How to get a job as an A&R?
English, Tips for artists
I got the
question from a person that went into the blog. I guess we make a post out of
that. To start with myself it all started when I put up my record label Dead
frog records over 25 years ago. In the beginning I was alone in the company so
yes I had to be the A&R. Later on while developing the label we got more people
working around us. I don’t know if we were kind of unique, but we let all
people that worked in the company had something to say. We gathered and all put
in their finds in the demo pile and we discussed witch bands that got to be
signed. Still I was the head A&R.
question from a person that went into the blog. I guess we make a post out of
that. To start with myself it all started when I put up my record label Dead
frog records over 25 years ago. In the beginning I was alone in the company so
yes I had to be the A&R. Later on while developing the label we got more people
working around us. I don’t know if we were kind of unique, but we let all
people that worked in the company had something to say. We gathered and all put
in their finds in the demo pile and we discussed witch bands that got to be
signed. Still I was the head A&R.
Today I’m
alone on the post. Sure the rest of the office will hear new acts that I play.
Also comes along and look on new acts to sign when they play live.
alone on the post. Sure the rest of the office will hear new acts that I play.
Also comes along and look on new acts to sign when they play live.
I guess
this is the normal way to get to be an A&R. You start your own label and
develop from that. On the big companies then? Usually the A&R work them self’s
up to that position. It’s very rare that you see a record label seeking out an
A&R. It’s more that you start on a lower position in the company and by
working there understand their procedures and in the end get to the A&R
position.
this is the normal way to get to be an A&R. You start your own label and
develop from that. On the big companies then? Usually the A&R work them self’s
up to that position. It’s very rare that you see a record label seeking out an
A&R. It’s more that you start on a lower position in the company and by
working there understand their procedures and in the end get to the A&R
position.
If the
label seeks an A&R they probably would headhunt a person that they want on
that spot. It’s such a specialized work for a label that it’s nothing you just
put someone there. You grow into the work or have done it very successfully
before.
label seeks an A&R they probably would headhunt a person that they want on
that spot. It’s such a specialized work for a label that it’s nothing you just
put someone there. You grow into the work or have done it very successfully
before.
Then today
you also have firms that acts like a satellite A&R outside the office.
There is several of these firms.
you also have firms that acts like a satellite A&R outside the office.
There is several of these firms.
Sometimes
also the job comes with a pressure to be successful. The company needs to see
results on what you sign. So if the artist that you sign doesn’t get anywhere it’s
not unusual that you can get fired.
also the job comes with a pressure to be successful. The company needs to see
results on what you sign. So if the artist that you sign doesn’t get anywhere it’s
not unusual that you can get fired.
It’s not so
much sitting and listening to music that many thinks (you really don’t have the time atht you would like, to do that). You work close with the
artists and takes many decisions around their career. A lot of times also how successful
the artists will be is around the A&R: s network of people to get the
artists opportunities. Some A&R:s are very involved in the process of the
music some is not.
much sitting and listening to music that many thinks (you really don’t have the time atht you would like, to do that). You work close with the
artists and takes many decisions around their career. A lot of times also how successful
the artists will be is around the A&R: s network of people to get the
artists opportunities. Some A&R:s are very involved in the process of the
music some is not.
These
factors is why many A&R:s are very protective and very slow on signing new
artists. At the same time they also wants to get on the artist that are hot for
the moment. In those cases they can be very “on” to get to the artist they want.
factors is why many A&R:s are very protective and very slow on signing new
artists. At the same time they also wants to get on the artist that are hot for
the moment. In those cases they can be very “on” to get to the artist they want.
So this
also means that there is no A&R schools. If you want to be an A&R start
on the PR department. If you get lucky you get in as a trainee and be part of
the A&R team of a bigger company. In a smaller company its usual the owner
that hold the A&R position but still they work with the team so you will be
close to the decisions.
also means that there is no A&R schools. If you want to be an A&R start
on the PR department. If you get lucky you get in as a trainee and be part of
the A&R team of a bigger company. In a smaller company its usual the owner
that hold the A&R position but still they work with the team so you will be
close to the decisions.