How to start your own music label?

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Posted by Jake Benson on Jan-24-2008 04:53:

quote:
Originally posted by kopi_luwak
On me? Not at all, only for you, and the poor innocents that could sign up with your "Label" of course .

Kopi =o.

Ah but if I slap a pair of tits on my music like all those "dance now #3459873gay" then I'll be in the money eh?

Posted by kopi_luwak on Jan-24-2008 05:23:

quote:
Originally posted by Jake Benson
Ah but if I slap a pair of tits on my music like all those "dance now #3459873gay" then I'll be in the money eh?

Seems like you have all very well planned .

Kopi =o.

Posted by System101 on Jan-24-2008 13:59:

i like donuts

Posted by sterilis on Jan-24-2008 14:30:

quote:
Originally posted by System101
i like donuts

with jam?

Posted by Lucidity on Jan-24-2008 15:02:

I thought this place was for useful information? Why can no one answer her. Honestly, I saw this thread and was like , whoa, I would like to know this information too. And not one person gave a decent answer, just dumb replies. Is there anyone smart enough out there to give the actual question the answer we wanna hear?

Posted by System101 on Jan-24-2008 15:33:

quote:
Originally posted by sterilis
with jam?

only if its free

Posted by System101 on Jan-24-2008 15:37:

Posted by Lucidity on Jan-24-2008 15:42:

I'm really just curious as to what steps from beginning to end I would expect to go through. What exactly do you need to actually be considered a "label"

Posted by kopi_luwak on Jan-24-2008 17:15:

quote:
Originally posted by Lucidity
I thought this place was for useful information? Why can no one answer her. Honestly, I saw this thread and was like , whoa, I would like to know this information too. And not one person gave a decent answer, just dumb replies. Is there anyone smart enough out there to give the actual question the answer we wanna hear?

Will tell you why. First of all, we are over saturated with Digital labels, done by guys like Jack, without a clue about the business and alot of good intentions, wich will only result in another Digital label, with bad resources, bad promotion, childish behavior, etc, etc, etc.

I dont have plans to open a label anytime soon, but, I know perfectly step by step what to do, because I have been on this, from not alot, only 3 years, but, I have earned enought of contacts, labels, distributors, info, knowlegde from people I have seen creating their own labels, running their own labels, from the industry, etc.

The second thing is, if you are not smart enough to find what you need on google, please, I dont wanna even know what will you do having a legal problem with your label, or with the plenty of problems you could be facing directing a label.

First, read some history about :

Record label
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label

Independent music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_(music)

Netlabel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netlabel

I just googled, how to start a digital label, and got alot of info, some good books, and webpages with free info. All books are very cheap, no more than 20 bucks, and they guide you step by step, however, I suggest you to buy 2 or 3 so you have a more accurated information:

How to start an Indie label books:

1
http://www.musiccontracts.com/store...95&cat=1&page=1

2
http://www.stylecareer.com/indierecord_label.shtml

Free info explaining how to start an Indie label:

1
http://www.rapcointelpro.com/Starti...die%20Label.htm

2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusi...tlabelp01.shtml

And for your contracts:

http://www.musiccontracts.com/?gcli...CFRk0awodSEJNGg

I found all this in only 10 minutes, please, try to put more effort in what are you doing could you Jack, and the rest asking how to open an Indie label ...

Kopi =o.

Posted by Zak McKracken on Jan-24-2008 22:45:

seriously all u need is a name for your label and a website or myspace, then make some music, if its good enough then beatport/audiojelly etc will sign a deal with you. send some cds/mp3s to famous djs first then wait a month for the release. dont worry about contracts before you get promos that you want to sign. i think we need more amateur label, dont listen to what anyone else says, the more music gets out there the bigger the chance of something good pops up. yes it will be alot more crap too but it is already, especialy at established labels.

1. attitude: forget about money and success and concentrate on having fun
2. name (search for cheap domains combined with stupid words)
3. design website and/or myspace
4. try make great/original tracks yourself
5. get deals with mp3-distribution sites
6. promote your label/music to djs/artists
7. release your music
8. feel the power of anticlimax and pointlessness
9. go back to number 1
10. if u get awesome promos u can start googling for contracts and company establishment-stuff, that too is really easy

i cant really understand what anyone got agains new small labels, its the only way to get your music out there if its not made for the masses. your arguments about too much shit music doesnt hold caus it has always been shit music everywhere at all times.

more labels please

good luck

Posted by Jake Benson on Jan-25-2008 07:45:

Thanks for the info. I will be looking online to those links tomorrow that you provided kopi.

Also, the California laws are rediculous. I was talking with my friend today who informed me that the cost of forming a business can cost me literally thousands just because I like in California and LA. There's a way around it though. The option I am now research is getting a "DBA" license which basically allows me the legal right to do business under a fictitious. It also allows me to get licensing through copyright and everything else without putting out the expense for a full business license. I would be allowed this kind of business for 3-5 years and then I have to get the full business license.

Posted by Jake Benson on Jan-25-2008 08:02:

quote:
Originally posted by kopi_luwak
Will tell you why. First of all, we are over saturated with Digital labels, done by guys like Jack, without a clue about the business and alot of good intentions, wich will only result in another Digital label, with bad resources, bad promotion, childish behavior, etc, etc, etc.

First of all, the name's Jake, not Jack. Big difference, though not in spelling. I am well aware of childish behavior with music companies, which is why I don't enjoy working with many of them, including the initial one I thought would be my main company (which finds me little to no work, sometimes misinforms me about pay, has no idea how to market my music, and doesn't even focus on music much of the time).

Those Jacks you speak of are the people that motivate me towards my independence in the music industry. I work at a Marketing firm during the day in which (even though there's plenty of human error) people behave on a much more professional level and work is accomplished much quicker. I want to have more control in the music business because I feel like I can handle work in a professional manner from my experience at my marketing firm.

quote:
The second thing is, if you are not smart enough to find what you need on google, please, I dont wanna even know what will you do having a legal problem with your label, or with the plenty of problems you could be facing directing a label.

Second of all, when I say I am not smart enough that doesn't necessarily mean I'm too stupid to start my own label. Go to http://www.sos.ca.gov, click on "Business Entities" and explain to me what the differences are between all of the options, because I have no idea. I even called them up and they told me to get an advisor and hung up on me.

I may only seem stupid because I seem like I'm a blank slate asking everyone in every single venue what the answer to a general question is. I guarantee you I do this all the time because I want to compare and contrast answers and then come up with a solution that best fits me.

Having said that, thanks for providing the links! I have to sleep soon, so I will do more research tomorrow.

Posted by Nemesis44 on Jan-25-2008 12:36:

To start your own label isn't that hard. It all depends on how far you want to take it.

To actually release on Audiojelly I believe they actually have a section with forms and things that will explain what they need from you and technically that's all you need to get started.

With regards to the laws in CA I have no idea but often legal talk will leave me quite stunned the first time round so I can understand what you mean about that, it's also worth definately making sure that you are legal as you can get really screwed. Although I admit it is a tough call as you are only planning on releasing your own music from what I understand.

I have to admit that helping to run a label and do work for them took the fun out of my music, partly due to bad experiences and would also urge you to consider this before you venture further as you will find that the work quickly builds up, especially if you are in a situation where you are either doing all the work or get shafted by those you work with.

You also need a clear idea of what you want to acheive. Not saying you don't have this but from your posts so far it does seem a little vague, just make sure you set some clear goals for yourself, and make sure that they are acheivable.

Although the music industry exploded with mickey mouse labels, the really crap labels were always out there even in the days of vinyl. The only difference is that before it used to be people with more money than sense, now it's people with no money and no sense.

If you really want to do this then do yourself and the rest of the industry a favour, MAKE SURE YOU DO IT RIGHT. It will pay in the long run.

And don't take too much notice of the people who say it can't be done, only you will know that for sure. Life it too full of people trying to put others down. I'm a firm believer in encouraging people to pursue their dreams and visions. Go for it I say, but you owe it to yourself to do it right.

It sometimes suprises me the amount of people who say things can't be done in a place where creativity and dreams should come to life. Some pretty negative and uncalled for responses.
I know I haven't given any real technical info, but if it's what you want, do it. But read up as much as you can.

cheers
Nem

Posted by kopi_luwak on Jan-25-2008 13:38:

quote:
Originally posted by Jake Benson
First of all, the name's Jake, not Jack. Big difference, though not in spelling. I am well aware of childish behavior with music companies, which is why I don't enjoy working with many of them, including the initial one I thought would be my main company (which finds me little to no work, sometimes misinforms me about pay, has no idea how to market my music, and doesn't even focus on music much of the time).

Those Jacks you speak of are the people that motivate me towards my independence in the music industry. I work at a Marketing firm during the day in which (even though there's plenty of human error) people behave on a much more professional level and work is accomplished much quicker. I want to have more control in the music business because I feel like I can handle work in a professional manner from my experience at my marketing firm.

Second of all, when I say I am not smart enough that doesn't necessarily mean I'm too stupid to start my own label. Go to http://www.sos.ca.gov, click on "Business Entities" and explain to me what the differences are between all of the options, because I have no idea. I even called them up and they told me to get an advisor and hung up on me.

I may only seem stupid because I seem like I'm a blank slate asking everyone in every single venue what the answer to a general question is. I guarantee you I do this all the time because I want to compare and contrast answers and then come up with a solution that best fits me.

Having said that, thanks for providing the links! I have to sleep soon, so I will do more research tomorrow.

Ha, my bad, "Jake", opss .
I will try to be more aware of my gramar mistakes now that we have a gramar police here! .
PS: You may have to pay about 1000 to 1500 bucks to register a trademark, in Mexico that's what it cost, f you have plans to have a more serious label. Usually digitals can be sorted out without the company trademark

Some info here about Tradermarking your label, remember, this is only if you go serious, becaus I know alot of labels that have never trademarked nothing, but, we are talking about small digital labels mainly:

http://www.recordlabelresource.com/trademarking-your-business.html

Here is other nice PDF resource you may find interesting:

http://www.bpi.co.uk/pdf/BPI_Guide_to_Setting_Up_a_Record_Label.pdf

Kopi =o.

Posted by piku303 on Jan-26-2008 06:40:

jake, start your own label. your tracks are great man. let me know when you get it up and running!

Posted by Vennes on Jan-28-2008 20:09:

Pff, hadn't been here for ages, but good to see the rudeness in some people is still exactly as it used to be :O

Jake mate, your tracks sound wicked, and starting your label is not that expenive, at least not here. You can set one up in an afternoon. If you got some connections in distribution you shouldn't be too afraid to start releasing your own tracks, to cut down costs you can try to go digital only, though vinyl would be nicer of course. The only thing we have to decide is how much liability we want to cary as a private person, the more you can handle, the less it costs to start your label. I've never done it, though seen plenty of it at the office. Purchase a good book on on amazon , and then just take the dive, that's how things get done anyway!

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