An startup label is lookin for artists... What do you think?

TeachONE · Post by **TeachONE** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:50 am

It's always interesting when a "business" shows interest in what you do... Especially when it has to do with something you love doing and would like to think that you might eventually be able to get paid to do it. This blog isn't about me this time... It's actually about my partner. He's a great emcee, and not long after he finally got himself a myspace account he was approached by a salesman from the following start up music label http://zoomoozik.com/bands.jsp
saying they wanted to sign him. Seems like a legitimate start up, but at the same time if there's one story about an artist getting taken advantage of in terms of paying in to get "some" PR, there's a thousand. On the other hand... This site isn't askin for a tremendous amount of cash either. $250 and a 50/50 split of revenue gets you promotion, and the equivelent of a very generalized A&R promotion plan.... I'm curious about what you guys think... I'm more than a little cynical about this, but I'm wondering if anyone here has had any dealings with this kind of company and what they're experience of it was.

Peace

TeachONE

Meef Chaloin · Post by **Meef Chaloin** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:41 am

doesnt sound too good to me, dunno if id wanna pay that much money

how are they gonna promote an mc?

sweetjesus · Post by **sweetjesus** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:44 am

correct grammar would be a good way to not repel people wanting to part with $250 and half their royalty revenues.

usually its the other way around, the label pays a few hundred advance and a split on royalties.

genshi · Post by **genshi** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:15 pm

Seems pretty ridiculous. You should never have to "pay" a label to split your own royalties, it should be the other way around.

I run my own label and when I sign an artist, I pay for the start up costs of getting the CD pressed or getting them onto iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, etc. then I only take 15% of what they sell to cover administrative costs (collecting and distributing royalties, etc.)

There's better ways of getting your music out there and promoting it; no need for these kind of "deals" imho.

kent_sandvik · Post by **kent_sandvik** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:02 am

Yes, try if possible to never sign away half or whole of your royalties. You should keep them to yourself, and I would even think that anyone should avoid labels that enforce such practices.

The labels should make money from selling tracks directly or indirectly via distributors. The actual royalties (i.e. radio play) should belong to the artist or band.

--Kent

D K · Post by **D K** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:40 am

yup, that deal blows

kenporter · Post by **kenporter** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:57 am

Every "label" that asks you for money is imho a scam. I'd never pay a label to get my music on a release...

Ken

sparklepuff · Post by **sparklepuff** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:02 am

This even smells like a hot pile of poop through my computer.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:32 am

kenporter wrote:Every "label" that asks you for money is imho a scam. I'd never pay a label to get my music on a release...

Ken

minor correction I dont know anyone or about anyone who got a real release that way. General rule in this industry, perhaps any other, anyone asking for advance money (instead of giving you) is a shark.
Same goes for low payment or no payment accompanied by" this it is just promotional, next time you will get paid": There will never be next time. Those places, situations where you might really get exposure and might be even worth to pay some costs, will never need to say that, neither promise next time since everybody knows their value.

xzusa8ky · Post by **xzusa8ky** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:42 pm

Keep your hands away from "deals" like that! Serious labels and promoters dont ask you for paying! Get you a serious deal where you get some real bucks!

Regards

Khazul · Post by **Khazul** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:31 pm

Keep you wits about you - there has been quite a few scams running over the past years or so that sound this.

Some of these 'startups' are legit some aint...

m_three10 · Post by **m_three10** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:43 pm

^ cant say im all too familiar with the term 'legit scam'...

Khazul · Post by **Khazul** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:17 pm

^ Edited for you - happy now? or still too confusing?

kenporter · Post by **kenporter** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:19 pm

rikhyray wrote:
kenporter wrote:Every "label" that asks you for money is imho a scam. I'd never pay a label to get my music on a release...

Ken
minor correction I dont know anyone or about anyone who got a real release that way. General rule in this industry, perhaps any other, anyone asking for advance money (instead of giving you) is a shark.
Same goes for low payment or no payment accompanied by" this it is just promotional, next time you will get paid": There will never be next time. Those places, situations where you might really get exposure and might be even worth to pay some costs, will never need to say that, neither promise next time since everybody knows their value.

What do you mean, minor correction? You're saying the same thing I am saying.

I've released many albums, licensed my music to video games, and movies, and never had to pay but did get paid. I would never pay to have my music released. I was approached several times that way, but always had to turn them down.

Ken

Ken