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FAVOURITIZM:
LIVING ON THE FRONTLINE…
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Artists, DJ’s, label managers, promoters… colleagues! What would ever be our daily environment without the essential contribution of the PRing peeps, establishing the link between from one to another? We thought it was greatly time to pay our tribute to UK-based Sarah Foote of Favouritizm who, not only contributes to spread the good word but also writes it on all senses of the term while both running her own label and droppin’ editorials here or there when not (also) droppin’ beats behind the decks…
Hey sweetest. Glad havin’ you on board. Judging by the numerous hats you wear, we may say you’re quite an activist. Where did you get this from?
Bonjour Mon Ami! I have been fascinated with youth and music culture from a very young age. Great Britain has given birth to so much diverse, creative and inspiring talent especially through the late 70’s and 80’s which made quite an impression on the young me. Since those days I’ve had a massive love affair with music and graphic design. In particular the graphic language associated with musical trends and the youth market that surrounded it, working as an art editor at New Musical Express, designing Mixmag back in the day, to numerous record covers et all. Couple that with many years of performing and writing in pop and indie bands, being entertained at something like 2000 + concerts and festivals, cutting my teeth on house music whilst living in the hedonist days of Manchester, I have been immersed in some very exciting times in our musical culture. Where the drive comes from to continuously diversify I can’t really say, it has just been a natural progression which is a joy as much as it is a pain in the arse… take risks, get your fingers burnt and reap the benefits! If you fall on your backside, there is always a good yarn to spin at the pub!
It looks like this is quite a British speciality, remembering Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson who also happened to do reviews back in the beginning of the nineties… Would you tend to see this as a natural extension of that famous British DIY spirit or rather as the sign of the current times havin’ us in the obligation to diversify our activities to makes ourselves a living?
Yes, us Brits are very DiY, but everyone has their passion and if you can actually make a living from following that then you are very lucky.
For me the music comes first, then the challenge of creating or spreading the word on something great that others will enjoy, writing about music is as much of a joy as it is playing it or designing for it. Times have dramatically changed in the music industry for better and worse and I believe the more you are prepared to put in and diversify your activities the more satisfaction you will gain and success will potentially come. And in some cases where it doesn't work out, at least you've enjoyed and learned in the process. Today is a very productive time, we see DJ's who were just DJ's becoming producers, Producers who were just Producers becoming DJ's, becoming club promoters, record label bosses, radio show hosts and journalists, etc etc. Everyone has to work that bit harder these days in order to gain profile and have that bite of the cherry. For one, labels aren’t interested in lazy bands who expect to be spoonfed after a mere signing a contract, its time to get up and gig and be seen and heard!
Since I hung up my crayons and launched Favouritizm, I have journied from the decks, to launching club nights, radio shows, a DJ agency, a record label and a press and radio publicity company… It has been a busy few years, but all of the above go hand in hand and it has been an absolute joy to work with many wonderful artists and DJ’s.. I crack the auntie Fav’ whip and make them do their homework on time! Hahaha…
The environment has drastically changed over the last years with the progressive dematerialization of music and press although to a relatively lesser extend. How has the arrival of the Digital affected the way you work?The arrival of digital download has actually forced the industry to rethink hard on a business level. For the DJ/consumer, the mp3 age is a very good thing, as much as it is good for labels to be able to release tracks more frequently and make deleted back catalogue available too. Also artists can now sell then music directly through digital download. A whole new and exciting online culture has started to build around download portals from radio shows, reviews, forums, communities and DJ charts all easily accessible. When I went to purchase my vinylS from 'Rocket Ron's Record Shop' (lol) back in the day, there was none of this instantly available to us apart from the shop top 10 sellers, the occasional major radio show, a printed magazine once a month and the polite natter over a Panda Pops with fellow DJ's... Now we have chat room natters.. Lol!
However, although up against free download pirates, I believe there is scope for mp3’s to be sold at a greater price. When investing thousands of Pounds on developing an artist album and singles, labels are losing out hard and fast with the small retail prices being one of the contributing factors, leaving investments on this level becoming unfeasible and in many cases forcing labels to close.
As a publicist, the quality of music I work with remains outstanding, but alas some of the more underground labels and artists now struggle to justify paying out for luxuries such radio and press publicity, leaving them in a catch 22 situation, needing the promotion but having to adopt the roles of pluggers themselves in order to achieve some sort of level public awareness around their releases.
Refering back to the comments above, everyone has to do a little more these days to stay in the game. I'm constantly looking at ways to provide affordable services on many levels that clients will benefit and achieve the best results from. Favouritizm used to just provide press publicity, now it provides radio and tastemaker plugging, online viral campaigns, right through to sponsorship too. In an unsettled climate you have to be more creative and flexible with regards to clients needs, otherwise you can kiss your business goodbye!
With regards to digital publications, because of my background, I'm still fighting the corner of the printed magazine, something you can pick up and read, tear pictures of your idols and clients out and throw darts at them etc hahahaha! But there are some really great digital publications online now, just as creative and informative and I embrace that. Anyone can set up a webspace or blog and spread the word about our scene, as a result we have some really creative and popular sites coming through.
Many printed music publications have also been forced to look at new ways to develop on a business level too, baring in mind the costs of producing and distributing a printed magazine, advertising revenue income is not quite as fruitful as it used to be with labels and clubs working with tighter marketing budgets. In addition some magazine sales are falling due to the availability of so many online magazines and the demand for that format. As a result many now have brilliant digital sister publications available online to embrace the demand in that market. Saying goodbye to the printed music magazine in time is something I actually speculated in my dissertation back at University many many years ago… I hope it doesn't become a reality… There is room and argument for both formats I believe.
NYC based DJ/producer Ruben Mancias of the Devotion fame recently admitted the fact that new music made nowadays available to everyone as promo via mp3 has had effects on the position of the DJ’s as prescriptors. One comment?
Yes, more people are receiving the music and supporting it, but not necessarily paying for it… :( STOP SHARING!)
Meanwhile I would say, as an observer, that this has also made the things a bit harder for us on our will/worry to cover the whole at the appropriate time. In other words, I would be tempted to say we’re a bit in the middle of an anarchic situation. Your reaction?
The biggest fear for most is change… Some find it hard to adapt, Early adopters will lead the way, others will follow, then others will put a spin on the whole thing and turn it upside down again... We are in changing times, they might be a bit uncertain, but it ain’t over yet til the fat lady sings… But she has to jump through quite a few hoops right now.
Wearing various hats should then give you quite a clearer view as to the changes that need to be operated in order for our community to improve its visibility and therefore expand its impact to a wider audience… Which ones should we start with according to you? What’s currently missing?
My main request is for major radio stations to support our scene... Occasionally a track creeps in to the major playlists these days, but over the years we have seen decline in support for soulful house music, with specialist shows being dropped from our major stations in favour of more R&B content etc. I still can't fathom this out, when the music from the scene is constantly around us and a huge part of our culture, you can hear it in major clothing retail stores, even Top Shop, Bars, Restaurants, clubs, it is everywhere! Embrace it… Please!
Miami seems like attracting even more people from a year to another as the famous Southport Weekender due to take place later on this Spring, with our music remaining in the shadow as opposed to hip hop, R&B, not to mention rock. Quite ironical isn’t it ?
Musical trends come and go, but still remain a constant to many... Lets just say every dog will have its day, AGAIN! I remain optimistic!
Miami WMC is a great opportunity to catch a large percentage of amazing talent from around the world, but then again, so is Southport Weekender - you won’t find another event in the UK quite like it, and the fact that it continues to sell out months in advance of the event is testament to it's ever increasing popularity. Check it out southportweekender.co.uk, tickets are on sale for November already! :)
What to expect from you labelwise this year, on the heels of the Super-Phonics single you’ve released almost 8 months ago already?
Doesn't time fly!.. Well the truth is, I've been too busy pushing everyone else's music in recent months, but fear not... More goodies soon come, when I eventually prize that Bah Samba bloke out of the pub! If anyone has music they'd like to submit, I'll gladly consider, but it has to be extra special to make the Favouritizm label ;) Info@favouritizm.com (MFSB)
(Sarah) Where’s the bit where I get to plug the current tunes I’m promoting? Haha here goes then..Coming to a download store and record shop near you.. Check these babies out!
Ralf Gum – Uniting Music Album – GoGo Music, Quentin Harris – Mix The Vibe Timless Re:Collection – King Street, Tone Control – Illusion (featuring The Rurals & Pablo Martinez Remixes) – Tone Control Music , Dario D’Attis featuring Kaysee – He Loves Me – MAP Dance, Toni Granello featuring Linda Lee Hopkins – Lift Him Up (featuring Muthafunkaz Remixes) - MAP Dance, Darryl D’Bonneau – Revenge (Scott Wozniak Remixes) - Jellybean Soul, Ruben Mancias featuring Wunmi - Let It Rain (Ko Ma Ro) - Devotion, Layers Of Sound featuring The Demetrios Project – Feel Alive – Layers Of Sound Recordings, Jay Sean - Maybe (featuring Soulchannel Remixes) - 2point9/jayded...
Thanks for letting me have a rant! :)
WE LOVE HOUSE Fri. 03/28 featuring Victor Simonelli, AFTC, Groove Junkies, DJ Meme, DJ Spen, Rocco, Morten Trust, Srarh Foote, COJ Louke, Mr Mike, Dario D’Attis, Miles Numan, Chilly and Marc Marshall + Linda Lee Hopkins and Brian Lucas (Live P.A.’s) @ THE ASTOR: 965 Washington Ave. – MIAMI BEACH, Fl
Time: 4pm – 11pm
INDAMIXWORLDWIDE.COM: Only the best, No time for the rest!
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