Got the X factor ?

Just when I gave up hope that no one would be getting back to me I open up Hotmail and see "RE: Ants friend here" and faith is once again restored.
Yesterday I tried to contact Radio 1 DJ,Huw Stevens through myspace as his introduction paragraph came across that he was quite approachable and communicated frequently with fans, but still no joy.
Feeling that this years X factor was one of the best so far with a plethora of talented acts and drama that provided A LOT of "water cooler" moments, I felt that maybe someone in connection with this would be ideal to speak to. Over Christmas a friend came up to me to tell me some X factor gossip (knowing that I would be the only one that would apprechiate it) including the Diana Vickers and Eggnog romance (Diana crying asking if she could cancel a booked performance to go and see Eoghans final performance oo), the judges personalities and general artist behavior. After enlightening me he let me know his younger cousin was working on the show. The next week he tells me that he isn't just working on the show but managing three of the acts. Then fast forward to now I e-mailed him a few question and hey presto.... reply.
He manages Diana Vickers, Ruth Lorenzo and Rachel Hylton, and I think he may have actually hit Gold with little Miss 'Claw' Vickers, despite not really singing her praises during the live shows, she obviously has something new and interesting to bring to the table.
I havent really spoken to a manager so wasn't too aware of what their roles were accept to "manage" them obviously.
Not really thinking about the duties of a manager it comes across that Sam really cares about his acts and has their best interest at heart, which is refreshing because from most interviews it seems that managers are all about the "business", which I guess is smart. But at 19/20 years old I would be shocked if he was heartless!

Sam also shared the opinion much like David Doherty that it was no harder to succeed in this climate, but that careers will last longer.
He was aware of technology and illustrated that he was aware where it could go or how it could be used. An interesting view he had was that the physical CD would soon die out, not just because of the economic climate but the increase in technology. I really don't feel that this will be the case maybe I'm one of the few people who likes the CD in the physical sense and still is curious to see what in an album sleeve and see the album art and random thank you messages.





anddddddd apparently Danni Minogue is as cold and unapproachable as she seems ! ha

I can make you a star

The more I read about the music industry the more I'm learning. I didn't know the extent of the money that is pumped into the business, who would have thought that from just over running in a live performance could cost thousands of pounds. George Michael ended up paying through the nose (which I'm sure was probably just petty cash to him) £130 000 for overrunning at Wembley stadium he was fined £10 000 for every minute he went over. And there's me thinking library fines were steep !!
Currently riffling through 'the band's guide to getting a record deal' and it is enlightening me yet again. Maybe I am naive but I never realised that a CD costs 30p to make....don't really blame people for jumping on the old download bandwagon now!
Typed up my face to face interview with David Doherty who used to be in quite a successful band and has now swapped shouting and warming up crowds to become a TA. And after typing up all 2997 words and 5 pages worth of it I listened to his answers all about the music industry I realised that I was really in the dark about it all. There I am thinking a band have to send all the companies demos and occasionally they approach them at live shows, and a man appears out of the shadows with a briefcase of money, a cigar in mouth and eyes covered by shades with the classic line, I can make you a star kid stick with me! ....I think I exaggerated that a bit. But I now learnt that it seems more Chinese whispers than career spying and planned scouting,and from then he explained how you essentially are just a product. I didn't realise how much the artists work can change just because it might not be commercially viable. From talking to David it seems that maybe to suceed in the commercial music market today you have to compromise your integrity. I did hear that initially Keane were a screaming rockband I wonder if Boyzone were ever tempted to go down that route instead of being Louis Walsh's little polished puppets.....

On the Hunt for a famous Kiwi

2009 is here and the workload is vast approaching, as I sit here and occasionally leave the house to visit the gym and friends I realise I am currently living the calm before the storm.
My nails are quite short now as I gnaw at them waiting for Julia who is the big cheese at Radio Detante apparently, who was given to me by a friend who I randomly used to bump into at concerts. Thank you Josh !
Premen was another one I am waiting a reply of all this networking is quite exciting especially when I read that he has worked with Lily Allen, Bloc Party and Mystery Jets etc, the people I really want to talk to.
Another interview has been secured with the shop keeper of Sound Knowledge that organises all the local gigs and promotions. ALSO the shop has been mentioned in MOJO...
And now as the date gets closer and closer (APRIL THE 23RD!!!!!!) I e-mail one of the agents of my heroes... the one....the only... Mr Zane Lowe asking for an interview...... so until next time I will e-mailing more and more people and waiting and waiting for replies yess and nos.

Dictaphones are very very very expensive ...£60