"Today, we kicked off #KleinVisitingArtists in @tulibraries with @templeuniv alumnus @johnoatesofficial ‘70 and other music industry professionals including @phil.nicolo ‘77, David Haskell and Anthony Aquilato. Students heard firsthand what it takes to be in the live music industry." - @TUKleincollege
Temple students enjoyed learning from 1/2 of the most successful rock duo of all time, John Oates of Hall and Oates, as well as touring professionals David Haskell and Anthony Aquilato and engineer/producer Phil Nicolo. The group dropped some knowledge to a sold out room in the new events space of the Charles Library. Below are some of the soundbites from the discussion you might find some value in:
This business is never boring - John Oates
It might be five times harder than you think, but it's 100 times more rewarding than you can imagine. - Phil Nicolo
As cliche as it sounds, you learn by getting knocked down, getting back up, on and on. - David Haskell
When you work as a team, there's tremendous success for everyone. the entire live production staff, including the artists. - Anthony Aquilato
Oates made it clear he's in the touring business, not the music business. He has the luxury to still have his music played on the radio to this day.
VR Rehearsals prepared Hall & Oates for their first Arena show in many years, there was no other prep and when they took the stage, it was exactly like they practiced in VR. So here is yet another opportunity for work as the music industry has a resurgence after it's historical lows due to file sharing in the early 2000's.
Oates favorite song to write is the one he's going to write tomorrow. He's not nostalgic in any way. He does like coming back to "She's Gone"
When you’re painting, it’s easy to create in a void, unless your work is going into an art gallery. When you perform your songs you've written live, it doesn't leave the option to create in a vacuum. Singer singer-songwriters get an immediate reaction and feedback from their work. - Oates
No one is a one trick pony; you've got to know about touring, production, you have to wear many, many hats.
There is no single path to success in the touring business.
You're always working. That's the touring business. If you have the passion, you understand it's a privilege.
“May the present win.” - meaning when you’re somewhere physically, be there mentally in anything you’re doing.
It's 80% how you interact with your teammates, how you hang in the locker room, your personality. Only 2% of the time is really spent on your craft in touring.
The aha-moment is always the opportunity to do something new in this business. For Oates, it was the realization that every decision needs to be predicated on what will allow him and Daryl Hall to continue to make music for the rest of their lives.
You might say the music business is 10% of what it used to be, but the live aspect has grown every year and continues to grow. Go where the food is!
If you have an opportunity to do I.T. on a tour, that's an incredible opportunity.
Bark less, wag more.
Check out John Oate's visit on a quick clip from IGTV.