Sav Remzi

3 July 2008

Q - I want to become a music producer and earn big bucks – where do I start?

A...

Q - I want to become a music producer and earn big bucks – where do I start?

A - Well.... there are various levels and descriptions to a ‘music producer’, which starts at the song writing level, then reaches into music writing and arrangements. Then there’s the studio production process, where a producer would arrange and extract the best out of the kit, the artist and their material. In some cases, mostly in dance music, the artist will also be ‘the producer’ and have an ‘engineer’ to assist. Although I have a part to play in the studio work, my producer guise comes more at ‘executive’ level where I would facilitate all of the above, then take it to the next level of packaging, marketing and distributing the finished product. This would involve funding the project too.

If you want to be a ‘music producer’ as such... someone like say Brian Eno or Stuart Price, it’s important to realise that there are some highly talented and sought after producers out there, so you got to be shit hot to have a chance of making it, and the luck to get to work with the right bands and musicians. I’d say, if you’re confident of your production abilities, the secret would be to work with the right people that suit your individual ‘sound’, and to keep at it, be patient - eventually some one will notice.

To produce music in the way I do, not in the studio, but as a A & R process and in facilitating releases, you’d need to have a very good ear, and again, the luck to spot a hot sound. From then on, it’s staying power, years of conviction and absolute commitment. Again, if what you’re doing is good and timely, someone will notice. It's about building connections and earning respect amongst your peers. It may take years and years of struggle, but if you hit it right, it could be a lucrative prospect. It’s about looking forward, thinking ahead and going by your convictions.

Q - Sav, you seem like a nice guy and you have carved a good career in the music industry what is your secret?

A - Well thank you!.... My secret is staying power, conviction and the ability to diversify across the board in the business of music. Having built and opened my own venues in the past, started and run my own record companies, run my own festivals, released over 200 records, A&R’d, tour managed, produced live gigs, promoted... etc etc.... I know about sound and how it behaves physically. I know the technical and legal aspects of all that is music, from discovery of a artist right through to the production, marketing and release of their music, the live presentation and production, the publishing, the rights and opportunities.

Having done everything necessary to support music over 20 years, it’s stood me well to know all aspects of the industry. I’m a 360 kind of guy, and know people that can get the job done at all levels. After several years at it, we find that myself and my pears have all grown together, we all reach higher positions, all helping each other to shout-out good music.

Q - Who would you say is the Mr Nasty of the panel?

A - The panel this year is great, each of us have our own likes, dislikes and expectations, and we all expect different things from the entrants. This makes for healthy discussion and a slightly more demanding requisite but it’ll be interesting to see which of our entrants ticks all our boxes!

Q - How would a band manager go about pitching their band to the record labels?

A - Find something good that you believe in, get together a good 4–6 track demo which highlights some musical diversity and the overall sound of the band. If you want to go to a major, they’ll want to hear a potential ‘hit’ or two, as well as potential for a commercially viable album sound. There’s a lot of emphasis on the live presentation, so it’s likely anyone that is interested in signing the band will want to see the live act too. Then, if you have a good demo and a live show, you’ll need to contact the right A&R people. Do some home work on the style and sound of the music and think about who may be best to send it to. A&R people all have their own ‘sound’, even though some end up chasing the same bands once there’s a bit of a buzz to ride.

It may be more apt to either put out the music yourself or go to an independent. Some of the independent labels have their own distinctive sound too, so don’t just send out blanket demos to all and sundry. Basically, you’ve got to get the music into the right hands... the right DJ’s, the right radio stations, the right pluggers etc. Again, if it’s good, the chances are someone will pick up on it. If they don’t get it after a good try, then it’s probably not as good as you thought. However, if you really think others are mad and you know you got a hit, you can always put it out yourselves and just get it to the right people. This is easier done with a independent record company, who are always willing to take higher risk with less ‘pop’ based artists than a major would. Although a independent would be less funded, they would give you some dedicated love and attention, and a bit of plugging know how. In the case of New Young Pony Club, when I discovered them, I simply put out 500 units 7” vinyl of the track ‘Ice Cream’ myself, sent them out to the right journo’s and DJ’s, and within 6 months they’d signed a major deal.

The major record company’s, tour operators, management and promoters generally only get involved with bands when either the band or the independent have done most the ground work already. So if you do go with a independent in the early days, don’t turn your back on them when a major sniffs! That’s just wrong, but happens a lot in this business. Likewise, I believe some of the majors should have a greater degree of respect for the small guys who dig out the future of the business from ground level. Finally... be prepared to drop something when you know it’s not going to happen. There’s a lot of good stuff out there that never gets a chance... It may be too ahead of its time, it may simply be untimely, even if its good. It may have fallen on cloth ears... Keep trying if you believe in it, but take on board all objective opinions. Whether we like a style of music or not, it really is about an individuals personal taste, but ultimately there are only two types of music... good music, and bad music. The history of music is frought with comments from people saying ‘they’ll never make it’ as well as people that ‘knew it all along’.... both have been wrong and right.

Q - What other things like Myspace are good marketing tools for bands trying to break it?

A - Myspace and all the other network sites are all good and fair, but useless without a fanbase. Get to know people, get involved, communicate, set up relationships. Get out there! Play live. Services like Myspace are good ‘back up‘ tools. The core of any fan base will come from playing live and getting to audiences. I’d suggest gig the hell out of the band. The more people you get to, the bigger the fanbase, the better the chances get.