"Do It Yourself!"
by Keith Holzman, Author of "The Complete Guide to Starting A Record Company."
I've become extremely aware
that many musicians are taking a DIY (Do It Yourself) approach to making and releasing their own records. Perhaps that's because I've spent part of the last year working on my book, "The Complete Guide
to Starting A Record Company." But I keep seeing articles about it in both general and music publications. The latest piece appeared in a recent Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times. It's by Gina
Piccalo and is titled "Getting Played." MORE Niche Your Record Label
(adapted from INDIE POWER: A Business-Building Guide for Record Labels, Music Production Houses and Merchant Musicians by Peter Spellman, MBS Business Media) www.mbsolutions.com
Indie labels are a richly diverse group of small companies, spanning every music
style from a capella to zydeco. Their business structures are diverse too, from full-corporate subsidiaries to solo micro-business. And so defining them remains difficult. Some indies with minority or
majority ownership by major record companies are classified as "independents" thanks to their use of independent distribution (i.e., national and regional distributors NOT owned by the major
labels). Others are distributed by majors, but remain fiercely independent in terms of spirit and ownership. The rest (most, really) are very small, often artist-run music production/marketing companies
doing the best they can in a tight marketplace. MORE "Major or Independent? The Answer Ultimately Lies with You!"
Interview With HALOU by Bobby Borg, Author of The Musician's Handbook
There are no surefire methods to ensure success at any record label: Whether it be an major or independent label. However, there are a
few important lessons that we can learn from those artists that have been down the path before you. Your label is your home; you must feel comfortable, welcome and appreciated—you must understand how the
label intends to market and advance your career from the start—and you must never be too anxious to sign anything. And as you will see in the interview with the band Halou below, perhaps the best career path
for fledgling artists to not rely on a record deal at all. MORE Advertainment is Here!
By Scott G (The G-Man)
Advertainment! Ahh, the very name sends thrilling vibrations up the spine of anyone with marketing in their blood or communication in their genes. And it produces a
strong shiver of disgust from many of my colleagues in the music industry. MORE
How to Approach a Music Supervisor:
Transitioning from Freelance Artist to Hired Gun!
by Leslie Waller, L*A*M*P CEO
At a
recent seminar this month, a guest was telling me about how difficult it is to get people to listen to his music. It's difficult to get heard; it's difficult getting through; it's difficult getting a
response even if you get someone to agree to listen. Well, listen up, folks…I'm going to let you in on a little secret. It's the first immutable law of marketing...MORE
Radio Airplay 101 -
How Press and Radio Work Together
by Bryan Farrish of
Bryan Farrish Radio Promotions
People who work in press and music-radio have the same goal: Create a hit (because this leads to the next goal of getting
more readers and more listeners, which leads to the ultimate goal of getting more money.) And by "press", we mean magazines, newspapers, and music websites. We'll leave out TV, since that is beyond
what most brand new indies can pursue. Note: It is consumer press that we are talking about here, not radio or music trade press (it is assumed that your trade press is taken care of before you attempt the
more difficult consumer press.) MORE
"The Art of the Music Supervisor: P.J. Bloom Outlines it all at the Film Music Network"
by G-MAN, Immedia Wire Service
The role of music supervisor for motion pictures and TV is a relatively new career category. You did not find it in motion picture or TV credits until
relatively recently. Perhaps the most celebrated individual to seek out recorded works for a motion picture was director Stanley Kubrick on his film "2001: A Space Odyssey," back before this role
was invented. Kubrick cancelled an Alex North score in favor of the classic Ligeti, Strauss (Johann and Richard), and Khachaturyan compositions that we now think of as that movie's soundtrack. As you'll see,
the music supervision function was not properly carried out on that otherwise brilliant film. MORE
"Build Career Awareness by Expanding Your Internet Presence"
by Bobby Borg
Most of you are already up to speed on the vast opportunities the Internet provides, but in case you've missed out on something, let's take a quick look at some of
the ways you can be more proactive about your career by promoting yourself over the World Wide Web. This article contains a brief discussion covering online stores, digital downloads, Web radio, live Web
casting, chat rooms, Web rings, newsgroups, mailing lists, Webzines, and personal Websites. MORE
"Potential Revenue Sources and Group Percentage Shares: The Song"
by Bobby Borg
"Before you know it labels are showing up to one of your gigs looking to speak to you about a deal. Then of course you hold all the cards."
Everyone knows how hard it is getting signed to a record label. It's almost a dull and worn out subject. It is a
frustrating and all consuming process. With the present state of the business, Internet piracy and lack of record sales in the music industry, it has never been harder and seemingly impossible for artists to
get signed. "Ooh what a depressing article opener" I hear you say. Good news: there is hope. MORE
"Labels: Make them Come to You!"
by Chris Standring
"Before you know it labels are showing up to one of your gigs looking to speak to you about a deal. Then of course you hold all the cards." Everyone knows how hard it is getting signed to a record label. It's almost a dull and worn out subject. It is a frustrating and all
consuming process. With the present state of the business, Internet piracy and lack of record sales in the music industry, it has never been harder and seemingly impossible for artists to get signed. "
Ooh what a depressing article opener" I hear you say. Good news: there is hope. MORE
"Money in Music: Do you know the cold-cash facts about music clearance?"
by G-MAN
Where music meets licensing, there's money to be made. How much money?
"I have synched quite a few thousand songs into productions over the years," says Peter Jansson of Janssongs, Inc., "and have charged anywhere between US$1.00 and US$250,000 for each
one." That's correct: he said a quarter of a million dollars. And there are a great many places to earn money from music. MORE
"Negotiating Your Employment Agreement"
by Bobby Borg
There are many sacrifices that musician's must make in order to gain experience and/or exposure, such as
working for little or no pay. But if you want music to be your livelihood, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are compensated fairly for each and every job. From salaries or wages to
buyouts, per diems and retainers, the following discussion sheds light on what you may be entitled to when negotiating your agreement with an employer. MORE "Increase Your Odds of Getting Signed by Understanding More about A&R"
by Bobby Borg
Most artists dream about getting signed to a recording agreement, yet few know anything about the record company personnel responsible for discovering new
talent, what these people look for in an artist, and where and when they look to find it. You might just find that the first step to getting a record deal is to take a do it yourself approach to your career.
A discussion on A&R can easily take up hundreds of pages, but here's a brief overview. MORE "The Right Style"
by Lis Lewis
All your life you've listened to music. At various times in your life you've turned to different artists and different styles to give you comfort or make you
dance. There isn't one style that meets all of your needs. When it comes time to record your own record you might feel that you want to show your versatility and sing a variety of styles. But if you are
aiming for a record deal you will need to narrow down what you present to its essence. Instead of a little of this and a little of that, you must show the world one strong complete package that makes a clear
statement-one style. MORE
"Baby Steps and the Road to Success"
by Chris Standring
"If you can achieve one successful thing a day to help your music
career on the right path then you are on the right track". It's very easy to sit at home and get frustrated with the apparent lack of forward movement in your music career. Especially when you know in
your heart that you have what it takes to succeed. It's very easy to get discouraged, for the simple reason that it seems "you are only as good as your last event." Musicians and actors are similar
in that we like the highs that our performances give us. We thrive on the exhilaration. It's like a drug. When it goes away we want it again.
MORE "Finding Your Unique Identity as a Singer"
by Lis Lewis
Whether you are trying to get signed to a record label or are creating a
career for yourself independently, in order to have success and sell records you have to create an audience who identifies with you. You already know that you need great songs and a great voice but there is
another more elusive element, sometimes called charisma. This other skill is hard to put a finger on, but it has to do with the force of your personality and how it affects your singing, your songs, your
interaction with your band and your audience, your photos and press releases - in fact every element of your band's image and concept. MORE "Breath Control and Techniques in Recording"
by Teri Danz
In the studio, having solid breath control is essential.
Listen to your favorite recordings and notice how (and when) those artists take breaths and use their air. You'll find that the best singers "hold up" their bodies to support their air and hold
onto the breath for phrasing ease. This makes for a sound that stays steady and even. How you breathe dramatically impacts your sound. MORE
"Create Your Own Destiny by Being Proactive about Your Career"
by Bobby Borg
In his book "Wild Thing," Ian Copeland, founder of Frontier Booking
International (FBI) and talent agent to The Police, Sting, and No Doubt, says, "Doors were usually closed to newcomers in the industry. We decided to stop beating on them and create new
ones." It's not enough to simply give someone a business card or demo tape and then sit back and expect to gain employment or procure a record or publishing deal. No oneís going to hand you
success on a silver platter. MORE "The Essential Press Kit"
by Kenny Kerner
In the music business, the folder that contains your photo, bio, press clippings and demo tape/CD, is called your press kit or press package. The same package
goes to record companies, agents, attorneys and the media. So it better look good and contain everything you need others to know--without giving them a week's worth of reading materials. MORE "How about a School for Personal Managers?"
by Kenny Kerner
If you're a songwriter looking for a place
to hone your craft, there are thousands of music schools, private instructors and courses you can take that will make you a better songwriter. If you sing and you aspire to be one of the very best, there are
thousands of highly qualified vocal teachers who can lend you and your voice a helping hand. But if you're genuinely interested in Personal Management, there's no place to go where you can get real-life,
hands-on experience in the daily chores of being a manager. Sure, you can learn about general business techniques. You can listen to an instructor read to you from a book about some of the problems you're
likely to encounter, but you can't go anywhere to get that real life experience. Except real life, that is. MORE
"Treating Your Band as a Business"
by Bobby Borg
Being in a band is no different than being a part of a professional sports team;
a group of individuals united in achieving a common goal—each person playing a unique and integral part in achieving a dream. The motto—at least in theory—being: "All for one and one for all." But unlike the
professional sports world, where athletes must met extremely high standards before getting info a draft and being picked by a team, young bands often form with little more consideration than just being
friends or sharing similar musical tastes. MORE
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