Archive for July, 2010

Artist management is a big responsibility and you must be ready, willing, and able to bring your cards to the table to meet the artists needs. The unity between the both of you becomes one. It’s a business, and it’s a journey! The artists become your sole reason of purpose. Basically in order for you to make income from the artist, you have to bring income to the artist. The video below by Paul Allen gives an excellent review of the things you should consider in managing artists music careers.

Another excellent resource from Paul Allan’s website…

Artist Management and Music Management Directory

I’m just gon’ dive right in and ask this question! As female producers do you think we have a certain image of greater expectation to uphold over our male producers? To break it down, do we need to be sexy, revealing all but what mother nature gave us to even get attention? If we had the mentality of knocking up every male that came in the studio, are we considered names we care not to repeat? If we dressed down because it is our comfort zone to create… does this make a statement of questioning our sexuality? As you can see here, we are in a catch 22….we’re damned if we do, and if we don’t.

However, I strongly feel we have a responsibility in our presentation as female producers. And yes unfortunately, we have to live with that, unlike our male counterparts. They can look the worst of the worst, wear anything, act any way, and still get noticeable respect for their music. I believe our presentation, as well as our attitudes and lifestyles have to be consistent with our ability to make music, especially if we’ve decided upon this as a career.

If you’re trying to get attention to your music with your half-naked body and excessive makeup like you’re going hang out on a corner… it may get you attention, but it’s clearly not to your music and often times disrespect. Since we know this music industry is male dominated, perhaps you feel the marketing approach of ’sex sells’ has sparked your interest and maybe even a quick dollar! But I believe in the end of the day, you’ve sold yourself out, and your career is limited.

And for my female producers that dress the totally opposite and even considering yourselves as one of the guys. Is this your best presentation? No matter how you may act like the guys, you will always be considered a female producer to the eyes of the industry. I’m not saying change who you are, I’m saying if music is what makes you, then allow the world to see that.

The balance? Great question! I would think having first the right mind and attitude to even wear the name as producer is a start. Developing a professional approach, respect your music peers and work hard at the one thing you desire to do. More importantly, think about if someone presented themselves to you the same way you are doing to others. Is it something that would draw you in and prompt interest in their production capabilities? Dress the way you feel, but present it tastefully upon the occasion. (Read that again!) In simpler terms, let your music breathe through. That’s what this is all about, right?!  Allow your beauty and your swag to reflect your passion and your game plan. Through that everything else comes together. Your outer portion will not be denied because it’s who you are… so leave the acting to the actors.  And as we may try and get around it… image is very important is this industry…not by just a visual, but by an experience.

Take this with you and write it down…  You want to be seen??? Then be heard!!! Respect is earned and determined by the way you respect yourself first. Be sexy…sexy with your music, be beautiful… beautiful with your music, get ugly… ugly with your music, get raggedy… raggedy with your music… got an attitude? Put it in your music! As a producer, it has to be all about the music!

I ask everyone, both male and females, what are your views on this topic?

In this video, I demonstrate several of my tracks in the Roland Fantom X6. I also talk briefly about sampling and pass on some pointers!