Dom Alessio: ‘Spam Doesn’t Win Friends’

Set to host Vivid Live's Feedback music conference, triple j's Home & Hosed host Dom Alessio believed that less is more when it comes to emerging artists and industry professionals.

In the lead up to the event, which is being run by MusicNSW's youth arm Indent, the radio host told theMusic.com.au that some of the biggest mistakes young music industry professionals make is trying to rush the industry and force things upon people.

“The music industry as a whole is very competitive – there are a lot of people who want to work in music and only a few jobs – so you've just got to work really, really hard,” he said. “Being discerning also helps. If you want to be a manager, manage a quality act that you believe in, not just the first band that asks you. If you're going to be a writer, edit the shit out of your work until you're 100 percent happy with it and it stands up to the quality of other works that are being published. If you're in a band, don't spam. Spam doesn't win friends.”

He added, “From the outside 'the industry' looks like this giant, amorphous, impenetrable entity, and people think if they write the wrong words in an email or wear the wrong jeans then their songs won't get played on radio or blogs won't write about them. That's not the case at all. If you've got some killer tunes people will want to work with you. Just be polite and don't spam people, that would be in my Music Industry 101 guidebook.”

Another guest of the day, Greg Carey of Umbrella Artist Management (The Rubens, Cloud Control, Urthboy), told theMusic that often bands spend too much money, early on, in ways they shouldn't be.

“That is just an education thing,” he said.

“I've known bands who have spent $10,000 on album PR campaigns but don't have the fans, momentum and projected cash flow to justify the spend. Sure, you have to invest in promoting yourself but there are other more effective and cheaper ways to do this. I'd be putting that $10k into other areas like touring, professional development, recording gear, better equipment etc.”

He added, “I think young bands need to write 100 songs and practice the art form, more then worrying about getting a Q&A on a blog or street press. Good songs will find fans, industry and people wanting to work with you.”

Alessio added that bands can over-think their early stages.

“I think plans are great, but unless you have a great song then the best plan in the world won't matter. Especially as a young band your focus should be on writing amazing tunes and honing your skills as a performing act. Instead of calling it a plan though, I think it's a good idea for a band to have a sense of who they are and what they want to do. But, honestly, if you've got incredible songs then people will take notice.:

Presented by theMusic.com.au, Feedback will take place Monday 10 June from 9.30am – 5pm at the Museum Of Contemporary Arts, Sydney. Tickets are just $20 plus booking fee.

The first announcement of speakers was here and the second here. Stick to theMusic for more industry insights in the lead-up.