[FA Worldmusic] Cultural ground work

[Dmitri Vietze]

Ates Temeltas wrote: <<Over the years, I have learned that many in this
scene have a specific approach and he or she will not change from that very
much. Of course, this can be a good thing and a bad thing. The area where I
think this becomes more problematic is 'risks.' It might be too much of a
risk to present a lesser-known artist. For others, it might be a risk to
venture into unknown or lesser-known areas, both for the presenter and
audience.>>

I hear both sides of this coin mentioned at different times. And I do not
think the field as a whole has reconciled this. 

On the one hand, some people mention the importance of developing artists'
careers and avoiding the "butterfly collecting" phenomenon. In other words,
if you present an artist once that is an introduction, but if you bring them
back you can build their audience and help an artist with a lot of potential
develop into a great artist with a large diverse audience. 

On the other hand, there is this idea of introducing new artists because
they are creative, unique, represent a new direction, or are a new
generation, carrying a legacy, etc. This keeps the field fresh as well as
pushes the field overall to innovate musically and otherwise. 

I'd be curious to hear from presenters and labels and other "curators" how
they handle this. Do you as a presenter only do one or the other or do you
do both? What is the ratio of proven audience magnets and risk-taking? And
if you want to state your opinion but not out yourself, feel free to email
me offline and I can post it anonymously for you and keep your
confidentiality. 

Our approach as a publicity firm is to weigh each project on its own merits
within a specific national, ethnic, regional, and genre category, as well as
within the overall music field as heard by North American ears. I like to
work on both types of projects (legends/icons and new voices) and those in
between. I have a different scenario since I do not have to sell tickets.
But I do want all my clients to be successful in terms of media coverage. If
I do not think we have a decent shot, we wont take on a project. I find
that the media is less concerned about whether an artist is new or old, and
more concerned about a project having quality and unique music. If a legend
keep putting out music that sounds the same, or with lower production or
musical quality, it's tougher to get coverage. But a new artist does not get
covered just because they are new either. They have to have a compelling
sound and story. 

Much respect,

Dmitri Vietze
rock paper scissors, inc.
511 W. 4th St., Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404-5171
TEL +1-812-339-1195
FAX +1-801-729-4911
music at rockpaperscissors.biz
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
 
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