536 Highbrow
George Strand is a little worried.
It's not because the recording results are not good, on the contrary, it's because the recording results are so good. Renly completed the recording of sixteen songs one after another, and each one is so wonderful that people can't put it down and can't let go. In George's opinion, , "Don Quixote" is likely to surpass Norah Jones's debut album "Go Away" and become the best album of the 21st century..
But such an album means there is no market.
Back then, after Norah Jones completed the recording of "Go Away", she was full of expectations, but almost no distribution company was willing to take over this hot potato. Almost no one was optimistic about the market sales prospects of this album. It took nearly a year to go around. , was finally jointly released by two independent record companies and finally listed on the market.
However, the sales volume of "Go Far Away" was abysmal, and it was only circulated among senior professional music lovers. This also corresponded to the previous speculations of industry insiders..
Later, Grammy's discerning eye not only awarded Nora eight trophies, tying Michael Jackson's single-term awards record, but also won four major comprehensive awards, sweeping the army..
Originally, "Go Away" was the album with the lowest sales among the nominees for the four major Grammy awards; but after the awards ceremony, the Grammy effect took full effect, doubling the album's cumulative sales in just one week. times - in other words, the number of albums sold in one week is equal to the sales in the past ten months.
After that, over time, "Go Away" gradually became one of the best albums in the United States since the 21st century, with total sales exceeding 8 million copies, and it is also one of the highest-selling albums..
It was still 2002, and only a few years had passed since the last boom of the music market in the 1990s. It was already so difficult even then, let alone now in 2011. Not every album can replicate the "Go Away" style. It’s a miracle, and not every outstanding album can be recognized by Grammy.
Being high-minded and reticent is a big problem in any era, especially in the Internet age where fast food culture is popular. The excellence of "Don Quixote" is also a fatal fetter..
Although it is cruel, ridiculous, and absurd, this is the fact. What sells well is not necessarily the best; and the best does not necessarily sell well. The market is changing and becoming more and more entertaining. Becoming more and more popular, becoming more and more simple and crude.
During the past period of time, George has been proactively contacting major record companies, including the five major record companies, as well as independent record companies. He has contacted seventeen record companies in succession, expanding his network to the extreme. But gained little.
Even the small record companies in the UK that dare to produce avant-garde and experimental music need to reconsider it - after all, their distribution channels are effective, and cost recovery is naturally more difficult. Compared with albums produced in the United States, They are more willing to support artists from local underground music backgrounds.
“"Fast and Furious 5" was a hit at the box office. George originally dismissed it, but his mind turned quickly, hoping to seize this opportunity and find a suitable partner for "Don Quixote". The result was still It is not satisfactory. In the final analysis, Renly still has an unstable foundation. Now it is prosperous and lively, but in fact it is just a layer of bubbles..
Abraham-Grey was George's first contact and his last hope..
Abraham works for Atlantic Records. He started out as an album producer, and then gradually transformed into a production director. Now he is in charge of the record department. He can be said to be the leader who controls the overall style direction of Atlantic Records and the tone of the album..
When it comes to Atlantic Records, I'm afraid everyone in the industry knows that it was this company that promoted the rise of rhythm and blues; it was the same company that signed Aretha-Franklin, which not only created The greatest soul diva in the American music market, and brought soul music into the golden age; it was this company that signed Led-Zeppelin, and is considered an important cornerstone of the rock era..
Although Atlantic Records was acquired by Warner Records, Warners still maintained their independent creativity. Compared with other record companies, Atlantic Records, as a top record company, has always maintained a high degree of enthusiasm for independent music and artistic creation, which is really commendable. In the 21st century, Bruno Mars is an artist created by Atlantic Records. Of course, there is also Ed Sheeran, whom George introduced before..
Before Ed, Abraham signed the contract quickly and easily. The next week, Ed's first single will be released in the UK. Atlantic Records still hopes to see the market's reaction before deciding on the album's release time..
Ed's music style combines pop, folk, soul, hip-hop and other different styles. It is not the mainstream style in the current market, but overall it is more in line with the taste of contemporary young people, and the market prospect is relatively bright; but Renly's This album is eccentric and unique. Its unique style is almost perfect in that it avoids all the key factors of market popularity and pursues breakthroughs in music and art wholeheartedly..
This is even more willful than "Go Away". There were fourteen songs in the album, and Nora only participated in the production of three of them. The artistic tone of the album was jointly produced by Jessie-Harris and several others. There are two producers under the control. But in "Don Quixote", Renly completed almost all artistic creations by himself..
For such an album, anyone would sweat their palms. In the current market environment, it is almost a surefire project. Even if it is a bonus from a top star like "Johnny Depp", it may not be effective. , let alone a small character like Renly Hall.？
Abraham is no exception. He can sign Ed Sheeran, but he cannot sign Renly Hall, even if it is just a "Don Quixote"”.
When George came to him before, he mentioned the songs "Cleopatra" and "Ophelia", and then mentioned this album. Abraham conducted some market research and research, and went back and forth. I listened carefully to Renly's three singles that have been released so far, but after all, they still lack the courage to make a final sound..
After listening to it live in the recording studio today, on the one hand, I sighed even more, sighing at Renly's understanding and interpretation of music. This is a talent, a talent that others only dream of. On the other hand, I felt even more regretful. Abraham is better than anyone else. Everyone knows more clearly that such an album is bound to have a hard time in the market, and over the years, the Grammys have gradually begun to compromise with the market, and it is difficult to find the courage to award "Go Away" ten years ago. This road has also been blocked.
While sighing, Abraham said that he was a willful young man and could only reluctantly refuse. Deep in his heart, he regretted it more than anyone else. He also understood George's ambitions and ideals. The more he did this, the more regretful he became, but The rejection becomes more and more determined. Because this is a dream that is destined to be impossible to realize..
Although the reality is cruel, it cannot be denied.
“It is not difficult to make a commercial album; but it is not easy to make an art album. Everyone can make a commercial album, but not an art album." There was a sound in their ears, and both Abraham and George raised their heads, He looked over following the voice, and then the two people exchanged glances. Abraham noticed the confusion in George's eyes, and obviously didn't understand what was going on..
Roy felt the gazes of the two people, stabilized himself for a moment, sorted out the thoughts in his mind, and then continued, "Indeed, in the current market environment, making an art album is like making an art movie. Likewise, this is bound to cost money. For businessmen, no one is willing to lose money, and no one will do it knowing that they will lose money; but for artists, they cannot give up the pursuit of art..”
“The reason is very simple. If no one makes art, then no one will continue to do it in the future; if there is no pursuit and persistence of art, then all movies in the future may become "Transformers", and all music will also be It has become an electronic drumbeat." Roy's words were fast-paced, but his ideas were very clear, like a machine gun, fast and accurate, and the amount of information poured out in a swarm, "It's not that 'Transformers' is not good, nor is it that electronic dance music is not good. Well, actually, I like 'Transformers' very much, and I'm really looking forward to its release next week. But when the whole market is filled with works like this, it's a disaster..”
“What we need to encourage is not artistic creation that goes further and further off the beaten track, nor artistic research that abandons commercial considerations, but a market where a hundred flowers bloom. So, everyone is making commercial albums, but who will do the artistic albums? ? Those record labels that truly have a long-term vision and truly have artistic value.”
At this point, Roy didn't continue talking, his eyes fell on Abraham, and the subtext was: Yes, it's you, it's your record company..
Abraham was stunned for a while. He really didn't answer Roy's sputtering words. After finally waiting for a break, his smile couldn't help but rise..
Everyone understands the truth, but reality doesn’t work like this. Atlantic Records can take risks, but not gamble. Ed Sheeran is a risk, and Renly Hall is a gamble. The balance between art and business, Everyone is pursuing it, but not everyone has the confidence, capital, courage, and ability to do it. Not even the Oscars and Grammys can do it, let alone Atlantic Records.？
Abraham opened his mouth, organized his words, and prepared to have a good discussion with Roy: It's not that he doesn't want to, but that he can't..
But before he could speak, someone next to him interrupted again, "I think this is a very interesting album, but I don't know if Renly is interested in letting our studio release it.？”
Not Abraham, not George, but the person sitting at the end of the sofa, the person who didn't speak from the beginning to the end and was almost ignored..
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