Re: [microsound] is the problem distributors... or record stores?

[Jeremy Tolsma <ccws@xxxxxxxx>]

> your argument is that your favorite record store doesn't carry those
> titles.  you put the blame on distributors, & i would think that they
> are rarely to blame for actually carrying obscure product (they are
> sometimes to blame for other things, namely payment & such, but that's
> another story).  record stores _can_ & _should_ order from these
> independent distributors, but they often don't for various reasons, most
> of which are not valid.
>

ok fine, replace 'distributors' with 'stores'.  Seeing as some stores
operate as distributors its not that meaningful of a distinction.

> if you're a label, in order for your product to get distributed through
> these channels, you do require a certain amount of "hype" ~ but this can
> be achieved through a number of means.  obviously, having "big name"
> artists (& they don't have to be very big) is always a good incentive.
> wanna start your own label?  get taylor deupree or (hah) kid 606 to
> contribute something to a compilation, or even better, make a complete
> album, & there you go.

yeah I thought of that before, instead of sinking money into my own work I
could sink that money into someone else's release who people already take
seriously.  Not something I would want to do, though.

 >references also help; get a kind word from
> someone relatively influential, & that's your way in (or at least that's
> a very good start).

thats nothing new, shmoozing can move mountains, if you're good at it.  Most
microsounders must not be, though!

> > represented.)  then guy replied with the most intelligent answer anyone
> could have thought up: "i just read the wire, & all these magazines.  i
> know he's big in his own field, so i buy his records."  & they sell.
>

great point!  In fact I was going to mention that nearly every other
publication that caters to this type of music seems to wait for the
proclamations from the mound (Wire) before forming their own opinions or
writing anything about anything.  Kind of like how all the mainstream
newspapers wait to see what the New York Times is running on the front page
before putting their headlines together.

> this post is dragging on & on (if only to mirror my current drunkenness)
> so here's the shocker: like good indie distributors, good record stores
> exist, but sometimes they have to be coaxed into carrying what you want
> them to.  here's a hint: when you order stuff that they don't have, be
> sure to tell them a little more about what it is.

yeah or whats even worse is when they send out an email newsletter telling
you they have something in stock and then you walk in and ask for it and
they say they don't have that, without even looking it up.  Then I have to
say but I read it in your damn newsletter!  And then they sheepishly end up
finding it...

  >
> as a closing parenthesis: funny you mention kid 606, but i don't think
> he makes "massive promotional campaigns" to sell his records.  the
> reason why he is so well known is because in the last 3 years he has
> participated to _tons_ of projects, compilations, remixes, etc.  for all
> i'm concerned his sheer enthusiasm & visibility is what got him where he
> is.  & as the capitalist adage goes, the more you have, the more you
> gain, & it's the same for eyeballs: it builds up.  that path may not be
> feasible or practical for everyone, but it's not completely unfair.

I certainly didnt mean to suggest that Kid 606 was on some kind of schlocky
self-promotion campaign along the lines of mp3 wunderkids Trance Control or
Ghost in the Machine (though he might be for all I know).  I think the Wire
syndrome we discussed may have something to do with names becoming
ubiquitous over-night.  I would venture to guess that most of the
complations and remixes he participates in occur in a post-Wire-mention
environment.   I think the most striking point I've gleaned from this
exchange (and thanks for writing so much!), is that the machinations for
success in the underground are only slightly less organized than the
machinations for success in the mainstream and are far more similar than
they are dissimilar.  I suppose its a good thing I'm not in retail.  My
common sense and desire to take risks in the name of progression are at
odds.