Australia – Blog 2 (Work)

One Louder Entertainment.

The dreaded “real world” is amazing. Everyone seems to curse the three lettered J-O-B, but perhaps I mesh well because I do what I love – I work with music. Then again, I’m only 3 months in the rut.

I work with Bill Cullen – a master at his artist managerial craft. He’s the guy who managed the group that sang “How Bizarre”. . . how bizarre, huh? Edrei, Bill’s wife, is a brilliant woman who values artistic merit. She’s an author as well as a major force in the company – especially with regard to Sarah Blasko. Nick is the business manager, and always makes me feel like I’m a part of the team. . .he’s a good friend to have in a work environment and loves chicken schnitzels. Briese is a beautiful woman who works closely with the Drones. She gives me tons of work to do, and I thank her deeply for it because it’s taught me about the music industry as much as milk makes kids grow. Everybody here knows the Australian business models and music industry network. I feel out of the loop sometimes, but they always make me feel alright about it. I hope one day I, too, can create a business environment like this.

Most people get thrown into an internship and realize their dreams are not as spectacular as they thought. I’ve learned that if you’re lucky, you walk out of a job knowing what you don’t want to do. You’ve hit the jackpot though, when you realize what you do want to do. I’m a winner in this game, and there’s a slight feeling of anxiety when I analyze my emotions behind my not-so-lucrative career choice.

I’ve heard several managers tell me to “run for the hills” when I ask for advice, and most people would. I fancy hearing Bill and Edrei celebrate over album charts and reviews though. I get a sense of admiration and envy. I too want to represent the music I love enough to work for; music that represents me. As my boy Heath said, “not until I know an artist has had universal acclaim will I be happy.” I take that to heart.

Bill rents out the building to other music industry businesses and Heath works from his desk about 5 meters from me. He runs Fidelity, another management company. His recent rock band, Karnivool, is sick as bloody hell. He got me into one of their shows. They are so outrageous. Most of what I’ve learned comes from overhearing his conversations with people. He’s real busy half the time and we don’t get too talk much, but he’s a real funny dude. He deserves every ounce of success he’s in for – – -damn that guy works hard. One time he asked why they call mexicans wetbacks . . . sounds harsh, but if you knew this guy you’d think it was pretty funny too. That same week I asked him where I could find some dank Mexi-food. 20 mins later I was chomping down a Mad-Mex burrito. It was far from my mom’s food, but it was okay. 30 minutes later, I had my head in a toilet bowl. 1 hr later I was home. Thanks Heath. But seriously, thanks Heath.

I’ve met a few of our artists. . . Sarah Blasko is actually playing piano in the next room. She’s such a brilliantly talented musician with a sweet soul, delicately dwelling behind her candy-sweet face. Her long body strolls through the office all the time, and thanks to her, I got to witness a CD launch. She would have been number 1 if it weren’t for Wacko Jacko’s death. . . that kook. I met Kate Miller-Heidke last week. Kate’s a dazzling gal and one hell of a live performer. Look her up on YouTube. The End of Fashion Guys came through a lot in the beginning. . . they’re hilariously fun guys to hang out w/. We also manage the Drones and Paul Kelly – two artists that are huge parts of the Australian music scene. The Drones are going international and Paul is one of Australia’s living legends; both are extremely good people and excellent musicians. Oh yea, and Fiona (the Drones’ bass player) is the sweetest chick ever. Not only is she a sexy rockstar, but pretty much the only person that knows me on the phone. And to me, that is cool. haha

I’ve had heavy weeks here, and today is the first easy day (and it’s my last week here). My days have been filled with emails, errands, filing, phone calls, tour plotting, cluelessness, accent translating (lol), mailing, press searching, government grant requests, CD burning, research, myspace updating, video uploading, artist itinerary making, merchandise counting, etc, etc, etc. . . Yea, a lot of people see it as bitch work, but I love it. I love it because I’m learning the system behind one of Australia’s best managers. Behind the work, I overhear Bill’s conversations and watch him constantly running around to meet with people; beyond the filing, I’m learning the importance of a fine-tuned business machine. At the same time, I dress comfortably, listen to great music all day and joke around about what ever I want – simply because this is the music industry. This is a business about people and relationships . . .

As my last three days in the office come creeping by, I’m looking forward to taking what I know and using it for myself. It may not seem like I’ve developed much to these guys, but I definitely have felt a dramatic change. I feel smarter than ever and excited to move on to wherever I end up next . . . .

Australia – Blog 1

I’ve embarked on a journey to a far-away land in Aussie-ville – Sydney.

It started a little rough, with a flight delayed 3 hours for an unexplainable gas leak. Super, right!? After dozens of air-care announcements and a roomful of frustrated sighs, I boarded. I sat next to an Asian lady – sweet girl, but funky style. It reminded me of those mismatched old folks that smell like cheap perfume and cat. She was my single serving aero-pal. Yum.

I rolled and dozed and drank a single-serving bottle of wine, along with a mini-gin my sister bought me before I boarded the plane – an ever-so-thoughtful pre-boarding gift. I’m going to miss my sisters’ radiance and silly one-liners.

After waiting 20 minutes – so I could take advantage of the meatloaf dinner, which by the way was exceptionally better-looking than the mushy mush of pasta my mismatched Asian mate ate – I knocked out and woke up 10 hours into the flight. Breakfast time. Two pancakes and an OJ later I sat and anxiously awaited my arrival to my much desired destination.

See, I’ve always wanted to come here; since the days I first began choosing Animal Planet over Barney I was destined to see what this place was all about. Shark Week, Fangs, Steve Irwin and the word “dingo”…all pulling factors influencing my earnest urge to plunge into a world of animals.

Though birds are just about the only animals I’ve seen, this city is by far the craziest jungle I’ve ventured to. People drive on the left; people really do say “mate”; and people are really friendly. Nothing crazy, just very foreign. I love foreign; I love new. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I have and what I’ve established, but there’s something about the “new car smell” feeling I get when I immerse myself in a culture not like my own. I grow from it and thrive off learning. Lessons like these can’t be found in a book; only through living can you and me experience life and what it really is. Living is learning – and though you’ll never really know everything, Australia is just the tip of the iceberg for me. I don’t read on living, and I don’t flip through pictures. I don’t take people’s word for it. I embrace life and venture out.

I wasn’t jet-lagged when I arrived. Our pad was perfect, and my roommate is one of the coolest dudes in the program. Oaks Maestri Hotel is right on the harbor and locates itself in an urban meshwork of those tiny cafes you grow up imagining yourself in when you’ve finally made it. I made it…well, not really, but I’ve reached one of several goals. I love Sydney.

We stumbled upon a restaurant with classy drapes, candlelight and wine-drinking Aussies. Drinks are expensive in Australia, but I slipped a lithie to save cash on drinks. After dinner, we went to a club filled with rugby guys and dashing girls. I met a few guys and got really close to my roommate John. He’s the flow-y type: cool, chill and down to have fun. I also got close to Sarah and Michelle, two roommates from my internship program. Sarah is beautiful: sweet girl and great vibes. Michelle is a big sweetheart and has amazing eyes. See, I don’t miss LA’s materialistic personality. Here, people talk. People toast. People smile just to smile. Its so raw. To an extent, primal.

I stayed up pretty late, but woke up the next day to my beautiful, white-drenched 23rd floor sanctuary. While walking the streets with some friends, I stumbled upon an Irish pub – ScruffyMurphy’s. During my $10 steak, potatoes and Guinness, an Irish guy sang Galway Girl – a song reminding me of a love at home. I had to text her.

That night we checked out a skit paying homage to 200 convicts lost at sea. Their ship was set on fire by a stupid boy. Stupid boy. At least I got to see the ship set on fire. It was the most visually pleasing exhibit for any pyro: Burning ship with Australia’s opera house in the background. Fucking gorgeous!

The 48 interns bonded with a night of laughs and drinks. I met a dashing girl from Manchester, UK, and we clicked at first glance. She smelled like the holocaust…except the complete opposite. He favorite band is the Chili Peppers, just like me. Her fav tune is Soul to Squeeze – same here. My favorite Jimi Hendrix song is Little Wing. It’s hers too. Sky blue eyes and a sexy smirk…I dig her energy.

Today, here I am. Skyped the fam. I love them, miss them and wish they could experience the splendor that surrounds me…

Cheers

This kid is awesome…

That is all.

NEWS!!!

It’s Official!

1. I am doing the LA Triathlon on October 4th.

2. I am leaving to Australia on June 11th for my music industry internship! Can you believe I leave the 11th and arrive on the 13th!? June 12th simply will not exist…

End of Class Evaluation: Functional Imaging of the Brain

This class was fairly easy….

There isn’t much to say, aside from an absolutely awesome experiment my group ran.

The goal was to determine the effects of music & film on the brain. We showed a clip of the highly graphic film, Requiem For A Dream with its underscore…then without it.

We’re not done with the analysis, but I’ll keep you posted.

Regardless, this course was fun not only because we got to learn how MRI machines work, but we got to use one for our experiments.

If you haven’t seen the movie:
1. I recommend you see it, then tell me how you feel about the music
2. This is a video of various clips from the movie & can give you a feel of what it’s about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Cm9iY3OtM

The Emergence of the Beautiful 360 Deal

As if to be caught in a landslide where the only thing left to hang on to is rooted shrubbery, record labels are grasping at anything they can get their hands on to keep their losses…well, at a bare minimum. Multiple Rights Deals, also known as 360 Deals, have developed recently as a response to the continued decrease in album sales. The deal is played out as the title obviously explains, giving record companies, or any entity for the matter (production, management, booking, LiveNation, etc.), not only rights to masters, but rights to the artist’s entire brand. This means a percentage of all net income that is obtained through the artist’s “brand”, including, but not limited to touring, merchandise, acting, and endorsements, is handed over to the record label. In return, the artist receives a larger advance, as well as help from the record label in venturing out to these extra profit streams. In other words, the label works on creating an image or “brand” that can sell to audiences through various means rather than the traditional focus on albums.

Why would a record label want to help an artist all of a sudden? As we know, record labels’ sources of income have been in the form of physical records, but ever since the digital revolution, the ability to choose to download a single we like over an entire album – which probably only has three great songs – has left record label executives crying at night over lowering album sales.

My solution: Build an artist with a following strong enough to pull audiences into buying an artist’s “brand” (through concert tickets, merchandise, energy drinks, etcetera). Plain and simple – record labels want to cut album losses by making money on the artists’ other streams of income…something unfamiliar in older record contracts. Yes, this sounds bad; but a sample contract discussed in a 2007 article from the New York Times, shows Atlantic was able to pick up an option after the release of the artist’s first album, and receive 30 percent of the artists net income (including touring, merchandise, etcetera) in exchange for a $200,000 added bonus to the artist (while also bumping up album profits from 15 to 30 percent).

I suppose this is good for artists. I remember my music industry professor always reminding us of the one rule when writing up contracts: take whatever – and as much as – you can get up-front. This is great for artists because they now have the ability to, because of various streams of income, negotiate higher royalties, larger advances and require greater commitments as options are taken. Another benefit to artists is their ability to set more standards for termination – sort-of like an artist-manager performance clause, except in various realms of the contract (again in all or some of the following: live performances, endorsements, merchandising, etcetera). In other words, the artist will be able to say, “If I don’t get ‘X’ amount of synchronization licenses, sample uses, endorsements, etc, then I have the right to terminate my contract.”

One of the few detriments to the artist is that outside contractors including managers and booking agents will have to be cut; I mean, why would an artist who is already paying 30 percent to the 360 contractor pay another entity to do the same job?

Personally, I think 360 deals are beneficial for an artist’s professional services. The modern alternatives give artists more money up front, along with the backing of a 360 contractor who wants you to make as much money through as many means possible. Sure, you’re giving more away, but the concept lies behind this thought: Would you rather have mediocre advance w/ 15% of album sales (which – if you have been reading my blog – is plummeting), or a huge advance with 70% of a pool of endorsements, synchronization licenses, merchandising and touring?

Also, think of the labels… For example Universal Music did not gain monetary benefit from having Amy Whinehouse perform in the Glastonbury Festival compared to Jay-Z, who also performed on the same stage but brought LiveNation some revenue.

360 deals are beneficial to both, but take the artists’ favor. Oddly enough though, the true test for record labels is whether they can become licensing and marketing powerhouses, simply because that is what their main objective will be. I personally believe that record companies will be heading toward a more artist-oriented business which is based on branding. You have to figure, if the record company stands to benefit from everything an artist touches, he/she/they must have a strong brand in order to sell. Therefore, because it is in the record company’s best interest, they will develop artists better…or at least in order to sell – meaning the artist makes money as well.

The future holds more money up-front for artists – and as a biased artist, that is what I like to see. 360 contractors are having to switch gears and change, but I figure, if the artist is getting endorsements and a large gamble by entities, 70 percent is a good cut to give.

Now, another change I predict is competition for record labels of just about anybody who is willing to devote a little bit of time, money and effort into developing an artist brand. Because the music industry is no longer about selling physical records, the power is not behind the connections of a label, but rather a hefty wad of cash – funding. Funding for tours, merchandise, proper placement, etc – this and a strategy is good enough.

Is sampling a necessity?

As I was surfing the web in search for a sample to use in one of my songs, I came across a very interesting YouTube clip:

Who Am I?

Here’s a little something I wrote up a little tipsy last week:

I am a wine drinking thinker trying to acquire the taste of this bittersweet life – refusing to allow the customary rule of aging – to savor the exquisite taste of “now.” I see the opportunity to become myself today. My essence avoids being “too late” for anything. Life is on time and on track. The time for me is now…this is the way for me: Be bold…jump in cold water. I am a closet thrill-seeking fiend who follows his gut, but never disregards his spirit.

I am the way I feel. In feeling alone, I feel closer to being myself: the new one to shine in this world. With others, I hurt, laugh, cry, and dance: I feel alive. As a musician, friend and animal lover, I cuss a lot – yes, this is me. Alive.

As a queer Latino who prides himself in every aspect of living, I look through the bad and see greatness. I’ve battled depression, split away from bipolar disorder, killed off suicide rants, learned to love myself through heartbreak and found a home through homelessness. I laughed at my blistered soul when encountered by poverty, racism, sexism and shattered dreams – only to look back and smile at my sun-drenched world. I count on my blessings; though I delve into common states of anger, frustration and failure, I always try to remember my two biggest assets: my sense of humor and my heart.

I love. I love to laugh. I love to love. I create laughter in others. I have my flaws, but I try my hardest when searching for blessings. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not merely a mesh of experiences, but rather an evolving state of what I feel when I see, hear and become impacted by what truly matters to me. I don’t care about today’s Hollywood; my heart is full enough. As the brother of two beautiful older sisters who have given me the fortune of finding myself through their eyes – while ultimately giving me the opportunity to become the best possible role model for my four handsome nephews – I have become better; stronger. As the son of two traditional Mexican parents who raised me to appreciate what I have, use what I know and challenge my heart, mind, body and soul, I have taken an oath to my family, blood and Mexican horizon to value my dream of becoming an accomplished Neuroscience-, Music Industry-, and Business Administration-savvy college graduate. Because of them, I am better. I am proud.

I am self-betterment. Every day I am better. When I feel worse, I become better; I learn. I am change. Over the last 4 years I changed my major six times and went from future veterinarian to actor to doctor and finally to artist manager. I rebel, avoid categories, and vary my style. I split the pole. I am Sergio Ramon Ruiz; not a typical guy to girls, or a flaunting male to guys; not a gay who acts straight or a typical straight guy; but rather someone who can relate to everyone through feelings, laughter and experiences. Love. I am funny, concerned for others and constantly trying to making friends regardless of sex, sexual interest, race, bank account or socio-economic status. I am a first-generation college student. Mexico has my heart, but I am a Texan. I’m nice. I say hello. I smile.

I am all of these things and more. I am how I think, act, feel and portray the world. I could go on about who I am as thoughts overflow my mind and are conducted onto this screen…and to be quite honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This is who I am.

End of Class Evaluation: Yoga

Having been a nationally ranked swimmer, flexibility had always been a strength of mine – but yoga definitely challenged me. Yoga amazed me for two hours every Friday afternoon as I contracted, pulled and stretched muscles in a pool of my own sweat. With very little motion, I exercised my body and mind with a challenge lead by Danielle Roman – a ridiculously strong, flexible and easy going woman.

Lessons on scriptures, poses and breathing released me into the world as an individual who never really felt tired afterwards, but rather felt a combination of relaxation and energy…one of the oddest sensations I’ve ever felt.

Overall, this was one of my favorite elective courses at USC. After all, you should take advantage when being an ‘SC student; with a handful of different vocational schools, missing out on elective classes would be plain ol’ stupid…

Has online piracy reached a tipping point?

There is no way piracy will completely cease. Some people actually believe it will. What has suing Jammie Thomas done?? Nothing. I mean, a another perfect example of lawsuits being used to ward off evil is our sampling issue. We know using illegal samples is wrong, but people do it all the time…even superstars do it! (*cough* Lil Wayne) While small-time infringers may get away with it playing the “catch-me-if-you-can game”, big artists like Lil Wayne will get caught and taken to court…it doesn’t really stop any of us from sampling at home though.

I think this draws a great parallel in P2P sharing by giving the larger P2P sites, like Pirate Bay, the title of being a Lil Wayne-like profile in the scene; all the peers that use the service are like the underground samplers from my example above. See, we can play the catch-me-if-you-can game because as long as we’re not dumb about it – well, we can get away with it. It’s like being a small time drug dealer that sells by the ounce as opposed to selling by the kilo. The cops will always try to bring down the drug-lord… Even the RIAA admitted that it will no longer sue individuals for copyright infringement!

Regardless, P2P sites will keep popping up because as the next big guy gets sued/shut-down, the next guy who was only supposed to be a small-time site will be left having to please the thousands of users who want free music and movies… Only when it’s big enough to seem to cause a problem for the RIAA or record labels will it be sued and brought down. There will always be somebody willing to take a risk though. It’s an endless cycle.

Overall, I loved Carraeff’s mentality in admitting that illegal downloading will continue to exist regardless of what the regulators did. Those in this article need to face the facts. I think it is okay to bring down big time infringers, but be real – it’s never going to stop. The war on drugs; illegal sample users; suits against P2P sites…it’s never going to end.