Comments on: The Dirty Little Secrets of Modern Music Journalism http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/ Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:02:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Kings of A&R » Review Worthy: When The Press Stops Listening http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-120341 Kings of A&R » Review Worthy: When The Press Stops Listening Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:50:20 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-120341 [...] posted an article in June of last year discussing the breakdown between the label and press due to the volume of material and shortage of employees/respectable outlets. The problems discussed [...] [...] posted an article in June of last year discussing the breakdown between the label and press due to the volume of material and shortage of employees/respectable outlets. The problems discussed [...]

]]> By: 2:59 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-50933 2:59 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 02:42:26 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-50933 <strong>PR Spam...</strong> Kinds of A&R are right on the money with their look at the “dirty little secrets of modern music journalism.” The average music site will receive upwards of 50 press releases a day. In a given week, they will be introduced to approxim... PR Spam…

Kinds of A&R are right on the money with their look at the “dirty little secrets of modern music journalism.”

The average music site will receive upwards of 50 press releases a day. In a given week, they will be introduced to approxim…

]]> By: Wil http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-49941 Wil Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:03:52 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-49941 The best way for a person to find good music is non biased websites that push it. The best way for a band to get good exposure, get onto one of these websites. How do you do that, BE GREAT, HAVE A GOOD WORK ETHIC and ACTUALLY PLAY LIVE SHOWS! So many so called bands say they are a band yet never play. They have 20,000 myspace friends but no show listed, I don't get it. I like AlternativeAddiction.com, KOAR and DemoDiaries although I think that one is gone now. The best way for a person to find good music is non biased websites that push it.
The best way for a band to get good exposure, get onto one of these websites.

How do you do that, BE GREAT, HAVE A GOOD WORK ETHIC and ACTUALLY PLAY LIVE SHOWS!

So many so called bands say they are a band yet never play. They have 20,000 myspace friends but no show listed, I don’t get it.

I like AlternativeAddiction.com, KOAR and DemoDiaries although I think that one is gone now.

]]> By: mike http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-49779 mike Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:12:00 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-49779 Reading all of this, I'm just glad I can operate my tiny little unknown non-profit music-loving blog with minimal hassle. Great piece, Mr. AJ. Reading all of this, I’m just glad I can operate my tiny little unknown non-profit music-loving blog with minimal hassle. Great piece, Mr. AJ.

]]> By: AJ-KOAR http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-49216 AJ-KOAR Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:46:43 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-49216 Many have already touched on what I consider to be the solution to this problem- personal relationships. If you want writers to KNOW your band to the point they will support them even without someone asking them to, you have to allot more than 15 minutes for interviews and you have to allow access to the artists. For unsigned and independent artists, this is incredibly important: THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS. You're not going to get radio play without talking to people at radio. You're not going to get great press without talking to writers. These people got into the industry to hang out with rockstars, so you have to show them what a rockstar you are. If anything, now is a great time for unsigned and independent bands to get in there, because there is no one at major labels trying to get their attention. Many have already touched on what I consider to be the solution to this problem- personal relationships. If you want writers to KNOW your band to the point they will support them even without someone asking them to, you have to allot more than 15 minutes for interviews and you have to allow access to the artists.

For unsigned and independent artists, this is incredibly important: THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS. You’re not going to get radio play without talking to people at radio. You’re not going to get great press without talking to writers. These people got into the industry to hang out with rockstars, so you have to show them what a rockstar you are.

If anything, now is a great time for unsigned and independent bands to get in there, because there is no one at major labels trying to get their attention.

]]> By: PastePunk http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48886 PastePunk Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:25:03 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48886 "Kings of A&R" Offers 'Secrets' To Music Journalism Posted by Jordan A. Baker / June 13, 2007- pastepunk.com The popular music website KingsofAR.com has posted a brief look into the state of music journalism from the perspective of the major labels, public relations companies, and the media (both print and online). While there's nothing exactly earth-shattering in the article, the site makes a couple of key observations: - Too many disorganized press campaigns from the majors involving an over-worked in-house staff and a variety of disconnected third-party marketing firms. - There is an incredible oversaturation of online media where it is increasingly difficult to analyze the value and credibility of the coverage, not to mention, the unlovable task of keeping track of coverage across thousands of sites. While Pastepunk may be a part of the latter issue, I can certainly say that I have experienced the effects of the former. With certain high profile releases, it's nearly impossible to keep track of all the press releases and people working for the band. Sometimes the press releases are the same, sometimes they include varying information, and sometimes they include conflicting details! The end result is often a tuning-out of the band news and a quickened motion to the trash bin. In short - anything remotely personal form is a plus, but the carpet-bombing of repetitive, rigidly written press releases is huge negative. “Kings of A&R” Offers ‘Secrets’ To Music Journalism
Posted by Jordan A. Baker / June 13, 2007- pastepunk.com

The popular music website KingsofAR.com has posted a brief look into the state of music journalism from the perspective of the major labels, public relations companies, and the media (both print and online). While there’s nothing exactly earth-shattering in the article, the site makes a couple of key observations:

- Too many disorganized press campaigns from the majors involving an over-worked in-house staff and a variety of disconnected third-party marketing firms.

- There is an incredible oversaturation of online media where it is increasingly difficult to analyze the value and credibility of the coverage, not to mention, the unlovable task of keeping track of coverage across thousands of sites.

While Pastepunk may be a part of the latter issue, I can certainly say that I have experienced the effects of the former. With certain high profile releases, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of all the press releases and people working for the band. Sometimes the press releases are the same, sometimes they include varying information, and sometimes they include conflicting details! The end result is often a tuning-out of the band news and a quickened motion to the trash bin. In short - anything remotely personal form is a plus, but the carpet-bombing of repetitive, rigidly written press releases is huge negative.

]]> By: Gus Peña http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48612 Gus Peña Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:11:50 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48612 The best way to get anything covered is to build a real relationship with someone in the editorial position. I have many PR folks that I would be friends with despite our symbiotic publicity-editorial relationship. I think creativity is also a big factor. Give me a story that is interesting. Tell me why YOU like the band not what every other mag has written about them. It is like a petulant child pitting one parent against another. I can read but I can't read your mind (PR person). Organic grassroots promotion still works. I find myself doing promo for the bands I like and the CDs that I feel are ignored even my own mag! That said, printed press is still highly valued but seemingly not by marketing and advertising planners. Not sure why. Do you? Does anyone? I love music and I love business but they are sometimes like ice cream and pizza; both great but not sure how I feel about them together. -GP The best way to get anything covered is to build a real relationship with someone in the editorial position. I have many PR folks that I would be friends with despite our symbiotic publicity-editorial relationship. I think creativity is also a big factor. Give me a story that is interesting. Tell me why YOU like the band not what every other mag has written about them. It is like a petulant child pitting one parent against another. I can read but I can’t read your mind (PR person). Organic grassroots promotion still works. I find myself doing promo for the bands I like and the CDs that I feel are ignored even my own mag! That said, printed press is still highly valued but seemingly not by marketing and advertising planners. Not sure why. Do you? Does anyone?

I love music and I love business but they are sometimes like ice cream and pizza; both great but not sure how I feel about them together.

-GP

]]> By: annie http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48605 annie Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:41:12 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48605 One important difference between traditional magazines and music blogs is that the reader actually has a chance to hear the music on a blog. If a blog gives a CD 5/5 stars, it's likely that a song from the CD can be found on that same page. (Or at least it should) Instead of just passing by that review, the reader will become interested in it if they haven't heard the music before. This, of course, should lead to more sales, but it isn't. Music journalists should only write what they care about on blogs. Labels should make it easier for these writers to find information about the artist and to contact them. One of my favorite blogs to read is the Subterranean Blog. (Subterranean is an hour-long show that plays indie music videos on MTV2) They have a video with each post. Bands like the Horrors have sent video greeting to the blog to say hi. It's what more blogs should do. One important difference between traditional magazines and music blogs is that the reader actually has a chance to hear the music on a blog. If a blog gives a CD 5/5 stars, it’s likely that a song from the CD can be found on that same page. (Or at least it should) Instead of just passing by that review, the reader will become interested in it if they haven’t heard the music before. This, of course, should lead to more sales, but it isn’t.

Music journalists should only write what they care about on blogs. Labels should make it easier for these writers to find information about the artist and to contact them.

One of my favorite blogs to read is the Subterranean Blog. (Subterranean is an hour-long show that plays indie music videos on MTV2) They have a video with each post. Bands like the Horrors have sent video greeting to the blog to say hi. It’s what more blogs should do.

]]> By: Stu Gots http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48595 Stu Gots Wed, 13 Jun 2007 23:42:30 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48595 Any artist manager worth his/her salt wouldn't rely 100% on a label's ability to effectively handle press and PR. Labels are fucked and should only be used, if at all, as a bank. Any artist manager worth his/her salt wouldn’t rely 100% on a label’s ability to effectively handle press and PR. Labels are fucked and should only be used, if at all, as a bank.

]]> By: Matt M http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48555 Matt M Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:44:02 +0000 http://www.kingsofar.com/2007/06/12/the-dirty-little-secrets-of-modern-music-journalism/#comment-48555 AJ this is an interesting article. I would have to say that you are pretty spot on with your assesment although all hope is not lost. I may be an offender of the not knowing the projects i work, or even expecting my releases to get posted. Being a PR person I am constantly under the pressure from the label to get news posted about all my projects. Sometimes I am even expected to come up with stories on my own. Many of my press releases are reprinted with out even someone looking at them. Which makes me feel like I am some sort of Music Jounalist, when in reality I am just an agent of the devil (aka Major Labels). I truely love music and every now and then get to work a band I can get behind. Daily I try to build real relationships at websites so that webmasters such as yourself will help me out when my hands are tied for ad dollars. Sadly i think your ad budgets got to people like me most of the time unless we are talking about a major priority at a label. Futher more when was the last time you clicked on a banner. I know I never do. I am too afraid to get some spyware or get sent somewhere I really don't want to go. So editorial is really where it is at. I feel that the supply of music has been growing and growing, while the demand to buy music has reduced. People want music for free or super cheap, i know you will say you buy albums but most people are hitting up blogs all the time. Leaks happen daily and sites post about them. The time of the ultra rich rockstar may be coming to an end but the funny thing is...music might be better for it. So to end my disjointed comment, It is your job to pick and choose what aritsts are good. Don't just post any crap that a PR person sends you. I will still beg you to put up my stuff, but the journalist are the ones that need to take a stand. I hope that my company helps you gain better access to the artists but sometimes I know we only get in the way. Keep hope alive music shall live on, just in a totally new form. AJ this is an interesting article. I would have to say that you are pretty spot on with your assesment although all hope is not lost.

I may be an offender of the not knowing the projects i work, or even expecting my releases to get posted. Being a PR person I am constantly under the pressure from the label to get news posted about all my projects. Sometimes I am even expected to come up with stories on my own. Many of my press releases are reprinted with out even someone looking at them. Which makes me feel like I am some sort of Music Jounalist, when in reality I am just an agent of the devil (aka Major Labels).

I truely love music and every now and then get to work a band I can get behind. Daily I try to build real relationships at websites so that webmasters such as yourself will help me out when my hands are tied for ad dollars. Sadly i think your ad budgets got to people like me most of the time unless we are talking about a major priority at a label. Futher more when was the last time you clicked on a banner. I know I never do. I am too afraid to get some spyware or get sent somewhere I really don’t want to go. So editorial is really where it is at.

I feel that the supply of music has been growing and growing, while the demand to buy music has reduced. People want music for free or super cheap, i know you will say you buy albums but most people are hitting up blogs all the time. Leaks happen daily and sites post about them. The time of the ultra rich rockstar may be coming to an end but the funny thing is…music might be better for it.

So to end my disjointed comment, It is your job to pick and choose what aritsts are good. Don’t just post any crap that a PR person sends you. I will still beg you to put up my stuff, but the journalist are the ones that need to take a stand. I hope that my company helps you gain better access to the artists but sometimes I know we only get in the way. Keep hope alive music shall live on, just in a totally new form.

]]>