“Where do you go if you have upbeat hip-hop? Where do you go if you have classic epic orchestral scores? Where do you go if you have sad songs, and where do you go if you have happy songs?”
Tess Taylor
is the President of NARIP. An association for record industry professionals in America. The organization includes more than 130,000 people and works on connecting musicians with top executives and experts in the music and record industry.
Why do they call you a “Super Connector”?
I have an almost involuntary reaction when meeting someone new. When I’m hearing a little bit about that person, I would like to introduce that person to other people if there’s some useful or constructive thing or collaboration that can come about as a result. The reason why I’m good at what I do is that I enjoy it, it’s useful and you can see the benefit directly in front of your eyes. A rising tide raises all ships – when you do better, I do better.
How is the music business in America today in general terms?
It’s always getting better and it’s always getting worse. There are plenty of opportunities for people with really really great music. It’s a struggle if your music isn’t really great yet, but almost anybody can become great if they work hard enough and if they really focus on having a plan and that’s what I’m gonna be talking about at the conference.
I’m going to be talking about how to export music to America.
The American music market is and remains one of the most important music markets in the world for better or for worse, because when people open up their billboard magazine on a Monday morning, the first thing they check is the American Top 200 Charts. Because this continues to influence global sales and other charts around the world.
You [Danes] have a very interesting success story now with Lukas Graham and ”7 Years” and how that’s been building. It is the story of a Danish artist who’s been doing extremely well in the American music charts but that’s taken some time and it’s taken some effort and it’s taken a plan and a really really good team with Warner Brothers.
So in responds to your question, the American music marked is still strong, it still has its challenges, but it remains one of the most important music markets of the world.
Do you have any expectations to your visit to SPOT Festival and Aarhus?
I like to travel with low expectations and that’s not an insult to anyone or to anything. I just enjoy being where I am. I love Denmark – It’s like a Pepsi Commercial, everybody is healthy and happy and helpful and blond and tall and good-looking.
Are you looking forward to your visit to Aarhus and SPOT Festival?
Well, I’d say HELL YES!
I can’t wait and the problem with SPOT is that there’s so much going on. I’ve been trying to figure out what the heck I’m gonna do, and I’m gonna have to learn how to teleport, so that I can be at two places at once.