‘Making it’

1. ‘Making it’ • Question: You are a solo artist or a band and you want to ‘make it’ • How and where do you start? • Who else needs to get involved? • Who will pay for it? • Where will you get the money from? • These are just a few questions you will need to consider • Work individually or discuss with others. • 10 – 15 minutes

2. Rock and POP in the early 90’s Nirvanas 1991 album NEVERMOND changed the face of American rock music overnight Pearl Jam and Sound Garden also had a major impact with the wall of sound and powerful guitar sounds Other music giants releasing music at this time were: U2 (achtung baby), Metallica (Metallica 92), Pink Floyd (Division Bell 94), REM (Automatic for the People 92) Hip Hop scene – ME Hammer, Snoop Doggy Dogg Rap music was harder and more political so it was heavily censored 1994 saw another change: Pop Punk – Green Day (Dookie 94) Britpop had a revival: Oasis, Blur, Suede and Pulp Other bands – Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Radiohead

3. The Artist and the Industry Industry determines what we hear, what they think we must want to hear and what they think will sell Record companies employ people to find new talent, decide if the public will want to hear it and also decide the category it will fall into and the target market Marketing has a significant impact on the way music is written, recorded, packaged, listened to and distributed New markets: internet/downloadable music and personal music devices In the 90’s it was important to get on MTV to catch a greater public interest, CD sales including singles and songs suitable for video release

4. Role of the Producer • The artist may write initial ideas for a song then others write: instrumental parts, program drum tracks, alter aspects of harmony, structure and style, produce, record and mix the track • The producer apart from the artist is the most important person • They work with the artist to come up with a distinct sound