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An startup label is lookin for artists... What do you think?
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:50 am
by TeachONE
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
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:41 am
by Meef Chaloin
doesnt sound too good to me, dunno if id wanna pay that much money
how are they gonna promote an mc?
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:44 am
by sweetjesus
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.
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:15 pm
by genshi
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.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:02 am
by kent_sandvik
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
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:40 am
by D K
yup, that deal blows
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:57 am
by kenporter
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
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:02 am
by sparklepuff
This even smells like a hot pile of poop through my computer.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:32 am
by rikhyray
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.
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 2:42 pm
by xzusa8ky
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
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:31 pm
by Khazul
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...
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:43 pm
by m_three10
^ cant say im all too familiar with the term 'legit scam'...
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:17 pm
by Khazul
^ Edited for you - happy now? or still too confusing?
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:19 pm
by kenporter
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