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I got a response from a label

After sending my tune out to quite a few labels yesterday, I got a reply this morning (quick!) from one of them saying they would like to hear any other tracks I've done and to send them a cd with these tracks.

They said, once receiving the cd, they will contact me to discuss a possible collaboration with their company.

Firstly, is this the standard procedure for a label to take? Does it mean they really like this and wanna hear what else I've done aswell? Or could it more likely mean thay they thought this tune sounded ok but not good enough but they are hoping other tunes i've done might be better?

Main problem I've got is I haven't really got any other tracks to show them. This is only the 3rd tune I've completed, and the first two are okay but not as well produced and different genres aswell.

If I tell them this is the only track I have at the moment, might they still be interested or is it unheard of for labels to sign just one track off someone?

One other thing, should I be concerned about sending a cd of my tune to a label when it isn't copyrighted. From what I can tell, they aren't a very big label, based in Italy. Should I be concerned?

It is copyrighted. Until you sign it over (which you never should), and until 75yrs after you die. (or is it 50yr?)

Guys, stop posting serious shit and go post more boobs in my Lisa Lashes thread.



I don't really know much/anything about this, but I would be weary about sending all your stuff to a small label; Copyrights don't really mean all that much, I mean look at the Timbaland story. More to the point, why do they need to hear more to consider a "collaboration"? Sounds like theyre going to dick you around IMO! Be careful.

I don't know if i can help you. I've only had one experience with demos/labels, which was recently. I sent out a track, label wanted it, they asked me if i had any other material to put into a release. I didn't, so we agreed i would start working on a second version of the demo tune, which is turning out good and which they like. When i'm done i will have my first release officially in the pipeline. This is however a label with a good reputation and which can be trusted.

I think that is because they want to know if they should sign you as an artist on their label, or just releasing that one track.

And stop being so afraid everybody, on copyrights and such.. its unlikely that you make something thats so special that people want to ripp it off. Even then, so what ? all artists ripps eachother off anyways.

Re: I got a response from a label

quote:

Originally posted by G-Con From what I can tell, they aren't a very big label, based in Italy. Should I be concerned?

what label is it?

B-trance records

Do the come across friendly and honest. First impressions are vital. I turn down those that come across otherwise, even if I was the one sending the demo in the first place (only sent demos to those whom I knew I could trust though - but did decline remixe offers from labels that approached me a in a way that didn't feel appropriate).

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller Do the come across friendly and honest. First impressions are vital. I turn down those that come across otherwise, even if I was the one sending the demo in the first place (only sent demos to those whom I knew I could trust though - but did decline remixe offers from labels that approached me a in a way that didn't feel appropriate).

Hard to say to be honest. My method was to go on beatport and browse through stacks of tunes writing down the names of labels who's tunes were similar in style to my own.

Then find their websites and send them the link to my tune in whatever format they preferred.

This label is the first to reply (seein as I only sent links yesterday) and asked me to do what i mentioned in my original post so I don't really have any way of tellin at this point how trustworthy/respectable they are.

Way to Go G-Con...

BTW... is that a martian llama?

quote:

Originally posted by G-Con Hard to say to be honest. My method was to go on beatport and browse through stacks of tunes writing down the names of labels who's tunes were similar in style to my own. Then find their websites and send them the link to my tune in whatever format they preferred. This label is the first to reply (seein as I only sent links yesterday) and asked me to do what i mentioned in my original post so I don't really have any way of tellin at this point how trustworthy/respectable they are.

I also mean in terms of how the emails are written. Are they on a friendly note or more commanding..

I had one of those labels contacting my for signing a track. Their A&R was quite hostile (also Italian - no other connection probably though). So I turned them down. I got a very agressive email back when I did that. Some time later I checked them out and I noticed they release tons of crap and do very little promotion. Just the way a label communicates with you by email can really say a lot.

I would do some research into Italian copyright. You start running into issues when you cross borders with music... I'm sure you're aware of how to copyright in your own country, but once you turn it over to them, they could conceivably use it as they see fit within their own country...

And BTW echosystem, music doesn't have to be "amazing" to re-used. They're are plenty of media outlets that use less than amazing music... advertising, porn... they're are labels and music publishers who purchase the rights to songs/catalogues and then continue to resell those pieces as need be.

I know specifically of an acquaintance that composed a number of tracks, and sold those tracks for a "flat fee" to be used in Porn. He later heard his track on a major network TV show... the porn company had re-sold his music to be used somewhere else.... Now, be selling for a flat fee, he surrendered his rights to the music, but it shows that music is constantly being recycled as companies see fit.

The moral of any story is, do your homework and know your rights before you submit any piece of work to anyone. I mean, after all, it's your blood, sweat and tears that went into it, the least you can do is protect your work.

quote:

Originally posted by A1C I know specifically of an acquaintance that composed a number of tracks, and sold those tracks for a "flat fee" to be used in Porn. He later heard his track on a major network TV show... the porn company had re-sold his music to be used somewhere else.... Now, be selling for a flat fee, he surrendered his rights to the music, but it shows that music is constantly being recycled as companies see fit.

haha that's classic!

I've released one track through a small digital label based in Italy, called Enoise Records. I know one of the A&R guys from the label, he asked me if I would like to begin releasing tracks. I was quick to sign the contract, because I personally knew someone involved with the label. I have to say though, it's really hard to make sense of a contract, with all the legal jargon. I admit, I'm not 100% sure of what I signed. Hiring a music lawyer is not worth it unless you are signing a lucrative contract. I'm not that worried about it, this time. In the future though, I want to be more aware of what I'm signing.

quote:

Originally posted by G-Con After sending my tune out to quite a few labels yesterday, I got a reply this morning (quick!) from one of them saying they would like to hear any other tracks I've done and to send them a cd with these tracks.

They might want to know that you can produce more than one releasable track. Or they might want you to release an EP of your material. The label I'm with prefers at least a 2 song EP from their artists.

It's not uncommon at all to release one track though a label. I see a lot of these guys dealing with 3 or 4 labels, releasing only singles. With these small digital labels, you hardly ever sign as an artist, you sign for one or two tracks, or an EP.

Most of these little labels don't do much promotion, because they don't have the funds. You've got to do that yourself. I'd say shop around a bit more, get some referrals from other producers if you can. I won't ever sign with another label unless I can get at least one good referral. Most digital labels put out a lot of Mediocre tracks, that's kind of standard I think, I wouldn't worry about that too much. It's always better, of course, to go with one that's putting out high quality tracks.

http://www.amazon.com/Need-Know-Abo...81015310&sr=1-1

^This is a pretty decent resource. I picked it up on a recommendation as soon as I started dealing with labels. Not a solution to all your problems, but definitely a good reference when trying to gather info.

Also, just because they've offered up a contract, it doesn't mean you need to take it. Think about it this way- you're going to be signing over your hard work to a business...are they going to represent you the way you would want to be seen? Take your time and maybe wait until you finish a new track that a reputable label will want to sign. The fact that you're getting responses is a big step, so keep up the hard work for sure. Also a common thing to do is sign the artist and then put into the contract a sentence that says something along the lines of 'the artist agrees to 3 more releases'. They're going to want to hear your next 3 tunes first, and have the chance to sign them before you sign to anyone else. That means you can't really be signing to a big label without the small label's permission even if you've got that killer tune that everyone will want.

Signing the contract shouldn't mean just getting some money for it...a good healthy label is going to provide promos to the right DJs, the right radio shows, the right stores, and work to get your name and your sound out there. Will they handle your music in a way that will work for you?

Network and work with the right people instead of wasting your time by working with people that won't get you anywhere. I've been warned by many veterans to watch for small labels taking advantage of new producers who have potential.

Signing on with someone like BMI or ASCAP could be a good idea. I've taken the time to sign on with BMI as everyone professional I've met has told me it's a real good idea.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Some really good advice, thanks.

I've sent them an email back telling them this is the only track I have at the moment to see what they'll say. Even if they still want me to send it to them, I will wait for now. After all, I have sent a demo out to a loads of labels and as far as I'm aware it can take up to a few weeks to get a response so I'll wait to see what happens.

I will look into as well how these labels are promoting their tracks, if they are in contact with many DJ's etc.

I must admit, before, all I thought about was the "getting signed" part. I hadn't really considered the actual purpose of getting signed - "to get your name out there and to promote your work"

Cheers

you'll get to a point where it becomes really easy to get your tunes signed to labels. Be picky and choosy as to which labels you get involved with, Most smaller labels these days do zero promotion and that ain;t what you want

MAKE SURE YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTRACTS!!! It's very easy for any label to loop hole their language to the point that you can't even understand it to ensure their ability to pay you as little money as they can for any and all of your associations with them!

quote:

Originally posted by djms you'll get to a point where it becomes really easy to get your tunes signed to labels. Be picky and choosy as to which labels you get involved with, Most smaller labels these days do zero promotion and that ain;t what you want

It exciting and all the first time you get signed, untill you get that sales report that shows you only sold 10 tracks. I was told by my producer friends that selling 10 tracks with almost no promotion, is doing really good. A lot of new producers don't sell any at all. Unless you already have a following or fanbase, or are a working DJ, you're probably not going to sell many tracks with these small digital labels. For one, you get lost in the huge sea of tracks coming from all the other small labels. I'm coming to terms with that now. I'm starting to think, for me at least, small digital labels aren't worth the cost of printing and mailing the contracts. Unless you find one that is good at promoting your tracks. If you find one, let me know

just be carefull and make shure you copyright anything you make.To many artists on tranceaddict have gotten songs send to labels that are totally wack or suppose to be really really big and renamed with there own artist name etc. good luck with this problem !

I've now had an offer of contract from a different label who I won't mention for now for ethical reasons but they seem like a pretty decent label. I've been goin over it trying to cut through the jargon and understand it all.

1)The general gist of it is that I'm am signing over full rights of ownership to them in everyway and giving them full control. Sounds scary but is this standard?

2)For digital sales, they say I will get 16% of the gross income, minus all the costs they have incurred. Does that sound about right?

3)I get 50% of income for reproductions from inhouse compilations, reproductions sold through clubs etc. (Have no idea what this means)

4)What does this paragraph mean. "This transfer of rights also contains the right to solely use and Exploit the Track and Title as specified above in each and every form within the Territory under any name, label or trademark "

5)In the calculation and settlement of royalties section, there is one bit which caught my attention. Can anyone explain it please?

The Label is allowed to make a reservation up to 25%(twenty-five percent). These reserves shall be liquidated within 2(two) accounting periods


I know asking questions on here probably isn't the most professional way to go over a contract but its not as if I'm gonna pay a solicitor to go over it so I hope that maybe some of you who have signed these kind of contracts before will be able to help me.

my first bit of advice is for you to stop being a cheap skate, and see a lawyer. what ever a lawyer will charge you will be worth it, because of what you learn from the lawyer today, will certainly help you in the future.

1) my friend does business this way. artists will send him material. if likes it, he will buy the track(s). meaning he (my friend) will be the owner of the track. i would say this is more or less how business goes, from my observations. -not just from my friend but watching others too.

2) i think what they are trying to say is that you will get 16% of the net income. gross income is what you have before you deduct expenses, taxes, etc. gross income does not = profit for a business.

net income is the money that is left after all expences, taxes, etc are accounted/paid for. net income, if any = profit.

i belive what they are offering you is 16% of the net, since they want to deduct expenses, before they arrive at a figure that they will give you 16% from.

it is possible to take a cut from the gross earning, but you usually have to have some juice to do this, and the percentage is usually lower.

4) see number 1 basically... i think what they are telling you here, is that once they own your recording, they reserve the right to market or license the track how ever they want.

5) this means, that if the label owes your $100, they reserve the right to hang on to $25 and pay you just $75. later on (w/in 2 accounting cycles) they will give you the last $25.

i belive you can look at this way too: every accounting cycle, they can hang on to %25 of what they owe you.


definately see a lawyer. you might see this one track as small potatoes, so it doesn't matter, or the cost is not justified. this doesn't mean you need to see a lawyer EVERY TIME you sign w/a label, or sell a track... but you never know what's gonna happen next... you might sell more tracks, to this label, or to other labels. get some pro advice now. you will protect your self today, and protect your self in the future also.

a lot of the jargon you see, you'll probably see again. it's better to pay a lawyer to figure it out today, instead of getting screwed today, pay a lawyer tomorrow... or worse yet, getting screwed today and tomorrow.

rememeber, labels want to make money. sometimes this leads to un-ehtical behavior. don't expect them to pamper you, and make sure you get a fair a shake. this is a business, money first.

edit:
opps, forgot to takle number 3: if the label release their own comp "best of xyz records", or "dj abc does xyz's greatest hits" you will get 50% of the income.

"sold thru clubs" means cd clubs, like BMG, or Columbia house... you know those get 13 cd's for $1.00 deals. you will get money from that too.

honestly, i would take some time to think about what you're gonna get 50% of. if the label plans to release a comp... if it's a comp of the label's music, how are they going to give you 50%? mostly likey the label has other artists, and they are probably gonna share some space on a comp.

if the comp is about you... ok, then... but you still have to ask, what are you getting 50% of?

this is another reason to see a lawyer...

and here is one more reason to see lawyer:
does the label sell merchandise? is there any provision in your contract mentioning how/what/if they are going to pay your if they use your name/likeness/tracks, etc on t-shirts n' stuff they sell to promote the label?

who knows... maybe right now they don't have plans to sell t-shirts and stuff like that at all, and think/say they never will. maybe a month or two after you sign they might change their mind. they put the name of your track, along w/cover art on the front, and the label logo on the back. and sell them for $20.00 a pop. you deserve a cut from that.

ps congrats on getting a response.

good luck, and take care.

Thanks very much for the info SR126. Thats really helped me a lot.

They havent got back to an email I sent them for a couple of days. Probably normal but cant help but worry that they've changed their minds.

Just have to wait and see

quote:

Originally posted by G-Con 1)The general gist of it is that I'm am signing over full rights of ownership to them in everyway and giving them full control. Sounds scary but is this standard?

A normal contract only grants a label the rights on the master recording for a period of time. After this time all rights go back to you and you could sign it again somewhere else if you want.

If you were signing away all rights on the recording you wouldn't get any royalties in a normal case. Just a flat fee. I never heard of a case where someone signs away all rights but does get royalty payments... (Maybe this would be the first?)

If the contract mentions a timeframe in which it is active you're not signing away all rights . A normal timeframe would be about 5 years imo. Unless you don't mind it being more .

quote:

2)For digital sales, they say I will get 16% of the gross income, minus all the costs they have incurred. Does that sound about right?

Generally most digital labels (is it a digital only label/release?) grant an artist 50% of the profits. Which almost always is 50% of the generated income through digital sales. Publishing music digitally on webshops is free. Promotion could cost a bit. So when thinking it over
16% is shit.

quote:

3)I get 50% of income for reproductions from inhouse compilations, reproductions sold through clubs etc. (Have no idea what this means)

Every artist on the compilation needs to get payed. Based on the playing time on the compilation you will be paid a percentage agreed upon by your label and the compilation manufacturer. You'll get 50% of the income the compilation generates. This means the other 50% will go to the label. This are standard percentages.

quote:

4)What does this paragraph mean. "This transfer of rights also contains the right to solely use and Exploit the Track and Title as specified above in each and every form within the Territory under any name, label or trademark "

quote:

5)In the calculation and settlement of royalties section, there is one bit which caught my attention. Can anyone explain it please? The Label is allowed to make a reservation up to 25%(twenty-five percent). These reserves shall be liquidated within 2(two) accounting periods

As sr126 said. for both

quote:

I know asking questions on here probably isn't the most professional way to go over a contract but its not as if I'm gonna pay a solicitor to go over it so I hope that maybe some of you who have signed these kind of contracts before will be able to help me.

This is the part where I mostly disagree with sr126. Good thing you asked here. A lawyer is a better choice if you want to take the safe road BUT it is so expensive you probably won't get the costs earned back with this record deal. If you have any questions you could ask the label as well. They should be very helpfull if they really want you in their portfolio .

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