This was just posted on myspace not to long ago..
He points out some good shit about the industry and Strange in general...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Interview with Eric Hawke - Ray Fuschetti
Category: Music
When you were growing up, what kind of role did music play in your life?
--> --> --> -->I grew up with in a musical family of sorts. My grandfather was a jazz drummer and my uncle played as well. I listened to a lot of Blues, Jazz, R&B and then got into Classic Rock and House music. It was always in the blood, I really didn't get into the business till I turned 16 though.
At what point did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in the music /entertainment business?
--> --> --> -->At 16 I ran away to Los Angeles and started singing. I was on the verge of a production/record deal that fell apart and then went on to form a band a couple years later. I then started rapping and singing with the band. The industry was not ready for that back then though. I stuck with it and did a little of everything after that. I have been: an artist, DJ, promoter, producer, manager, agent and now Marketing Director.
How did you get involved with strange music inc., have you always had the same position?
--> --> --> -->I started booking shows for Strange back in 2004. I booked a large chunk of the Hostile Takeover Tour and then went out to promote the shows on the streets as well. I stuck around off and on, booking dates and even working with promoters to help them promote dates I had them buy. In 06 Travis asked me to come in and do the marketing and promotions. I became the Marketing Manager shortly thereafter.
What are the pros and cons of your job?
--> --> --> -->Long hours and too many people to talk to. A lot of projects to juggle and keep up with. I don't know if those are pros or cons. DO I enjoy it, yes. Is it a grind, yes. I get to meet a lot of people and travel all over so it all balances out. I also get to see a lot of shows.
When one of your artist has an upcoming tour or album release, how far in advance do you have to start planning to ensure that it receives the best support possible.
--> --> --> -->For an album, usually that starts 6 months out. For a tour usually 2 months out. The promotion kind of works hand in hand though. You work to promote the record while working the tour dates. That gives you double the exposure. The efforts font stop once the album drops though. It is a steady grind throughout. We are still promoting the Tech N9ne Everready album almost a year after release.
Artist on strange music continue to develop an increasingly large following which gains you guys more and more exposure each day. As the label gains success, do your job responsibilities change?
--> --> --> -->No, the responsibilities are the same but there is just a larger work load. There is more territory to cover and more fans to reach but still the same. Well, actually, there is more responsibility in some areas. The more we grow, the more unique opportunities that arise to reposition us from a marketing standpoint. Overall still , the responsibility to get the word out on the product is still there.
How does the internet affect your marketing strategies? D o you think it has helped you reach a larger audience?
--> --> --> -->70% of our marketing is digital or internet based and I see that increasing to 90% over the next 3-5 years. Our audience is global now as a result of the internet. We reach people we never would have overseas had it not been for the aggressive internet marketing approach.
What are the pros and cons for artist and employees working for an independent label such as strange?
--> --> --> -->The cons for the artists…hmmm Lack of major exposure and huge budgets. Lack of MTV exposure, lack of radio play. Pros for everyone, smaller staff and more concentrated efforts across the board. More attention paid to individual artists, more fan support; that is to say, more loyalty from fans. It seems that major artists have fair weather fans while we enjoy very loyal, very knowledgeable fans. I prefer the environment on the independent label when done correctly. Travis O'Guin is a great mentor and great business mind. Most independents don't enjoy the success that we are having. It is a result of great planning, hard work and perseverance.
What do you believe makes Strange Music Inc different from other independent labels?
--> --> --> -->Just as I said before, hard work, great planning and perseverance. We continue to stay with the grass roots. We touch the fans and would be fans with the music and the marketing . I am one of if not the most accessible marketing directors in the business. I stay close to the streets and close to the fans. I go out and meet people and find out the pulse. I know what they are looking for and how to reach them. Tech is the same from the music side. Travis steers us to remain that way. I think the most important thing is that we listen and we are not hard to reach.
What advice would you offer to young artist or individuals who are seeking careers in the music/entertainment business?
--> --> --> -->DON'T DO IT!!!! HAHHAHAHAHA….I am kidding. I would just say, make sure that if you are getting into it, understand that this is a full time job and not for the faint of heart. There is no overnight success in this game. You have to stick to it. Also, it is not for everyone but if you have an aptitude there is a place for you. Find your spot and stick with it. Arists, stay musical, promoters, stay with promotion. Do not try to so it all, you will burn out eventually and you will lose. Surround yourself with people who are good at what they do and make sure they are trustworthy. Also, never be too big to learn. There is always something to learn from someone. This business changed daily.
He points out some good shit about the industry and Strange in general...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Interview with Eric Hawke - Ray Fuschetti
Category: Music
When you were growing up, what kind of role did music play in your life?
--> --> --> -->I grew up with in a musical family of sorts. My grandfather was a jazz drummer and my uncle played as well. I listened to a lot of Blues, Jazz, R&B and then got into Classic Rock and House music. It was always in the blood, I really didn't get into the business till I turned 16 though.
At what point did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in the music /entertainment business?
--> --> --> -->At 16 I ran away to Los Angeles and started singing. I was on the verge of a production/record deal that fell apart and then went on to form a band a couple years later. I then started rapping and singing with the band. The industry was not ready for that back then though. I stuck with it and did a little of everything after that. I have been: an artist, DJ, promoter, producer, manager, agent and now Marketing Director.
How did you get involved with strange music inc., have you always had the same position?
--> --> --> -->I started booking shows for Strange back in 2004. I booked a large chunk of the Hostile Takeover Tour and then went out to promote the shows on the streets as well. I stuck around off and on, booking dates and even working with promoters to help them promote dates I had them buy. In 06 Travis asked me to come in and do the marketing and promotions. I became the Marketing Manager shortly thereafter.
What are the pros and cons of your job?
--> --> --> -->Long hours and too many people to talk to. A lot of projects to juggle and keep up with. I don't know if those are pros or cons. DO I enjoy it, yes. Is it a grind, yes. I get to meet a lot of people and travel all over so it all balances out. I also get to see a lot of shows.
When one of your artist has an upcoming tour or album release, how far in advance do you have to start planning to ensure that it receives the best support possible.
--> --> --> -->For an album, usually that starts 6 months out. For a tour usually 2 months out. The promotion kind of works hand in hand though. You work to promote the record while working the tour dates. That gives you double the exposure. The efforts font stop once the album drops though. It is a steady grind throughout. We are still promoting the Tech N9ne Everready album almost a year after release.
Artist on strange music continue to develop an increasingly large following which gains you guys more and more exposure each day. As the label gains success, do your job responsibilities change?
--> --> --> -->No, the responsibilities are the same but there is just a larger work load. There is more territory to cover and more fans to reach but still the same. Well, actually, there is more responsibility in some areas. The more we grow, the more unique opportunities that arise to reposition us from a marketing standpoint. Overall still , the responsibility to get the word out on the product is still there.
How does the internet affect your marketing strategies? D o you think it has helped you reach a larger audience?
--> --> --> -->70% of our marketing is digital or internet based and I see that increasing to 90% over the next 3-5 years. Our audience is global now as a result of the internet. We reach people we never would have overseas had it not been for the aggressive internet marketing approach.
What are the pros and cons for artist and employees working for an independent label such as strange?
--> --> --> -->The cons for the artists…hmmm Lack of major exposure and huge budgets. Lack of MTV exposure, lack of radio play. Pros for everyone, smaller staff and more concentrated efforts across the board. More attention paid to individual artists, more fan support; that is to say, more loyalty from fans. It seems that major artists have fair weather fans while we enjoy very loyal, very knowledgeable fans. I prefer the environment on the independent label when done correctly. Travis O'Guin is a great mentor and great business mind. Most independents don't enjoy the success that we are having. It is a result of great planning, hard work and perseverance.
What do you believe makes Strange Music Inc different from other independent labels?
--> --> --> -->Just as I said before, hard work, great planning and perseverance. We continue to stay with the grass roots. We touch the fans and would be fans with the music and the marketing . I am one of if not the most accessible marketing directors in the business. I stay close to the streets and close to the fans. I go out and meet people and find out the pulse. I know what they are looking for and how to reach them. Tech is the same from the music side. Travis steers us to remain that way. I think the most important thing is that we listen and we are not hard to reach.
What advice would you offer to young artist or individuals who are seeking careers in the music/entertainment business?
--> --> --> -->DON'T DO IT!!!! HAHHAHAHAHA….I am kidding. I would just say, make sure that if you are getting into it, understand that this is a full time job and not for the faint of heart. There is no overnight success in this game. You have to stick to it. Also, it is not for everyone but if you have an aptitude there is a place for you. Find your spot and stick with it. Arists, stay musical, promoters, stay with promotion. Do not try to so it all, you will burn out eventually and you will lose. Surround yourself with people who are good at what they do and make sure they are trustworthy. Also, never be too big to learn. There is always something to learn from someone. This business changed daily.
