Being a Manager...

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BrettB

BrettB

Well-known member
Hi all,

I have some questions about manager stuff. An good friend of mine plays in a band (I do their live PA by the way):). They have lots of songs, and more important, lots of great songs, they have great personality and looks foir their kind of Tom Waits influenced rock(even that is important). But the problem is: they miss the energy to open themselves to the out world. If nobody helps them with their 'coming out' they keep playing in the same basement and same bar for years. In my opinion, this band is great enough to get a record deal and build up an audience.

The band is aware of their lack of PR, and because I know several people in the music industry, and that organising and a bit of PR is my kind of thing, they asked me to help me with them. Like a manager kind of stuff. Besides the ethical question (I would cry for months if they got a hughe deal thx of me and my music is overlooked:)) I have some practical questions.

If I agree to be their 'manager', what are my rights? I am not really familiar with the legal side of it. Even if they are friends, I want to know where I stand, you never know what happens.

Is there some kind of standard contract I have to make with the band. Imagine they do get a record deal thanx to my lobying, am I entitled to a part of the (virtual:)) profit as a manager? If yes, how much is the usual percentage?

The same for gigs. When I get them booked, how much may I ask for my services?


Thanks for help!!
 
Wow Brett.....You got the thinking pattern of a music industry person....good for you=too many people forget that this is the music business----business being the the key.....

alright I'm gonna tackle some of your questions....

1. From your 1st paragraph it sounds to me like you got a band that makes great music, but lack ambition to make it a career.....and b4 you say I'm wrong....actions speak louder than words.....an unknown band would be working on this themselves devising there own goals to reach a global audience....instead it sounds to me like they wanna push it off to a manager (preferably a friend whom they don't have to pay 50G's a year to) to go out and market them....Now thats ok-as far as your concerned they've got good music in which you believe in so thats priceless, however for an unknown you are taking a chance in them so as policy I would recommend to you that you put the same amount of energy into there careers as they do for themselves......

2. What are you rights if you agree?

haha nice questions

Verbal agreements - you have no rights (prove it)

Written agreement - Depends whats in the agreement (but a safer route just in case they blow up)


Friends are friends - business is business


3. Your cut should be 10-15% of what there gross income is...however, under the current circumstances that probably won't be a large take home portion right now...So the understanding you will have to have is you make pennies and do alot of hardwork now...but if they become successful and sell a million records you could probably retire from it..........

If you've got influences inside the music industry- and I'm yelling at you right now


THEY NEED YOU MORE THAN YOU NEED THEM - SO DON'T WHORE YOURSELF OUT........THERE ARE ALOT OF GREAT BANDS OUT THERE THEY JUST HAPPENED TO BE FRIENDS OF YOURS!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hi Gec,
Thx for the great reply!!

1. You're right when you say they push it off to someone else, but not really for lack of ambition. they really want to get in the out world, they just complain whole the time that they're not managers, they're musicians. They want to play lots of extra gigs, and maybe even get a record deal, but they just don't know how to begin with it. Well I consider myself also as a musician/producer, but I'm just that extra talkative and I am more eager myself to let my music reach the out world. Because they are my friends in the first place, I like to help with that aspect.

2. I figured that one out, but now it's my task to know how I put up a good agreement. Like you say, although they are my friends, I don't want them to get signed by a major label (you never know) and suddenly being put at the side. And that doesn't say I don't trust them, in the contrary, but even with all the good will in the world I could end up with nothing after a lot of hard work because some record company hot shot who signed the contract thinks I'm just a pain in the ass.

3. I know the risk is very great that I do a lot of hard work without any result. But I know there is a chance, and I'm willing to take that risk.


Thx for the reply, other replies welcome!

cu

Brett
 
BrettB -

Get a copy of "This Business of Music" by M. William Krasilovsky and Sidney Shemel, published by Billboard Publications. It covers every aspect of the business, including Managers. It is considered by many to be the Bible of the music business, and it is indispensible.
Also, I would try to have this band play some of YOUR material. That way, you've got a publishing credit in case they hit it big, and you're working for yourself as well as them. Good luck- you sound like a good friend, and they are few and far between.

Bob
 
I'm in a similar but slightly different predicament. I've been asked by an aspiring singer songwriter to develop a plan and manage his career. I'm in the process of drawing up an agreement wich will include 15% of the proceeds. In my case, this kid is really aggressive. He's trying to get demos to local radio stations, he's volunteering when and where possible - ton's of energy. What he lacks in talent, he makes up in tenacity.
My dilemma is this. I'm really torn between setting up an independent label and market the material locally vs going after the majors initially. So what I'm looking for, more or less, is insight into setting up the label, working out distribution, joining the right indie orgainzation, etc.

Any clues out there..

CB
 
Thx Buffalo Bob for the book advice.

Coolbreeze, I can't really help you with that one. I really don't know a single thing about economy or the legal stuff that is needed to found a label. But Also I am interested if anyone gives advice on this board about that one.

But now gec, I heared a different part of view from a fellow producer. He claims that you can only be a manager with the right degree!!! When you have that degree (don't ask me which one) you can put up a contract with the band where you ask a price to manage them, they pay you and you must take care of al the managing stuff. Without that contract (which I can't create according to his opinion), I have no rights at all, when I help them.

He suggested me to introduce myself as their producer, kinda like the advice of buffalo bob, so I can have publishing rights.

OK, they allready asked me to produce one of their next demo's, but the one they are finishing now is produced by one of the band members, and that demo is the one they wanna make promotion with.

Any comments?
 
tell your producer friend that said you need a degree to know what he's talking about b4 he gives people advice on a career...............Always look at the source of where your information is coming from...............No you don't need a degree........If you are serious about these cats and really think something big will come out of this........go see an entertainment lawyer and have him/her draw up the contract for you.....it might cost you a nickel...but will be worth it for you in the long run if things work out..............the difference between you writing the contract and your lawyer is liability reasons.....b4 you go see one though make sure this band knows up front what the intentions are.......no need to go through the lawyer BS...pay money...then have the band change their mind?
 
Gec's right,
If you don't have a legal contract (in other words, put up by a legal professional) and the band will get big, the record label will find some way to ditch you and you end up with having nothing... Music Industry Bastards...
Dirk Demon
 
Thx for the advice. I have received from some the phon number of a great lawyer in the music business, so I'm considering to let him make up the contract.

The only thing to do is to consult the band about the idea!

Thx for all advice!
 
BrettB,

First off, consider that the laws differ from country to country. This doesn't mean that you should ignore advice here, but please check out your legal position with a local lawyer who knows "music business".

As an example, I will quote some basics which cover this type of situation here in Aust., under what is called Common Law, (based on the 3 categories of business......1; A sole trader (an individual working by and for themselves. 2; A partnership (2 or more people working together 3; A legally registered Company).

Firstly,........ if 2 or more persons are working together in a money making venture, then the can usually be regarded as a partnership, EVEN if they HAVEN'T a contract.......most young bands fall into this category without even realising it.

Secondly,..........If a band has a "manager" (insert friend) to help them and have no written contract with him, then he may be deemed an equal partner in the band/partnership.

It is terribly important to have some legally binding agreement, covering everything....... from what your position is, how much you will earn, to exactly what you are and aren't expected to do. Don't miss a thing, it isn't worth taking shortcuts here.

Good luck.

:cool:
 
Bert, also get in touch with SABAM. Look at their website etc. They give pretty good advice if you call 'em too. Will take a while untill you get the right person on the phone, but they are pretty friendly.

Which band? Something I might have heard of? Where exactly in Belgium are you? (I'm from Diest. Vl-Brabant.)
 
Hi Roel,

I'm a member of SABAM, and I am quite aware about the regulations.

Hey, you're not that far away, I'm from Heist-op-den-Berg, between Aarschot and Lier. But during the week, I'm in Ghent because I study there.

The band I was talking about is named Lora Zenn. They have espacially potential in the 'Antwerp scene mentality' if you know what I mean. Some dEUS and Zita Swoon and lots of Tom Waits influences, they sound and look a bit 'arty' but still open enough to attract a larger audience I think.

I doubt it you would ever heard of them, and my first post was the reason. Those guys are so bad in selling themselves that it almost irritates me. Although their great friends of mine, they seem to forget that you have to earn attention and that just playing in your basement won't get you out in the open.
 
Hi Digital

thx for that great article! I really appreciate it.
 
Geee...
What a nice discuss here, I even download the pages, and read it over and over... I wonder if anybody has a major label's sample contract, just for us to know, what does it looks like.
 
Sure do...also have management and licensing deals. Label contracts are Capital, and Universal. Would be happy to discuss various points with you.
 
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