Larry Crane shares a piece of wisdom in our conversation that has stuck with me since the moment we recorded it. As we were talking about the process of making and releasing records and the idea of how musicians should be compensated for their work, Larry simply said, “Music is not merit based.”
It sounds like a harsh statement, but it is completely and totally true. Each of us can likely rattle off a handful of bands that we believe should have been huge. While most of us also have a huge band or artist that we find unctuous and irredeemable. It’s not enough to just write a great song and turn it into a great record. It takes ability, dedication, consistency, discipline, and a shitload of luck.
While much of the music business is a crapshoot, Larry and I talk about a few of the tools artists can employ to stack the odds in their favor. Larry shares how much bands still struggle with basic arrangement ideas like tying the kick drum to the bass guitar, or even making sure that the band is functioning as a unit. Despite the fact that it is easier than ever for a band to record their own tracks at home, these nascent artists are often still struggling with the basic concepts of writing and arrangement.
Larry and I talk deeply about his relationship with the great singer/songwriter Elliott Smith. In Elliott, Larry found a kindred musical spirit who embodied all of the great things about songwriting, arrangement, and recording that brought Larry to music to begin with. The pair even found a way to work together as Larry was first building his studio, Jackpot Recordings in Portland, OR. Larry offered severely discounted studio time to Elliott for his help in getting the studio into working condition.
As the line between DIY consumer gear and professional level equipment continues to blur, Larry is quick to remind folks that great records can be made on the most basic of equipment. We use the Nebraska record by Bruce Springsteen as a prime example.
We chat about Larry’s opportunity to work with the terrific Australian rock band, The Go Betweens who made one of their last, and probably best sounding albums at Jackpot with Larry behind the controls. There are tales of M. Ward, She and Him, The Decemberists, Sleater Kinney, and even R.E.M. that pop up in our talk.
This is a fascinating chat with a guy who has been learning on the job since the first day he sat down in his high school electronics class and slowly immersed himself into a world of recording and capturing music. As he says, he has been paid to learn almost everything he knows, and the proof is in the terrific work he continues to churn out every day.
Cheers,Matty C
