syntenic vox Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:37:04 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-335 Good points all around, but the bottom line is that PEOPLE BUY CRAP. All it takes is enough promotion and enough hypnotic ego-infiltration and you could sell Pepsi to a Coke representative. You can't really blame A&R reps for capitalizing on the gullibility of the audience. And this generation is really no worse than previous generations, just more laterally evolved. Sheep beget sheep. As artists, all we can do is stay true to the muse that keeps us writing and stay honest to the gifts we have received from the Gods or our parents or teachers. There are a great many people out there who appreciate good music, and they ARE listening. Good points all around, but the bottom line is that PEOPLE BUY CRAP. All it takes is enough promotion and enough hypnotic ego-infiltration and you could sell Pepsi to a Coke representative. You can’t really blame A&R reps for capitalizing on the gullibility of the audience.
And this generation is really no worse than previous generations, just more laterally evolved.
Sheep beget sheep.
As artists, all we can do is stay true to the muse that keeps us writing and stay honest to the gifts we have received from the Gods or our parents or teachers. There are a great many people out there who appreciate good music, and they ARE listening.

]]> By: AJ-KOAR http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-332 AJ-KOAR Wed, 05 Apr 2006 20:21:36 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-332 I didn’t realize the definition of a talented A&R is one that signs bands that don’t sell. I also didn’t realize that an untalented A&R was one that signs bands that sell, but you don’t personally like. Is it a grudge against the indies that housed these bands before the majors picked them up? Or is it really just the music that you don’t like? Not that it really matters, since, as you mentioned, your generation is neither buying nor making records. Not that I have any interest speaking for or defending anyone, especially people that I don’t know, I think your comments to Ms. Zeaiter were perhaps uncalled for. Maybe you know her and have seen her resume, how could I possibly know? But I think unless you have, calling out her credentials and abilities is pretty childish, especially from someone who posts anonymously. As I have said before, A&R is just one of the many areas currently suffering in this industry. Sure, great bands DO sometimes get signed, and you’re right, they don’t always sell. But that is not something I would blame solely on the A&R. The A&R in that case did the right thing, it’s just a shame that the rest of the label dropped the ball and was unable to execute a solid promotion and marketing campaign. A&R’s know why they signed the bands they did, and they have to sell everyone else on the concept. Great bands are great bands, but this is a business. If you don’t know how to position those great bands to be successful, then they will remain unheard. I didn’t realize the definition of a talented A&R is one that signs bands that don’t sell. I also didn’t realize that an untalented A&R was one that signs bands that sell, but you don’t personally like. Is it a grudge against the indies that housed these bands before the majors picked them up? Or is it really just the music that you don’t like? Not that it really matters, since, as you mentioned, your generation is neither buying nor making records.

Not that I have any interest speaking for or defending anyone, especially people that I don’t know, I think your comments to Ms. Zeaiter were perhaps uncalled for. Maybe you know her and have seen her resume, how could I possibly know? But I think unless you have, calling out her credentials and abilities is pretty childish, especially from someone who posts anonymously.

As I have said before, A&R is just one of the many areas currently suffering in this industry. Sure, great bands DO sometimes get signed, and you’re right, they don’t always sell. But that is not something I would blame solely on the A&R. The A&R in that case did the right thing, it’s just a shame that the rest of the label dropped the ball and was unable to execute a solid promotion and marketing campaign. A&R’s know why they signed the bands they did, and they have to sell everyone else on the concept. Great bands are great bands, but this is a business. If you don’t know how to position those great bands to be successful, then they will remain unheard.

]]> By: earstothetracks http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-328 earstothetracks Tue, 04 Apr 2006 22:55:43 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-328 Ok guys I totally understand and appreciate the internet gang mentality about A&R people. I get it and it's not without merit, but you all clearly sit by your computers and gripe gripe gripe and make these sweeping statements that are just false. Like any industry, there are good people and there are bad ones. It's that simple. There are some very talented A&R people out there that take a massive risk by putting out great albums that no one buys and there are the ones that put out crappy music that your generation is churning out one after another. Let's not put all the owness onto the 18 year old reps. Let's be honest, when Mars Volta is considered too high brow and masturbatory by most consumers, it's difficult to warrant not signing My Chemical Romance, Fallout Boy & the Killers. That's what your generation is buying and putting out....Same notes different order... By the way, it's easy to say that you're gonna change the industry once you're in it when you're on the sideline. At your age you should have already interened for years and been involved in the industry. Just an opinion...You have no idea what it's like to pull the trigger and sign a band. It's a decision that could cost a company millions of dollars. It's not as easy as buying a CD and saying that you owned it 3 months before everyone else. Not even close...This is a stressful job and you clearly have no clue. Not trying to come off as mean, just being direct….. If you could sign an unsigned band today, who would it be…It’s in your court.. Ok guys I totally understand and appreciate the internet gang mentality about A&R people. I get it and it’s not without merit, but you all clearly sit by your computers and gripe gripe gripe and make these sweeping statements that are just false. Like any industry, there are good people and there are bad ones. It’s that simple. There are some very talented A&R people out there that take a massive risk by putting out great albums that no one buys and there are the ones that put out crappy music that your generation is churning out one after another. Let’s not put all the owness onto the 18 year old reps. Let’s be honest, when Mars Volta is considered too high brow and masturbatory by most consumers, it’s difficult to warrant not signing My Chemical Romance, Fallout Boy & the Killers. That’s what your generation is buying and putting out….Same notes different order…

By the way, it’s easy to say that you’re gonna change the industry once you’re in it when you’re on the sideline. At your age you should have already interened for years and been involved in the industry. Just an opinion…You have no idea what it’s like to pull the trigger and sign a band. It’s a decision that could cost a company millions of dollars. It’s not as easy as buying a CD and saying that you owned it 3 months before everyone else. Not even close…This is a stressful job and you clearly have no clue.

Not trying to come off as mean, just being direct…..

If you could sign an unsigned band today, who would it be…It’s in your court..

]]> By: AJ-KOAR http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-327 AJ-KOAR Tue, 04 Apr 2006 05:12:50 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-327 The unfortunate thing about the current trend in A&R is that the people who actually DO know what makes a great band/song have absolutely no desire to do A&R. The politics and the bullshit have turned off a lot of great people to the whole idea of working for a major label, especially in an A&R capacity. A&R used to serve both artist AND label, but these days is nothing more than label puppetry. This is simply another field where misdirection and misinterpretation of trends mixed with an ignorance of the most basic business skills have turned a once admirable profession into a complete joke. The unfortunate thing about the current trend in A&R is that the people who actually DO know what makes a great band/song have absolutely no desire to do A&R.

The politics and the bullshit have turned off a lot of great people to the whole idea of working for a major label, especially in an A&R capacity. A&R used to serve both artist AND label, but these days is nothing more than label puppetry. This is simply another field where misdirection and misinterpretation of trends mixed with an ignorance of the most basic business skills have turned a once admirable profession into a complete joke.

]]> By: Razor Dave http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-324 Razor Dave Mon, 03 Apr 2006 16:35:47 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-324 Hey Kristin, take us with you when you get your to A&R position. You won't have to work that hard. We've got the talent you've got the will. Hey Kristin, take us with you when you get your to A&R position. You won’t have to work that hard. We’ve got the talent you’ve got the will.

]]> By: Tubes http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-309 Tubes Sat, 01 Apr 2006 20:51:48 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-309 Amen brother..... now I'd give $10 to the first 18 year old who can Identify what the A and R stands for....... A&R guys dont want to work anymore....they want the finished package so they sit in the lobby of W and light there 100 cigars....get to fuckin work! they used to actually HAVE to work a band...help write and create the vibe...what a joke! Amen brother…..
now I’d give $10 to the first 18 year old who can Identify what the A and R stands for…….
A&R guys dont want to work anymore….they want the finished package so they sit in the lobby of W and light there 100 cigars….get to fuckin work! they used to actually HAVE to work a band…help write and create the vibe…what a joke!

]]> By: Kristin Zeaiter http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-307 Kristin Zeaiter Sat, 01 Apr 2006 17:21:09 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2006/03/31/koars-advertisers-and-industry-trends/#comment-307 As a 24 year old woman aspiring to work in A&R, I can absolutely guarantee you that that will not be the case once I get in. Mark my words!!! As a 24 year old woman aspiring to work in A&R, I can absolutely guarantee you that that will not be the case once I get in. Mark my words!!!

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