Artist Management - An Ever Evolving Field

An article posted on TuneCore goes over Artist Manager’s roles, and how they relate to Business Development. Just as everything from your life to your job, you are in an ever-changing living breathing product. This applies to artist managers also, they went from concerning themselves with helping the artists get record deals, and then post deal acting as a liaison between the label and the band (TuneCore, 2011.) The role has changed, now artist managers must take on the role as a teacher and developer. In TuneCore’s words, they should concern themselves with developing and unlocking value for their bands.

If you think about it, would you like to get a lump sum of money up front, or a continuous stream of income over a period of time? That is how the new artist management works. One must take a band or artist and develop them in to a stream of exposure, not just a one and done one hit wonder. The main problem pointed out in the article on TuneCore is that most managers are unprepared to do business development. Few have business training and may fail in a market that requires this particular skillset. One should take the time to learn these skillsets to better fair in a thriving job market such as artist management.

The article has many points to consider by anyone entering the artist management business. I believe that someone should consider taking a few business classes to have a better shot in turning their career into a steady stream of revenue. Now, what one must not do is be caught up in the dollars, and always keep in mind the artists core concerns. If an auto sales person that came straight out and said I want you to buy this car because I want commission approached you, would you buy it? Not particularly, now if they state they want to sell you the car because it meets your needs, and can provide a safe ride for your family, does that sound better? The way to consider how to manage artists is would you like to have three thousand dollars now, or would you like to have three thousand dollars per month for x amount of years?

Article: http://www.tunecore.com/blog/2011/02/artist-managers-must-understand-their-role-is-now-business-development.html 

Negotiation and Deal-Making Interview - Jorge Quinones

Jorge Quinones – Owner | CEO
www.izonorlando.com

iZon Networks, LLC

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Background

Jorge Quinones has been an entertainment business owner,

producer, manager, consultant, and production assistant for more than 15 years.

After studying the Entertainment Industry, and getting his Bachelor of Science degree in Entertainment Business, from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, he immediately began working for, and now owns, the nation’s first hyper-local

Independent Internet TV network, while developing and producing broadcast quality TV shows, promotional and marketing videos, commercials, and assisted on many projects in the Central Florida area.

Jorge has also worked as a model, stage technician and provided voiceovers for promotional videos.

Recently he has been producing video content for My iZonOrlando - eNews Show, as well as producing promotional videos for businesses and charitable organizations.

Jorge has written and published articles, taken photos and shot video for major entertainment event organizations, and is published online, social media and other media outlets.

Interview Questions

How do you personally separate the person for the problem? 

Every situation is different. I like to enter any situation well informed. Once I have all the facts, I can use this to my advantage when negotiating a deal. I try not to allow emotions on a deal but can use ones emotions when negotiating.

Is there any time where you felt that separation was near impossible? 

Yes, of course.

Did you overcome that and how? 

Yes, I was able to over come it. By listening to the person and knowing the situation I was able to overcome it by giving a little bit on my end by still making an offer that would benefit us both.

What are some ways you try to identify the underlying interests during a negotiation? 

Like I stated before, I always like going in any negotiation well informed. Knowing exactly what it is I need to make a good enough deal that I can live with whether for myself or for a client I represent and by listening during our conversations leading up to an offer I can use options to close on a deal. Listening is definitely a very important if not the most important part of any conversation and negotiation.

What are some probing questions you use to find out these interests? 

There are many ways in getting the answer you seek when negotiating a deal. Honesty in my opinion is the best policy. I always ask true questions in what it is I need to make my end work, and I ask questions that of what my client needs and that of all parties included in the negotiation process. Finding the underlying cause of it is what is working for me.

How do you weigh out the mutual benefits in a negotiation? 

I like to do my part in making the project a go. I enjoy on working on many different projects so by allowing my self to be flexible and by truly finding out what the client needs or wants I can begin weighing out our mutual benefits to get the project green light.

Can you describe a time where finding a mutual benefit was difficult? 

Just about in most cases when it comes to money this comes up in any or all negotiations. 

How did you overcome it? 

I can say that even with a contract and the job/service rendered collecting the money also can present itself with difficulties. In fact, I am currently going through this very thing. Where I was under contract to get a project completed and our part was to edit a wedding video, that was shoot by another contractor almost a year ago and my job was to re-connect with the wedding client, and allow my service to do. I had to get to know the wedding client, get the original video shot from the wedding, and make this process seamlessly for the wedding client. I used my contacts to even get the wedding client to an Orlando event free of charge which made her very happy, then I worked with her along the way to getting her wedding video finally completed for the original contractor make everyone extremely happy. The issue came when it was time to collect and my contractor all of a sudden didn’t want to pay what I was contracted to do. I had to work out a deal on payment options so I could collect and make payment to my editor and team members. 

Do you have any negotiation tips or tricks you use to make a negotiation go smoothly? 

No tricks but my tip would be, be honest to yourself first and that of your team members. Research your customer/client and have a conversation/meeting and listen. They will tell you everything they want. You have to listen and do your best to work within their budget. Allow your experience or expertise help guide you through the process keeping professional along the way. Allow yourself some flexibility but also be firm in what it is you need to make the project a go. Work with the client as best as you can and be ready to say no if it does not work for you as well.

In regards to a BATNA (Best alternative to a negotiated agreement), have you ever been in a situation where a BATNA occurred? 

Yes, I allowed myself to withdraw from a deal but my team, which I use a sub got the gig, hiring me on their team, which in the end I ended up making out a bit more. 

Can you describe the time this happened and what are some learning experiences from this?

Actually, this just happened on my latest gig, which I just got back in town from and now I’m answering these interview questions.

So you're an engineer?

What does it mean to actually produce a record? Speaking on an engineering standpoint for a small time studio; where do you feel engineers should draw the line? I myself have spoken to a few engineers and producers in my year or so in the field, and have had numerous opinions, suggestions, and more about what it is to be an engineer for an independent studio.

I came up with the following dos and don’ts of recording an album as an engineer.

1.     DO always listen to the band members opinions. This does not mean you always have to agree, but you should always give them your undivided attention.

2.     DON’T align tracks right to a grid. It makes tracks, especially drum tracks, sound robotic and inhuman which you tend to lose that actual band feel when you do this.

3.     DO always treat every mix like it’s going to be your best mix to date. You shouldn’t fall into that repetitive job pattern; which can directly reflect in your mixes. I am speaking with EQ a vocal like a unique vocal, not like the vocal you recorded four months ago.

4.     DON’T accept payments on credit. Get your down payment up front, and always collect final payment BEFORE releasing the material. No matter who it is, it could be your mother, there is a chance you won’t see that money for a long time. Let’s face it, that money is needed!

5.     DO record more takes than you THINK you’ll need. Comping is your friend in the studio and some random nuance while recording a take can be your ‘money maker’ in your final mix. I remember a random harmonic happening during one a take during a recording I did that ended up being in the final mix.

6.     DON’T be afraid to use multiple microphones.

7.     DO remember what you’re doing. By this I mean remember your roots, and how much of an honor it is to have customers go to you for their recordings. I had two return customers come to me this last month, and I couldn’t have felt any better about what I do.

The above are just my opinions and not to be considered in anyway shape or form ‘gospel’ as THE WAY to run your studio. Mixing, recording, and anything involving music is just like someone’s DNA. Everyone is unique, and so is his or her music work. Respect that, and you are on your way to running a successful studio.

TED Inspiration - Benjamin Zander on Music and Passion

TED Talk: Benjamin Zander
Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion
Blog Link: http://570studioblog.blogspot.com/

The TED Talk I chose was a great inspirational speaker named Benjamin Zander. Benjamin’s goal during the TED talk was to expose people to the world of Classical Music without them barely knowing it. Benjamin inspired the audience by not only teaching them the realm of Classical music, but also involving everyone in the audience by using humor, anecdotes, and speaks in a language everyone can understand.

Benjamin built trust with his audience by not only describing his leadership traits, but talks to them on the same level without putting himself on a pedestal. The trust builds through the talk by Benjamin teaching the audience along the way about many things involving music. He teaches them about notes, cadences, and also breaks the stigma on tone deafness!

He conveys his message to the audience telling a story about a boy he presented the same presentation to. His brother was killed when they were younger. The boy came up to him after the presentation and said that he did not cry when his brother died, but when he listened to him play the piece of music he finally cried for his brother. People gained much appreciation, myself included, about classical music without even knowing it.

Lastly, the moment that grabbed me the most was his most memorable quote from his TED talk. He speaks of two siblings on a train going into Auschwitz. An older sister saw her younger brother missing his shoes, yelling at him she says he never can keep himself kempt. After that moment was the last moment she saw her brother. She then vowed that she would “Never say anything that can’t stand as the last thing you’d ever say.” That quote resonated with me not only in my professional, but personal life also. Think about how many things we say to our significant others, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. If they were gone tomorrow, would you be happy with the last thing you said to them?

How to Get Ready to go to the Studio!

Reading many forums online I have come across many instances of artists asking “I am hitting the studio next week, what do I need to do?” When I see that post it makes me quiver just a little. Not for the sake of the engineers involved, but the artist as well. If you are not prepared to enter the studio, it cannot only be a waste of time, but also money! Through my experience, and also taking a few great tips from Blue Room Music Studio; I am going to give you some tips to get ready to record your album!

Here is my top 10 list of tips to get ready to hit the studio

Practice, practice, practice! – How do you know when it’s enough? A great album is recorded when the band can come in and have minimal mistakes that involve ‘forgetting’ parts. I am not saying you HAVE to be flawless, but by the words of the great Veit Renn “Do it perfectly 8 times, then you know you are ready to go.” 

Singers, Know the lyrics! – This piggybacks off of tip #1 a bit. If a singer is reading off of his or her lyric sheet, believe me you can hear it in the take. I don’t even have to see you doing it to know. Music should be felt, and reading off the sheet takes away from the emotions you are trying to compel in your words.

 Leave it all at the door! – When you come to the studio, keep your personal problems at the door. The studio is a place to let the emotions fly through your words, not through anger or being miserable. The studio should be a relaxing place and a great experience to remember for years. Take it all in!

Rest up! – You should give yourself a few days rest before hitting the studio, especially the vocalists! You are going to be doing quite a few takes yourself in the studio and if you strain your voice, this can be a huge issue! The other band mates should rest as well.

Don’t Bring Friends or Family! – The studio is not a stage. Quite often if I see bands recording while a family member is in the control room the singer or musician plays pretty terribly; kind of like they don’t want to get made fun of or get criticized by their guest. I recall an instructor from my tenure at Full Sail say he was working with an artist that their mother was in the control room barking orders at them as they did their takes. The producer kicked the mother out, and the next take from the vocalist was flawless!

Don’t Change Songs! – The studio is not a rehearsal hall. The studio should not be a place where you decide to write a new track, completely change a section of your song, or try to play Free Bird as fast as you can. Going back to rule # 1, practice what you are going to do at the studio. I am not saying changes in songs aren’t welcomed in the studio, but keep them at a minimum.

Be Respectful! – Leave your ego at the door with your problems. There is nothing worse than an egotistical person entering the studio that their head is taking up more headroom than your snare drum! When you walk through the door of a studio, we already respect you for giving us your business, return the favor and respect us for helping you get your art to the world.

Be Prepared! – Bring extra drum sticks, guitar picks, strings, drum heads, etc. 99% of the time we don’t have extras laying around; especially the exact heads you are accustomed to that will give you the same sound you want to be on the record!

Practice with a metronome! – Most studios and engineers align your tracks based on a tempo grid. This grid is the BPM of your song, and this is pretty much the heartbeat of your track. Do yourself a favor and practice your songs with a metronome to not only make your engineer’s life easier, but it will also better yourself as a musician to boot!

Have Fun – I can’t stress this enough. If you come in the studio with a heavy weight of the world on you, then the whole experience may be a negative one. The studio is a place that many dream to see one day, and it is a place where your emotions come to life on a soundscape. Take a breath, take it all in, and lay the track down like there is no tomorrow!

These tips are not gospel by any means, but they are just general things out there that can help you get prepared for the studio. There are so many more tips out there, if you want to see many more check out Suspect Studios' tips page. They have a lot of great information as well surrounding prep, also a great article on the good and bad of a home recording. Please feel free to ask any questions or email myers570@gmail.com with your own tips!