Would Arrowhead's Toys in the Attic sell today?

[alanm]

Was bored when I got home and wanted to listen to some music. So I was perusing and saw Arrowsmith's Toys in the Attic amonst the multitudes of CD's. It's been a long time since I listened to this particular album. But I think it still holds up. Yeah it's Bronco week. **** off. Just wondering.Remember I was bored. And maybe feeling a little old.

[alanm]

I know the Black Crowes are and were a ****ed up band.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by alanm

Im not talking on the quality of the album but of the potential of the band if it was presented to you at this moment in time.

No. Absolutely not.

Not only are they ****ing nuts on a personal level, the amount of money that it would cost to record that band wouldn't be profitable for me in the long run.

Let's put it this way: I'd lose my job if I signed them and quite honestly, if I were A&R, I wouldn't be up for losing my job.

[alanm]

I'm trying to think of a hypothetical but I really can't at the moment. Ok. I'm trying to pick your brain. And see where someone who actually looks for talent looks at. What exactally does someone look at. If I may be so bold to ask. What does a "Scout" look for?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by alanm

What does a "Scout" look for?

It depends on who you ask. There are so many facets to the business that what you're asking is a difficult question to answer.

For example, I have a band manager friend that's signed a ton of bands that became really successful. His model is to "find what's missing in the marketplace".

Now, you might think "Aerosmith" or "Kiss" but he thinks of bands similar to Duran Duran and Depeche Mode in this instance. Why? Because those bands are huge globally whereas Aerosmith and Kiss, today, would have very limited appeal.

Also, there are a ton of artists like Ed Sheeran today. The whole "Indie-Folk" crossover thing is HUGE. So Music Supes and Indie labels are looking for artists that appeal to that audience. Smart, snappy, poignant music for that genre.

I could go on and on and on but the bottom line is this:

Are you willing, personally, to take money out of your pocket to sign, develop, produce and promote a band, knowing full well that if they fail, you fail, too?

[Eleazar]

Arrowhead and Arrowsmith?

[alanm]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It depends on who you ask. There are so many facets to the business that what you're asking is a difficult question to answer.

For example, I have a band manager friend that's signed a ton of bands that became really successful. His model is to "find what's missing in the marketplace".

Now, you might think "Aerosmith" or "Kiss" but he thinks of bands similar to Duran Duran and Depeche Mode in this instance. Why? Because those bands are huge globally whereas Aerosmith and Kiss, today, would have very limited appeal.

Also, there are a ton of artists like Ed Sheeran today. The whole "Indie-Folk" crossover thing is HUGE. So Music Supes and Indie labels are looking for artists that appeal to that audience. Smart, snappy, poignant music for that genre.

I could go on and on and on but the bottom line is this:

Are you willing, personally, to take money out of your pocket to sign, develop, produce and promote a band, knowing full well that if they fail, you fail, too?

So it comes down to the promoter and not the label. Well I guess it comes down to who you believe in.

[alanm]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Arrowhead and Arrowsmith?

I wrote Arrowsmith but it came out Arrowhead in the header. Go figure.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by alanm

So it comes down to the promoter and not the label. Well I guess it comes down to who you believe in.

No, no, no, no NO!

The person that signs the act sacrifices EVERYTHING! Upfront money, studio time, producer, mixer. THEN it goes off to the label, which may or may not (and 99% of the time, NOT) sign the band.

Then it's fronting money for touring, which includes transportation and lodging and gear and everything under the sun.

Good ****ing grief, Dude.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by alanm

Ed Sheeran really? Is this really where were at in the music business today. Where it's come down to what makes money over talent? Strike that i know the answer. I'm a musican. Not a great one. But the drive flows thru my veins. I'm not going to quit. I love the Blues. That's my genre. I'll keep writing and playing with hope. And never stop playing guitar. And I hope no kid reading this says I'm not quitting either cause some guy in Hollywood says this isn't making money for him.

Ed Sheeran is really good. Sorry.

[alanm]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No, no, no, no NO!

The person that signs the act sacrifices EVERYTHING! Upfront money, studio time, producer, mixer. THEN it goes off to the label, which may or may not (and 99% of the time, NOT) sign the band.

Then it's fronting money for touring, which includes transportation and lodging and gear and everything under the sun.

Good ****ing grief, Dude.

Don't misunderstand me I'm trying to understand. Where exactly does the promoter step aside and the label step in. I'm trying to do this for my nephew who is a neophyte as am I. My nephew is VERY talented and is getting feelers for his current band. Sorry if my older brother Donnie was still with us he would slap me upside the head and tell me to step aside.

[Miles]

This is one of the few bands I can think of in recent years that reminds me a bit of classic rock that has at least been somewhat popular.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by alanm

Don't misunderstand me I'm trying to understand. Where exactly does the promoter step aside and the label step in. I'm trying to do this for my nephew who is a neophyte as am I. My nephew is very talented and is getting feelers for his current band. Sorry if my older brother Donnie was still with us he would slap me upside the head and tell me to step aside.

Alan, gosh man, you need to send me a PM. I'll get to it when I can and I have the best intentions, but dude.

Here's what I tell anyone and everyone that asks how to be successful in the music business:

The past doesn't matter. Enroll at Berklee or USC/UCLA/NYU Film school. Learn the business from the ground up. Live and work among the most talented people your age in this country. Develop relationships, co-write, learn from each other.

Then, move to Nashville or Los Angeles, live cheap, network and write, write, write, write, write.

Everyone has a PC or Mac and knows Cubase/Pro Tools/Logic inside out and has all the best plugins and software. It's not the gear, it's the talent.

Make it happen.

[stevieray]

Exactly why I've been getting into the Blues and Bluegrass the last few years.

A handful of people own all the radio stations, video and the computer killed musicianship on a major level, big hair got crushed by grunge, and rap has been mainstream for two decades...usually music flows, but feels like a rut right now.

I'd rather listen to Bobby Gentry and RL Burnside or Steep Canyon Rangers.

vinyl is making a huge comeback and that s where I'm going to start putting my money into..DECADES of great music in a medium that is organic and endearing.

jMO

[alanm]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Alan, gosh man, you need to send me a PM. I'll get to it when I can and I have the best intentions, but dude.

Here's what I tell anyone and everyone that asks how to be successful in the music business:

The past doesn't matter. Enroll at Berklee or USC/UCLA/NYU Film school. Learn the business from the ground up. Live and work among the most talented people your age in this country. Develop relationships, co-write, learn from each other.

Then, move to Nashville or Los Angeles, live cheap, network and write, write, write, write, write.

Everyone has a PC or Mac and knows Cubase/Pro Tools/Logic inside out and has all the best plugins and software. It's not the gear, it's the talent.

Make it happen.

Dane I have no Ilusions I'm in my early 50's and out of luck. But my nephew is in his early20's and the world in front of him. And I have seen enough to know that this kid has potential. And that's not just being his Uncle talking. This kid is good. I'm talking Stevie Ray good!! But it does no good if there's no market for talent. If no one is interested what's the point?

[DaneMcCloud]

I need to make one thing clear:

I LOVE 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's rock, whether it's "Hair" or "Sunset Strip" or "Metal" or "Indie" or "Classic". LOVE IT.

I grew up on the Blues: Freddy, Albert and BB King, Albert Collins, then Cream, Hendrix and Jeff Beck. From there it was Frampton (who's my personal all time favorite).

But in terms of today's market, rock takes a serious backseat to other genres. That's not to say that rock isn't viable, because I write rock music for NASCAR, NFL, ESPN, Fox Sports, MLB, Pawn Stars, Counting Cars and so on. I'm thrilled that it's still viable in TV.

But rock bands? Kids today couldn't care less, which is the point I've been trying to make.