In the Know - March 2003

My 2-Cents Worth

As we enter the spring of 2003, we also cross into a new season of the music business. The changes being created and implemented by the industry will alter the technology, delivery and overall landscape of how we listen, watch and pay for music. In the face of these changes, we have seen yet another changing of the guard. In the last several months, we have witnessed an executive shuffle at the highest level. Clive Davis now mans the RCA/J label group, which BMG delivered to him a short time after taking away his Arista empire. Will he be able to hone the roster and add his Midas touch to the historic home of Elvis? BMG is hoping for an overhaul and MCA Records also made a change with the resignation of longtime President Jay Boberg. The label that has for a longtime struggled to capture its own identity and gain the respect of the industry, now must fight to keep its place in the massive Universal system. Will Promo boss Craig Lambert get the nod to helm the label or are the rumors of Geffen Prez Jordan Schur taking over the top position true? For the time being, Jimmy Iovine will oversee the label. On the Sony front, veteran music chief Tommy Matolla stepped down to apparently pursue other interests in a new paradigm-altering company. While the heat from the Michael Jackson scandal did not sit well with the Japanese, the changes that installed former NBC Exec Andrew Lack lead the way for what appears to be a new leadership and direction for Sony Music. New leaders will be faced with a plethora of obstacles that have been amassing for the last few years, most predominantly the free burning of music that has become an enigma that refuses to be solved. As music quickly becomes a commodity in the consumer’s mind as instantly available as running water, electricity and turning on the TV, the traditional ways of packaging and selling the product are quickly becoming outdated and less profitable then they once were. While the battle of piracy and free downloads continue to capture the attention of all facets of the industry, the way in which we all make money from the music, and most importantly how the artists making the music will be compensated becomes paramount. While established career artists have an edge over new and developing artists, the struggle over how new artists can profit from the sale of their art remains at the forefront of our business. While marquee artists can draw from concert sales and merchandising of their brand name, new artists struggle to rack up the sales numbers needed to turn a profit and warrant further releases from their label. While bands and artists can spread their music like wildfire on the Internet, gaining attention and exposure, the problem still exists as to how they can profit from this, and what it means in the grand scheme of things. While the major labels struggle to come up with clever, ingenious and profitable ways to stay ahead of the dipping SoundScan numbers and the overall negative profits, the new label bosses will be transfixed on finding ways to offer value at retail and create in-demand and exclusive products that cannot be so easily ripped off. Simply selling an audio CD is a way of the past. As selling airtime on radio or television, we must look to attach advertising and possibly sponsorship of some sort to help create new and exclusive ways to add value to the traditional audio packages. Some of the majors are starting to offer special incentive items such as DVD’s live and extra tracks, links to special giveaways and fan sites, first dibs on concert tickets and merchandise, etc. Out of the box thinking and creativity has never been more important than now. Perhaps Sony had this in mind when it brought over an executive that had packaged television. The way we look at the selling of recorded music must now change; the landscape demands it. Regardless of the vehicles that allow people to steal the music, we all must continue to embrace the changes already in our midst and on the horizon.


Talbot’s Tidbits

Maverick Recordings announces the signing of Keaton Simons. Danny Strick and Guy Oseary and Sandy Roberton were instrumental in bringing what many are calling the singer/songwriter/performer of the next several decades to Maverick, a true career artist with untapped talent and multitude of avenues to explore. Simons’ songwriting prowess and voice harkens back to a time when Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the true folk-singers of the 70’s spoke clearly and boldly with their music. His guitar mastery has been hired by a wide diversity of artists such as Snoop Dog and Trey from Pharcyde. As a 24-year-old performer beyond his years, Simons melds all things John Mayer, Dave Mathews with influences in the vein of Elivs Costello, Tom Waits and Harry Connick, Jr. At times, old-school folk and at others, acoustic hip-hop, it’s hard to pigeon hole this tremendous performer. Simons is currently recording his debut album with The Matrix production team and will also be doing some tracks with the Wizards. Look for this release in the fall. Congrats to Manager Scott Carlson for his unswerving belief and loyalty to his artist. Speaking of Scott Carlson, another one of his clients, the legendary Producer Andy Johns is back to work after a slight battle in his personal life. Andy is now recording a new project for V2 and also taking meetings and scheduling projects. Don’t miss an opportunity to have a genuine legend and perhaps one of the finest Producer/Engineers of our time get involved with a project for you. Contact Scott Carlson at STC Entertainment 818-787-4065. Veteran hardcore rockers Prong have just signed a new deal with Locomotive Records and will release their first new studio album in over five years. After a live album and successful tour of Europe, the band seems ready to make a comeback and their fans seem willing to embrace them


Powerfest 2003

Look for Drag racing to hit the Euro continent for the first time this summer. Combined with the element of music, this tour will hit five countries across Europe with multiple-night stays in major stadiums. This is the maiden voyage for an event like this and advance sales have gone through the roof thus far. Each city and night will feature five classes of racing and cars followed by different musical themes each night in each city.


SJP Producer News

UK Producer/Manager Safta Jaffrey has had a busy roster over the last several months and being based in London, he offers an alternative to the US-dominated Producer market. If you have a project that needs attention outside of the US or are looking for a slightly different take on things, give consideration to some of the SJP clients:
John Leckie-mixes for Sons Of Arga for EMI, currently in the studio with John Power
Michael Brauer- mixed new live album for A-Ha,and EMI’s Saybia
John Cornfield –working on Parlophone band Alfie, and Sony band Kashmir, and One Minute Silence.
Ian Caple-Tindersticks for Beggars Banquet, Universal France’s Les Hurleurs
George Shilling-new Steve Winwood, Darius
Paul Reeve-Muse
Ron Saint Germain-311, Mos Def
Also on the roster are Sodi, and Carl Cook
For more info, contact Safta @ 44-208-780-3311
www.sjpdodgy.co.uk/main.html
Email: mike@tastemedia.com



In The Know was gathered, compiled and written by Jamie Talbot and edited by Stephen Trumbull. Comments, questions, feedback to jmtster@aol.com