Bieler Bros. Records
4100 N. Powerline Rd. - Suite U-5 - Pompano Beach, FL 33073
Interview with Jason Bieler, owner of Bieler Bros. Records.
By: Dennis M. Kelly
Here is an excerpt from the Bieler Bros. website (http://bielerbros.com):
COMPANY INFO:
Bieler Bros. Records was founded by Aaron and Jason Bieler in
January 2002. Bieler Bros. Records is about a long-term vision
and building career artists.
How does Bieler Bros. help to build career artists?
By taking time to let things develop. We don't focus on one single or 6 week pushes. Most of our success stories come from 18-24 month pushes and multiple singles. We know if we have great artists with great records. It simply comes down to time before we can have some degree of success.
How do you feel this approach compares with other record companies?
I don't really pay that much attention to other labels. I am aware
of them, but I don't focus on what they do.
We found out what works for us and our bands and that's what we worry about.
With all the bands out there these days, it seems one of the biggest
struggles that artists face today is actually getting heard
by the labels (let alone their target audience).
What exactly does Bieler Brothers look for in a potential client?
I think it's easier than ever for a band to get heard and/or discovered by a label. The real rarity is "greatness". There is a tremendous amount of "good" bands.. but no one cares about good. I think the biggest and most important challenge anyone in any label faces is finding and nuturing the truly great artists and then being commited enough to follow through for however long it takes to see it work.
How much does the professionalism of the press kit matter to you? Does it impact your view of the artist themselves?
It is all about the music, the songs and the talent. We all have seen greatness..in sports, acting and music. We know it when we see it, so do the people and fans. You can't bullshit your way past sucking with nice pictures, amazing web graphics and empty press releases. On the other hand, a truly great song or record can stop me in my tracks and transcend any limitations.
Is there anything that you don’t want to see in a submission that could even impact your decision on the band?
The more simple, the better. I just need a CD and maybe a web ling. I don't need 45 pages on the history of life in your town, etc. etc. blah. blah. Some simple contact info, a photo and we're off to the races if the music is amazing. Don't send in dirty, stinking of smoke, ripped or smudged up stuff. No one wants to handle a package like that.
You also state on your website that you sign what moves you. With a roster that is predominantly Metal, can any band from any genre send you their music?
Well, I don't thing our roster is predominantly Metal. Metal is a fairly wide genre in and of itself. Fiction Plane is certainly not Metal, but we sure do have some of the heaviest bands around as well. We like all muisc, and sign what we love and find inspirational. There is nothing we wouldn't sign, as long as it meets those other criteria.. GREATNESS!
Do you accept digital submissions? (i.e. from Sonicbids or other sites like that)?
I’ll check Myspace links, etc.
How many people listen to the music on a daily basis?
You mean the demo submission? It's a constant around here, there is music blarring 24/7 and people walking into others offices screaming "turn it up!" or the dreaded "turn that shit down!"
When
an artist is liked by one of your people, what is the process
involved from there?
I take everyone's opinion very seriously.. and we always say you
can sign anyone you really feel is "the one". My opinion is
just that, an opinion, and I have been wrong and I have been
right. Everyone here can make that call when the time comes.
If they are wrong.. well you saw the end of Braveheart.. very similar
process.
When it is decided you want to sign a band, what are the steps involved from there?
Usually sitting face-to-face if possible and making sure they are the type of people we want to work with. That thet have the work ethic to see it through and that they understand the tremendous commitment it takes to get to the next level.
How do you distribute your music?
Nowadays mostly through a network of Russian web sites.. kidding. We try and make sure our music is available in every way our fans would want it. We sell directly to a large group of people through our web site and have built a really large business doing so; great prices and flawless customer service plus nice extras are always included. That's important and interesting because we can control the whole process.. from recording to fans CD players, making sure they get what they want, how they want, when they want it at a price they feel is fair.
iTunes is huge for us and growing like mad, plus Best Buy, Transworld, Target, Walmart and the all important indie record stores.
How much distribution does Bieler Bros do on CD vs. digital releases?
It's changing on a daily basis and it also changes per artist. Some artist's fan bases are far more digital or iTunes based and some are Best Buy, FYE based.
Has there been a noticeable difference in sales for you?
Unlike every story you have been reading on the music business and other labels, we have posted 3 years of increased sales.. and not just by a little bit. We're very happy about our growth and the future for the company
Locations, where in the world are your clients based? Do you sign artists from certain areas only?
We sign bands from anywhere in the world, no place is off limites. We have bands in the UK, Japan, Italy, Australia and the US, etc.
Where is Bieler Bros. headed in the near future?
We want to continue doing exactly what we are doing, sign bands we feel are great and continue growing. Pretty simple.
Do you have any additional comments or suggestions you’d like to offer our readers on how to get signed with you?
Be very hard on yourself, raise the bar on what you think is good enough. Work harder than everyone else. If you truly have talent and combine it with an unyealding work ethic, you can and will succeed. Maybe not when you want, or how you want, but that combo cannot be held back for long.
Good luck!
Thank you very much for your time today!!
For more information on Bieler Bros. Records, please visit their official site at: http://www.bielerbros.com