Instructions
17 Rock solid music biz "instructions" from Bob Lefsetz
Excerpts -
1. Endorsements
They put money in your pocket, but they shorten your career. Anybody who tells you otherwise is just taking a percentage.
2. Singles
Either write them or don’t sign to the major label.
3. Time To Make It
If you’re not a ten year overnight success, then you’re probably not any good.
4. Let Your Music Do The Talking
PR people are under as much pressure as radio promotion people these days. They’ll take a story from almost anyone, and they’ll say you’re god-given. The only problem is, you’re not.
5. The Long Tail
So everything sells. Big fucking deal. It’s kind of like blogs. Anybody can have one, but only a SLIVER of them get any page views.
6. Sound
If you want a brief career, fall into a genre. You’re just another in a long line.
7. Managers
Are probably gonna be around longer than you are. You’re just a pawn in their game.
8. Attorneys
Fucked in the new system. Fewer record deals for fewer dollars.
9. The Road
If you don’t cut singles, you must play live, and be very good at it. This is DEFINITIVE!
10. Recording
In order for you to break outside the singles system, potential fans must be able to hear your track once, and become enraptured.
11. Video
The golden age of video was about inventiveness. If you’re not doing something edgy, it better be performance only, LIVE performance.
12. P2P
You know the Chili Peppers song, GIVE IT AWAY!
13. Labels
An indie can’t break your single. If you’re a singles artist, don’t sign with an indie.
14. Money
The less you take, the less you owe.
15. Distribution
HK. ATO. Those fuckers can get paid. But the other dude, who says he’s got an indie, and can get your record out there, he’s just trying to build a business on your back.
16. When To Sign
The English bands have this down. They generate heat, and THEN cash in. On terms favorable to THEM!
17. Be Good
Sure, the Ramones capitalized on minimalism. But that was a different era.
Comments
There's some wisdom in there for sure...
Be You, Be Good, Be Smart, Be Intentional. And never allow yourself to feel like you've made it. :o)
Sx
Posted by: Steve | November 11, 2006 02:20 AM
Yeah - I like Bob's stuff. He's edgy, often totally biased and wrong (or misguided) - but entertaining and thought provoking too.
Posted by: Jeff Schmidt | November 11, 2006 10:26 AM
His Endorsements point is an intriguing one. Does he mean like deals with Coke or Pepsi or McDonalds? Or is he talking music gear...? I'd definitely caution against switching deals every 10 minutes, like some players do, but the exposure and support that a company can provide can be invaluable. Not worth playing crap gear over, but if you get a relationship with the people who make the stuff you love, it's win-win.
Posted by: Steve | November 16, 2006 04:58 AM
I'm pretty sure Bob is talking Coke etc...
He's ranted against that kind of thing before.
Posted by: Jeff Schmidt | November 16, 2006 08:04 AM
Ok - here's a gray area - Kaki King just appeared in a pharmacutical commerical about a drug for Cervical Cancer. It's not a Public Service Announcement - it's a drug commerical for a pharmacutical company.
Not sure how to take that - but since Kaki is activly telling her fans about it - I'm guessing it's not a big deal for her.
Posted by: Jeff Schmidt | November 17, 2006 08:38 AM