Univeral Records is one of the major labels in the music industry. Some of the artists on Universal include 98 Degrees, Godsmack, Tonic, Texas, Stroke 9 and many more. Marc Nathan is a senior A&R rep for Universal. He's one of the guys that signs the bands for the label. Here's my interview with Marc:
What is A&R, and what does it encompass?
Marc Nathan: Originally, the term A&R stood for Artists and Repertoire. Back in the early days of the music industry, singers were not song writers, so it was an A&R person's responsibility to match the "Artist" with the "Repertoire."
Some time in the 60's, really coming into focus with The Beatles, more artists began writing their own material. Although there are still many great singers that require repertoire in today's market, the responsibility of an A&R person has become all encompassing as a "talent scout" and someone who can supervise the recording of a project from start to finish. Including "working" the different departments within the record company to make sure the artist's creative vision is realized.
How did you get into A&R?
MN: I did radio promotion for 19 years. I have worked for a number of labels since 1971. In 1983 I began working at Atlantic Records. In late 1988 I was on vacation in Toronto and heard a local record called "I Beg Your Pardon" by KON KAN. The record was available for worldwide distribution, and I fell in love with it. I purchased copies at a local record store, brought them back to the U.S. and mailed them out to some key radio programmers. The response was immediate, and we had a big hit record. I was then promoted to the position of Dance Music A&R Director.
In 1990 I signed Linear, who had a top five record with "Sending All My Love" and I also dabbled in the alternative field, signing King Missile, who had a lot of success at college radio.
Describe a typical day.
MN: I'm not so sure there is a "typical" day for a traditional A&R person. I do more of a research related job in that I spend a lot of time on the computer, on the internet, looking at sales figures, radio airplay of local bands, and generally trying to find things that already have a head start in a particular market.
A couple of years ago we were calling stores in Gainesville, Florida and found out about a local act called Sister Hazel that was selling as well as The Wallflowers. We checked them out, signed them and their Universal debut sold a million copies.
