#musicindustryadvice

[gibsonmusicart]

What's Fair In A Record Deal

By Chris Standring

I recently re-read Courtney Love's famous "rant on the major label cartel", a fascinating and inciteful criticism of the major record company contract system from a signed artist's perspective. If you haven't yet read this you can read this here in the A&R online reading room. For those of you who are not up on this drama, Courtney Love sometime ago expressed her dissatisfaction with her own record deal and artist deals in general, deeming them to be corrupt, an "act of piracy" and exploitative. She goes on to say that it would take millions of record sales for an artist to recoup promotional money spent in order to see any money at all from record sales. It is a very long, yet thoughtful essay on the music business seen through the eyes of a successful artist. I would like to offer my take on this subject if I may indulge myself, and offer a personal opinion on what changes might be made in order to exercise a more fair record contract situation. Courtney is absolutely right when she talks about artists not making money from record sales. I think that first I should quickly point out (for the benefit of lesser experienced artists) that there are two royalty sources that an artist is technically able to benefit from. The first (and Courtney's main concern) is "artist" royalties. These are royalties due to an artist from record sales. Usually, an artist can be offered anywhere between 10 to 20 royalty points depending on his/her credibility, etc. The second royalty source is "mechanical" royalties. These are royalties payable to the songwriters. Last time I checked the statutory rate was around 7 cents per song (possibly changed again by now). A songwriter who writes 100% of an album's worth of let's say 10 songs will, therefore, make 70 cents per album sold. This is payable from record one. It is therefore extremely beneficial for artists to write the music they record! Anyway, the only real drama with mechanicals is that labels somehow get away with paying artists only 75% of the statutory rate, which means labels are effectively withholding 25% of the copyright income. There is absolutely no reason for them to do this apart from the fact that they have always got away with it! This is one thing I would like to see changed. Very successful artists can usually negotiate 100% of the stat. New artists, very very rarely. Let's go back to our "artist" royalties because this is where ALL the problems really lie. Let me explain what the problem is really all about. Let's say a major label has just signed your band "The Ahmesh Conspiracy" and offered you an exorbitant amount of money. Your attorney has negotiated an artist royalty of 15 points. Traditionally not bad for a new artist. Here's the way it works... Every single promotional penny spent on promoting your record, be it video costs, indie radio promotion or retail programs, etc, is recoupable from your royalty points in some way, depending on how your contract is set up. Some things are charged to the artist at 100%, some 50%. What this means is that in order for you to recoup let's say $100,000 in promotion, the record company will have to receive income almost 10 times that amount before you clear that recoupment. (Don't forget, you the artist won't see a penny until your recoupment is clear). How is this so? When $100,000 of income goes to the record label, only 15% of that goes towards your recoupment. You are recouping at a snail's pace because you are recouping at 15% of the pie! That means that realistically, you can never really make money because if records are selling well, the label will continue to spend X amount of promotional dollars which in turn gets recouped at the 15% snail's pace. It's a complete joke! While you are going more and more in debt, the label may be making millions! It takes an Elton John or Mick Jagger to make artist royalties. Pretty frightening huh? So how have artists been existing up until now and what is there to hope for? Firstly, smarter artists become hip to the fact that they HAVE to write their own material. Secondly, once they have a hit record, if they are really smart they will have their attorney attempt to re-negotiate certain things in order to keep everyone pacified. (Let's face it there is nothing more counter-productive than a reluctant artist!) One of those things may be to "clean slate", which essentially means to have the label wipe their recoupment bill from a previous record. This is only possible from an artist with a very successful CD, however. There has to be a tremendous amount of positioning to pull this off. Aside from living off publishing income (mechanical royalties), a successful artist can always tour. The more successful an artist is the more the band can be "guaranteed" high-performance fees. A successful artist touring can command thousands of dollars per show which record companies do not take a hand in. This is an important revenue for artists. So this is the way it has been up until now. I say "up until now" as nothing has changed yet, but with people like Courtney Love going to court over this, things may indeed take a turn, whether it be now or later. I would personally like to see two important things changed in standard recording contracts: Firstly, regarding artist royalties, artists should be able to recoup at (at least) 50% (50 artist royalty points) until their debt is paid. Once their debt is paid, then a lower artist royalty rate might then be acceptable. The sheer fact that labels recoup from artists at such a pathetically low rate means that there is no hope for artists to make money this way. There has to be a new higher percentage to recoup at. Secondly, regarding mechanicals, as I mentioned before, I would like to see it made illegal that labels can even offer 75% stat. It HAS to be 100%, non-negotiable. Finally, and something I want to say that Courtney will probably disagree with, is that labels should make the lion's share. Why? because I believe that anyone who stumps up the money in the first place should make a larger percentage. Otherwise, artists should do it on their own (and of course are doing that now, but usually with complications as there is little money to play with). I am more than happy to see artists sign a record deal where a record label makes more money than them, especially if an artist is new, undiscovered and needs a huge promotional break. That takes a ton of money. Money artists don't have on their own. That's why we have record deals. HOWEVER, this aside, I want to know I too can not only eat but make good money if I am signed to a label that has me signed to a contract for 7 frickin' albums!! That's a long long time to be tied up let me tell you. Especially if CD's are selling and you ain’t collecting! So, sure, I want to see big changes, it's high time! I think it has to be in perspective that's all.

Source: Music-Articles.com

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: What Is One Thing That You Have To Get Over In Your Career? Might not be what you think..   #advice #musicindustry #motivation #wisdom #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter #mixing #mastering

[aaronhillsworld]

Real talk. You have to create engaging experiences for people NOT sell to them all the time. People become numb to that and we become unnecessarily disappointed. Check out my podcast where I talk about this topic If on IG click the podcast link in the bio. #recordingartists #musicians #newmusic #musicindustryadvice #musicindustrytips #createrelationships #buildingbrands https://www.instagram.com/p/B6G1XDGFUIo/?igshid=zqjp8voortib

[kineticcvr]

🚨TODAY🚨 on www.wrap.fm with @dspliff139 and I from 4-6pm est. _ DOPE BEAT BY: Scrap E. _ #SteelohimRadioShow #boombapradio #Undergroundhophop #musicindustryadvice #highart #hiphopculture #BlackCulture #blackmusic #Afrofuture #hiphopnation #lyricsmatter #classichiphop #RealRap #BeatsRhymesandLife #HipHopRadio #Wrapfm #DopeBeats #AlwaysSharingDopeShit #Steelohim #WereFromTheFuture #LegendsOnly - https://www.instagram.com/p/BxCPNm2FGPk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pjlfjybonm3e

[heatherschultz]

It may have been a hot minute since I've been active in the music industry, but I will always be a creative artist at heart. I don't have to produce a paycheck out of it to still work on my craft because that craft as this quote suggests, is highly spiritual. This reminds me of one other quote: "If you are here to be an artist, LA will not stop you. If you are here to be celebrity, LA will kill you." ~ Jim Covell 💟 Purchase my new oracle deck, Written In The Stars here ➡️ https://etsy.me/3vmubWn 🔮Join the Shadow N Shine Family on YouTube! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/c/heatherschultz/ 💖Follow my adventures here! ➡️ https://shadownshine.com ✨Whatever you do…. do it with sparkle!✨ #music #musicbusiness #musicindustry #musicbiz #musicbusiness101 #musicbusinesstips #musicbusinesslife #musicbusinessworldwide #musicbusinessadvice #musicbusinessmentor #musicbusinessconsultant #musicbusinesscoaching #musicbusinessmanagement #musicbusinessproblems #musicbusinesspolitics #musicindustrytips #musicindustryprofessional #musicindustry101 #musicindustryshit #musicindustrylife #musicindustryadvice #musicindustryexposed #musicartist #recordingartist #recordingartists #singer #singersongwriter #songwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/ChkxLNQOT4V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gibsonmusicart]

Five Essential Secrets of a Professional Musician

And if music has been your first choice for a career, then it might be even harder if you don’t have sound knowledge. You as professional musicians wanted to manage your professional life well, didn’t you? Herewith a few tips that might help you manage your profession just as well as your personal life:

Are you always late? This is not a very good idea

A lot of musicians miss this basic tip. There are lots of pros that do not keep track of time and arrive late at concerts, parties and events. Being punctual is the only way to do it right. Valuing your professional obligations and prioritizing them over personal life is what you all as professional musicians wanted to do. If you are expected at an event, it is thought that arriving late grabs the attention of the entire audience.

However, in doing so, sometimes you might upset organizers and might leave the attendance waiting for your arrival for a little too long. Make sure that this does not happen and that you are there on time.

There are several advantages of adopting a Being Punctual strategy. You get ample time to warm up just before your performance. Also, it is very common for a band to have common misconceptions till the very last minute.

With you having ample time to warm up and plan your performance, it is likely you are going to clear out all misunderstandings just in time.

Finding the wrong equipment with you?

The last thing you as musicians wanted to know was the gear you packed for has something missing and/or is irrelevant. Don’t entrust the task of packing your gear to ANYBODY else but yourself. Respect your equipment and pack with great care.

Also, if you are expected to bring a range of drums/guitars or other equipment, it is better you list everything down. Tick-mark each item that is loaded on the van and. Load everything carefully, in proper amounts. There are lots of people who would want you to give off some merchandise as well. Items such as copies of your most successful album CDs, hats, T-shirts, posters and even bracelets can give a nice impression.

Professional musicians do this quite a lot. If you have a band that is going well on its way and is now a local star, you should consider giving away some autographed merchandise for free.

How easily can employers reach you?

This helps for work to get to you and not the other way around. The wider your social circle is and the better you are networking with other professional musicians in the industry, the brighter the chances of finding the right gig.

There are so many things over the internet that are completely free today, such as social media accounts, having online chat apps such as Skype and Viber, having multiple email accounts and also, having your own blog.

Musicians wanted to contact you; they will know where to find you and how to get in touch. The more options you provide to them, the better your chances are of getting contacted soon.

Also, in today’s highly competent music industry, communication is considered key. Effective communication skills are very important if you are to survive tough competition that the chart-toppers are going to provide you.

How well do you respond to challenges and professional criticism?

The “I don’t care” attitude only suits people who have a lot on their resume. With you just beginning to receive recognition for talent, it is not recommendable that you do the same to the criticism that you receive. Instead, regard it as an opportunity and think of the critic as an investment.

He/she is bringing the attention of others to you, now you have to rock the stage and prove that you as a musician really are talented.

Hatred is something very different than criticism, and the sooner you realize the difference, the more you will learn from your mistakes. We all as musicians wanted to grow, don’t we? Welcoming challenges is part of the self-development process.

Do you lose your head when problems knock the door?

An interested employer wants to see you in half an hour and will be expecting you at Point B with your gear. Now what? Do you have a Plan B to save yourself from the embarrassment of not being able to reach there in time? Have a vehicle that can carry your equipment at all times and is ready to roll whenever you want it.

Also, it is wise to have a friend with you that can help you out at such times if you don’t have a vehicle of your own. Taking a cab or arranging for one at the last moment is really not going to do the trick.

Source: InterestingArticles .com

http://hrgsongs.page.tl

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: Should You Take Over Your City Or Travel Elsewhere?   #traveling #advice #flstudio #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter

[draydel]

#MusicIndustryAdvice - Should You Focus On Local Or Traveling Elsewhere To Help Your Music Career?   #traveling #advice #flstudio #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter

[draydel]

#MusicIndustryAdvice - Should You Focus On Local Or Traveling Elsewhere To Help Your Music Career?   #traveling #advice #flstudio #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: Should You Take Over Your City Or Travel Elsewhere?   #traveling #advice #flstudio #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: What Happens When Management Shelves Your Music? ..   #advice #musicindustry #motivation #wisdom #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter #mixing #mastering

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: What Is One Thing That You Have To Get Over In Your Career? Might not be what you think..   #advice #musicindustry #motivation #wisdom #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter #mixing #mastering

[draydel]

#MusicIndustryAdvice - Should You Focus On Local Or Traveling Elsewhere To Help Your Music Career?   #traveling #advice #flstudio #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: What Happens When Management Shelves Your Music? ..   #advice #musicindustry #motivation #wisdom #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter #mixing #mastering

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: What Is One Thing That You Have To Get Over In Your Career? Might not be what you think..   #advice #musicindustry #motivation #wisdom #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter #mixing #mastering

[draydel]

[#MusicIndustryAdvice]: What Happens When Management Shelves Your Music? ..   #advice #musicindustry #motivation #wisdom #producer #dj #engineer #singer #songwriter #mixing #mastering