Hi Butch, I have three questions about where you see producers going in the future.

[herecomesyourman]

Hi Butch!

Yourself, Bob Clearmountain, Jerry Finn (R.I.P.), Shelly Yakus, and Trent Reznor are by far the most influential producers / engineers that I can think of when I try to contemplate who really gave me the bug to pursue this whole music thing that we're all addicted to making. So first off I'd really like to thank you for taking the time to do this because I sincerely appreciate it as a professional and as a fan. I have three questions that I feel are somewhat related:

My first question pertains to major label groups. Since fewer new and innovative rock bands are coming out through them as commercial (Clear Channel, etc) radio's audience is in a steady decline, do you see yourself as someone who would be willing to work with independent artists more as this trend continues? I realize they probably don't have nearly the budgets that the bigger acts have. But I'm talking about groups that you want to do more so in regard to the talent at hand.

You started with heavy roots in the independent rock scene and are in my opinion one of the most essential producer / engineers to study when it comes to the sounds that defined the late 80's through the 90's. So I find myself wishing you were working with newer bands like The Long Winters, TV On The Radio, Teagan and Sara, The New Pornographers, or Nada Surf, when I think about modern acts that feel influenced by your sounds. These bands have varying degrees of success, but I can name more than a few songs that I sort of wish you'd done.

So my second question would be...can unsigned bands or smaller labels who put together serious budgets approach you for production advice and work?

The two groups you're most famous for worked with were starving artists who did whatever they could to get their names out there, IE: Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins...groups like that would be ignored in favor of putting together a band like say the Jonas Brothers today. But many feel that's not a good thing, so...

My third and I swear it's my final question is...do you feel that the majors and management groups might benefit from trying to redefine what A&R departments should be doing in order to find new talent in an online media driven music business? Is there room for significant change here in order to find the next truly great music?

[ButchVig]

Originally Posted by herecomesyourman

Hi Butch!

Yourself, Bob Clearmountain, Jerry Finn (R.I.P.), Shelly Yakus, and Trent Reznor are by far the most influential producers / engineers that I can think of when I try to contemplate who really gave me the bug to pursue this whole music thing that we're all addicted to making. So first off I'd really like to thank you for taking the time to do this because I sincerely appreciate it as a professional and as a fan. I have three questions that I feel are somewhat related:

My first question pertains to major label groups. Since fewer new and innovative rock bands are coming out through them as commercial (Clear Channel, etc) radio's audience is in a steady decline, do you see yourself as someone who would be willing to work with independent artists more as this trend continues? I realize they probably don't have nearly the budgets that the bigger acts have. But I'm talking about groups that you want to do more so in regard to the talent at hand.

You started with heavy roots in the independent rock scene and are in my opinion one of the most essential producer / engineers to study when it comes to the sounds that defined the late 80's through the 90's. So I find myself wishing you were working with newer bands like The Long Winters, TV On The Radio, Teagan and Sara, The New Pornographers, or Nada Surf, when I think about modern acts that feel influenced by your sounds. These bands have varying degrees of success, but I can name more than a few songs that I sort of wish you'd done.

I know the above bands, and they've put some great albums out! TVOTR' Wolf Like Me was on my ipod heavy rotation for 6 months (Dave Sitek from TVOTR does not need any help from me, I think he's very talented producer).
I fell in love with Tegan and Sarah's Walking With a Ghost a few years back, and was lucky enough to work with Tegan when she sang back vocals on Against Me's Bourne On The FM Waves. And Nada Surf's Always Love is currently on heavy rotation here.
When I'm considering a project, if I fall in love with the band or artist, I'm gonna want to do the album, regardless of whether they are on a major or indie.

[ButchVig]

[QUOTE=herecomesyourman;4302899]Hi Butch!

Yourself, Bob Clearmountain, Jerry Finn (R.I.P.), Shelly Yakus, and Trent Reznor are by far the most influential producers / engineers that I can think of when I try to contemplate who really gave me the bug to pursue this whole music thing that we're all addicted to making. So first off I'd really like to thank you for taking the time to do this because I sincerely appreciate it as a professional and as a fan. I have three questions that I feel are somewhat related:

My first question pertains to major label groups. Since fewer new and innovative rock bands are coming out through them as commercial (Clear Channel, etc) radio's audience is in a steady decline, do you see yourself as someone who would be willing to work with independent artists more as this trend continues? I realize they probably don't have nearly the budgets that the bigger acts have. But I'm talking about groups that you want to do more so in regard to the talent at hand.

You started with heavy roots in the independent rock scene and are in my opinion one of the most essential producer / engineers to study when it comes to the sounds that defined the late 80's through the 90's. So I find myself wishing you were working with newer bands like The Long Winters, TV On The Radio, Teagan and Sara, The New Pornographers, or Nada Surf, when I think about modern acts that feel influenced by your sounds. These bands have varying degrees of success, but I can name more than a few songs that I sort of wish you'd done.

So my second question would be...can unsigned bands or smaller labels who put together serious budgets approach you for production advice and work?

Yes, anybody can approach me for a project. On the advice of my lawyer, I'm not supposed to take unsolicited demos....but, people give me demos all the time, they leave them on my car, bring them to a table when I'm at a restaurant (not cool!), give them to me at gigs, even left on trays when I order room service in hotels. I DO listen to everything I get, but I'm pretty selective about what I want to work on, and lately only work on a couple projects a year cuz they take so darn long!

[ButchVig]

My third and I swear it's my final question is...do you feel that the majors and management groups might benefit from trying to redefine what A&R departments should be doing in order to find new talent in an online media driven music business? Is there room for significant change here in order to find the next truly great music?[/QUOTE]

The music business is going through some significant changes at the moment, and no one is quite what the new business model will be. The digital revolution has opened doors for artists, engineers and producers, and the labels (big and small) are struggling to play catch up with all the new media. When there is a "down" cycle in the music biz, that's usually a time for healthy growth, as the labels and management will be looking for artists that have a new fresh sound.

There IS great music out there now...but there are SO many bands, the trick is to find the ones that are the real deal!

[herecomesyourman]

Butch thank you for being so considerate to come back and post individual replies, I'm assuming you have a really busy schedule, so it really means a lot to me.

I'm starting a band, and going on the other side of the glass this year after years of engineering...this has been a real inspiration to keep momentum up!

[ButchVig]

Originally Posted by herecomesyourman

Butch thank you for being so considerate to come back and post individual replies, I'm assuming you have a really busy schedule, so it really means a lot to me.

I'm starting a band, and going on the other side of the glass this year after years of engineering...this has been a real inspiration to keep momentum up!

Cool! Good luck, and remember to have fun with it!