Getting a Record Deal is not Always Good
March 15, 2009
By Matthew James
Many artists and bands often feel that getting signed by or being offered a recording contract is the ultimate goal of their musical ambitions. In some cases this can be true but generally it can be the start of a whole new bunch of problems that no musician could ever foresee or want.
Nowadays, a record contract is nothing more than a loan. You pay back the loan through record sales and concerts. The music industry is a business and they are making an investment in you. They want to see a return on that investment. The music company uses its distribution channels to help you promote yourself and make money. Then you pay them back. The music business has little to do with the music and more to do with the business.
If you can find a company who believes in the music and is just not into the business, that is great but keep in mind it is a business. They may try to change your sound in order to make it sell or kick band members out if it doesn't it with a certain look.
A band gets signed; get some money advanced for recording. The songs are recorded and completed but the record company shelves your act and you never sees the light of day but you cant take your product anywhere else because you are already signed. Often you cant even play live gigs without giving a % of your performance fee to the record company. This happened to Billy Joel who waited his five year contract out playing in piano bars.
Often you will be all ready to record your songs and the record company will bring in a co-writer or producer who alters your compositions beyond all recognition to fit in with label's style. You started to make a hard rock album and you end up with a rap album with all your instruments removed and samples replacing them. You thought you were Metallica only to end up like Jack Johnson. Then you have to go and promote something you really hate and your product is no longer recognizable.
Beware the big advance of money, to make and promote your music. If it doesn't sell you will have to pay the money back, with interest, just like the banks. How do you pay it back? Live gigs, touring, radio shows, shopping centres etc for the next ten years. How do all those artists who make millions of dollars end up bankrupt? All the bills they didn't know they had to pay. They had so much fun, they never watched where the money was going. Read the fine print so you don't end up like MC Hammer.
Quite often musical differences between band members and record companies are solved by the company getting rid of and replacing any member of the band who doesn't agree with them. They are always trying to get work for their own players and artists who have already been signed. Quite often you will find all your guitar players work re-recorded by the studio guy or producer to fit in with the labels sound or smooth over tensions within the band.
Try to get famous on your own first. It will give you more leverage when you do get signed by a recording company that can take you to the next level. When you do sign, make sure to read the contract carefully. The music industry is about the business first and the music second.
Nowadays, a record contract is nothing more than a loan. You pay back the loan through record sales and concerts. The music industry is a business and they are making an investment in you. They want to see a return on that investment. The music company uses its distribution channels to help you promote yourself and make money. Then you pay them back. The music business has little to do with the music and more to do with the business.
If you can find a company who believes in the music and is just not into the business, that is great but keep in mind it is a business. They may try to change your sound in order to make it sell or kick band members out if it doesn't it with a certain look.
A band gets signed; get some money advanced for recording. The songs are recorded and completed but the record company shelves your act and you never sees the light of day but you cant take your product anywhere else because you are already signed. Often you cant even play live gigs without giving a % of your performance fee to the record company. This happened to Billy Joel who waited his five year contract out playing in piano bars.
Often you will be all ready to record your songs and the record company will bring in a co-writer or producer who alters your compositions beyond all recognition to fit in with label's style. You started to make a hard rock album and you end up with a rap album with all your instruments removed and samples replacing them. You thought you were Metallica only to end up like Jack Johnson. Then you have to go and promote something you really hate and your product is no longer recognizable.
Beware the big advance of money, to make and promote your music. If it doesn't sell you will have to pay the money back, with interest, just like the banks. How do you pay it back? Live gigs, touring, radio shows, shopping centres etc for the next ten years. How do all those artists who make millions of dollars end up bankrupt? All the bills they didn't know they had to pay. They had so much fun, they never watched where the money was going. Read the fine print so you don't end up like MC Hammer.
Quite often musical differences between band members and record companies are solved by the company getting rid of and replacing any member of the band who doesn't agree with them. They are always trying to get work for their own players and artists who have already been signed. Quite often you will find all your guitar players work re-recorded by the studio guy or producer to fit in with the labels sound or smooth over tensions within the band.
Try to get famous on your own first. It will give you more leverage when you do get signed by a recording company that can take you to the next level. When you do sign, make sure to read the contract carefully. The music industry is about the business first and the music second.
About the Author:
Matt James knows about sound and stereo and has been mixing music for over a decade. For more information about stereo and sound, visit his site about used guitars and check out the guitar articles.
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