Q: What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

People rarely ask about what it takes to work as an A&R. Corria says, “I guess it can be really time-consuming and sometimes it can be hard to balance your career and social life.”

Question 1

What is the most challenging part of being an A&R Coordinator?

Jody Stephens · Accepted Answer

Combining the talents of the artist, Producer, and the marketing team/effort and keeping them focused and on budget.

Question 2

What does A&R look for in an artist?

Jody Stephens · Accepted Answer

An artist that, through their music, has the ability to connect with an audience and the drive to sustain that connection.

Question 3

What defines a good A&R Coordinator?

Jody Stephens · Accepted Answer

Someone with a good sense of what an artist and his or her music might connect with, with a large enough audience to make it a good relationship between the label and the artist.

Question 4

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Andrew Corria · Accepted Answer

“Networking, doing the research, taking music industry classes at school, making opportunities and creating opportunities whenever you can.”

Question 5

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Andrew Corria · Accepted Answer

“Not doing the groundwork and trying to jump into it without knowing what the job is. Every time I tell someone what A&#038;R is they’re like, ‘What is that? What do you do?’ So just know as much as you can about the industry.”
“If you’re put in the position of an entry-level job or an internship, if this is something you really want to do you really need to put the time in and learn it. You have to be really well-rounded.”

Question 6

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

Andrew Corria · Accepted Answer

People rarely ask about what it takes to work as an A&#038;R. Corria says, “I guess it can be really time-consuming and sometimes it can be hard to balance your career and social life.”

Question 7

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

Andrew Corria · Accepted Answer

“Being happy. Happiness. Everyone has a different measure of success. Some people feel like you have to accomplish this [thing], have this much money, have this car. Me, I feel like as long as I’m happy doing what I’m doing, that’s being successful in itself.”
“I feel like there are a lot of people in these positions who strive to get there and for whatever reasons aren’t happy–so I think happiness is the big thing.”

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A&R Coordinator