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| From: D. Wells To: Exclaim! Letters Posted: 10/1/2004 2:02:12 PM Re: "Dude, Where's My Cover Story?" I don't know who is receiving this email, but it is addressed to James Keast. I enjoyed reading the above-noted story, and while I basically agree with what you are saying to aspiring musicians, not to rely on press alone, it was a bit of a letdown to writers like myself who are not as well-known and don't yet publish or work for a hard-copy music newspaper/magazine. It's difficult enough as it is to get club owners and musicians to understand the importance of having a reviewer attend gigs (without having to pay cover charges three and four times a night), not to mention musicians/writers who expect a reviewer to PAY to review their CDs/books (huh?). Upon reading your essay, they will think even less of reviewers, especially if they think they are going to get an honest opinion and not an ass-kissing. That attitude helps no one. Whether or not a writer (officially accredited or not) believes him/herself to be "self-important" is irrelevant. As the saying goes, "Any press is better than no press", and if you have lost sight of that, you have no business running a newspaper. Shame on you! D.M. Wells P.S. As for those musicians who can't get enough written about them, send them over to me. As long as they promise not to use my reviews for bird-cage liners, I'll give them all the press they can stomach. I've got a career to advance, as well. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: James Keast (Editor-in-Chief, Exclaim!) Posted: 10/4/2004 2:42:37 PM How NOT to sell yourself The reason why a band would want press - any press at all - is for the credibilty that a journalist can bring to it. That is, there is an assumption that a journalist is "objective" or at least educated about what they are writing about. If, however, a "journalist" or writer simply apes what the band wants, then they are of no use. The band might as well just send out a press release, since that's just as good, and they can be in complete control over what they say. Similarly, the "good" that a PR company or show promoter is looking for is to sell tickets to the show or sell CDs. If you, as a writer, develop a reputation for giving "ass-kissing" reviews, then your credibility - and therefore your authority as an expert - is completely shot. If I read one of your "positive" write-ups that you seem to be offering here, and then went to the show only to find out that it sucked, not only would I never believe you again, I would recommend that my music-loving friends not believe you either. You may have a "career to advance" as you say, but you might have more success on the marketing or PR side of a major record company instead of as a music "journalist." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: D.M. Wells To: Exclaim! Letters Posted: 10/18/2004 12:50:33 PM Your reply to my comments You've completely twisted around what was I saying. Read it again, and you will see that I DO in fact offer "an honest opinion and NOT an ass-kissing". I stated that I will give musicians/authors "all the publicity they can STOMACH". That does not necessarily sound like a positive review to me. That being said, if I like a CD or a performance, I WILL crow about it, regardless of anyone else's opinion. In the end, that's all it is, anyway, one person's opinion - it has nothing to do with credibility. If I were to state that so-and-so is an excellent singer when it is obvious to anyone who is not deaf that they are singing out-of-key, or failed to mention that a drummer was beating out of the time signature, THAT is a basis for lack of credibility. If you had bothered to ask for samples of my reviews, you would know I don't ass-kiss. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: James Keast To: D.M. Wells October 12, 2004 NOT posted in Exclaim! Letters Ok, honestly, I read your initial letter several times before I could decipher what you were actually saying. And no, what you are claiming is certainly not clear in your initial query letter. That doesn't bode well for your abilities as a journalist from my point of view. So thank you, but I won't be needing to see any of your samples either. James Keast, Editor In Chief |
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