Rob Hitt: A Chat With A Man Of Many Trades By Darren Paltrowitz The name “Rob Hitt” isn’t one of household status, but this could very well change in the coming months. Beyond his role as drummer of the punk-rock band Midtown, he recently started up a record label, I Surrender Records.

He’s also recently founded the community website MyOpenBar.com, which aims to bring more attention to New York City nightlife.

Hitt and I found some time to participate in a Q&A-via-email session.

– musicians will find some interesting advice, while both musicians and non-musicians alike will be impressed by Hitt’s perserverence and willingness to work in music after so many setbacks.

Cityzen: What do you wish more people knew about you?

Rob Hitt: Oh, wow, interesting question to start off with. I think the better question might even be, "What don't you wish that people knew about?"

I think your question lends itself to the basis of the interview in the first place, actually. I'm very proud of my record label and the bands that I've released. I see so many labels signing the "flavor of the month" band or just signing a million bands in hoping that one of them sticks to the wall or gets bought out by a major. I think this methodology of running a record (label) is one that is killing album sales and killing respectable music. Obviously, there are both sides and there are great labels that pride themselves on only releasing music they truly believe in. If a respectable label releases music that's not your favorite, you at the least have to respect that in comparison to what we're seeing today in the moving worlds where the indie label and major label are now so closely tied together with their distribution, P&D, and up-streaming deals.

CZ: Having been through so much turmoil with record labels, what made you want to start up your own, I Surrender Records?

RH: I gotta be honest, I'm twenty-seven now, and I've wanted to start a record label since I was sixteen, before I played drums. I just loved music and how exciting being a part of it can be. About three years ago, I had a few months off touring and being that I'd been through so much, I knew that was the time to start a label and hopefully help bands make the right decisions. I wanted to help them learn how important developing a "real" following is and realizing that it's more important to have a loyal fan base than to shoot straight to the top when the following year nobody will know about you. I think growing up in the "punk rock / hardcore" scene really shaped who I am and my ideals. To me, being a successful band didn't have to do with being in magazines or on the radio, it was about the people who listen to your music truly care about it.

CZ: I Surrender has already signed a few artists, namely – Valencia, The Westminster Abbey, and Time & Distance. How would you describe each of these artists to someone not yet familiar with them?

RH: For myself, I have to subscribe by one motto: Sign bands that I love. That's it, really. Valencia may be more of the rock/pop-punk, The Westminster Abbey is a sort of Beatles/Animals/Stones/Zombies indie-hybrid, and Time & Distance are acoustic rock. I want to work with bands that are passionate about the music they play and willing to go the extra mile on their own.

CZ: For the musicians reading this, what else is it that you look for in an artist when it comes to signing them?

RH: If you're not going to work hard for yourself, then nobody is going to want to work with you. With downloads possibly affecting record sales I feel labels in general are more scared to take a risk today and their insurance policy would be working with a band who gives 110% effort. If I could give any advice, it would be this quite simply: Make sure when you send or hand somebody a demo that the first song on the demo is your best song and it's great. If it's not a great song, keep writing until you have something you know is solid and make sure not to have one of those super long intro songs as the first one. Eventhough I don't have a major case of A.D.D., my attention span is still short; nonetheless, large labels who go through a million demos. So make the music [that] gets to the point and is really strong right away.

CZ: Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about running a label?

RH: Oh man, you have no idea. There is so much that goes into running a label. I'll tell you, it's more than any band member could ever imagine. I've learned more about the music industry in the last four months than the last six years of touring.

I think a misconception about labels is that even though we think of major labels as the big evil corporation that is ruining music, there are GOOD people that do work at them and honestly do care about music and love music. In comparison you have indie labels where they don't care about credibility and will just sign a band for the money they feel the band can produce. There's good and bad people everywhere on both levels.

Biggest misconception, though: Record labels make lots of money. I think the truth for most would be: If you want to get nearly no sleep a night, lose a lot of money, and have your friends wonder why you're becoming crazy and pulling your hair out, well, then start a label. I do have to admit, the reward of seeing a band grow and develope a career actually makes it all worth it.

CZ: Are there any goals that you're working toward with I Surrender?

RH: My immediate goal is just getting the music out to as many people as possible. These are great bands that deserve to get heard and work hard so I'm trying my best to make that happen.

CZ: What's currently going on with Midtown?

RH: To go along with the not-getting-sleep-that's-how, we're working on new songs now. Not sure how long the process will be, but it's going well.

CZ: Forget What You Know was done with Butch Walker at the helm. What plans lie ahead for Midtown's next album?

RH: I don't know who is producing anything in the future, but Butch is amazing. I can say I'd have no objections at all to working with him again, that's for sure.

CZ: If I'm thinking clearly, Midtown has put out each of its albums on a different label, which is nearly the case with Butch Walker. Is that something that you guys bonded over?

RH: Yeah, that's correct. Totally, to go through so many trials and tribulations it really brings a band together to persevere through it all.

CZ: With hindsight being 20/20, many artists look back at their decisions and regret having done such. And signing with Drive-Thru/MCA seems to have been one of such with Midtown. Was that fence ever mended, or have your viewpoints shifted?

RH: In terms of Drive-Thru, the way I look at it is as a bad break-up you had with your girlfriend. You break up, and it's terrible, and you have so much hate for the person. But after a while life goes on and you meet a new girl you're even happier with, and you remember that you were friends with the original girl for a reason. So now that all that bad break up stuff is gone, you can be friends again. One thing I've learned is that time heals a lot of wounds, even deep ones.

CZ: If a band were asking you for advice as to what they shouldn't do within their first few years of existence, what would you advise?

Midtown: http://www.midtownrock.com

RH: Music, music, music. Make sure the songs are there first and foremost. There's no reason to start playing a million shows if the songs aren't there. Once you have the songs, then that's the time to go out. Book your own tours, record a good quality demo. Use the Internet to promote your band. If you can work your ass off to create a buzz, good things will happen. One you start having labels, lawyers, or managers start sniffing around, go with your gut. I wish I had gone with my gut more often than I did because, believe it or not, it was more reliable than any knowledge.

CZ: Do you think that the New York music scene is as great as people say that is? If so, who are some of the other acts that readers of Cityzen ought to check out?

RH: Well, the thing about the NYC music scene is that you would imagine it's all hipster – Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs stuff – but it's such a huge city that it's more diverse than anybody would imagine. Is it as great as people say? Man, I'd have to say yes, NYC is the one place just about every tour will always come through so we're very VERY fortunate. Some New York bands? Bayside! Like Yesterday, Say Anything, Nightmare Of You, I Am The Avalanche, and Americana. Probably didn't realize those were NYC bands, huh?

CZ: Speaking of NYC, you've created quite an interesting website with MyOpenBar. What are your plans for the site?

RH: Ha, that's great you found that. My plans for that site are nothing more than supplying myself with a great source of free booze in this expensive city. I felt it would be unfair to not let the world know about all the free alcohol!

CZ: When not consumed with music or drink specials, what do you like to do with yourself?

RH: That's a little personal, don't ya think? Ha!

CZ: Finally, Rob, any last words for the readers?

RH: You guys gotta hear the new Valencia album, it's out October 25th. This band works their asses off. At the least, give them a chance -- http://www.valenciamusic.net.