The executive producer has a lot of responsibilities and usually is someone with a lot of experience in the music industry. They help oversee the entire production process, from start to finish, and offer guidance to the artists and producers working on the project.
- An executive producer is essentially the boss of the album.
- An executive producer’s job has increased in responsibility over the years. Once, they were only in charge of financing the projects and working closely with investors, producers, and promoters within the industry.
- Today, an executive producer’s job can be anything from overseeing the recording process and planning the big picture for artists to marketing, promoting, and offering guidance whenever possible.
- Executive producers are extremely capable individuals who know their way around the industry. Most started out as managers or agents. Executive producers need to:
-Be professional,
-Have experience in marketing and promoting,
-Be able to even do hands-on work if necessary,
-Have a lot of contacts within the industry, etc.
An executive producer works with the talent, coordinates with different departments, takes care of funding, markets the finished product, and ensures that the album is something that everyone is happy with. It can be a lot of work, but it’s also a gratifying job.
Executive producers get to be creatively involved in the project as well. They decide on what songs will be included in an album. Some executive producers manage artists and help them produce songs and albums, while others can develop new talent and find fresh faces.
Keep reading to find out more information about executive producers and what they do in music.
Contents
Determining the “Big Picture“
An executive producer is responsible for hiring the artist, who in turn helps with hiring the music producer. It’s their job to collaborate with everyone involved to figure out what kind of album they want to create together with the talent and how it should sound.
They will also have an idea about where at least some of the money that will be spent on making this album should go. For example, they might decide how much should be spent on music producers, marketing and promotion, etc.
They have to have a sense of what will go well with the album’s target audience. They want to make an album that people will enjoy buying and listening to, so they need to keep a lot of factors in mind when putting the album together.
They have to consider how well a music producer, for example, will mesh and play along with everyone involved and what kind of budget they might need.
In this capacity, they are basically a project manager or a CEO. Their primary thinking is ‘big picture,’ although it will be up to the talent and the music producers who will get to do most of the creative work.
Planning Production
When the executive producer is scouting for talent, they always need to consider how the end goal would look. They need to assemble a team with a lot of experience and know what will suit their music better.
On a day-to-day basis, once production on an album begins, an executive producer oversees everything that is going on behind the scenes. They make sure that things are happening according to plan and receive updates from those involved in the project to see how everything is progressing.
Sometimes executive producers take on a more significant role as co-producers, which is often the case in music production. But if someone else has been hired as the leading music producer for an album, the executive producer will still be able to contribute with their creative input.
Helping Artists Bring Their Vision to Life
An executive producer works with artists to make their ‘vision’ of an album a reality. They also need to handle some of the more challenging aspects of being part of the music industry, such as managing egos and ensuring that everyone involved is pulling their weight.
The most important thing for any music producer to remember is that they are working for the artist. If they see something they don’t like, they will need to let the artist know, but they should never try to ‘dictate’ what the artist wants to do or how their vision should sound.
They need to believe and support the artist and be their biggest champion during the entire process of creating and producing songs. They can often make or break a career with how well they manage every aspect of what needs to happen for artists and how well they work together within a team.
One other aspect that executive producers usually help with is helping artists collaborate when they’re looking for specific talent for their albums. They will be one of the main points of contact between different people working on the album, and they will figure out what everyone’s roles are going to be.
Marketing and Promoting
The executive producer is the face of the artist, so they need to do a lot of public relations appearances to keep themselves and their brand in the spotlight. They need to maintain a positive image and work hard to build a solid fan base.
They need to make sure that artists and their music get in front of as many people as possible and often work with companies that own venues or manage tour dates. Booking concerts and events is one of the executive producer’s most important tasks.
Executive producers also need to be skilled marketers. They need to promote an artist and present them to the public in a way that will be appealing and understandable. They research what kind of music their target audience is into and keep an ear out for any new trends.
They also play a role in merchandising and branding, which are both crucial elements of an artist’s product. They must first determine what sort of apparel or accessories will appeal to the target audience, after which they must develop a product line around that. They also have to find a way to introduce the artist’s brand and vision in a way that will be unforgettable.
How to Become a Music Executive Producer?
Many executive producers who worked their way up from other positions within the music industry often started out as managers or agents.
Executive producers need to be able to promote and present themselves professionally, which is something that an executive producer must know how to do.
The executive producer role is perfect for people who want to become music producers but don’t want to spend all their time working in the studio. It’s also a good career choice for anyone who loves working in the industry but doesn’t necessarily love doing hands-on work.
The executive producer needs to make sure that they are always up to date with what’s going on in the industry and that they are always open to new opportunities. They need to be able to mix business with pleasure. This role requires someone who is extremely hardworking and dedicated, but also fun and a little bit creative.
To become a music executive producer, you need to have experience in marketing and PR and exceptional music taste in the specific genres of music you want to produce. You will need to know how to deal with music producers and work closely with musicians and other creative types who can sometimes be quite temperamental!
Some executive producers will also manage A&R (artist and repertoire) directors, which means they are the point of contact for potential artists and labels when it comes time to sign them. They will be the main contact between the artist and the labels, and they will make sure they’re getting everything they need to produce great music.
What’s the Difference between an Executive Producer and a Music Producer?
While both titles are well-respected and work closely together, their actual work differs in many ways.
An executive producer has major responsibilities like overseeing the recording process, marketing and promoting the material, planning the production from start to finish, and defining and opening the doors for the artists.
Up until recent years, the responsibilities of an executive producer have certainly doubled, as in the early years, the executive producer was mainly in charge of funding the projects and working closely with promoters, investors, film producers, etc.
A music producer, on the other hand, is in charge of a great deal of other related work like organizing rehearsals, recording sessions, and working/collaborating with other musicians/artists to complete a project.
They are responsible for arranging the composition. This includes anything from making minor tweaks to making full-on harmonies and tones. And usually, they are excellent and music theory as their job entails knowing the music at its fullest.
Conclusion
The executive producer plays an essential role in the music industry. They need to be there for the artist at all times, they need to be able to bring out the best in their artist, and they need to ensure that they have an idea about what the target audience wants.
They are also a big part of the promotional and merchandising process, as they need to make sure that a product line is developed that is relevant and interesting.
Great executive producers need to be well-rounded and know how to work with people from all backgrounds. They need to see how their artist fits into the current trends and help them take it to the next level.
They also need to be highly talented in making music and have a keen ear for good songs and lyrics. They should always be ready to support their artist and do whatever they can to help them succeed.
The executive producer role can be an exciting and rewarding career for someone who loves music and has a passion for helping artists.
