The Business

[djui5]

Kevin,
I was curious if you could talk a little about the business side of things relating the production and recording/mixing gigs. Client management, session management, how long have you had a manager?, what did you do before having a manager?, any advice for up and comers? Any other tips and thoughts about the business not gear related?

Sorry if this is too broad a question.

[Kevin Killen]

Clearly the business is undergoing such fundemental changes right now, so it is hard to give very specific advice.

When I started out I was staff at a number of studios, learning from the house & visiting engineers / producers. I did not have a manager until advised to do so by Peter Gabriel, after completing "So". ( I think he said," You are going to need a manger after this record comes out kev") That was in 1986 and I have had only two mangers in that time. Keryn Kaplan @ Mambo and now Paul Dalen @ Reverse Thread. Pre management , most of my work was assigned to me by the studio manager or by just establishing a close relationship with an artist, writer, producer.

There is no question that it helps to have mangement, but in my experince having a manager does not necessarily get you work. They can certainly negotiate more effectively on your behalf and follow up when snags occur. Lets face it, it is very hard to ask for top dollar yourself and because most mangers charge a 15-20% commission of your fee, then that should be incentive enough for them to be engaged.

In terms of finding a manger, its hard. Most want to take on a person with a proven track record and when you are starting off that is not always the case. Look within your own circle of friends and associates and see if there is somebody who is willing and has the ethical and moral standing to act on your behalf. If they behave badly, then it reflects on you , so choose wisely.

When I first came to NY I interviewed with a number of high progfile mangers, they all turned me down. Its all about timing and personal connections.

Good luck with your search.

kev

[djui5]

Thanks

[MHB850]

Hi Kev,

Your answer hit it on the nail. Management has to work for you, not the other way around.

I love the depth you get on your records and how natural it feels.

big fan,
michael brauer

[Kevin Killen]

No Problem

kk

[Sqye]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for sharing so openly about your experiences in the industry.

I think every aspiring engineer, producer and even artist, etc.
should read your simple, yet in many ways, comprehensive response.

So simple and straight forward.

I think many people miss the basic gist of this -
being in the right place at the right time,
IS the job, or, for all intents and purposes, the career.

Again, thank you for your generosity.

[Kevin Killen]

Sqye,

I agree totally !

Rock On

Kevin