Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

11.23.09

It's been nearly two weeks since I resigned from my job as head of A&R for Xenomania, and I've been fluctuating between joyous outbursts ("I'm free!" "I can go to the movies in the middle of the day!") and pangs of sadness when I think of the artists I brought in, how much I friggin' love them, and how weird it's gonna be not to see them everyday. Also, starting anew in the music biz brings up a whole load of issues--the major labels are in shambles, it costs a shockingly ridiculous amount of money to launch an artist, yet it's tougher than ever to break that artist, and fan loyalty is at an all-time low. When I was lamenting the troubled times in the music biz, my dad texted me with this...."music is like water, mankind will always need it. At times it changes its course. Find the new course and you will be fine." And that's what I plan to do. I know this may sound really cheesy, but it's quite exciting to think you could shape the future of the music biz. And I'd start with a new template that acknowledges that music is free and focuses on ideas (as opposed to spending thousands on a hip photographer/ video director that's all style and no substance). I'd take my cue from Iranian cinema. The Iranian film industry is forced to work within very low budgets and extreme censorship, yet somehow their films are far more fulfilling and are of higher quality than most of what Hollywood churns out. With limited money and major boundaries, you have to focus 100% on the story and not rely on technology, marketing, etc to save your film. Pixar was very much built on this ethos. Anyway.....that's plenty of rambling for me today.

I was initially planning to tell you about two of my latest projects--sixties Japanese girl pop compilation--Nippon Girls: Japanese pop, beat & bossa nova 1966-70 (Ace Records), which is coming out next week, as well as the Banned of St. Trinian's-- a four-piece girl group featured in the next St. Trinian's flick. Will save that for next week!

Sheila

Posted by Sheila at 09:21 AM