Friday, February 5, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 7
Lawyer helps bands find legal harmony
By Ezra Sykes
Kansan staff writer
Horror stories of evil record companies, unread fine print and band exploitation strum a sour chord with many musicians.
The world of music can be complicated, but Steve Nearenberg, a Lawrence music lawyer, helps bands understand it.
For almost five years, Nearenberg has devoted his days to helping bands sign with record labels and negotiate contracts.
Nearenberg graduated from the University of Kansas with a law degree in 1990. After spending more than three years working for several state politicians, Nearenberg said he became frustrated with politics and quit his job working for state treasurer Sally Thompson.
During his stint in the world of politics, Nearenberg discovered his
real love.
"At the age of 25, I rediscovered music," he said. "I was buying record after record."
real love.
After friends suggested that he work in the music industry, Nearenberg flung himself into the role of music lawyer.
With a base of about 25 bands from across the country, Nearenberg has his hands full with clients but is constantly receiving referrals and must be selective.
"I'm looking for bands who are either commercially viable or critically viable," he said. "I like bands that are very commercial and know that's what they're doing or bands that are really creative and are good at it. Most of them fail at it either way."
As a music lawyer, Nearenberg must have a good ear.
"I think I have good judgment for guitar-based music, or whatever
they are calling it these days," he said. "I also know songwriting-based music like that in the tradition of The Beatles, Bob Dylan or The Byrd."
Nearenberg doesn't see constant cash flow. With some bands, short-term projects such as contract negotiating draw faster monetary return.
He advises some bands for more than a year without pay, hoping his efforts will lead to a decent record contract.
Josh Berwanger of the Lawrence pop-rock band The Anniversary said Nearenberg was helping his band find the right record label to sign with.
Berwanger said that Nearenberg had many friends in the music industry and that having his name on the return address of The Anniversary's demos was helpful.
"He can help ground a lot of people and put them where he thinks
they'll do best," said Justin Roelofs, also a member of The Anniversary
The band has sent out several demo recordings and has received responses, but no actual offe-
Roelofs said that if the band were offered a record contract, it would proceed with caution.
"There's so many scummy people out there," he said. "You deal with lots of guys who seem really cool, but in the end they aren't the ones really making the deal."
"When you're some little band, they treat you like they are giving you the deal of the century," Roelofs said. "Unfortunately, so many bands jump on it."
Berwanger said that when the band did acquire an offer, Nearenberg's assistance would be needed again.
"Once we get a contract, he looks over it to make sure we aren't getting screwed," he said.
Spencer exhibition details bridge innovations
By Matt Merkel-Hess Special to the Kansan
Engineering and aesthetic achievements in 20th-century bridge design are the focus of a new exhibit at the Spencer Museum of Art.
The exhibit, "Six Bridges: The Making of a Modern Metropolis," features pictures and film of six bridges Othmar H. Amman designed for the New York City area between 1925 and 1964.
His engineering innovations allowed for longer spans, lighter and less costly bridges and unobstructed views.
Amman's George Washington Bridge was the first above-ground link between Manhattan Island and New Jersey across the Hudson River. It doubled the length of the Brooklyn Bridge, which had been the longest suspension bridge in the world.
land and immigrated to the United States in 1904.
After designing the George Washington Bridge, Amman was considered the leading expert on suspension bridges.
The show consists of 73 black-and-white photographs and historical film footage. It was developed for the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and is circulated by the Smithsonian's Traveling Exhibition Service.
Amman was born and educated in Switzer-
"The show is a survey of his life's work, but focusing on his bridges," said Sally Hayden, Spencer public relations director. "Each one broke new ground."
"In bridge design, the aesthetics are quite as important as engineering details." Ammann once said. "It is a crime to build an ugly bridge."
Othmar H. Amman (above left) was considered the leading expert on suspension bridges after he designed the George Washington Bridge in New York City. Amman, a native of Switzerland, immigrated to the United States in 1904 and developed engineering innovations that allowed for longer bridge spans as well as lighter and less costly bridges. Amman's Triborough Bridge in New York City includes a tower summit (above). Contributed art
His early work focused on railroad bridges across Pennsylvania, and he began practicing in New York in the '20s. His highway bridges in the New York City area include the George Washington, Bayonne, Triborough, Bronx-Whitestone, Throgs Neck and Verranzano-Narrows. Ammann died in 1964.
The show is on display until March 28.
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