More On Music Managers

I don’t even know what to really say. I sit here and watch a lot of talented people just totally fuck up and throw it all away while less talented people are getting the prize. The pot-of-gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow if you will. Take Versa Emerge for example, they don’t have a record out, just some shoddy EP that sounds like shit and they are on Fueled By Ramen (Pete Wentz’s label: Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, Paramore) and set to appear all summer on the Vans Warped Tour. And here I am watching another person who a full major deal (Sony) in a foreign country, a solid album out (sales are lacking cause she isn’t over there promoting it AT ALL) and her team can’t even get a meeting together for lunch with a small indie US label! I guess what I am trying to point out is what I mentioned in the “Struggling Shit Band Part 1” entry where I talked about the importance of having a solid team. What you are lacking in skill or true talent can usually be disguised in a clever smoke and mirrors show by a properly organized team. I can not stress this enough! You cannot be represented by people who are not aggressive. This is a very competitive, cut throat industry and if you don’t LEAP on every opportunity and stick your foot in every cracked open door you’ll never get anywhere. And worse, your artists won’t either, all because of you. So bands/artists; don’t get locked into a shitty agreement with a shitty manager or promoter! You need to be able to leave that rep and move on to bigger and better reps when you DO out grow them, cause you will. You need to also have people who understand they took you as far as they could at their current capacity and know when to let go of you too a new person/agency

Think of it this way, the car you get at 16, is it going to be the only car you’ll ever need your entire life? Will you not grow up and possibly have kids and need a bigger car? Will it be as reliable forever? The answer is no, you wouldn’t stick with the car and you shouldn’t stick with the same team forever. Change it up as needed people! If you aren’t happy and getting the results you want put them on notice! Tell them to start paying attention! Then if they fuck up again, submit it in writing that you’re unhappy! Then the third time, there out! Baseball style! Write your contract with that exact clause if you do draw up a formal management representation contract. You’ll thank me later.

Bad managers (this goes for really anyone you work with too not just managers) that use intimidation tactics to scare you into thinking certain things is someone you shouldn’t do business with at all to begin with. The second you hear them say “If you leave me, they won’t sign you” you get the fuck out of there. If the label is truly interested, they’ll come get you no matter who you’re with. It is true this is an industry of “who you know not what you know,” but it’s more so an industry of making the fastest buck so if they think it’s with you they’ll keep coming after ya’!

I am currently watching two acts be the victim of poor management, and it kills me to watch both of these incredibly talented groups struggle and get frustrated to the point of disbanding or quitting all together over simple communication errors that could be easily solved with management changes. People really don’t realize how crucial these manager types are to your success and well being as an artist. They’re a huge part!

Oh and remember, THE MANAGER WORKS FOR YOU! NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

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