quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller To get money for the free downloads + outsourcing decent promo of course.

If the downloads are free, where does that money come from?

That's my problem to solve. And I already did . The label can run at a loss. Money comes in on a profitable business especially designed to fund the other (the label).

quote:

Originally posted by Innocence Lost Your concept is pretty interesting. You accept old school trance?

No. I'm looking mostly for deeper techy stuff as I hope is apparent in the current releases.

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller That's my problem to solve. And I already did . The label can run at a loss. Money comes in on a profitable business especially designed to fund the other (the label). No. I'm looking mostly for deeper techy stuff as I hope is apparent in the current releases.

ok

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller That's my problem to solve. And I already did . The label can run at a loss. Money comes in on a profitable business especially designed to fund the other (the label).

Okay then

So here are my thoughts

I'm an artist who wants to publish
I can go to an aggregator and be on Beatport and all major stores immediately, not a problem, they do royalty admin on digital platforms, streaming services etc. and that's that.
AS LONG AS I AM NOT ENROLLED WITH ROYALTY ORGS, i.e. Being a member of BUMA/STEMRA i can give my shit to whom i like to share. No risk, they collect for and pay to members only, not to anyone not enrolled.
If your artists are not enrolled or go under creative commons it's the same
The guys paying for the track in stores either want to support the artist, or stumbled upon the track browsing the store, not realizing it's available for free as well.

If i'm an independent artist, not signed by A list label, there is nothing you offer me, except absorbing the cost of an UPC/EAN code with the aggregator, in return you take a cut with the sales and the aggregator reports everything from their end.

I understand and applaude you doing this for the love of music, but what's in it for me? And what's in it for you? And how do you retie your value to artists who are to small to enroll in copyright orgs?
Unless you are banking copyright and do enroll yourself cashing on all royaltees, i do not understand why you are doing this.

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Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

Last edited by Raphie on Jan-27-2015 at 09:22

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie If i'm an independent artist, not signed by A list label, there is nothing you offer me, except absorbing the cost of an UPC/EAN code with the aggregator, in return you take a cut with the sales and the aggregator reports everything from their end. I understand and applaude you doing this for the love of music, but what's in it for me? And what's in it for you? And how do you retie your value to artists who are to small to enroll in copyright orgs? Unless you are banking copyright and do enroll yourself cashing on all royaltees, i do not understand why you are doing this.

A label should always have added value. I agree that it is currently very little but that will grow over time. You can't just start from scratch and expect to shoot for the stars. Value is most importantly but not exclusively created with the following:
- A proper promotional network (DJ's, radio, licensing)
- An audience, proper social reach (will grow over time)
- Paying royalties for free downloads. Free downloads should theoretically improve reach by a tenfold. Increasing fans/reach.
- Competing with pirated content (worldwide still accountable for ±50% of music consumption) by having a free and accessible alternative which supports the artist.
- 100% of sale revenue from shops to label, artist gets 50% of that. A better deal than most other labels offer, as usually their distributor takes a cut.

I intend to add some bullet points later on, but I first need to sort out the legal issues involved.

What is in it for me:
- I'd like to prove myself that a label can be succesful while operating outside the scope of a regular small-sized label.
- Personal satisfaction by sharing music I truly appreciate.

quote:

And how do you retie your value to artists who are to small to enroll in copyright orgs?

I would strongly suggest them inform at their local copyright society and if viable then enroll into one. In many countries the first year is paid, and free from then on. A few cents from every sale made online (Beatport, iTunes, etc) should be flowing back to the artist.

I did not register Loving Music with a copyright society as I mentioned here: http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...08#post11642667
The terms and conditions were inadequate and would require 100.000 Euro anually to do it all legally. There are very little loopholes to bypass the system (I know just 1), other than just doing it illegally.

As such Loving Music pays artist directly for free downloads. The ammount is ±200% of what the Dutch copyright society would pay out for every free download. If at some point Loving Music will sign an agreement with a copyright collector the direct payable royalties for free downloads will decline accordingly to the ammount to be made payable to copyright societies for every single free download. To be able to legally bypass copyright societies it was necessary to publish the downloads through Soundcloud.

On the other hand I'm still contemplating wether or not I should go down the illegal route. Soundcloud still does not pay to a copyright society up to this day as far as I'm aware and they seem to be able to get away with it, why not a small label like Loving Music? Food for thought, and it would give me the means to implement the full plan which adds a lot more value for artists and the label.

Also, any copyright society has the right to demand payment if you sell music, regardless of whether the artists are part of a copyright society or not. Just because it is deemed reasonable for them to expect at least one artist would be part of a society.

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Last edited by Storyteller on Jan-27-2015 at 10:32

I'm high as fuck, wtf did you just say.

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...=2#post11642713

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

I like your enthousiasm and perspective. Curious to see how this will develop.
Most "community" mails end up in my spam. Looking at Colours 1 it generated €17 to date combined store and streaming platforms revenue I've invested €38 to get it out there.

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Analogue Mastering
Esoteric sound for the discerning ear

Thanks.

End yeah, I've seen a steady decrease over the years, from hundreds of euros to a couple of 10ers. That's another aim, I want to make musicians earn a bit more than they did before.

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Storyteller Website | Storyteller @ Facebook | Storyteller @ Beatport | Storyteller @ Soundcloud | Stephen J. Kroos - Europa (Storyteller Remix)
Anthony Mea - Get It On (Storyteller Remix)

quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

Matt, how do you download those tracks, I cannot see any DL button on SC? Have you disabled it?

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