Artist & Repertoire
Scouting new artists, Overseeing the recording process, Assisting the creative process.
A&R stands for “Artists and Repertoire”
A&R is the division of a record label that is in charge of the talent scouting and the artistic and commercial development of an artist. It also serves as a bridge between the artist and the record label.
This role is involved with the artist from start to finish. They take an artist from undiscovered to fully supported by the label after signing them. The A&R also is involved with the music creation process all the way from song conception to final release marketing and promotion.
!! LABEL VS RECORD COMPANY !!
A&R scouts focus on listening to demos and looking for new talent. They use different scouting methods like - Attending events, listening to demos, and word of mouth referrals. If an artist catches their attention they can pass them to the A&R manager or be responsible for signing them theirself.
A&R Managers negotiate the artists record deal and get the department to be interested in the artist.
The Head of A&R sets policies and takes part in supervision of signed artists’ projects.
They make sure the record has been distributed to DSPs around the world; Spotify, Apple Music but also Gaana and Jioaavn (India), KuGou and QQ (China), etc.
*sometimes the part of the international sales is centralized for all labels under one group* For example, Sony's Global Digital Business & US Sales record division deals with international sales for all Sony Labels (RCA, Arista, Columbia, etc.)
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“It is important to be confident in your instincts and beliefs, but it is equally important to remain humble and eager to learn.”
An A&R is responsible for identifying , signing and developing artists. The development process includes making records with the artist – potentially pairing them with collaborators, clearing samples and side-artists, managing budgets and logistics, acting as a sounding board and supporting creatively and emotionally. Once the album is delivered , the a&r’s job is technically done on paper, but a good a&r is one who can then galvanize the building once the album is done - ushering the project through the label system and translating the vision of the album to the rest of the company so that everyone is marching to the same drum. You need to break the artist in the building before you break them out in the world.
A&R Director @ Sire Records
Who they work with and what they do
ARTIST
- Discovering new and upcoming artists.
- Going to events and concerts to listen to artists/bands
PRODUCERS
- Overseeing of the studio recording process
- Being present in the recording sessions
- Offering creative input on artist demos
MARKETING/PROMOTION
- Building a basic promotional foundation
- Choosing songs for the artist, if the don’t write all of their songs
RECORDING STUDIOS
- Schedule, book studios
- Listening to demos
- Pairing producers/writers with artists
BUSINESS & LEGAL
- Interfacing with lawyers on contract signings
- Make sure that split sheets are signed
- Clearing Samples
RECORD EXECUTIVES
- Liaise with executives on final signing decisions
- Choosing singles/order of artist’s release
- Discovering new and upcoming artists.
- Going to events and concerts to listen to artists/bands
- Interfacing with lawyers on contract signings
- Make sure that split sheets are signed
- Clearing Samples
- Liaise with executives on final signing decisions
- Choosing singles/order of artist’s release
PRODUCERS
- Overseeing of the studio recording process
- Being present in the recording sessions
- Offering creative input on artist demos
MARKETING/PROMOTION
- Building a basic promotional foundation
- Choosing songs for the artist, if the don’t write all of their songs
RECORDING STUDIOS
- Schedule, book studios
- Listening to demos
- Pairing producers/writers with artists
- Distribute artists singles & albums to DSPs on time for the release
- Negotiate business partnerships with DSPs -- Examples:
° Reduced royalties rate per stream for artists of a specific label in exchange for free ad credits
° ‘Artist Social Boost’: DSPs are granted advertising access to an artist's Facebook or Instagram to run
ads offering their followers 3 months free premium. In exchange, the label gets a portion of the profit from the fans signing up through the artist's link
- Partner with DSPs for marketing initiatives such as:
° Billboard in Time Square
° Playlist takeovers
° Example: Olivia Rodrigo's Car Wash with Spotify in LA.
- Licence songs before release
- Make sure the metadata is complete (every detail about the song is filled out - producers, singer, date, title, etc.)
- Curate playlists on streaming platforms to promote their artists
- Establish the number of copies of an album that needs to be produced
- Make sure the production and delivery runs smoothly (with Production Dep)
A music supervisor reaches out to the label with interest in a song. They provide 3 elements for a possible contract and give a scene description and information on the use of the song.
With those elements in mind, the Sync Department defines the licensing fees for the use of that song. The amount usually depends mostly on the artist, scene description and length, and part of the song used.
The label asks for the artist's approval; both on the budget and the use of the song (which project it will be featured on).
Important to know: For a song to be used, it needs the approval of both the master recording (label) and the publisher. This means all songwriters have to approve the use of the song too! And if an artist is also a songwriter they need to approve it twice, once through the label and once through the publisher.
Scouting
Finding potential artists with different methods.
Once negotiated, the deal has to be sent to the publishers for approval.
This step is necessary legally to ensure that the Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause is respected.
If a music supervisor confirms the use of a song then the license is created.
On their side, they will have to pay a fee for the use of the composition (copyright to the publisher) and a fee for the master (to the label).
“For NY and LA, there is always a member of our team at shows to organize business encounters, escort our partners backstage. It’s kind of a concierge service”
- Tour and Special Events @Interscope
"When there is no covid I travel a lot so I am divided between being with the artist on tours and promotion - with visits to my offices for strategy and planning meetings around the world and in London with my team on a day-to-day basis when we are not traveling. My boss travels much more than I do so we are used to working remotely and maintaining constant communication."
Is a degree required?
Marketing, Business, Communications, and Business management degrees are recommended.
Many people start in a different role before moving into A&R if they do not start at a label internship. Many experts in the industry say that to get skills you need to get involved in the community. Anyone can be a talent scout without a label, so the easiest way to would be to start working at a local venues or radio station and keep an eye out for unsigned artists who are performing.
Most A&R managers start out as college marketing representatives, A&R coordinators, or interns at record labels. From there, they are typically promoted to A&R representatives that focus on scouting talent for managers to sign.
College marketing representatives are college students that work part-time to promote label artists among the college-aged demographic. Through this process, they gain early marketing experience and a valuable introduction to the music industry.
Also, a few more tips are:
Written by Ixe & Ian.
Designed by Lou.
Published June 17th 2021
Copyright © 2021 Gen Admission.