Great Productions

An Introductory Interview with Dane Boles
By Jenni Young

JY: You are the genius behind Great Productions. Tell your fans and clients a little bit about yourself.
DB: I’ve been involved in music since I was a small child. I never really fit into any one genre or category. I was playing the bagpipes in second grade, and playing bass in a little punk band by middle school. I spun reggae and hip hop in high school, and my college roommate got me doing hip hop production. I did the whole theory thing, marching, symphonic band and whatnot, and basically never turned down anything when it came to music.

JY: What is Great Productions all about?
DB: Great Productions is about bringing back the artistic quality in music. I think a lot of people are getting a little tired of the way that a lot of the music is becoming pretty standard and cliché. Hip hop is now more of an advertising campaign that sometimes rhymes. I mean, we haven’t had real rock stars in how many years. I think Kurt Cobain and Sublime were just about the last ones to really reach rock stardom. Think about the big names today- Dave Grohl, Gwen Stephani, Diddy, Madonna, Timb, Busta.… all got there fame back in the day, they’ve just been able to stick around. A lot of the newest stuff just seems to be newer versions of stuff that’s already been done, but what about the rest of the industry? New name every other week sounds just like the old name; it’s like no one knows how to take chances anymore. And I’m not hating on anyone by saying this, I understand what it takes to succeed in the industry. Anyone that has their name out has achieved a lot and I respect them for that, I just think that its about due time for a musical revolution, and in my opinion, based on what I have come to interpret, is that it will be something similar to the change that took place in the early nineties, their rebellion against the 80’s trends, involvement in politics and whatnot.

JY: What is your business philosophy?
DB: My business philosophy is to basically give the people what they want. I don’t want to be the one to tell someone that they’ll never make it because they don’t know the right people or spend enough on the right producers. Music, art… all of that comes from the soul, regardless of how professional an artist’s approach is. I’m lucky enough to have had the opportunities to learn first hand about the music business, and it’s my job to make sure that the unfiltered, naturally euphoric essence of music is able to survive in a market that is fighting a battle of numbers. It’s also important to me to keep the vibes right in the industry. Everyone in art and music is sharing an expression of themselves, so it’s just bad for everyone to have people hating, feuding, whatever. It doesn’t produce good music that way.

JY: What are your long-term goals for the business?
DB: To give a new hope to the millions of kids watching their dreams slip away because the standardization that our culture is facing doesn’t allow for their creativity and individuality. A thousand years ago, being an artist or a musician was a noble career path and a trade, but today, there’s no room for that. Most musicians are pigeonholed into a tiny little sector that makes close to nothing, unless they happen to be one of the billions of candidates lucky enough to sell their soul to a major label, or they have to disregard their passion as a hobby, not to let it interfere with that nine to five that sucks the life out of millions each year. Some of these jobs are more detrimental to your health than smoking, but theirs no TV ads telling you to quit your job.

JY: What inspired you to start a small business? How are you going to thrive in our struggling economy?
DB: I wanted to help other artists with what I know. I’ve seen a lot of musicians in particular making the same mistakes in the business. I’ve made some of those mistakes myself, learned from them, and now am trying to help people do it right so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I did. I almost sound like a parent with that one, but it’s the truth.

JY: Do you create your own music as well? What’s your sound?
DB: Yeah, I do. A lot of it I produce for others, but I’m pretty defined in my own right. I take a lot of risks, I mix a lot of influences that don’t conventionally go together, and I really try contrasting them when I do it. I feel that if you know your theory enough, you can figure out exactly how to fit things together and make them work, and for the most part they do. I’m also big on simplicity, and at the same time intricacy, a seemingly standard setup, with hints of intricacy hidden for those keen enough to pick up on it.

JY: What can Great Productions offer artists that they can’t find elsewhere?
DB:The proper, safe, and best option for putting your work into effect. Whether its art, music, or literature, knowing how to produce it PROPERLY, protecting it, marketing it, and following up on it are the things that mean the difference between a career and a hobby. There’s been a lot of talent that goes unnoticed because the artist is too blind as to themselves. They don’t see the mistakes their making in their processes, and it’s bitten many in the ass. We handle all the things that the major labels don’t have time to concern themselves with, and that the artist usually doesn’t know too much about. Plus, we’re willing to adapt this practice to your budget. If you need flyers and a demo, of course you can get the highest quality work possible, we actually are that good; but if your struggling and just need it to be sufficient enough that people will take you seriously, we can do it very professionally yet cost efficient. If you really are that good, as long as it’s done proper, you can still get where you need to go. Although it is true sometimes, even in the music industry, that sometimes a little flashiness can go a long way. Either way, we want to be able to provide an affordable means to access the necessities of the industry without robbing the piggy bank. Most people want to be professional musicians, but can’t afford to take it to that next level. That’s what we’re here for.

JY: You talk a lot about being a “vehicle for change” in the entertainment industry. How does Great Productions fit into the way the industry is changing already? How is Great Productions going to change it even further?
DB: Major labels are at a loss right now because they have to figure out how to recoup lost profits due to the decrease in cd sales caused by the increase in digital media. Artists are at a higher competition with each other because there are more ways to self produce your music and less spots on a major’s roster. Great Productions wants to provide the tools that musicians need to take that extra step between self-produced at home, and professional musician. And we would like to do it before the major’s figure out how to monopolize on it, which they are already working on I assure you. This way we can keep it in the hands of the people, making them work for us, not the other way around.

JY: Great Productions isn’t just about promoting music. What other pots do you and your team have your hands in?
DB: We do Art, including photography, and Literature too.

JY: How are they linked to music?
DB: The legalities of the trades are really similar, especially when it comes to copyrights and publishing rights. Remember, music is a work of art, and as far as the legal system goes, is treated as such. The only differences come based upon the way the art is rendered and received, which is auditory compared to visual.

JY: I know you are strongly opposing the “Orphan Works Act”. Tell everyone a little bit about the Act and how it will effect art, music etc.
DB: Right now, a copy written work is protected until 70 years after the copyright owner’s death. That means that Kurt Cobain could have died, but his work can still be protected. Companies would have to pay his estate, or whoever owns the copyright in order to use it in, say, a commercial. The Orphan Works Act, specifically designed for cartoons, is a bill that “they” are trying to pass that would define an orphan work as one if the copyright or publishing manager was unable to be contacted after a “dedicated” search. It’s a fancy way of saying, “if we search for you however we would want to search for you, and don’t find you, then we can use your work without having to give credit or payment.” It allows for loopholes to be made by companies that pay lawyers to find loopholes, and makes it easier for them to control the business of ‘registries.’ They can charge the artists, who already are under compensated, to register with them, or else they are threatened with the “orphan” status on their work. Once it goes through for artists and cartoonists, musicians and authors would be soon to follow suit.

JY: Where can one find more information? How can people get involved in opposing the “Orphan Works Act”?
DB: There’s a group on facebook that everone should join. I can’t remember the exact link but you can look it up. I also have something posted about it on the Great Productions myspace page, its listed under “shows.” I have a copy of the actual bill if you would like to read a copy, I’ll email it to you, just ask me for it. It’s a pretty insulting bill actually, and everyone needs to get involved and let whoever wrote it know that enough is enough. Twisted Sister style, just like, “No, we ain’t gonna take it!” You know… There are not too many people that know about it and that’s what they’re depending on. Everyone just needs to get on it themselves instead of waiting around for someone else to do it for them. Don’t expect a rally or petition because there’s just not enough people that even know about it. There’s not going to be many people protecting us anymore, we have to do it ourselves, so I suggest that everybody contact your local congressman or senator and tell them that this is unacceptable and that they need to do something about it. Word it however you’d like, but that’s what I’m telling them myself. I hate to sound like a grumpy activist, but it’s really that serious. Any way, next topic.

JY: Where are you located?
DB: Online at GreatProductions.net or by calling 850-329-6970 or by email Dane@greatproductions.net or by mail at P.O. box 10756 Tallahassee FL 32302

JY: Other than GreatProductions.net, where else can people find Great Productions online?
DB:Myspace at myspace.com/greatproductions850 or at my music page myspace.com/djdanethegreat or any of our artists’ pages

JY: When can we expect to hear or see something new?
DB: I’m gonna put out my debut album real soon. It’s all my beats, very instrumental and musical, with some cameos vocally. It’s really diverse, with a lot of genres on it, made with a good sense of humor, too; should be fun for all… Working with some other producers as well, we’re all like a team. I’m also working on P6’s album, gonna be real hot, set to be out by the end of the school year, ‘09. And collaborating with Blake Malone. He’s freakin’ good. Got a smooth sound on tape, but when you hear him live he has that powerful presence that draws everybody in. Plus, you gotta check out my project with CB and Off Topic. It’s got the same feel good, college party hip hop vibes as “Wasted” did, which is a colab song between them and Priority Syx.
We’re also working on some fun little charity events for this summer, coming up pretty soon actually- towards the end of summer when people around town start to bustle a little more. Just barbeques and pool parties type stuff raising money for Kids in Distress. I encourage everyone to come out, it’ll help out a great cause, and of course it’s going to be a freakin’ blast. Life is supposed to be fun, but it’s also important to help out others at the same time. These events are a good way to find that balance.
And of course, be on the look out for all hell to break loose in the fall. We’re expecting to officially launch right at the beginning of the Fall semesters. Of course, we’ll have a crazy party or two with live music, flowing drinks, wildness, the whole nine yards; but we’re also anticipating opening our Great Productions Headquarters which is going to have rehearsal rooms, vocal booths, and an art gallery, as well as some office space for us to consult and work with everybody. I know I’m going to pretty much be their twenty four- seven, so I encourage everyone to check it out once we open. And of course we’ll be having a grand opening event their as well, which will also be fun, so keep posted, ‘cuz we’re about to do great things, and we want everyone to come along for the ride.

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