Sound Advice

Edward Guglielmino - publishing pro ... making $30,000 for a Japanese Energy Drink

An Introduction:

I am Edward Guglielmino, half the time I am a musician, the other half I do things in music. I DJ, blog, I teach at UQ and QUT in Brisbane.

Job Description:

I compose music and front a solo project 'Edward Guglielmino & The Show', I also play in two other bands 'The Thin Kids' and 'Scavenger Panda'. I DJ at bars such as 'The End' and 'Jamies Espresso' and I teach business, music, and cultural studies at the University of Queensland and The Queensland University of Technology. Sometimes I do public speaking gigs, I have spoken at a number of conferences, this year I am trying to get Unconvention 2012 off the ground, thanks to the change in government it is hard, we will see how it goes.

1st Album:

I think it was hottest hits 95', although the first single I bought was pretty hip and I still play it when I DJ 'She Drives Me Crazy -The Fine Young Cannibals'

1st Gig:

The Foo Fighters At Festival Hall in 1999.

Years In Industry:

Only 7 really, I graduated from my degree in 2006, and got serious then.

Early Influences:

Captain Beefheart, Roman Polanski, Yahoo Serious,

Mentor:

Along the way short stints listening to other people, but one of my greatest faults is my arrogance - when it comes down to it I have to do things my own way, so I listen but no-one is really in charge. I make a collage of ideas from the people I am around, rather than listen to just one person.

First Industry Experiences:

Very DIY, recording into my iMac in my bedroom, playing gigs in parks and on the back of utes.

How To Break Into The Industry:

Here is what you need, Gloves (leather),Crowbar Bolt Cutters,Pepper Spray (who knows), Knife (I prefer a Gerber all purpose knife), Wire Cutters,Sturdy duffel bags (i use 3 leather duffels),Walkie

talkies for you and your driver

You should go through a window rather than lock picking. And always try to stay on ground level unless there's no way in hell you can get in on the main level.

Steps:

1.) Break upper right corner of window (that's for right handed people)

2.) Put arm through and unlock the window.

3.) Assuming there's an alarm system, take a piece of metal (foil, steel sheet, aluminum from pop can, etc.) and place the metal between the magnetic alarm sensors

4.) Open window and climb through

5.) Make sure you close the window as soon as you get in and remove metal.

ONCE YOU'RE IN...

1.) WATCH OUT FOR THE DOGS ESPECIALLY IN THE HOOD!!!

2.) unlock the front door or whatever door youre gonna use to get the shit out.

3.) As youre unlocking the door, have your accomplice (not the driver) start packing shit in the duffs. not big shit...you get that last (Grammies, Aria's ect) tell him to get record deals, money, support slots, licensing deals ect.

4.) Get that shit done in (tops) 15 minutes (the time starts when your elbow goes into the window) time yourself too, it helps immensely.

Legal Advice:

I've never gotten legal advice.

What About Management:

They find you in their office stealing their record deals.

Indy Or Major:

I don't have a record deal.

Booking Agent:

Don't know, I don't have one.

Building A Fan Base:

Play the best shows you possibly can, practice as much as you can as a band. The main product is your show and your ability to perform and entertain an audience, everything else will follow from that.

Interesting story from the road, I once drank 5 red bulls and drove across inland Tasmania from 2am-5am, that was scary. Touring is mostly boring if you a doing it properly, the whole getting drunk the whole time isn't possible when you are DIY because you need to do all the driving - and to perform really well, you should be sans hangover.

How Do You Find An Audience:

By being a great musician and performer, and being funny and nice to your fans, and going an extra step to make them happy when they write to you or ask for something. They are your career, but they should approach you, not you approach them, if no one is interested in your band, the problem is the music and the performance, not your publicist or social media abilities.

First Music Video And Director:

I spent 1k with Jaymis Loveday for my first professional video, I made one earlier with a friend that was pretty cool but didn't work out entirely. You need experts to help with video things. Jaymis approached me, if I remember correctly, or a friend introduced us.

Here is a link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7rvenliERg

Publishing Pros Cons Royalties:

$30,000 for a Japanese energy drink, the ad stared Henry Winkler who played the Fonz in happy days. No con's there it was in Japan so no-one knew I was a sell out, until now.....

OS When Is The Right Time And Funding:

For me the right time was straight away because Australia's conservative entertainment industry doesn't understand my music, so some of my first gigs were in Berlin and New York, almost immediately I was played on the radio in Berlin and have been back 5 times since. I funded it with my Master Card.

Career High:

Being short listed for the Grant McLennan Fellowship in 2007 and this year.

Career Low:

Looking at my credit card bill.

Rockstar Moment:

Touring with Kate Nash around Australia, playing to massive crowds. My show at the Judith Wright this year was also massive and awesome!

3 Sound Advice Tips:

1. Be your own industry.

2. Do what you think is right.

3. Build your own audience, do not rely on something else to do it for you.

What Direction Is Industry Heading:

The Titanic