Definition of ‘Patronage’: One that supports, protects, or champions someone or something, such as an institution, event, or cause; a sponsor or benefactor: a patron of the arts.
Definition of ‘Blogranage’: One that supports, protects, or champions artists through a blog: a patron of the arts.
Jeff Weiss writes for the LA Times and blogs at Passion of the Weiss. He’s a music writer I care about because his writing is really, really good. There aren’t many music writers like that. I also like the fact that while my taste generally mirrors his, his recommendations also force me to extend myself, allowing me to discover music I normally wouldn’t.
Regular readers of Jeff’s blog will know that he is a 5 0′Clock Shadowboxers fan.
In fact, Jeff’s role extends beyond a blogger. He’s actually gone as far as being enlisted as A&R on the latest Shadowboxers record. I only know this because Jeff sent a message to the readers of his blog recently.
It opened:
“I hate mass e-mails. You probably do too, but seeing as though you’ve been selectively hand-picked to receive this one, it’s not such a stretch.”
Jeff went on to explain that after working in an (unpaid) A&R role on the Shadowboxers record, now he wanted us to hear it.
“I’m writing this with the hope that you might take three minutes out of your day to watch their first video: “Weak Stomach.” It’s animated. How can you resist? Only Whigs hate cartoons.
If you enjoy the video, I highly encourage you to download their album. Think Aesop Rock crossed with Slug (Atmosphere) crossed with Krang, the wise but rascally arch-nemesis of the Ninja Turtles. And it’s the best price: free. 5 0′ Clock Shadowboxers-The Slow Twilight - http://www.mediafire.com/?0j4gum5zmlj“
I’m posting this for a couple of reasons:
1. I think this is awesome. As a regular reader, I trust Jeff’s opinion and I want to listen to this for the fact that he is a part of it.
2. I think more blogs should do this (I’m looking at you GorillaVsBear and NahRight). This is such a genuine way of connecting fans of blogs to great music. If the blogger has invested themselves in the process, this only deepens the value.
3. I think A&R people at labels should start building their profiles online, developing a following and sharing their stories with fans. Inevitably, A&R people end up being hugely networked musically and build big, smart, connected networks of music lovers. They each have a market ready and waiting for their tales. For a certain section of the music market, the A&R team is the most effective marketing tool. Their stories, their insight, they come with weight.
Blogs aren’t the new record labels. But they can be more than just sources of music and music news/reviews.
Blogs with a dedicated fan base have earned the right to do more than just write about music at arm’s length. If they love something enough to invest their time and energy into it, then their fan base will be willing to hear about it.
And if they have upside in the record’s success, then that’s OK too. Any blogger worth their salt knows they need to protect the trust they have with their audience. Where the trust remains, blogranage is a remarkable thing.
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