#86: Requiem for a Pitbull
A daily roundup of interesting links about music, culture and marketing
MUSIC THING:
”I’ve noticed a tendency in myself and others where you can easily think that if you do something complicated it’s good, because you know you found it difficult – whereas in reality the simple stuff we do is often the best. And that can be hard for the individual to see in themselves, because if it came out easily you might not recognise that it’s good – that it’s better than something you've laboured over, sometimes.
Just because you found it easy to make something or do a certain thing, and it was rudimentary and it didn't involve anything complicated, that doesn't make it bad – it might actually be what makes it good.
An insecure artist will often overcomplicate things. That’s where you get pretentious music coming from. Obviously, there are people who can make complicated things and just make them brilliant. But it’s kind of combining the clever with the stupid, isn’t it? That’s often where the magic occurs.”
The head of London’s XL Recordings, Richard Russell has overseen the careers of global pop stars like Adele, bands like The White Stripes and pioneering acts across a variety of genres and sounds. XL gave us Dizzee Rascal, Vampire Weekend, MIA, Jai Paul and many many many more. Russell has written an autobiography and has had a bunch of great interviews on his press run for the book. Start with this one.
Better Music Through Listening: XL's Richard Russell Interviewed
CULTURE THING:
I love a good read about the gossip-industrial complex, don’t you? This is a great look at Britain’s Daily Mail and why they seem to be kicking our asses when it comes to getting that juicy hot goss.
HOW THE DAILY MAIL SCOOPS AMERICAN DIRT
MARKETING THING:
69+ High Quality Copywriting Templates Proven to Work
Everything from your sales e-mails to your subject lines. Get it right, get it tight!
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Until tomorrow…
WASH YOUR HANDS! STAY IN THE HOUSE! CHECK ON YOUR LOVED ONES!
Office Hours is written by Ernest Wilkins. Follow me on Twitter/IG @ErnestWilkins or send me an e-mail.