R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

                                    

You'd think offering up a review would be simple wouldn't you?  You come across some awesome music, contact artist or band behind awesome music and offer them a review, they respond by saying Great, thanks, what do you need" or even "Thanks but no thanks"  Only it rarely works out like that much to my frustration. 

Music Reviews haven't changed much since I first started out, there's just more people doing it due to social media and many people charge for that service now.  But I'm not one of those people, I do it for Free because I believe in supporting artists/bands & good music. It all started out as part of my Column at the Watford Observer, where individuals & record companies would get in touch and send in their latest music offerings for review consideration, I also peruse social media looking for something special. Having a credible review that hasn't been written by your Mum or your best mate can make people sit up and take notice and it only takes one right person to take notice for an opportunity to come along, all I ask is to be shown a little respect, not too much to ask surely? 

I'm often asked why I don't review more Rap/Hip-Hop artists seeing as that's my first love, well sadly because I've found it to be  the worst genre to deal with. The majority of the time my review offer is met  with things such as: "Yo, I'm busy, back atcha soon"  Followed six weeks later by "Yo, so about the review?"  My response  "Yo, too late"

But other genres don't fair much better either, I have promises of info being sent over the next day only to show up three weeks later, or worse still, not at all.  And when I ask about a bands name I end up being sent what feels like a  fictional novel: " We were Mice that died but have been reincarnated as humans so we can come back and take revenge for being kept in labs"  yadda, yadda.... really?  it's not only naff, bands and artists were coming up with such drivel in the 70's, it was naff then too, but it was just part of the music scene back then, back then being the operative word, it's 2018 don't do it. 

Don't even get me started on ego and attitude, I wrote a review for one American female artist who was releasing a single, she was bowled over by the review, I continued supporting  her music by sharing and clicking on her posts, and then she contacted me about the second single. I explained that after the first artist/band single  review I only do E,P or album  reviews but would still be happy to share the track on social media with a quote etc. I was shocked to receive a very  angry, rude email response followed by  them unfollowing my page. I actually felt sad for them because while they were clearly very talented  they really aren't going to get far with such a poor unprofessional attitude.

         

So if you make Music & you expect people to take you seriously then act professionally, even if you have to blag it, God knows I've done it,  we all have to start somewhere but showing a bit of respect and professionalism when someone is trying to help you costs nada.

Many moons ago when I was starting out ...yes, that far back, I was sat chatting to Paul Weller  & Mick Talbot post Style Council gig, when Paul suddenly asked what I'd thought of the Gig?  I was thinking, yeah right, here I am in the presence of a music god and his asking  ME what I think? He obviously read my facial expression & finding it amusing continued  "No I'm serious, it's always great to have feedback, how would you review the gig, I really want to know, was it okay? " And I realised in that moment he was dead serious  so  while my stomach did somersaults and my legs felt like they were paddling away under the surface like a duck , I took the  opportunity and ran with it.  

I switched my fan girl head off and my review head on and taking a deep breath started by suggesting he lose the sound guy because the balance throughout had been erratic and pretty dreadful and had  often drowned out the vocals. I told him whatever he did, to hold on to the 17 yr old drummer Steve White because he was absolutely  phenomenal for one so young and that the gig as a whole had been excellent because as with most of Wellers gigs they always smacked of credibility and you felt the blood, sweat and tears of his performance.  He laughingly agreed about the sound engineer and thanked me for my honesty and we continued chatting. I didn't expect for one minute  someone of  Wellers magnitude to give me the time of day, but there was no ego, in his presence I was  an equal and he treated me as such and that's what I've continued to do throughout my life, regardless of who I'm dealing with, be it a signed artist/band or Unsigned, I treat everyone with the same respect and as I want  to be treated.  

On the flipside,  I've been blessed to review some brilliant bands and artists who are easy and awesome to work with and who are going to go far because not only do they have talent they have a great attitude too.Talking of which I had an awesome E.P & lovely little thank you note drop through the letterbox from Amy & the Calamities  this week Re her review earlier in the year. 

Plus a Hollywood Rock bands E.P showed up in my inbox the other day  and while I was really excited that they'd got in touch, I still always go through management  if artists/bands have one, just  to save any troubles and again it's  a respect thing and the right thing to do. But when dealing with overseas artists/bands It can be really  hard to gauge how well known they are  and I may well be  too small fry for  their management to agree to them being reviewed by moi. But good news, I've been granted a review with the band and  hope to share it with you shortly. So to end, the moral of the story is quite a simple one,  when somebody is trying to help you don't be an arse.😂 Keep on keepin'on. Back before Elvis.