Midem

Madame Meets Midem

The Daily Demo Queen
leaves her project studio to
push her songs at the
Cannes-based convention

Mid'em '95 (Mee'dehm) noun or verb depending on your point of view 1. a festive affair held every year (for the past 29 years) at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, not to be confused with a gala, and is the event for "The International Record Music Publishing and Video Music Market." 2. a good way to see the French Riviera with the added bonus of a tax write-off for those who need it.

There's nothing quite like cruising down the autoroute at 160 kilometers per hour on an iridescent day in Southern France. Speed is not a problem to French drivers, and cars not much bigger than my dishwasher whisk past the BMW I'm driving. My friend and coconspirator Joy McConnell and I have shopped, eaten, and u-turned our way through the Riviera, finally strategically positioning ourselves in Monte Carlo at a friend's bungalow, bracing ourselves for the important event just down the road in lovely Cannes.

Cannes is a bejeweled city by the sea and the queen of festivals galore. The festival du jour is Midem, and the raison for my tour de France. I find myself with the not too difficult task of commuting between Monte Carlo and Cannes, lugging my CDs and press kits with as much grace as I can muster in two-inch high heels, trying not to look like the traveling saleswoman I am. Chic is the operative word for "the look" in this part of the world.

Midem is a sight to behold and a songwriter's heaven, albeit mixed with a little horror. Heaven to find over 10,000 people from 79 countries and 3300 companies showing their wares and looking for new talent in a beautifully planned convention-hall setting.

Heavenly to have 44 concerts to choose from, showcasing different musical genres from all over the world and the opportunity to watch live radio broadcasts from Rick Dees (LA), Simon Bates (London), Alain Pilot (Paris), and Arno Muller (Berlin).

Clive Davis, who received the "Nesuhi Ertegun-Man of the Year Award" was also very gracious and provided some insights about the recording industry. When asked what should one do to become a successful record exec, Mr. Davis, who has probably been asked that question a zillion times, cheerfully replied, "You must have an ear for talent and stay committed to your artist - and a law degree in business doesn't hurt either."

The horror set in when Friday evening came around and this songwriter realized all the people and companies I had missed. I found, however, that I wasn't alone as I commiserated over a few beers with friends new and old about potential lost deals and contacts. This crowd could have written the script for a TV series and called it That Was The Deal That Was.

Not all the news was bad. My friend BC had great success in tracking down the producer of a successful Italian artist to pitch his material to. Another new artist was thrilled that a Lebanese radio station added his CD to their playlist and a promising distribution deal is in the works.

Also, I met an attractive business lady from Moscow, named Galina, with her translator, Nadia, and they were bursting with enthusiasm about their Russian Music Newsletter called Tournee.

"I'm looking for jazz musicians, do you know any?" Nadia had asked as we found ourselves face-to-face in the VIP lounge where the video of the Montreux Jazz Festival happened to be playing. "Well yes, doesn't everybody," I answered cautiously. It seemed like an odd question and for all I knew she was the private eye for some musician's disgruntled spouse or, worse, an autograph hound.

After further discourse I happily realized she was a fellow comrade of letters and looking for any music news tidbit from the West, especially technical - and I just happened to have a current issue of EQ to hand her.

For my part I found a better licensing deal for my publishing company in Europe, and record deals for the two projects I promoted are still pending. It takes several weeks for people to sift through the thousands of tapes and CDs they receive, so the Queen will have to show a little royal patience.

My partner, Joy, had the best idea for meeting people by holding court (something she does well) in the various bars of the hotels that lined the Boulevard De La Croisette in front of the Palais. By 8 P.M. everyone was at one of the bars, and by 9 P.M. the body press at the Hotel Martinez was quite impressive. CDs were flying faster than speeding bullets in all directions. Six flew into my Midem bag when I wasn't looking. A cornucopia for musicians starved from lack of attention and a feeding frenzy for song sharks.

Then I met Maurice, who has the distinction of owning the only recording studio in Monte Carlo. Maurice's studio is more like a competent workstation, really, consisting of a vocal booth and control room with three Alesis ADATs, an older Amek board, a decent effects rack, and a Kurzweil K1000 with the Notator Software for sequencing.

Much to my surprise Maurice didn't bother with Midem this year. Nonchalantly, he explained in his thick Monegasque accent, "Well, I went to Midem last year and met the people I needed to meet." C'est la vie.

Life on the Riviera is truly unique, and the long trek to Midem was well worth the effort, but lady luck had one more surprise for this self-appointed personage. I found myself singing at a classy piano bar called Sass on the Avenue Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo when HRH the Crown Prince Albert, entourage et al, walked in to the amazement of all present.

Of course, one would expect the Queen of Demo to meet the Prince of Monaco. I think I hear a song coming on. Hey ho...

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