Owner of Indie record label Rat Pak Records, Joe, agreed to answer some questions on the music industry today. Read on, as he has some interesting things to say.

 

Q
Hi Joe, please begin by telling me where are you from?
A
I am from the North East around the Massachusetts / Southern New Hampshire Area.
Q
What was your first introduction into the music business?
A
I was a guitarist for most of my Life until about 5 years ago. Once I realized the magic tour bus wasn’t coming to make me the next Rock icon, I decided to change directions.
Q
How did you make the transition to starting your own record company?
A
About 5 years ago I started booking clubs. I was good at it and started booking bigger and bigger shows. Somewhere along the line I moved into management, but before long I started the label. It all just happened very organically. My formula was to be the guy that was never around in my time. Someone that didn’t lie, steal, use, or exploit bands in the name of money. To be real and true to the movement and work harder than anyone else.  To be the guy that not only talks the talk….but walks the walk.
Q
Which bands are currently signed to Rat Pak Records?
A
Vegas Temper, Pulse 8, Twisted Roots, Hour Past, Q, Mindset X. Also involved in many “side projects” with some local as well as national names.
Q
What are some of the qualities you look for in an artist or a band?
A
Above and beyond the obvious (talent, drive, work ethic) I like to have a personal connection with them. Their music needs to be part of the soundtrack to my daily life. It needs to have meaning to me.
Q
How important is the demo production?
A
I used to not care about the demo quality, but when you get blasted with mailings, emails, press kits, DVD’s every day of your life – it begins to matter.
Q
When you hear a demo that totally grabs you, and you can't get it out of your head, what typically happens next?
A
On the rare occasion something blows my mind, I may try to drop them an email after snooping around their myspace page to see if they are signed or not. From there it all depends on their response to me if I pursue. For some reason, I’ve always had bad luck with a band when I was the one pursuing them. So I usually wait until I am pursued and take it from there.
Q
How do you feel the major record labels have handled the new challenges and opportunities offered by the Internet? How do you expect them to do in future?
A
I think they are all scrambling to figure out what to do most of the time and keep their bank accounts full. Most of them are driven by profit instead of what actually sounds good. I think they run around trying to create new genres, fads, and manipulate the public into thinking that yesterday is dead and here is the  “in product” that represents the youth of America.
Q
Do you think file sharing of copyrighted music helps or hinders?
A
It’s inevitable. It helps and hinders, but if you are smart you can use it to your advantage. Thank goodness people can’t download free merchandise.
Q
Does Rat Pak only sell albums and if so, do you have any plans to sell individual songs?
A
You can buy anything in our catalogue. It’s all on iTunes, Rhapsody, and all the other digital mediums.
Q
Do you see any limit on the number of artists Rat Pak can represent?
A
No. We are growing faster than I could ever have imagined. There is not enough time in a day to get everything done. The future is wide open.
Q
What would be the best advice you could give to an up and coming band?
A
Don’t suck, work hard, believe in yourself, stay the course, put family first (as much as you can), create an online street team, network like a champ, and no matter what happens internally within the band….stay together and remember…..being in a band is like being in  a relationship. All relationships can be disappointing at times, they can also be wonderful, so stay focused and make it work. (If it’s worth it)
Q
I have often thought that if I could change some aspect of the music industry I would broaden the choice of music in commercial radio. What would you do?
A
Take everyone who is in power that is there for a pay check instead of the pursuit of true talent and fire them.
Q
You have your own syndicated internet/FM radio show “The Big Rock Show” and have also interviewed plenty of Metal Gods.  Who was one of your funniest interviewee and what happened?
A
There were some good ones lol. Catching Ronny Munroe from Metal Church in the can while I was interviewing him, Sebastian Bach, going off on a tear about myspace, Justin Pace from the Shannon Cory band talking about anal probes, Adam from Killswitch Engage had me almost peeing my pants at one point. But the best of the best was Acey Slade (Dope/Murderdolls/TLV) talking about the time he “brained” me and a friend at an event. All of this can be heard on an upcoming “best of” show I’ll be doing this fall.
Q
Earlier this month you were in Florida at the Rock Solid Pressure Industry Showcase.  Please tell me what that is all about and your function within it.
A
I was there to be on a panel along with some other important media reps to judge bands and offer advice. This year was my first year. The whole thing was amazing. From the pre party, to the showcase, and everything in between. Not only did I meet more connections than ever before, but I finally realized that the last 5 years of my life….of busting my ass 24/7 – 7 days a week….sacrificing everything…..was worth it.
Q
How important is cross promotion?
A
If you don’t cross promote, your band will never be anything more than local heroes. It is the key.
Q
Joe, for fun…if you had three wishes - what would you wish for?
A
Like everyone else…..happiness, security, and a never ending supply of beer money.

 

To check out more about Joe and Rat Pak Records, visit

http://www.ratpakrecords.com
and

http://www.thebigrockshow.net

 

I would like to thank Joe for this interview.

Keep It Loud!

 

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