what to do about bands you don't like

[bozmillar]

So now that I'm going to be in a more presentable place, I'm going to start marketing myself to record for people. I have a couple of issues though. I love metal, but I absolutely hate growling. I think mixing a band with growling vocals would be like scraping my fingernails on a chalkboard for $30/hour. What do you guys do to try to discourage bands that you don't want to record?

I just don't see myself actually wanting to take the time to mix a band that I would just hate. Is it just one of those things you have to roll with and try not to think about? Or can you tell bands "I don't want to record you because your music sucks"?

I guess my other option is just to keep my metal recording for my own pleasure and market myself as more of a pop/rock recording studio.

Anyone have any experience with this? and what do you do about it?

[venuestudio]

I mix who I want to mix. That is the nice thing about not relying on recording for a living. I have turned down a ton of business simply because I did not care for the music, had better things to do that day or any number of other reasons. I usually ask for a sample before I start and decide from there.

[newkid]

Originally Posted by bozmillar

So now that I'm going to be in a more presentable place, I'm going to start marketing myself to record for people. I have a couple of issues though. I love metal, but I absolutely hate growling. I think mixing a band with growling vocals would be like scraping my fingernails on a chalkboard for $30/hour. What do you guys do to try to discourage bands that you don't want to record?

I just don't see myself actually wanting to take the time to mix a band that I would just hate. Is it just one of those things you have to roll with and try not to think about? Or can you tell bands "I don't want to record you because your music sucks"?

I guess my other option is just to keep my metal recording for my own pleasure and market myself as more of a pop/rock recording studio.

Anyone have any experience with this? and what do you do about it?

Just tell them they are too good for you and you couldn't do them justice then recommend guy/studio that you don't like to them and talk them up as the best ever and send the growlers on their way.

[boo]

I just tell folks the truth. If I really dislike their style of music, I just say it's not for me, but thanks anyway. It's a two way street, they have to pick me, but I have to pick them too.

[paul999]

I recommend honesty with tact. If I where you I would say that growling vocals are not your specialty and recommend someone who is.

[willjrockstar]

Usually what i like to do is look for the biggest one in the band and just knock the livin shit out of him. Then politely ask if anybody else has a problem.

Alright,alright heres something productive.

1) Charge two or three times as much as you normally do that way if they decide its worth it to them, then it should definately be worth it to you.

2)Look at it as a challenge or learning experience. If the musicianship is poor then you really got yr work cut out for you. If you can bring something good sounding together then you da man.

3)If its the particular style of music that you dont like then maybe bring another player into the game. Somebody that is familiar with the "sound" that yr working with. This way you might only have to hear the tunes half as much as you normally would.It always sucks to turn down business.Especially when its just getting off the ground.

4)Be honest and just say hey "its not my gig" and i dont think i could give you as good a product as somebody who really appreciates yr style of music. People will usually respect an honest answer and thank you for not wasting thier time.

Good luck

[bozmillar]

hey, these are all great responses. I was afraid everyone was going to tell me to learn to deal with it because it's part of the gig.

thanks.

[String7th]

Originally Posted by bozmillar

hey, these are all great responses. I was afraid everyone was going to tell me to learn to deal with it because it's part of the gig.

Well, partially. On one hand it's never a good way to do business to be selective of your customers. But in our industry you have to, at minimum, be able to tolerate the customer's request to be able to create a good product. It's part of the game. I took on 2 rappers thinking I needed to be open to all types of music. It was bad recordings, partially the performer, but also cuz I don;t know what rap vocals are supposed to sound like. I ended up not even charging the 2nd rapper.

You don't have to like it, but you have a choice. Practice to get good at it, or lose that portion of business. I'd suggest take the job, but say you have not yet perfected scream vocals, so if the vocals aren't what they expect, waive those hours on the bill and refer them to a 2nd studio to finish vocals.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by bozmillar

hey, these are all great responses. I was afraid everyone was going to tell me to learn to deal with it because it's part of the gig.

thanks.

Nope! All these responses were great, especially venuestudio's. That's how I look at it.

Mix what you want to mix. I explain to them that I wouldn't do their material justice. Sometimes I'll recommend another studio that "would be a closer fit" to what they're looking for.

Hey, this happens in the major studios too. Chuck Ainlay only takes the projects that he knows he can do some justice with.

[bozmillar]

for now, since I have a job and I'm not relying on this to pay the bills, I don't have to feel any pressure to do bands that I wouldn't have fun doing. I do see the value in getting more variety of experience, but the last thing I'd ever want to do is record some guy vomiting and not get paid for it.