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A wealth of A&R experience gathered to discuss the finer points of the decisions and methods used to spot and shape talent in an ever-competitive and always-changing environment.
Discussions were moderated by Ajax Scott of Woodshed Media and Mike Walsh, Head of Music, XFM. Getting around to the level of expectations heaped upon artists to sign deals to majors, Martin Dodd (VP of A&R Worldwide SonyBMG) thought that it was a shame that artists who sign 300-500k copies aren't considered a success and talked about 'setting the ambition level' realistically with each signing.
Nick Raphael, MD of Epic saw A&R's role as people who are in essence “opportunists”. He also pointed out that the role is increasingly about spotting movements, trends and the momentum within. With The Priests (who Nick signed to Epic in a flurry of publicity last year), he said he saw the Catholic Church as a movement with quite a momentum, and that he will “pray for success”.
This led Mark Jones from Wall of Sound to quip that he's signed an act named The Qur'an.
Corny jokes aside, the issue of the spiraling costs of deals was raised. Christian Tattersfield from 14th Floor said he'd never been involved in a bidding war and wouldn't ever be. A&R men hitting each other on the heads with wallets is the thing to be avoided, agreed most of the panel.
Before they made phone calls to The Temper Traps' manager to put in a ludicrous offer. (We jest).
Discussions were moderated by Ajax Scott of Woodshed Media and Mike Walsh, Head of Music, XFM. Getting around to the level of expectations heaped upon artists to sign deals to majors, Martin Dodd (VP of A&R Worldwide SonyBMG) thought that it was a shame that artists who sign 300-500k copies aren't considered a success and talked about 'setting the ambition level' realistically with each signing.
Nick Raphael, MD of Epic saw A&R's role as people who are in essence “opportunists”. He also pointed out that the role is increasingly about spotting movements, trends and the momentum within. With The Priests (who Nick signed to Epic in a flurry of publicity last year), he said he saw the Catholic Church as a movement with quite a momentum, and that he will “pray for success”.
This led Mark Jones from Wall of Sound to quip that he's signed an act named The Qur'an.
Corny jokes aside, the issue of the spiraling costs of deals was raised. Christian Tattersfield from 14th Floor said he'd never been involved in a bidding war and wouldn't ever be. A&R men hitting each other on the heads with wallets is the thing to be avoided, agreed most of the panel.
Before they made phone calls to The Temper Traps' manager to put in a ludicrous offer. (We jest).
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