Hello there, I am a US pop/rock producer, currently in New Zealand working with an artist on some pre-production before returning to home. I have listened to a fair amount of NZ music in the last couple of years and can say, that whilst I belive the artists have written some good songs, often the mixing/production seems to have let them down.
When I produce a band or an artist, I am ALWAYS mindful of serving my customer - i.e. the record company! With that in mind, I am aware that there is an expectation that what I produce is commercially viable (i.e. moves products off shelves and thus, makes money).
I have to pose a question to NZ producers then.....what does production mean to you, and who is your customer? From what I have seen, there seems to be a fair bit of a "less is more" approach to alot of mixes I have heard from NZ, not to mention some songs that just don't have the "hook"!!
With the talent I have spotted in NZ, I think it only fair to offer these artists and their record companies quality mixes - sometimes more is more remember, and comments from within the circles in Los Angeles resonate the same tune when talking about NZ artists......."great tune, pity about that jangly guitar bit....".
If you want to be international, BE international. And before I get shot down in flames from all you "...we just want to be true to the music" types, realise that you can only make money from "being true to your customer".
Hello there, I am a US pop/rock producer, currently in New Zealand working with an artist on some pre-production before returning to home. I have listened to a fair amount of NZ music in the last couple of years and can say, that whilst I belive the artists have written some good songs, often the mixing/production seems to have let them down.
When I produce a band or an artist, I am ALWAYS mindful of serving my customer - i.e. the record company! With that in mind, I am aware that there is an expectation that what I produce is commercially viable (i.e. moves products off shelves and thus, makes money).
I have to pose a question to NZ producers then.....what does production mean to you, and who is your customer? From what I have seen, there seems to be a fair bit of a "less is more" approach to alot of mixes I have heard from NZ, not to mention some songs that just don't have the "hook"!!
With the talent I have spotted in NZ, I think it only fair to offer these artists and their record companies quality mixes - sometimes more is more remember, and comments from within the circles in Los Angeles resonate the same tune when talking about NZ artists......."great tune, pity about that jangly guitar bit....".
If you want to be international, BE international. And before I get shot down in flames from all you "...we just want to be true to the music" types, realise that you can only make money from "being true to your customer".
Regards
Peter Collins