Record companie$ / The Cure

The below article is about The Cure’s new release schedule for the singles off their new album and its also about how the majority of record companies have forgotten how to market and sell music these days.

And I 100% agree with the comments of the journalist.

I once wanted to work in the music industry. I thought it would be perfect for me. I loved music. I wanted to make it my career. I cant play an instrument – well mostly I cant. The angry young teenager in me loved to play the drums as a kid, and I still rock it like a mofo when im stuck in traffic every day. And I purchased an Ibanez guitar and a Marshall 100watt amp about 5 years ago promising myself that id learn how to play. But alas nothing has happened yet and probably never will. But man that axe and amp look cool.

Anyway, I worked at Myer (Australia's largest retail department store chain) when I was younger. I spent a while working in the music department – and yes I at times acted a little like Jack Black’s character in High Fidelity. I once told a customer we didn’t stock any Spice Girls on a dare from a colleague. But I did tell them they could try Target or K-mart (they were our sister companies so at least I was supporting the corporation). So I got to know the account managers at some of the record companies. One guy from Sony was really cool. Since the internet hadn’t exploded back then in 1997, he was my source of information on new albums, pre-release promo CD’s, upcoming tours, etc. Great guy. I asked him once what it was like working in the music industry as a fan. And he told me flatly – “don’t do it. Its full of marketing people with spreadsheets. And a great album is one that sells well and makes lots of money” He said one more thing that has remained with me “they aren’t like you and I”

That was 1997. And I can only imagine what its like working there now.

I'm sure there is some great people at some of the major's. And from what ive seen there is some great independent record companies out there. I just wish that record companies were run and staffed by people who cared about the product over the money. They should be driven to promote good music and not push crap onto people based on the potential marketability of the artist.

LINK

The Cure Screw Radio and Records, This Is How It Should Be Done

by Paul Cashmere - May 3 2008
photo by Ros O'Gorman

The Cure have once again broken the 20th century mould that has frozen the radio and record industry. They will release a single a month, just like it should be.

The Cure will release four singles, complete with A side and B side, once a month on the 13th of every month, for the next four months leading up to the release of the next album.

The first single will be 'The Only One', backed by 'NY Trip' on May 13th.

On June 13th, prepare for 'Freakshow' with 'All Kinds of Stuff'.

On September 13th, The Cure will release their yet-to-be-titled 13th album (hence the 13th day of each release).

Innovative? Actually not. This is how it used to be done before radio research and record company marketing plans fucked themselves (and the industry) up.

The Beatles released 2 albums a year. The Stones did 2 albums a year before they got really big in the 70s and cut it back to one. We were all horrified when Pink Floyd went 3 years between albums once. Creedence Clearwater Revival did their three albums in 10 months.

But by the early 80s, radio no longer cared and record companies thought they still mattered. The result to this day is people with marketing degrees are creating music for people with no ears so that advertisers are happy.

What I love about this is that the radio industry and the major record labels are no loner set-up to handle this kind of activity with a fan base. Radio doesn't have the set-up time it so ridiculously thinks it needs to "research new music" and the major labels don't have the set-up time to "market to the passive music buyer".

In one swoop, The Cure has said fuck you to both sides and will do it themselves the right way.

The industry has lost its soul. The old school of 20th century radio and record people deserve their slow death.

There is a new breed that still care about the music and The Cure are ready to take sides with the 21st century thinkers and piss on the old school.

Good one Robert Smith and co. This is making music that matters.

It is great to see a band that knows how to reach and keep the interest of the core fan base. Congratulations to The Cure.