I think one of the most engaging parts of my job is compiling large 40 artist compilations that ultimately tell some sort of story. I thought that I would be able to crank these out every season (what was I thinking), but even one a year is plenty of work on top of all my normal Dust Collectors duties. I thought it would be interesting to walk through my process of putting together these compilations. Here is a look into my role as an A&R.
Step One: So… Should We Open Submissions?
The hardest part for me is always starting a project. This applies to all areas in my life; as a classically trained procrastinator I sometimes have trouble even knowing where to start. That said, I try to start these comps with the end in mind. If I want to have the track list done by August 29th, I should open up submissions two months before. This gives me enough time to recruit artists I want on the compilation and gives artists enough time to source the perfect beat. Once I find a start date, I sound off on social media in order to give producers the necessary information to submit.
Step Two: Recruitment
I usually have a number of producers I want to see on the compilation in mind when I begin. For this compilation I want a really good mix of well known and undiscovered producers. This requires a lot of digging through SoundCloud and getting help from Dust Collectors members. I would say of the 50 artists I contacted, 30 ended up submitting to the compilation and 28 ended up on the final product. Many times I have to check in on artists as well to see how a track is progressing. Seeing a track go from demo to final product has to be one of my favorite experiences during this process. On this upcoming compilation, I’ve had a pretty good time recruiting artists and receiving quality submissions. For the previous compilation back in 2018, it was a lot harder to get people on board.
Step Three: Listening to Submissions
As I stated previously, receiving submissions is a big part of building the compilation. All in all I would say I sifted through 170 submissions and close to 300 songs. Out of these 300 songs that DCR received we ended up using around 12 tracks. The DC submissions email is always a grab bag of beats. While I do stumble upon an occasional gem, I many times find myself listening to tracks that, even if they are very good, do not fit the DCR sound. Because of the volume, it can take up to 3 hours a day listening to submissions! While the submissions email is honestly not my favorite medium to receive tracks, I feel that it is the most fair way to go through music because everyone has access to it. (Quick Side Note: If I had more time I would respond to more demos outside of compilation season, so if I haven’t I apologize!)
Step Four: Finalizing the Tracklist
While submissions come in I build a folder of potential tracks I want to see on the compilation. I try to keep this list just over the length of the compilation. Once the submission deadline passes I immediately begin to cut it down and begin to structure the final comp. I break the compilation into four sides:. A,B,C, and D.
I think of every side as a sonic pyramid. This comes together for me like a jigsaw puzzle and is my favorite part of the whole process. One issue that arises is staying under the 22 minutes on a side of vinyl. With pencil and paper I jot down the track times as I build the compilation in order to not going over that limit. Another consideration is that I need to make sure artist names and track names are spelled correctly! It is no fun to have an error, especially on a physical product.
Step Five: Creative Direction
A compilation is just a collection of songs without a clear creative direction. I usually let the tracks guide the vibe and the overall feel of the compilation. The hardest part of this compilation was getting a name for it. It took Jeff and I maybe two hours of texting names and ideas to each other before we finally settled on one. This has yet to be announced. Of course, creative direction is more than the music and the title: Jeff has worked really hard on the artistic direction to make it unique and stand out. More on this later.
Step Six: Release
Coming soon...
Also, here are three tracks I’m digging right now —>