From: neilex@brt.deakin.edu.au
Newsgroups: aus.music
Subject: Re: Nu-Music and unsigned bands
Date: 2 Sep 92 04:07:19 GMT
Organization: Deakin University, Melbourne


   As the humble instigator of this thread that seems dedicated to 
   the pros and cons of studio 52, and its role in the promotion of 
   unsigned bands through its nu-music sampler series, I'm going to 
   put forward a few opinions of my own.

   So far the contributors seem to be:

   Brian May        (brian@mel.dit.csiro.au)
   Andrew Hall      (rxkand@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au)
   Andy Newman      (andy@research.canon.oz.au)
   Paul Eng-Yi Tan  (pet@mullian.ee.mu.OZ.au)
   Geoff Hill       (geoff@alsvid.une.edu.au)

   I'm not going to bother with quoting, or this posting will be too 
   long, but here is a bit of background.

   Brian, Geoff and myself are all public radio broadcasters.  We 
   have an interest in what is available to us as presenters, and in 
   serving the community in our service area.

   Paul has had direct dealings with Studio 52 for demo recording 
   purposes (not related to the sampler series), and knows Paul 
   Higgins and Trevor Carter, the proprietors of Studio 52, 
   reasonably well.

   Andy Newman basically says that bands should get everything 
   together, then find a studio and record for themselves.

   Andrew contributed a four line statement slagging off the Studio 
   and providing no background as to WHY he feels that "their sampler 
   is only a way to get people into their studio".

   ------------------------------------------------------------------

   Let's assume that we all agree that there should be an opportunity 
   for exposure to the public of any band that is trying to create 
   original Australian material.  

   Public radio broadcasters are in a position to play almost 
   anything that they wish.  Presenters are, on the whole, dedicated 
   volunteers who prepare programs which they feel will interest, 
   entertain and inform their listeners in an area that they have 
   chosen to present.  As a result, they are constantly looking for 
   people and recordings to present on their program that is not 
   available to the commercial radio listener.

   If a presenter has an interest in exposure of unsigned bands, 
   ANY form of distribution to station librarians is a help.  Just as 
   bands work hard to record, and then promote their material in 
   different areas of the music industry, presenters also work hard 
   to find material.  It can only be in the best interests of the 
   unsigned artist to have a "package deal" available which provides 
   relatively low cost recording AND distribution to various areas of 
   the industry.  Radio presenters can't chase acts they haven't 
   heard of, and few bands will ring all the local stations.

   A sampler CD, even if many tracks DON'T appeal to the one 
   listener, provides presenters with raw material.  Presenters are 
   not God.  They know damned well that there is plenty of material 
   available to them which they might not personally like, but which 
   may appeal to to their audience.  People who write comments like 
   "I've usually liked 1, maybe 2 from each sampler so far", in a 
   very cynical context, don't seem to take into consideration that 
   the sampler is designed for a variety of tastes, and aimed at a 
   broad spectrum of the population.  Studio 52 DO audition their 
   tapes.  They DO knock back space on the CD to people who "have the 
   $", and they DO provide a service to the industry.  I know this 
   because I have heard Trevor on the phone to a potential "customer" 
   with valid advice on how to improve the material.

   Of course they have to make money.  Yes, the series does offer a 
   "pre-packaged option".  In the interests of getting material to 
   the areas of the industry that can further expose it, this is a 
   hell of a lot more efficient than a band taking on the marketing 
   and promotion side the exercise themselves, at a huge expense 
   which they can often ill-afford.  Paul has made the most valid 
   comments so far in this regard.  BANDS ARE NOT COERCED.  THEY ACT 
   OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL AND MAKE A CONCIOUS DECISION TO UTILISE THE 
   FACILITIES OFFERED BY STUDIO 52 AT THE GOING RATE.  If they chose 
   to do everything themselves, they would undertake the same 
   process, but many times over, looking for the balance between 
   quality and cost with studio hire, engineer hire, publicity, 
   printing, manufacture etc etc etc.  That is their right, and each 
   band will do what they feel is right for them.  Slagging off 
   studio 52 because they offer a service at a fee that does some of 
   this work for the band is narrow minded.  Does someone have a 
   personal grudge against the proprietors?  Liking only one or two 
   tracks from a SAMPLER is no grounds for labelling the whole 
   exercise a waste of time for those who took part in it.  

   One thing I'm glad of is that AUSMUSIC was raised up in the 
   discussion, and other avenues of promotion and help for unsigned 
   artists.  I'm interested in hearing from people like Paul, who 
   have an interest, and have personally explored some of the avenues
   open to them.

   We all want new bands to have a chance don't we?  How about 
   getting this thread back on track and letting people know where 
   they can hear/buy/see new talent either on radio or at venues and 
   quit bagging Studio 52, who I think offer a service that, 
   regardless of cost (thats a matter for the participants to deal 
   with) is of value to anyone who wants to hear new talent.

   Paul, why don't you send a tape to Brian at 3PBS, Geoff at 2NCR or 
   myself at 3RPP.  I know that at least I'll be prepared to let the 
   listeners decide whether they like it or not.


   Neil Wallace

   neilex@brt.deakin.edu.au
Newsgroups: aus.music