Holger Peterson of Stony Plain Records, ‘Canada’s roots, rock, folk, country, and blues label’ located on the periphery of my hometown Edmonton, gave me a word of advice two years ago. The question I posed to him was, “What’s the best way to tap into an international arena?” It was asked with a greater intent, really. I have an addiction to travel and do not wish to give it up or limit my jaunts to North America. The world is beautiful and I aim to see it. Get thee to MIDEM, said Holger, not in those words. It’s the biggest conference featuring stakeholders from all over, and my current interests lie in the quarters of Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
For my imagination is excited by memories of Freak Street in Kathmandu and the hill sounds of the flute and tablas wafting everywhere as I walked in a dream through the encounters. I remember the gallery owner, his wife and baby, and the watercolor I paid dearly for, though it went to a good ‘cause’; the Australians who beckoned me to their table on a lonely Christmas night at the guest house; the German who had lived near the monks for months and who took me to them and drank chai with me on the rooftops near the Buddhist stupa; my trekking guide, who later bussed me out of the snot-blackening smog and climbed with me up, down, up, and out of the Annapurnas towards a new year and new life, never mind my injured knees.
I discovered my constitution on that and many other trips. Life’s a journey and then you die. Some part of you dies while another is born. The greater the risk, the greater the reward. Go hard, easy, wisely, and heed the advice of others as you follow your heart. There is no end, for the journey is the end. Live now and be grateful for what you have.
Right. So, now, back to reality. I’m sitting here at two a.m. with several university essays to pen. My graphic designer in Edmonton thankfully approved in my absence today the proofs sent by my CD manufacturer, and so I’ll have my ‘free’ giveaways by Thursday. The lot of them and business cards cost close to $2000 and I am operating on faith, or it could just be a massive error in judgement, though I don’t think so. I fly Friday morning at 8:30 with Swiss Air, and will be in the hotel by noon the day before the conference starts. This is good. It gives me time to rest, catch my breath, and scribble out a few more essays, as my course in sustainable tourism is veering dangerously out of control. I like to live on the edge, but this is bordering on ridiculous.
MIDEM feels a bit like a pilgrimage. Two million in Mecca converge upon the valley of Mina and the holy Kaba’a, and 10,000 people will be attending this conference over six days. I suspect the rules of good behavior apply for best results in both cases. No pushing or shoving, and preparation is key.
So, I established my identity online, via the official MIDEM website, and for several weeks now have been receiving ‘invitations’ to meet up. I met the very good Suzy Michelson of Desert Dreams Productions online and we’ve been swapping emails while mutually hitting the click buttons, no doubt, to enlist the interest of others who might help us.
Pulling my head out of the sand, Suzy informed me of something I did not know. I’d lucked out in securing a 10-minute meeting with someone of considerable stature: Steve Greenberg, the head of Columbia Records and former president and CEO of his own S-Curve Records, a man of considerable power and influence as well as wisdom, for his bio includes a master’s degree from Stanford. I had requested this meeting with the intent to discuss label ‘stuff’ with Steve. Um, like, how to run one? Turns out I might just have to adjust those expectations.
“Your goal with Steve Greenberg,” stated Suzy, “is a ‘deal’—any kind of deal—distribution or label, whatever he’s into.”
Is it?
“He’s a guy who can make things happen. Any start up relationship with him has the potential to segue into an important situation. Face time with Greenberg is valuable, and probably short too; I would focus your attention on what you have to offer and how you can work together.” Good advice punctuated with an offer I can’t refuse: “I’ll help you with anything I can. I’m a sharing embracing friend, never possessive or threatened.”
Now, that’s what I live for. Mutual support. Teamwork. Collegiality. Regardless of what happens with Mr. Greenberg, I can say quite honestly I am ‘chuffed’ about finding a friend before the conference has even started. I have long thought that artists shoot themselves in the proverbial foot for their selfishness with advice and leads, tips, and touring support. Chris Anderson of The Long Tail writes about this. The more we group together like ideas, products, etc., the more likely it is that that grouping will help each individual component find its buyer, its audience. I’m getting technical here. The point is, I hate selfish artists. I love selfless ones. I need to remind Suzy re. our newfound friendship, the feeling is mutual. I look forward to hooking up in Cannes more than ever.
So, now it’s three a.m., Wednesday, and I have a few more replies to send to several including an entertainment lawyer, a local artist, and a distributor who has contacted me from as far afield as Brazil, representing Latin America. I am mighty curious to see what the fuss is about regarding online distribution. Is it a fray of leads that go nowhere? Or do some of these outfits have the ability to generate an income? We’ll see.
My costs are fast running up and I have yet to pack my bags. 1,000 CD’s in plastic envelopes without artwork are said to weigh close to 15 kilos. I have no idea what I’m going to wear when I see Mr. Greenberg or when I hit the town as conference host country China puts on a great, jazzy ‘par-tay’. Maybe a checked ghutra or maybe my Persian scarf. Maybe jeans or maybe I’ll rush out tomorrow and look for something fancy (I THINK SO.) I need a bag of some sort, and I am craving leather, to carry my goodies and camera in when I get to MIDEM. So I might have to boot it over to the shops tomorrow and pick up something cheap. Oh, and I want black shoes. Contrast that with the fact that money is tight and the ‘mommy and daddy plan’ is now instituted. All bills go onto their credit card until a cheque I’m expecting clears the banks. There’s a tension building in the air and I must say, I am excited. MIDEM. It’s going to be something. What, I don’t know. But it’ll be something.
