Marketing a new artists! Speaking with Chris Blackwell from Island Records.

Chris Blackwell is the founder of Island Records and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in music-industry history. From relatively humble beginnings in an office in Jamaica, Blackwell grew Island into an international force, finally selling the label to A&M records in 1989. Along the way, Blackwell and Island were responsible for changing the face of pop music repeatedly. Bob Marley was an Island discovery, and the label was the driver of reggae’s rise to a global cultural phenomenon. The label was also home to U2 from 1980-1997, and shepherded them from their Dublin pub beginnings to the apex of their stardom. Under Blackwell’s long tenure, Island became known as a haven for creative and quirky artists, releasing landmark albums from artists as diverse as Traffic, Tom Waits, Fairport Convention, Robert Palmer, The Pogues, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Anthrax.

His philosophy for making it in todays music business is to take your time! New Artists today have to believe in the slow burn. If things aren't taking off quickly for you, don't give up. Keep it all going. Norah Jones was an artists that took the slow burn route. She released her cds without any major advertising and no major maketing money. But developed her career by fan base and got her music out there by digital download and playing.

Record labels and the industry at large today is returning to the practice of letting new artists have time to develop. They need to be better trained vocalists than in years past with something to say. Plus todays market is what they call "singles driven" . Today's music consumer has become digital and the effect of that mentality on record companies is catestrophic. They have been forced into an adjusted position. Although you need to release a physical hard case for your music for expanded numbers, digital should be your first and primary concern.

These are important things to know if you are an new artist. But the positive side is that it is possible to be independant and sell lots of records. So keep going and remember the "Slow Burn" theory. If Norah Jones can win a grammy, so can you!

Jacqueline Jax