The Key To Survival As An Artist by The Revolutionary Kids
I think this blog is a very important one, indeed. Why do you ask? Because as an artist, finding the right agent can be oh-so necessary and beneficial to your career. Here’s the problem: There are only a few handfuls of (good) agents and too many truckloads of artists. So when you do find an agent, be thankful. But if you’re in a situation where multiple agents are giving you attention, take your time and browse. You wouldn’t jump into a relationship with the first girl/boy who says you’re cute, right? (answer with caution).
For us, we’re in a good, yet frustrating, situation. We’re lucky to have some ass-kissing by agents and going on meetings. We’ve done national tours, we’ve busted our ass, and built a name. The thing is- agents want to sign artists who…..how do I put this…..sound like a regurgitation of similar artists. Why is this? Because its easy for an agent to place artists with similar sounds/styles together on tours and shows. See, they assume kids who come to see live shows are DUMB.
[pagebreak]
Like radio and TV, they want to force feed the same sound down your throat, all at 1 show. They assume if you’re excited to see the headlining artist, then (OMG!) you’re going to love the supporting artist because he/she/they sound just the same! So much for discovering new and different acts at concerts, aye?
We’re different. There’s no 2-ways about it. Our sound doesn’t fit into any group. If this were a high school social scene, we’d be friends with the popular kids, the goth kids, the rebels, and the geeks. The teachers (‘agents’) would get confused and would put us in special ED classes (no offense)- therefore manipulating the other students into believing we’re a bunch of outcasts and weirdos.
[pagebreak]
Thankfully, this isn’t school. This is a business. We have a diverse group of fans, we’ve toured with acts who sound nothing like us and still win over their crowds, and we’ve gained the respect of A LOT of industry people. Have we burned bridges? Sure, lots! But fuck ’em. There’s a reason we’re great. Those agents will suck up to us as soon as our EP drops in late fall.
Set your Google search-bar to ‘Revolutionary Kids’!
-RK
P.S. Remember! Whether its an agent at a major agency or a boutique agency….its about the agent and how you connect with them. Not the company name.
