Seven days of sound: Being the bad guy

Ever wondered what it'd be like to have to tell someone their hard-crafted brand new tune is a load of old nonsense? Ever had to do this on a regular basis? Re:Connect Records label boss High Eight gives us an insight into what it's like

The "Simon Cowell syndrome" is something that I detest with a passion. I'm a positive person, and live by the motto "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". It's a very hard mantra to live by if you run a label though, as quality has to be at the forefront of your mind when choosing what to put out, what needs tweaking, and what to reject.

It is, however, an important part of the selection progress. Very often producers come to you with half-finished, or 90% complete tracks specifically to get feedback on overall vibe, and to get an opinion before completing the job. Other times people send in tunes that they think are finished, and it's at that point where I feel I need to "stick my oar in" and give them some feedback on sections I feel need re-working or adding to.

Of course, giving feedback is a completely personal thing. Some labels may accept a track in its original form, whereas others may want "a bit more of a hook" or "more bass at 2 mins 34". No matter how often I get involved in this process, it always concerns me that I'm going to be offending people, or generally putting my opinions in where they're not wanted. I'm by no means the definitive expert on what makes a good or bad tune - I just know what I like - and what I want for Re:Connect.

If you're working with new artists, this process can be tricky, but usually producers are quite open to constructive criticism, and will usually get on board. It's easy when you're working with existing artists, sometimes good friends, as you're talking on more of a collaborative level and feedback is often expected.

And then there's the worst part of the job. The bit where you decide a submitted tune is just completely beyond feedback. This is the bit I dislike the most, but it's important to give some sort of response, even if it's a "thanks but no thanks". The bottom line for me when it comes to selecting or rejecting track submissions is essentially me thinking "would I personally pay money for this?" If the answer is a clear "no", then it's time to pull up my trousers to above waist height and get my Cowell head on. And I promise, this'll be my last blog referencing you know who.

Tags: breakbeat, breaks, higheight, reconnectrecords, sevendaysofsound

Comment by KarlSav on March 27, 2009 at 2:15am: Ahhh so the non response to that tune I sent you a while back was the "I hate it so im not going ot say anything to be nice " response :P

Comment by thisisbreaks.com on March 27, 2009 at 8:45am: yes, that must have been my deal too. Mean Neil! ;O)

Comment by High Eight on March 27, 2009 at 10:29am: Haha. Either that or I've just been really busy ;)

I've actually got a load of responses to make and writing this blog has given me the kick up the arse I needed to get it done.

Comment by steelz on March 27, 2009 at 1:09pm: i quite like it the selection emails. what i dont like it having to subject myself to listening to them. the worst is when i get the epic trance anthem or some r&b rubbish. these are the people i normally vent most of my frustration on. normally ending in "and do your f**king research"

other than than if its remotely related and i think its half good ill point them in the direction of labels that are putting out that kinda sound. if the tunes or artists do fit into the "hmmm" catagory then ill try and nurture them. if not for this tune then certainly keep tabs on them like we have with people like mael, prosper, ninelives in the past and people like loop deville, IItone and a few other serccret entity's at the current time. i find this bit the most exciting. using your own knowledge and experience to massage what can be at times a very delicate time for budding producers.

but if its really shit i just give them neils email address tbh