Music Industry Interviews and Biographies
Sometimes the best way to learn the ropes in the music industry is to get the inside scoop straight from the horses mouth and studying the paths of those who have gone before you. Find out how other people working in the industry today are making their way and how the major players got their foot in the door.
Q&A with Philip Di Fiore of Godforsaken Music
Most indie labels are lucky if the first musicians they work with can draw 35 people at the local club, let alone have reputaions that precede them. Not so for Godforsaken Music. This indie label was able to kick off with a star studded affair that even major labels would be lucky to pull together. Here, Di Fiore talks about learning the ropes of the music business while working with such experienced artists, the surprises he encountered a long the way and what's next for Godforsaken Music.
Most indie labels are lucky if the first musicians they work with can draw 35 people at the local club, let alone have reputaions that precede them. Not so for Godforsaken Music. This indie label was able to kick off with a star studded affair that even major labels would be lucky to pull together. Here, Di Fiore talks about learning the ropes of the music business while working with such experienced artists, the surprises he encountered a long the way and what's next for Godforsaken Music.
Q&A with Stephen Pastel of Geographic Records and The Pastels
Stephen Pastel is no stranger to indie bands or indie record labels. His band The Pastels is one of indie music's long lasting and most loved bands, and his 1980s label 53rd & 3rd is a shining example of how just how much impact even the smallest of labels can have on the course of music. Now running Domino subsidiary label Geographic, Stephen is again in the position to introduce the world to music it didn't know it loved. Here, he talks about the label and what he's learned from The Pastels.
Stephen Pastel is no stranger to indie bands or indie record labels. His band The Pastels is one of indie music's long lasting and most loved bands, and his 1980s label 53rd & 3rd is a shining example of how just how much impact even the smallest of labels can have on the course of music. Now running Domino subsidiary label Geographic, Stephen is again in the position to introduce the world to music it didn't know it loved. Here, he talks about the label and what he's learned from The Pastels.
Q&A with Mr. Len of Smacks Records
Many of the best indie labels are run by people who know what it's like to the be the artist themselves, and that is certainly the case with Smacks Records. Here, Mr. Len talk about why he stared Smacks, how the label is different and how he deals with competing with bigger labels with deeper pockets.
Many of the best indie labels are run by people who know what it's like to the be the artist themselves, and that is certainly the case with Smacks Records. Here, Mr. Len talk about why he stared Smacks, how the label is different and how he deals with competing with bigger labels with deeper pockets.
Q&A with David Gedge of The Wedding Present
Making a band last for six months is hard enough - but David Gedge has managed to keep The Wedding Present going for more than 20 years and counting. In this interview with David Gedge, he talks about how The Wedding Present have kept it going for so long, their experiences working with different record labels and the problems he thinks all bands face for the future.
Making a band last for six months is hard enough - but David Gedge has managed to keep The Wedding Present going for more than 20 years and counting. In this interview with David Gedge, he talks about how The Wedding Present have kept it going for so long, their experiences working with different record labels and the problems he thinks all bands face for the future.
Q&A with Lou Paniccia of Sonicbids
You asked, they answered. You submitted your questions to online band/promoter matchmaker and festival submission site Sonicbids, and Lou Paniccia, Artist Relations Manager at Sonicbids, answered them in full. Find out what he had to say about the registration fees, the CMJ incident and much more.
You asked, they answered. You submitted your questions to online band/promoter matchmaker and festival submission site Sonicbids, and Lou Paniccia, Artist Relations Manager at Sonicbids, answered them in full. Find out what he had to say about the registration fees, the CMJ incident and much more.
Russell Simmons Profile
If you love hip hop, you owe Russell Simmons a thank you. In the early days of rap, Simmons fought like no one else to take hip hop out of the underground and to the mainstream audience. He's had a hand in too many of rap's biggest moments to count, and he's still hip hop royalty today. Learn more about how he pulled it off.
If you love hip hop, you owe Russell Simmons a thank you. In the early days of rap, Simmons fought like no one else to take hip hop out of the underground and to the mainstream audience. He's had a hand in too many of rap's biggest moments to count, and he's still hip hop royalty today. Learn more about how he pulled it off.
Q&A with R. City
R.City, brothers Teron and Timothy, are about to release their major label debut, Wake the Neighbors, but you already know all of their songs. How? Because as songwriters, these guys have written for just about every big seller you can think of. Find out how they went from performers to songwriters to performers again and how they used their songwriting talents to get people to notice their own music.
R.City, brothers Teron and Timothy, are about to release their major label debut, Wake the Neighbors, but you already know all of their songs. How? Because as songwriters, these guys have written for just about every big seller you can think of. Find out how they went from performers to songwriters to performers again and how they used their songwriting talents to get people to notice their own music.
Q&A with Radio Pluggers Ben Mainwaring and Terry Hollingsworth
Having a good radio plugger can make the difference between a great track becoming a hit or not. But what does the job involve and how do you get into it? Here, Ben Mainwaring, a freelance radio plugger, and Terry Hollingsworth, director of Radio and Press plugging company 10 X Better to get their thoughts on the role and career of a radio plugger.
Having a good radio plugger can make the difference between a great track becoming a hit or not. But what does the job involve and how do you get into it? Here, Ben Mainwaring, a freelance radio plugger, and Terry Hollingsworth, director of Radio and Press plugging company 10 X Better to get their thoughts on the role and career of a radio plugger.
Q&A with Blair McDonald of Nettwerk Music Group
Nettwerk's Blair McDonald has seen the music industry from all sides - from behind a drum kit, a label mail room, the big office at a major label, and the helm of his own indie to name but a few. Here, he shares some insight on the future of the music biz, what he's learned from being inside and outside the major label structure, and why Nettwerk is defending fans against RIAA lawsuits.
Nettwerk's Blair McDonald has seen the music industry from all sides - from behind a drum kit, a label mail room, the big office at a major label, and the helm of his own indie to name but a few. Here, he shares some insight on the future of the music biz, what he's learned from being inside and outside the major label structure, and why Nettwerk is defending fans against RIAA lawsuits.
Q&A with Waleed Coyote of 102 Jamz and Othaz Records - Part Two
So you wanna be a DJ? Here, Waleed Coyote, of North Carolina's 102 Jamz radio station shares how he got started and tips for aspiring DJs looking for a way in the door. He also talks about his own record label, Othaz Records, and the big project he's working on with MC Serch - Peace in the Middle East - a collaboration between Jewish and Arab MCs to raise money for orphanages in Israel and Palestine.
So you wanna be a DJ? Here, Waleed Coyote, of North Carolina's 102 Jamz radio station shares how he got started and tips for aspiring DJs looking for a way in the door. He also talks about his own record label, Othaz Records, and the big project he's working on with MC Serch - Peace in the Middle East - a collaboration between Jewish and Arab MCs to raise money for orphanages in Israel and Palestine.
Q&A with Waleed Coyote of 102 Jamz and Othaz Records - Part One
So you wanna be a DJ? Here, Waleed Coyote, of North Carolina's 102 Jamz radio station shares how he got started and tips for aspiring DJs looking for a way in the door. He also talks about his own record label, Othaz Records, and the big project he's working on with MC Serch - Peace in the Middle East - a collaboration between Jewish and Arab MCs to raise money for orphanages in Israel and Palestine.
So you wanna be a DJ? Here, Waleed Coyote, of North Carolina's 102 Jamz radio station shares how he got started and tips for aspiring DJs looking for a way in the door. He also talks about his own record label, Othaz Records, and the big project he's working on with MC Serch - Peace in the Middle East - a collaboration between Jewish and Arab MCs to raise money for orphanages in Israel and Palestine.
Q&A with Scott Macdonald of KFM Records
KFM Records is one of Edinburgh finest labels. It's eclectic catalogue, covering indie, hip-hop, electronica and post rock, has been wooing fa,s and the industry, for the last 8 years. The label was founded and is run by by Scott MacDonald, musician, property developer and former world BMX Champion. We caught up with Scott for a wee chat about music, The Simpson and the death of the record label.
KFM Records is one of Edinburgh finest labels. It's eclectic catalogue, covering indie, hip-hop, electronica and post rock, has been wooing fa,s and the industry, for the last 8 years. The label was founded and is run by by Scott MacDonald, musician, property developer and former world BMX Champion. We caught up with Scott for a wee chat about music, The Simpson and the death of the record label.
Interview with MC Serch: Peace in the Middle East
Hip hop icon MC Serch is as well known for his music as he is his committment to giving back. From his work with Rock and Wrap It Up to donating 10% of his income to charities, Serch has always recognized the value of giving back. He recently took a new project to raise awareness about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Peace in the Middle East.
Hip hop icon MC Serch is as well known for his music as he is his committment to giving back. From his work with Rock and Wrap It Up to donating 10% of his income to charities, Serch has always recognized the value of giving back. He recently took a new project to raise awareness about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Peace in the Middle East.
Q&A with Ed Pybus of SL Records
SL Records is like the little indie label that could, doing what often seems like an impossible task in the music industry - running a great indie label, releasing great music that you love and keeping the whole thing running year in and year out. Here, Ed Pybus of SL Records shares how he's managed to pull this whole thing off and some advice on how you can do it, too.
SL Records is like the little indie label that could, doing what often seems like an impossible task in the music industry - running a great indie label, releasing great music that you love and keeping the whole thing running year in and year out. Here, Ed Pybus of SL Records shares how he's managed to pull this whole thing off and some advice on how you can do it, too.
Lyor Cohen Profile
Lyor Cohen is an unlikely pioneer of hip hop music, but he is one nonetheless. He has been instrumental in the careers of many of hip hops biggest stars and has also been one of the most successful and revolutionary thinker in the major label music industry.
Lyor Cohen is an unlikely pioneer of hip hop music, but he is one nonetheless. He has been instrumental in the careers of many of hip hops biggest stars and has also been one of the most successful and revolutionary thinker in the major label music industry.
Q&A with Francis Macdonald
Need advice on how to start a label...be a manager...be in a band...promote you music..and well, just about every other music biz dream you could possible have? Then Francis Macdonald is your man. Get top notch advice that is just the right mix of inspiration and reality check from this music industry everyman.
Need advice on how to start a label...be a manager...be in a band...promote you music..and well, just about every other music biz dream you could possible have? Then Francis Macdonald is your man. Get top notch advice that is just the right mix of inspiration and reality check from this music industry everyman.
Q&A with Lauren Barberena of Tall Girl Publishing
Publishing is an often overlooked, but every important part, of a musician's career. With her legal background and her experience building her own publishing company, Lauren Barberena knows this too well. Get the scoop on the publishing world from the inside.
Publishing is an often overlooked, but every important part, of a musician's career. With her legal background and her experience building her own publishing company, Lauren Barberena knows this too well. Get the scoop on the publishing world from the inside.
Q&A with Jay Flanzbaum of Onlinegigs
Booking a show that runs smoothly from start to finish is a Herculean task - many people simply don't know how much there is to get done. Thankfully, help has arrived in the form of Onlinegigs. Jay Flanzaum, creator of Onlinegigs shares a little about the creation of the company, shares a little bit about what the website has to offer.
Booking a show that runs smoothly from start to finish is a Herculean task - many people simply don't know how much there is to get done. Thankfully, help has arrived in the form of Onlinegigs. Jay Flanzaum, creator of Onlinegigs shares a little about the creation of the company, shares a little bit about what the website has to offer.
Q&A with Rod Hsaio of Live 365
Rod Hsiao of internet radio company Live 365 shares what it is like on the front lines of the internet radio royalty battle.
Rod Hsiao of internet radio company Live 365 shares what it is like on the front lines of the internet radio royalty battle.
Q&A with Sound Engineer Simon Kasprowicz
Think that sound engineering might be the music industry career for you? Seasoned sound man Simon Kasprowicz (aka Kas to his friends) shares some insight into the job and his advice for getting started.
Think that sound engineering might be the music industry career for you? Seasoned sound man Simon Kasprowicz (aka Kas to his friends) shares some insight into the job and his advice for getting started.
A Conversation with David Rose of KnowTheMusicBiz.com
KnowTheMusicBiz is dedicated to giving budding musicians the straight dope on life in the industry, warts and all. David Rose, founder of the site, shares a bit about KnowTheMusicBiz and his insight into the issues facing the music business.
KnowTheMusicBiz is dedicated to giving budding musicians the straight dope on life in the industry, warts and all. David Rose, founder of the site, shares a bit about KnowTheMusicBiz and his insight into the issues facing the music business.
Seymour Stein Profile
One of the most important tastemakers in the music industry, Seymour Stein hasn't so much reacted to trends as making them himself. He's discovered artists as diverse as The Talking Heads and Madonna and has managed to survive decades in the music industry - no mean feat. His story is a model for all aspiring label types out there.
One of the most important tastemakers in the music industry, Seymour Stein hasn't so much reacted to trends as making them himself. He's discovered artists as diverse as The Talking Heads and Madonna and has managed to survive decades in the music industry - no mean feat. His story is a model for all aspiring label types out there.
Clive Davis Profile
Clive Davis is something of a rock star among major music execs and thumbs up or thumbs down from his had made or broken many a career. He's always something of a controversial figure, but there is no denying he has spotted some of the biggest selling artists in music history.
Clive Davis is something of a rock star among major music execs and thumbs up or thumbs down from his had made or broken many a career. He's always something of a controversial figure, but there is no denying he has spotted some of the biggest selling artists in music history.