It seems like many a&r guys happen to be artist and repertoire managers by accident. They fill an empty spot. "Yeah, some media job, advertising, maybe the music industry..." and here they are and it feels sooo damn hip.
VIP passports, release parties, direct contact with the stars and "oh my God!" is all you hear.
There's more to that and the industry should be aware of this more than ever before. The guy who's job it is to discover and develop the next drop dead sensation, the guy who can save or spoil the market, the one who decides what we will be listening to when we switch on the radio has to be more than just a fancy wannabe.
After all, you can't expect a neat and shy milksop to judge about an image laden hip hop act. A pretty girlie who can't tell whether a song is hillbilly salsa or klezmer metal is likely to fail when it comes to finding a good pop tune.
An a&r is supposed to be a maniac. Someone who lives and breathes music all day and night. A person with background knowledge who can differenciate east coast from west coast, death metal from speed metal, house from trance.
An a&r who knows that music and social circumstances go hand in hand (imagine the 80s glam and glitter reflecting the yuppie era and grunge being the ideal soundtrack for the generation x), especially when history is said to repeat itself. He or she needs the skill to imagine a completely new musical style and the gift to feel a new movement rising from the underground before anyone else takes notice.
When work is over the ideal a&r hangs out at local clubs looking out for the next big thing, the latest fad or the next big movement. Not because it is his job, no, simply because he is an avid music lover.
If this sounds like you, please go and apply for a&r manager at any given record label or music publisher. The industry needs you. Bands and musicians will love you, listeners will thank you. Be wild, be crazy, break the rules. Go ahead...
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