Q & A
Each month, MusicBizAdvice.com answers your questions about the music industry.
Why don’t music execs smile at concerts?
Q.
Why do so many
label execs, managers, etc. always look bored at concerts? It seems like
even the ones who say they got into the business because they like music
almost never look like they’re enjoying it.—S.F.
A. Don’t take it personally; it doesn’t mean they’re not interested.
That poker face is often strategic, and there are some good reasons for it.
If an exec sees a band he (or she) likes, the last thing he wants to do is
tip his hand by revealing his interest to a competitor who may be there.
Also, sometimes an exec wants to do further research on an artist without
letting the artist know he may be interested, so as not to get the artist’s
hopes up. Most label execs have a boss to answer to, so a lot of research
takes place before suggesting an artist to the boss.
Lastly, that lack of a smile is often because they’re listening intently and
analyzing what they hear. (I’m guilty of this myself.) It’s hard to rock out
when you’re trying to block out crowd noise, listen to lyrics over a poor
quality P.A., check out each individual band member’s musicianship, and do
fast, large number math calculations all at the same time! Look at it this
way…how many recording engineers could be called “Smiley” when they’re
focusing on a take?
Focus more on making giving the audience a great show, and less on the exec,
and you’ll be fine.
Good luck!
RR
Editor-in-Chief / Founder
MusicBizAdvice.com
Q&A Home
Got a question about the music business?
Email
your questions with "Q&A" in the subject line. Include your name or
initials, city and state, and the name of your band, if applicable.
Questions of a general nature will be answered as space allows. (Be sure
your spam filter is set to accept email with hyperlinks from TalkToMBADC@aol.com or
MuzBizAdvc@aol.com
so we can let you know your question is answered and
direct you to additional
information if necessary.)
Answers in the MBADC Q&A are to be taken as general advice only and are not intended
as a substitute for legal advice from a competent entertainment or intellectual property
rights attorney.
TOP |
