From: pet@mullian.ee.mu.OZ.AU (paul eng-yi tan)
Subject: Re: Nu-Music and unsigned bands
Organization: Computer Science, University of Melbourne, Australia
Distribution: aus
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 00:54:33 GMT

brian@mel.dit.csiro.au (Brian May) writes:


>About $750-$800 for 1 track which includes engineer, 1 day in the studio
>and mastering - in other words -`everything'.
>You missed my point totally.  This CD offers a band the chance to be recorded
>and not to worry about any detail of the process (ie S52 supply engineer, studio,
>etc etc and you have a fixed price).  Given that, and the other alternative of
>finding your own engineer/studio...etc, negotiating prices.....artwork.....
>distribution......record launch...and so on - it's hardly surprising that the
>bands choose the 'packaged' option!  Look at the bands on the CD.  They are
>on the whole new and inexperienced.

True. You won't get bands signed to Virgin or EMI on this CD!!!
However, you do get bands that have extensive live performances.

And if convenience is offered for a higher price as well as the
Studio's experience, that is a choice the band makes. If it's
a ripoff don't go there! Obviously it's cheaper to do what
Ergot did, but it definitely takes heaps more time and effort.
Again, I say that those with money should check out the 52 option
(and those who don't have time!) and those with time but less money
should do it themselves...


>I have interviewed the man behind Studio 52 and the Nu-music series.  He does
>not give a shit about any of the bands on the CD.  All he wants to push is his
>studio - period.  You might get some lip service paid to the musicians - that's
>it.

Was this Paul Higgins or Trevor Carter? I find it hard to believe that
either would say these things, coz I know them reasonably well. It's
possible you've misinterpreted their attitude?

>|>My feelings:
>|>1) Being the best song on the CD can be good. I imagine 52 would put the best
>|>   songs first. The A&R people would notice one good song out of a bunch of
>|>   bad ones, esp. if it's the first track.

>Sorry, 'best'?  Have you ever listened to a Nu-music sampler CD?  I think not.

Of course I did. While I was doing some work in 52, Paul proudly showcased
the first of the series to me. I've been too busy to visit lately so I haven't
heard the others. Anyhow, I was (as suits my taste) quite impressed with
the tracks by the electronic dance/industrial bands. I think Dekonstruct,
Snog, and another dance band were on the initial release. (at any rate there
were 3 dance trax). All were pretty good IMHO. Good stereo sampling effects.

>Being the best song on the CD is not necessarily good if you are surrounded by
>19 other arrangements which are diabolical.   Also - define 'best'.  No, 
>seriously - please understand that there is LITTLE OR NO THOUGHT placed in
>the content and placing of songs on the CD.

Well, I had suggested to Paul that the Dance/Elec bands be given their own
CD so that the styles would not vary so much. Unfortunately not enough
dance bands were available.


>There is no 'label' so as to speak.  The CDs are not meant to be for sale.  They
>are 'meant' to be sent to industry people.  The fact that some Melbourne shops
>have them for sale is curious.  The fact that no-one buys them isn't.

They are meant for promotional purposes, i.e. free gifts to industry people.
But they are also meant to be marketed by the bands themselves; they do need
to make some money back you know. I assume 52 got various shops to stock
them. Of course I'm not surprised people don't buy them. This is because
the bands are unknown. 



>Now I've canned S52 (sorry, can't help it) - anyone want to talk about the 
>RooArt Young Blood samplers? :-)

You don't know them personally :)
Paul


>brian
>--
>|  Brian May, DIT, CSIRO,  |           Open Systems Program           |
>|723 Swanston st, Carlton, | TEL +61 3 282 2613 -- FAX +61 3 282 2600 |
>|   VIC 3053, Australia.   |     email Brian.May@mel.dit.csiro.au     |
--
Second Hand vinyl for sale: Depeche Mode, Indie, Severed Heads,
Beloved, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Stone Roses, Inspiral Carpets,
Cabaret Voltaire. Also X1 as NEW $88US, $110AUS.