Issue 6: Carmela Carr of Generation Clash
Welcome to The Band Bible! I’m truly glad to have you here. If you’re a new reader, purpose of this newsletter is to address, break down, and shine a light on the business of being in a band. Each issue, we do this by interviewing (and celebrating!) someone who is making waves through their incredible work with or for independent artists. Learning the business of being in a band is something that is often inaccessible or shrouded in mystery, and it shouldn’t be, so I hope The Band Bible is able to play even a small role in helping to change that.
For our sixth issue, the interviewee is the one and only Carmela Carr of Generation Clash. Generation Clash is Carmela’s own media outlet where she works tirelessly to champion a huge array of artists, from those releasing their very first single to those who are embarking on reunion tours. While the inboxes of folks in media are notoriously crammed, Carmela is one of the few who actually makes time to listen to everything she’s sent – showing a true devotion to the music discovery process. It’s also worth noting that Carmela does so while managing a busy schedule finishing her degree. To top it all off, she has also authored a book on what led her to creating Generation Clash, which can be purchased on Amazon here. Carmela is a true ally to artists and genuinely cares about giving them a greater platform, which made her such a pleasure to interview for the newsletter. Read on, and don’t forget to connect with Generation Clash on Instagram and check out the website.
For those who may not know, what is Generation Clash and the mission behind it?
Generation Clash is my media outlet. It was founded in 2019. Our mission is to show people the importance of listening to an artist, even if it's a genre you don't usually listen to. I created Generation Clash because of bands like City Boy and Nantucket, which are two bands I discovered while I was record shopping. They are both very unique bands, and different from what I usually listen to, but I saw their albums and I wanted to listen to their music. Whenever I see something I haven't heard of, I always ask myself, "What does this sound like?" and to find out, I listen to it.
Carmela, something I admire about you is the fact that you make time to listen to each band who contacts you while still juggling a busy schedule. What's your secret?
My secret is that I make a Spotify playlist of the new artists that contact me and I listen to their songs and respond to their messages! I receive a lot of emails, and I try to make Spotify lists of those as well, and I add my favorite artists to my Ones To Watch playlist!
In your opinion, what's something small that artists can do to help themselves stand out?
I think that artists should use hashtags because it will help more people to see their posts!
Are there any ways in which you'd like to see our industry change? If so, what and how?
I would love it if the industry promoted every genre equally. On New Music Friday on Spotify, you'll see releases from DJ Khaled, Five Finger Death Punch, and Megan Thee Stallion but you never see bands like L.A. Guns, Cheap Trick, and Judas Priest. I didn't use these examples because they are rock/metal artists, but because they are artists who have been around for a long time and are still putting out great music. It seems like Spotify only promotes rap, EDM, mainstream rock, and pop. These older artists, and a lot of new rock artists should be on the New Releases page. I think that they should hire someone at Spotify who supports independent music and a lot more of those artists would be on the Spotify playlists that they curate.
I would also love to see Spotify change their New Releases page to include older and newer releases, because even though an album may not be new, it can be a new discovery for someone. If you included albums "ALL YOU NEED IS SOUL" BY Jizzy Pearl, "Book Early" by City Boy, "Two" by Slammin' Gladys, "Your Face Or Mine?" by Nantucket, "It's No Use, Mr. James" by Izzi Sleep, "Second Coming" By Shotgun Messiah, "White Hot Odyssey" by White Hot Odyssey, "One False Move" by Harlequin alongside albums like "SUCKER" by Charli XCX, "Random Access Memories" by Daft Punk, "Death Of A Bachelor" by Panic! At The Disco, "Picture Show" by Neon Trees, and "Hands All Over" by Maroon 5, Spotify would be promoting older music and newer music, and the listeners can decide what they want to listen to. People aren't being given enough options.
Lastly, which "commandment" would you like to leave behind in The Band Bible?
Use hashtags. Create a linktree. Email media outlets and include your Spotify/Soundcloud links so they can listen to your music. Follow media outlets on Instagram.
I wanted to promote GenClash to new bands so if there are any new bands reading this, send me an email at thegenerationclash@gmail.com! I will listen to your music!
A huge thank you to Carmela for taking the time for the interview. Keep your eyes peeled: The next issue of The Band Bible will be out later this week
With happiness and hedonism,
Lindsay Teske