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.
These days a record contract is nothing more than a large sum of money to be recouped by the recording company through sales of your product. If it doesn't sell to expectation you still have to pay the money back somehow. The recording companies have the methods to make the product sell, get airplay and distribute the product. Music companies loan you the money to make the music then they sell the music to get their money back, giving you just a small percentage.
If you can get a recording company to get behind your music, that's good. But beware of recording companies who try to influence and change your sound, often to the point of rewriting your songs and even changing members of your band or, worse still forcing you to record songs made by other peoples.
Many times the band doesn't produce the sounds a company wants and the music get shelved. Since you signed with the company, they own you and you can't produce any music with any other company while under contract. You simply have to wait it out and this can take years. Just ask Billy Joel.
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. - 20768
These days a record contract is nothing more than a large sum of money to be recouped by the recording company through sales of your product. If it doesn't sell to expectation you still have to pay the money back somehow. The recording companies have the methods to make the product sell, get airplay and distribute the product. Music companies loan you the money to make the music then they sell the music to get their money back, giving you just a small percentage.
If you can get a recording company to get behind your music, that's good. But beware of recording companies who try to influence and change your sound, often to the point of rewriting your songs and even changing members of your band or, worse still forcing you to record songs made by other peoples.
Many times the band doesn't produce the sounds a company wants and the music get shelved. Since you signed with the company, they own you and you can't produce any music with any other company while under contract. You simply have to wait it out and this can take years. Just ask Billy Joel.
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. - 20768
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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