Can you manage it?

The NIMIC discussion panel on Music Management got me thinking on how relevant management is to the majority of local bands, and I’m still not sure where I stand. Lets go back on school on this one - which one of these statements do you most agree with, and why?

A manager is an essential commodity for success. Tasks that a member of the band might do on the side can be a dedicated task for a manager, who can spend real time now only booking more shows, but on consciously working on moving the band further up the ladder, negotiating for support slots and generating interest in other countries to eventually prepare for larger tours and promoting the band outside Belfast. A manager can also be a dedicated conduit of the bands image in all things PR and can take the tedious and oft-neglected tasks of updating websites, social networks and mailing lists to ensure the band is constantly engaging with its audience. Having someone to deal with the administration side of things - managing bank accounts, booking practice space and studio time and arranging rehearsals and release dates is an excellent way to keep the band cohesive and allow them to spend their time on their art.

… or on the other hand …

The music scene in Northern Ireland is too small to justify management. The size of the scene here means booking gigs takes a few minutes to make a handful of phone calls, promotion is more or less handled by promoters anyway, managing PR in spare time is increasing in simplicity as it’s mostly done online and takes very little time to manage and doesn’t really “get in the way of the music”. There is really very little a manager can do to justify having to pay for - especially as removing that obligation frees up cash to be spent on paying the bills. Arranging larger tours or preparing for recording will always take more time to arrange, but if a band is committed to making it happen then they will find the time. And if the band isn’t cohesive without a manager, then it’s very unlikely that it’s going to work in the long term anyway.

Or am I missing something? Is it more complicated than that, or is there a clear answer? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

Word on the grapevine is that the next panel discussion will be on “developing online communities” on the 27th of June - full details when I get ‘em.

Posted June 8, 2008 with 3 Comments »

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2 Comments

Interesting topic. Thinking about my own experiences, I’d say both statements carry an element of truth.

One of the most successful young jazz drummers from the province has no management. He’s basically a kid with a huge amount of talent, a fantastic work ethic, and, crucially, a great head for business and self promotion. He has single-handedly gotten contacts (and therefore gigs) around the world. It helps that he was brought up in a very musical family who all well known for promoting themselves well, but he still has to do the work. Like you suggested, the internet has really helped musicians to promote themselves but with so many people doing it, it becomes difficult to really stand out.

On the other hand, you occasionally encounter musicians who are fantastic at what they do but not at much else. There are musicians out there who have spent years honing their technique and their style but don’t have a great sense for business or self-promotion. These are the people who need a manager to get the gigs, organise studio space, deal with pressing CDs, etc. These are the folks who have been doing it for years and know how to work the business, and know the shortcuts to success.

With the advantage of a good manager, anyone can become well known, even if they’re not great. Managers are helpful even to the guys who are great at self-promotion, because they can leave the musicians to work solely on the music. I can’t think of anyone who actively -wants- to spend hours setting up a website and keeping their MySpace up to date instead of actually practicing the music they love. Administration is a hassle, no matter how you look at it.

I work with a band who have a manager. It’s very helpful. We just turn up to gigs, play the music, and then get paid. They organise studio space, I organise the music. Both of us have skills the other doesn’t possess, so both are required.

Good choice of discussion topic! :-)

Zcott on 8th June 2008 - 4:56pm

I can think of a few bands off the top of my head who could have benefited from someone taking control of their careers.

Aaron Abernethy on 8th June 2008 - 5:56pm

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