I want to major in music but not sure of what the career is called?

Question

I sort of want to do what pete wentz does.

Finding bands are getting them signed.

is there a specific name for it?

Would I be able to work for a record label?

Answer 1

This kind of career is called music management, or talent scout. I think you want to discover new talented music bands and groups, then get them out there and possibly plan music contracts, projects, and get them recording contracts, and so forth. This is a very big step with lots of financial responsibilities. Before you could go to the big time and work for a record label, realistically all of this would require lots of experience, connections, music contacts, and very expensive investment. Before anyone would consider hiring you to work for a record label you would probably need to start your own company and label. I do not know what your financial situation is, but for all of this to materialize it take many, many years to put something like this together. Unfortunately, they don't teach this stuff in college. College educates people and gives out the degrees upon completion of the course work and that's as far as it goes. If you are serious, you could start your own business, but it will cost you money to work with a lawyer to form a company. However, if this is what you really would like to do the money you spend for a lawyer will be well worth it. Then you will learn the ins and outs as well as your legal rights, and so forth. Even if you start by forming your own label and /or business, if you play your cards right this will probably work in your favor and give your ideas a boost. Moreover, when you are in college, don't waste your time for four years taking nonsense subjects that will get you nowhere. Instead, put some time aside in between your regular course work and check out some business courses, or getting some research online. Speak to some people who went through this route and have succeeded. Ask plenty of questions, and do your homework. I do not know whether you are in college now or if you are about to graduate shortly from highschool. But regardless, no matter what you decide to do, be realistic and if it costs beyond your means, it is not worth it. Do research and get to work, start planning. Good luck.

Answer 2

It's called an A&R, or Artist & Repertoire. All record companies need them and typically this is the breakdown:

Go to College for music business and find a good school in NYC or LA that you can go to. Then apply for an internship for a record label. Seriously, send out your application to EVERY record label you find interesting. Look on the back of the CD's of bands you love and find out what record label they belong to (Pete Wentz & Fall Out Boy were signed to Fueled by Ramen, then Island/Def Jam Records, and now they are on Wentz's indie label Decaydance and the major label Island/Def Jam, which is part of Universal Records). It's VERY important to get involved in the music industry now and don't wait because you will know the ropes and your experience will get you ahead of other people wanting to intern.

Advice:

Find a local band that you can make friends with and love the music of and start street teaming for them. Get your friend to go to their shows and help the band pass out flyers, CD's, sell merchandise at their tables for them after the shows. Don't be a groupie, be almost a manager, somebody they can count on. If this sounds lame to you, well, then all of the music industry might end up being boring because the A&R people are in charge of the people who make all the little and big things happen. But I think if you love the band, you will love doing this.

TIP: If local bands aren't your thing, go to websites of music labels with artists/bands you love and join their online street team. You will most likely earn points and free merch. This will help you get the basics of how bands promote themselves to a target audience, which is all about what Pete Wentz knows and how he runs his record label.

After this, when you attend the college you want, apply for the internships to work with an A&R. If they don’t get back to you in 2-3 weeks, call them. Then call them again. And again. They are extremely busy and they like interns so just be very nice but persistent and you will get what you came for. Then hustle! Be the leader of the pack of interns! The A&R you work for at the label will want to know your opinion on bands, so volunteer to listen to the demo tapes that get sent and pick the band you love. Take them home, check out their myspace, add them as a friend and see what shows they are playing. Most likely you will be able to tell the A&R about what band you love and if he/she likes them as well, you just earned yourself some respect that could lead to a job.

WARNING: A&R's at major labels only keep their jobs for about 6 months to 2 years at the most. Independent labels typically keep their A&R's for longer and they work with more record releases. Either way, there is experience to gain and like any other job, its all about your enthusiasm, your experience, and later the friends you've made who help you get to the top. After being an A&R, people either rise to a new level or become a songwriter, producer, agent, manager, etc. They stay in the biz, keeping their contacts and working with music that they love.