Re: Jungle on this list

randy
Thu, 12 Mar 1998 13:01:22 -0800


Elson Trinidad wrote:

> Actually, the reason why labels are trying to snatch up electronic artists
> is because they won't have to budget so much money on them. Most of these
> artists record in their own studios and are generally self-reliant (i.e.
> they don't rely on many band members or session musicians) which is perfect
> for the labels, since they don't have to shell out a 6-figure advance to
> record their debut album.

I think that record labels are snatching up electronic artists because it is
the newest, freshest thing happening, and there is already a load of people who
listen to it.

> And touring for most electronica artists is a godsend for the labels. No
> need for tourbuses, roadies, caterers, techies, soundcheck, etc, because he
> can just DJ (whether the artist is experienced as a DJ or not). All they
> need to do is pay for the airfare for an artist and his records. It makes
> more economic sense for them. The labels are dropping alternative rock
> bands partly because their touring budgets were too much, especially when
> it had so many of those bands in its roster.

I thought that alternative rock was getting dropped because it has basically
worn out as a style of music, and major labels are looking for the next big
thing.

> And one of the reasons why a
> lot of acid jazz bands were ignored by the big labels (or even those who
> are signed, but don't really go on tour) is that the bands had too many
> people in them, which equated to spending more money just to have them tour.

I think that acid jazz bands are ignored by big labels not because of the fact
that there are too many people in them, but because there is not a major target
market group out there listening to them as there is for electronica. (rave)
On any given weekend you can go to one of a few $15 to $20 raves in just about
any major city. If the record labels could get those people to spend that kind
of money every weekend on their concerts, they'd have it made. The problem is
that for electronica, being primarily beat driven, and made by hitting buttons
on boxes, is that it isn't very exciting to be watched live. The 8 other
members in the 10 piece "electronica" live performance are the video/effects
people, and stage show people, giving the audience something more to watch than
just 2 guys standing behind a bunch of gear. I personally could give 2 shits
about the live shows of that kind, I'd much rather watch The Breakestra, or 5
Degrees of Soul, or PMJQ, actually creating something up there on stage,
instead of a "live playing" of something that took months of studio time to
create. The live aspect of electronica is in the people dancing to it. Its
live performance that everyone can participate in, and I think that is where
its appeal lies. I guess thats one of the reasons why I DJ, I like to see
people dance.

randy