Music Lessons with The Rapinoe Brothers

Introduction

Take that, could it be magic? A massive hit by the Rapinoe Brothers, who were on a real trajectory in the music industry.

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The Next Big Hit

• Case Study: What was the next big case study sort of hit for you?
• Industry Perception: At that point, we were really on the map. Many executives thought that we could essentially fix any record available in the industry.

The Boy Band Phenomenon

• After "Take That," suddenly everyone jumped on board with the boy band craze.
• Groups like East 17 and others entered the scene. Another market, another frontier.

The Hit Factory

• We were producing one record a day.
• Some might call it a "hit factory" or, humorously, a "shit factory."

The Call for Help

• I remember receiving a call from Mike McCormack's wife, Joanne, who, sadly, has passed away.
• She was a very intelligent A&R person behind the Spice Girls.

Joanne's Plea: "I need you. I got this boy band, and we need to fix a record, a cover of a Shalimar song."

• The "magic touch" they referred to was really just a cheap reverb machine.

Crafting a Hit

• We changed the track and got somewhat stuck.
• Despite any grievances about record companies, my advice is always to be ethical, honest, and sincere.

Honest Communication: "Joanne, you can have the record now, but it ain't a hit. Give me another three days, and it will be a hit."

• After two days, we delivered the improved record, and it reached number eight on the charts once again.

Understanding the Market

• When you're in the pop market, you have a "touch" for what people want to hear.
• Brand Creation: It's about creating the brand, the brand Rapinoe.

The Call from Warners

• We received a call from Warners, specifically from A&R Steve Allen, an ex-artist known for his artistry.

Steve's Quote: "Look, I need to see you guys."

• It's funny how early in the morning it gets when they need you!

The Challenge

• He wanted our number, but no one had our contact details.
• We had a legend surrounding us: the "Rapinoe Brothers."

The Recording Session

• When Steve arrived, he put a cassette on and thought we wouldn't like it.

Our Response: "Stop the bloody thing! It's a piece of shit. But you know what? I love it. This record is a number one."

• The melody was simple, making it accessible for anyone to sing.

Business Decisions

• I called Bud, our manager, and said, "We need to do this record. We can get a big advance."

The Power of Music Marketing

• It's often thought that marketing is key, but it fundamentally comes down to the product itself.
• Self-Marketing: If your product resonates, it markets itself.

Insights on Music Production

• Production and marketing are intertwined; production serves as the package.
• Music transitioned from aesthetic art to a consumable product similar to shoes.

Breaking Down Perceptions

• Many often overlook the importance of truly understanding what makes music appeal to the masses.
• Even as we navigated through early challenges, we soon realized we had a hit.

The Unexpected Success

• Although it didn't chart initially in the cool charts or radio, it exploded once we played it on the air.

Chart Performance: Went number four in the States and straight to number one in England.

Coolness in the Industry

• The Rapinoe Brothers were placed in an uncool space, but we were so uncool that we became cool.

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Musical Inspirations

• My inspiration came from figures like Phil Spector and German producer Connie Plank.
• If you want to succeed in pop, listen to something completely different from pop.

Advice: "If you aim to be a mainstream pop artist, listen to non-pop music."

Derivative Nature of Music

• Every piece of music is derivative to some extent. Kate Bush is one of the few artists who stands apart.

Unique Artists

• Kate Bush's work transcends typical market constraints, merging classic and modern elements in a unique way.

Final Thought: "Her music is completely mad yet very popular because it's so different."

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This concludes our lesson with insights from the Rapinoe Brothers, showcasing their journey, production philosophies, and the essence of creating lasting hits in the music industry.