I never planned on returning to music. At this late stage of my life the last thing I wanted to do was harbor fantasies of being a big rock star. I deliberated with myself about presenting my poetry in the best way possible, and I knew that producing poetry books was falling down a black hole of obscurity. The success of a Bukowski or Rollins is a one in a million possibility.
Poetry books unfortunately don't attract people, and poets are generally laughed at in the United States, a country that amuses in literary shaming. If Stephen King is the national bard of choice then we're in deep shit.
Poetry readings with music have always fared well, though, from Patti Smith to Gil Scott-Heron to John Cooper Clarke to The Last Poets. I created sonic landscapes to go with my poems, and I enjoyed these crude, primitive recordings. The best testing ground for my work was to post it on SoundCloud, a sort of aural You Tube where you can just check in and listen to anyone's music for free. Like it or not, SoundCloud is one of the best because it doesn't have that Bandcamp "You reading or you buying" vibe about it.
But, but but....SoundCloud has its set of stalkers and sharks like any other site, too. Which brings me to my story (sorry it took so long). Two months ago I posted a poetry track called Smog. It got a few hits and likes, and then I got a message from someone who claimed he was an A and R (Artists and Repertoire) aka talent scout.
The DM went something like this: "Hi Andy, this is John from R****E Records. I stumbled upon your work and was blown away by your talent. We're currently seeking artists to join our roster, and I think you'd be a great fit. Let's explore possibilities. Please share your email address so we can send over more information on our offer".
Okay, I gave him my email, and his response was, "Thank you for your response! The Chairman will reach out to you with additional details about this exciting opportunity. Please check your inbox and kindly respond at your earliest convenience. Also, make sure to follow my SoundCloud page so you can stay updated on our latest opportunities and releases".
So, I got an email from the Chairman at R***E Records, and the first thing I did was look up the label, and lo and behold, this was not only a real label, but one that had serious cutting edge artists on their roster, in fact, I even owned some of these records! Now I was getting excited. If I recorded for these folks I'd be in serious company.
I even did a Wikipedia search on the label and the label CEO listed was the "Chairman".
Okay, here's his email: "Hello, This is L*** M***, CEO of R***e Records. We had a chance to check out your sound, and to be honest there’s a spark there that’s hard to ignore. The rawness, the energy, the originality, it’s the kind of foundation that can go far with the right push.
Our label was built for artists like you: creators who are ready to take what they’ve started and elevate it. We don’t just sign artists, we invest in them, making sure they’ve got the team, the guidance, and the creative freedom to break through in today’s industry.
I’d love to connect and talk about where your music can go from here, and how R****e can be part of that journey". Cool.
I gave him my phone number, but he didn't call. His response went like this: "Hello Andy. Thanks for your interest. I’m excited to connect with you!
To dive deeper into the deal we’re offering, I’d like to arrange a brief meeting via Microsoft Teams. This will give us a chance to review the details, address any questions you might have, and map out the next steps".
So, I met him on MS Teams and he began the conversation with this: "Hello Andy. Welcome to this exciting opportunity! I’m truly looking forward to collaborating with you and supporting your growth with the R***e Records family.
Before we dive in, I want to set clear expectations for how we’ll work together. Due to the high demands of my current schedule, I won’t be available for in-person meetings or calls at this time. For security and documentation purposes, all communication will be conducted here via instant messaging. This allows us to keep everything organized and professional while ensuring we stay focused on your success. I trust that works for you, and I appreciate your flexibility".
If there were no in-person meetings or calls how will anything get done, and where's the personal contact an artist requires? This was getting weird.
So, the CEO ran down the history of the label and offered the following perks for me as an artist, and frankly it sounded incredibly far flung for an avant-garde independent. Dig this:
"What We Offer
• Publishing + Distribution – Seamless global distribution across Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and more.
• Financial Support – Funding for equipment, software, studio sessions, and other essentials so you can focus on the art.
• Marketing + Promotion – Strategic campaigns including playlist pitching, digital ads, media exposure, and content creation.
• Creative Freedom – We respect your vision. Our role is to elevate, not control.
• Professional Network Access – Connection with respected producers, engineers, and brand partners to accelerate your career.
Why R***e?
We’re not just a label, we’re a partner. Our focus is authenticity, long-term development, and real relationships. We tailor our approach to your unique goals and sound, making sure your career remains true to your vision".
Now look, I've made records for a lot of indies and none of them can or even want to provide all this shit. "Financial Support"? Bullshit. And don't even talk to me about publishing, the bread and butter of all composers. Once they own your publishing they can do whatever they like with your work. And...by the way, did he even mention my track Smog at all? Or any of the other tracks I posted on SoundCloud.
Quite frankly, this entire rap didn't even sound like a real person, but some AI-generated hustle that no artist would even find believeable. Here's my response to all this fairy tale spininng:
"I see, I already have publishing, so I'm fine there. What I'd like to do is to submit my next album to your label and you can distribute it if you're interested.
I currently have three albums that are available on all streaming services out there, but it would be cool to have my next release on your label". No response.
"Your label attracted me because you lean towards the avant garde - Medeski Martin + Wood, Sex Mob, etc. It's great company. All my records are spoken word with music landscapes, so it's a little off the beaten path for some". No response.
I addressed all the pie in the sky perks he had promsied by saying, "I would probably just hand you an album to release and not ask for any kind of financial advance, so it wouldn't be a huge investment". So I had responded to the Financial Support, Publishing and Recording features I was supposed to be dazzled by. No response.
THE CEO HAD VANISHED
And then returned the next day on MS Teams without contacting me in advance with this strange message:
"Good morning, Andy. For my questions:
Section 1: Introduction + Background
1. Where were you born and raised?
2. What are your hobbies or interests outside of music?
3. What’s the highest level of education you’ve completed? (Include your field of study if applicable.)
4. What typically sparks your creativity or inspires your music?
5. What’s your current employment status?
6. Have you received any music-related education or training (formal or informal)?"
WTF, this guy is insane. What is this ridiculous AI-written shit? Imagine sending this horseshit to PJ Harvey or Bud Powell. Do you really see yourself doing business with an AI-communicating dunce." My hobbies. Employment status"...Poet? Isn't that enough? Ya think? Thank God recording my poetry is just my pastime.
*************
In addition to appearing on poetry compilations it's incredible to participate on some avant-garde music compilations where my poetry can reach a wider audience. Dawn of Darkness from Chile have added my tracks Slumgullion and Transfigured Night to their latest comp, The October Experimental Compilation. You can find the compilation on both ReverbNation or The Internet Archive for free doewnloading. Here's my poem Transfigured Night for your poetry listening.
