Up Close & Personal: PlayItLoud's Interview with Jonathan Simkin

I read a lot of stuff.  Included in my daily read of 'stuff' is interviews.  I've read a lot of crappy interviews.  You know, those painfully boring, purely scripted interviews that offer no real insight and a whole lot of impersonal jargon.  Hell, I've probably conducted a few of those myself.  On the flip side, every now and then I come across something that actually entertains and strikes a chord with me (Get it? "Chord" - you know, like music? Okay, lame I know).

All lame jokes aside, when this interview came across my Twitter, I couldn't help but read it a few times.  What's so special about it? Well, nothing, really.  It's nothing that hasn't been discussed before, and most of it isn't anything that isn't widely known...well maybe, after all, there are still bands that think there's money in a record deal. 

BUT, it's conducted in such a way that conveys the personality of the interviewee (none other than Jonathan Simkin, owner of 604 Records and Simkin Artist Managment). As someone who writes on a daily basis, I get pretty stoked when I read something and I can practically hear the way the person is speaking.  It also offers a valuable, non sugar-coated, behind-the-scenes look at the current state of the industry.  Not only that, but being from one of the top-of-the-line businessmen, and in my eyes one of the most intelligent in the industry - it gives me a whole sense of conviction on just about everything I've ever written or thought about the music industry as a whole.

Likely the best description of music industry today:

"To me, it’s like the Wild West right now. There’s no rules anymore." - Jonathan Simkin

I guess I should stop rambling because you probably have no idea what I'm talking about.  On that note, ignore me and check out the interview right here.

While you're at it, might as well check out 604 Records too - home to several of my friends, and even more, some great music.

Interview by PlayItLoudMusic - don't forget to check them out too.

Ciao!