A&R, as many of you may know, stands for “Artists and Repertoire.” That’s the person that selects the songs and the producers and is basically the research and development (R&D) arm for a record company, getting those creative hits going that will fuel the record company and everyone else’s salary. The A&R guy is more than just a talent scout; he is also the crucial link to getting your record made and completed, choosing the songs among your repertoire, helping to decide whether you are going to do a cover, which producers you are going to work with and whom they will introduce you to, etc. A good A&R person advises and assists when you are making the decision to use lots of samples (which could delay the release of your album while you await sample clearance) or help you find people to play on your album (background musicians, collaborators, etc.). The A&R is the gatekeeper. You have to pass through A&R to get your record signed. A lot of people won’t listen to your first song for more than five to ten seconds before they decide whether they want to continue. So, if you’ve got five seconds and you never get a second chance to make a first impression, you need to come with your best song first. You must not walk in with a tape and explain why the production or the EQ is not the way it should be, or how you intend to “really” arrange or perform it in the future; today’s standards and competition are much too high. If your material is not presented in a way that is competitive with everything else that is out there right now, turn back, re-work it and get it to that standard before you submit to A & R.
