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Improvijazzation Nation - Issue # 59
INTERVIEW with promoter Ann Braithwaite, of B&K Communications
Zzaj: You've been doing promotion for bands for a LONG time, in my memory, anyway...
is there more to it than "just the money"? If so, what?
Ann: I do this work because I love great music and want to help spread the
gospel of great music. I kind of see myself as a matchmaker between the artist and
the public via the press. Brian Coleman, who works with me, does this work
for the same reason. I dont think anyone gets into music PR for the money
- I could make at least three-times more if I went into
another type of PR, but then Id be bored. Ive been doing this for 15
years I was working at a non-profit arts organization and wanted to be able to help
artists more directly, so I quit my job and started the business.
Zzaj: Do YOU play a musical instrument? If so, what; & did that
contribute (in any way) to your deciding to be a promoter? If NOT, how are you able
to "judge" whether a band will be successful (based on your promotion)?
Ann: I grew up playing a bit of piano and then a lot of clarinet. Classical. I
havent been playing a lot lately, though Im dying to get back into it and play
klezmer, one of my favorite kinds of music at least in the hands of someone like
David Krakauer or Naftules Dream.
When I was in high school most of my friends were in the jazz band and wed sneak
into clubs like the Jazz Showcase in Chicago to hear folks play. The pinnacle
listening experience during that time was going to hear Sun Ra in a club in Philly
we were on a band trip and snuck out after curfew to go hear him. WOW! That
opened my eyes and ears a lot. We dont pick bands to work with on the basis of
their being successful we choose our clients based on the fact that we love their
music. We actually turn a lot of people down because we dont feel we can do
their music justice. I wouldnt send you a CD I didnt personally feel
strongly about, because thats a waste of everyones time.
The clients who become most successful get out and tour, and if theyre just starting
out they tour like a rock band meaning they get in their cars and drive to the gigs
and play anywhere they can to play for lots of people. That helps to translate into
more CD sales, helps to give the press a reason to write about them, etc. Thats
what Medeski, Martin and Wood did when they first started out and it really has worked.
Zzaj: Have you promoted any "home-produced" bands? Or are they
all pretty much "studio"?
Ann: Weve worked with a range of music, from garage recordings to big-budget studio
recordings. These days some very talented artists are putting out their own music
for example, theres a guy named Dave Storrs out in Oregon whos doing
some great music on his Louie Records label. Its as low budget as you can get,
but its the greatest music. Weve consulted with him on which media to
send CDs to and so forth.
Zzaj: Are there different "levels" to your promotion campaigns? What
do you offer a group/artist as part of the promotion package?
Ann: We offer everything from consulting - if an artist doesnt mind
doing a lot of the follow-up work, we can help with the press release, the list of
press to whom they should send the CD, etc. and then guide them as they try to get reviews
and features to full-scale PR campaigns for a CD, tour support, and so forth.
If we have the time and we really love the music, we generally can work something
out.
Zzaj: Has the Internet changed the way you do promotion(s) for bands/artists?
For better or worse?
Ann: I think the internet has been a terrific resource for artists. There are
lots of great publications online only (such as yours) and we "talk" to a lot of
people via email.
Though I do miss the phone the other day I decided to call everyone I needed to
reach instead of email them and it was refreshing to say hi to so many of my old friends
in the media. Emails a bit less personal. But I think its a lot
easier for many journalists to have us email them we dont bother them on
deadline and they can just click and respond. So its a mixed blessing.
Zzaj: Why should a band hire a promoter? Can't they just promote themselves on
the Internet? What makes B&K services something a band or artist can't do without?
Ann: If someone has the time and inclination, they can do a pretty good job of
promoting themselves.
That said, if theyre unknown, we help cut through the clutter because an editor or
writer knows that if a CD comes from us itll be of the highest quality. We
also have developed a lot of contacts over our 15-years and have a pretty good idea of who
will like what. We have a huge list of freelancers who write for magazines and
newspapers, too and thats something you cant
come up with overnight.
Zzaj: Have any of the bands you've promoted gone on to "star-dumb"? Or
were they already famous?
Ann: We worked with Medeski, Martin & Wood when they were completely
unknown and were able to really help them get great press right off the bat for their
first CD. They then got signed to Gramavision, which told us they signed the band in
part because of the strength of the reviews. But they did their work too they
toured a lot and the internet really helped spread the
word. John Medeskis one of the great musicians of all time and Im very
glad to see how successful theyve gotten.
Weve also worked with groups who were already pretty well known The Heath
Brothers, Karrin Allyson, Benny Golson, Billy Taylor and we do US PR for the
Montreal Jazz Festival, which in my opinion is the worlds greatest jazz festival.
Zzaj: After doing promotions for so long, are you burned out on music?
Ann: No way I love great music. Of course when my 2-year-old son wants
to hear "Baby Beluga" by Raffi for the umpteenth time I cringe, but when he
requests Ron Miles in the car or "trumpet" which means Satoko Fujii &
Natsuki Tamuras great duo CD "Clouds" I know were going in the right
direction. He pretends to play "trumpet" like Natsuki too, so hopefully were
developing another set of wide ears here.
Zzaj: What would an artist/band/group have to do to get you to promote them? Any
specific genres you prefer, and have you ever "turned down" someone who wanted
you to promote them?
Ann: We need to get a press kit and CD in order for us to consider promoting a band.
As I said before, we turn down people all the time because we dont feel were
a good fit for their music. I personally love many types of great music we
specialize in jazz, avant jazz, klezmer, world music and just plain interesting music.
We currently work with everyone from the great
Swedish bassist Jonas Hellborg to Ben Perowski to vocalist Judi Silvano to the Willem
Breuker Kollektief. Also a great singer/songwriter out of DC-area Mary Ann Redmond.
Zzaj: Since the focus of our 'zine is "indie", or
"home-producers", what words of wisdom do you have for those just getting
involved in music?
Ann: Make music YOU love; dont worry about the marketplace. Just follow
you heart and follow your dreams. That may sound corny, but you can hear true
passion in music.
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