The document discusses the role and responsibilities of an A&R representative or talent scout in the music industry. As the primary function, an A&R scout is responsible for discovering new recording artists, understanding current music tastes, and finding artists that will be commercially successful. They oversee the artistic development and recording process of artists. Additional duties include assisting with marketing, promotion, contract negotiations, and choosing singles to promote new records. Recent changes in digital distribution have impacted the traditional role of A&R in connecting consumers to new music.
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1. Music Industry
Talent Scout /A & R
www.musicstudentinfo.com
Chris Baker
9th October 2012 www.musicstudentinfo.com
2. Music Industry Job Roles
A&R aka Talent Scout
A & R = Artists & Repertoire
3. A&R Primary Function
• Artists and repertoire / Songs and Performers.
• Responsible for talent scouting.
• Overseeing the artistic development of recording artists.
• Acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.
4. A&R Responsibilities
• Responsible for discovering new recording artists.
• Expected to understand current tastes.
• Be able to find artists that will be commercially successful.
• A&R people are often young.
5. A&R Responsibilities Cont.
• Contract negotiations will typically be carried out by rival
entertainment lawyers.
• Increasingly look to social-media web sites myspace, &
youtube.
• A&R executives rely mostly on the word of mouth, critics and
business contacts.
• Their decisions are rarely based on unsolicited demo tapes.
6. A&R The Recording Process
• The A&R oversees the recording process.
• Helping the artist find the right record producer.
• Scheduling time in a recording studio & advising on
making a recording.
• Choose the best songs to record.
• Assist in finding songs and songwriters (if artist does not
write)
• Maintain contact with their counterparts at music
publishing companies to get new songs.
• May assist in suggesting ‘the single’ track which can be
used to market the record on radio.
7. A&R Additional Duties
Assisting with marketing and promotion
• Once the record is completed, the A&R department (with
assistance from marketing, promotion and the artist)
chooses a single to help promote the record.
8. A&R Signing Artists
Getting offered a record contract is a small step towards a
career in the music industry but it is not a guarantee (1:9)
Artists should consider
• If they have empathy with the company.
• How many people at that company like the artist (key
man clause)
• The record companies ability to ‘break’ new acts.
• How much control is being offered.
9. A&R Signing Considerations Cont.
• The ‘reach’ of the company. Are they strong only in the UK or
other countries?
• The reputation of the company.
• What artists on the label are saying about it.
• The press perception of the label.
10. Types of Record Contract
• Singles deals.
• Leasing deals.
• Production deals.
• Combined publishing and recording contracts.
• Some contracts offered can be exploitative and not
signing.
• Full funded recording contracts.
• Check any written contract before signing with an
industry lawyer.
11. A&R Recent Changes
• Digital distribution has changed the relationship between
consumers and the music they choose.
• Some commentators argue that the wide selection of music
on digital services has allowed music consumers to bypass the
traditional role of A&R.
• Declining record sales, a large number of A&R have been
terminated.
12. A&R Classroom Exercise
• Name some famous Talent Scouts.
• Name the artists they discovered.
• What music ‘crazes’ were generated by A&R / Talent Scouts?