Comments on: Beware the “Producer”. Talent vs. Marketability in Today’s Mutable Musical Landscape

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:44:37 +0000

Hmmm… Some random thoughts… Firstly I’ll start by agreeing that there are a lot of bad producers out there. A lot. But there are also some good ones. What do good ones do?

1. They made sure stuff happens. Let’s just say that us creative types aren’t always finisher completers. A good producer is a not so quiet voice that nudges the musicians to create a finished product.

2. They are an independent set of ears. Just as a good writer benefits from an editor. Someone who isn’t quite as emotionally invested in the material who can give an outsider view on what should go and what should be worked.

That said, many producers end up as go betweens for the labels… However, in the post-big-label world (should there be one!) I think there is still a role for the producer. However, in this social-media-fueled world, a musician can get a lot of that for themselves from their fans/followers and community.

By: mrsmetaphor

mrsmetaphor — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:25:25 +0000

I love reading your blog, L. Lifts my soul and plants my feet all at the same time. I wish you lived next door to me. I do. Have I said that before?

By: Dave Boulden

Dave Boulden — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:07:52 +0000

Yes, yes, yes and …. yes. I am in total agreement with you. I have never felt comfortable with describing myself as a producer when producing someone else’s material… I preferr “collaborator” or perhaps “co-conspirator” for times when I’m feeling a little saucy.

I think the reason is that I don;t want to be “tarred with the same brush”. So many producers, and especially labels, want perfection… not a perfect capture of a highly artistic moment, but sterile, sanitised “pap”.

I couldn’t agree more about capturing and relishing the mistakes, the “humanness” of music… in fact they named a whole genre after it… they aptly named it “soul”.

Such a shame then that it is now a badge for everything that is soulless.

There… I feel so much better now!

;o)

By: Fuhrmanator

Fuhrmanator — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:14:13 +0000

I have the notion of ‘personality types’ in the forefront of my thoughts of late, and it makes me think after reading your post that the “politics” of promotion are best left to someone who isn’t an artist. Scott said it himself: “to make a commodity of ourselves is distressing. It takes us away from the music.”

The concept of a producer is a good one, since it should be about a personality type who’s good at finding niches or matching artists to niches, etc. But one of the rewards to the producer is financial and thus most will probably orient their strategies along those lines, for their own interest. It reminds me of those Rush lyrics from Spirit of Radio:

All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted; it’s really just a question of your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of music
But glittering prizes and endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity

By: Lo.

Lo. — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:57:12 +0000

Thanks Steve! You always make me feel great about what I’m trying to do; and help me acheive more than I ever thought I could. Thanks for being such an amazing role model.

Lovely Scott! So nice to see you here and thanks so so much for your comment. I forget sometimes that men suffer just as much from from this whole musical identity thing. Mainly because of hanging out with Steve so much….he’s the most confident person in the entire world. It’s a bit scary at times. It’s hard being a musician, and even harder finding the balls to go against the grain. Anyway, I think your music is fabulous and innovative and very much Scott Lanaway. I totally agree with you about the sharing thing. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sharing new work with an audience. I’d still make music even if no one else was interested in listening to it…but I’m really glad that some are! I hope all is well in Canada. I really miss it! xo