 Fran Ashcroft: Kiss Your Career Goodbye
Why don’t more unsigned artists use producers? Some think that good producers wouldn’t be interested in anything without a label – but the majority simply expect that any producer would be too expensive to consider using, or are under the impression that an engineer fulfils the same role. Not so. Please note: an engineer’s job is to record whatever comes his way as accurately as possible; though many will offer helpful suggestions and some guidance, it’s not production. So bands often go away disappointed, blaming it on the studio. A few months later they’ll try their hand elsewhere – somewhere more expensive – and still be unhappy with the results. If they’d only hired a producer in the first place, they’d have finished masters, not demos, and it would have cost them less. I’ve had plenty of queries about fixing up recordings that were unsalvagable because the fundamentals hadn’t been worked out properly – with no budget left to start over. Just a little forethought and research makes all the difference, and there’s no real excuse anymore with websites like this at one’s fingertips. Hands up how many times you’ve been asked, “What does a producer DO?”. And when you explain, you’re never sure they’ve really understood. When I had bands – and choice of producer was written into our first record deal – we knew the importance of finding the right person, but hadn’t a clue even how to get in touch with anyone; no internet in those days! We didn’t know who the bloody hell was who, and frankly the label – a major – wasn’t helpful in that respect, turning down at least two suitable candidates out of hand. The final decision was manipulated by them (after the considerable expense of test sessions added to our recouperable advance) and we ended up facing that horror of horrors….. the head of A&R telling us, “Well lads, it’s ok, I’LL produce you”. Kiss your career goodbye there then. |
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