Who Is Scott Austin?

You decide.. but it’s one of the coolest sights I’ve ever seen.

Hope you agree!

Well the day is upon us and the torch has been passed. 25 years after some of the world’s biggest musical talents converged at the request of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones to record the original We Are The World to benefit hunger in Africa, Lionel and Quincy have amassed an equally impressive group of modern and classic pop acts to create a worthy and fitting tribute to Haiti and the original message of the song.

In case you missed it, or want to see it again, here you go:

I read a pretty cool article today about a millionaire who decided to give all of it away to lead a “simpler” life. Crazy? Maybe, but read the article and you might just agree that this gent makes some excellent observations about how his many “possessions” began to possess him…

Link here

Special thanks to all of our friends who came out to party it up last night at HYDE. Sorry to those who got stuck out front, we had an amazing turnout that the venue took some time to absorb.

The good news is everyone who was patient got in and hopefully enjoyed a few cocktails. Joining the room last night was FACEBOOK CEO Mark Zuckerberg with a sea of distinguished gentlemen… Maybe a business expense? You be the judge!

Please join us at the next AA Happy Hour taking place 3/3 at LES DEUX!

The only thing cooler than watching maximum security prisoners in The Phillipines self-choreograph to Michael Jackson music (c’mon you saw the viral videos!)

Is watching Michael Jackson’s choreographer Travis Payne lead hundreds of these same people in tribute to the DVD release of the movie tomorrow. THIS is why we do music!

I’m in my time machine heading back to 10 years ago when Franz Ferdinand was but a twinkle in the founding members’ eyes. A time when dreams of rock ‘n roll fame and fortune overpowered every sensibility to just make music for the sake of creative art. Oh wait, I just got transported back to 2010 and I’m hearing about the ruckus these Scots are making about their record label licensing a song to McDonald’s without their “approval.”

First of all, let’s get real here… The 80’s… AND the 90’s are over! You can bag the indie-shmindie attitude at the door. The second you signed a contract with any company who was willing to take the great financial risk (and at unknown reward) of working with your self-indulgent, guitar-noodling band, you made a deal to trade your “artistic credo” for some cold hard cash and a shot at becoming a bona fide rock star.

To say now, in hindsight, and after millions of dollars invested (and, let’s not forget, MILLIONS EARNED by the band) that you are appalled by a decision to place your music alongside McDonald’s, a brand that is one of the world’s most recognized brands, in a spot that will no doubt earn you not only millions of new “non-hipster” fans but a boatload of cash via not only licensing and PRO revenue but additional touring and merchandise revenue courtesy of these new fans makes me sick. To add insult to injury, you spit right in the faces of every “indie” band looking for a break in the industry who would gladly trade places with you in a nanosecond.

What’s the motto here, “We made our money, now we have to look cool for our fans”??? Give me a break. Your band is no more special than the thousands of other young bands trying to survive in an industry plagued by piracy and diminished value for content, and your belief that you are is disrespectful to all of the fans that helped get you to where you are in the first place.

You are ungrateful and two-faced. If you mind the spot so much, a spot by the way that is only happening because you allowed both your label AND publisher the rights to enter into such a placement without your prior approval then perhaps YOU are to blame.

You can’t have it both ways. You can have the “cred” and take the hard road, or the money and keep your mouth shut. There is no in-between.

And if you’re so concerned that the brand affiliation with McDonald’s is “bad” for the FF brand, then why don’t you cleanse the FF brand and donate all of the revenue associated with the spot (PRO included) to the Haitian relief effort? Or any other cause of your choosing for that matter, just stop blaming “the man” for your “problems.” I’ve known and talk to 30 independent artists a week that have to actually work “real jobs” for a living and who would feel blessed to be in your “situation.”

It’s 2010 and world events dictate that even an “at one time self-important A&R prick” like me knows now is not the time for millionaire rockstars to cry woe is me now.

Gratefully yours,

Scott Austin

CEO / Authentik Artists

Love/Hate mail welcome through the contact form at AuthentikArtists.com

Check out our latest AA Podcast featuring Josh Ballard from Until June.

Ok, so another thing I recently decided to rekindle was my photography hobby! Over the recent holiday break I found myself geeking out and pouring over dozens of web sites and magazines researching all of the latest cool new cameras… and I found THE one!

Here’s the thing… I’m a busy guy. I also hate clutter and anything that adds “stuff” to my life. In fact I even have a “stuff” removal plan, where I insist on getting rid of something for every new thing I add. Seems crazy I know, but it works AND I keep my sanity.

So, back to the camera, it’s the G11 by Canon and it rocks. It’s a digital slr but without all the bulky lenses / attachments / etc. The smaller size (though still bigger than say a Powershot) means I’ll actually drag it along on walks etc AND the picture quality is impeccable. And the coolest thing about the camera is that it’s completely unpretentious. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not and isn’t all that flashy. In fact it almost looks “military”.

I know what you’re thinking… Show me a pic! So here you go, more to come!

AND

After a lengthy absence from the podcast world due to a nasty case of bronchitis over the Holidays, the Authentik Podcast is back!

Check out Authentik Podcast #5 where we talk about streaming and the changing music industry landscape in 2010!

Is there anything better than going to your favorite restaurant with a guaranteed reservation and in the meantime earning points towards CASH rewards for future restaurant visits???

Simple answer?  NO!

I have become a huge fan of OT.com, the subject of which has become a bit of an inside joke with the smASH-ster.  Here’s my point, if we’re going to go to these places anyway ( i.e. Katsuya / Morton’s / Pecorino / etc.), why not get rewarded?

Check it out and join the reservation revolution!!!  (kidding, the service is forever years old!)