InsideCx: In these difficult times, why launch a label now?

     JH: We look at this as an extension of what we’re doing. We’re a full-service, fully integrated music company. Because of what’s happened with digital downloads, everything has changed and it has really leveled the playing field.

      As a service to our artists, we’d rather be the independent. If we can’t get one of the majors involved with one of our artists, there’s no point in going to another independent that won’t pay as much attention to the artist as we will.

      That doesn’t mean we won’t sign artists just to the label that we don’t necessarily manage, though we’d rather represent them in all areas as an integrated music and marketing company. Because of the fragmentation of the music business, you can’t make money just from selling CDs anymore. You have to be involved in all areas—from ringtones to licensing to merchandising.

     InsideCx: How does a potential signing get your attention?

     JH: The way the business is now, we’re looking for something that’s unstoppable. We get a lot and so does everyone else. What’s happened is that Pro Tools has made every kid a recording studio. In the old days, you used to get all these cassettes that sounded terrible. You could separate the weak pretty easily because you’d know pretty quickly if you had something that was good. Now, it’s much more difficult to separate the quality music as opposed to quality recordings from the non-quality music. It takes a lot more time and a lot more effort. On top of that, the whole music scene has been fragmenting in the last few years. It’s all over the place. So from an A&R perspective, it’s more difficult than it used to be.

      What we’ve chosen to do is to not even think about it unless it’s something that completely knocks us out. It has to be really ridiculously outstanding to get our attention.

     InsideCx: What does an artist need to have accomplished before they approach you?

     JH: I’ve always represented heritage artists (artists with recording histories). The thing that’s great about those types of artists is they actually have a career. They make money and they allow us to survive so we can find new artists.

      We do have a couple of new artists that we have signed. We’re looking for great artists, period. I don’t really look at it from the point of view of them being young artists or old artists; I’m looking for fantastic talent.

      Most of the artists are marginal. They may be good, but are they great? Can they cut through the clutter? Most of the artists who get signed these days are taking it to first, second base themselves. That’s really what you’ve got to do. You’ve got to make enough noise and get enough going on your own to get people on the next level interested. The more you can create yourself, the more of a chance you’re going to get to partner up with other people.

     InsideCx: How do you want artists to approach you?

     JH: We have a network of people who look for us. We look ourselves. We get submissions all the time. Usually, the way artists submit these days is sending us an e-mail with with other people.

     InsideCx: How do you want artists to approach you?

     JH: We have a network of people who look for us. We look ourselves. We get submissions all the time. Usually, the way artists submit these days is sending us an e-mail with a link.

      With the Internet, there are really no barriers. It’s a worldwide market. Stuff is coming from all over the world. I have no problem signing someone from Europe if they’re great.

      I can make the decision to sign an act on my own, but I like to get the support from within the company. I talk to the guys and see what they think, but if I feel an overwhelming strength in an artist, I’m just going to sign them.

     InsideCx: How do you keep current?

     JH: I look at the Top 20 every week in %Billboard%. I try to listen to all the various websites, including Myspace. People I work with do the same things. I get tips and I listen to all the stuff I can just to keep my finger on the pulse. I also listen to music that’s up and coming.

Jake Hooker, President-Edge Management
Address: 10850 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 380, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: 310-470-4034
Fax: 310-234-2770
E-mail: info@edgemgtinc.com
Website: www.edgemgtinc.com