It Might Get Loud, a documentary that consists entirely of Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge swapping stories, expounding on their experiences and of course jamming with each other. The film, directed by An Inconvenient Truth helmer Davis Guggenheim, will satisfy casual fans as well as hardcore guitar afficianados.

For me personally, I absolutely loved this film as it shows you that behind-the-scenes feeling of what it was like for these guys to tap into their genius and play from their soul versus just another imitator of their influences.  The kid like smile on Jack White and the Edge’s face as Jimmy page played an old Led Zepplin riff is just touching in the most sincere way of gratitude and respect.  They even take turns playing each others songs – with the edge playing an E minor and then realizing – oops, that was a B minor I was suppose to be playing.  It just shows you how genuine he is, as well as going as far to mentioning each of the other members of the band; no ego whatsoever!  There is no doubt that it was the blues that started it all for these guys…  Son House, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie, etc.  The film was shot all over the world – Ireland, England, Seattle, LA, and Nashville.

Growing up in Michigan, we were very familiar with Jack White who played drums in a band called Goober and the peas, and then obviously Brendan Benson who Jack formed the Raconteurs with, although Brendan Benson is far more talented as a song writer in my opinion.  In fact, we once had drinks with all of them next to the Troubador about 4 years ago after Brendans show… Jack is incredibly tall and suspiciously nervous all the time – like who wants to steal my soul now? ahah!  I remember being in Europe in 2003 and everywhere I went – all i saw was the White Stripes being advertised.  It’s nice to see Jack just pick up any crappy guitar and put soul into it… and even cooler that he is from Michigan and kept it pretty real all these years.

My 2 cents,

Geoff Koboldt

To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to sit down with the Major Lable A&R executives, and with good reason – those guys are replaced every few months as the labels downsize!  On the contrary, this panel had some top guys ( Max Gousse-Sr. VP A&R Island/Def Jam, Raj Jadeja-Director A&R Atlantic, Jeff Blue-A&R Consultant/Producer Jive and Michael Howe-VP A&R Downtown Records) who have weathered the storm for many years, so I took the time to head down to the Musicians Institute and listen.  If I were to sum of up the experience, it’s that NOTHING HAS TRULY CHANGED WITH THE MAJOR LABELS.  It’s the same broken record…same broken business model…same everything but now with even less time to develop a band, less money to put into marketing, less people on the team to support you, etc.  There is no doubt that these guys jobs are tough but they work super hard 24/7 to find that next breaking band with very limited time and resources.  Yet, so many people would still rather take their chances on a major label than get creative and find a way to do it themselves.  It’s a catch-22 and I know it is a very tough situation; easier said than done for sure!  So I’m sure you all have many questions so I will do my best to answer some of the key questions:

1) What is the best way to reach the MAJOR label executives?

Major label executives are not out going to see bands period!  They literally only trust high profiled lawyers, producers, agents and other key folks in the industry; that’s the same business philosophy they have had for 50+ years and look at where they are at now!!  A friend recently told me – If i was a label – I would fire everyone of these A&R guys and hire me some 15-16 year old kids who are much more in tune with what’s popular!!  I’m not in their shoes to say anything, but i would imagine its a very tough job to be true to that artist while also making money for your company – ie. the label.

2)  How do I find these top lawyers, agents and other key people?

There are numerous sources out there including the A&R registry, pollstar online, etc.  Granted, these things cost money – but business is all about investing!  Here at Out of Step, we do our best to know who is on top of their game to best help you… but with technology ever-changing the music landscape, the opportunity is now for each and everyone of you to do your own thing!

3) What are major labels looking for these days?

They are looking for “believe-ability” – that you aren’t faking this and would die for this opportunity.  They are looking for hard working people.  Like most things in life, it’s those that work smarter and harder than the next guy; it’s not about talent necessarily.  They don’t care if you write your own songs – plenty of top songwriters will write your songs for you and top producers who will produce it.  Again, these top guys cost about $50-100,000 per song minimum.  So, the question that comes from these answers then is – how the hell do stay creative and not become a puppet?  Only you can answer that…  Labels are also doing some 360 deals these days, 1 song signings and making a lot of their money in the publishing.  Towards that end, it’s the publishing that seems to save a lot of bands.  Positive news is that bands seem to be getting a 2nd chance if the 1st record doesn’t flop…but the days of 3 or 4 or 5 tries is in the past.  SAD!

If submitting to Out of Step for management, it is likely, we will have to develop you to get you “right” for that one shot with the majors, if that’s the route you want to go.

thanks,
Geoff Koboldt

Photo with Raj from Atlantic Records

After attending the group Y conference for action sports at the Home Depot Center from 8am-3pm, I headed over to the X-games at the Staples Center to watch the mega ramp event at 6pm, in which Jake Brown won – beating out defending 2x back-to-back champion Bob Burnquist.  Around 8:45pm, I walked across the street for the red carpet ceremony of the releasing of the X-games 3D movie at the Nokia Theatre.  A wide variety of celebrities (Pamela Anderson for one) and action sports athletes (Shaun White, Andy Macdonald, Kevin Robinson) and business folks were in attendance.  I took my intern Shawn with me and we rolled down the red carpet like rock stars as people stared like “who the hell are these guys?”  Here’s a photo with Slash.

Out of Step Entertainment

For more photos from the event – click on:

http://jeffknightphotography.com/gallery/9105772_K5gzS#606846512_L83TN