As I'm new to this game...

[JohnOnoLennon]

Your help so far has been wonderful, this really is a great board.

I'm just wondering how I go about sending demo's the some rock/pop labels... Does anyone know of any labels in this field? and do they allow us to send them stuff?

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!

 

[mjbphotos]

Record/CD labels? Forget it!

 

[guitaristic]

Your help so far has been wonderful, this really is a great board.

I'm just wondering how I go about sending demo's the some rock/pop labels... Does anyone know of any labels in this field? and do they allow us to send them stuff?

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!

I'm sure they allow you to send them stuff, but there probably isn't much of a chance that they will listen to it or even look at it. I personally admire your enthusiasm, but you're going way too fast lol. You just started making tunes, right? Just enjoy it.

The road to getting a record deal is long and hard. You've gotta play shows, acquire a solid fanbase, and promote yourself. Do that enough, and maybe bigwigs will notice.

 

[FunkDaddy]

Save yourself the postage costs, seriously. Labels don't listen to unsolicited material, your CD will just be yet another in the trash can.

 

[stealth_prod]

Def listen to the above posts. I would not say throw the idea out completely. I would suggest putting it on the back burner until your band is established. Be ready for low paying shows, hellish driving, and shady promoters. This is almost a initiation of sorts into the performing world. Not saying you WILL see all that, but that stuff is out there. I call it "grind time" because before you will have someone else do all the work LATER, you must do twice if not three times the amounth of work now. I agree that if your band does not have a decent following and have developed stage skills along with studio skills, that you should wait and let it develope. DONT RUSH IT!!

 

[JohnOnoLennon]

Thanks all for your replies...

I am new to recording but not writing songs, been doing it on and off for 10 years, I'm a "singer" songwriter... no band.

I think what I need to do is take the three demo's I have, record them in a proper studio and then put them out over the internet, I was speaking with Jack Douglas who produced some of John Lennon's albums an he says to avoid the labels... waste of time. I must admit I'm not even sure how to get "solicited " bit of work?

So if anyone knows of a really cheap studio in the south Wales/Bristol area I'd appreciate it!

 

[moresound]

Thanks all for your replies...

I am new to recording but not writing songs, been doing it on and off for 10 years, I'm a "singer" songwriter... no band.

I think what I need to do is take the three demo's I have, record them in a proper studio and then put them out over the internet, I was speaking with Jack Douglas who produced some of John Lennon's albums an he says to avoid the labels... waste of time. I must admit I'm not even sure how to get "solicited " bit of work?

So if anyone knows of a really cheap studio in the south Wales/Bristol area I'd appreciate it!

Then I would start with Jack Douglas.
Yeah putting out on the internet is one way for a lot of people to see your work but just like when people where putting out 45s you have to have the masses want to purchase your work. For there are how many others doing the same?
You have to create a buzz and nowadays a big buzz about yourself to be able to sell.
Doing the college circuit is probably the best way I've seen to get the word out both playing and in interviews.

 

[FunkDaddy]

Thanks all for your replies...

I am new to recording but not writing songs, been doing it on and off for 10 years, I'm a "singer" songwriter... no band.

I think what I need to do is take the three demo's I have, record them in a proper studio and then put them out over the internet, I was speaking with Jack Douglas who produced some of John Lennon's albums an he says to avoid the labels... waste of time. I must admit I'm not even sure how to get "solicited " bit of work?

"Solicited" simply means the label either asking for a demo or being presented the demo by somebody they know/trust (A&R, lawyer, manager, etc) Basically the "in" that you really need to get label interest. How do you get the interest of those people? Simple. You need to build a following all by yourself. Nobody with any connections to the industry will stick their neck out for you unless they believe you will come through.

Not every act signed to a label is a chart-topping hit maker. There's niche markets and cult bands. You have to show that a label will get a return on the investment they make on you, whether it's big or small. They don't care if you write the greatest songs anyone's ever heard...they only care if you will push CDs and (with 360 deals nowadays) sell concert tickets, move merchandise and get radio play.

 

[Tremaine]

they only care if you will push CDs and (with 360 deals nowadays) sell concert tickets, move merchandise and get radio play.

those bastards! what ever happened to shareing and selfless acts of kindness?
very real dude, not to mention brutally honest, you dream slayer. thanks for being honest thou, and i never really wanted them to get a peace of my shite anyway.

 

[FunkDaddy]

those bastards! what ever happened to shareing and selfless acts of kindness?
very real dude, not to mention brutally honest, you dream slayer. thanks for being honest thou, and i never really wanted them to get a peace of my shite anyway.

There's always boutique labels who probably couldn't care less about record sales and more about the "art", but they always strike me as "friend of a friend of a friend" type deals. Former bandmates, etc They'd still be putting money into something (but even then, I wouldn't imagine they'd have very deep pockets) and want some kind of return I'm sure, but may be more willing to take a chance.

Self-publishing is the way to go imo. The Internet makes marketing and sales so easy as long as you have the drive to push yourself and the talent to push in the first place.

 

[Tremaine]

right on man, that should be added to the sticky noob.

you know what your talking about so im gunna prob further, got some tips/links/advice on self publishing? i never made it into the marketing forum yet, thats a little ways off for me, atm. but since the two headed monster's gut your attention, with his/her thread, lets learn more!

thanks dudes

 

[stealth_prod]

right on man, that should be added to the sticky noob.

you know what your talking about so im gunna prob further, got some tips/links/advice on self publishing? i never made it into the marketing forum yet, thats a little ways off for me, atm. but since the two headed monster's gut your attention, with his/her thread, lets learn more!

thanks dudes

Heres a good tip, the "poor mans copywrite" is not a good way to copywrite songs. For those who dont know what that is, it is putting a cd/lyrics/etc. in a envelope and mailing it to youself and not opening the package. Just something to remember.

 

[FunkDaddy]

right on man, that should be added to the sticky noob.

you know what your talking about so im gunna prob further, got some tips/links/advice on self publishing? i never made it into the marketing forum yet, thats a little ways off for me, atm. but since the two headed monster's gut your attention, with his/her thread, lets learn more!

thanks dudes

The biggest piece of advice I could give in regards to self-publishing is to learn the power of the Internet. For somebody just geting into selling music, there are so many avenues to explore for digital downloads that save you a ton of time and money and are MUCH easier to market.

I would say also though, if you're playing live, have physical CDs, merchandise, business cards, a mailing list, etc for people who dig your music to be able to interact with you. A MySpace page is a solid start for an online presence (and as far as I know, an accepted industry standard at the moment). It's always good to have a "real" webpage though with an easy to surf, straight-forward design.

YouTube is another solid marketing avenue. Post covers and acoustic versions of your own songs, linking to your ITunes, CDBaby, etc page where people can buy your music. Then market the shit out of yourself. It doesn't come easy. But the Internet does indeed make it easier.

 

[stealth_prod]

^^ Some good advice.

Live shows are where you will sell the most stuff. Basically people dont know you or your music until you play it for them. Thats why every show has alot of value. Practice for every show like your playing in front of thousands of people. If people like your music, they will want to listen to it again.

Also connect with people personally. Answering myspace/facebook/email messages is a good way to connect with people. Also shows them you dont have some gigantic ego. Also avoid selling cds on the street. Id say a waste of time as most people are not going to give you money for something they've never heard before. You may sell a few cds here and there but after standing out there for hours it wont be worth it.