“Why Jumping Up and Down Is Important”

“Why Jumping Up and Down Is Important”


A few months ago, I found myself standing, beer in hand, in the middle of an ecstatic audience, cheering wildly at the performance of Japanese rock band, Electric Eel Shock. Not an unusual occurrence in the big scheme of things but the guy next to me was shouting even more loudly and jumping up and down – again not an unusual occurrence - except that he is the boss of a big music company.

The unusual part is because I can’t honestly remember the last time I stood next to the boss of any music company at a gig let alone one showing such unbridled enthusiasm for the show.

Why is this so important then?

It’s important because I believe that people involved in music should be, first and foremost, interested in and knowledgeable about music. They can be hard-nosed businessmen or spin obsessed PR people but above all they must love music and respect the creativity of the artists.

It is important because there have been times when it is, quite frankly, very difficult to persuade myself that the music business is worth bothering with, times when ‘the business’ overrides ‘the music’, times when the artist is shown so little consideration I find it embarrassing to be involved at all.

It is also important because I firmly believe that this could be the most exciting period for music since records began, if we stop hanging on to the past and let the future begin.

Now that may seem contradictory when I started this piece with a longing glance over my shoulder at the past, but surely the most effective way to move on is to make some careful value judgements about what to retain and what to leave behind – just like moving house?

Whenever I am asked what is the most useful attribute for success in music my answer is always the same – enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for the process of making music and enthusiasm for the people making music – it was in short supply for a while but I think it may be making a big comeback!

As a producer I want always to find ways to enthuse the artists I work with – I want the best environment for them, I want to surround them with excellent musicians and great facilities, but nothing can replace the obvious validation that artists receive from their fans. I have seen this from a very privileged position on many occasions, when they come out of the studio, when they come out of a concert and more recently when they meet those people who have shown advanced faith in them by buying parts.

I am a major fan of all but a couple of the artists I have worked with (they know who they are and it was as much my fault as theirs!) - I really want them to succeed and every knock they take I feel almost as much as they do. I grew up in this industry amongst others who felt the same, A&R people, Marketing Managers, PR, Artist Managers, all understanding that the focus of attention was the music and the artist.

Let us not forget that it is what has brought us all here.

© Tony Platt 2008