Frank Giaramita
10/02/05, 12:21 PM
Thanks to Timmy for taking the time out to answer these for me.
Frank: Based on your own experiences, define the term "New Media".
Timmy: The term "New Media" was really unheard of a few years ago. I'm often asked "what I do" and when I answer "New Media" the person doesn't know what to say. The internet really is the "new media" (everything from digital music, to Purevolume, to Myspace, and so on). The internet has become an essential part of any label, so I feel there will be many more labels putting an emphasis on "New Media" if they haven't already. It's basically the online side of marketing.
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Frank: What does a normal day at the Vagrant office usually consist of for you?
Timmy: I work out of our New York office and usually arrive at 9:30. After consuming one bag of Combos and a Red Bull I start the task of going through the emails that have accumulated from the evening before. Before you know it our Los Angeles office is coming in around 10:30 and the day really starts. The first person I talk to every day out there is the head of marketing who I work most closely with on a daily basis. We go over any loose ends that may not have been tied up the day before and go over any ideas or plans for some of our upcoming releases such as ecards, contests, etc... As the day goes on, the phone rings and you get pulled away from you're working on. I usually spend the rest of my day completing anything that comes up and before I leave around 6:30 I wrap up everything so I'm ready for the next days events.
-----
Frank: How big of a role does the internet play in the marketing of an artist?
Timmy: The internet is playing a bigger role than it ever has in the marketing of an artist. Personally, I think it plays the most important role. The internet is all "real time". You can post something on absolutepunk.net for example and in seconds get reactions from fans all over the world. It's important to do print ads as well but by the time a print ad runs, a posting you would have made on a music site would have made much more of an impact.
-----
Frank: What experience/education/internships are needed to become a successful in the field of work you're involved in?
Timmy: Get your hands dirty. I began doing interviews and reviews for a website called Skapunkandotherjunk.com. I'm not sure if it still exists. As time goes on you get to know bands, managers, publicists, agents, etc... After a stint as SPAOJ I then started writing reviews and doing interviews for Punkbands.com. I had a great time doing it and just happened to run into Rich Egan (Vagrant owner) while interviewing Alkaline Trio at the Trocadero in Philadelphia. When Vagrant had an opening in the online department I was emailed by Rich and the rest is history. I was out in California hanging out without a job so I jumped at the opportunity to come in for an interview. With no money left to afford a plane trip home to New Jersey, I put all my money together and took a cross country train back home. On the way home I got a call from Vagrant offering me the job. Once I arrived home, I packed my belongings and the rest is history.
Moral of the story... Work hard, network, and don't stop even if things don't happen your way at first.
-----
Frank: As far as the music industry goes, if it came down to one or the other, would you favor a person who was solid in college and received a degree, or someone who has interned places and learned hands-on?
Timmy: You can have a Bachelor's Degree in Publicity, Music, Management, etc... When it comes down to it that means nothing. I have an Associates Degree in Communications from a community college. That didn't get me the gig with Vagrant. Practical knowledge, hard work, and smarts are the key. That's not to say that college isn't important, but it's not what will get you in the door.
-----
Frank: How do you feel about the birth of programs like iTunes, and what's your take on labels wanting to raise the prices of each $.99 song?
Timmy: I enjoy iTunes. I still think people want to get the actual physical product. At least I do. If labels raise the prices from .99 cents I think it will have a negative effect. It all goes back to people wanting to go out to their local indie record store or store in general to have the physical product. It may turn out to be a negative for these services but will in turn be a positive for indie record stores and the like.
-----
Frank: How do you feel about downloading programs like Kazaa and mIrc? Do you think it hurts the record industry or helps it?
Timmy: I've been a past user of Kazaa and it really has turned me onto new music. I wasn't one to download an entire album before it came out and not buy it. I would download a song or two of a band I wasn't familiar with and in most cases go buy the record if I like it. I think it's impossible to stop it from happening and labels are just doing their best to adapt to it. In the past we have been very liberal with our music but are finding ways to be more productive with the protection of our records and when they get into the public domain. Myspace.com has been a great way to get our music out there without it getting into the wrong hands. Music will also always get out there before it's supposed to, but if you minimize the leaking I think it'll show positive effects.
The thing I wish that could be gotten rid of is the people that use these file sharing services and brag about it. "I just downloaded the new Coheed record and I'm not going to buy it." Those same people consider themselves fans of bands. The class of some music fans has just gone down hill but there's really nothing you can do about it.
-----
Frank: Based on your personal experiences, what are some of the biggest tips you could give to an up and coming artist, to avoid the scams and shams of the business?
Timmy: Be smart, if it doesn't feel right don't do it, don't jump into anything. Take a step back and think about the good and bads of the situation. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
-----
Frank:Any last words, advice, jokes, thank you's, shout outs, etc?
Timmy: I think people should check out a few records.The Blackout Pact "Hello Sailor", Every Time I Die "Gutter Phenomenon", Against Me "Searching For A Former Clarity", The BLED "Found In The Flood". Thanks for the questions and good luck to anyone who is trying to pursue a career in the music industry. It can be a lot of fun but tons of hard work at the same time.
Frank: Based on your own experiences, define the term "New Media".
Timmy: The term "New Media" was really unheard of a few years ago. I'm often asked "what I do" and when I answer "New Media" the person doesn't know what to say. The internet really is the "new media" (everything from digital music, to Purevolume, to Myspace, and so on). The internet has become an essential part of any label, so I feel there will be many more labels putting an emphasis on "New Media" if they haven't already. It's basically the online side of marketing.
-----
Frank: What does a normal day at the Vagrant office usually consist of for you?
Timmy: I work out of our New York office and usually arrive at 9:30. After consuming one bag of Combos and a Red Bull I start the task of going through the emails that have accumulated from the evening before. Before you know it our Los Angeles office is coming in around 10:30 and the day really starts. The first person I talk to every day out there is the head of marketing who I work most closely with on a daily basis. We go over any loose ends that may not have been tied up the day before and go over any ideas or plans for some of our upcoming releases such as ecards, contests, etc... As the day goes on, the phone rings and you get pulled away from you're working on. I usually spend the rest of my day completing anything that comes up and before I leave around 6:30 I wrap up everything so I'm ready for the next days events.
-----
Frank: How big of a role does the internet play in the marketing of an artist?
Timmy: The internet is playing a bigger role than it ever has in the marketing of an artist. Personally, I think it plays the most important role. The internet is all "real time". You can post something on absolutepunk.net for example and in seconds get reactions from fans all over the world. It's important to do print ads as well but by the time a print ad runs, a posting you would have made on a music site would have made much more of an impact.
-----
Frank: What experience/education/internships are needed to become a successful in the field of work you're involved in?
Timmy: Get your hands dirty. I began doing interviews and reviews for a website called Skapunkandotherjunk.com. I'm not sure if it still exists. As time goes on you get to know bands, managers, publicists, agents, etc... After a stint as SPAOJ I then started writing reviews and doing interviews for Punkbands.com. I had a great time doing it and just happened to run into Rich Egan (Vagrant owner) while interviewing Alkaline Trio at the Trocadero in Philadelphia. When Vagrant had an opening in the online department I was emailed by Rich and the rest is history. I was out in California hanging out without a job so I jumped at the opportunity to come in for an interview. With no money left to afford a plane trip home to New Jersey, I put all my money together and took a cross country train back home. On the way home I got a call from Vagrant offering me the job. Once I arrived home, I packed my belongings and the rest is history.
Moral of the story... Work hard, network, and don't stop even if things don't happen your way at first.
-----
Frank: As far as the music industry goes, if it came down to one or the other, would you favor a person who was solid in college and received a degree, or someone who has interned places and learned hands-on?
Timmy: You can have a Bachelor's Degree in Publicity, Music, Management, etc... When it comes down to it that means nothing. I have an Associates Degree in Communications from a community college. That didn't get me the gig with Vagrant. Practical knowledge, hard work, and smarts are the key. That's not to say that college isn't important, but it's not what will get you in the door.
-----
Frank: How do you feel about the birth of programs like iTunes, and what's your take on labels wanting to raise the prices of each $.99 song?
Timmy: I enjoy iTunes. I still think people want to get the actual physical product. At least I do. If labels raise the prices from .99 cents I think it will have a negative effect. It all goes back to people wanting to go out to their local indie record store or store in general to have the physical product. It may turn out to be a negative for these services but will in turn be a positive for indie record stores and the like.
-----
Frank: How do you feel about downloading programs like Kazaa and mIrc? Do you think it hurts the record industry or helps it?
Timmy: I've been a past user of Kazaa and it really has turned me onto new music. I wasn't one to download an entire album before it came out and not buy it. I would download a song or two of a band I wasn't familiar with and in most cases go buy the record if I like it. I think it's impossible to stop it from happening and labels are just doing their best to adapt to it. In the past we have been very liberal with our music but are finding ways to be more productive with the protection of our records and when they get into the public domain. Myspace.com has been a great way to get our music out there without it getting into the wrong hands. Music will also always get out there before it's supposed to, but if you minimize the leaking I think it'll show positive effects.
The thing I wish that could be gotten rid of is the people that use these file sharing services and brag about it. "I just downloaded the new Coheed record and I'm not going to buy it." Those same people consider themselves fans of bands. The class of some music fans has just gone down hill but there's really nothing you can do about it.
-----
Frank: Based on your personal experiences, what are some of the biggest tips you could give to an up and coming artist, to avoid the scams and shams of the business?
Timmy: Be smart, if it doesn't feel right don't do it, don't jump into anything. Take a step back and think about the good and bads of the situation. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
-----
Frank:Any last words, advice, jokes, thank you's, shout outs, etc?
Timmy: I think people should check out a few records.The Blackout Pact "Hello Sailor", Every Time I Die "Gutter Phenomenon", Against Me "Searching For A Former Clarity", The BLED "Found In The Flood". Thanks for the questions and good luck to anyone who is trying to pursue a career in the music industry. It can be a lot of fun but tons of hard work at the same time.