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Are a few groups controlling what EDM we hear?
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| Nerologic |
I had a long conversation with a few big DJ's that are on smaller agencies and they kinda felt like the bigger agencies and promoters are controlling what we hear because they are so intertwined.
We all know most of the big promoters use the same agencies and they primarily book talent under that label, it's just the way it works. But when this goes on and on and years pass by, are we missing out on other talent? It seems like other talent on smaller labels/agencies gets ignored.
Anyone understand what I am talking about?
I see many of my friends on the big agencies roster get TONS of gigs and tours. Yet, the other guys I know that have done more, have bigger hits, have more recognition are just pissing in the wind because they are not under a bigger agency. They still get gigs, but no where near the other guy with the other agency.
So that brings me back to the original topic, are we only hearing what a few select want us to hear? Are we missing out? |
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| jonmitz |
do you mean you are personally not hearing good music (i.e. downloading mixes or songs), or just when you go out to clubs and music festivals and you dont like what is being played, or you feel it's not diverse?
| quote: | Originally posted by Nerologic
So that brings me back to the original topic, are we only hearing what a few select want us to hear? Are we missing out? |
You're hearing what you go out to hear. You can see who is playing at a club, you can download their mixes online, you can buy their tracks before you go out to see them. Obviously promoters and agencies are for-profit. They want to book people who will make them the most money.
Are you missing out? Maybe. What kind of music do you want to hear? The kind of music I'm into is never, ever, ever played at clubs or festivals (check soundcloud.com/jonmitz). I'd say I'm missing out - I never get to hear the songs I'm into. I'm still careful about what I go out to go see - I hardly ever go to RS in SF anymore because they tend to just book complete trash- but it's popular and they sell out so it's not going to stop anytime soon.
really complex topic with a lot of angles to consider |
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| LAdazeNYnights |
| I recognized this at Coachella this past year - it was SHM and all of their usual flunkies and then the dutch house guys with all of the bookings. Was pretty obvious that it was determined by the agencies. |
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| 72hrpartyanimal |
I do feel that we are being forced to hear what agencies and big promoters want us to hear more so then ever. It's all about $$ as this is a business and business is booming.
I do think you "can" catch acts you would prefer to hear but it's rare now. You have to find a smaller promoter willing to risk investing in smaller, unknown dj and not bitch about being on the guest list.
that's my personal angle.
As for downloading music... i hardly do it anymore. it all sucks. EDM sucks... but i still like to party like mutha a! |
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| GPC |
| quote: | Originally posted by 72hrpartyanimal
You have to find a smaller promoter willing to risk investing in smaller, unknown dj and not bitch about being on the guest list. |
that! I'm not paying to see an unknown DJ :disbelief |
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| msilin |
I think the bigger problem is that there aren't enough people who care a lot about what they want to hear. Just read this post by EDM Snob that nailed it:
http://edmsnob.com/the-hopefully-so...reality-of-edm/
I agree with him that the scene itself is still FAIRLY small. There are more and more people who can recognize the big hits like "Calling" or "One" but as far as people who know anything beyond a top crop of DJs... still not too many. Most people seem to just care about going to an EDM party and raging their faces off, regardless of who is playing.
The hollywood crowd (Lure, bootsy bellows, any SVE venue) just care that there is bottle service and hot girls. The raver crowd (avalon, insomniac events, etc.) care that there are cool lights and drugs. I would guess that 10-20% recognize the songs and know the DJ but the majority simply doesn't care.
So, in turn, the promoter and the agencies get to pick who to feature and who to play because in some sense, it doesn't matter. And if the 10-20% request that guy with a lot of big hits who isn't part of a big agency, well too bad - they will feature someone else and still get a large crowd. There is no incentive for pleasing the crowd, so to speak. There are certainly exceptions to this like Markus at Avalon who has built up a loyal following but I think that's a lot more rare. |
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| jonmitz |
| quote: | Originally posted by 72hrpartyanimal
it all sucks. EDM sucks... |
all EDM you listen to might suck, no need to drag the rest of the music industry down with you :) |
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| RobertStern |
| quote: | Originally posted by Nerologic
I had a long conversation with a few big DJ's that are on smaller agencies and they kinda felt like the bigger agencies and promoters are controlling what we hear because they are so intertwined.
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This is absolutely true!, I think even more so now, than ever before. Although the same thing goes for all genres of music..
Kinda of the same way most of our food is controlled by very few companies.
Once you get big Promoters, Agencies, Music Labels all working together, the little guys start to get drowned out. Even tho, these little guys might be playing or making something new and better, or whatever.
Right now the sound is very much the same, because these big companies only want to deal with reliable Agencies and the like. It makes sense for all the BIG people to only deal with other BIG people. Its just an easier transaction, and they can push whatever agenda so much easier and wider. Like certain tracks must be played by the dj at each gig.
I just remember hearing on a podcast that the person he did the remix for, never even got to hear it, because management didn't approve of it. So, we have these managers, agents, and PR people, deciding what we get to listen to.
Kinda of the same way most of our food is controlled by very few companies. |
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| gerard6975 |
| quote: | | Originally posted by Nerologic So that brings me back to the original topic, are we only hearing what a few select want us to hear? Are we missing out? |
the only people missing out on quality music & artists are those who do not open their minds and ears to others. i think LA is spoiled with a lot of options from different promoters whether big or small. |
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| alan |
No one controls what you hear.
It's all market forces.
John Acquaviva, Richie Hawtin, Bad Boy Bill are all founders of Beatport, but they don't really rank high on sales ever, even if they can, since they can use Beatport to market their tracks.
You just listen to what you want. You listen to SHM if you like pop. Its very simple. You go to underground if you like music which you don't hear that often.
Pop House gets played out more coz again, its easy to hear on the ears. |
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| modthispny |
| quote: | Originally posted by alan
No one controls what you hear.
It's all market forces.
John Acquaviva, Richie Hawtin, Bad Boy Bill are all founders of Beatport, but they don't really rank high on sales ever, even if they can, since they can use Beatport to market their tracks.
You just listen to what you want. You listen to SHM if you like pop. Its very simple. You go to underground if you like music which you don't hear that often.
Pop House gets played out more coz again, its easy to hear on the ears. |
dont the manuf. superstars own beatport? or did they buy it off the OG founders later on? |
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| alan |
| quote: | Originally posted by modthispny
dont the manuf. superstars own beatport? or did they buy it off the OG founders later on? |
Yes, they own it too.
When we had John Acquaviva at Standard on a Sunday last April 29, he wanted to drop by Avalon where Manufactured Superstars were playing, since they were partners.
So John told me, "Alan, can we go to Avalon on Sat night? Music will be bad, but you'll get free drinks...I just need to show myself to my partners" |
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