The Secret to being a Rock & Roll Superstar

krd

Just from some things I've seen on other threads re success in the music business.

Ireland is just not turning out super stars or even stars any more. I have a theory that certain questions are not being asked in the production of recordings and live performances, that if they were asked maybe things would be different.

For recordings
1. If I was me - but didn't know these people from Adam - would I burst out the door down to HMV to buy this recording?
2. How do I rate this song/recording in comparison to my heroes?
3. Do the vocals sound passionate enough?
4. Is there any kind of natural groove and bounce to the recording?
5. Do I keep hearing it in my head?

For live performances
1. If I was standing in the crowd and didn't know me - would I think we looked like a bunch of dicks.
2. Would I be bored?
3. Are we not much to look at - and I don't mean hot and sexy - funky and stupid works just as well.
4. If I wasn't the bands cousin, mate, brother-in-law, someone's friend of a friend from work who's been tricked into coming and seeing me play - Would I just walk out the door. or Are we that good that complete strangers give up their hard earned cash to come see play.
5. If I didn't know who we were, would I pay money to see us?
6. How do we measure up in comparison to our heroes?

Songs can be worked on or ditched - vocals can be pushed and polished - Images should be tried: Ridicule is nothing to be scared off.

krd

Two more for recording.

1. Can I hear this song being played on the radio - any radio station anywhere?
2. Would Guinness use this song for an ad?

Rockshamrover

7 Be honest with yourself, do you really want to be playing those crap songs for the next 20 years?

8 Does your latest song sound eerily like your current favorite band?

Seziertisch

I met a guy who occasionally contributes (or contributed, at least) reviews to a well known Irish music magazine. He said that the magazine policy was to be broadly favourable to Irish acts in their reviews section, meaning that to get a realistic picture of the out of ten score given you should subtract a couple from it in most cases. It is all well and good to be supporting local talent, but this is ultimately counter productive. Bands starting out need to be shown how far they have to go. Giving them the impression they are already there isn't going to do them any favours in the long run seeing as if they want to make a living from it, they probably need to be "big" somewhere else other than in Ireland, and most countries already have plenty of average music of their own so as to not need to import it.

krd

Seziertisch wrote: »

I met a guy who occasionally contributes (or contributed, at least) reviews to a well known Irish music magazine. He said that the magazine policy was to be broadly favourable to Irish acts in their reviews section, meaning that to get a realistic picture of the out of ten score given you should subtract a couple from it in most cases. It is all well and good to be supporting local talent, but this is ultimately counter productive. Bands starting out need to be shown how far they have to go. Giving them the impression they are already there isn't going to do them any favours in the long run seeing as if they want to make a living from it, they probably need to be "big" somewhere else other than in Ireland, and most countries already have plenty of average music of their own so as to not need to import it.

It is hilarious how people let some of this go to their heads. A particular "Irish music magazine", used to give reviews to people who didn't deserve even a mention. But they'd get them for being related to or mates with someone who contributed. Like a conversation I had years ago with someone - "we got a write up in XXX" - "Yeah, but it was your cousin, as you've told me a thousand times - and your cousin can only get you so far". I'm not saying it as a sour grapes thing. It's just a case of Ireland is so small, and Dublin is really small. Everyone can really know, or brush shoulders with everyone else at some point. It's tiny. Part of the secret to Paddy Casey's success, was everyone knew him - and everyone like the little dwarf - except me. - I would like to state for the record; fair enough for Paddy Casey. I never liked any of his music - but I also believe he was/is good enough to have enjoyed the success he has - but everyone how was anyone knew him.

A friend last summer had a write up in one of the tabloids and a quarter page ad for their gig. The reason they got the write up was because a friend of a friend (they're also a friend of me) is a manager for this tabloid - so gave them a write up, by someone who had never seen them play or heard any of their music and the quarter page ad came free, because the tabloid was is having trouble selling ad space, so they just gave these people space as a freebie - like a favour to a friend.

A review in a ****ty Irish paper does not make you a rockstar.

The front cover of Rolling Stone - "XX Dublin band threaten break up - Could 2013 be the unlucky year the music finally died - President Obama flies in for crisis talks in Coolock" - Then you have made it.

PMI

Wheres my G5 Jet?