What value does a Music Agent bring to the client transaction? There was a time in recent years when the News Anchor's role was considered dead. And yet like them Music Agencies can and do play a valuable & similar role: making meaningful the abundance of data today with its ubiquitous distribution through the internet. Read this interesting interview with CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley whose show's ratings are increasing. I have substituted words to draw a parallel with the music profession.

"….never in human history has so much information [music] been available to so many people, but unfortunately that also means that never in human history has so much bad information [music] been available to so many people."

"I read an article in the NY Times with interviews with editors from various news [music] websites, and one of those editors said the metabolism of the news [music] cycle now is such that they don't always have time to check everything before they put it out. Well, that is the end of journalism [the music agency] (and) is antithetical to everything we stand for. The other model is called gossip. And journalism [the music agent] was invented to be an antidote to gossip."

Read the whole article: http://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/TV-Broadcast-news-is-alive-and-well-says-CBS-5288945.php#photo-5969686

Should I have music at my event and if so what kind?

Explore our relationship with sound in general including music and its effect on our mood and even our health in this fascinating TED Talk by Julian Treasure, ex drummer from the 1980's British art rock band The Transmitters. 

"Music is the most powerful sound there is for two reasons: we recognize it fast and we make quick powerful associations with it as well."  When you plan your event it can be said that what is happening sonically is the defining of a Brand unique to the client company or featured personalities. Thus music choices need to contain these features to have maximum impact: 1) congruence with the visual communication, props & decor; 2) making the music appropriate to the situation, event space, # of guests, etc. ; 3) making the music valuable rather than undistinguished (louder is not better); 4) testing the choice in the sense of being aware of who is listening and an anticipated response. 

Julian Treasure, TED Talk:

https://new.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_the_4_ways_sound_affects_us

Holophonic Sound is recordings of sounds the human ear hears in an environment either in nature or in a concert hall. These have been recreated in its original 4 Dimensions: 3 for location and 1 for time. Using this new technology one experiences seeing in space what they hear in time!

"In the movie Star Wars, Luke Skywalker's adventure begins when a beam of light shoots out of the robot Artoo Detoo and projects a miniature three-dimensional image of Princess Leia. Luke watches spellbound as the ghostly sculpture of light begs for someone named Obi-wan Kenobi to come to her assistance. The image is a hologram, a three-dimensional picture made with the aid of a laser." Michael Talbot: The  Holographic Universe.

Argentinian physiologist Hugo Zuccarelli recently developed a new recording technique that allows one to create what amounts to holograms made out of sound instead of light.

http://www.acousticintegrity.com/acousticintegrity/Hugo_Zuccarelli.html

test post on GIFs:

Superbowl Sunday, Nat'l Anthem. Compare singers; choose a trophy winner?

For this song the performer must bring a style and voice quality befitting the nature of the occasion, typically one on a grand scale and an approach reflecting the purpose of the song itself that being a representation of our nation. The instrumental and choral accompaniment is also an area for originality. Below are three different singers from sports dates now past. Absent the visuals which is your favorite sound? My choice remains a secret but the last note of the song should give it away.

#1-https://soundcloud.com/user2025252/alicia-keys

#2-https://soundcloud.com/user2025252/whitney-huston

#3-https://soundcloud.com/user2025252/rene-fleming

Music + Picture+ Words

A single Picture is worth a thousand Word's. The same can be said visa versa. And while Music has the power to convey the meanings held within both pictures and words, by combining all three one experiences the force of three streams of data entreating the brain simultaneously. It is undeniable that today's multimedia of Motion Pictures as a story telling technology is captivating in ways each of its component parts cannot accomplish separately. The link below provides an earlier version of Movie technology using the "Video Jukebox" . For the Baby Boomers out there seeking historical time travel allow the memories and emotions to uncoil... 

http://www.1959bhsmustangs.com/VideoJukebox.htm#

Repetition in Music: What a drag?

Seems like the nature of some media requires more than a single statement for its meaning to be communicated and fully appreciated. At least in the re-creative ones like musical performance the playing action itself is finite in time, a song lasts 5-10 minutes a concert 60 minutes and is over. Thus the musical experience is only present to the listener while the notes sound. That experience is resurrected only by playing the music all over again--from the beginning. This is unlike the visual arts for example wherein a painting can hang on a wall indefinitely after the first creative act is done. Which BTW is precisely the contribution provided with the invention of the camera. Here one could for the first time freeze in time a scene to be viewed subsequently independent of time of day, lighting, indoors or outdoors, weather, or the presence or absence of viewers at that scene. The experience of music on the other hand is not consumed in a fixed moment but rather occurs over a period of time and when the music is not recorded, enjoyment of sound is hardly dulled but rather enhanced with frequent live performances. This feature unique to music has many examples: 1,255 local performances of Tchaikowski's Nutcraker Ballet by third horn player Brian McCarty (see article below); solo pianist Eric Shifrin presiding in the Fairmont Hotel's Laurel Court for seven years (just laid off), or violinist David Reffkin playing Salon Music throughout the 1980's with his trio in what was then the St Francis Hotel's Compass Rose Room.

How is this different from any other form of mechanized labor say for example working a 'stamping machine' in an athletic shoe factory? Might want to ask the laborers involved about their state of mind at the end of a work shift. While Siddhartha famously said "one can never stand in the same river twice" with music the mental state required provides an opportunity for infinite variety of attention and expression. That's why we pay top dollar for favorite performers who bring a unique interpretation to the very same material. Can't say that about the machine operator or even a traditional Disc Jockey. And this is true for performances of  'carved in stone' classical manuscripts as well as Jazz improvisations using chord charts. "Play it Again Sam" each time can take us on an entirely different journey.

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/garchik/article/Sugarplum-fairy-just-keeps-twirling-5107120.php

Is what you see what you get?

As musicians we are trained differently than other people. Our uniqueness is to make quite detailed distinctions with our ear. This informs our own experience of the world with meaning. And it's brought to us through what is our dominant sense organ: the ear. Turns out however that what we think we hear, its significance and the interpretations we give to it, are often quite distorted by another sense organ: the eye.

The article below explains this phenomenon in more detail. Take just one impression, that of age. In this area many of us musicians might relate to what I'm talking about. However inaccurate, fact is older looking musicians appear to be less capable of fine music making in the market place. As a music booking agent I notice this happening all the time. Add to that, preconceptions about gender. An example of both age and gender is that many dance band leaders today are acutely aware of finding a front singer who is both young and female in order to appeal to a younger demographic making wedding plans. And, key to my comments here is how what we see can actually color what we hear.

As recently as 1980 there were only a few female members of the Munich Philharmonic least of all one who passed the 'blind' trombone audition and turned out to be a woman. Similarly until just a few decades ago the London Philharmonic had no Japanese until one stunned the audition jury with his soulful playing (of Western Music) from 'behind the screen'. While these cases eventually had to be adjudicated in a court of law, sensory displacement is still a problem even today. I often see some performers of my own instrument, the cello, and have to wonder how on earth can they produce the beautiful tone I am hearing while seated in that playing posture which is "all wrong". Glen Gould with his low piano bench is another case in point.

Before you protest, read this short essay: "Listening with Your Eyes: The Lessons of Blink by Malcom Gladwell.

http://www.e-reading.co.uk/chapter.php/85953/44/Gladwell_-_Blink__The_Power_of_Thinking_Without_Thinking.html

Requests for New Year's Eve Entertainment can be challenging. Thats because clients often want to differentiate the experience from what they had the year before or from what everyone else is doing.  Even if they succeed in settling on a unique theme, to then complement that with music often becomes an additional hurdle. Foreign Cinema Restaurant in San Francisco presented these exact conditions this year. Here their very innovative chef Gayle Pirie, no stranger to creating the unexpected palette, chose a Hawaiian theme in winter! Of course she wanted music 'from the islands', all acoustic, of small size and strolling or at least portable no less. The combination of an experienced music agent coupled with flexible and seasoned performers delivered the winning formula. Repeated texts received throughout the evening from the chef herself indicated a thumbs up. 

Good reason not to change the music agent too along with next years event theme!

The State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance conventioneers were thrilled with the entertainment my agency provided this past Sunday, June 23. This after over a dozen suggestions during the planning phase to impress this well travelled group. Its nice to get an e mail from the Planner late in the evening at the nights conclusion: 

"Hi Peter, just wanted to let you know the Doo-Wop singing group did an awesome job!  Everyone just loved them, and very concerned when Bud (staged) his fall with the spoons.  One of our attendees rushed over to him and wanted to help him up, and was super concerned.  Then when he sang and thanked our person, it was a relief for our person.  They just did an outstanding job (as "Singing Waiters").

Same for the Jazz Quartet.  Our group loved them!!!  Both were fantastic and thank you for helping me have a wonderful evening.

Thanks, Laura! 

The performers also went the extra mile recording on site this little refrain:

 "State Farm is There" : https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B50ZYif5F5ZpdWRMNk1qcVFXdXc/edit

Last weekend June 8, the aforementioned 450 person Indian/Scottish wedding my Music Agency helped produce was a smashing success. 

Logistics issues included a building freight elevator that went out the week before the event and gusting winds day of at the San Francisco Metreon's City View, outdoor Terrace. But we made it happen! 

The Scottish and Indian Dancers were captivating and engaged the attention of the assembled guests all armed with their iPhones. And here was a case of being tasked by the clients to find a local band that sounded like an international 'rising star' : Morcheeba. This is the kind of service that only a Music Agent will take the time and quality research to provide. My solution was the enchanting Ms. Scheherazade Stone.

https://vimeo.com/68631540

Use Code Word: song

Entertainment Planning

Planning entertainment for Corporate functions brings into play a different dynamic that for Social functions. The politics for one thing are much harder to understand. June 23 of this year we will provide an entertaining after dinner Show for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. in the Gold Room of the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel.  Planning this event, client considerations included; 1) what was chosen on past occasions; 2) what fit best with the company culture; 3) how dominant and frequent would the entertainment be experienced. In such situations when predictions are anything but certain patient and consistent followup with the client serves to produce the best possible outcome. In this case after half a dozen suggestions with web site samples and a decision making process lasting several weeks it was decided that 'The Singing Waiters' would work best for this company event. 

My agency offers a twist on this typical operatic production. The five performers are disguised as waiters who dabble at table service during the meal only to reveal their true selves around desert time stepping up onto a stage for a rousing vocal harmony Doo-wop styled 45 minute show complete with an acrobatic rap number. Brings the diners to their feet every time. 

The year to date has seen its usual variety of events needing our agency entertainment: some early weddings, one at the new Fairmont Heritage Place in Ghiradelli Square; a few 'wedding proposals' from a new York Planner specializing in staging these surprise moments at unique locations in San Francisco complete with music; Boulevard Restaurant with an exuberant  group of Spanish diners; The Western Athletic Clubs member's socials at a new location in Ross; The Disney Museum with their themed open houses; The Nat'l Parks Conservancy with music at various 'trail heads'; and of course the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel with half a dozen corporate events. 

We will again be supplying an audio Soundscape in June for a local DMC company with inbound bused groups to a private ranch in San Geronimo.  Their theme is 'Cowboy' as expressed through music of all kinds to be played on each bus.  Duck for cover.

Planning weddings with music can be a fun process (for this agent anyway) knowing that in the end sound brings so much pleasure to an occasion like this. Challenges are never in short supply with both wedding and corporate events given unique personal taste (not always discernible), logistical hurdles and the decision making process which depending on the number of participants can be quite unpredictable. Looking forward to the rest of the season with music.

2012 was yet another period for helping people with music and entertainment of many kinds at weddings and corporate events in the Bay Area. Some of the Napa wedding sites get more challenging with each passing year. Due not only to their remoteness but also the unpredictable weather, both the guests and the musicians are never fully sure what to expect once on site. Last minute tenting and protecting onstage music gear from dampness is often of critical importance. During these times working with experienced Wedding Planners who know the site logistics and have the full confidence of their clients makes our job as entertainment providers much easier.

The requirement for site Liability Insurance is an ever present need. Especially in San Francisco Hotels the monetary parameters for coverage continue to be beyond the reach of individual bands and their leaders. My music agency stays abreast of these stipulations though recently at one site asking for $10 mil. coverage I had to draw the line!

Another highlight of 2012 was providing a video 'Soundscape' for Googles December holiday party at the Computer History Museum in Mt. View. Here an entire room was dedicated to a seafood buffet. While 2000 guests enjoyed the seafood they also viewed its origins in unfolding dramatic sea life on a
9 X 12 foot screen accompanied by a engaging contemporary sound track. Heightened sensibilities of taste and sight for sure.

Heres the 'Ocean' Soundscape: 12 min.
https://vimeo.com/52167211

Here's a short video documentary on the site installation itself:
https://vimeo.com/56394621

For 2013, looking forward to finding more interesting Music, Dance Bands and creating custom Soundscapes for the public at large.

A New Year

The year 2011 contained many interesting corporate and wedding events with music and entertainment: Booking highlights include: a few brand new Dance Bands; new String Quartet arrangements in the pop/rock styles; a Gospel Choir; Oracle and Google employee holiday parties. There was the placement of various World Music groups. Pick a country: Mexico, France, Latin America, Hawaii, the American South, etc. . I also provided five custom 'video' Soundscapes for Blue Shield's all day Wellness conference. Another joy was placing a piano and soprano duo performing light opera excerpts in a local San Francisco boutique hotel for half of the year.

Now its on to 2012 and looking forward to more musical challenges...

New Soundscape Video: 'Spring'

May 3, 11:00-12:00 at The Bently Reserve in San Francisco the wedding trade group WIPA hosts a luncheon using my Video Soundscape 'Spring' as an ambient, background experience. It will be shown on a 7 X 10 foot sceen in the main hall. One can preview it here:

http://vimeo.com/22357732

new entertainment

New entertainment service: 'Soundscapes'. In 2010 these have proved quite popular at various events (see "Clients") on the web site below. So much so that we have created an exclusive website for them. A new feature of the service is the video component to complement the custom sound portraits. Soundscapes are rented for installation at corporate and wedding events. We also design them for a custom event theme.

http://www.soundscapeimages.com

September 18-

'The Big Wedding Event' for which I booked a variety of talent at San Francisco City Hall has come and gone. Just for the musical element, this lead time constituted 8 months of planning accumulating hundreds of documents, e mails and files. It was a crowning career achievement for many vendors. The bride is from Thailand, age 30; the groom an investment banker from England, age 60. Both reside in the SF. On the 'day of', the wedding planner had a staff of 16 all sporting head sets, the florist for her installation a staff of 35. I was the music booking agent of record with a second agent in from Los Angeles. One band was "California", the official 9 piece house band for 'American Idol'. The featured Show band was the 6 piece "Village People" with three original members. The ceremony included a 10 piece Brass Choir in the Rotunda's first balcony. The 25 piece Thai orchestra and costumed dancers originally contracted for the event had to be cancelled due to visa issues in that turbulent country. That element was replaced by a Bangkok CD and indigenous furniture! With many challenges met along the way the 'day-of' was actually quite flawless!

September 23 the agency installed a custom Soundscape for an event at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel. This client wanted a sports theme. They had organized an LSU Football Tailgate party for all their university alumni. The audio portrait was a 30 minute loop that included: music, nature sounds; game announcer (snuck in a few audio moments from the recent Saints & 49ers game--which we lost !) . Clients were transported by these sounds to the football experience which, absent visual images, was uniquely stimulating in the way radio can be over television.

Soundscapes

New Product:

This year the music agency has a new 'green' product. We take the sounds from the environment and create sonic portraits 'bringing the outside inside'. The two types of portraits are: 1) Nature Sounds: Birds, the Ocean; Wind/Rain, etc; 2) Urban Sounds: Cable Cars; Streets of San Francisco; Las Vegas Casino; The Circus; etc. .

The sound files are played on concealed speakers in the event space as an ambient sound. The contents of each are 8-25 minutes in a loop of very detailed material: sound effects; music; spoken word. The Sound File can also be exported to an event site anywhere in the world with a web connection.

Examples:

Birds: http://www.rudolfiartists.com/flyermp3/Birds.mp3

Casino: http://www.rudolfiartists.com/flyermp3/Casino.mp3

The concept is catching on with Planners, Site Managers and the clients themselves

for weddings, social, & corporate functions:

March-25-four Soundcapes for a 'Streets of SF' theme at a tented Union Square. (500 people).

April-24-a 'Las Vegas Casino' Soundscape: silent auction at the Fairmont Hotel. (800 people)

April 29-four Soundscapes for Cisco Systems to complement their 'Four Seasons' Theme

at the SF Metreon: spring, Summer, fall, winter. (2000 people)

June 22- A 'Ballpark' Soundscape for the ISES Luncheon at AT&T/Giants Stadium, (pending).

June 8-Nature Soundscapes for Cornerston Sonoma, Open Houses

June 30-Nature Soundscapes for The City Club/SF, Open House.

July 1-'Birds' Soundscape for Kenzo Winery, Open House

July 17- a 'Circus' Soundscape for a company picnic. (150 people)

More examples are on our web site. Additional multi-media Flyers

can be sent. I am creating new sonic portraits with themes all the time.