(Untitled)

[michaelbdavid]

The New York Times ran a report about a week or so ago about DJ managing moguls. It's contention was that with DJ's garnering more attention then some of the attendees at the events, having a manager was almost of a necessity. They interviewed two of New York City's most prominent managers, Rich Kleinman and Damon Degraff, who between them manage

Comments

[beck_hansen]

I read this with a great deal of interest, nostalgia and empathy. I was just about your age when I had to come to terms with these issues and I did not do it nearly so gracefully. Thankfully there were enough factors in place such that things worked out well, but behind it all, my resistance to a lot of it caused a lot of unnecessary grief -- for many other people, but honestly, mainly for myself.

[michaelbdavid]

Through your experiences then, what would you say was the best decision you made as far as propelling yourself in your career. What was the thing that really held it together?

[beck_hansen]

It all came down to my confidence in my own musical ability and vision, and my decision to not let that be compromised even if it meant compromising sometimes in some other ways, financially or whatever else. I often wonder if I could manage today the kind of deal I worked out back then that allowed me to take the path I have. Things have changed a lot since then.

[michaelbdavid]

Financially is where I have always felt comfortable in compromise. I never started doing this with the intention of being rich and famous. I've always just wanted to create my art and share it and if I can make enough to support myself, that was good enough.

In the music business now though, it's often more cut-throat then ever. With record companies looking for new ways to profit off of their artists, cutting a deal takes super star legal backing. By the time you've forked over 20 percent to your manager, another 20 to the lawyer and whatever else the record company takes you better be in it for the art and not the money.

[michaelbdavid]

Hopefully with the band about to tour soon I'll be out in New York sooner rather than later.

[kianmitchum]

I've played guitar for about 6 years now and always love to hear the stories of people's bands and all the hard work leading up to the big moment. When I got to the last line I read it as "fuck someone." And was tempted to ask who?

[michaelbdavid]

I guess we have had a lot of those moments that broke us through to something bigger but I don't think we've had that big break yet, just lots of small but important ones.

It's all work and no play but I put the comma with a space in there now for you.

[amarad]

If I were more social, i'd try to converse with you. ;)