Protoman on Unity, Business, Motivation and Time Travel
Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 23, 2009 | 23 comments
JB: What’s been working for you in 2009? What tools are you using to organize and promote your music career and the 10,000 details that come with it?
Protoman: 2009 has been an ever changing experiment. Since the quick downturn in the American Economy this past year, the music business had been affected heavily. I find myself giving a lot more stuff out as free downloads, and not expecting as much as I did a few years back.
I’ve even started selling merch at shows for cheaper. I’d rather get out 10 CDs for 5 dollars apiece, versus 5 CDs for 10 dollars apiece. It balances out and fans see your giving them a break. Its only going to help me in the long run once the economy bounces back. That one kid who spent his last 10 bucks at the door will get a free CD from me. In the future I’ll see him again, he’ll be on better terms financially and he’ll express his gratitude by buying a few CDs and a shirt perhaps. Its all about balance.
JB: Is Audio Thrift Shop all you, or is there a larger team working behind the label?
Protoman: Audio Thrift Shop is a collective of people on a DIY platform. Cult leader Jasper Delaini is our brains. Its a brand. Its a big network of South Florida supporters. When we are making a project we have direct access to recording, CD pressing, Stickers, Shirts, Live Sound, Etc. We all work together to benefit one another.
Example: Joe Blow prints shirts and raps. John Doe audio engineers and raps. Joe barters with John. Shirts printed at cost for a mixed track or two. We help each other out to all move forward. This is essential in building a local scene. You cannot succeed by yourself. We can all work together to get what we need. Audio Thrift Shop is a prime example of how to do that.
JB: How do you guys do internal accounting at Audio Thrift Shop? Is it all personal barter deals or is there a set of “books” for the karma points and business flow?
ATS is budget rap. I don’t think we’ve ever done accounting. Everybody down has other things going on, other projects being put out on labels with a more standard approach to numbers. We’re pretty much based on handshakes and trust. Like recently, Dead Truth Recordings, a Florida hardcore based label, reached out to us. The owners are our friends. Some of the guys signed to the label you’ll see at our shows in attendance.
The label just got a good distribution plan and offered to put out some of our projects.. No strings attached. No contracts. Maybe we’ll even do a collective tour of Hip Hop and Hardcore. Basically, it’s a more stress free and fun way to put out records and throw shows. Everybody who is associated is always working with other deals, other labels, artist, managers..but when it comes time that you put something out your self, we represent Audio Thrift Shop.
JB: What are the biggest management mistakes you see other DIY artists doing these days?
Protoman: The biggest mistakes I see made are artists getting played. Artists trusting a promoter and getting hustled. I was recently in LA looking for gigs and was disgusted at a thing called “Pay to Play”. This is where a up and coming artist pays a promoter to open up for a bigger name. This is crazy to me. Its bad enough when you have your fanbase come see you, paying at the door, and you don’t make a dime. But you paying?!? Artist have to know their role. Don’t make money off your drive and skill for someone else. Don’t get played like that. Throw your own fucking show. Promote your own flyers. Get some local artist to open up for you. You can’t take a shortcut and just pay to open up for a crowd who didn’t come to see you in the first place. If you work hard and mess with shows the right way its only gonna reflect outward on your fans. They will see how hard you’re grinding. They are going to support that. Biggest mistake, DON’T LET PROMOTERS HUSTLE YOU. Know what you’re worth.
JB: What’s your dream technology for 2010—something that would make your life and business an easier, more efficient hustle?
Dream Technology? It’s already here. The Internet. I secured a digital release and fully funding promotion with video from Rawkus with the Grey Area LP from the web. The label never seen me perform. I never met them personally. Never sent in a press package. They saw my site. Saw my plays. Saw me through a computer screen and signed me on. I am no way saying that it substitutes for the conventional way of interacting your music career, but it makes it alot easier.
Besides the Internet, I would say time travel. I would travel back in time and execute the newest trend (which is old in the present) before anybody else who had established it in the history books. That way I’m promised millions of groupies and smooth vodka. I would be at the forefront of party rap, gangta rap, hardcore, bling, underground, crunk, and hipster. But you know what? Maybe it does exist. Maybe I have traveled back in time and am standing in the limelight of the next current trend that’s about to explode that you don’t know about yet.
JB: For the readers who are starting their own collectives, what are the common or deadly mistakes you’d warn them about?
There are so many mistakes I see man..primarily, because I’ve had to partake in alot. But, I’ve learned from them. Some advice I can say to cats who are starting off and investing money are: Don’t be a dick. There are tons of people I dislike but I stay professional. Make freinds with everyone. Don’t kiss ass, but show mutual respect. If they disrepect you, then fine, be a dick back. You never know who you’ll meet through someone else you brushed with. Most people act as a vehicle towards a bigger person with a bigger opportunity. Get your live show on point. I can’t stress this enough. This is your only real way to making money in this industry. Venues are flooded. Everybody is a booking agent now. Stand out. It’s a show. Not you rapping muffled into a mike with no DJ. Make it big. Bring guests on stage. Rehearse. Throw free shit out. Freestyle about the crowd. Be creative, spontaneous, and non routine. People will come out to see you every time.
Artwork/Graphics. With the mandatory way to market, via internet. music has to have a face. People get bored listening to a song on the computer without a visual to accommodate. Peoples senses are burnt out. Everyone has ADD. Make sure your websites are colorful and full of dope shit. Pictures of you, banners, show flyers. Make a video for everyone of your album tracks on YouTube. It doesn’t have to be you performing. Just anything interesting. Re-use footage. Editing is easy. Ghostface Daytona 500 that shit.
One last thing is, don’t show to much of yourself. You’re an artist. You have a stage name assuming. Don’t get too personal. I recently read Trent Reznor deleting his Twitter account because he was tweeting (I cant believe I just used that word) about his newly sparked love life. Fans don’t want to hear that nonsense. They want to hear Trent fucking them like an animal and the world without love. Anyways, What I’m saying is, reflect your music. That’s what you’re known for. Always keep on your mask. You’re a superhero. Clark Kent was a pussy.
“I’m Very Proud of My Accomplishments”
“I finally finished up a project I have been working on closely with my homie DJ Trippin’ over the past few months. The idea was to take a handful of my freestyles, studio tracks, and b-sides I’ve recorded over the last year and combine them all to a 1 track mix.” All mixing, scratching, and juggling was performed by DJ Trippin’
23 Comments
1 MAGNANOMUS says...
WhatUp JB! I've been networked with Protoman for a few years now and he's actually gotten better since then. The DIY scene is morphing every minute, even as i type this, -i just stopped to scratch my balls and DIY has evolved! Nice work with Audible Hype- AND with everything 'yall are into.
MAGNANOMUS.
Posted at 11:26 a.m. on July 24, 2009
2 Dark Times says...
This was a really perfect interview. I won't lie, a lot of these interviews are just kind of the same shit. This was stated pretty perfect, though. And Protoman is ILL with it.
Posted at 8:34 p.m. on July 30, 2009
3 DC Rap says...
lots of quality information here. interesting viewpoint about the superhero identity. i do pretty much the opposite. metaphorically speaking i'm superman when i need to be and clark kent when i need to be but everyone knows they're one in the same.
but yes...throw your own shows!
http://1vsM.com
Posted at 12:38 a.m. on August 1, 2009
4 evergreenz says...
This was a dope read, thank you.
Posted at 6:42 p.m. on August 3, 2009
5 Ivan Boersky says...
Hi, Justin, I came here via Bruce Warila's excellent blog. I liked this interview a lot, and it reminded me I need to be reading your site more often. As a fellow SEO / website nerd tech guy, I admire your niche angle here. Of course probably it also helps that the niche came naturally and you're living it. Looking forward to hearing more about YOUR project with World Around in addition to these smart + interesting interviews.
Posted at 6:44 p.m. on August 3, 2009
6 Solomon Mines says...
How did I sleep on this guy? Loving these tracks, Protoman really is dope, damn.
Posted at 2:01 a.m. on August 4, 2009
7 Vividology says...
I'm completely amazed you didn't ask about the Rawkus 50 at all. How did that wind up working out for him? Does he think it was worth being involved now? Has there been any kind of residual income or benefits for the Rawkus 50 roster since Rawkus stopped hyping it?
Posted at 2:02 a.m. on August 4, 2009
8 Bonez Malone says...
Interview was ill.
I'd like to read more about Audio Thrift Shop, I'm tryna get a collective going in my city but man people just fukkin talk all day and don't execute.
I'd like just to learn how they stay accountable, control membership, keep organized, that sort of shit.
Posted at 5:59 a.m. on August 4, 2009
9 Exacto says...
Not only was this good advice, this guy also sounds like he'd be fun to hang around and drink beers with. I dig it.
Bumping the tracks on his Myspace right now, and wow. Real deal skills yo.
Posted at 1:22 p.m. on August 4, 2009
10 Protoman says...
Thanks for all the comments and big ups to Justin for putting this on.
Vivid. If you want to know about the Rawkus 50 deal you can message me wherever.
Thanks guys
Posted at 9:54 p.m. on August 4, 2009
11 Evolvor says...
Yo you GOTTA interview this Jasper dude, that sounds like a fascinating cat to speak with.
Posted at 4:09 p.m. on August 8, 2009
12 RevOfEMS says...
Dope shit fam, keep grindin homie.
Posted at 1:01 p.m. on August 10, 2009
13 dougal says...
Big ups to my nig - i found some old school footage i was gonna post wit this msg but ill do that later haha - keep the real music and quality interviews comin. fuk the haters.
Posted at 9:09 a.m. on August 12, 2009
14 Tanjil says...
Well, this is a very valuable post. These are questions that never get asked, which is crazy.
Posted at 7:50 p.m. on August 17, 2009
15 Lavern Berg says...
Just checked that "Word Em Up" track he did, kid has flows and crazy style, plus makes for a hell of a funny interview. good stuff.
Posted at 6 p.m. on September 10, 2009
16 Justin Tanner says...
This guy sounds like the coolest older brother in the solar system. great interview.
Posted at 7:26 p.m. on September 13, 2009
17 FL REP says...
Florida underground is a crazy scene, we definitely do it big down here. You already did Caveman Theory member Godamus Rhyme and there's TONS more down here, FL is the spot we got some crazy talent way beyond Pitbull and corny shit like that.
Posted at 8:44 a.m. on October 4, 2009
18 Martin from Poland says...
Protoman is very awesome and honest as a rapper or MC! We have been listening to him since the Rawkus 50! I suppose this is proof that Rawkus 50 worked, I recall you were very much down on that as a "scam" but it exposed us here to many US underground artists. Rawkus is a big name in Europe, we don't know any better ha ha!
Posted at 5:45 p.m. on October 26, 2009
19 Richard CA$H says...
This kid is all hustle and he's a good person and that is rare as fucking fuck epsecially here in FL man!!! Protoman is dope, 2010 should bring good things his way.
Posted at 9:41 a.m. on December 21, 2009
20 Mark Ewans says...
Thanks for the post. What do you all think of where this leaves us in 2010? I think a lot of what "experts" say musicians "need to do" is already dinosaur stuff. I am glad someone else who blogs agrees, I don't have the time to write all this shit. But I know it's snake oil.
Keep up the good work calling their bluff!
Posted at 4:30 p.m. on December 30, 2009
21 Adley says...
This dude fucking rocks out at shows, go see him if u get a chance and if you live in FL and don't already know this kid SMACK YASELF
Posted at 6:41 a.m. on April 14, 2010
22 Addison says...
This is such a fantastic resource that you are providing and you give it away for free? No offense, but that's dumb! Monetize this shit!
Posted at 4:55 a.m. on May 27, 2010
23 Justin Boland says...
@ Addison
Sure, I leave a lot of money on the table. The difference is you're thinking about today and I'm thinking about my career.
If you don't know what I'm doing, of course it looks pointless.
Posted at 9:19 a.m. on May 27, 2010