Unsigned Artists - Buzz Item: What A&R People Look for in an Artist

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What A&R People Look for in an Artist

Added by: Resources at Unsigned Artists on Nov 30, 2007 | 2 comments, 444 views.

Tags: a&r, interscope, debbie southwood smith, record labels

| Rating: 6 |

A former VP of A&R at Interscope, Debbie Southwood Smith has signed such high profile acts as Queens of the Stone Age and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. In this interview with Unsigned Artists, Debbie explains what she looks for in an artist and what artists should do to get noticed by labels.

Videos

Comments (2)

Rob 007 - December 2, 2007 at 03:04 PM

Debbie's words are comforting. I have put a lot of time and effort into shows, recording, and press and it is slowly coming to fruition. I do believe the "X" factor is essentail. Cultivating the "X" factor, coming closer to the "X" factor, then expressing that on stage and in every performance, on every studio recording is key. It's almost as if you have to look form the outside in to undestand how you are conveying this factor to others. I think as Debbie said, the artist must know how to wear all of the hats and should know most of the ins and outs of the industry. This lets the A&R person actually have a marketable product (if the artist did there job) to work with. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom Debbie! Rob Owen-singer/songwriter www.robowenmusic.com www.myspace.com/robowenmusic

Niaya - January 7, 2008 at 09:01 AM

I think that this was a very nice blurb to add to this site because almost everyone on this site is looking to get sined so i personaly think that this was one of the best parts of my day i always wanted to know something like this.

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