After Alex's Record of the Day this morning he's had several e-mails and this, below, is a typical example.

No wonder our industry is collapsing. No positive comments on the track; no attention to going on You Tube to find or hear Alex's other music; simply automatic, brain dead reaction to a pick on a board.

We used to get a few like this at the Tip Sheet in the late 90s but most were far more intelligent and constructive and we'd pass them onto the artistes. Even this century, when, for example we picked the unknown Orson and No Tomorrow, we got generally brighter responses. But this really reeks of lack of any enthusiasm or intelligence whatsoever.

Alex, of course, is not bothering to reply; why would he?

And the sad thing is - this level of dullness suffocates any real talent foolish enough to sign with the label (or any other similar label).

Alex and a couple of my other protegees have had far more interested and sensitive approaches in past weeks from one particular "old school" executive which led to positive meetings.
*****

Hi Alex,

Do you have any more music I could listen to?

---------
Markell Casey
A&R Scout
Virgin Records
27 Wrights Lane
London
W8 5SW





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It borders on the unbelievable.

Several Tipsters have said I'm being unfair; he may have heard other tracks online and just wants to hear more. Apart from feeling that's unlikely, surely any normal person with more than one brain cell (let alone an ear) would say "Loved these tracks... like the voice... " or something slightly more enthusiastic.

Our industry seems to be run by painting-by-numbers people, glad to have a job but with no idea how to do it properly.