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It’s probably a good idea to not act like you’re flossin’ until you have gold or platinum records on your wall, considering the folks who do have them worked hard to get 'em.

WHEELS & DEALS RATES
EAST VS. WEST

It’s a Matter of Style and Substance
in the Coastal A&R Wars
On a recent visit to the Big Apple, one senior A&R vet who was formerly West Coast-based commented to us on the differences he'd observed between scouts in L.A. and N.Y. And we’re talking about the down-and-dirty reps who are out on the street. Said exec shared that N.Y. scouts in his opinion appeared to be hustling to more shows every night and acquiring better info than their West Coast counterparts. Of course, we don’t think anyone should generalize, and N.Y. clubs are much easier to shuttle back and forth to. But there could be some truth to his observation. Moreover, a recurring comment that we heard from a number of N.Y. label execs was the annoying arrogance and unwarranted egos they encountered from a few young scouts who think they’re big shots, but with no track records. It’s probably a good idea to not act like you’re flossin’ until you have gold or platinum records on your wall, considering the folks who do have them worked hard to get 'em. Lastly, as we walked out of one N.Y. A&R dept., we overheard a conversation from one aspiring weasel asking another—who is Ahmet Ertegun? Obviously, we were shocked. Now, it would have been more shocking if we were at Atlantic, but we weren’t (Craig and Jason: your guys are off the hook). Either way, we were surprised, which leaves us to say one last thing while we’re on our soap box and it’s to all the young A&R hitters out there—do some homework and learn some music biz history. You’re the future, and we’re counting on you. So read some of the essentials like Hit Men, The Last Mogul, The Operator, Exploding, Howling at the Moon and, of course, the industry textbook All You Need To Know About the Music Business by heavyweight legal eagle Don Passman. (Don, our invoice is in the mail). And you may want to check out that UCLA Extension Music Biz class that HITS’ fearless leader Lenny Beer teaches with manager Jeff Jampol and Universal Music Publishing’s Tom Sturges. We hear it’s also a good pick-up spot…

BACK TO THE NEWS: Seems like Montreal continues to spur some buzz talent. Word on the street is that several label folks from NYC were flying to Canada to catch Priestess’ gig last weekend. Seems like their little SXSW buzz is starting to gain some traction. Expect A&R hitters to be at their upcoming NYC gig (see Buzz/Gigs)… We hear U.K. label Lizard King (label home to The Killers over there) is in deep talks with Warner Music U.K. for worldwide distribution arrangements… Teen singer/songwriter Trevor Hall is signing with Thom Panunzio and Evan Peters at Geffen Records… Kudos to Virgin’s David Wolter and wife Eileen on the birth of their baby boy, Luke Phillip… Congrats to Grace Marketing’s Greg Hammer and wife Tamara on the birth of their baby girl ,Olivia SybilBUZZIN’: Radiohead, Quench and HensleyHit me up: [email protected]

BUZZ GIGS:

PRIESTESS Tues., May 10 Mercury Lounge
TBD N.Y.

BRETT HELLINGS Mon., May 16 Roxy
TBD LA.

NEW YEAR’S DAY Fri., May 20 Chain Reaction
TBD Anaheim, CA

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