It's not often that you can connect contemporary instrumental music
and
Prince, but composer/producer/keyboardist Vicki Logan has done just
that --
albeit one step removed. Her latest album, The Ride,
has Matt "Doctor" Fink ("of 'Prince and the Revolution' fame") co-producing, co-arranging,
co-
engineering/mixing and sharing keyboard duties with Vicki. Looking
to create "a new 'sound' and direction" for her music, The Ride also features
performances from Bobby Schnitzer (guitars) and Kenni Holman (saxophones
and flutes).
Besides Vicki's work as an artist, she's also very active on the business
side. In addition to running her own Carvic record label, Vicki does speaking
engagements with Open U in Minneapolis and in 2002 was elected the
President of the Minnesota Association of Songwriters.
If you'd like to learn more about Vicki and her music, please visit
her website.
Jamie:
You write on your website: "Dreams are only dreams unless YOU are
willing to make them a reality." Which, to me, is somewhat akin
to one of my favourite quotes by Goethe: "Whatever you can do or dream you can
do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
How
have your own dreams affected where you're at today both as an artist
and as a label owner?
Vicki: My dreams have given
me hope and goals to shoot for. They have
taught me that, if a person wants something bad enough, he/she will
figure
out what it takes to accomplish it and pushes forward, even though
there are obstacles. I don't realize how much work I'm actually doing because
I love it. And, as I move on, certain aspects of the dream come to light and
change my perspective. What you THINK you want may not actually BE what
you want. I've always wanted to create music. I got the tools...I listened...read...
tried...did...and now I'm creating MY music. I thought I wanted
a record contract. I got one. It wasn't everything I had hoped it would be.
Two years later, after the contract was terminated, I began marketing,
promotion, advertising, mailings, demos, building relationships...as
my own
label. It's part of the dream. Not the part I "saw" originally,
but a part that
developed as I learned; a part that needed to be accomplished to
bring to life my dream. I may not be a big time, internationally known star, but
I'm
successful as I believe success to be; I am doing what I love and
am paying the bills... almost... (Soon!) Like anything, the successes don't
"happen" overnight. As I push forward, work hard and learn more, I find my
dreams change, but I never stop dreaming.
Jamie: This
is one thing that keeps coming up over and over again when I
talk to artist/label owners -- the importance of a good work ethic.
I'm certainly not discounting luck, both good and bad, but, as you say, things
in the music industry don't just happen. And unfortunately, a lot of the work
to be done is sheer drudgery. But that work is part of what it takes to reach
the public and I feel it definitely helps to have a positive attitude towards the
non-musical aspects of this business.
Consistency and the ability to roll with the punches are two other
traits that I
feel are critically important. Every business has its ups and downs,
but it's
the ones that are able to keep going (and producing good work) in
the tough
times that end up staying around. As you say, you've had a few bumps
in the road and have had to change direction -- from signed artist to independent.
Obviously, you have new, and probably greater business responsibilities
running your own label, but how has becoming an independent affected
your music?
Vicki: For
me, becoming an independent has actually been a good thing
creatively. I don't feel like I have to write something that will
fit into a mold. I
can be who I really am; write as I want to write; in the style I
want; from my
heart. From my artist hat, whether it's commercially right or wrong,
I really
don't care. From the business hat, of course, it has to be good.
I don't want
to push below average material and gain a poor reputation. I have
to listen
objectively and select only that material I am confident in; would
I peel $15.00 out of my pocket for this CD? If I wouldn't, how can I expect someone
else to.
You can definitely see and hear the difference in what I have learned
from the creation of my first CD to this newest one. But, writing music is
fun and
relaxing for me, which is the other reason why it works so well
being an
independent label. I stress out over all of the business aspects
and then write more music in order to relax! In other words, I'm always writing!!
Jamie: HaHaHa
-- that's great! Seriously, you do make a good point about
putting yourself in the consumer/audience's position. I think it's
important to
show respect to the audience -- whether they're listening to your
albums or
seeing you live.
"The Ride" is co-produced and co-arranged by Matt Fink. How was
that
experience in the studio? Is Matt the same Matt Fink who used to
play
keyboards with Prince?
Vicki: He
is the same Matt
"Doctor" Fink of "Prince and the Revolution" fame. I was told that by a mutual friend, but it didn't really dawn on
me as to who he was when we began recording. I just thought he was an incredible
performer/producer. A bit later, it hit me...like when I saw the
awards in his
studio kitchen. Dah... But, in the studio, Matt and Steve Hall (his
engineer)
were the best. I learned so much from them both. Matt and I both
had similar ideas and desires as to where to take the music from the demos I
made, so we worked well together there. Steve mixed everything with a very
technical ear and taught me what to be listening for. They listened to what
I had to say about the music and I let them do their jobs and show me what else
could be done with it to make it better. I'm an okay player, but having world
class musicians like Matt Fink, Kenni Holmen and Bobbi Schnitzer perform
the music...well, it just took the music to a whole new level.
And that's what I had hoped to accomplish on this CD...a new "sound"
and
direction for me; aka-growth. Sometimes that means letting go of
some
control and trusting in the people around you; always keeping your
options
open and listening; realizing your strengths and weaknesses. Some
things
will work and deliver beyond expectations, but you'll never know
if you don't
try new things. So, to answer your question about the experience
in the
studio...it was awesome!
Jamie: Sounds
like the sessions went just great! How defined were your
demos? Any pieces that ended up sounding completely different from
what
you had initially envisioned?
Vicki: My
demos were pretty complete. I recorded all the tracks with a
Roland A90 digital piano, a 3080 synth module and a Dr. Rhythm drum
machine using Pro-Tools Digi 001. They weren't master quality but
anyone
listening knew where I was trying to go and what the parts were.
Matt redid
all the drums from scratch which made everything sound much more
realistic versus the pre-set rhythms I was using. "Just To Be With You" originally
had a sax/flute duet, but once we recorded Kenni playing the soprano
and tenor, we liked that better. The original melodies stayed the same on all
of the songs, but the guys were given free reign to add their personalities
with little embellishments, rifs, the works. Matt did things on the keyboards
that would have tangled my fingers! But by listening to what we have recorded,
I am learning how to play what he did, with some effort, but I'm learning!
"An Engagement With Time" was reworked probably the most out of
all the
songs. There was a lot of "dueling" going on-syncopation between
the sax
and guitar. Matt put in some new chords to create a much better
bridge and
that made all the difference in the world to the whole song. Kenni
and Bobbi
got to "let loose" on their solos and really did an awesome job.
Overall,
because Matt had the type of background I was looking for... what
I want to
have someday... the intent of the project remained intact and Matt,
as the
producer, brought out, not only the best in the music, but the best
in me as
well. So, in the long run, I guess you could say the project came
out even
better than I initially envisioned.
Jamie: You're
right about learning from those around you. I think it's
important, as a producer, to give musicians a certain amount of
freedom and not to micro-manage them. I know when I work as a sideman that's
what I'm looking for!
Have you played any of your new material in a live setting? What's
the live
scene like in Minnesota?
Vicki: I play a lot of my new material in live settings to see what the
response is. I even play material I haven't released on CD
yet to gauge the
response. It helps me to decide what my audience likes and
doesn't like...
from a record label point of view... so I put out the best CDs possible. The
live scene in Minnesota? I really can't give you a great answer
there since
the type of music I play doesn't really do well in club settings. I perform
mostly at corporate functions, benefits, expos, retirement/assisted
living
homes, hospitals, or an occasional coffee shop more as background
music
rather than the major entertainment. At some point, I will
begin a concert
series... maybe this summer to help promote the new CD... but, unlike a
rock or pop band, I can’t sell beer and get folks dancing.
My music seems to appeal to a different audience. I target those
areas where my music fits. I do my research. That's what
has allowed me to be successful as I see success.
Jamie: A
lot (all?) of artists in the contemporary instrumental genre have
to
be creative in finding live venues. And in the end a gig is a gig
-- it doesn't
really matter where you're playing. Still, especially for emerging
artists, it can be one heck of a challenge finding good venues.
I know you've attended INATS (International New Age Trade Show ) a couple times. For those of us who have never made the trek to one of the
conventions, could you describe the experience? Are you going to
be
attending any future INATS?
Vicki: To explain a bit about INATS: The major attendees at this
particular
event are retailers/store owners for new age products (ex: spas,
gift stores,
health and wellness). I am supporting my distributor (who
takes the orders)
at this event and I'm getting the music heard. I don't get paid
to and I cannot perform unless I am represented by or have a
booth. (They are NOT cheap.) This is part of marketing and
promotion; the business/label side. Retailers want to know you
and your music. If you create a relationship with them, it is
easier to find places to sell your CDs.
Every show I go to, I make new friends. Some of the people
I meet find new venues for me or stores in which to sell product. I've met DJs,
record labels, agents, other artists and distributors of the type of music I perform
here. Again, you have to do your research. A heavy metal band will
not do well at something like this, but there are other retail shows where they
just might. Expos and events where I can sell CDs directly are the money makers
for me. But, again, you have to do your research as to where your
music will be accepted. Will I be going to future INATS? I hope to
be attending Denver's next year in June. This year, my summer is getting really
booked!
Jamie: So
what's upcoming for you this summer?
Vicki: So
far, we've booked a few expos, gift shows and smaller events and
several speaking engagements with Open U in Minneapolis concerning
submissions and starting an indie label. As we book more events,
they'll be
posted on the web site. We are also gathering information on some
smaller,
intimate concert venues that we hope to set up for September/October.
There is a ton of work involved with those, so I want to make sure I cover
all the bases and do the best job I can. My friends/fans/supporters deserve
it.
Jamie: That's
a good attitude! Could you tell me a bit about what you cover
in your speaking engagements with Open U in Minneapolis?
Vicki: During
the speaking engagements, I cover submissions and some of
the basics of being your own independent label. I teach from experience.
On
submissions, I go through the copyright forms, organizing (which
I've put into a workbook) and how to package your press kit including the information
that labels and publishers are looking for. I usually have samples of
everything. I go over the aspects of targeting your information...which means
sending the appropriate materials to the appropriate person. I also give ideas
on researching and how to market and promote yourself.
On the label side, I go over some of the basic ground work; should
you be a
sole proprietor, a partnership, an S-corp, what these things mean
and how
they effect you, record keeping (receipts and the like), how to
file the
appropriate paperwork with the state for a tax ID number, and then
on to
marketing and promotion. I think that not only do the artists get
a better
understanding of the music business and what goes on behind the
scenes,
but I think they get a clearer understanding of what they really
want for
themselves.
When I'm teaching, I ALWAYS concentrate on the positive things that
we
can do to get the most out of our passions. I don't know everything,
but I do
know that what I have accomplished speaks for itself. I found my
strengths
and use them. I know my weaknesses and continually try to improve
on
them, and I always keep an open mind, listen and learn.
Jamie: I
think that's really the best way to teach. I know I've learnt as
much
from my students as from my teachers.
If someone was interested in attending one of your speaking engagements
how would they go about signing up?
Vicki: I
definitely agree there. I learn a lot from my students as well.
You
can contact Open U in Minneapolis at 706 North First Street; Minneapolis,
MN 55401; Phone: (800) 872-6639. Or, groups can set something up
practically anywhere just by calling my office line at 877.257.5678.
I will also do personal consulting with bands or soloists.
Jamie: O.k.
one last music related question.... What are you listening to for
inspiration?
Vicki: Let's
see... I have classical CDs and 60s/70s folk like Glenn
Yarbrough and John Denver to more rock like Black Sabbath, Chili
Peppers
and Matchbox 20. I've got Tangerine Dream and Outkast, Nickelback,
Nickel Creek, The Eagles, Craig Chaquico, Ottmar Liebert, David Gray, Alabama,
Donovan, and I have even more of the independent CDs. It completely
depends on what kind of mood I'm in as to what I listen to. I just
like everything!
Jamie: Sabbath, Outkast and Liebert together at last! Now that would be
an
interesting record....
Thanks for taking the time to do this conversation and best of luck!
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