subject: Get noticed as an aspiring artist… [print this page] Get noticed as an aspiring artist Get noticed as an aspiring artist
Flash Rodriguez, THE REAL MUSIC INDUSTRY:
Get noticed as an aspiring artist
Flash Rodriguez, CEO and President of record label, The FEAM Group (a Joint venture with Icon Records / Universal Music Group), is a music industry veteran with extensive knowledge in artist development and as an Artist and Repertoire Consultant to some of the industry's top major record labels. We asked for his expert advice on what it would take to get noticed, as an aspiring recording artist. His response was intriguing and informative. The following was his response;
"I'll try to keep it brief. First and foremost, an artist must prepare themselves before even attempting to gain any type of attention from an industry professional. By this I mean, do the homework. Take the vocal lessons, the dance classes, and hit the gym. Take care of your instrumentYour voice, body and mind. Without them, you are nothing.
The second phase, once you have honed your instrument, is to seek out a means to make your music. The most inexpensive and effective way to secure a compilation of work is to find talented young aspiring producers in your area, or online. These days, producers allow people to pay very small monetary amounts for use of their musical tracks online. Polish your skills as a songwriter. Seek out the aspiring artists, producers and writers, in your community, and work with each other in creating a "body of work" or "Demo".
So now to answer your question; The reality of you actually handing your "Demo" to an actual label executive or getting a meeting with an Artist and Repertoire Representative is slim, for the average hopeful. We are generally not very accessible to the general public, and most labels do not accept unsolicited demos. You may want to acquire a manager to assist you in securing a meeting. If you choose this path, ensure that the manager has tangible industry relationships. They don't have to know everybody, but they definitely better know somebody. If you can verify that they have real relationships within the music industry, then they will be able to get you a meeting with someone within the label to listen to your demo, and possibly get a showcase.
If nothing else is working, the Flash-like way is persistence. Find someone who works at the label, who is more accessible, mailroom clerks are optimal. They know everybody and they put things on the executive's desk every day. Hey, that's what you need...to be on their desk. Isn't it? Make friends with these employees. Ask their opinion on your records. If they like them, ask them to tell their bosses and pass them on. Ask them to place your demo on the executive's desk. Tell them to give their endorsement, as a partygoer. I have seen more meetings transpire from this type of demo delivery than any other.
The other way to get noticed is a lot longer process, and is quite a bit more expensive, but simple. Make a demo, hire a manager, perform it regularly, secure local, regional and/or national radio airplay and wait for us to find you!"
