the dead record

Getting signed.  Probably one of the most sought after achievements in the music industry.  Every artist wants it to happen whether they admit it or not.  However, the roles of labels have been changing rapidly over the last decade and for many bands getting a record deal is not what they think it is or indeed all it’s cracked up to be. Since the demise in physical record sales the power shift between major labels and independents has started to change.

We spoke with Syd Emery; label manager of ‘Lockjaw Records’ one of the finest indie labels currently operating in the UK, with the hope of shedding some light on what exactly it means to get signed, and what the future holds for labels.

Dead Record: Tell us how you got involved with Lockjaw.

Syd: I came into the label by accident to be honest as, Jim (label founder) was on tour and needed someone to come in and do some artwork then is all kind of went from there really!

I have a huge passion for music and I really believe this comes out in how hard I work for all the bands. I’ve always liked the label and owned a lot of the older catalogue from my teen years, its pretty good thinking about it now that I’m the label manager!

Dead Record: What do you look for in any bands you want to sign?

Syd: A whole range of different things really, I like a band with massive balls! Especially bands that have played loads of shows and have something exciting about them. There is so much half-decent music about in the UK it is hard sometimes to find something a cut above the average, but I think I do a damn good job! You don’t have to be doing something radical that’s going to change the face of music, but just make sure you aren’t trying to sound like someone else, coz most likely you aren’t going to sound like them and it’s just going to sound a bit shite.

Dead Record: A lot of acts will sit and wait for labels to come to them or waste time sending hundreds of demos out to all kinds of labels, what advice could you give to any bands desperately looking to get signed?

Syd: Well I personally don’t really have the time to actively seek out new bands, I get bombarded with so many myspace messages/comments/emails friend requests sometimes I will check out bands like that, but the best bet is always to send in a physical copy with a short bio, maybe a photograph and info on what shows played, what goals you have etc…

Don’t send just a CD without a case with a torn off piece of paper in an envelope, that shows complete lack of interest or creativity and just shows you don’t really give a shit.

Much of the time these find themselves straight in the bin. Also don’t go too far the other way, sending out a 16 page full colour book with each band member’s favourite Tesco sandwich, eye colour and pet hates in a sexual partner… I want a short sharp introduction, pleasant to look at, some contact details and the important bit, good fucking music!

Try presenting the CD in a different way, hand draw stuff, make it more personal, make it stand out.

Dead Record: Many new bands are still convinced that getting signed will be the solution to all their problems as a group.  What exactly will artists get or benefit from getting signed with a label like Lockjaw, and also what kind of problems will they still have?

Syd: It’s not the solution to all problems, it’s a massive help though. When I consider how much work I do for a band, it would be more difficult for them to achieve anywhere near as much without us at the label. If they did I think they would have to be working like 23 hours a day!

I guess the main problem is that some bands think getting signed is all they have to do, after that they can sit back and relax and the gig offers and cash will roll in. To be honest in my opinion once you are on a label you have to work harder if anything, the bands that work with me and speak to me regularly and update me/email me/text me always do better and get more shows because as well as me working hard in line with that they are out there booking shows, talking to people online, keeping up their online presence, and generally reminding people they exist and are great!

Dead Record: Have you found it difficult to adapt with the recession and the changing face of the music industry?  What things have changed the most with the label?

Syd: Yeah I guess so, things like Zavvi going down is a shame as they used to really push our stuff on their  shelves and the demise of many independent stores as well as HMV’s constant slimming down of their CD sections doesn’t help. But I keep expanding the label into new areas and download sales improve all the time. I mean it’s not my cup of tea, give me a record or a CD with nice artwork that I can pick up and hold over an mp3 any day, but it’s still great that people are buying music in whatever form.

Dead Record: As the music industry continues to move more into new media do you still see a future for indy and major labels?

Syd: Definitely yeah, I mean just because its new media doesn’t mean this new media won’t need labels. I admit it’s going to be challenging and perhaps there will be some tricky adjustments to how we work and how bands make their money. But I’m up for the challenge…we’re going to have to be, haven’t really got a choice in the matter!

Dead Record: As an independent do you think the industry is in a better or worse state than it was a decade ago?

Syd: Well a decade ago I was 13, going to shows that were full with like 400 people every week and spending all my money on music. And that was just here in Worcester which isn’t a big place I guess there is just shy of 100,000 people so those were some impressive times. You look at shows now and it’s hard to get the kids out of their chairs and go to shows. The annoying thing is how much music shapes their identity and behaviour but try and get them to spend any money on a CD or go actually see a band and the idea is apparently ridiculous.

Dead Record: What bands are you listening to right now? And any tips for 2010?

Syd: A Wilhelm Scream – Career Suicide, tip-top album…Tips for 2010 hmmm, I think is it too early to say. I think it was more obvious last year with which bands were going to get massive like Gaslight Anthem and bands like them just kind of exploded and you could see it coming.  Right now I’m just not sure… as for Lockjaw bands; all of them are going to massive in 2010. Obviously.

Keep up to date with all of the new Lockjaw signings and releases at http://www.lockjawrecords.co.uk/