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IAC Prime Member
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Tony Vani and Debbie Hoskin
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8/21/2007 5:11:00 PM
My experience with The A & R Guy, (not for the faint of heart)
I decided to ask the A & R guy for his expert opinion on a couple of songs. I don't know if this is something people use much at IAC. It did say "not for the faint of heart" and I was aware that I might feel brutalized after but decided that I would do it anyway and take it like a man. (whatever that means) LOL
I recieved his evalutations today. I was a little afraid to open the email. That was the hardest part. I value his opinion and found it to be helpful input. It's very interesting that he could tell that I didn't know my own songs very well. I think I wrote them on a Tuesday and recorded them on a Wednesday. The entire band was fumbling but we went ahead and plowed through with the recording. He said he could feel the tension of us not feeling relaxed with the songs yet. I'm amazed that he knew this. I remember saying to the engineer, "I don't know my own songs well enough to be singing and recording them." I needed to get to know them and "own" them. When I hear my songs now, I hear so many things that I would have done very very differently and it drives me crazy hearing the mistakes etc. It now drives me crazy that we rushed through because someone wanted the songs on a certain date. I also wanted the project to be over because it was emotionally gruelling for me. The A & R guy pointed out several things that could use correcting. All in all he said they were good songs, bad mix however, and horrible endings. I think on the one song, It ends with a mistake and I say, "Oooops" and laugh then the band just kind of fizzles out. :-) He had some very positive things to say as well but recommended that the songs be corrected.
I was surprized that he didn't rip me to shreds on my singing. I've never liked my own singing very much. I cringe when I even hear my voice mail. He surprized me on that one and said that the lead singer had good tone and style etc. I knew I had style but I thought I was lacking in tone. Some of the harmonies, however, are not working.
I think it might be a good idea to record and then leave it for a month and then go back to it, do that a few times and let the song evolve as you become "one" with the song. I think I will try that next time. All in all, I learned from the experience and might even use the A & R guy again from time to time. It's great to hear an unbiased opinion. deb
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Tinny Bennett
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8/21/2007 6:50:51 PM
I am the same when it comes to listening to my own voice.... i cringe when i hear it.
It is amazing what these A&R and sound engineers pick up... they seem to have an extra sense.
when i record new material, i seem to rush the recordings..... i suppose a lot of it comes down to doing all the tracks on my own, and recording them at home. with no band or recording engineer, i lack the discipline.
I think some of the big artists spend month in the studio doing an album, the last album i did in a band took 4 days.
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John Pippus
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8/21/2007 7:14:09 PM
Interesting subject....
I've been listening critically to my voice lately and I've learned that where I go flat or strain is NOT OK after all. I've been taking a more loosey-goosey approach, caught up in the 'performance' in the studio and thinking it's capturing some energy or something. And/or I'm thinking more like "oh this is a demo and I'm really more interested in approximating what a real vocalist will do with it". But after repeated listens, the muffed notes really start to bug me. And some people who hear it, particularly over at Garageband (where there are peer reviews of songs), zoom right in on the weaknesses of the vocal, and that overshadows whatever strengths the tune may have. Fair enough.
So from here on in, I'm not going to say to the producer 'fine let's move on' until I nail the vocal. It might mean more money spent on studio time, but it'll be worth it.
Vocals. I could on and on about what I've learned from trial and error, and from the folks I've worked with. Great thread....
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IAC Admin
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8/21/2007 8:23:21 PM
You can find the A&R guy service and other artist aids at the Artist Help Station
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8/23/2007 3:34:28 AM
The A&R guy told me to mention that it takes several weeks to get your review, he has a pretty long queue.
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