1.How did you get your start in the music industry Alex? What does TAATM do?
Alex Gilbert (TEAM ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC): I got my start I believe because of my love for music. I knew I wanted to be a part of it somehow, and when you don’t know how to play an instrument very well, you might as well go over to the business side of things, haha.
TEAM ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC is a professional management, publicity, and booking company specializing in heavy metal and underground music, moreso the first two (management and publicity). Actually, my full-time day job is as a Booking Agent for another company, but that story could go on for days.
2.Do you only represent and promote music you are passionate about?
Alex: Yes, I’d definitely say the music I represent I must be passionate about. First, I have to be a fan of what I’m working. I try and work with the bands out there who are setting their own trends, instead of following them like the millions of “generic core” bands out there. The wonderful / like-minded people of the press seem to really dig what TEAM AATM’s is all about, and I think I came in with TEAM AATM at the right time when everything wasn’t completely over-saturated when kids were buying CDs still, going to shows weekly, and everything was getting actual attention. The times are different now, but we still stick together. All of our existing and developing relationships out there still have our backs, like we do theirs. That’s good business, and we are expanding all the time.
Anyone can download TEAM AATM’s first compilation, Setting Trends And Banging Heads Vol. 1, for free. I’m very proud of this compilation, and I think we did an amazing job with it. To also note, the artwork by our friend Salo Sopor is absolutely incredible. I’ve always loved that city and nightlife kind of feel, and to simply describe Salo’s work on this one, it’s perfect: http://www.teamallaboutthemusic.bandcamp.com
More after the warp:
3.Who is on your current roster?
Alex: In no particular order besides alphabetical order, ha. A Backward Glance On A Travel Road (side project of Hypno5e), A Band Of Orcs, Hypno5e, Idols Are Dead, Journal, Margin Of Error, My Own Private Alaska, and Truth Corroded. Each respective artist is killer in their own way, and I highly encourage everyone to check each artist out!
4.You have some very unusual acts on your bill. Some could say they are definitely underground bands. Is it reasonable to think these bands could make a living with their music? (Examples: Band of Orcs, Margin of Error)
Alex: I’d say in most cases, the more unusual the better. I’m a big fan of the bands going out there and doing something different.
Underground bands can totally “make it” – it all depends on their work ethic, their heart, and keeping momentum high. It’s harder than ever now to do things the DIY way, given the economy and the oversaturation of music. A band needs to tour to make it, and tours are perfect momentum for surrounding new releases, which then has radio peak your songs when you come to their respective town, the press is now been geared in advance – if it’s the most important thing I’ve learned to this day: everything in business is connected in one way or another. Look past music itself!
There’s just so many bands and carbon copies of bands out there right now, that it’s literally TOO much for one to digest everything. You truly have to stick out in one way or another to make that impact. The two ways I see a band “making it” is a) the ones who start something new that are truly groundbreaking, and bring something new for others to follow, or b) going commercial to the max with whatever is “hip” at the moment, which right now it really seems to be that dubstepcore stuff, or whatever you want to call it. I back choice a. I think each band that TEAM AATM works currently can “make it” in one way or another, again, as long as the momentum is there.
5.All of your bands are extremely professional to deal with. Is this something that is important to you?
Alex: This is definitely something important to me. A band can have some of the best management, label support, booking, etc., but at the end of the day, having that well-spoken and intelligent individual(s) in a band makes things so much easier. They can step in and take a huge administrative role in everything, too.
Also, all the bands I work have already established themselves, have done the DIY way, and have been there/done that, so there’s no amateur hour or anything like that over here.
6.Do you coach/assist your clients on how to deal with their fans?
Alex: I try and give the artists that I work with their 100% creativity to where they feel completely comfortable. Of course I’m going to make suggestions of what I think is best, and I will override something if it 100% completely doesn’t make sense, because being realistic is key. Other than that, I’m very easy going in the career development process.
In regards to dealing with fans, I just say the common sense thing. Be nice (or at least attempt to be nice) to your fans when you interact with them. Same with the press who interviews you – give them some kind of substance in return where they feel it was definitely worth their time. Everyone hates those one word answers. If an individual’s ego gets to the point where they just blow everybody off, they just might have lost a fan. Add a trail of other fans after that, because word of mouth spreads like wildfire, and it’s a small, small world.
7.How do you feel social media fits into the grand scheme of the music industry?
Alex: Social media is huge in the music industry. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, TheLiveLine, you name it, and I’m sure the next big thing is right around the corner, in this world where technology exponentially increases. While yes, it’s very important for the bands to have their social networking sites, social media’s biggest value is the interaction with fans and potential fans. I mean, everyone’s got a personal Twitter and a Facebook, and half (probably even ¾) of those people are on it 24/7, right?
8.Where do bloggers fit as a promotional tool?
Alex: Bloggers are a huge piece of the puzzle, and we love them! Obviously, the CD reviews and the interviews are great, and we try to cross promote the press as much as we can through all relevant channels. I want to bring the blogs as much traffic as I can from my end.
Another huge thing about Bloggers are the ones that post news, and keep the public eye up-to-date with what’s going on in the metal world. It helps get the kids out to a show, it helps get the kids to preorder an album, etc. A lot of these blogs are synced with other websites that repost and repost news, so in this digital age, the word is really getting out, virally. The internet is instant international access, and is HUGE for news. I have a ton of New Yorker friends who’ll read The NY Times online to get their news. On the flipside, I have a ton of on-the-go New Yorker friends who’ll grab the paper, a coffee, a bagel, and hop on the train and absorb their news via print publication. So in many cases, print is still here to stay. I’m still one of the regulars to hit up the local bookstore once a month and pick up a copy of Decibel.
9.What do you listen to in your car, other than your current roster?
Alex: Haha, great question! I’m constantly in my car driving to meetings, taking roadtrips, etc. I’ve always got a Monster Energy Drink or two equipped for the longer drives, so it’s perfect to blast some music. I’m also a freelance writer so I’m always trying to stay current with the latest upcoming releases. As a businessman in the music industry, it’s good to do that anyways to stay on top of what’s current. Right now I’m really digging the new The Haunted, the new Neuraxis, the new The Amenta, and the “new” reissues of Death and Dying Fetus thanks to Relapse Records – nostalgia strikes!
For more leisure / cardriving listening, seriously, it ranges everywhere from Judas Priest (nothing beats Painkiller!) to The Word Alive, Hypno5e to Lady Gaga, and Withered to Phantom Planet. Of course it varies – I’m just going off of this week’s top spins. I’d definitely say I’m a metalhead at heart, regardless of the above list, haha. Dude, I just LOVE music.
10.Any chance of a TAATM showcase in the future?
Alex: I would love to set up a TEAM AATM showcase in the future! It’s tricky though when all our artists range from France, Australia, Italy, and the US (plus we’ll soon be bringing on some more artists from abroad), so coordinating all of this would be pretty tricky. If time works by everyone’s side, lets do it! As long as Mana and the IDOLS ARE DEAD brothers bring me a bunch of authentic Italian pizza, haha.
11. Word Association:
Journal: Weird, lol!
Backward Glance on a Travel Road: Unique
Idols are Dead: Pizza, haha!
We Love Metal: Awesome!
Major Record Labels: Wal-Mart
Sites of Interest:
DOWNLOAD FREE TEAM AATM COMP!! http://www.teamallaboutthemusic.bandcamp.com
http://www.teamallaboutthemusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/teamallaboutthemusic
http://www.facebook.com/teamallaboutthemusic
http://www.teamallaboutthemusic.tumblr.com
http://www.twitter.com/TeamAATM
DOWNLOAD A BACKWARD GLANCE ON A TRAVEL ROAD (SIDE PROJECT OF HYPNO5E) FOR FREE HERE: http://www.dl-abackwardglance.com
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