Carianne Laguna
Head of Marketing
Blackheart Records
Address: 636 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-353-9600
Fax: 212-353-8300
E-mail: carianne@blackheart.com
Website: www.blackheart.com

      InsideCx: Is Blackheart open to new signings?

      CL: Yes, absolutely. I really appreciate e-mails. It’s the best way to get to me and it’s obviously quick. We haven’t hit critical mass yet. Keep them coming.

      When an artist comes to us, we would like a link to their music if they have one. A lot of people don’t have that, so just let me know that it’s coming by mail. We’d like a link to their website or to their Myspace account. Send a tour history and any press available. I’d like to know as much as possible about them. Even if you think it’s not important, it’s important. Even influences help. I think it’s interesting where to know where bands are coming from.

      InsideCx: What styles are you looking for?

      CL: I wouldn’t say there’s any one criteria. It’s a whole array. It just has to be good. I don’t think there’s any one style we’re looking for. It’s just the genre of rock or punk rock. That’s what we enjoy, but it really could be anything just as long as we connect with it. It’s the music that appeals to us first. The music has to be there. The willingness to work has to be there. The dedication—that’s really the important thing. It has to be music we feel strongly about so that we can put everything we have into it. That’s very important to us. It has to be something we feel dedicated to as well.

      InsideCx: How much do you want an artist to have accomplished before they get to you?

      CL: Artists don’t have to be touring. We have young bands on the label that don’t have an extensive touring history at all. But we’re not going to discriminate against bands who already do have a long history. A touring band would be nice, but as long as the prospects are there, it’s not like they have to have an extensive touring history. It’s nice to have one record under the belt, but again, it’s a case by case situation. It could be a short history or a long history, a little experience or a lot of experience. We like a diversified roster.

      InsideCx: How did your last signing, the Vacancies, come to Blackheart?

      CL: They actually had opened for Joan Jett and she fell in love with them. She produced their last album with Kenny Laguna. They’re just an incredible pop band from Cleveland. They played with Joan in their hometown.

      Joan Jett is very involved in the signing process. She has to love the music. The signing process is really three of us: me, Joan and Kenny Laguna. The rest of the company does weigh in as well. When a band comes in, we have a meeting—at least a phone meeting. We want to see what their dedication level is and how much they’re willing to tour. It’s different from band to band. It’s about their energy and seeing what they’re about. Dedication is really important. That’s a big thing.

      InsideCx: Is there a particular part of the country where acts are stronger?

      CL: No, acts are coming from all over the country, which is interesting. Our bands are from Cleveland, Albuquerque, wherever. I don’t know that music is centralized. There’s a rock and roll resurgence. Actually, I’ve been hearing a lot of metal. A few bands lately have been sending it. And then there’s the pop punk thing.