If you read this website a bit, then you will probably have realised that I have an innate dislike and distrust of major record labels and the mainstream music industry. One of the many reasons – believe me, I could go on for days on the subject - for my unwillingness to engage with the ‘industry’ is, well, how should I put this in the most diplomatic terms so as not to be offensive, a lot of the people who work in this sector aren’t the smartest apples in the bunch. PRs strike me as especially clueless – although there are some notable exceptions who truly believe in the artists they represent - and people who work for big labels aren’t far behind the PRs. Here's an email I received this week from an A&R from one of the ‘big four’ labels. The subsequent interchange would have been funny were it not for the fact that the guy was 100% serious. Note also how he does not get the MySpace joke and then invites me to become one of his friends!
A&R: Hello ____________I do A&R for ________and am on the lookout for new unsigned acts in Ireland and was wandering if there were any acts that you may know about that might be of interest to the label??
You can call me on _____________
Speak soon ____________________________
Testindustries: Mmmmm wouldn't that be me doing your job for you?!
A&R: Well, maybe. My job is to scout out new talent and one way of doing this is to network and speak to people like yourself.
Testindustries: Have you ever heard of MySpace?:)
A&R: Yes I have. I actually have a myspace page at ________. Maybe we could be friends?
I rest my case.
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