I said I would give a more detailed description of why I no longer manage the band Coast.
Our relationship ended in a short email from them, that stated they wished to part ways to;
' avoid further damage to their professional reputation.' Honestly, I didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted.
When I took the band on in 2010, they were basically a pub band playing covers,
some original material, and some Runrig songs. They'd never seen a festival stage, nor had any real focus on where to go or what to do.
.Within a couple of years I'd taken them to major festivals and tours across Europe, opening up my network of contacts in the business that I've built up over countless years.
I developed personal friendships with some members, and persevered relentlessly to build their career to a point of critical success in a challenging market.
However, the constant line up changes frustrated much of the progress I'd made. (18 during my time with them)
The manner in which they notified me of their decision for departure was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. I won't go into management, or financial details, but there was consistent work being done on several levels to progress the band right up to the hour I received their somewhat tasteless email.
I offered to meet and discuss any differences or difficulties they were having with my management style.
After refusing to meet and discuss things, they chose instead to send a very short email, dispensing with me with their afore mentioned insult.
My longevity in this business speaks for itself. I come from a band that has stood together in the toughest of times with crew and management, and has grown from strength to strength. I'm proud to call them all brothers.
It is an establishment built on mutual trust, loyalty and respect.
Loyalty is something I've always admired in someone. The real shame is in my opinion is Coast are too inexperienced to know their loyalty was well placed where it initially stood.
Some people are only loyal to their need of you. When their needs change, so does their loyalty.
But that's their problem now.
I'd like to say good luck to them, But after witnessing the insulting, disrespectful and unprofessional way they handled this whole situation, I think they'll need a lot more than luck...
This chapter of my life is closed.
To those of you who supported their journey, be it professionally or artistically, particularly through my network, and or contacts, I felt it my obligation to share the circumstances surrounding my departure, that you may make your own decisions on your continuing support. (Especially since they have said nothing at all publicly of my leaving.)
I will hold no ill will either way,
I apologise if I sound bitter, but they have left a bitter taste in my mouth. I've never laid down for anybody in my life, and I won't start now... This could have, and should have been handled very differently, but sadly, they no longer exist to me.
Onward and upward,
Autor
