Has this been done???

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ProJect

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Hey,

I was wondering if there are any record labels specializing in High School bands. My friend and I just got outta high school and we are realizing how many options opened for us just by leaving the ol HS. We were both in incredible high school bands that both got record offers only after we finished high school. We also know some bands that are still in high school and kick some major ass, but they are labelled a high school band, so they don't get the credit they deserve. We're thinking of making a record label that focuses on them and gives them a chance to really make a name for themselves. We have a studio and enough funds to put up some bands. Think it's a good idea? If you've got some other ideas, that would be definately cool.

Connor
 
I think it's a hellified Idea and a great one at that :nod:

anything I can do to help support or promote it you let me know.

wow
how thoughtful!
 
Um...

Do you mean bands in high school or high school marching bands?
 
thanks leave...
you almost made me piss my pants...
gotta be careful a woman at my age has a weak bladder

:rofl:
 
I think the biggest issue here is probably the reliability of the bands. Most bands in high school have priorities that make them not work as hard as a lot of professional working bands out in the world.

Also, they can't really tour steadily - which significantly limits the possibilities.

Just a thought.
 
Several often overlooked facts about high school bands (I too was in one)

(1) They're young... usually under the age of 18 and therefore cannot be held to any legal document they sign without parent's written consent -- try to convince some kid's parents to let them become musicians professionally.

(2) They're young... remember high school? there are SO many things affecting daily decisions... and SO many outside factors that will drive the band into new directions... sometimes with disaterous results.

For example: your drummer won't stop hitting on your girlfriend... or maybe your bass player's girlfriend keeps making passes at you.... or your girlfriend just breaks up with you and now all you wanna play are songs like "Love Stinks"... and the rest of the band doesn't...

High school bands, although often talented, are too full of wild cards... if you're serious about your label though, go for it... I'll just offer one piece of advice: don't invest a damn thing into any of these bands... not money and definitely not your time (at least not without pay)

- Tanlith -
 
Yeah... I understand about the whole high school feelings thing... but that happens with other bands, only on a bigger scale... your bassist is on heroine and dies... your drummer has a kid with your singer's wife. The thing is that we wouldn't just take in any high school bands. We'd be looking for people who are interested in pursuing their music as a career. A lot of the problem with high school bands is that music is just something they do. For others, it's really something they live and strive for. When I was in high school, I had my own troubles, and it was a long road to overcome a lot of them, but my band still managed to become one of the biggest in our city(not a very big city, but still...). It was just hard for us because we were labelled as a high school band at first, but then a band from Seattle started to play with us and get us shows with their friends... that's what really launched us into a whole different ballpark. I just wanna give these other kids that I see a lot of talent in the same kinda boost. Get a record label that gains some cred in the local music scene. I'd probably have to front a bit of cash on the first few shows and albums we put on, but I'd easily make it back. When we would publicize our own shows, they would always fill up. Thanks for the advice!

Connor
 
I guess I don't see how you would be different from any other label. I don't think that anyone automatically discounts bands for being in high school, it's just a general truth that they are not as well-practiced, not as talented, not as dedicated, and not as grounded.

An analogy comes to mind of NBA teams drafting players out of high school or at a young age. Kids like Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony are good enough and have proven themselves adequately so that the pros are willing to draft them. Dozens of other kids the same age will eventually make it, but only after they've wisened up and honed their skills in college.

Now, you could be like the Detroit and draft a future prospect whom you believe will eventually pay off if enough time and energy is invested into his development. My understanding is that the analogy fails here. You're looking for high school bands that are already marketable and primed for success. But if a band has already reached that point then other teams will already be looking to draft them, so to speak.

So...I don't think there are record labels that go after High School bands explicitly. Labels go after what is marketable, high school or not.

As far as being a good idea, I think you could find a niche in the market as a studio geared towards offering affordable recording to a younger crowd. I'm sure plenty of high school bands would jump at the chance to record a quality album for a relatively low cost.

Go Pistons,
Peter
 
Well... be sure to ask them how far they're REALLY willing to go for their music.

I remember my old band. Grade 11 (we'd been together for 3yrs) and we told our parents we wanted to play the local circuit (we were all JUST 18 - in Ontario you can work in a bar so long as you don't drink)...

Parents: "No way! You get a real job and get your head out of the clouds! You've got a better chance winning the lottery than becoming a rock star!"

Me: " Well, it's really not your decision..."

Parents: (Cutting me off) "Well you're not going to do this while you're living under our roof! And about your hair..."

Me: (Cutting them off - calmly) "Fine, I'll move out tonight."

(brief silence)

Parents: "And what are you going to do? Live in your van?"

Me: "If I have to... yes."

Parents: "You won't last the night!"

Me: (Heading to room to pack) Time will tell..."

Parents: (Ranting - while I ignore them and pack)

May not be ver-batem, but pretty much the way it went for me. I don't care HOW good the band is... if someone's parents don't want them to persue it professionally, then that's a HUGE obstacle... I almost caved myself... I don't know many kids that would call the bluff and walk.

So again... ask them how far they'll go for a career...

- Tanlith -
 
Well, yeah... parents could be a problem, but there'd definately be big time screening before any bands actually get on. Honestly, I wasn't wanting the label to be a really big thing... just a bit of a footstool to get into the industry. Like... we'd build up our credit as having very decent bands, then use our name to reccommend bands to bigger labels. What we want to do is offer shows that high school bands can play in and use those shows to determine which ones we want to sign and furtherly reccommend. Sort of like a promotions agency, only a bit better because we'll record and release their music in addition to promoting. Also, we'll be going to local shows thrown by high school bands(not many record labels I know of actually do that). As for starting it, it's in the works and I'll update you guys when we get some stuff done. We're starting on a website and I'm in the process of recording 3 bands. Thanks a bunch!

Connor
 
I tried it once...it sucked. My friend and I started a label for bands in high school, and bands that were too stupid to figure out how to get a deal. There were a couple problems. My friend was in high school, and he didn't have a clue what he was doing. He ended up taking 80% of the money and refused to pay for anything. He also didn't do any work. He felt obligated to have his girlfriend help, who really didn't do anything either. I was getting money from my brother, but it turned out, we were too far gone.

Last week, I ended up selling what was left of the label on eBay. http://www.LameRekords.com went for $305. I am currently looking into a retail property and starting a music store. I will also be doing web design, lighting, live sound, and promotion for bands, but for a price. The prices are dirt cheap. I'm willing to help bands, but I don't want to loose money.
 
ProJect said:
Well, yeah... parents could be a problem, but there'd definately be big time screening before any bands actually get on. Honestly, I wasn't wanting the label to be a really big thing... just a bit of a footstool to get into the industry. Like... we'd build up our credit as having very decent bands, then use our name to reccommend bands to bigger labels. What we want to do is offer shows that high school bands can play in and use those shows to determine which ones we want to sign and furtherly reccommend. Sort of like a promotions agency, only a bit better because we'll record and release their music in addition to promoting. Also, we'll be going to local shows thrown by high school bands(not many record labels I know of actually do that). As for starting it, it's in the works and I'll update you guys when we get some stuff done. We're starting on a website and I'm in the process of recording 3 bands. Thanks a bunch!

Connor
Click to expand...

OK... if you're looking to find the best of the best HS bands, why not scout around for about a month and find out approx how many are in your "area". Then hold a "Battle of the Bands" for HS bands only - set an entry fee of say 100 and offer the entire pot as the prize. Divide it up into 3 top prizes...

like maybe 75% to #1 15% to #2 & 10% to #3

So if for example you get 10 bands to sign up the prizes would be:

10 bands x $100.00 = $1000.00

1st Prize: $750.00
2nd Prize: $150.00
3rd Prize: $100.00

But don't forget to work something out where you can recoupe your losses (hall rental etc) -- by selling food/drink etc.

These things are surprisingly easy to set up once you know how.

- Tanlith -
 
A guy is doing the battle of the bands thing here. It's for high school bands only and it costs nothing to enter. No equipment is provided, and it's usually in a big gym. Bands play in each of the coners so they can play one right after the other without waiting for setup and stuff. The winner gets a dumb little trophy. The guy is making $1,800 every time he does one of these.
 
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