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10 Questions with ... Roze Braunstein
January 30, 2018
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started at Realworld / Caroline records and it's been downhill from there ;) Ok not at all, but here's an abbreviated list, Mute, Way Cool, Immortal, Columbia, Jive, 7S, and Thirty Tigers.
1. Congrats on your new job at Thirty Tigers. What led to this new opportunity?
I was desperately looking for something giraffe related, but all I could find was Tigers. I met David Macias at a convention before I was at 7S, and I thought,"Who the fuck is this guy; and what is Thirty Tigers?" Then I promptly forgot about him. When I got to 7S we had several artists through Thirty Tigers and I thought... oh hey that's THAT guy. We got along really well and he mentioned wanted to branch out and move into the Alternative space (since he's already basically mastered Americana, Country, AAA, etc. etc.) I was lucky that he believed in me enough to allow me to do both promotion and A&R in that space.
2. Tell us about your new position playing an integral role in the signing and developing of acts for Thirty Tigers in the Alternative.
Basically I told David that I wanted to be able to do more than just promotion, and that I had about 5 years of promotion left in me. Then we continued to talk, about Alternative Promotion and about A&R, and I reminded him I only had 3 years left in me... He's quick and caught it, and said, "Well, as long as we're not down to 30 days by the time you get here... we're good." If you know me AT ALL, you know how I feel about The Moth & The Flame and I'm excited to announce that they are my first signing to Thirty Tigers! David always has final say but he's constantly saying that he doesn't know what exactly he's doing in Alternative, so I just need to convince him my choices are worthwhile.
3. Give us the 411 on Thirty Tigers and the label services offered to independent artists.
The amazing thing about Thirty Tigers (well one of them) is how artist friendly they are. The artist is basically their own label, but with our staff (promotion, marketing and distribution). Thirty Tigers takes a very low percentage of sales, much lower than traditional labels. Thirty Tigers does not own the masters, the bands do. Thirty Tigers doesn't take anything out of touring or merch or even road sales of music. Out of their advance (or wherever they're getting money) the bands pay for recording, indies, publicity etc. In the long run, the band stands to make a LOT more money than if they go with a traditional deal, and they get to make as many or as few choices as they want. We're here to advise but in the end it's their decision.
4. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?
I get the most pleasure when I first hear a song I have been working on the radio. It's almost like I'm the artist, I'm so proud.
5. What may surprise people the most to learn about Thirty Tigers?
Well I don't know what would surprise others the most, but what surprised me is that they've been around 17 years.
6. What is the toughest part of your job?
What's the toughest part of any job? Getting up in the morning! I think though the most emotionally tough part is not being able to get a band you really care about on the air. I know I'm not supposed to take things personally but... well that's me.
7. Where is your favorite market you like to visit and why?
Why would you Sophie's Choice me? I love all my children equally.
8. What would surprise people the most about you?
Being social and (especially) conventions scare me A LOT. But I think I fake it pretty well, or at least I give good Facebook.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _______.
Conditioner
10. Let's flashback to your first job, what stands out the most from your early days at Realworld/Caroline Records?
My youth....working 18 hour days was super fun then! (Plus I got to meet Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Bill Bruford and other legends) now I need a nap after 4 hours.
Bonus Questions
Tell us about myfriendroze.
myfriendroze is my jewelry and fine art. I haven't had much time for it lately but I will soon, as David Macias is such an amazing person, and part of his philosophy is that people are better at their day job if they spend time working on their side passions. He continually says to me "you have to make time for your art - I insist"
What are weekends like for you?
What are weekends?
First record ever purchased?
I purchased two singles: "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "She's So Cold."
First concert?
This is kind of embarrassing, but I may as well age myself and remind you all how uncool I am. Asia.
Favorite band of all-time?
Asia. KIDDING although I can't narrow it down here's two top ones. Queen and Radiohead.
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